episode_0011

11.

The next day, dawn, as the sun began to rise.

Austi begins her usual routine. A perfectly ordinary start, beginning with going to the guard post and changing into her uniform.

“I’m going on patrol.”

Two-person teams, or battle pairs, were mandatory, but Austi was always alone. Let me state upfront, it’s not because she’s an elf and faces discrimination.

Rather, she voluntarily chose to be alone.

No, it would be more accurate to say that Austi keeps her distance from humans.

While there’s no discrimination, there is a difference. Too many humans approached her with ulterior motives.

She always maintains a cold expression because she’s tired of those kinds of humans.

Elves typically live about three times as long as humans, so the chances of encountering scoundrels are proportionally higher.

While the number of men who made sexual advances toward her had decreased significantly at some point, lesbians exist too, so women hit on her as well.

Although she’s an elf who naturally takes an interest in the ways of the world due to her long lifespan, Austi has absolutely no interest in why the number of men has decreased so drastically.

It doesn’t matter. All she has to do is protect this city.

Why she works as a guard is another story.

Anyway, today, too, she begins her shift with her usual punctuality, never once late.

Her armor, heavy due to its sturdy construction, has no ornamentation. It’s just reinforced with buffs, appropriate to the job, and that’s it.

Today’s patrol route is the south.

“Hmm.”

Is it just a hunch? She feels an inexplicable sense of unease. Is it because of the perverted duo she ran into strangely? The combination of a nun and an adventurer is hardly new.

However, the ridiculously dressed busty nun, with her exposed cleavage and lace undergarments…

The so-called adventurer isn’t clad in armor, merely wrapping a few scraps of cloth around her essentials.

Stupidly, they both have such large breasts that they wouldn’t attract any men.

‘No. That’s pointless. I shouldn’t worry about it.’

They’re just people passing through. They’ll forget each other if left alone.

The patrol goes smoothly. There are many outside adventurers, but they cause no trouble, and the residents are peaceful.

“Patrol report. Southern District 1, no abnormalities.”

“Good work, Officer Austi. Go relieve yourself and take a break.”

Yama, the guard captain, with dull green hair and piercing eyes. She has two scars above her left eye.

She looks somewhat languid, but is undoubtedly skilled, a woman.

“Is there anything else?”

“No. Lately, we’ve been outsourcing to the guild.”

“Isn’t that all due to the lazy officers? That’s why we use the guild, even if it’s expensive.”

“Anything truly dangerous comes to us. Like those… hybrids, mongrels, whatever you want to call them.”

Goblin and Kobold hybrid monsters. A new species of monster whose name hasn’t even been properly decided, a request to exterminate them, leading to an unexpected meeting with Erina and Levy.

“That’s just seeing them as convenient labor, though.”

“Don’t you think it’s pretty good? Go take your break now.”

“…Yes.”

Austi reluctantly nods.

The fact that order is maintained is definite proof that the guard unit is doing its job well. But there’s more to be done.

“…Oh. By the way, someone upstairs wants to meet you. Seems they want to hear the report directly.”

“Upstairs? Do you mean the Lord?”

“No, below that again. Deputy Commander Rosa Lumine.”

“Order received.”

It’s about time. Originally, it’s correct that she should properly manage the various organs, including the guard unit, but she didn’t do that diligently.

Rumor has it she calls people over to her extravagant mansion whenever she’s bored – such a ridiculous position that it can’t possibly be boring.

Should she take this as a good sign, that she intends to do her job properly from now on? No, humans generally don’t change.

Rosa works in the city center, what you’d call city hall.

“Ah, Austi.”

“+?. An adventurer coming here…”

An unexpected face. A woman adventurer with striking red hair, Levy. (Pervert)

“Don’t do that, I was called too. And when will you call me Levy?”

Unexpected, but understandable. She was also involved in the incident.

She doesn’t appear particularly outstanding, but she does seem strong-willed.

“Hmph. Fix that scandalous outfit! It looks something like clothing, but showing your chest like that…”

“Honestly, it’s more comfortable this way?”

They bicker as they approach Rosa’s office.

Austi politely knocks, and the door to the unnecessarily large office opens.

“Welcome. Neither of you has eaten yet, right?”

Rosa, with her elegant features and languid eyes, greets them.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

From the moment the door opened, Austi’s brow furrowed. Something is bothering her.

It’s not just Levy.

The air in the room is stuffy.

“Shall we eat together? I presume Ms. Levy will be alright with that?”

The strength that comes with experience. She speaks softly, but it’s close to an order. She smiles brightly, yet her inner darkness is palpable.

“Yes.”

“I’ll guide you to the dining hall.”, a maid with short blue hair opens the door and speaks politely.

Indeed, even the staff dining room is lavish. The prepared menu is obviously high-class.

“……. Shall we hear your report then? Would official business during a meal be inconvenient?”

“No. It’s fine…Then I’ll begin. I have recorded everything in detail in the report already.”

Austi answers Rosa’s questions and finishes giving a detailed report.

“First, we need a name…. Let’s simply combine their names. So that even those hearing it for the first time can easily understand.”

“Then, Kobblin or Kobolin? Something like that.”

“Kobolin sounds better. Ms. Levy, are you certain that Ms. Austi’s report contains no errors?”

“What I said is true.”

“Then let’s hear from Ms. Levy as well.”

Levy’s report isn’t drastically different from Austi’s. It just focuses more on the sexual aspects.

“Yes, I see. I’ve heard everything. Your efforts will be commended. Actually, I didn’t call Ms. Austi only for that matter.”

“Speak.”

Austi answers quickly; she didn’t want to hear any more about Kobolin’s genitals. Fortunately, everyone has finished eating.

“Is the guard situation alright?”

“There aren’t any major problems, but discipline has become lax due to the guild’s presence.”

“I’ll discuss the guild with the Lord. The guild is the driving force behind the city’s growth, so it isn’t something we can easily touch upon.”

“I understand.”

Indeed, Rosa doesn’t have the authority to control the guild; it should be brought up to her superiors.

“That said, are you happy?”

“Happy…? I don’t understand the question.”

Austi’s pupils flickered. Happy? She has no idea what that’s about.

“I discovered happiness yesterday. Did you know that the more happiness is spread, the better it is?”

“I became happy too.”, Levy adds.

“As Deputy Commander, I’ve truly begun wishing for the happiness of every citizen.”

“…That’s good.”

“Before that, I intend to make the guards happy first.”

“You would be better off calling Captain Yama for that.”

“Of course, I’ll talk to her. But I felt like I wanted to give happiness first to Ms. Austi, who is known as the most stern officer among the guards.”

“…I’m stern?”

She bows her head and thinks for a moment. Clearly, she’s the most serious.

What she didn’t expect was to be called stern…

“Ah. Don’t misunderstand. I’m not talking about breasts.”

“That made me misunderstand.”

Every woman here has massive breasts, at minimum. Especially that adventurer next to me… She’s on a whole different level.

It’s secretly annoying.

“Don’t you want to be happy?”

“I’m happy enough as I am. If I wanted to be happy, I wouldn’t have become a guard.”

“No, you just haven’t felt happiness.”, Rosa says firmly.

There’s something suspicious about her gaze.

“…Then I’ll take your word for it.”

“Alright. Ms. Austi, please call Yama. And, Ms. Levy, please call the nun.”

“Yes~.”

“Understood. Thank you for the meal.”

“Violet, please see them out.”

“Yes, mistress”, a maid with one eye hidden behind her bangs, answers in a rather shadowy demeanor.

…

..

“Hey, Austi. It’s probably not your fault that you’re unhappy. The world is to blame for there being no men.”

“…What rubbish. What do men have to do with happiness? And I’m probably twice your age.”

“Poor Austi. Women need to be loved.”

“Women can love women, can’t they?”

“That’s true. But a woman can’t fulfill everything. Except… in some cases♡”, Levy smiles ecstatically.

“That’s enough. I need to go call the Captain, so excuse me. I suppose it’s the same for you too?”

“Yeah. See you tomorrow.”

Austi heads straight for the guard barracks.

‘See you tomorrow…? Why is she so sure?’

She dismissed it lightly, but there’s something off.

First, why did she call her here in the first place? She didn’t seem particularly interested. If anything, she seemed more curious about Levy’s sexual report.

Second, why did she call Levy, too? That doesn’t seem like enough reason to cross-check a story.

Third, why did she call her and the Captain, along with that perverted nun?

Something smells fishy. That perverted nun, something’s up.

Austi has a hunch.