Chapter 76 (1/2)

Chapter 76

“Y-, y-, you! What have you gone and done this time?!” (Claura)

“...... Don’t worry, I’ll explain.” (Gio)

After smas.h.i.+ng the knights’ morale to dust with her engagement declaration, Elizabel smoothly talked the knights into allowing her to stay together with me — as in, even living in my room — until they return to Filsand. Then we went back to my room together.

The first thing she said when she entered the room was “My name is Elizabel, and I have exchanged engagement vows with Margils-sama.”

Which brings us to the present, where Claura is pulling on my ear with the face of a hannya.

(T/N: Hannya is a horned, grinning demoness mask from noh theatre used to depict a woman’s rage and jealousy.)

Leiha is anxiously looking between Claura and Elizabel.

Incidentally, Elizabel is still glued to me on my right side, so Claura is on my left…… ok that’s enough of that.

“I presume that this engagement was brought up as the pretext to enable Margils-sama to interfere with Elizabel-sama’s situation, is that correct?” (Irudo)

“That’s exactly right, Irudo-kun.” (Gio)

With a pensive look on his face, Irudo manages to guess the exact truth. As expected.

“So the aim is to protect Elizabel-san from a.s.sa.s.sins by accompanying her as her fiance……?” (Claura)

“That’s the gist of it. This would also allow me to brazenly approach the Duke. After I explain the situation to him, the engagement can be voided.” (Gio)

“......” (Elizabel)

Elizabel’s eyebrows draw together into a frown as she listens to our discussion.

“Every single person here is my ally. They can be trusted. There is no need to worry.” (Gio)

“......” (Elizabel)

She bats her red eyes in surprise as she understands what I’m trying to convey.

“Ally……?” (Elizabel)

“Yes. She is not just someone who gets on my case all the time, she is an important ally who has been of great help numerous times up to now.” (Gio)

I remove Claura’s fingers from my ear, despite her still sharply glaring eyes. Elizabel’s gaze roams around in hesitation, then she sighs softly and lets go of my arm.

“Understood. Everyone, everything up to now was an act…… there is no cause for concern.” (Elizabel)

“I, I was not really concerned! Margils had a lewd look on his face so I was just giving him some pertinent advice!” (Claura)

♥♦♣♠

“Nn, now I feel all refreshed.” (Claura)

“...... To think that the dwarves were enjoying something this good everyday……” (Leiha)

“That’s true, I myself have also taken a liking to it.” (Elizabel)

The ladies have returned from bringing Elizabel to the baths, as she had been covered with blood from head to toe.

Of course, I already casted the now-familiar [Invisible Demon] spell, and also requested the dwarves to strengthen their security, so there is very little worry about any harm coming to Elizabel here inside Senpu Village.

Rather than that, I am relieved to note that due to the naked socializing or whatsoever, Claura’s

and Leiha’s att.i.tudes towards Elizabel have softened quite a bit.

Now that everyone’s calmed down, it’s time to exchange information.

♥♦♣♠

“...... So in short, my aim is to decrease the number of casualties from Shadow Demons, and to even cut them off at the source if possible.”

“......”

In my case, I need her to understand my greatest goal, or else my actions and decisions afterwards would be really hard to explain, so I ended up talking quite a while. Like the true diplomat she is, Elizabel interrupted with appropriate questions here and there and listened earnestly, but it seems that she is still doubtful about the content of what I’m saying.

“You find it hard to believe?”

“I…… suppose so, yes. It just sounds so…… so like a dream. What do you stand to gain from doing this?”

Rather than contempt, her question was posed with true puzzlement.

Which reminds me, when I had helped her earlier, I did mention “my interests as the lord of Jiiteias Castle.”

It seems that everyone else also is interested in how I would answer Elizabel’s question, as all gazes in the room gather on me.