36 Episode 36 "A Small Request from Nagi to Cecil".txt (1/2)

Iris...... isn't kidding, right?

She's on a chair, and she's bowing deeply.

...... us, in the center?

'Yes, sir. I want you guys to be the last line of defense for Iris.

As you may know, my fellow wizards aren't feeling well, and our forces are greatly diminished, so if we have more than 30 adventurers to escort Lady Iris, I don't think we'll make much difference with our strength.

But I still need to ask you, sir.

Iris did not relent.

'Why?'

For Iris does not 'understand' you.

Because 'I don't understand'?

There's a saying in the port city of Ilgafa. 'If you save a man from drowning, be prepared to throw away a piece of luggage' - you don't save a man unless there's merit in it.

It was an amazing rationalism.

'And yet what Lady Souma wanted as a reward for helping Iris is truly modest. Iris can't understand that.

I probably wouldn't be able to explain that to you.

The only reason Rita insisted on helping Iris was because she liked little kids and couldn't leave them alone, and the only reason I allowed it to happen was because I was disgusted with the guy who was making even dead people work in black, and the limp Iris overlapped with Cecil, who was running a fever.

'But maybe it's because you're like that, Souma-sama, that you're able to resist the same incomprehensible 'enemy'.

With that, Iris concluded her story and bowed her little head once more.

'I have my priorities,'

I said.

”We were the only ones who could save you then, Iris. That's why I did it. And now he's going to be protected by a lot of adventurers. That's why I want to put my friends first in protecting him. That's why I want to protect my friends first.

So how about a guest?

”Our guest?

There is no need for a 'contract'. As an equal friend, you can be a place for Iris to escape to if she is ever needed. You may use the villa's detached house as a place for that purpose.

Dear Iris: ”Dear Iris, ...... that's as far as you'll go: ......

'Your father never said not to make friends on the road. Matilda.

Iris shook off the maid's hand and laughed.

'My lord said, 'Choose your friends,' my lord, Iris.

I remember. 'Think about how many arshahs you can earn for the time you spend on that friend,' right?

What kind of day trader are you, Lord Irgafa?

'But,' he said, 'keep the assets you won't touch until the end. It will save you,' he also said. It will help Iris to have a place to escape to one day. What do you think, Nagi-sama?

Yes, that's about it: ...... of course.

More than 30 adventurers, an army of soldiers to come. And the wealth, connections, and other assets of the port city of Ilgafa.

It's unlikely that Iris, who is so well protected, would ever rely on us.

Thank you, Mr. Souma. Dear Souma.

Iris plucked at the hem of her skirt and gave a little bow.

”Now Iris and Nagi-sama are friends. Since we are going to be friends, shall we formally 'contract' to 'become friends'?

''Didn't you consider the possibility that they were controlling the 'Black Armor (Living Mail)'?　Lady Iris.

In the parlor after Souma-Nagy and Rita-Melpheus have left.

Matilda asks Iris while she is re-brewing her cooled tea.

She approaches her, pretending that she saved Iris-sama herself. It's a common practice.

'Yes. They knew they were under suspicion too. That's probably why they came here.

Iris replied as she dangled her feet on the chair.

'If they were the mastermind, they would leave some of the party members at the inn. Both to communicate with the outside world and to provide an escape route. The fact that they have all come away together is a statement of their willingness to accept our family's surveillance.

What if there were more than just those five party members?

'You can't read all the winds and waves at sea,' as the saying goes, 'You can't read all the winds and waves at sea,' and Matilda knows that, don't you?　At that point, let's just give up on the fact that you didn't have eyes for us.

But, Mr. Iris!　You don't know what kind of a person you're talking about, and you don't want to be friends with them!

'I will not allow you to speak ill of your friend Iris!

Iris couldn't help but exclaim.

Souma-sama was her first friend.

There had never been anyone like that before. She had never had the chance to meet him in the first place.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. I'm sure you'll be able to find a good deal more information on the subject.

'You know what, Matilda? If you were an enemy, you would have hired me to get close to Iris, right?　And yet those people refused the request. The reason for that is a party member who is in poor health. Moreover, they claimed to themselves that they don't have much of an ability. Where is such a strange enemy?

Ugh, Matilda choked on her words.

Sigh.

Matilda is a maid given to her by her father. I don't hate her, but I resent her trying to manage herself forever. Even this visit to the grave was only possible after persuading Matilda for several hours. It's not right to take so much time and effort to visit your own mother's grave, and it's also disgusting to have her look at you and say, ”See?” just because you were attacked.

Even Iris knows her place. I will do the work of a miko, and I will do the work of a maiden. I don't dislike the work of a maiden, and I don't dislike the work of shipping. But the thought of devoting one's life to the Irugafa is disgusting.

”A place I can run to when the need arises...

Just the fact that there is a place like that makes me feel lighter.

That alone was worth the effort of talking to Souma-sama.

I wish them luck on their journey. Hopefully, we'll meet again.

Well. Let's unravel another escape route.

Iris ordered Matilda to bring out a book.