71 Episode 71 "A certain amount of compensation was required forholiday work".txt (1/2)

From the top of Knot Hill, you can look down on the road leading to Ilgafa.

It is a wide road made of earth that carries goods from the port city inland.

To the east of the road, there is a small forest with a gaping hole in the middle. According to Iris, there is a lake in the forest. I think that's where Eterina-Harsburg said that she hid the golem.

Regular soldiers and adventurers are gathering in the open area of the forest.

They all seem to be armed and ready to face something.

Don't attack...!　One person's life...!

The one who appeared there was a giant several meters tall.

To be frank, it was a golem.

Basically, it takes the form of a person. But in addition to its legs, it also has a large number of tentacles growing out of it. They're made of metal or something, and they make a grating sound every time they move. They're stretching and contracting to intimidate the soldiers and adventurers.

It's literally a 'deformed golem'. Its head looks like a squashed frog, and it has something like fins on its hands too.

The guy who made it might have learned a lot about the ”Legend of the Sea Dragon”. The legend that the natural enemy of the sea dragon is a monster with tentacles is well known to the public.

Don't flinch!　Don't flinch. Don't flinch!

The soldiers are shouting, but they're not attacking.

That's probably because - there's one man caught in the hands of the golem.

He was lightly grabbed by the body, and only the upper half of his body was sticking out.

From here, I can't make out his face. It's just that he's wearing expensive-looking clothes. But ......

'You know what, Iris. Maybe that guy is .......

Iris needs to disappear now.

The next thing I knew, Iris was on her knees under my feet.

As if he had been spurred on, Rafilia was next to him, too, with her head stuck to the ground.

''I knew it, is the Lord of Ilgafa the one being held?

'Yes ....... I'm pretty sure it's your father: ......

I pulled Iris and Raphilia up. This is not Iris and her friends' fault.

Iris properly informed the lord. She said that the Eterina-Harsburg golem is hidden near the town. And that it's something very dangerous and should be disposed of carefully.

Rita. Rita, do you see Eterina Harsburg - or rather, a dark-haired, dark-eyed woman - around the regulars and adventurers?　Also, Cecil, check the magic of the golem. Iris, work with me to assess the situation.

Yes. Brother?

If I put him down on the ground like this, he's still going to start getting down on his knees.

I put Iris on my shoulder. Light. Or rather, thin.

Iris lets out a 'wow', but she understands my intentions and begins to look around with me.

'Based on their physique, there aren't any women among the regular soldiers. There are no female black hair among the adventurers either. The color of her eyes are ...... as expected at this distance.

Rita shook her golden hair and stared at the forest.

'All right. I think 'gone' is fine then. If they're bringing that guy with them, they should be restrained or have him under surveillance. What did Cecil find out?

Embedded in the golem is a magical crystal.

Cecil said, rubbing his red eyes.

'It's much, much bigger than the one in the ice golem in the basement of the dungeon. But it must be very expensive. You would have to be a nobleman or a local lord to buy something like that. ......

So, you mean that the lord can buy it.

If there's no Eterina-Harsburg here, it's very likely that he's done it: .......

'Your father was afraid all along. That he would take the place of a priestess.

Above my head, Iris said.

''If Iris doesn't have a child, the 'Sea Dragon Festival' will be handled by the lord. If that happens, I'll be targeted by my political enemies. ...... The day before yesterday, I had regular soldiers around the room, so ......

Is that why there were no regulars around the dungeons?

...... Yes.

Me and Iris held our foreheads at the same time, 'Aha!

You've done it, lord.

Did you think you were going to research and study that golem and convert it into a bodyguard ......?

On the ground, a golem is running amok, wielding metal tentacles.

The wizard tries to cast a spell, but the regular soldiers stop him. 'I said stay out of it!　If my lord is killed, it's our responsibility to protect him.

This is happening on the ground. We don't need to be sent there.

I mean, we could enjoy our day off as normal.

I'll just get us some more tea and we'll continue with our picnic.

I can't do ────, can I?

If the lord dies now, the story will be complicated.

The lord (Iris's father) has approved of Iris and me to a point, but I don't even know if the next lord will have the same attitude. On the contrary, it's possible that the succession battle could take a turn for the worse and Neuer-Hafeumea could come back. Then the treatment of Eterina-Harsburg would change. That would be the worst thing that could happen. I've finally calmed down.

............ It's a shame.

I took the trouble to give everyone a 'Yuukyu Kyuka' (paid vacation).

Gomen, I've got some urgent business to attend to, so cut off your day off here' is the worst line I've ever heard. If you're going to give me a day off, you have to promise me an alternative. I'm not going to be a black employer.

What do I do?　Should I get paid more: .......

Or should you go on a company trip - a vacation?

Well, I'll deal with that later.

You know what, Iris? We need you to ask us to rescue our lord.

I lowered Iris to the ground and said.

'You were the one who kept Iris in the Ilgafa lord's house, weren't you, lord?　If that's the case, then Iris is both my slave and a member of the Ilgafa lord family. If it's an emergency right now, there shouldn't be any problem with Iris hiring an adventurer to save the lords.

”...... Oh. Ha, yes. That's right big brother!

Iris rolled her eyes for a moment, but quickly nodded her head, cockily.

'The port city of Ilgafa is in danger right now. Therefore, in the name of Iris-Hafeumea, I will ask my master to rescue your father. And what's your reward?

I'm thinking of taking a leisurely company trip instead of a paid vacation today. That's why I need to rent the lord's house. It should be by the sea or in a tourist area. If possible, I'd like you to pay for the trip as well, but that's up to you. I won't say anything reckless.

'A company trip?' I'm not sure what's going on here, but it's not a problem. Iris will convince your father later. If not, I will pay you, even if you have to sell off Iris's personal belongings.

'You don't have to go that far. I'll negotiate that part with my lord.

If that golem was made by Eterina-Harsburg, it was probably beyond the reach of the regular soldiers. Well, maybe.

But the ice golem in the basement had regenerative powers and even used flying tools. And they can even act autonomously.