153 Episode 153 "Extra Part 14" Nagi, Iris, and Rafilias Secretly Cheat Escort Trip (Part 1) "".txt (2/2)

I said.

”'Priestess of the Sea Dragon' is very important to me as well.

For me, too!

Me and Raphilia looked at each other and laughed.

It's hard to say ”friends” and ”family” in this place, though.

We are on a road near the port town of Irgapha.

We can still see the port city walls in the background. We shouldn't go in the wrong direction. If we follow this road to the northeast, we should be able to find our destination village in about 2 hours.

Natalia and I are walking side by side with the carriage.

Rafilia is the one who controls the carriage. The guru skills are provided by the lord family. The horses are the familiar 'pickle' and 'pockle', so they know our comfortable speed. Even if we don't say anything, they'll get us where we need to go, so it's easy.

I'm surprised that I was given such an important assignment so soon after I returned home.

Natalia looked at me and said.

''But now that I have accepted, I will do my best to serve you. My mission is to protect the ”Priestess of the Sea Dragon” on her secret journey. I'm sure you understand the importance of that mission, but how about it?

Natalia looked at me with a spear in her hand and sharp eyes.

She seemed to be a serious person.

He's related to the regular soldier commander of the Ilgafa, so he seems trustworthy.

If that's the case, I'll have to answer seriously too.

''I am fully aware of the weight of the task of protecting the 'Sea Dragon Priestess'. I am prepared to offer my loyalty to the ”sea dragon priestess” Iris Hapheumea during this journey. I consider it an adventurer's honor to protect the young and beautiful girl.

............ awa. Aplished by working together. Therefore, Iris is also here now as an adventurer.

Iris declares in a loud voice as well. There's something about it that makes my eyes swim.

'So. I thought we didn't have to think too much about status and so on!　If you ever want to talk to Iris, please feel free to do so. Yes, that's quite all right. What do you think you're doing, old man, if you're wasting the opportunity that Iris has got, but let's just get along!　Pretty good!　Very well!

Oh, how kind of you!

Natalia will be on her knees.

I do the same.

'So ...... not so ......'

I can't help it, I'm in public.

I looked up just a little bit and looked at Iris.

Iris's cheeks puffed out, but she nodded. She seemed to understand.

─ We will talk about it later in the evening, but we will have plenty to talk about! We'll have a lot to talk about later!　Because the opportunity to hear the stories of these adventurers is something that Iris would be happy to hear.

I'll take those words to heart!

Natalia shouts out, as if impressed.

Then Iris moves her head, buzzing, and looks at me.

'I'll take those words to heart!

I follow Natalia's lead and chant.

'It's true, it's true, it's true, it's true!

Inside the carriage, Iris turned her chest back, nodded her head in agreement, and closed the carriage window.

──────────────────── ...

The journey continued smoothly.

The travel time was less than three hours. We only encountered a demon once.

The only thing that happened was that a giant bat - 'Giant Bat (red, diurnal)' appeared aiming at the horses. When Rafilia fired an arrow at them, all three of them fell together.

The reason why the land demons didn't appear is because I placed the 'slime' on the roof of the carriage.

Raphilia's messenger 'Elder Slime' and the three 'Green Slimes' that I found in the swamp when I paused. Collectively, I negotiated with Magic Sword Reggie's skill 'Liquid Creature Domination (Slime Bringer)' and hired them as guards instead. Of course, Natalia didn't need this.

I asked a total of 4 slimes to hide on the roof of the carriage. When they see a demonic shadow, I asked them to combine their bodies and raise it up and threaten it with a gau-gee,” he said.

I see. ...... It's hard for slime to hear physical attacks,” he said.

And I'm sure the demons wouldn't go near an enemy bigger than themselves.

Raphilia and Iris heard about my plan and agreed with me. In secret, though.

I guess it worked, and no demons other than giant bats showed up. Good.

Of course, we gave the green slime people some dried meat as a reward.

We said goodbye before we reached the village, but 'if you need me, give me a call again! I was told (through Reggie). Apparently there are slimes that like to travel as well.

Now that I've learned how to recognize the ”travel-loving slime”, I'll look for it on the way back.

──────────────────── ...

So we arrived safely at our destination village before nightfall.

Iris safely handed a gift from the new lord to the village headman and said, ”It's nice to meet you again” (greeting). After that, we decided to rest at the lodge they had set up for us.

After that, Iris called me into her room and asked me to tell her a story about the adventurer.

Tea is ready to be made.

Thanks, Rafilia.

I'll take it. Master.

It was dusk.

We were sitting side by side on the bed in our room, drinking tea.

””Whew.”

Then the three of us all breathe a sigh of relief.

”Rafilia, you're getting better at making tea.

'In my spare time, I have Aine to guide me. When I'm at the lord's house, the head chef.

'The master gets along with the maids and the people in the kitchen very quickly.

I'm also gathering information. Everyone on the ground knows best what's going on in the house of the lord.

Raphilia nudged her elf ears against my shoulder and nodded.

As the three of us sat side by side, we quickly went into our usual relaxation mode. When we do this, it's almost the same as when we're at home. Iris is happily flapping her thin legs, and Rafilia is relaxing her shoulders.

I'm glad we came together.

''Speaking of which, are Aine and Leticia-sama and Cutlass-sama, who went on the trip, okay?

Raphilia said as she brewed another cup of tea.

''Yeah. There was a 'message' that we arrived safely in 'Sharka's Town'.'

I called up the window and double-checked the message I received from Aine. It said that the three of us arrived in the winged town of 'Sharka' without much trouble.

However, there was one thing written in the message that bothered me.

On the way, the three of them rescued an adventurer who was being attacked by a demon.

At that time, they heard that there was a conflict between the sub-humans (demi-humans) who live in the forest. And because of the conflict, the demons who live in the forest are coming out on the roads.

The sub-humans who live in the forest are represented by elves and beastmen. I've sent a message to Rita and asked her to gather information about that area at the Adventurer's Guild.

So far, nothing in particular.

The Adventurer's Guild in Irgafa has completely lost all credibility, so they're not getting any information in anymore. That's why Iris is going to receive the quest this time, though.

''Conflict between sub-humans, huh? ...... I'm curious.

Is this going to affect the port city?

'We do business with them on a small scale. We do business with them on a small scale, but we do deal with them on a small scale: nuts and berries, their seeds and seedlings. I thought it would have little economic impact.

I'll gather more information when I get back. Maybe the Merchant's Guild will be able to get more information.

Okay. I'll make a move on Iris.

Moo. Both of you ...... can't have difficult stories until you're on the road, right?

Raphilia sits back down next to me.

Then, with a puff, she rested her head on my shoulder.

We're just adventurers who were asked by the Adventurer's Guild. And the Master has given us a paid vacation. The master's orders are absolute, so Iris and I have to relax when we're not working.

...... Iris loves that about her mentor.

Iris laughed and put her little head on my shoulder, just like Raphilia did.

You know ...... I can't move in this position, can I?

I'm just a little bit of help in the world, right?

We're just taking it easy on ourselves. That's our way of throwing parties.

You said that, didn't you?　Iris and the others, we will obey your orders.

We're your loyal slaves.

''Of course...''

Iris and Rafilia join their voices together.

I guess it can't be helped.

The two of you had us worried about the incident with the Veil. Let's not be like this for a while longer.

Well, I was just thinking...

Konnichiwa, konnichiwa.

Mister Iris, may I have a word with you?

There was a knock at the door and Natalia's voice.

Me, Iris and Rafilia looked at each other and nodded.

''...... disguise operation has begun (Gisoussaku kanshi).''

...... formation C. In an adventurous reporting version!　Feel free to arrange it!

I have an idea at ...... Iris!

”...... got it!　We'll be right with you!

Ssshhh. Whisper.

And then we switched positions and...

Is there anything wrong with ......, what are you doing?

Natalia walks into the room and rolls her eyes.

Yeah ...... that's what happens.

The formation we took is for Iris and I to cover up if someone comes in when we're playing family.

Formation C is the position of me kneeling in front of Iris and reporting as an adventurer. Raphilia is next to her, and she pats me on the back instead of Iris.

But it would be suspicious if it's the same every time, so I've made a lot of arrangements.

And this time the arrangement is - a relaxing version, but ......

Can I help you?　Dear Natalia: ...... hmmm.

No, you know what? ......

Natalia looked at Iris, then at me next to her, then at Rafilia...

Why are the adventurers Nagi and Iris sticking their feet in the trough together?

I thought I'd ease your travel fatigue.

I said.

Raphilia, by the way, will be standing next to us after transferring the hot water to the tub for tea. After Natalia leaves, though, she's supposed to take over with Iris.

I was born in the East, and I know a place where you can get rid of the fatigue in your feet by munching.

I said with a stick.

This was Iris's brainchild, but ...... didn't you have a better way to cheat?

This stimulation of Mr. Iris's feet with his toes will help to relieve the fatigue of the journey.

Then I touched Iris's tiny feet in the tub with my toes.

I push the sole of her foot up with my thumb, and she pushes back with a plop.

Iris lets out a ”haha”. She's splashing around, bouncing the hot water and looking good. When I was standing in my former world, I once looked online for ways to loosen my tickled feet. That seemed to help.

Now I just need to stimulate the pressure points in a little more detail.

'Hey ...... Onii ...... Nagi-sama. The space between your toes is ...... yo yo ...... hmmm.

Iris was pouting, but then she noticed Natalia's gaze.

Okay, so what's the big deal?　Has something happened in the village?

'Yes, yes. That's the one.

Natalia's eyes were downcast.

It's like she pretended not to see the scene in front of her. Excellent.

”There's been a break-in in the village,” she said. And the Mayor asked if everything is ok.

Intruder?

'Yes, sir. It's dusk, and those in the village have only seen shadows. ......

Natalia's voice trailed off, as if she was afraid to be heard.

'The lodgings of the messenger from Irgafa' - she asked.

The messenger from Ilgafa: ...... Are you sure you're an assassin?

I said, and Natalia shook her head.

He wants to talk. That's all. I'll secure the perimeter of the inn, just in case. You can go to .......

I understand.

I pulled my feet out of the tub.

Iris looked unhappy, but it's your job.

I'll leave the rest of the leg joints to Raphilia.

'Be careful with ...... your brother, .......'

...... Please let me know if you need anything else. ...... master.

Iris and Raphilia murmured in a small voice.

I nodded to them both and left the room.

This journey for Iris is a snub. Only the Adventurer's Guild knows that Iris is riding in the carriage. I don't see how the guild can leak information when they are trying to regain our trust.

That means that the other party didn't know that we are Iris and simply came to contact the messenger from Ilgafa, without knowing that we are Iris.

I wonder if it has something to do with the demons that Aine and the others fought: ......

We'll look into it.

If it's not something we should be involved in, that's fine.

If it's not, then .............

............ Well, we'll figure it out later.

I went back to my room and decided to go out to look around with Reggie the Magic Sword.