Chapter 211: Fire Drips, Pantiles Get Wet in the Drops 5
*
From the Fortress to the town of Loakum, it’s a distance that would take an adventurer less than half a day.
However, escorting fifty refugees means it will take two days, no matter how hard we push.
It’s obvious, but people get hungry, thirsty, and need to use the restroom.
Regarding food, Oscalonia, the head of the Fortress’s Knights Order, went to considerable trouble to provide for us.
He pushed the limits, providing just enough so as not to hinder the Knights Order’s operations. It’s rare for a noble to go this far for common Villagers.
Perhaps Count Helcums is an admirable person.
Although Loakum, right under his nose, had a few too many criminal organizations, perhaps they were just taking advantage of his good nature.
I cleaned up the town for Erika’s sake, but maybe I managed to be of some help to Count Helcums too.
As I was thinking about such things, the lights of the bonfires, just starting to be lit here and there, began to overlap with the setting sun shining on the meadow we chose as our campsite.
“Are we really okay setting up here?”
Watching the scene, I asked Yuunou-san (Maricia). I was talking about the location of our tent.
“We’re a small group. If we can’t cover everything, the center, being the shortest distance to anywhere, is the optimal solution. At the Masked Man’s speed, you should make it in time.”
“True enough.”
If I can’t make it, worst case, I’ll have Erika throw me.
As I nodded while thinking this, Yuunou-san somehow made a face like she was enduring a headache.
“You’re thinking something weird again, aren’t you, Masked Man? No, it’s fine, you don’t need to answer.”
Is my face really that easy to read?
While I was rubbing my face and pondering this, Yuunou-san went off somewhere with an exasperated look, saying she was going to check the tent positions one last time.
As I watched her go, Erika’s group, who had gone to return the toddlers from the carriage to their parents, came back, replacing her.
Erika, Jen, Shara, and Beardy (Drim).
In other words, the world’s number one woman, Pantile, a Church-Recognized Saint (masked), and Beardy (masked).
Strange, Pantile is supposed to be just a family name, but lined up like this, I somehow feel the most wary of her. Am I the only one who feels she’s more dangerous than the two masked individuals?
But still, anyone who didn’t know us would probably wonder what kind of group this is.
“Hey, thanks for waiting up.”
As I was thinking how chaotic this all was, Jen raised a hand in greeting.
“I’d appreciate it if the person I’m supposed to be guarding wouldn’t wander around so much, though.”
Though it’s needless worry if Erika is nearby.
Thinking this, I looked at Erika and saw she had a serious expression. What could it be? She didn’t seem angry, but…
“Were the children returned safely?”
I swallowed my question for the moment and asked Erika. Work comes first. No, wait, is my current job guarding Jen?
“Yes, safely to their parents.”
Erika’s face was stiff as she replied. Is there really a problem?
Even if she’s new to being an adventurer, she’s still Erika. A prodigy of Sword and Magic, a brilliant woman who never once yielded the top spot since enrolling in the academy.
It’s possible she’s noticed a concern that I haven’t.
As an adventurer, I’m her senior, so it’s pathetic that I can’t notice it myself, but more than that, the difference in experience doesn’t matter; Erika’s amazingness wins out.
Just as I opened my mouth to speak to Erika.
A wooden cup was thrust before my eyes.
It was Jen.
“Brew me some tea!”
“That’s rather sudden, isn’t it?”
What’s with her demanding I make tea as if it’s the most natural thing in the world?
“Well, the main purpose of this trip was pretty much just to drink your tea again, you see.”
Aim for something more profitable, you’re a Pantile, aren’t you?
Just as I was about to say that, behind Jen, her subordinate Chako gave a slight bow.
Seriously? Is wanting to drink my tea again really one of her objectives?
From Chako’s expression, which seemed to say, “Sorry about this, but please do it,” I understood that what Jen said was true.
This woman… she really is… wehhehheh.
Thinking, I guess it can’t be helped, I lit the bonfire and placed the grill I received from Chako onto the stone stove.
Chako smoothly handed me a kettle for boiling water and tea utensils. Her preparedness is a little scary.
Well, we need tea for dinner anyway, so I don’t particularly mind preparing it.
I was the one making tea throughout the journey to the Helcums Territory, after all.
Just as I was about to pour water from my Water Flask into the kettle I’d received, a voice called out, “Wait.”
It was Erika.
“Shin.”
Erika’s voice calling my name was hard. Rock solid hard. Probably hard enough to beat someone to death with words alone.
Instantly, my back straightened.
I resolved to accomplish whatever Erika told me next, no matter what.
What could it be? Destroy the Faltar Kingdom? That would trouble many at the Church, so maybe just taking the Pope’s head would suffice? What if it’s Margrave Makikomarkrow’s head? That would be considerably difficult.
“Um…”
But the voice that followed was soft and weak, as if the earlier hardness was a lie. I impulsively wanted to take Erika’s hand and ask what was wrong, though I wouldn’t actually do it.
Unable to move, my back still ramrod straight, I waited intently for Erika’s words.
Honestly, my emotions were already a complete mess. I’d made a do-or-die resolution in less than a second, only to have the rug pulled out from under me just as quickly.
Does Erika want to become a femme fatale or something?
With Erika’s beauty, a femme fatale version would be completely unmanageable, wouldn’t it?
A flicker of hesitation crossed Erika’s face, and her lips silently formed some words. Was it “That’s right”?
“Setting me aside, you are a noble.”
Well, it’s true I am technically a noble.
“In that case, um… yes! In that case, serving tea to a guest without any accompanying sweets would be a breach of noble etiquette!”
I swallowed the words, She’s more like someone I’m guarding than a guest, though.
Erika’s face looked like she’d just thought of something brilliant.
“I shall brew the tea! So! Shin, please go buy some sweets to serve our guest!”
I see, so basically, if I am to be Erika’s husband, I must act like a noble?
The fact that Erika is now a commoner is irrelevant. Because Erika is noble simply by being Erika.
Even a king would seem lesser standing next to her.
Let alone me; being a noble is the bare minimum.
“Do you realize how far it is to town!?”
I ignored the clamoring Shara.
This isn’t something where distance and time can be used as excuses.
Erika is testing me, telling me to show my Pride if I am to stand by her side.
“Understood, thank you. I was about to commit a breach of etiquette.”
“I think most breaches of etiquette are forgivable when you’re escorting refugees!?”
I ignored the clamoring Shara again.
You don’t understand Erika as a person.
“Erika, do you have a preference for the sweets?”
I asked while stretching my upper body.
“Baked Goods, so they’re easy to distribute to the children too!”
Erika is so kind, I love her. My affection skyrockets at Erika’s immediate answer.
Magicka circulated throughout my body, increasing the intensity of my Physical Enhancement.
I was about to tell Jen to wait a moment, but I almost tilted my head in confusion.
Because Jen was covering her face with one hand and muttering, “What is this adorable creature… I can stan this, I can totally stan this.”
I don’t really get it, but it’d be wrong to interrupt, so I’ll just leave her be.
“Alright then, I’m heading out.”
I started running.
Afterword
Yes! Finally, I can show everyone what Erika looks like!
Unfortunately, Kakuyomu doesn’t allow general users to embed images, so
Please follow the link to my activity report below.
https://kakuyomu.jp/users/Metalkinjakuzi/news/16818622172549787219
It’s a wonderful illustration by Koyukomu-sama.
So cool!
Having so many people read my work, and even receiving comments.
Furthermore, unexpectedly winning an award and getting published.
Even now, I sometimes wonder if this isn’t all just a long, long dream.
I’m sure on the release date, the sales numbers will hit me, and I’ll wake up to reality.
Until then, I’d be happy if you could bear with this author, who is still floating in this dream.