Chapter 224: Finally, Peace
As I lay face down, Retze and Dean arrived.
“Huh? Didn’t you go to prepare the horses?”
“They’re already waiting in the square. I’m just here to help with the welcome and carry the luggage.”
“Chris should have some time alone with his brothers too.”
Retze replied to Dinoss, and Dean shrugged as he added his thoughts.
“So? What’s this?”
“Oh, just overheard a rather stimulating conversation and got knocked out.”
When Dean said that, he was clearly referring to me.
“What? You’re at an age where you should have two or three kids, and you’re getting flustered over one or two chests?”
Lilith’s voice came from the doorway.
It might be like that in this world, but it’s different in Japan! I couldn’t exactly shout that out, so I lifted my head to complain, but stopped short.
“Hmm… I thought boys were supposed to want to grope.”
Ash looked confused, his expression turning serious. Sure, I might want to, but it’s not just anything that goes! Repent!
“Ah. Is that what the Order of Knights teaches?”
“Yes. My colleagues often talked about such things.”
Ash answered Retze’s question.
“The Knights are like that, so you might want to ignore their opinions.”
Dean pointed at himself with a thumb.
“Sounds like you’re being praised, but you really aren’t, huh!?”
I bet he thinks he’s being called a pervert. Not a single compliment there, Dean.
“Hmm…”
“Just act normally, okay? Just be normal.”
Thanks, Retze. I’ll send you a cool plate next time.
“If we just act normally, I don’t think things will progress.”
“Better than it falling apart, right?”
Retze replied to Lilith, who looked exasperated.
“Lilith, it might be better to give up on Lord Gold. There are issues with gender compatibility, after all.”
The butler, who had been silent, chimed in.
“Lord Gold? Gender compatibility?”
“Lilith’s older brother, the head of the Divaland House. I’ve heard a child is expected soon. It seems he wants to enter the Adelheid House in exchange for a child from Ash.”
The butler explained, noticing the confusion on my face.
“Since it would mean pushing you out and taking over.”
Lilith shrugged.
Ah, so she was in a hurry because of the age difference, or else it would be seen as a case of lolicon or shotacon. —Still, isn’t there a lot of lolicon stuff going on?
“Is that what you were thinking? I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s unnecessary.”
“Sorry about that.”
Lilith apologized to Ash and me.
“But I want you to remember that your child might have such options.”
She smiled gently at Ash.
Lilith, who seems outrageous yet holds noble values, might feel a bit lonely because she and Ash, who abandoned his House, are slightly out of sync.
I want to believe that her interest in children isn’t just about wanting to see spirits. Given who she is, she likely balances both the calculations for her House and her friendship with Ash equally well.
I don’t dislike her, but I find her a bit hard to handle. I feel relieved that it’s confirmed Lilith will return to her country. I tend to want to escape from women who come on too strong.
After a series of events, we arrived late at the square. Retze and Dean loaded Lilith and her maid’s luggage onto the horses they brought. In the town, you can’t ride horses except in the square and on the main street, so we walked while holding the reins.
When we reached the square, there were three carriages in addition to the horses. It seemed the first batch of goods obtained from negotiations—no, not spoils of war—was being loaded. There were also horses with saddles, indicating that not only Lilith but also the maid would be riding.
Reed was there with his beloved horse.
“Is Reed okay? He looks a bit soot-covered.”
It seemed like the sparkle had faded from his appearance. His horse leaned in to comfort him.
“He’ll be back to normal as soon as he finds something to do. He’s straightforward, for better or worse.”
Chris replied without a hint of annoyance, despite my repeated questions about Reed’s condition.
“Three carriages, huh…”
Dinoss remarked.
A few merchants, likely the trading partners, had come to see us off and were greeting Lilith.
“Whoa, even the lord’s steward is here.”
Retze muttered.
The Adventurer’s Guild and Merchant Guild hold more power than the lord, managing to navigate the frequent comings and goings. The lord tends to offload troublesome matters and is particularly content as he profits from both guilds, with the Spirit’s Branch subtly involved in Kanum.
Unlike other towns, the lord’s presence isn’t felt much in daily life, but seeing him up close is still surprising, and it feels like bowing is the right thing to do. I’ve heard he has invited people to the lord’s mansion, so it seems he’s already been won over.
Lilith, quite the capable one.
“Tina, I’m sorry. Right now, I lack confidence in my own feelings.”
“It’s fine! It was a wonderful time! I can brag about it!”
Meanwhile, Reed was kneeling in front of Tina, starting something.
“Tina, you are so generous and adorable. That braid suits you well.”
Reed gifted Tina a flower he apparently bought from a stall. Ash murmured as he watched.
Today, Tina had her hair braided by Shiva and was wearing a slightly fancy outfit. Wait, hold on, is that braid really a braid? Even I can tell it looks different!
I would be troubled if my hair ended up matching Tina’s. I had promised that I would only accept a braid, but it seems Ash’s definition of a braid might be broader than I thought.
The crayfish hairstyle I had previously was definitely not a braid. Should I honestly tell Ash that it felt good like a scalp massage when he asked if he should stop?