Episode 19
“No, you’ve got it all wrong. It’s not that kind of thing.”
“Then why do you have such items…?”
“Well, people normally use bags to carry things, right? And rope is useful for all sorts of things. Plus, this cloth can be used for anything.”
“And this sleeping powder is…?”
“Well, you know, I’m weak. It’s for emergencies.”
It might not even make it into the academy, let alone my room at the inn.
Apparently, Shino happened to see me sneaking around outside with something hidden in my arms, and because it looked so suspicious, she interrogated me as soon as we got back to the inn, which brings us to the present.
This “Exciting Kidnapping Set” is absolutely necessary to follow the original scenario. I can’t let her confiscate it here.
“Shino probably thinks this is for kidnapping someone, but that’s fundamentally impossible, okay? I mean, even if I use this powder to put a beautiful girl to sleep, blindfold her, gag her, tie her up with rope, and put her in a bag, how am I supposed to carry her from there? I’m so weak that I can’t possibly lift and carry a passed-out person.”
“A beautiful girl, you say? And you’re being awfully specific…”
“Huh? Oh, no. I was just giving an example.”
Crap, is this what they mean by a Freudian slip?
But no matter how suspicious I am, I can’t be charged with a crime just for collecting suspicious goods. Each of these items is perfectly legal to possess. It’s just that the combination makes it look weird.
“Besides, Geld-sama, you keep saying you’re weak, but… you’re strong, aren’t you?”
“…Huh? No, no, don’t be ridiculous…”
What? I’ve been careful not to do anything that would reveal my strength, like lifting heavy objects or moving quickly.
“Your footwork, your balance, the way you read and erase your presence… I suspect you’re already better than me…”
Whoa, she’s suddenly saying something amazing. Come to think of it, Shino is a super-maid who can do anything and is incredibly strong.
Damn it, she’s probably sure of it now. If that’s the case, my excuses will go from suspicious to completely out.
There’s no way I can talk my way out of this… which means I have to use my authority, even if it means she’ll hate me. I am the Family Head, after all.
“…Shino. Don’t ask any questions right now. Just trust me.”
“…! Y-yes. I was being presumptuous…”
Ugh, I did it. I used Family Head mode for the first time since the end of the first loop.
I just made my expression stern, put strength in my eyes, and gave an arrogant order, which is quite… huh? I thought Shino would look upset with a stiff expression, but she looks kind of happy. I’ve been watching Shino all this time, so I’m sure I’m not wrong.
Could it be that Shino is the type of girl who enjoys being ordered around from a superior position? Is that why she’s working as a maid despite being so amazing? Is that why she accepted being Geld’s attendant, even though he’s hated? Could it be that she punched Geld because he suddenly attacked her, and if she had been ordered to take off her clothes and come to him, she would have happily accepted…?
Then I should immediately give her orders like this and that… no. If I’m wrong, it’ll be a disaster. If she refuses, hates me, and despises me, I’ll slit my throat on the spot and commit suicide. But that would still be better.
If she couldn’t refuse and reluctantly did this and that, I would realize it and immediately tear open my stomach, devour my own entrails, and curse this world and myself, vowing never to loop again.
In any case, I absolutely don’t want to do anything that would make Shino sad. Especially if the cause is my own base desires.
I feel like I made her a little sad just now with this “Exciting Kidnapping Set,” but she seems to have accepted it, so it’s safe. It’s safe, I tell you.
But in the next loop, I’ll try to hide it better.
“…………? Is something the matter?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
I look at Shino, who is standing in the corner of the room after receiving my Family Head mode, but the slightly happy expression I saw earlier is gone, and she’s quietly composed as a capable maid.
I often tell her to relax because she must be tired, but she immediately reverts to that state whenever something happens. Maybe that’s the most comfortable way for her to be when she’s with me.
Wait, could it be that being in the same room is bad? Every time we arrive at the Royal Capital, we’re somewhat close, so I insist on getting a twin room when we book an inn… should I have gotten two single rooms? I thought I was being considerate by refraining from getting a double room…
If I suggest it with the intention of giving up if she refuses, Shino has always done as I said, but there’s a possibility that she’s reluctantly complying without me realizing it. Should I ask her if she’d prefer separate rooms now…? No, if she says she’d prefer separate rooms, I’ll be so shocked that I’ll jump out of this third-floor window, smash my head on the ground, and die.
Besides, if we don’t share a room, I won’t be able to see Shino with her hair down after her bath. That would be a grave situation.
I like Shino with her usual chignon because it gives her an elegant feel, but Shino with her hair down is just beautiful and a little sexy, and it’s a special reward that I can only see in the Royal Capital, not in Waslein.
If we were to separate rooms, could I endure it? Wouldn’t I just end up barging into Shino’s room to see her and cause her even more trouble? Considering that, this twin room is the least burdensome for Shino. Okay.
“…………”
“…………”
Hmm, I managed to get through the interrogation, but it’s become awkward.
No, Shino might be the same as always, but I’m strangely self-conscious.
Especially the thought that “she might be secretly hating it” is a curse. I wish I hadn’t noticed it.
Something to start a conversation, a pretense, an excuse. Is there anything, anything…?
“Shino, let’s arm wrestle.”
“…………Yes.”
Shino froze for a few seconds after my sudden proposal, probably because she didn’t understand it, but then she agreed. I thought she would refuse…
“Well, I thought it was necessary to understand how strong my bodyguard and servant is. Unlike the old me, I should be able to gauge how strong you are now.”
I give a reason as if making excuses, even though no one asked. Of course, almost all of it is a pretense, and the real reason is that I just want to hold Shino’s hand.
Shino’s hand… no, her little hand, which is resting on the table with her elbow propped up, is, upon closer inspection, more than a size smaller than mine, and yet her fingers are white, supple, and long. Is that what they mean by “like whitebait”?
Her nails are cut short and clean, and her skin looks so beautiful that you wouldn’t think she was a maid. She doesn’t seem to do much housework, so I guess that’s why.
When I hold it, it’s a little cold, smooth, and strong… strong! So strong! The strength doesn’t match her appearance at all! I was so engrossed in examining her hand that I accidentally let her take the initiative, but whoa, no big deal…!
“Mmmmmm!”
“…!”
“Nnnnnn… okay. I win.”
“Yes, I give up…”
Wow, she’s really strong. I’d say she’s around level 40. On top of that, she seems to have not only level but also skill and experience, so it makes sense that she’s entrusted with guarding the lord’s heir alone. If Shino isn’t enough, then you’d need the entire Waslein knight order, or something like that.
She’s not cheating with loops like me, and she’s this strong at sixteen… there’s an amazing monster right next to me.
“I see. If it were the old me, my bones might have been crushed just by holding your hand before the arm wrestling even started.”
“Oh, come on. I’m not that strong. …But, Geld-sama, how did you get so strong…?”
“Shino.”
“…My apologies.”
Ugh, we were getting along like the old days, but I used Family Head mode again. It’s just so convenient, and it’s the only way to avoid being questioned… but she still looks happy. Is my eyesight bad?
“But Geld-sama…”
“Hmm?”
“You worked hard, didn’t you?”
Yes, I worked hard. I’ve been working hard all this time, trying different things.
As for strength, I spent three years surviving in the forest. After that, I spent my days immersed in swordsmanship. Especially until the five lowerclassmen entered, it was just me and Gouketu-sensei, so I was constantly subjected to hellish training every day. I kept working hard, thinking that I could level up efficiently and gain experience.
I couldn’t talk to anyone, no one understood me, and I just kept going and going…
“Well, yeah. Yeah, I worked hard.”
Crap, I’m about to cry.
I move to the window and look outside. It’s blurry and I can’t see well, but unlike when we evacuated, I can feel the energy.
It’s not exactly to protect this peaceful town, but I have to keep working hard.