Episode 53
I left Father’s study, noticing a hint of weariness on his face. Perhaps I spoke too passionately about swords. However, unlike when I was bluffing before, I’m now a genuine Kengou, so it’s inevitable that my talks about swords might get a bit lengthy.
“Hmm. But this is troublesome.”
As a result of my overly enthusiastic speech, the departure I had planned to postpone until it cooled down has been set for tomorrow. But I couldn’t possibly say, “It’s too hot in the summer, so I’ll stay home,” so soon after declaring that I live and die by the sword.
Since I plan to return after the Loop ends, saying something like, “The endless path of the sword was too steep for me…!” I don’t want to cause displeasure by saying anything too frivolous before departure.
But since it’s already night, I’ll be departing in less than half a day. This leaves me no time to prepare.
Father seemed a bit taken aback, saying, “Ah, tomorrow…?” so perhaps I should have aimed for at least the day after tomorrow.
However, I, who declared that a man alone wants to test his martial prowess in the world, must not go back on my word. Showing such a weak spirit would not have satisfied Father. To walk the long and arduous path of the sword to the end, a stubborn and straightforward spirit is essential.
“Shino, Shino.”
“Yes, Lord Geld.”
For now, if I wake Shino up and tell her everything, she’ll somehow manage. With such a lazy thought, I returned to my room, where Shino was not only already awake but also dressed in her usual prim and proper Maid uniform.
“Oh, oh. As expected of Shino.”
“Yes?”
I might have wanted to see Shino a bit more soft and clingy, but in reality, this is faster and more convenient.
I told Shino, who tilted her head, unsure of what she was being praised for, about the departure schedule.
“Shino. In my discussion with Father, I’ll be leaving here tomorrow. And so…”
“…………Yes.”
Oh no, Shino looks unbelievably depressed. This might be the first time I’ve seen Shino so disheartened.
“I was thinking of heading north…”
“…………”
The fact that I had been repeating Loops as Geld, who was born after the Amnesia, was confirmed, and Shino was so happy that she cried. But the fact that I’m leaving the very next day certainly makes it understandable that she’s depressed. In that case…
“Would you like to come with me, Shino?”
“…Eh? Is, is that alright?”
“Whether it’s alright or not, I’d be happy if you came. Ah, but it would be bad if I didn’t have Father’s permission.”
“Then, I will go and get permission.”
No sooner had she said that than Shino rushed out of the room.
But I’m supposed to be leaving home as a lone man, so wouldn’t it be a bit strange to bring a beautiful Maid along?
Well, if it comes to it, I’ll just retract my statement and say it’s become a journey for a lone man and a lone woman. This flexibility is my strength.
The next day, I was walking aimlessly north with Shino, who somehow managed to get permission.
If I were questioned about how what was supposed to be a harsh journey of swords and battles has turned into a lewd journey of a Maid and affairs, I would be at a loss for words, so I left without meeting Father. But he’ll probably forget all about it in the three years I’m gone, so it’ll be fine.
“So, Lord Geld, where are we going from here… or rather, what are we going to do?”
I wonder if it’s okay to ask that after we’ve already departed. Should I be happy that she’s so eager to follow me?
“Well, the thing is, there’s another girl besides Shino who has inherited memories. We’re supposed to meet in a Town somewhere in the north.”
“A girl… does that mean a woman…?”
“…That’s right. Yes, a girl.”
I told her because she’d find out eventually, but I wonder if it’ll be okay. No, it should be fine with Shino.
“I see. So, somewhere in a Town means it hasn’t been decided yet?”
Safe, it’s safe, right? Alright, as expected of a Harem RPG.
“If we do something noticeable and make a name for ourselves, they’ll find us. Anywhere in the north is fine.”
That’s right, we should just settle down in some Town with Shino and hunt Monsters in a flashy way to make a name for ourselves.
Then Millie will… huh? How will this work?
Originally, meeting Millie was for Millie’s mental health, so having Shino there might be counterproductive.
Was it a mistake to bring Shino along?
No, but Shino looked so sad… but then what about Millie…?
Right, only when I meet Millie, I’ll have Shino go somewhere else… no, this is bad. This is undeniably a scumbag move. Would it be better to just give up on that idea?
No, I’ll postpone this problem. I’ll think about it calmly later.
“So, that’s why we’ll wander around for about a year, then settle down in a nice Town.”
Looking at Shino’s expression, she’s nodding as if she understands. She doesn’t seem to have any particular dissatisfaction or anxiety.
No problem even when she hears about Millie. No problem even with a nonsensical journey. Is it really that anything else is fine as long as she can be with me?
“Well, let’s take it easy. Shino has been cooped up in that mansion for many Loops, so you can think of it as getting out and taking a break.”
“Yes, Lord Geld.”
Thus began the journey of a young, unlikeable rich boy and an incredibly beautiful Maid, a relationship that looks suspicious no matter how you look at it.
They eat local delicacies in various places and casually stop by tourist attractions. They kick away any Monsters that approach them, and then spend the money they get from it lavishly.
They continued such a journey for about a year, decided on a base because the food and sake were delicious, and then continued the same kind of life.
Eventually, I became known as Geld the Strong Sword, a Kengou who cuts down any Monster with a single stroke, and lived freely while waiting for Millie.
However, even in February of the New Calendar 888, when the Loop was imminent, I still hadn’t reunited with Millie.
“It’s time.”
“Yes, it is…”
Waslein will be destroyed by a horde of Monsters coming from the north from early to mid-March, so this Town, which is north of Waslein, is already in a very dangerous position. We should escape soon or we’ll get caught up in the war.
“I thought I made quite a name for myself.”
“Y-yes…”
As a result of being too flashy, some scandals got mixed in, so Shino’s reaction is bad. But that will all be reset, so it’s no longer a problem.
“I wonder where Millie is and what she’s doing.”
The reason for trying to meet in the north was not only for Millie’s mental stability but also to recreate the situation just before inheriting memories in case it seemed difficult to clear this Loop.
Just because I inherited memories once doesn’t mean I’ll do it again next time, so I was trying to increase the possibility of inheritance by bringing the situation closer to that point.
However, since Shino continues to inherit memories, there’s no need to worry, and there’s no need to keep waiting with faint hope.
“Did she die recklessly, or did she get stuck somewhere?”
I told her that it’s okay to give up if it seems impossible, but even if she Loops, there’s a possibility that the Archangel Millie couldn’t abandon her comrades. She’s one or two levels stronger than everyone else in that party, so I thought that if she matched her pace to theirs, Millie wouldn’t be in a dangerous situation… but was I too naive?
“After all, is the most likely scenario that she’s alive but didn’t come?”
Now, it’s not even certain that Millie wants to reunite with me. It’s been more than two and a half years since I parted ways with Millie. That’s enough time for people’s feelings to change. It wouldn’t be strange if she had the same relationship as in the original story during that time.
No, even more than that… since she didn’t appear before me, it’s most natural to think that way.
“Well, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
We return along the path we once traveled. Even if we return to Waslein, there will be trouble, and we’ll have to leave soon anyway. We’ll pass through here and head to the Royal Capital.
In the Royal Capital, we’ll wait leisurely at an inn for the final moment, and while we’re recreating the last scene of the first Loop, my vision goes dark for a moment, and I’m returned to my familiar room in Waslein.