Master's Philia (WN): Chapter 41

 

Bleh



 The next morning, Tigaro came to one of the offices of the Holy Wind Knights in the capital, wearing the robes of the Noros family.


 Since he is not allowed to have his own slaves accompany him on the operation, he has Kenna stay at home in the detached house.



 On the roof of the station building, personnel participating in this operation were gathering one after another.



 Among them was Aifie wearing the robes of the Asur family, but the knights nearby were glaring at him as if to guard her, so it seemed like Tigaro wouldn't even be allowed to approach her.



 If he were to be seen too close to Aifie, the Noros family might hear the rumors and tell Tigaro to make Aifie his slave, so that's inconvenient for Tigaro, but they are overly cautious. He can't help but smile at their behavior.



 Approximately 30 people will participate in this operation.


 Most of them were members of the Holy Wind Knights and Holy Water Knights, and on rare occasions, like Aifie, it seemed that people from the Asur and Fonedao families were summoned.



 The unit will be commanded by Tebel Shunpa Fonedao, the captain of the Holy Wind Knights' third division, and Rogienor Asur, the captain of the Holy Water Knights' second division, will be the deputy commander.


 The reason why the country's most senior mages, including the commander of the kingdom's knights and the heads of each of the three great nobility in the kingdom, do not participate in the operation seems to be because they prioritize strengthening the defense of the capital.



 While checking the lineup of personnel, Tigaro noticed a presence approaching from behind.



"T-Tigarokent-san…!"



 Tigaro was familiar with the youthful male voice.



 Tigaro turned around and looked at the boy and the dwarf with a slightly surprised expression.



"Machen-dono, and Brelin-dono, why are you here?"


"Well, the knights allowed us to see them off during Eul-sama's rescue mission..."



 Machen, who looked timid, said that with an awkward smile, probably trying to show his friendliness to Tigaro.



 Seeing that expression, Tigaro remembered that Machen had told him earlier that he wanted to learn about his magic.



 Like Eul, it is still questionable whether Machen, who came from the Asurora Empire, is an ally of Tigaro, but at least he appears to be friendly towards Tigaro on the outside.



 Tigaro asked Machen, hoping that his friendly attitude was his true intentions.



"Mashen-dono. Um... was Eul-dono's mana reaction really in the forest that was reported?"


"...? Ah, T-T-Tigarokent-san also asked about it... Y-yes, at least, the direction is definitely correct. Judging from the reaction of the magic tool, it's the same as Eul-sama's mana."



 In response to Tigaro's question, Machen looked at the magic tool he held in his hand and said so.


 That ellipsoidal magic tool was the one that Machen had shown him before when he was using it to search for Eul in the city.


 The egg-like object had several curved lines drawn on its surface and glittering decorations, so Tigaro knew that it was an advanced magic tool.



 It's hard to imagine that Machen, the owner of the magic tool, would lie about Eul.



 However, Eul has been captured by Tigaro, and her mana can only be found in the basement of the Noros family's detached house.



 So, what is the reaction of Eul's magical power that Machen is talking about?



 When Tigaro groaned behind his smile at the mismatch between the current situation and Machen's words, Brelin, who was standing next to Machen, moved his beard-covered mouth, perhaps thinking that he was doubting Machen's words.



"Tigarokent-dono. Machen may be a little timid, but his magic skills are reliable. Look at the light that dwells in his eyes."



 Prompted by Brelin, Tigaro locked eyes with Machen.



"U-um..."



 To Tigaro, Machen's expression only looks like a lack of confidence, but it seems to look different to Brelin, who holds out his chest with confidence.



 In the end, Tigaro was not satisfied with Machen's report.


 As expected, it seems that the only way to confirm the truth of the matter is for Tigaro to directly check with his own eyes the place where Eul's mana was reacting as mentioned in the report.



 And so, while seeing off the two, the unit for attacking the Five Dragon Gods Sect and Eul rescue operation departed.




---




 Dozens of figures flew over the sky a little distance from the royal capital.


 The troops for the operation were moving through the sky, each riding on a stick-shaped magic tool operated by members of the Holy Wind Knights and the Fonedao family.


 Personnel unable to fly, such as the Holy Water Knights and the Asur family, were able to travel quickly by riding behind the magic tool.



 Mofis, one of the members of the Holy Wind Knights, who joined as one of the troops, was a little worried.



"Are you alright, Aifietouka-jou? You seem to be a little distracted."


"S-so annoying! You should shut up!"



 The voices of Tigarokent Noros, the third son of the main Noros family, and Aifietouka Asur, the daughter of the Asur family, can be heard by him.



 The magic tool operated by Aifie is ridden by herself and Tigaro as if riding a horse.



 Tigaro wraps his hands around Aifie's stomach from behind, holding on tightly to prevent him from falling off the magic tool Aifie is controlling.


 Tigaro probably had no choice but to stay close to her, but there was no space between their bodies, so much so that they could feel each other's warmth.



 Aifie was a little nervous about being so close to a man, her expression seemed a little stiff.



 Watching this were the members of the Knights, who were also flying in the sky and hated the Noros family.



 From Mofis' point of view, who wanted peace, he was worried that the other members of the knight order would become dissatisfied.



 Tigaro seems to have noticed this, but Aifie seems to be concentrating on controlling her magic, and doesn't seem to have the time to look elsewhere.



 One by one, shadows riding magic tools slowly approached Aifie.



"Aifietouka-sama. If you don't mind, Tigarokent-sama could ride behind me..."



 One of the people who approached her seemed to be able to see how tense Aifie was, and made this suggestion.


 However, Aifie shook her head in response to those words.



"No, it's okay. This is also my important role given to me by Uncle Colares."



 Colares, the leader of the Holy Wind Knights, appointed Aifie to watch over Tigaro.


 A respected knight of the kingdom―― even though she was nominated by the group leader, the group members breathed a sigh of admiration as she bravely tried to fulfill her role, no matter what role it was.


 And, as if sensing Aifie's determination, the members of the group left her and returned to their original ranks without paying too much attention to it.



 As they flew through the air, Aifie's stiff expression gradually loosened, as if she had gotten used to the close contact between their bodies.


 However, as if she noticed something instead, she looked over at Tigaro, who was clinging to her, and the redness on her cheeks deepened.



"W-wait a minute… um, it is true…"


"Haha, that's too bad. It's a physiological phenomenon. Please, can you forgive me?"


"You...!! You should prepare yourself for later...!!"



 Due to the sound of the wind blowing in his ears, Mofis could not hear the content of their conversation.


 However, although Tigaro has a creepy smile on his face, if you look closely, you can see that his smile towards Aifie seems to be expressing his true feelings. Aifie, on the other hand, has a slightly harsh tone, but is able to have a conversation with Tigaro.



 After all, as he had seen before, it seemed to Mofis that the two of them were on surprisingly good terms, or that they were talking to each other in a friendly manner, as if there was no bad relationship between the two families.



"Wa, waa..."



 Behind the two of them, a girl was staggering and floating, but somehow managed to keep up with the flying troops.



 The girl, named Mozu, is a distant relative of the Fonedao family.



 From Mofis' point of view, she seems to be a little lacking in ability to participate in the operation.


 However, some people say that it is dangerous to have someone from the notorious Noros family next to Aifie, who is an important daughter not only to the Asur family but also to the Fonedao family. It seems that the decision was made suddenly.



"Fue... t-that was dangerous..."



 It's doubtful that Mozu can afford to keep an eye on Aifie and Tigaro, but as a result of suggesting it, Mofis doesn't want his bosses to make a fuss again, so he decides to pretend not to see it.




---




 In a forest quite far away from the reported location.


 That's where the military troops landed.



"Then we’ll start preparing the base from now on."



 Tebel, the leader of the unit, lazily gives instructions to the members.


 Upon hearing this, the group members quickly took out their belongings and set up camp.


 They covered their secured position with cloth, camouflaged it by blending in with the vegetation so as not to be noticed by the surrounding area, and manipulated airflow to prevent their scent.



"Haa, haa, haa."



 While the base for the operation was being set up, Mozu was sweating profusely and breathing heavily.


 Perhaps her mana and physical strength were severely consumed by traveling the long distance, she was somehow able to stand using her magic tool as a walking stick.



"Oops."



 Someone's hand supported Mozu's shoulders as she stumbled.


 When Mozu looked up, there was the third son of the Noros family with a creepy smile on his face.



"Haha, thank you for your hard work so far."


"!??"



 Mozu let out a voiceless scream, unable to move from Tigaro's grasp.


 Due to fatigue and fear of the Noros family, all she could do was shrink back, and the corners of her eyes gradually became moist.



 Aifie, who was nearby, turned around as if she heard Mozu's scream.


 The sight that came into view―― she opened her eyes wide and gasped as she saw Tigaro holding Mozu's shoulders.



 Then, as if she suddenly noticed that her cheeks were puffing out a little, she hurriedly corrected her expression and ran towards Tigaro and Mozu.



 Aifie took Mozu away from Tigaro and told him to lecture her.



"Mozu. It's dangerous, so don't approach someone like this carelessly. Also, I'll take care of him myself for now, so you should get some rest early."


"Y-Yes, I'm sorry, Aifietouka-sama. Thank you."



 Mozu breathed a sigh of relief, perhaps because she was freed from fear when Aifie spoke up.



 On the other hand, Tigaro simply supported her when she was stumbling, but at the same time, he understood his own position.


 He smiles bitterly at the rough treatment given to him by Aifie, who is trying to protect Mozu from him, and shrugs his shoulders deliberately.



"Haha, you're still as harsh as ever."


"Hmph. You should repent on your actions."



 With a somewhat sullen tone, Aifie turned her head away and walked towards the camp where Mozu went.



 She let Mozu enter the camp first, and just as Aifie was about to enter the camp, she suddenly turned around to look at Tigaro, who was looking at her.



"Bleh!"



 Perhaps it was a gesture she was not used to, but Aifie closed her eyes and stuck out her tongue slightly towards Tigaro.


 However, it was only for a moment, and before Tigaro could react, she quickly disappeared into the camp as if running away.



 Tigaro gasped a little at the mischievous and cute side of her, who was usually so brutish and who wanted to become a kingdom knight, which was admired by the people of the kingdom, but he felt comforted by her.





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