Chapter 35: Attack
"Alright. Then, let's go."
This town, which is the base for shipping magic stones to various places, is prosperous even for a remote town, with many stalls lining the main street, which is wide enough for many merchants to come and go (however, those who were keenly aware of the recent abnormalities have left the town, and even so, the number of stalls has decreased considerably).
The next day, after spending the night in this town for rest and preparation, Aquim-kun announced their departure in front of the inn where they had been staying overnight, like a leader.
"Are you sure you won't wait for the advance party?"
Elana-san asked with a gloomy face that did not suit the fresh morning.
"It's already past the scheduled time. It's annihilated, annihilated."
“…………”
Of course, Elana-san is acquainted with many people belonging to the Shield family. I know that Elana-san is hurting, but I still dared to speak to her in a manner that lacked any delicacy, just like Aquim-kun. Although Elana-san didn't say anything, she objectively accepted the fact that none of the Shield family members headed for the northern town had returned even after the scheduled meeting time, and did not argue with me.
"Um. Aquim-senpai?"
"What is it, slave."
Do you have something to complain about too? I made a displeased face as if to say that, and when I turned my gaze to her, Laura-san, who was holding hands with Nanami-chan, raised her hand slightly, as if to say something. By the way, besides Laura-san, there was also Mina-san, who was glaring at me grimly.
"No, it's Nanami-chan, but are you seriously going to take her?"
"It's fine because she herself wants to go. Is there a problem?"
"No, I don't think it's a problem, I think it's dangerous to leave her to a place where no one will guard her.... but..."
Laura-san carefully chooses her words while watching Aquim-kun's face.
If she was really worried about Nanami-chan, she should have let her stay with the group in the camp instead of bringing her here. Maybe she thinks that she would be safe in a town with many people, but a town could disappear more easily than one might think.
"If you think it's dangerous, you slaves should take responsibility and protect her."
"Eh? No, um, Aquim-senpai? I was just a student until recently though?"
"You've had combat training, right? Elana and Mina are similar in that regard."
"No, no. Mina and Elana-senpai are different from ordinary people like me."
Certainly, as the eldest daughter of the Shield family, Elana-san has been training hard since she was a child, and Mina-san was born into a good family and would have had no shortage of places to train herself, so as a matter of course, both of them were born different from Laura-san.
However, as for me, I honestly don't care about Laura-san, so I don't feel the need to go out of my way to dispel her fears. So, as I was thinking about ignoring her and leaving, Nanami-chan, who was listening to Laura-san's desperate pleas, looked up at her anxiously, as if she had misunderstood her for some reason.
"Laura-oneechan. Am I in the way?"
"Eh!? No, no, it's not that Nanami-chan. Nanami-chan isn't a hindrance at all, but rather I'm the one who's a hindrance."
Nanami-chan tilted her head at Laura-san's ridiculously roundabout words.
"...I don't really understand."
"I'm just saying that we'll protect you no matter what."
"...Mama and papa too?"
"Of course. Right? Laura."
"Eh? Are you going to dump it on me? Um, well..."
Even Laura-san, who has a low sense of crisis, could not believe that Nanami-chan's parents were safe, and she furrowed her brow and began to wonder what she should say.
Laura then gave up and said.
“Yeah, it's alright. We will protect you, Nanami-chan's father and mother. So leave everything to your onee-chans.
Saying that, she hit her chest hard to reassure her. Nanami-chan's face brightened at Laura-san's encouraging response, and she hugged Laura-san.
"Thank you! Laura-oneechan."
"Ah, ahaha.... Mina~."
Laura-san turns a tearful face to Mina-san next to her as she hugs Nanami-chan in her arms. Mina-san nods emphatically to Laura-san.
"It's going to be all right. I will protect you both."
Mina-san has a lot of composure even though she is heading to a place where a dragon may be present. But what about the actual situation? Mina-san's talent is certainly great, but it is still in its infancy. I tried my best not to look at anyone but Maroana-san for my enjoyment, but if the vampire who was near Maroana-san is really that girl, she is not someone Mina-san can handle right now.
Or rather, there are probably no more than three individuals in the human race who would be a match for that girl, except for my apprentices. I don't think there are more than ten from the entire race.
If there is anyone who has even the slightest chance of competing with her, it would beーー
“I'll always keep an eye on you guys. So if something happens, hide behind me immediately. I have confidence in my skills. You can count on me."
The elf in the miko outfit smiled at Laura-san, who still had tears in her eyes.
“Aina-san. Um, If I caused you any trouble later on, I'm sorry, but please."
Laura-san bowed to Aina-san. Next to her, Mina-san also bowed her head.
"Leave it to me. I know you guys are going through a lot, but I'm on your side as a friend of Elana Ojousama's. You can talk to me about anything if you need help. I will help you in any way I can, whether it's about your personal life or something that makes you feel just a little bit uncomfortable."
Oh~? I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but Aina-san is saying something very implicit. Laura-san didn't even notice that though.
"Thank you very much."
Laura-san sincerely thanked Aina-san. Mina-san on the other hand.
“…Anything?”
"Of course. I'm sure there are a lot of things that only you guys can notice. Feel free to tell me."
"... I understand."
With that, Mina-san extended her hand toward Aina-san. When Aina-san saw Mina-san's face, she smiled as if to say she understood her intention and shook hands with Mina-san passionately.
What a scene, as though longtime rivals joined hands in the face of a common enemy.
Or rather, do you really think that I wouldn't find out about that? If that's the case, then you two are really in trouble. I have no choice but to let them play cooperatively as much as they want on the bed when I get Aina-san.
"Oi, how long are you going to keep talking? Let's get the hell out of here. Elana, what's the plan from here on out?"
We discussed our plans at yesterday's meeting, but I was busy playing a prank on Mina-san, just like Aquim-kun, so I had to pretend that I wasn't listening.......
"......We're going to take the horses from here. Wait here for a minute."
Elana-san looked as if she wanted to say something to Aquim-kun, who could not even remember the content of the meeting, but she held it back and raised her right hand. Then the Shield family members, who had been watching us from a distance, came over, pulling the reins of the horses.
"Good work."
I accepted the reins with an air of arrogance, just like Aquim-kun. Then, Nanami-chan, who was watching the scene, flashed her eyes and swung her arm that was holding Laura-san's hand.
"Horse? Hey, hey, Laura-san, are we going to ride a horse?"
"That's right. By the way, have you ever ridden a horse before, Nanami-chan?"
"Yeah. You see, Nanami is too small to ride alone. But I rode one with Papa. I love horses."
"I see~. Then Nanami-chan, you will ride with someone this time, too, okay? By the way, who do you want to ride with?"
"Yes, yes. I would like to ride with the knight of light-sama."
“With A-Aquim-senpai? Um......"
Laura-san's gaze, unable to read Aquim-kun's expression, swam around, not knowing what to say in response, and eventually, she turned to me as if asking for help.
......Fuu. I was going to let Mina-san and the others take care of her, but if she's going to be involved, it would be better if I were watching her.
"Yeah, it's fine. Come, Nanami. Let's ride together."
"Yes. Thank you!!"
And so we mounted the horses that the Shield family had prepared for us and set off for the northern town halfway up the mountain where the magic stone could be obtained.
...
"It's a beautiful flower. Hey Mina, do you know what it's called?"
We had probably been riding for about two hours since we left the neighboring town. Laura-san looked up at the flowers on the branches of a tree standing along the road.
“I don’t know. But I think it's a magical one because it's located at a fairly high altitude."
If a plant is found at a high altitude, there is a high possibility that it is magical that uses mana as nourishment. The road to the northern town is paved quite nicely, considering the transportation of magic stones, but if one takes even one step off the asphalt road, one would be filled with a powerful breath of nature.
"You see, you see, it's called [yellow geranium]."
The girl who answered was Nanami-chan, who was with Aquim-kun, who was holding the reins of the horse. Laura-san then smiled at Nanami-chan.
"Hee, Nanami-chan is very knowledgeable."
"Hehe. Knight of Light-sama, I was praised."
"That's great. Tell Laura, who doesn't know anything, about things like that."
"Yeah. I'll do my best."
Nanami-chan nodded cheerfully, and I couldn't help but smile that was unlike Aquim-kun. Yare, yare. I picked up this child with the intention of using her as a prop, but when the little ones get attached to me, it reminds me of my apprentices. Especially Floria and Satanaria, who would follow me around all day long.
"Um, Aquim-senpai? Why are you looking upward?"
As I was immersed in my thoughts, Laura-san, who didn't read the mood, asked me curiously.
"Nothing. I just remembered something nostalgic."
While feeling sentimental, I stroked Nanami-chan's head. Then Nanami-chan smiled happily, "Ehehe."
Mina-san, who had been watching the happy exchange between Aquim-kun and Nanami-chan, thought something and put her horse next to Laura-san's.
"Laura, you shouldn't talk to that pervert so much."
Fuu, is this another pattern of strange misunderstanding? Just for being a little nice to a child. What on earth does Mina-san think of Aquim-kun?
In order to protect Aquim-kun's honor, Laura-san, I'll forgive you, so please say something like you did before.
"Jeez, Mina. Why are you saying that again? Let's get along."
“Yesterday, after being stripped naked by that guy, I was made to wear a collar and walk around town like a dog, and then I was fucked in the middle of the main street. That pervert is a pervert.”
Oh, that? You mean that kind of "pervert"? I'm sorry, Mina-san, but you're not very good with words. I have misunderstood you. (smile)
"Eh? A-Aquim-senpai?"
Laura-san's eyes widened as she looked at Aquim-kun, but such a surprised look won't change the past, will it?
"Don't worry. I used magic, so no one saw us."
“Ah, you really did. That's, um, how do I say it, it's really...... perverted."
The two of you are not aware enough of being a slave to treat your master like a pervert, are you? I hope you will be careful, because Aquim-kun's heart is very sensitive and fragile.
“Um, Knight of Light-sama. What does fuck mean?"
"Ah? Ah, that's..."
"Ah!? That's wrong! It's wrong, Nanami-chan. Refill. Mina said she wants a refill." (TN: 犯さ = Okasu / violate, おかわり = Okawari / Refill or second helping)
I was about to explain to her in detail about sexual intercourse but Laura-san interrupted me.
"A refill. You do it when the food is delicious, right? Mina-oneechan, did you eat something delicious?"
“Mina had so much of my stuff.”
I had her suck my penis crawling like a dog, and I gave her some of my urine, but I didn't think she would like it that much. As Aquim-kun's lover, I was thrilled.
So I put on my usual Aquim-kun smile and gave Mina-san a thumbs-up.
“Don't worry, Mina. I'm a kind master. If you want a refill so badly, I'll play the same thing with you again next time.
I am willing to go to any lengths to make my pet smile. Mina-san, touched by Aquim-kun's generosity, showed a big smile for the first time. Then with a quiet, yet clear tone.
"I will definitely kill you. I will kill you by any means necessary. I will kill you no matter how many years it takes. Kill, kill, I'll absolutely kill you."
I nodded in agreement to Mina-san's voice, which was composed of pure murderous intent, and gently removed the hands that were covering Nanami-chan's ears.
...
"Well, we should be halfway there by now. We didn't encounter any particular dangers, but what do you think, Elana Ojousama?"
About three hours after leaving the neighboring town, Aina-san, who was riding alongside Elana-san a little ahead of Aquim-kun, asked.
By the way, excluding Aina-san, there were nine members of the Shield family who had come along with us. Escorting Aquim-kun, with three people at the front and three at the left and right.
“Since the enemy is coming through the paved straight road, there is no reason not to set a trap."
"I know. That doesn't mean it's safe to go off the road either. Above all......"
The two gazes are focused on Nanami-chan, who is riding a horse together with Aquim-kun....... they were not sure what to do. You two are in trouble, aren't you? If Nanami-chan wasn't here, they could have tied the horses around here and run above the trees like I did the other day, and then taken a completely different route to the northern town, but with Nanami-chan around, that would have been a bit of a difficult option.
“…Anyway, reconnaissance is necessary. We'll stop later, then I'll check it out."
"No, I'll do that kind of work, Elana Ojousama...... will?"
Aina-san cuts off her words in the middle of her conversation with Elana-san. Her eyes became sharp at once. And it was true for everyone except Laura-san and Nanami-chan. The atmosphere of the place suddenly changed to a heavy one.
"Eh? Eh? What? What is it? Mina? Elana-senpai?"
Laura-san, who was the only one in the adult group not understanding the change in atmosphere, looked at Mina-san as if seeking an answer. Then Nanami-chan pointed to the front.
"Knight of Light-sama, what is that?"
There was a bull-like creature with unusually large horns and physique that was running toward us at a tremendous speed.
"It's a monster."
Right after I answered the obvious, Aina-san raised her voice.
"Everyone, get ready for battle! It's not just from the front. Something is coming from the left and right. Team A, protect the front, and teams B and C, protect the sides. Laura-chan and the others, you don't have to take part in the battle, so get off your horses and stay by my side."
Whoa, I was afraid you would be distracted by the thing at the front and won't notice the others, but that was not the case. It's definitely the Shield family that holds the title of one of the three great families in the Kingdom of Light. They have a good group of people, led by Aina-san.
Laura-san finally realized what was going on and quickly dismounted her horse, her face slightly tense. Mina-san, who had also dismounted, gently placed her hand on Laura-san's shoulder.
"Laura, don't worry. No matter what happens, I will protect you."
"Thank you Mina. But Mina should protect Nanami-chan more than me."
"Laura, but..."
"I'm fine. I'm not strong like Mina and Elana-senpai, but I was still an honor student. You know that, right?"
School grades are of no use here, but what you just said was moderately cute.
"Hey, slaves. Don't worry too much. I'll be with Nanami. Just worry about yourselves."
"Aquim-senpai."
"Scum."
What's that? I thought I was able to casually present a dependable man in a critical situation but isn't Mina-san's reaction harsh?
As I was tilting my head inwardly, a number of monkey-like monsters came out of the trees from the sides. The Shield family members responded to them. From the front, a bull-like monster is already closing in.
"Nanami. If you're scared, just close your eyes."
"Yes."
I put one arm around Nanami-chan's stomach, and she grabbed Aquim-kun's arm with a trembling hand.
Now, let's see how both the the Demon King's army, which came all the way here to aid Aquim-kun's heroic tale, and the Shield family, Floria's pawns, are going to do. If possible, I hoped that they were toys that can be played with for a long time and won't be easily broken.
As if in answer to my prayer, one of the three great families representing the Kingdom of Light clashed with the Demon King's Army.
This is so gooood ;-;
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