《Konyaku Haki Sareta Reijou wo Hirotta Ore ga, Ikenai Koto wo Oshiekomu》 1 One Story Bad Wizard and Poor Girl A mansion nestled deep in the forest. Tonight, another horrific training session is taking place there. I''m sure you''ll agree that it''s a great idea. The curtains are drawn and there is no moonlight in the dark room. There was a young man standing there with a candle in his hand. He was in his early twenties. The candlelight illuminated his features, but his eyes were very sharp. The smile on her face was so ghastly that a weak-minded woman or child would have screamed if she saw it. The right and left halves of her hair are a strange black and white, respectively. And blood-red eyes. Tall and skinny. Hooded robes, typical wizard style. No, you can''t ...... let this happen. ...... The girl sitting in the chair spilled a shaky voice to him. She is a beautiful girl, not much older than the man. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. She wears a silk nightgown that is instantly recognizable as high quality. Her face is as neat as a doll''s, her body is impeccably proportioned, and she is full of grace. She is truly a girl who deserves to be called a daughter of the deepest window. However, her beautiful features were distorted by fear. In the dark room, only the table she was standing at was illuminated by a glimmering light. Staring at the object on top of it, she screams. "Please reconsider, Mr. Allen!¡¡This is really a bad idea. ......! "Hmm. Who decided that? The man known as Allen lifts the edge of his mouth sarcastically. I am the master of this house. And you are under my control. You will do as I command, even if you don''t like it. No way. ......! Hahaha!¡¡It''s no use crying and screaming! Allen let out a loud laugh. There was a lot of joy in tormenting the helpless girl. The poor girl, Charlotte, was helpless to do anything about it. All she could do was look at the tabletop with a look of fear in her eyes. Taking advantage of her inability to resist, Allen went after her. Come on!¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with that. Allen points to something. It was a bowl of steaming hot ramen. The yellow, shriveled noodles were submerged in the cloudy white soup. The ingredients were boiled pork, seasoned egg, and bamboo shoots. Ramen is a dish that came from the East and has recently been booming in this country. The aroma of the thick soup wafted from the bowl. The smell made Charlotte''s stomach growl. But she still showed her will to resist. She shook her head with a pale face. It''s time to go to bed, ......!¡¡It''s ...... time for you to go to bed, and it''s ...... not right for you to be eating such a heavy dinner! "Huh, don''t be sad yet. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. "That''s right!¡¡I bought some ice cream from the box!¡¡You can eat as much as you want after dinner! It''s ......!¡¡And what''s that topping there, ......? I''m sure you''re right, Charlotte. You know what I mean. You can find a wide variety of toppings, including cut up fruits, honey sauces, chocolate chip cookies, and more. You can find a wide range of toppings, and there are three colors of ice cream: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Now you can make your own parfait all you want. Once you''ve finished everything, you can play board games with me!¡¡Stay up late! You''ll have a hard time waking up tomorrow morning if you do that! I''m afraid you won''t have a morning. You''ll never see the morning. You''ll be coasting along with me until noon at ......! No, ......! Ha-ha-ha!¡¡"Hahahaha!" "Good, cry it out!¡¡That''s what I''m talking about! In response to the loudest laughter, distant thunder rumbled outside the window. The lightning intensified the luster of the soup. Finally, the girl couldn''t take it any longer and reached for her ...... spoon and chopsticks with an apology to the gods. This is the story of an evil wizard who corrupts a poor girl ....... 2 2 Stories Hidden Wizard Picks Up Villain Daughter ... It all started one day in early spring. "Well, well, Demon Lord!¡¡I''ve brought you your mail today! "...... How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that? That morning, it was the usual mailman who rang the doorbell at Allen''s house. He had fluffy cobalt green hair. On top of it, he had animal ears of the same color. A long key-tail growing out of his buttocks. A beastman of the cat species, not uncommon in this country. Her gender is female. Dressed in a letter carrier''s uniform, she tilts her head as if troubled, saying, "Meow. She tilts her head in a troubled manner, "I''m sorry to hear that. It''s not just Miaha, everyone calls you Demon Lord. ......, just give me the mail. Yes, ma''am. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. So, what''s today''s package? "Just this. Then Allen handed over a box. "It''s the usual potions. It''s a bottle, so be careful not to break it. "Of course. Fast, safe and super cute is the motto of the Satyr Shipping Company belonging to Miaha! Miaha salutes him. She may talk like a joke, but she''s really good at her job. I''ve asked her to do a lot of stuff for me, and she''s never failed me once. But why don''t you live in the city if you can make such good potions?¡¡It''s easier to make money that way. "...... If you go east through this forest, you will come to a rather large city. This is where the shipping company that Miaha belongs to is located and where many people live. Allen makes a living by wholesaling medicines to the magic stores there. ...... She''s right, it would be quicker to live in the city. But there was one big problem. Allen looked down at his toes and paused. The city would be full of ...... people. Oh, no. You''re still a misanthrope, aren''t you? Miaha shrugs her shoulders. This mansion is located off the beaten path, so there are few people who wander in. The only visitors are vendors like Miaha. In other words, ...... is the perfect place for an unsociable person like Allen. But Miaha is not happy about it. You are only 21 years old, aren''t you?¡¡Even as a human, you''re still young. If you don''t live a more active life, you''ll soon dry up and become a grandfather. That''s none of your business. Look, you''re wrinkling your brow so much. That''s why the townspeople call me the Demon King. It was only natural that a wizard with a bad physique living on the outskirts of town would become the talk of the town. Allen lets out a heavy sigh. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. Oh, my God. ...... Oh, my God. Yeah. That''s right. Allen nodded and covered his face. There''s a lot of wildlife around here, and it''s too dangerous for kids to be out here alone. That''s why I warn them whenever I find them, but ...... they always scream and run away. ...... "The Demon Lord, you''re too difficult to understand, being a misanthrope and a sycophant. I''m not sure what to say. I don''t want to get involved with people, but that doesn''t mean I can''t abandon them. Allen was a man with such a complicated nature. Well, you''d better find another hobby or reason to live!¡¡I''ll see you tomorrow! I told you to mind your own business. Miaha waved her hand and ran off, disappearing in a flash. Now, I''m going to go to ...... for some food. I was just about to go home when the newspaper came. When she was about to return home, she dropped the newspaper. On the front page, it read, "Neighboring country''s poisonous woman has disappeared!¡¡Has she fled the country? A sensational headline danced on the front page. Allen bent down to pick it up. "............ Hmm? Just in front of the house. Just in front of the house, hidden in the knee-high grass, he saw someone lying on the ground. 3 3 Story Hidden Wizard Picks Up Villain Daughter (2... Hey ......, who''s there? Allen cautiously calls out to the figure on the ground. But the person didn''t even twitch. He crept closer and closer. "...... woman? It was a young girl lying face down in the grass. She had a beautiful face and was wearing a fine dress. A typical princess, perhaps. However, her dress was tattered and her complexion was very pale. She seems to be barely alive, as thin breaths spill from her pale lips. "Is she a runaway ...... or did she run away from where she was kidnapped? You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. But there was no sign of her waking up. If left unattended, he would ...... surely die. Allen hesitated a little ...... and sighed as if he had given up. "It''s ...... no use. I''ll take care of her until she wakes up. Allen took her in his arms and headed for the house. The moment you step on a weed...! I''m not sure what to do. Suddenly, a man''s savage voice cut through the silence of the forest. At the same time, a deadly blade flashed behind Allen. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to say. "What''s with the greetings again? What? I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s rudimentary illusion magic. It''s also called the art of shapeshifting. The man who looked back at me was not a familiar face. But I know the sigil on his armor. "A neighboring country, and a royal guard. What does a man with such an important title want? "...... The soldier didn''t answer. He glared at Allen and slowly raised his sword. Three more soldiers appeared from behind the trees. All of them are heavily armed, and all of them look sharply at Allen. In the tense air, Allen shrugged his shoulders while holding the girl. I''m sure you''re not the only one. I''m ready for door-to-door sales. Give me the girl. "Give me the woman," a soldier with a sword at the ready said in a low voice, unconcerned by Allen''s flippant remark. The woman is a felon who has disgraced our country. She is a felon who has disgraced our country. If you stand up for her, I will not spare her. "You''re a felon? You peer into the girl''s sleeping face. The weak but beautiful face of the girl was clearly far away from such words. The girl''s weak but beautiful face was clearly a far cry from such words. If you surrender her to me in peace, ...... I will not harm you. I promise. "Hmm. I see. I''m getting a hint of trouble. So Allen smiles at ....... "If that''s the case, I refuse to go to ....... "What? Who would you rather have, these fishy people or a poor, weak girl? If you ask me which of the two I prefer, I would definitely choose the latter. That''s human nature. If she was really a bad person, we could just hand her over later. Therefore, the only thing to do now is to engage her. "Are you planning to take on us alone? ......! That''s what I''m talking about. You''ll be able to see the soldiers surrounding you, and your lips will twist in a smile. The soldiers'' stance was flawless. It was obvious that they had been trained very well. Allen, on the other hand, had his hands full with the girl in his arms. From an outsider''s point of view, he must have looked like he was in desperate straits. Therefore, ...... is just the right handicap. Don''t think that just four elite men can compete with ...... me! You''ll be able to get a lot more than that. A scream comes from behind your right hand. One of the soldiers who had attacked Allen had been knocked off his feet and had fallen. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. The remaining three moved in unison. However, Allen is faster. "Ice Bind! "Ogg ......! There was a flash of lightning on the ground, and two soldiers fell to their knees. Their feet were sewn to the ground by ice crystals. It is a magic that manipulates ice. It has very low killing power and is effective in capturing enemies. All that remains is the first one with a sword. It''s a no chant magic,......! The soldier''s eyes rolled up in astonishment, but he remained calm. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. With that momentum, he kicked the soldier in the chin, causing him to fall back. One more time!¡¡"Ice Bind! "......! And so the capture is complete. While being crucified on the ground, the soldier looks up at Allen with wide eyes. "That white and black hair ......!¡¡I''m sure you''re not the... I don''t want to talk about it. I don''t want to waste your time. "Gah ...... ah ............? With a snap of the fingers, the light disappeared from the eyes of the four. As they stare into the void, Allen asks quietly. "Well. What''s going on here?¡¡Tell me. "...... searched the forest from top to bottom. "I searched the ...... forest until I found no trace of the woman. ...... concluded that she had been eaten by a beast. "...... decided to return home for a time. "Well, good job! Once they''ve been dealt with, the next batch of soldiers are bound to come. Then it will be quicker to deceive them. I melt the magic ice and they get up in a huff. "There, you''re home. Don''t come back. The soldiers left in a daze, heading in the direction Allen had indicated with his chin. Soon he would be conscious and Allen would be completely out of his mind. He should be able to return to his country and report back to us. The immediate problem has been solved for the moment. But the felon, ......, seems to have a very good reason. Allen looked down at the girl''s sleeping face and let out a small sigh. 4 4 Story Hidden Wizard Picks Up Villains Daughter ... "Well... Now all I have to do is wait for him to wake up. Allen sighed in the living room. The room was a mess. Moldy bread, dried out herbs. There was so much garbage and junk piled up that you couldn''t even see the floor. In the midst of all this, there was one corner with a leather sofa that was barely tidy enough to walk on. This was because it was Allen''s favorite place. He spends most of his spare time there, reading or taking a nap. And now, on the ...... sofa, the girl was asleep. As he gazed at her face as she slept peacefully, Allen stroked his chin and growled. It''s not like he''s a national felon,....... But then again, appearances can be deceiving,....... Either way, there''s nothing you can do until she wakes up. Lacking something to do, Allen unrolls the morning newspaper. On the front page was a story about a conspiracy involving the second prince in the neighboring kingdom of Niels. Apparently, his fianc¨¦e was an incredibly poisonous woman. Not only did she spend the state taxpayers'' money on lavish affairs and have secret meetings with an unspecified number of men, but she also plotted to assassinate the king. The prince exposed all the evil and saved the country. The country was in an uproar. The prince''s fianc¨¦e seems to have disappeared without a trace, and a vigorous search is underway. There was a sketch of the young lady on the page, along with the phrase, "If this face rings a bell, please let us know. "How about ......? Allen furrowed his brow. "Uh-huh. ....... "Whoa. You''re awake. The girl jerked up and slowly woke up. She looked around and shook her shoulders when she saw Allen. "Who is this, ......? What? I''m the guy who picked you up when you were down. With that arrogant remark, Allen fished through the pile of junk for a pot and some tea leaves and made a quick pot of tea. He handed the chipped cup to the girl, who took it grudgingly. She took a small sip of the tepid tea and let out a small sigh. Thanks to this, her cheeks seem to have regained some color, though only slightly. But she is still in a daze, as if she is dreaming. What the girl says in a faint voice is... I was lost in the woods. ...... Then I saw a house in the distance. ...... I tried to get there. ...... You ran out of steam just before you got there. But I got what I came for. This is the house. The only people who visit this house are the mailman or children testing their mettle. Or wanderers. She seems to be typical of the latter. And Allen didn''t talk about the soldier. He knew it would only frighten her unnecessarily. Allen held up the newspaper to the girl, who remained in a daze. "You''re welcome for now. Miss Charlotte Evans? ......! Seeing this, the blood drained from the girl - Charlotte''s face. The newspaper definitely had her likeness on it. She is the fianc¨¦e of the second prince of the neighboring kingdom of Niels and a poisonous woman who has confused the ...... nation. Charlotte, eldest daughter of the Dukes of Evans. "Oh, it''s okay. There''s no need to be alarmed. Allen said hawkishly, folding his newspaper. Then he approached Charlotte with a light step. She shrank back in alarm, but he didn''t care. I was betrayed once by someone I believed to be a friend. Since then, I''ve learned how to tell when someone is lying. I look into Charlotte''s eyes. I looked into Charlotte''s eyes. There was nothing false in her anxious blue ...... eyes. You''re innocent. I know you are. "......! Charlotte was speechless. She opened her eyes wide - and tears came slowly to them. It broke Allen''s heart. "Oh, hey. What''s wrong? Are you in pain? "For the first time ...... Charlotte''s tears trickled down onto the leather sofa. She covered her face and sobbed, her words coming out in chunks. For the first time, there was someone who believed in me. ......! 5 5 Story Hidden Wizard Picks Up Villain Daughter (4... For a while, Charlotte continued to cry. Allen was reluctant to help, but he offered her a handkerchief and another cup of tea, and tried his best to make her stop crying. Eventually, she calmed down and began to talk in whispers. It was really ...... out of the blue. It was a week ago. There was a birthday party for Prince Cecil, the second prince of the kingdom of Neils,......, at the royal castle. Her fianc¨¦, of course, was also invited and went around greeting the guests. She never exchanged a word with Prince Cecil. He said he never spoke to Prince Cecil. "We had been engaged for years, but we rarely saw each other ....... He always looked at Charlotte coldly. He always stared at Charlotte with cold eyes. However, when the party was in full swing. Prince Cecil summoned her to the center of the party hall. As the guests and soldiers looked on, he announced not love, but a declaration that made her doubt her own ears. "Charlotte Evans!¡¡I know all about your misdeeds!¡¡Therefore, I am breaking off our engagement to ......! I''m breaking off my engagement to you! In addition to this, she was exposed to a number of misdeeds that she had no memory of. This was backed up by carefully crafted evidence, and all those present believed it. His family was not on his side. Although it was not made public, Charlotte was the child of the head of the family''s mistress. He had been unable to have children, so she was taken in as a child by the Evans family. A few years later, however, he had a child with his new wife. Because of this, she has always been a nail-biter in the house. ...... Even the servants did not protect Charlotte when she was falsely accused. She was about to be thrown in jail. She took advantage of the guards and fled the house. ...... I see. ...... Allen stroked his chin. It''s a simple conspiracy play. Maybe the prince didn''t want to marry a concubine, or maybe he found another woman he liked. Whatever the reason, it doesn''t matter. At any rate, the prince was disturbed by Charlotte. Charlotte bowed her head deeply. It''s all over the papers and I''m sure they''ll be after you soon. ...... I won''t bother you. After you get some rest, you''ll be out of here in no time. I have one question. Allen interrupted him and held up an index finger. Are you good at cleaning? ...... What? Answer me. Charlotte rolls her eyes, but opens her mouth slowly. Well, I think I''m as good as anyone. ...... So, what? "Okay. That''s a perfect answer. Allen pats Charlotte on the shoulder. Okay, Charlotte. I''m going to hire you. "Huh? 6 6 Kuwento Nakatagong Wizard Picks Up Villain Daugh... It''s called being a live-in maid. Your job is to do all the housework. You''ll be paid, of course, and you''ll get three meals and a snack. This house is unnecessarily large, and there are more than enough rooms, so there''s no problem even if there''s one more Charlotte. When I briefly explained this, she started to panic as if in a panic. Did you hear what I just said?¡¡I''m the one who asked you! It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The calm part of Allen ranted and raved that he should retract it now. She''s a pain in the ass. She''s a nuisance, a pestilence to Allen, who lives in the depths of the forest, wanting nothing to do with other people. Still, he couldn''t abandon her. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve seen it before. "You, too, ....... Allen. Allen Crawford. Looking straight into Charlotte''s eyes, Allen smiles thinly. It''s been about three years now. Allen was on a journey to broaden his horizons when he was asked to join a party. They were looking for wizards to join their party and were planning to explore the world. With their clever narration, Allen dreamed of adventures yet to be had, and of happy journeys with his friends. Allen was a genius, so he was rarely understood by others, and he had few friends to call his own. However, from the beginning, they had planned to use Allen. They used me to expose an ancient temple that had been sealed away. They want the treasure. When I broke the seal, they sent me away and left me in the middle of a horde of demons. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Well, that was a long time ago. "Well, that was a long time ago," Allen said, shaking his head and smiling. I was able to survive that time, but it made me distrustful of people. He gently squeezes Charlotte''s hand. There was no one who could help me at that time. That''s why I can''t leave you out of my ...... similar situation. "...... Mr. Allen. Charlotte''s eyes moisten. This is a great way to make sure that you don''t end up being a victim of a crime. They are now all living in jails in this country because Allen took all the evidence of their crimes and brought them to justice. In addition to that, he put multiple curses on them, and I am sure that they are all suffering from chronic insomnia, headaches, and constipation in prison together. Just thinking about it makes Allen''s meals taste so much better. In addition, the government has offered him a large reward for this. Apparently, his former comrades had been misbehaving all over the place. Thanks to this, I was able to buy this house with cash and retire comfortably. My distrust of people has accelerated, but I''ve already gotten my revenge, at least for a change. However, I''ll keep that secret from Charlotte for now. The words of Allen, who had also experienced betrayal, must have pierced her heart deeply. However, Charlotte shook her head. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that.¡¡I''m glad you feel that way, but I can''t accept ......! I''m glad you feel that way, but I can''t accept ......! She''s quite a stubborn girl. And then... "Then it''s a last resort. Allen snaps his fingers. And on his clothes. A glowing red emblem appeared on his clothing, right around his heart. It''s a sign of a curse, Allen''s specialty. Charlotte nodded her head and he smirked at her. I have just placed a death curse (????) on myself. "......What? Charlotte puzzled again. Allen sticks his forefinger in the air and slams it down. I''m not going to lift this curse unless you say you''re going to work here!¡¡In other words, ...... three minutes from now, my heart will stop working! Yes? You''d better make up your mind quickly!¡¡Otherwise, innocent civilians will lose their lives because of you! How can you do that?¡¡Also, I know I sound like a bad person for saying this, but ...... you''re a good person who''s trying to help me! "Hahahaha, of course I''m goodness itself!¡¡Now what do we do Charlotte!¡¡You have two minutes and thirty-one seconds left!¡¡I might add, you''re already starting to have trouble breathing! You need to take better care of yourself! So, in less than a minute, Charlotte agreed to live in the house. With a pale face and tears. 7 7 New Days To Start With The Daughter (1) And so Allen picked up the stranded young lady. Three days later... "Well, it''s done, ......? Great! Allen shouted in delight at the cleanliness of the living room. The hellish dump had now become a habitable environment. He could see the floor and there was not a speck of dust on it. Soft sunlight streamed in through the polished windows, indicating the time of day. It''s a wonderful job. I can''t believe you''re a duchess. I''ve been helping out a lot at ...... your house. Charlotte chuckles. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. Her hair was shiny, and she would have looked great in a dress. But for now, she was wearing ordinary clothes that made her look like an ordinary village girl. She wore a dull colored blouse and a long skirt. She also had a rag in her hand and her arms rolled up. It looked so good on her that it made her forget that she was a noble woman. She is a good cleaner. (Did you say "concubine"?) She cleans up very well, which shows how she is treated at home. She may have been a duke''s daughter in name only, but she may have been a servant in the house. But she didn''t want to pursue the matter. Charlotte also didn''t want to say anything more. She gave a wry smile to cover it up. But I just scrubbed the floor. But I only scrubbed the floor. Didn''t Mr. Allen take care of all the luggage with his magic? Well, yeah. All the garbage on the floor was incinerated by magic. All the trash on the floor was incinerated by magic. Since all the ashes were burned, all that was left to do was to clean up the dust and soot. You helped me clean the floor. ...... Am I even worth it? "Of course you do. Allen nodded with great seriousness. "As you can see, I''m not very good at living. I can''t even think about cleaning up when I''m alone. If you hadn''t come along, I''m pretty sure I''d be living in that trash heap until the day I die. I don''t think that''s something to be proud of. ...... Charlotte smiles a little tightly. I''m sure you''ll be pleased with the results. But for now. What''s the next job I should do? "Well... Allen pondered for a while. Then he simply said... I''m done for today. What? You''re free to go until dinner. Charlotte is confused, but Allen lies down on his favorite sofa. You can bring me a book from the study, or you can tinker in the garden. Do what you want. "...... What if I steal? That''s okay too. I don''t have a lot of cash in this house right now. Yesterday, I went into town to buy some clothes and household items for Charlotte. I was a little reluctant to buy women''s clothes, but I didn''t care if I got a bad reputation or two now. I asked the shopkeeper to help me find something suitable and bought it as I was told. So, due to sudden expenses, we had very little cash left in the house. When I explained this to Charlotte, she shrunk as if she was afraid. "I''m sorry, ......, it''s my fault, ....... Don''t worry, it''s just an initial investment. She waved her hand appropriately and took out a thick stack of papers from her pocket. It''s a research paper on magic theory that was published the other day. It was one of Allen''s few hobbies to make red-pencil corrections to the paper and send it back to the author. It is said that he is feared so much in academic circles that he is called ''the devil of the red pen'', which makes him even more determined to correct the paper. Anyway, I''m going to work for a while. Please don''t call out to me. "Yes, sir. I understand. When Charlotte nodded, Allen looked down at his paper. (Well, it''s going to be a short relationship, so ...... this is a good distance. After making a good amount of money, she would disappear from Allen''s life. I can''t leave a person in trouble alone, but I''m not good at socializing. At the moment, Charlotte''s attitude is soft because she still feels indebted to him, but she will soon grow to hate him. (When the time is right, I''ll put a bunch of money in a place where it''s easy to steal. ......) Laughing at himself for thinking such a thing, Allen continued to work on his paper. By the time he realized it, the sun had set. Before he knew it, the light coming through the window had turned a fiery Akaneiro. "Oops, it''s getting late. ............ Getting up from the couch, Allen froze. The floor of the tidy living room. Charlotte was sitting there. She was motionless, slumped over, staring at the floor. The way she was lit up by the setting sun was a strange sight. Oh, hey, Charlotte, ...... what are you doing? "Oh, Mr. Allen. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. She has the same innocent smile as before. But then she scratches her cheek as if she''s in some kind of trouble. I''m not sure what to make of it. And then she said it without hesitation. "I was counting the grains on the floor! "The grain of the floor. Allen couldn''t help but gulp back. 8 8 New Days With Daughter (2) You''re right. Allen said I was free to go. How she spends her time is up to her. But ...... even if you had a lot of free time on your hands, would you count the grains on the floor?¡¡It''s almost a last resort, isn''t it? "...... Okay, Charlotte. Come here first. "Yes? Allen gets up from the couch and sits her there instead. Then he crouched down in front of her and looked into her eyes. Allen can tell a lie when he looks into someone''s eyes. Charlotte ...... would like to ask you a few questions, do you have any hobbies? "Hobbies? ......? Charlotte nodded her head curiously. She tilted her head curiously, as if she had never heard the word before. For a moment I wondered if she understood me, but she quickly grunted, "Hmm. Not really. ...... Sorry. So, what do you do in your spare time at home? When I was not studying to be a bride, I was cleaning the house and doing needlework. ...... In my free time, I did not have much. Charlotte smiles and says that she misses him. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''m not sure if I''d call it fun ......, because I was constantly being scolded by my teacher for ...... mistakes. What''s your most recent happy memory? Well, that''s ...... it!¡¡There it is! Charlotte''s voice was bouncy. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or not. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve seen it before.¡¡You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their lives. ............ I''m not sure if that''s what you call bullying or harassment. I''m not sure.¡¡Mr. Allen. Your face is kind of scary. ......? You''re born with a bad face. Don''t worry about it. How old are you, ......? Uh, seventeen. Seventeen? I''m four years younger than Allen. When Allen was seventeen, he was still in the Academy of Magic. He questioned his professors every day, bringing them to tears, and blew up several laboratories with his potion experiments. Although his research results were at the top of the list, he was what can only be called a rambling idiot ....... What about Charlotte, on the other hand? She spent her teenage years, which should have been one of the most fun years of her life, with no hobbies, no happy memories, just being exploited by others. At the end of the day, he was betrayed by everything and collapsed in the depths of the forest. (Is there such a thing as a cruel story?). But Allen knows that Charlotte has never lied to him. Even though he knew it would be rude to feel sorry for her, ...... he just couldn''t resist. ...... Okay, I''ve made up my mind. What are you talking about? Charlotte nodded her head nervously. Allen stood up unconcernedly. Then he stuck his forefinger in the air. Charlotte, I''m going to teach you all the ...... pleasures of the world! "............ Yes? 9 Story 9 Indering Ikenai (1) Three hours later. I''m home! Oh, welcome back to ......? Charlotte greeted Allen with a confused but polite smile as he returned to the house with a large package in his hands. After making a mysterious declaration, Allen ran out of the house. Then he went to the city to buy some things. The sky was already dark, and the crescent moon was shining brightly and pleasantly. Allen put his belongings on the table in the living room. There were four large boxes and three cloth bags. Charlotte''s head tilted more and more in front of the large package. It''s a great deal of shopping,......, but you don''t have any cash left,....... Yeah. That''s why I sold off all the magic tools I had. I''ve got fifty gold pieces. "Gosh, ......? Charlotte was speechless. It''s enough for a single person to live on for at least three months. A magic tool is an item that contains a special magic. For example, a bonfire that will not go out even if it rains, or a wand that can produce a ball of flame just by waving it. There is a wide range of magic items, but if it sells for fifty gold coins, it must be a very high quality magic item. Why would you pay that much? "Is it worth it?¡¡You''re a duke''s daughter, but your money sense is like that of a commoner. I''m not saying that, because when I was little, I lived with my mother in the country. ...... Charlotte shook her head and pieced together her words in a shaky voice. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. I''m not sure what to do. And there are other magical tools out there that you can make if you want to. Unlike potions, magic tools are quite troublesome to assess. That''s why Allen rarely turned them into gold. But this time was special. "All right, Charlotte. Sit here. "Eh, ......, yes. Charlotte slowly sat down in the chair that Allen had pulled out for her. Allen nodded in satisfaction. But she''s confused. Charlotte. Earlier, I told you. I''m going to teach you all the pleasures of this world. "Yes. You said, ......, ''pleasure''? "Pleasure, pleasure. But what I said was ....... Allen gently cupped Charlotte''s chin and chuckled. "It''s an unethical kind of pleasure. "What, moral ......? Exactly. You know, naughty things are fun. It''s addictive. Charlotte''s eyes grew more and more black and white. Charlotte''s eyes grew blacker and blacker, as if she had no idea what Allen was talking about. You''re one of the most honest and sincere people I''ve ever met. You''ve never rebelled against a duke before, have you? I''m sure you''ll find a lot of people who''d love to have you in their lives. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. It''s an expression of fear, more like that of an owner than a family member. In fact, she had never spoken ill of the dukes before. Even though they had betrayed her so cruelly. I guess her ingratitude outweighs her resentment. That''s not healthy, in Allen''s opinion. "From now on, I''m going to teach you something naughty. I''m going to teach you some naughty things and you''re going to drown in them and become a beast of instinct. "I''m kind of scared, Mr. Allen. ...... Charlotte showed a hint of trepidation, but she stubbornly glared at Allen. And you mustn''t do anything wrong! "Don''t worry. It''s not against the law, and it won''t bother anyone. Are you sure about that, ......? Yes, it is. It''s something we all do in secret. The chaste wife, the strict teacher, the exemplary clergyman... Chaste wives, stern teachers, exemplary clergymen, they all secretly do naughty things behind the scenes and are prisoners of their pleasures. When I told her that, Charlotte gulped and cleared her throat. What is this ...... thing that you do? You want to know ...... what it is? Allen took his hand away from Charlotte and instead slowly untied the ribbon from the box. He slowly untied the ribbon from the box, as if he were undressing a woman. "Now, burn it in your eyes. This time the naughty thing is ....... Finally, the box is opened. The only thing that fit in there was-- . ............ cake? "That''s right! Allen nodded vigorously. 10 Ten Stories Indaught ikenai (2) Inside the box were a variety of colorful cakes. Shortcakes with strawberries, chocolate cakes with a smooth surface, tarts with lots of jewel-like fruits, millefeuille with layers and layers. Et cetera, et cetera. But don''t be surprised just yet! With that, Allen opened the boxes and bags one after another. Out pops a variety of colorful sweets and juice bottles. Not only sweet, but also salty popcorn. In no time at all, the table was filled with a party-like atmosphere. It made Charlotte roll her eyes. "What, uh, ...... this? "It''s a bad idea. "......? Charlotte''s head tilted more and more. But Allen doesn''t care, he opens the lid of the cider. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. That''s what we''re having for dinner!¡¡Eat, drink, and be merry! "What? Charlotte finally lets out a scream. "No, no, Mr. Allen!¡¡You have to eat your dinner!¡¡It''s not good for your nutrition if you eat only sweets! "Well, that''s an expected and exemplary response. That''s why it''s worth corrupting her! Allen smiles with satisfaction. I''m sure the duke''s family only fed you the bare minimum. "Well, that''s ...... You''re right. I can''t let them starve for appearances sake, but I have no intention of letting them live in luxury. Something like that. It is said that only her family members knew that she was a concubine. On the surface, they treated her as a family member, but inside the house, she was a servant. Cakes would rarely have been eaten. Allen took one of the cakes and put it on his plate. It was a shortcake with beautiful, glossy strawberries. The strawberries were not in season, but they were grown in a greenhouse, so they were a bit pricey. I put a fork on it and put it in front of Charlotte. Here''s a sweet, sweet cake. I hear this is the most popular cake in the store. "Ugh. ...... Then Charlotte''s eyes were glued to the cake. For lunch, there was nothing but Allen''s special thin vegetable soup, leftover bread, and a crumbled fried egg. Of course he was hungry. Out of nowhere, there was a small "gulp" sound. But Charlotte shook her head loosely. But I can''t do this. You can''t have cake for dinner, it''s bad for you. ...... She glanced up at Allen and said apologetically. And ...... I can''t ask you to be any better than you already are. But it''s such a beautiful cake. But it''s such a beautiful cake, wouldn''t it be bad for the pastry chef if you didn''t eat it? Ugh. ......! Oh, it''s working. It''s working. He grinned at the response and continued. And who''s hiring you now? Oh, Mr. Allen. ...... That''s right! Then he forced her to pick up her fork. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''ve seen it before. My employer''s orders are absolute. So eat as much of this as you want today. That''s my job! This is such a mess. ...... If you resist any longer, I''ll put another death curse on you. On me, of course. Just take care of yourself, please! Charlotte screamed, interrupting Allen as he tried to recite the spell. Finally, she seems to have given up. She grabs her fork and nods her head. I understand. ...... Thank you very much. "Good. You should have just done that from the start. It''s a completely badass line, but Allen just wants to let her eat cake. I''d like to know if you have any food allergies?¡¡Any pre-existing conditions? I don''t, but ...... you sound like a doctor. I''m a licensed physician, after all. Again. Charlotte chuckled. Charlotte chuckled. Allen had said something that was undoubtedly true, but she thought it was a joke. But it seemed to relieve some of the tension. 11 11 Story Indering about Ikenai (3) I''ll take it then. ...... Then Charlotte glanced at Allen''s face. "You choose first, Mr. Allen. I''ll take whatever''s left. "No, thanks. I don''t like sweets. "What? Charlotte rolls her eyes. You''re full of surprises. "Are you ...... doing all this for me, by any chance? You''ve just found out about this?¡¡Of course not. Why would you sell your precious magic tools for ......?¡¡Why did you do that, ......? "Why? I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I thought you''d like it. It''s ....... At last Charlotte was speechless. She rolls her eyes and freezes. Allen could not help but nod his head in response. What''s wrong?¡¡You don''t like sweets by any chance? No, no, not at all. It''s just ...... Then eat up. Yes, ....... I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. "For me. ...... I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. Then she gently sets her fork on the shortcake. The apex of the triangle. The top of the triangle, just a little slice, and slowly brought it to her mouth. It was like the speed of a turtle. But Allen watched intently. Charlotte chewed the bite carefully, as if it were her last supper. Then a small sound escaped her throat. She froze, stunned. "Well, how is it? Is it good? Allen cringed. Allen cringed. Maybe it wasn''t to his taste, or maybe the cake was damaged. He looked into Charlotte''s face, concerned. Then... "It''s delicious. Oh, good! The words Allen had prepared for her, "......," disappeared down her throat. A single drop spilled down her cheek. The drops flowed incessantly, one after another, and eventually they were mixed with sobs. It made Allen speechless. Charlotte contorted her face and tried desperately to wipe away the tears. But the tears did not stop. As each drop fell to the table and to her knees, a hoarse voice spilled from her trembling lips. I''ve never known anyone to do anything for me ...... that would make me happy or be kind to me .......... ...! Charlotte speaks in choppy tones. The string of unclear words is a scream that leaks from her soul. That heartbreaking cry lit a fire in Allen''s heart. Charlotte raises her tear-stained face and looks at Allen. "Is it really okay for me to feel this happy ......? "Tell me ...... I''m an idiot. Allen squeezes out a low voice. Even though it was a bit pricey, it was only a piece of silver. That kind of happiness will never be enough for ....... You''ll be able to''t be happy with this level of happiness?¡¡Don''t make me laugh. This is just the beginning. From now on, I''m going to teach you all the pleasures of this world. I won''t tolerate your crying and screaming. I''ll feed you good food and take you places. I''ll make you taste fun and joy until you get tired of it. And eventually, I''ll turn you into the ...... happiest person in the world, and you can say that with pride. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that," she said, her face contorting. Why ...... are you being so nice to me, a complete stranger? I don''t know. I don''t know. I don''t know." Allen confided honestly. I don''t know. The thought made Allen feel sick to his stomach. It wasn''t just pity. It was a complex blend of anger, sorrow, and other emotions that he had never felt before in his life. Allen did not know what to name it. But that was a trivial matter. If he decides to do something, he will do it ...... thoroughly. Because that was his motto. "Anyway, I swear to you. As long as you''re in my presence, I''ll teach you all the pleasures of the world! But ...... I can''t give you anything in return, can I? I don''t need that. Just think of me as a hobby you don''t want to be a part of. Huh. ...... You''re so sweet, but you''re so weird. Charlotte giggles as she cries. Charlotte giggled as she cried, apparently getting used to Allen''s tone. I''m sure you''ll be glad to hear that. A laughing face is much preferable to a crying face. I don''t know why. Anyway, Allen handed her a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, and then offered her other cakes one after another. Go on, go on, eat up. When you''ve eaten that one, which one''s next?¡¡This chocolate cake? No, I can''t eat that much. ...... Please help me, Mr. Allen. That''s why I don''t like sweets. ...... Oh, no. I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of this, but I''m sure you have. So Allen cut off his words and picked up a suitable cake. It''s a tart with a lot of fruit. "Since you''re here, would you like to join me? "Yes!¡¡I''m sure it would taste much better if we ate it together. Seeing Charlotte''s smile return, Allen secretly felt relieved. I''m not very good at socializing, but ...... I''ll do my best. That''s what I thought. But Charlotte raised her eyebrows. But ...... even the two of us can''t finish this much food. What should I do? "Well, you could eat a little bit every day. But how many days can a cake last ......? That''s how ...... it works. Allen whispered a few words and snapped his fingers. In a moment, the chocolate cake is surrounded by a cube of warding. Stop time and you''ll be fine. ...... You really can do anything, can''t you? Yeah. Allen shrugs aloofly and sticks his fork in the tart. I''m a bad, good wizard. I can stop time and seduce poor women in a matter of minutes. Hmm. It''s surprisingly good. Thanks to the moderate acidity of the fruit, even Allen, who doesn''t like sweets, could enjoy it. I''m going to make that restaurant my favorite from now on. "Here, you try it too. Aww. "Oh, yeah. I let Charlotte have a bite of the tart. She chewed earnestly for a while, and then broke into a pose. His cheeks were slightly tinged with vermilion. If I had to give it a name, I''d probably go with ''happy color''. ...... is delicious. I''m glad to hear that. It''s a good thing, too. It was not a bad taste, after all. 12 T2 Stories and a Small Incident One Morning (1) "Fluffy ...... ah? Feeling the dazzling sunlight through his eyelids, Allen wriggles. Eventually, he came to a clearer awareness. His body ached in many places, and he remembered where he was sleeping. He pulled his face off the desk. "Huh, ......, that''s crazy. When did you fall asleep ......? I stretched my stiff body on the chair. The fresh morning sun was streaming in through the window. This was Allen''s study. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and here and there on the floor were piles of books that hadn''t made it onto the shelves. Last night, he had been holed up here, thinking. My intention was to finish up at the end of the day, but it seems I got carried away until I was just about to fall asleep. I''m sorry ......, but I had so many ideas. It''s worth the time. On the desk where he had been propped up was a closed notebook. Allen held it up and smiled. On the cover was written. "Charlotte''s Training Plan: A Tentative List of Naughty Things". If Charlotte saw it, she would have rolled her eyes and said, "What''s this? If Charlotte saw it, she would have rolled her eyes. Allen flipped it over. The page was filled with his own handwriting. He gently traces the first line with his finger. "The cake is good. It''s good. A flower circle appeared on the word "cake". To Allen, Charlotte was just a stranger he met by chance. But that had changed yesterday. Allen has promised to teach her all the pleasures of the world. Yesterday''s cakes were well received. She ate three in total, savoring them slowly. She said she would save the rest of the cakes and eat them one by one every day. Allen felt very good because he never thought that a piece of cake would make her so happy. However, ...... food alone is not enough. There''s more. ...... There''s more. ...... There''s more. So I twisted my brain and thought about this and that until late at night. This is the note. "C''mon ......, my genius brain has come up with an ingenious plan. I''m sure it''ll work wonders on Charlotte!¡¡Let''s check it out first! And so I looked over the list. And there it was... Write a groundbreaking magical theory paper. Create magical tools out of ridiculously valuable materials. Put all the fools who dare oppose you through a full course of living hell. Et cetera, et cetera. ............ I''m pretty sure Charlotte won''t be pleased. The only person who will be happy about this is Allen. The midnight tension produced nothing but garbage. Allen throws away his notebook and leaves the chair. I''ll think about it again after I go back to sleep at ....... Then he left the study. "Oh! Oh. I bumped into Charlotte. She rolls her eyes for a moment, then bows her head as if she''s just realized something. "Oh, good morning. Mr. Allen. You''re up early. ...... "No. I just fell asleep in my study. You were up all night?¡¡No, no, it''s not healthy. It''s ...... and I''m going back to bed. Allen chuckled at her panic. If he knew that she had stayed up all night thinking about Charlotte, he would be even more upset. So Allen decided to never say why. So breakfast is not necessary. You''re on your own. "Okay, okay. Shall I wake you at noon? Yeah, please. What''s ......, by the way? What''s that?¡¡It''s a broom. Then I noticed what Charlotte was holding. It was a broom that must have been lying in the storeroom. It was covered in dust because she didn''t use it much, but apparently Charlotte had taken care of it. She held it carefully and smiled at me. I thought I''d clean the front door. Oh, no, ......? No, there''s nothing wrong with that, but ...... I didn''t ask you to do that. 13 13 Stories and a Small Incident One Morning (2) The living room and kitchen had been cleaned. I told Charlotte that I would take care of the shed and the garden ...... as there was no hurry. I''m sure there were no other tasks left to do. When I said that, Charlotte gave me a wry smile. "I''ve been indebted to you. I thought I should do some of the work myself. You''re so serious. ...... Allen was taken aback, but took a quick look at the girl''s health. Her skin is glowing, her pupils are clear, and her breathing is rhythmic. There is nothing wrong with her health, so I can leave her to it. ...... But I''m still worried. You can relax in the morning. Yes, but ...... it''s a habit. Did you clean your ...... house every day? "Ha ha ....... Charlotte smiles ambiguously. I''m a duke, after all. I''m sure they had plenty of servants. I don''t know what her intentions were, but I''m pretty sure they weren''t pleasant. When I imagined it, my drowsiness was blown away. A feeling of discomfort that was hundreds of times greater than the discomfort he felt the day after a night of drinking occupied Allen''s stomach. It made his brow crease. How did Charlotte sense this? She bowed her head. "Well, good night, then. I''ll clean up quietly. With that, she walked quickly to the door. Allen could only watch her go. When she disappeared around the corner, he stroked her ...... chin. I''m surprised you still haven''t said anything bad about anyone after being ...... treated like that. I''ve been treated like a servant, no less. You''ve been treated like a servant, or worse, and you''ve been forced to leave your home for a crime you didn''t commit. And yet, she never spoke a word of resentment to her family or to the prince, her former fianc¨¦, who was the source of all this. If Allen were in her position, he would have crushed them all to the ground. ....... It''s not that I don''t hold grudges, it''s just that ...... I''m not the kind of person who can hold a grudge. Even if you do have a grudge, you are afraid to say it out loud. ...... I had a feeling that was the case. At the root of it is probably a fear of them or a low self-esteem. It''s also not very interesting. As I continued to groan in the hallway with a difficult look on my face. "Good morning ......, who are you?¡¡Who are you? "Oh, um, ....... I heard two voices coming from the doorway. When he heard them, Allen ran out as if he had been shot. He ran to the front door at the highest speed in his history. And there was the worst sight of all. "Wait a minute! "Hey, Mr. Allen. What? Charlotte with her broom and Miaha with her delivery. At the most inopportune moment, the two girls had met each other. Obviously not good. Allen casually shields Charlotte behind him and turns to face Miaha. I''m sorry, I''m a recently hired maid. She''s a little shy. "Oh. You had the good fortune to hire a maid, the Demon Lord. "The Demon Lord! Charlotte makes a screeching sound. Thanks to this, Allen has his head in his hands. "A nickname, a nickname. It''s disgraceful. "Isn''t it a fitting title? Hmmm. ....... Miaha smiled and stared at Charlotte''s face behind Allen''s back. I''ve seen the maid''s face before, for some reason. Specifically, in a recent newspaper. ......! 14 14 Stories and a Small Incident One Morning (3) Charlotte gasped. It''s almost an affirmative response. Allen speaks to Miaha with a sigh. I was going to do whatever I could to bribe him at this point. I don''t want to brainwash anyone I know, so I''m going to try to keep this as quiet as possible. ....... ...... Miaha. There''s a reason for this-- It''s okay, Demon Lord. But Miaha laughed crisply and slapped her chest. We at Satyuros Transport are customer-focused. I don''t care who your maids are. "Thank you for ....... What the hell are you talking about? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. "Oh, thank you ....... "Haha. That''s fine. The Neal''s Kingdom is not within the territory of my company. What would you have done if it was ...... territory? Hmmm... I don''t know. I don''t know. I don''t know." Miaha laughed and faked it. Allen was sincerely relieved that her company hadn''t expanded outside the country. ...... A thought occurred to him. "Hey, Miaha. I''m sure your company is also in the ...... mail order business, right? I''m not sure. The main products are daily necessities, but we can purchase anything you want and put it in the store. Our fees are reasonable. Here''s the brochure. "I''m counting on you. Let''s see. ...... I flipped through the booklet I received from Miaoha. It contained foodstuffs, daily necessities, and clothes. "This is good. There you go, Charlotte. "Yes? Allen handed it to Charlotte with a flourish. She looked at him blankly and he simply said. I''m sure you bought most of the necessities yesterday, but I don''t know what a woman needs. Make a list of what you want. I''ll order it. "Oh, yes. Okay. Charlotte nodded her head and flipped through the pamphlet with interest. Her eyes are a little brighter and she seems more excited. She must have never been able to shop properly before. She hugs the brochure carefully and smiles modestly. Then, please. Please deduct it from my salary later. "Don''t worry about it. Don''t worry about it. It''s a necessary expense and I''ll pay for it. "What?¡¡Don''t worry about it. I''ll pay for it because it''s a necessary expense." "What? That''s bad. ...... We had cake yesterday. ...... As she hugged the brochure, Charlotte lowered her eyebrows in annoyance. But Allen refuses to budge. "Just buy what you want. If you show even a hint of restraint, I''ll buy every single item in that brochure. Choose well. "Why do you always have to be so extreme? Charlotte screamed with a blue face. Because of the cake incident yesterday, she knows that Allen might actually do it. And her hunch is correct. Seeing this exchange, Miaha laughs. "Hahaha. The maid seems to be in trouble. If you''re sick of the Demon Lord''s outrageous behavior, you have to speak up. "No, no, I''m in your debt, and I don''t have to ...... Oh, no. If it was Miaha, she would be so irreverent that she would even resort to a cat punch. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. It was a very good punch. You see, stress should be directed at the source of the stress! I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on.¡¡Wait a minute. Then he suddenly felt a pang. Allen pondered for a while and then ...... punched his hand. That''s it! "What? "What ......? And so, the next wrong thing to do to Charlotte was decided. 15 15 Stories Ikenai, How to Relieve Stress (1) The next day, just after noon. "Your order has been delivered! "Hmm. Good work. After lunch, Miaha knocked on the front door cheerfully. I let her into the living room, where she was carrying a number of bags. A small cloth bag and a huge, rectangular wooden box that looked like it could hold a person. It was a big load to see, but Miaha was not sweating, and looked smug. She handed the cloth bag to Charlotte, who was watching nearby. "Here you go. This is the daily necessities that Charlotte asked for. "Oh, thank you very much. Charlotte takes it slowly. Charlotte does not even notice that her name has been changed from "maid" to her real name. It seems that Miaha is really going to keep her mouth shut. So, this is what the Demon Lord ordered. "Thank you. Let''s see, ....... A huge wooden box was placed in front of Allen. He opened the top lid of the box, which looked like a coffin, and gently checked the contents. Charlotte was also curious to take a peek, but ...... before she could, Allen slammed the lid shut. It''s a good idea to hide gifts until the last minute. It''s a good thing. It''s a great gift. And here is your reward. I''ll check it out then. Hee, hoo, mee ......? Miaha, who was counting the silver coins, nodded her head. It''s a lot. Please wait for me to get the change... "No need. Here''s a tip, please take it. "Nyaa!¡¡You''re so generous, Demon Lord!¡¡Thank you! With a big smile on her face, Miaha stuffed the silver coin into her pocket. It''s a kind of hush money. It was a small price to pay if it would protect Charlotte. As Allen put his wallet away, Miaha stared at the crate. I''m not sure what I''m going to do with it, but I''m not sure what I''m going to do with it. "Of course I''m going to use it. "Yeah. You''re an indoor person, aren''t you, Demon Lord? "Of course it''s a lie," Miaha said rudely. So, Allen pats Charlotte on the shoulder. No, no, no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. "Oh, me? Charlotte rolls her eyes in disbelief. Charlotte rolls her eyes. "Wow. Charlotte is surprisingly active. What on earth did you buy at ......? "Don''t be surprised when you see ....... Allen said and snapped his fingers. Then the crate shattered with a bang. The contents of the box, which stood amidst the scattered pieces of wood, were... "...... sandbag? Exactly! I''m not sure what to make of that. It''s a literal sandbag suspended from a metal pole. It was a sports equipment used for boxing practice and self-discipline. Oh, I didn''t know you could deliver such things. That''s the Satyr Shipping Company. Keep up the good work. Of course, you can count on us!¡¡"Of course, you can count on us! We''ll give you priority delivery, Demon Lord! No, no, wait for ....... Charlotte interrupted Allen and the others who were talking in a relaxed manner. Charlotte interrupts Allen and the others, who are talking in a relaxed manner, with a look of incomprehension in her eyes. She looks at Allen and the sandbag alternately, then nods her head again. Why am I using this?¡¡Oh, you mean like ...... for exercise? "Close, but not quite. "Close, but not quite," Allen declares, slapping the sandbag. This is today''s naughty thing! This is today''s naughty thing!" "Yes, naughty thing ......! Charlotte clears her throat. Charlotte gulps, while Miaha gives Allen a disapproving look. What?¡¡What''s that? Is that how you want to play it? No, it''s not. It''s a long story. ...... I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. I''m sure you''ll agree that this is a great idea, but I''m not sure if it''s a good idea. Well, it''s just a normal exercise,....... So Allen takes out a newspaper clipping from his pocket. Then he takes a newspaper clipping out of his pocket, sticks it on the sandbag, and ...... you''re ready to go. "Now it''s time to relieve some stress!¡¡Punch this guy as hard as you can! "What? Charlotte makes a crazy noise. Allen pasted a picture of a stern-looking older man and a cold-eyed young man directly on the sandbag. In turn, her father and her ex-fianc¨¦''s hateful grin. 16 16 Story Ikenai, How to Release Stress (2) "This is my father and ....... "Hmm. Ex-fiancees. Allen nodded humbly. I kind of emphasized the "ex" part. Somehow. What you need is not to accept everything. You need to be angry. To be angry. ...... Exactly. I gently took Charlotte''s hand and put on the glove I''d also ordered. The color is blood red. It was a choice that was completely based on Allen''s personal grudge, but he didn''t explain it to her. Patience is important sometimes, but sometimes you need to let go. If you don''t, your life will surely collapse. Overdue emotions never disappear. They continue to accumulate in the depths of your mind and eventually overflow and destroy you. I didn''t want Charlotte to feel that way. "Yes, it''s confusing for everyone at first. But it becomes a habit. What is it about you, Demon Lord, that makes you sound like a villain every time you speak? Miaha blurted out in exasperation. But Charlotte''s face remains blue. She looks at the pictures of the prince and her father on the sandbag and shakes her shoulders. "But ...... I''m not ...... mad at you," she said. But I''m not ...... mad at you." "...... even if you humiliate me that badly? In order to find this picture, Allen looked through several newspapers. In order to find this photo, Allen read through a number of newspapers and found out how Charlotte was known as the "bad girl" in the neighboring kingdom of Nielsen. There was even a bounty on her head. The soldiers that Allen chased off also said that they didn''t care if she lived or died. ...... There is no place for her in that country anymore. Charlotte has had everything taken from her and her dignity violated. And yet, she never uttered a single word of anger. She just smiles as if she has given up. ...... The prince and your father had their reasons, you know. If there was a reason, would it be okay for me to throw you away like a rag? "...... can''t help it. Charlotte shook her head loosely. I''m sure you''re not the only one. The prince is sorry for the trouble he has caused ...... by having someone like me as his fiancee. I can''t ...... bear a grudge. "...... Apparently the roots of the problem are too deep. Allen''s plan was as follows. First, make Charlotte aware of her grudge. Second, he would go straight to the neighboring country and expose the prince''s wrongdoings. Three, Charlotte''s innocence would be cleared and the villains would be put to death. Four, a happy ending. But now that blueprint has to be scrapped. This plan alone would not be enough to heal Charlotte''s heart. After all, she has not been able to face her own heart properly. She has become accustomed to suppressing her feelings and is afraid to show how she feels. Or they have given up on feeling. Because they couldn''t live without it. The shell that you built to protect yourself is now strangling you. If his name were cleared and the prince were to be condemned, ...... instead of being happy, he would be worried that people were unhappy because of him. So Miaha pulls Allen''s sleeve a little bit. "Mr. Demon King. I don''t think it''s very classy to get involved in a customer''s home. ...... He looked at Charlotte hesitantly, and gently lowered his voice. I''m sure you''ll agree with me that it''s best to leave it at that. I almost agree with you on that. "''Almost''? Charlotte''s heart is deeply broken. Charlotte''s heart is deeply wounded, and it will take time to heal. But I didn''t want to just sit around ...... and wait for it to happen. Charlotte. "Yes? I called out to her, who was looking down at me. He gently squeezed her hand, which was still wearing the glove. "Then hit me with ...... instead of a sandbag. ".................. Yes? 17 17 Story Ikenai, How to Release Stress (3) Not only Charlotte, but also Miaha rolled her eyes and froze. In the silence, Allen twisted his head. "Didn''t you hear me?¡¡I told you to hit me. No, no, I heard you!¡¡I''m sure you''ll understand. Demon Lord, you ...... have a taste for that kind of thing. ...... Don''t get me wrong. This is also a part of the naughty things. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. But Charlotte''s face is pale. She clutches her gloved hands to her chest and shakes her head. I can''t do that!¡¡I can''t do that! I''m indebted to Mr. Allen and I can''t ...... do that! It''s not about what you can''t do or what you can do. Allen smiles at you. He bends his upraised forefinger to indicate, "Come on. Do it. "What the ......? A moment later, Charlotte''s right arm suddenly jumps up. Then she sinks her hips and swings with all her might... "Gosh! "Allen? A beautiful corkscrew punch exploded on Allen''s cheek. Thanks to this, Allen was blown about three meters away. Dust flew down from the ceiling into the living room that had been cleaned so well. Charlotte rushed over to Allen as he rolled on the floor and groaned. What was that? ......!¡¡The glove moved on its own,......! It''s ...... magic. I manipulated your right arm and made you punch me. ...... That was a good punch. What the hell is Miaha being shown ......? I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you have. Allen checked his injuries. A few cuts on the inside of his mouth and lips, but his teeth and bones are fine. He wiped the blood from the edge of his mouth and smiled at the blue-faced Charlotte. "Listen, Charlotte. I''ll tell you something. What the hell is ......? I don''t care if you hit me, step on me, or swear at me. I won''t give up on you no matter what. "......! Charlotte was speechless. That''s all I wanted to say. Allen is on her side. No matter what happens, he won''t change that, and he doesn''t intend to. Even though he knew it was too much of a confession to make to a girl he just met yesterday. I can''t help it. "This isn''t the Evanses. You can feel whatever you want, say whatever you want. You''re free. "J-just go to ....... Charlotte said the words absentmindedly, as if she had never heard them before. But she soon realized. Did you ...... make me beat myself up for saying that? "Of course not. "Of course not. You won''t change your mind unless I go this far. It''s called shock therapy. You can''t just throw yourself away! Charlotte''s face turned red with anger. Thanks to her, Allen can only flinch. "Well, even so, I can heal an injury like this in no time. Here. I''ll cast a simple healing spell on myself. Then the swelling on his cheek went down and the rusty taste in his mouth disappeared completely. That''s it. There''s nothing you can''t get back. That''s why I want you to be unafraid of everything. "Mr. Allen, ...... Charlotte rolls her eyes a bit, but ...... quickly changes to a look of genuine anger. But that doesn''t change the fact that Mr. Allen was in pain earlier, right? I''m sure you''re right. Please don''t do anything like this again. You can never have enough hearts. "Okay, okay. ...... Allen couldn''t help but nod reluctantly. He was not afraid of anything, but he could feel Charlotte''s real anger, and he had to endure it. Then ...... Charlotte''s face broke slightly. ......I''ve been afraid of so many things in my life. Charlotte says with a faraway look in her eyes. But ...... that''s all right now, isn''t it? ...... of course. He took her hand gently in his. Through the glove, I could feel Charlotte''s tension. She looked at Allen with determined eyes. It may not be right away, but ...... I''ll do my best. I want to be able to say what''s on my mind. "Hmm. No need to rush. I''ll stay with you forever. Allen smiled at that. We''ve strayed far from our original plan of relieving stress, but ...... it''s not a bad first step. (Charlotte''s going to start over here. I''ll just watch her slowly. Then, I noticed a sandbag standing unattended. He then smiles at Miaha, who is standing nearby. "I''m sorry, Miaha. I''m sorry, Miaha. I''ve brought it with me, but ...... it''s going to be a while before I can use it. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I''m not sure why Miaha is shaking her head with a big smile on her face. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. I''m sure you''ll be pleased with the results. "Yes?¡¡Of course. Why? Because I''m sure you have a lot of things to do!¡¡We''re going to need a double bed, rings, and ...... baby items soon!¡¡I''ll be a good courier! Why do you need all that ......? "Well, ......? In contrast to Miaha''s excitement, Allen and Charlotte only looked at each other. 18 18 Stories: The é—– Storm (1) One fine spring day. There was a figure staring at Allen''s house from afar, making a royal gesture. "Is that ......? The figure stared at the mansion for a while, and then, as if making up its mind, began to walk. Its eyes had a glint of light in them,......, but of course, there was no one else in the forest, and no one paid any attention to it. Just then. "Okay, Charlotte!¡¡We have a problem! "Yes? "Yes?" While they were having lunch, Allen suddenly said something like that. That made Charlotte roll her eyes in disbelief while holding her sandwich. Today''s lunch is a simple sandwich. Just cut up some bread and some ingredients, and you''ve got yourself a nice looking sandwich. Originally, Allen had never been particular about what he ate, but since Charlotte''s arrival, he had begun to pay more attention to appearance as well as nutrition. Allen held up two pots in his hands. One is for coffee, the other for tea. "Which do you prefer, coffee or tea? Well, I''ll have the same as Allen''s: ...... I''ll have the special Geroma''s Nutritional Potion, are you sure it''s the same one? ...... Tea. Good. Charlotte thought long and hard before she answered. Allen was satisfied and began to prepare the tea. I told you yesterday, I have to be honest. The first step is to know what you like. It was a choice between tea and coffee. You''re exaggerating. But you''ve never been able to assert yourself like that before, have you? That''s ...... true, though. Charlotte nibbled on her sandwich. Charlotte nibbled on her sandwich, then chuckled. It''s true that the only decision I''ve made ...... in the last few years was to leave the house. After running away from home, this is it?¡¡That''s quite a string of major decisions! Allen chuckled. Allen chuckles. "I hope you get a hobby soon. If there''s anything you want to try, just let me know. "You want to try ......? Charlotte sits with her sandwich in her mouth and thinks absently. Allen doesn''t know what those eyes are looking at. So he decided to leave her alone. However, ...... at this rate, he might soon be able to pull out the sandbag he had stuck in the storeroom. I had a hunch about that. They were silent for a while. The sound of the water boiling and the birds chirping from outside harmonized, and a quiet time slowly passed. I finally found it! Whoa! Geez! The door swung open and a sudden intruder appeared. Thanks to this, Charlotte jumped up from her chair and Allen frowned. The intruder was a girl about the same age as Charlotte. She was small in stature, but her proportions were superb, showing off where she showed off and showing off where she retracted. Her large jade eyes are full of vitality. She wears a robe similar to Allen''s, but with the addition of cat ears. In addition, her shoulder-length black hair is covered with colorful mesh, and she wears an ultra-mini skirt underneath that exposes a large part of her chest. She looks more like an aggressive artist than a wizard. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. Set the tea leaves in the tea pot and fill it with hot water. The quantity is enough for three people, including the unexpected guest. "Let me ask you something for future reference. How the hell did you find this place? It''s easy. I identified the area from the pollen on the letter and asked around for lice to see if there were any oddball wizards. "d*mn, ......, that''s what you get for knowing exactly what you''re doing and wasting your time. I''ll do better next time. With that in mind, Allen made himself a cup of tea. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m going to try. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. That''s my line, but ...... is fine too. Shall we introduce ourselves? The girl says her name proudly and proudly. My name is Eluca Crawford!¡¡I''m your sister! Your sister? Yeah. My sister-in-law. Allen blurted out as he poured sugar into his teacup. 19 19 Stories: The é—– Storm (2) "So what can I do for you? Is your uncle still trying to get me back, by any chance? No way. Dad''s already given up. Eruka shrugged her shoulders in disgust. You''ll be able to take a gulp of the tea and put it back on the table. You can''t be a lone wolf like you and hold a post in the academy. It would be much more productive to have you wander around and present your research results. Oh, so you finally get it. Well, you finally get it, don''t you? Eluca glared at Allen with a stare. Charlotte discreetly tugged on Allen''s sleeve. You''re an uncle to Allen, but you''re a father to your sister? "Yeah. I told you, she''s my sister-in-law. We''re not blood related. Allen indicated Eruca with his chin. Actually, she and Allen don''t look much alike. The only thing they have in common is their hair color, but while Eruca''s is black, Allen''s is half black and half white. "I lost my parents when I was a child. I lost my parents when I was very young and was taken in by a distant relative, the Crawfords. Eruka is their daughter. She''s the same age as you. "Oh, I didn''t know that. ...... Sorry. I didn''t mean to pry into your family''s affairs. I don''t mind. It''s not like I need to know. No, I''m still very confused about it. Eruka stared at Charlotte with a pouty face. Who is this person?¡¡I''m not sure. It''s ......! At that moment, Charlotte''s face turned bright red up to her ears. She panicked and looked at Allen and Eruca in turn. No, I''m not!¡¡I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m going to have to. That''s right, Eluca. Don''t be rude. "What? Charlotte looks back as if shocked for some reason. I''m not sure what to say. I''m sure Charlotte would feel repugnant if she were misunderstood as being in love with such a personality-disrupting social misfit and a scheming genius wizard. For the sake of her honor, I''ll make sure to deny that. I don''t think that way, okay? I don''t think so!" "You have an overly perfect self-esteem sometimes, don''t you? Eruka stroked her chin curiously and stared at Allen and Charlotte. If not her, then who?¡¡I''m not sure what to do. "Well, that''s ....... Naturally, Charlotte is at a loss for an answer. Naturally, Charlotte was at a loss for an answer, but Allen made it easy for her. "This is Charlotte Evans. She''s a wanted woman who escaped from a neighboring country. "Hey, Mr. Allen? "Oh, ......? I don''t understand." To Eruca''s confusion, Allen gave her a brief rundown of what had happened so far. She had been forced to leave her country for a crime she did not commit. He was currently hiding her and teaching her various ''naughty things''. When the explanation was over, Charlotte turned pale and asked Allen. I''m not sure if that''s a good idea ......? I''m sure he''ll figure it out on his own. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. But it''s your sister. ...... You should be worried about Allen. ...... Charlotte looked at Eruka with concern. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I always thought that ...... you were an idiot, but you''re not. You''re an idiot. "Oh. Why is that? That''s obvious! Eruka stuck her index finger firmly at Allen. It''s not about giving her food or letting her beat herself up, ...... it''s about teaching her something naughty that will make her happy! I''m not sure if that''s the point. 20 20 Stories: A é—– Storm (3) Eruka squeezed Charlotte''s hand, her eyes wide. I know you''ve been through a lot ......!¡¡You''ve done a great job, and if there''s anything I can do to help, please let me know!¡¡I''ll do everything I can to help! "Oh, thank you so much, ......? Charlotte was puzzled, but nodded cautiously. You''re not going to ...... kick me out or anything? "What? Why? "Because, if I do say so myself, ...... I''m very suspicious, you know? But you believed me, didn''t you? Eruka nodded her head. But you believed him, didn''t you? It''s okay then. I''m not like you, but my sense of smell is as good as a dog''s when it comes to detecting bad guys. If you''re going to praise me, you should be more direct. Allen couldn''t help but glare at Eruca. It''s been about a year since I''ve seen him, but he''s still as hard on my brother as ever, and like Allen, he''s a pure softy. I was relieved to see that he hadn''t changed. So what is it you really want? "Well, to be direct, I''m here to bring back my brother. ...... Eruca broke off and hugged Charlotte tightly. I don''t care about that anymore!¡¡I love you too, Charlotte!¡¡I''m going to teach you something bad. Yeah, ...... are you going to stay? Of course not. Of course not. I''m here to do some research on the region. "Research ......? Charlotte nodded her head, but Eruca smiled. I''m an apprentice magic tool technician. I''m an apprentice magician. "Well, ......? "Well, in short, it''s magical tools made from the bones and skins of demons. That''s why I travel around the world to collect materials. There are many kinds of magic tools. There are many different types of magic tools, some of which are just ordinary tools with magic in them, some of which use demon materials to increase their power, and some of which are spontaneous,....... Eruka gave a brief explanation, but Charlotte just looked at her in black and white. It seems that she is extremely unfamiliar with magic-related topics. Are you sure you don''t know anything about magic? I just find it useful. ...... Sorry for my lack of knowledge. Charlotte''s shoulders slumped. She said that at home all she did was train as a bride and take care of the house, and she would never have had the chance to learn magic. As if to encourage her, Eruca chuckled. I''m sure I can teach you a thing or two!¡¡I''m sure you can do it too. "The old ......? Yeah, don''t worry about me now. Allen sighed and waved his hand lightly. Allen sighed and waved his hand lightly, while he stared at Eruca. It''s fine if you want to stay. You''re going to teach Charlotte how to be naughty?¡¡Ha, that''s funny. "Mmm, what do you mean? What do you mean?" Eruka frowned, but Allen lifted the corners of his mouth and smiled wryly. He stood behind Charlotte and patted her on the shoulder. I''m the one who can best teach Charlotte how to be naughty!¡¡I''m the one who can best teach Charlotte how to be naughty, and you''re the one who just met her! What? "What? Charlotte rolled her eyes and looked at both of them in turn. Charlotte rolled her eyes and looked at both of them, but Eruca, with steam coming out of her head, glared at Allen. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that there are certain pleasures that only a woman can teach you.¡¡I''m going to use my naughty techniques to break Charlotte''s bones. "Nonsense!¡¡I''m thinking about the naughty things I''m going to teach Charlotte all the time!¡¡You''re no match for me! What the hell is this all about ......? Charlotte, who was in the middle of it, just nodded her head, but the standoff between the siblings continued. They both knew that arguing further would get them nowhere. "Then let''s play ....... "Huh, that brings back memories. It''s been a while since we played. They both put their fists in the air and ...... bumped into each other. Let''s ...... see which one of us can teach Charlotte something naughty! That''s what I want! "Yeah, ....... 21 21 stories, to the city! â‘  That''s why the three of them came to town. What''s going on? What''s the matter with you? Allen nodded his head to Charlotte, who let out an inverted scream. This is a town not far from the house where Allen lives. It''s fairly large, and there are several affordable dungeons nearby, so there are a lot of people coming and going. The headquarters of the transportation company that Micaiah belongs to is also located in this town. It was a little after noon, and the main street was crowded with people. In a corner of the street, Charlotte is hiding behind a building and is nervous. Her head is covered with a piece of cloth taken from the house, and she is acting quite suspiciously. Eruka shrugs her shoulders and tells her. Eruka shrugs her shoulders and tells her, "It''s a game between me and you to see who can make Charlotte happy. There''s only so much you can do in that gloomy house. It''s a good time to go shopping. You should get some fresh air once in a while. But I''m the one who asked for the ......! Charlotte looked around curiously. Just in time, there were a number of handbills posted on the city bulletin board. One of them was brand new, ...... and it definitely belonged to Charlotte. I''m sure you''ll get caught if you leave. ...... No, I don''t want to do that. ...... You''ll get in trouble with Mr. Allen and Mr. Eluca... ... I''m not sure what to say. That''s just like you. I''m not sure what to say, but I''d like to know. I''m not sure what to say, but I''ll try to be as gentle as I can. It''s okay. Don''t worry. I''ll take care of it. He gently touches Charlotte''s hair and snaps his fingers. "Shape-shift. "Aah! A pale light enveloped Charlotte''s hair and then quickly disappeared. I give her a hand mirror and she immediately rolls her eyes. "Oh, my God, my hair is ......!¡¡It''s turning black! "Hmm. It''s a simple disguise spell. Charlotte''s beautiful golden hair was dyed jet black like the darkness of night. Charlotte stared at herself in the mirror, as if her appearance was unusual. Charlotte stared into the mirror, wondering if her appearance was unusual, "Now that you''ve changed your hair, it won''t be so obvious who you are. Don''t worry, we''ll be careful too. "Oh, thank you, ....... I''ll take care of the arrangement! Eruka jumps on Charlotte and starts messing with her long hair. It looks good on you.¡¡You and I have black hair, so we can match! Yes, I do. You and Allen have ...... half the same hair. Yeah. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I have a good arm. It''s shiny and free of split ends. It''s beautiful black hair. ....... But I''ll break the spell as soon as I get home. Oh, really? ...... What?¡¡Why not!¡¡Kuro hair is good too! Eruca booed. Charlotte, too, is somewhat disappointed. But Allen was adamant. Kuro is not bad, but gold suits Charlotte. I like that one best. It''s ............. For some reason, Charlotte became speechless and froze. Eruka also rolled her eyes and fell silent. Allen can only twist his head around. "Hmm?¡¡Did I say something funny? ............ No, no. It''s nothing. ...... Hey, buddy. Are you trying to score points already? Charlotte''s face turned red and she turned her head away. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Then he takes Charlotte''s hand and smiles. I can''t wait to see what you do. I can''t lose to you too. I''m going to do everything in my power to teach you the naughty things that only girls can do! "Oh, what is this ...... thing that only girls can do? "Hmmm, that''s obvious. Eruka grinned and said proudly, "Of course it''s fashionable! Of course I''m going to be fashionable!¡¡I''ll find you a lot of clothes and accessories!¡¡Come on, let''s go! "Oh my God!¡¡Wait a minute! Don''t run, you''ll fall. The two of them ran off, hand in hand, and Allen started walking after them. 22 22 stories, to the city! â‘¡ The town is always bustling with activity. Allen comes here about once every five days to buy daily necessities and foodstuffs. He also takes a look at the magic shop and the bookstore. If Allen is alone, he can only go to those places. That''s why ...... I never thought I''d be stepping into a store like this. I''m sure you''ll agree.¡¡Charlotte, this looks good on you too! "Well, well, well... Charlotte was confused, but Eruca was handing her clothes one by one. A few meters away, Allen was staring at her. While killing the presence. (Out of place and awkward: ......) I looked around the store, but Allen was the only male customer. All the other customers were young women, all squealing and squealing. The interior is very fancy. The large store is filled with women''s clothing, shoes and accessories on the shelves. It seems that ...... is one of the most popular boutiques in town. The air is full of "yang" itself. For Allen, a self-admittedly "negative" character, it was a completely different world. "Welcome! Are you accompanying me? "Oh, don''t mind me. ...... It''s hard when young female clerks talk to you in a friendly manner. But I couldn''t get out of the store. Because she had a game to play with Eruka. Which one would make Charlotte happy? Both Allen and Eruca are doing everything they can to compete in such an ambiguous game. (Come to think of it, I had a similar feeling when I was a kid. ......) Allen was taken in by the Crawfords when he was nine years old. Eruka was only five years old. But Eruca didn''t mind the age difference and followed her new brother around, challenging him to all sorts of games. Running, chess, magic, and so on. Naturally, Allen won every time, but Eruka never gave up. Perhaps it was her own way of trying to get to know Allen. "Hey! "Hm? I looked up to see Eruca staring at me. Don''t be absent-minded. Come on, come on. What do you think, Charlotte, after your transformation? "Ha, ha, ....... Before she knew it, Charlotte had changed her clothes. She was wearing a white blouse with lots of frills and a fluffy floral skirt. A thin scarf was wrapped around her neck to keep her cool. Compared to the dress I had worn when I first met her, the fabric and design were much more common. However, this neat dress suited her much better. However, there was one major problem with the ...... dress. "Isn''t that ...... too short, ......? What?¡¡It''s normal and it''s cute. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. Her white thighs were exposed, and you couldn''t help but be drawn to them. Perhaps it''s because Allen has been feeding her moderate amounts of food and treats lately, but she''s looking healthily plump and smooth. He''s smooth. Unable to think of anything else to say, Allen froze. But Eluca is on a roll. She jumps on Charlotte and gives her a peck on the cheek. She''s really super cute, isn''t she?¡¡You have a great figure, and I was right about you!¡¡You look really good! But it''s still embarrassing. ...... Charlotte held the edge of her skirt and fidgeted. Her eyebrows are furrowed and her ears are bright red. She''s probably never worn a skirt this short in her life. Her thighs are also slightly tinted pink. "Gosh, ......! What?¡¡Mr. Allen! I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I have. Charlotte came rushing over to him, looking worried. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m sure you''re not feeling well. ...... ...... Oh. No problem. Turning a pale face to her, Allen laughs. I needed to calm my mind. I was just trying to stop my heart. You can''t just stop a heart like that! 23 23 stories, to the city! â‘¢ Charlotte shouted in disgust. Eluca shrugged her shoulders in disgust. "As usual, you''re as reckless as your breath. Come on, come on, Charlotte. You can try this on next time. But your heart just stopped!¡¡Are you sure you''re okay? A second or two, no problem. There you go. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. Allen''s tongue was wagging at her effortlessly. And so the siblings were left alone in front of the fitting booth. "So? Eruka glances at Allen. What do you want me to do? For now, I want to know what''s going on in the Kingdom of Neils. Allen stood up slowly and stroked his chin. Behind the curtain. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. "I successfully fought off a chaser once. Did they give up the chase, or are they still actively searching? It''s hard to tell from the newspapers. The Neal''s Kingdom case was once on the front page of the newspapers, but recently I haven''t seen it on the front page much. It must have been a sensational case, but there was no further news, so the reporters had no way to write about it. That is why there is little information from there. You can contact an informant, but it would be troublesome if you are misled by ....... "So, will you look into it for me? I''ll take care of it. I''m sure my dad knows someone in the Kingdom of Neils. I''ll see what I can find out. Eruka gave him a wink. And while I''m at it, why don''t I find out about the prince and his family? ...... Well, that''s not important yet. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that.¡¡Well, I think it''s important to get information. If you look it up, you''ll find out about ...... Allen let out a small sigh. I''d be lying if I said it didn''t bother me. I''d be lying if I said I wasn''t curious about the kind of people who humiliated Charlotte and the way she was treated at home. But if I find out... If I find out, I won''t be able to keep quiet. I''ll ignore Charlotte''s feelings and I''ll go to that country. So don''t look into it for the time being. "Hmm. ...... What''s with the face? No, no, no. You''re changing, too. Eruka smirked and pinched Allen''s side. I''ve never seen you care so much about anyone in your life. It''s a good thing. "...... Really? Allen nodded his head. It''s true that I''ve never cared so much about a stranger outside of my family. But he didn''t understand why ...... that would be a ''good thing''. So I''ll just do what you said. You''ll be paid back at home. I''ll do my best to refuse. I know. Eruka laughed in exasperation and glanced at the fitting booth where Charlotte was. I''ll wait for a while. I''ll wait a while. I''ve got Charlotte to think about. You can help me make my magic tools instead. Okay, that''s a small price to pay. Yes!¡¡With you, I''m all set! Eruka smiled and clapped Allen on the shoulder. She''s a good sister, capable and quick to talk. I''m really glad that she didn''t turn out to be a shady character like me. "Um, ...... Then a voice called out from inside the fitting booth. (Did you hear what I just said? ......?) (Did he hear what I just said? !?) Allen gulped at the thought, but Eruca spoke to him without hesitation. What''s wrong?¡¡What''s wrong? I''m sorry. ...... I''m having trouble fastening the clasp on my back. ...... "I see, I see!¡¡I''ll be right back. Eruka walked into the fitting booth without any hesitation. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. In the event that you''ve got a lot of time, you''ll be able to take a look at a few of the things that are available. 24 24 Stories Scars (1) For a moment, Allen stood outside the curtains, listening to the sound of shifting cloth and the squealing of the women. I think it''s the clasp on the back of my neck. Let''s see, can you turn around? "Here, like this? "Hmm. ...... I see. It''s hard to fasten, isn''t it? It''s just an ordinary conversation. Then Allen''s brow furrows. (Now, Eruka''s voice is a little muffled, isn''t it? It was as if he had noticed something and gulped. But the change was insignificant. The change was so subtle that Charlotte didn''t even seem to notice. Allen tilted his head. Meanwhile, the curtain opened quickly. Charlotte had transformed into a different appearance than before, and Eruca was smiling proudly next to her. Eruca smiles at her. You look super cute again, don''t you? "......, isn''t it too revealing this time? The other day she was wearing a miniskirt, but this time she''s wearing short hot pants. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The top was rather modest, which was a relief. Eruka shrugs her shoulders in an exaggerated manner. You''re a hard man. If you don''t attack like this, you can''t compete with the girls. What are you fighting against, women of the world? I''d like you to lower your exposure and raise your defenses. What''s the matter with you? Did something happen inside? Yeah?¡¡What are you talking about? Eruka was puzzled, and made a fool of herself. I''m not sure what you mean by that. But for some reason, he hesitated to pursue the matter here. An inexplicable uneasiness grew inside Allen. Anyway, you should take a good look at Charlotte. This dress is amazing in the back. What do you mean, "the back?" ...... Yes, yes!¡¡It''s so daring. Eruka winked at her mischievously. She put her hands on Charlotte''s shoulders and indicated that she would escort her. "Come on, come on. Charlotte. Come on, Charlotte. Show us how you spin around here. Ugh ......, but I''m embarrassed by this dress too ....... No questions asked.¡¡Take it! What? Charlotte spun around on the spot. Thanks to ...... Allen was rendered speechless. What do you think?¡¡I''m sure you''ll agree with me.¡¡It''s super bold and cool! "Ugh ......, please give me some more fabric ....... Charlotte turns over in embarrassment. But then she noticed Allen and tilted her head. "Oh, hey. Mr. Allen?¡¡Is there a problem? "Yeah. No, nothing. Allen smiles. Instead of Eruca leaving the fitting booth, Allen stood there. He makes Charlotte turn around and look in the mirror. Allen smiles through the mirror at her anxiety. It''s a little too revealing, but I think it ...... looks good on you. Is that so? Yeah. Be confident. Allen put his hand on Charlotte''s shoulder and smiled at her. Then he gently lowered his eyes so that she wouldn''t notice. His back was wide open, his skin in contact with the open air. There was a faint reddish tinge to it, and there were numerous ...... bruises etched into it. (From the ...... shape, it looks like a whip. 25 25 Stories Scars (2) It''s not an execution whip, just a type of whip that causes pain and fear. It is not powerful enough to break skin and bones, but the sound is loud and the pain lingers. There were many, many traces of the whip, insistently carved into her body, just barely concealed by her dress. The mixture of red, purple and black was like a poisonous snake wrapped around her body, eating away at her soul. Perhaps Charlotte was unaware of the marks on her body where she could not see them. So Allen smiled through the ...... magma welling up in the pit of his stomach. "Yeah. It looks good on you, but ...... "Radical Care". "Aww? A pale light envelops Charlotte. I just changed her hair, but now it''s her whole body. The light quickly faded, leaving behind a puzzled Charlotte. Allen gently pats her on the back. The disgusting scars of the whip had vanished completely. Not even the slightest scar remained on her white skin. It couldn''t have left a mark. Allen grinned mischievously at Charlotte''s wondering face. "You had a pimple mark on your back. I got rid of it. "Oh, ......, I''m so embarrassed. ...... It''s a sign of good health. I''ve taken care of your whole body as well. I''ve taken care of your whole body, and I''ve healed your knuckles. That''s my man!¡¡Easy esthetician! Eruka clapped Allen''s back exaggeratedly. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, it''s possible that you''ll be able to find it in the marketplace. Allen couldn''t correctly guess what those words meant. It was his own fault, there was no other way to put it. He thought back to the time when he first took her into custody and treated her. I asked her if she had any pain, and diagnosed and treated only the abrasions on her limbs and malnutrition. Charlotte wasn''t lying when she said that. I suppose that''s true too. With a whip of that shape, the pain would disappear the next day. It would just leave a mark, like a curse. I truly regretted my hesitation to look at her skin. But how could I have predicted such a thing? In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.¡¡It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to make of it. But from the whip marks, I couldn''t help but feel a kind of hatred that went beyond those things. I can''t imagine why Charlotte would feel that way. Even so, it''s enough material to foreshadow her circumstances up to now,......, and Allen''s spine is bristling. But he did not show it on his face at all. The only one who noticed it was Eruca, who was smiling beside Allen. In the first place, that whip mark can be completely removed by a simple magic. This means that Charlotte was not even allowed to receive ...... such treatment. I see. ...... Hey, Eruca. "What? Eruka smiles innocently. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''ve been thinking about what you just said, and I think I''m going to do a thorough extermination. Can you help me? "Of course I can. Eruka gave him a thumbs-up and smiled. Only Charlotte, who couldn''t understand what he was saying, nodded her head. "What do you mean by extermination? ''Oh, it seems that a book I left at my parents'' house has sprung up with insects. I asked Eruka to dry them in the sun. "Insects? ...... That''s a bit of a pet peeve of mine. That''s odd. I hate them too, to the point of vomiting. I hate them too." Allen smirks at Charlotte, who lowers her eyebrows. The only things that scare me are bugs and ghosts and that sort of thing. Everything else is ...... thoroughly rejected by Allen. Behind his smile, he made such a firm decision. He will not tell Charlotte about his decision yet. Instead, Eruka seems to have sensed it. He pats Charlotte''s clean back and says with a smile. The fashion show is still going on.¡¡The fashion show is still going on!¡¡Next, this, this, and this! "Wait, ......, isn''t that almost a string? Can you even call that clothing? "No, no, no. It''ll just barely cover the important parts. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. It seems that the threat is closer than you think. "As your guardian, I will not allow you to expose yourself any further!¡¡I will judge what she wears! "Blah, blah, blah!¡¡Anyone can complain!¡¡If you''re so frustrated, why don''t you choose an outfit that looks good on you? All right!¡¡You should be terrified of my outpouring of taste. ......! "Uh, yeah, yeah, ....... It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. 26 26 Stories Small Gifts (1) Two hours later. The three of them were enjoying a moment of tea time at a stylish coffee shop. The terrace facing the main street was sunny and lively with a view of the street. We bought a lot of stuff! Hmmm. It was quite a good time. "Yeah, yeah. ...... The Crawford siblings look satisfied. Charlotte, on the other hand, looked unhappy. She looked pale and had barely touched her cake set. "Mmm. What''s the matter, Charlotte? Are you sure you haven''t bought enough? "The opposite! Charlotte raises her voice. The pile of paper bags behind the three of them. The bags were all of Charlotte''s clothes, accessories, and shoes. They went to that store and many others to enjoy window shopping. That seemed to be the source of Charlotte''s confusion. She said, "I can''t believe you bought so many things for me alone. ......!¡¡Please be careful with your money! "No, because it all looks good on you. Allen said matter-of-factly. No matter what you put on Charlotte, it always looked good on her. Whether it was feminine and soft, casual and easy to move in, or mature and innocent. I want to see her like that again at home. It''s like she bought it for me. So don''t worry about it. "Ugh. Ugh. ...... For some reason, Charlotte''s face turned red and she turned her head away. Thanks to her, Allen twisted his head. "What''s with that reaction? "No, it''s amazing how natural you are. Eruka chuckles and takes a bite of her crepe. It''s a hearty crepe with a lot of fruit and cream, but the fact that she doesn''t stain her mouth at all shows that she''s a girl. But you don''t have much taste, do you? What''s with that skirt you recommended? It''s too long. "What?¡¡What''s wrong with a skirt long enough to cover your knees? It''s too short even for you. Are you old?¡¡Oh, no, no, no. This is why people who don''t understand youth fashion are like this. It''s a lot better than your lascivious taste, don''t you think? Allen and Eruca stared at each other. Charlotte begins to panic thanks to this. You can''t do that, you know. You''re brother and sister, you should get along. "Oh, I''m sorry. I''m sorry, but this is nothing to fight about. Allen smiled to reassure Charlotte. This is the kind of exchange we used to have when we were at home. Eruka smiles too. "Yes, yes. If we get into a serious fight, you''ll see blood. I don''t want to see that. ...... But fighting, ...... that''s not so bad. Are you saying it''s a bad idea? Mm-hmm. Charlotte is not very good at communicating. It might be a little better if she did something that mimicked a fight. I thought it might be a good idea to practice abusing Allen, like the sandbagging the other day,....... No, I don''t think we should ...... fight. "What? Why? I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. It''s because I''m going to be really depressed. You look like a tough guy, but you''re a glass heart in a weird way. "No, I wouldn''t! Charlotte shouted in panic and turned a serious face to Allen. "Fighting is not a bad thing, it''s a bad thing. Okay? "All right, all right. Allen chuckled and nodded. 27 27 Stories Small Gifts (2) And so the teatime passed in a leisurely fashion. Before I knew it, the sun was beginning to set, and the faces of the people on the street were changing. During the day, there were many ordinary citizens, but now there were more and more adventurers who seemed to be returning from dungeons. After the sun has set, they''ll probably go to the tavern to drink and talk about today''s adventures. (...... will Charlotte be scared?) I can''t help but think about the soldiers who were after her. The soldiers who followed her were in her mind. There were some adventurers wearing similar heavy armor. Charlotte hasn''t shown any signs of fear so far,......, but I guess it''s about time. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''ll be back. I''ll be back soon. I''m not sure what to say. It''s already dinner time. Charlotte nodded her head. But Eruca booed loudly. "What?¡¡The night is not over yet!¡¡Here, I''ve picked out the best places to eat in the guidebook! "...... are you still eating? I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to make of this. He opened the sticky note covered guidebook to Charlotte. How about this place?¡¡It''s a cheese store. They have pizzas with lots of cheese, cheese fondue, and cheese-in-hamburgers! "Cheese? ......! Charlotte made a small noise in her throat and glued herself to the guidebook. She had already eaten the cake set, but she was still hungry. Now it''s two against one. Allen quietly watches the situation. If Charlotte is willing, it''s not a bad idea to go out with her. I have no problem with that. ....... I''m not complaining about that, but ...... isn''t that flagging for me? It''s a battle of brother and sister to see who can please Charlotte. Right now, Eureka has the upper hand by far. There''s nothing wrong with losing, but as Charlotte''s guardian, there''s a battle here that I can''t lose. Of course, we''re going to exclude foreign enemies. No need to be afraid of anything, just smile and live your life. That much is already a prerequisite. That''s not enough. I had to make her happier and happier. When I was troubled by ......... "Huh? Then something caught my eye. And that''s where the ladies got together. "All right. Let''s get going then!¡¡Of course, it''s on me. ......? "What, Eruka? Then Eruca stopped talking. It''s a good idea to take a look at your own personal life and the way you live it. Then she grabbed the hand of a ...... thin young man who was there. The young man is in a wheelchair, the wheels of which are just slightly raised off the ground. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡Onii-san! "Huh?¡¡What''s ......? What kind of workshop does that cool magic wheelchair come from?¡¡That''s the coolest thing I''ve ever seen! Oh, ......?¡¡Which workshop, or rather ......, made this? ...... Seriously?¡¡That''s amazing!¡¡It''s powered by wind magic, right?¡¡And with this combination of materials, it''s really amazing that it''s working so stably. "Well, let''s see... ...... In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us. You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. Charlotte looked on in disbelief, but then she broke down. You really like magic, don''t you, Eruca? I like that. I wish I had something I liked like that. ............"? Then he suddenly realized that he was alone at the table. She looked around and Allen called out to her from a distance. "Hey. Over here. Oh, Mr. Allen! In response to his call, Charlotte came this way - to a street vendor who had a store near the coffee shop. 28 28 Stories Small Gifts (3) "Hello, hello, hello. Come in. The young shopkeeper raised her eyes slightly from the book she was reading to greet Charlotte. However, she quickly returned to her reading. The store is a simple one, made of cloth and pieces of wood. Under a roof full of holes, necklaces and other items are spread out. Each item is priced at one silver coin. It was a typical cheap grocery store. Charlotte looked at the store and Allen and tilted her head. "Mr. Allen, do you want any jewelry? "No. No, I just saw something that caught my eye. No, I just saw something that caught my eye." With that, Allen gingerly picked up one of the items. It''s an ordinary hair ornament. It''s made from a blue stone, and it''s in the shape of a flower. Every petal was carefully finished, and it was a gem filled with the heart of its maker. When I saw this store from the coffee shop, it caught my attention. I put it on Charlotte''s head. He stared at ...... it and nodded in satisfaction. I''m sure you''re right. It''s the same color as your eyes. "Oh. Charlotte paused and gently touched the hairpiece. The round, wide-open eyes and the small flower on her head were almost the same color. Thanks to this, it suits her well. Her hair is black now, but it will shine even brighter when it is blonde again. Allen nodded his head and spoke to the shopkeeper. Allen nodded his head and spoke to the owner. Yes. A silver coin. Here. Keep the change. Well, hello, ....... Hey, customer!¡¡That''s a gold coin!¡¡That''s a lot of money! Keep it. It''s my policy to pay a fair price for good work. He winked at the flustered shopkeeper and turned to Charlotte, who was still puzzled. You can have this too. Well, it''s a small price to pay for a lot of clothes. "No, ....... Charlotte opened her mouth in a daze. You''ll be able to get a lot more than that. This is the ...... thing that makes me happiest. "Oh, really? ......? The reaction was a little unexpected. I''m very happy if you''re happy. But I was more than a little embarrassed. Even though he hadn''t cast a death curse, Allen''s heart began to beat a strange rhythm. This made Allen speechless, and the two of them stood in front of the street vendor for a while. The owner of the stall sees them, and what does he think? He smiles and whistles at them... "Haha!¡¡So... "Aha! Oh, Charlotte! Suddenly, Charlotte was pushed by someone. Allen hurriedly caught her in his arms. She''s slightly heavier than when he picked her up near the mansion just the other day. He calmly measures her eyes, thinking that she still needs more meat. Well, I guess I''ll put this matter on hold for now. At any rate, ......, a more troublesome problem was in front of me. "Oh?¡¡What the hell, ......? Hey, what''s going on? There were two young men standing in front of Allen and Charlotte. Both of them seemed to be adventurers returning from dungeons, wearing simple armor on their chests, arms and legs. On their hips is a large sword. They have reasonably good-looking faces, but their ...... less-than-refined manners and behavior give the impression of coarseness. In other words, they are "ruffians. They both glare at Charlotte. I''m not sure what to say. Charlotte took a small gulp. The blood drained from her face in an instant. So Allen shields her with his back and smiles at the men. No, I''m sorry about my companion. Let me apologize in return. I apologize in return for my mistake. If you put all of these together, you''d have to kill her three times in half to make her feel a little less guilty. (But then again, ...... told me not to fight. If I had beaten up the men and Charlotte had been frightened, I would have been seriously hurt. So I tried to keep it civil. Uncharacteristically, Allen sets out to resolve the situation in a non-violent manner. 29 29 Stories The End of the Rogue (1) Hey, hey, hey, brother. ......! Mmm. As he was confronting the men, the woman who owned the store approached him. She walked all the way out of the store and quietly spoke to Allen. These guys are part of a party that''s been causing a lot of trouble around here lately. Get out of here before you get in trouble. I''ll take care of it. But that would be a problem for the owner. Don''t worry about me. Protect your boyfriend. Sorry, but both are priorities. I won''t bother you, so please stay away from me. I don''t care what happens to ....... The woman who owned the store looked concerned, but backed away. But if she was right, she had just caught the attention of a nasty person. For the moment, I''ll simply classify the one who bumped into Charlotte as "Rosters A" and the other as "Rosters B". The one who bumped into Charlotte was ragdoll A. The other was ragdoll B. The one who bumped into Charlotte was ragdoll A. "You don''t look like the new guy from ...... town, do you? I''m sure you don''t know that we''re the Gankutsu-gumi. Yeah, I don''t remember that name at all. It''s standard for adventurers to gather in parties of several. Some parties are as large as a platoon. Such a group is likely to be well known,......, but Allen, who tends to stay indoors on the outskirts of town, is unlikely to know anything about it. I''m sure he''s not the only one. But I would appreciate it if you could just go easy on me for now. "Oh?¡¡What''s with the attitude? ...... No. A blue streak appears on his temple. But it soon disappeared and he smiled mockingly instead. I''ll forgive you. But on one condition. Thank you for talking so quickly. How much do you want? "It''s simpler than that. Allen tries to pull out his wallet, but the ruffian A looks over at ...... Charlotte. "Hey, girl, give us a night. "What about ............? Allen froze stiffly. The meaning of the words is clear. I understand them. But there was a serious error in the way his brain processed it. The heat drained from his fingers and he stopped breathing completely. I wonder what Allen''s reaction was. Ruffians A and B ignored Allen, and turned their lowly gaze to Charlotte. He said, "Looks like you''re pretty good. I''ve been getting tired of playing with prostitutes lately. "What do you think, sweetheart? Have you had your first time with your boyfriend yet? What''s ......? Seriously?¡¡I didn''t know there were women like this nowadays! The sound of unpleasant laughter overlapped and echoed in the traffic. Thanks to this, passersby stopped to stare at us. Everyone seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere, but hesitated to offer help. The ruffians were unconcerned. Finally, they reached out to grab Charlotte. "Hey, come with us. Come with us. We''ll buy you some better accessories than that cheap stuff. No, ......, please don''t. Don''t be shy. We''ll show you heaven with our techniques. His spiteful line was cut off mid-sentence. The next thing I knew, Allen''s fist was sinking into the cheek of Ruffian A. The man''s face slowly contorts, as if time has been stretched out. The eyes of Charlotte, the shopkeeper, and many other passersby widened in astonishment. Oh, I''ve finally done it. I felt a little bit of regret, but... "Let me die, you worm! Allen shook out his fist without a care in the world. 30 The End of the Rogue (2) Doggone it! Rumble A was slammed into a nearby wall with such force that it became part of a giant crater. He didn''t move a muscle, but he wasn''t dead. Reluctantly, Allen took it easy on him. "Hey, you ......!¡¡How dare you hurt my friends! The ruffian B drew his sword with a faint smile. Then, a red flame appeared on his sword. It must be a magical sword with fire magic in it. This kind of weapon is also a part of magic tools. As he drew his sword in the street, the surroundings suddenly became noisy. But Allen... "...... for my Charlotte! What? I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. If you touch even a finger with your filthy hands, ......! You''ll need to be able to use a lot more than just a few spells. I''ll scrape you down carefully without leaving a single piece of flesh. The last thing he does is unleash his fist with all his might. The sword snapped easily, and Rumble B spat foully as he took a blow to his stomach. He fell to the ground and stopped moving. "Haha, ...... that''s refreshing. Allen briskly wiped the sweat from his forehead. I''m not sure what to say. You did it, brother! You did good!¡¡I''ll be d*mned! The passersby, who had been watching with bated breath, erupted in cheers. The owner of the street vendor was among them, applauding with all his might. Apparently, these people were quite notorious. No one was worried about their safety. "Oh, thanks for the cheers, ....... Allen was hawking to the gallery, when suddenly he was startled. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. I''m sorry, I''m sorry. I was told not to fight, but I got out of hand,......, and I hope I didn''t scare you. "No, no, ....... I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. And ....... Charlotte took Allen''s hand gently in hers. Charlotte gently squeezed Allen''s hand, her slender fingertips not trembling in the slightest, the warmth seeping into her heart. I''m not afraid of you, Mr. Allen. "...... I see. Allen was finally able to relax. Charlotte''s dislike and fear of him ...... seemed to have been averted. (......Hmm?¡¡I thought at first that Charlotte was going to hate me and leave me soon,......? And Allen was supposed to have accepted that ...... . That consciousness has somehow changed. I wonder if this is the kind of change that Eluca was talking about. I''m not sure if this is what Eruca was talking about. ...... So that''s it. "Yes? No, what... I''m sorry, but I think I''ve lost my temper. Allen put his hand on Charlotte''s shoulder and said smilingly. It seems that teaching you how to be naughty has become a ...... habit. "Oh, really? Charlotte nodded her head. Unfortunately, the words "love" and "love" are not in Allen''s dictionary. He had never been involved in such sweet and sour events in his life. 31 31 Stories The Favorite Great Demon King (1) But ......, are you hurt? "Of course. I''m not going to be left behind by these little bastards. Amazing. You''re really strong, aren''t you, Mr. Allen? You scared the hell out of me. Really? Charlotte smiled and praised Allen. It made her feel better, but ...... she immediately looked at the trash on the ground and raised her eyebrows a bit. But ...... what should we do with these people? If you leave them alone, they will catch a cold. You can turn them in to the ...... vigilante. If I were to tell you the truth, I''d like to wrap them up in a bamboo mat and throw them into the waters where sharks often appear, but I''ll let Charlotte have her way with that. Just when I was taking a break from all this... "Oh, you two!¡¡It''s ......! Oh? Suddenly, the owner of the street vendor shouted in an urgent voice. When she looked in the direction she was pointing, she saw a huge figure lumbering toward her. Thanks to this, the place, which had been boiling with excitement, became quiet again. The person came in front of Allen and his friends with an earth-shaking ...... roar, looking down at the trash and saying nothing. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. The man who stared Allen in the eye was a man of the rock people. As the name suggests, they are a race whose bodies are made of minerals. They are quite large, with an average height of about twice the height of a human. The attacks carried out by the cowboys are simple but extremely powerful. The man in front of me drank out of a barrel and crushed it as if it were a piece of paper. Even with a slight sweep of the hand, a human being would be easily blown away. (Oh, so he''s the master of the Gankutsu-gumi that the trash was talking about earlier. If you look closely, you will see a group of about twenty people behind him. They all had a similar appearance to the ruffians Allen had just defeated, and they were all glaring at him. It seems that ...... things are about to get complicated again. Oh, Mr. Allen,....... It''s okay, Charlotte. I''ll take care of it. ...... Oh? You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. But then he raised one eyebrow and fell silent. He then stared at the giant in front of him and clapped his hands ....... "Are you, by any chance, Megas? "What''s ...... wrong with my name? "Oh!¡¡Are you really Megas? I''m not sure if it''s really Megas, the rock people, frowning quizzically. The Rock People, or Megas, frowned quizzically, but Allen was unconcerned and happily talked to him. Thanks to this, his minions behind him looked at each other in wonder. It''s been a long time!¡¡It''s been about seven years. Have you been well? What a familiar ...... I don''t remember people like you! I don''t remember a human being like you!" "Yeah, it''s hard to tell the faces of different species apart, isn''t it? Allen chuckles. It was exciting to see him again in a place he never expected. Then he said his name proudly. It''s me. I''m Allen Crawford from the Athena Academy of Magic. "..................? At that moment, Megus''s huge body trembled as if he had been struck by lightning. It''s not only the cronies, but also the worried Charlotte and the spectators, who were watching the event, who turned their heads. But ...... soon had them gasping and stunned. Boom! Megas got down on his knees right then and there. Rubbing his forehead on the ground, he raised his trembling voice. I''m sorry, I didn''t know you were the Great Demon King. ......!¡¡Please forgive me for my rudeness!¡¡Please forgive my rudeness. ...... Please forgive me! I don''t know what to do... This is a great way to get the most out of your business. 32 32 Stories The Favorite Great Demon King (2) As the Iwahito tribe began to get down on their knees, the area was in an uproar. Among them, the dismay of the cronies was tremendous. They shouted to Megas, who was on his knees like a mountain. "Hey, ......!¡¡What''s wrong with you, boss? "Yes, sir!¡¡That''s right! I''ll take a shot at this weak-looking guy! You guys shut up!¡¡Don''t provoke him any further! "What the hell? Megas grabbed his cronies and forced them to get down on their knees ...... and pushed them to the ground. In no time at all, the group fell silent. "What, what ......? I''m not sure what''s going on here. "What''s going on at ......? Didn''t you hear from your brother? Mr. Erca! Before I knew it, Eruca was back. She had left the young man in the wheelchair. Instead, he was carrying a thick stack of notepaper. He must have written down the material and magic used in his wheelchair. Regardless, Eruka begins to talk in a light tone. "My dad and I are the chancellors of the Athena Academy of Magic, the largest school of magic in the country. Athena Academy of Magic is a prestigious school with hundreds of years of tradition. In the event that you''ve got a lot of money, you''ll be able to take advantage of the fact that you''ll be able to get a lot more out of it. I''m sure you''re right. That''s why you''re both so good at magic, isn''t it? "Well, yeah. And you are ....... I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "...... eeeeeeee! "Huh?¡¡Didn''t I tell you? I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. He hadn''t meant to hide it from her. Because when you were my age, you were enrolled in a school. ...... Yeah, as a practical magic instructor. "I didn''t hear that! Charlotte exclaimed vigorously. I think I said that I belonged to a school, but I never said that I was a teacher. But that''s in the past. Allen gave a thin smile. I quit my job as an instructor three years ago when I was eighteen. It was a position I rather liked, but I couldn''t continue. I''m sorry to hear about your troubles. ...... Yeah. I beat up a bunch of cocky students and got them all straightened out, and then I got kicked out by the faculty, who hated me from the start. And then you beat up the professors there. And then you beat up the professors. My dad couldn''t protect you. ...... There''s a lot going on here, isn''t there? "Why are you rephrasing your lines? Charlotte looked away for a moment. Well, anyway. "But you still look the same. It''s Megath. "Ha, ha. ...... Allen smiled cheerfully and patted Megas on the head, who was still on his knees. It''s hard to read the changes in facial expression of the rock people because their faces are also made of rock. However, the current Megas was clearly frightened. He was shaking so much that his body was rubbing and sand was spilling out. Pretending to be oblivious to this, Allen continued smiling. I remember the first time I coached you. I remember the first time I coached you, and you were saying something like, ''A kid like this will go to the other side with one blow from me. At that time, Allen was only a child of 14 or so, and it was understandable that Megas underestimated him. I gave him some educational guidance along with other rebellious students, and he became very quiet after that. Perhaps remembering those days, Megath''s trembling became even worse. He got down on his knees with his forehead scraped on the ground and shouted. "Forgive me, Great Demon Lord!¡¡I never meant to cause you any trouble!¡¡I didn''t even know you were in town in the first place. ......! I didn''t even know you were in town in the first place. ...... What is this ...... ''Great Demon King''? "Yeah?¡¡"Hmm?" "That was my brother''s nickname when he was an instructor. Charlotte asks coyly, and Eruca answers briskly. So, Allen was not happy with the nickname Miaha called him. The name "Demon King" is a joke. It would have lowered his ...... rank (??????????)! But it''s been a long time since I''ve been called the Great Demon King. But it''s been a long time since I''ve been called the Great Demon King. Allen chuckles, intoxicated by the pleasant sound of the name. "Face it, Megas. I''m not bothering you at all. "Well, then-- Okay. I''ll... At the moment when Megas raised his hopeful face, a large crack appeared on his forehead. The temperature around him drops suddenly. In the midst of the tension, Allen slowly lifts the edge of his mouth. "It was my ...... that your people were trying to harm. Then Allen clammed up a bit. (Charlotte is my ......?) I''m wondering about that now. Is she just a housemate?¡¡A second sister?¡¡Or... Forcing the words out of my head, Allen said flatly, "She''s my girl. "She''s my precious girl. That was all he could say at the moment. Just then, the last light of the setting sun shines on Allen''s face. The dazzling red lotus light colored his smile, and it was a spectacular performance worthy of being called ...... the Great Demon King. 33 33 Stories: Ikenai taught only by Allen (1) About two hours later. Even after the sun had set and the streetlights of magical power were lit up all over the city, the stores along the main street were still in full swing. I''m home, Onii! Oh, you''re home. While Allen was drinking tea alone on the terrace of the coffee shop, Eruca and the others returned. Both of them had big smiles on their faces and their skin was glowing. They are both smiling and their skin is glowing. A cheese store. We ate a lot together! "Yes, we did. We''re full. "Well, that''s good. Well, I''m glad to hear that. Allen smiled at Charlotte, but then his eyes fell on the main street. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. You!¡¡You''ve got some nerve skipping work!¡¡Why don''t you pick up your trash? "Ha, yes!¡¡Sorry! G, who was stretching, trembled and bowed deeply. Thanks to him, the other ragheads and Megas who were scattered around the main street trembled with blue faces. All of them were battered and wounded, but each of them was working hard to pick up trash, carry the luggage of the elderly, and remove graffiti from the walls. The rampant adventuring party that had been causing trouble for the people of the city was nowhere to be seen, and they were now a full-fledged social service group. This is the result of Allen''s extensive training and education while he sent Charlotte and Eruca out to eat. "Oh, no. You really did a great job, sir. "Oh, the owner? The owner of the street vendor is talking to Allen with a half smile. Apparently, he was just about to close his store and leave. When he saw Megas and the others, he narrowed his eyes in deep emotion. They fight all over the place, they litter, they make a lot of noise,......, and we''ve all had enough of them. I''m sure you''ll agree with me. But how on earth did you do it? Charlotte tilted her head and asked. But how did you do it? For now, ...... the name of the Great Demon King will be firmly established in the city. I''m sure no one would want to fight against him if they saw him. "Mmm. I took it easy on him. What the hell has ...... happened in the last two hours? Charlotte was still curious, but did not pursue the matter any further. Allen shrugged his shoulders at the street vendor. "Well, please don''t mind me. I''m just getting my personal revenge. Haha, you''re a funny guy. The owner of the street vendor chuckles and looks at Charlotte. "You''re lucky you have a reliable lover. You''re lucky to have such a reliable lover. "Well, you know, ...... No, the owner. That''s what we''re ...... It''s not that kind of intimacy. I don''t know why the words I said to Eruca so matter-of-factly around noon this afternoon didn''t come out of my throat as easily at this time. Thanks to this, Allen and Charlotte fell silent. The owner of the street vendor smiled at them, wondering what they were thinking. "Oh, I see. ...... Is that what you mean? It''s like... For some reason, Eruka agrees with him and nods her head. What''s with that reaction? In the meantime, the owner of the street vendor bowed and left. 34 34 Stories: Ikenai taught only by Allen (2) Allen gulps down his tea and clears his throat. "Well, ......, are you going home? "Yes. Yes, I do. Charlotte nodded awkwardly. It was obvious that they were both concerned about what the street vendor had just said, but neither ...... of them wanted to mention it. They did not dare to touch it. At first, Allen shouted to the main street. Well, ...... hey, you guys!¡¡I''m going to leave for now, but ...... if you skip work, the curse will go into effect immediately!¡¡Serve with care! "Yes, yes, yes! A group of ruffians shouted in unison. The curse I cast on all of you is a light one, so you won''t die. At most, they''ll stop hiccupping a little. But since I haven''t told them the effect, the fear will be immense. After that, they will start volunteering on their own, even if you are not watching them. Let''s go. When we get back, we need to clean up the room where Eruka sleeps. Oh. That''s fine. What? What?" Eruka said briskly, and Allen rolled his eyes. I thought you were going to stay. Are you going back to your parents'' house? "No. No. I got a place to stay in town. I got a place in town so you guys can go home. What? Why? No, it''s too stuffy to be under the same roof with you. Eruka said nonchalantly and lifted her own shopping bag. He smiled and winked. I''ll be visiting you often. I''ll be visiting you often, so be sure to treat me well when I do. ...... So the game''s still on? No. I''ll take the loss. What? A battle of wills to see who can teach Charlotte the worst lesson. It was supposed to be a battle that took all day, but it was easily won or lost. However, the victory was a disappointment to Allen. "That doesn''t make any sense!¡¡Give me a reason! "You''ll have to figure it out for yourself, homework. Eruka smiled and waved at Charlotte. "See you later, Charlotte!¡¡Take care of your brother! Yes, yes. But isn''t it ...... the other way around? Charlotte waved back at Eruca, confused. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with your loved ones, you can call us at our own web site. It''s just the two of us, just as it was yesterday. Nothing has changed. And yet, ...... somehow, both of them were clearly conscious of the other. Awkward. But the awkwardness is not unpleasant at all. ......Should we go home? "Yeah, I guess so. After repeating almost the same conversation as before, the two of them also headed home. After leaving Allen and the others, Eruca walked lightly to the inn. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at our own web site. Both of them were very responsive to Charlotte. If things had gone according to plan, victory would have been in Eruca''s hands. However, ...... such pleasure pales in comparison to what Allen can give you. The gift of the diadem? I''m sure you''ve heard of it. No, that''s not enough for Eruka to admit defeat. The decisive factor is, of course... The only person who can teach you something as naughty as "love" is you, ....... That''s when Eruca stopped in her tracks. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Please let us help you. ......!¡¡If you don''t, I''ll be cursed to death! Yeah, ...... what is it with you people? The young man in the wheelchair was in trouble, surrounded by ruffians. Eruka stared at it for a while,......, shrugged her shoulders, and went to offer help to the young man. 35 35 stories Night is no longer scary (1) Morning is here. Charlotte hears the faint sound of birds and jumps to her feet. "What the ......? She woke up from her bunk and looked around. It was a small room. It was a small, dusty room with a lot of wooden boxes piled on top of each other. There was only one window near the ceiling. Beyond the bars, the sky was blue. Charlotte looked up vaguely at the window. The thin blanket she was wearing was covered with holes. The blanket she was wearing had holes in it, and Charlotte was also clad in a tattered nightgown. This is a storage room away from the main residence of the Dukes of Evans. This was the whole world Charlotte had been given. A normal morning. Nothing out of the ordinary. And yet ....... "Something ...... I felt like I was having a strange dream. I went somewhere other than here and did something with someone. I don''t remember anything else. The only thing I remember is a warm ...... and strange feeling deep in my chest. Charlotte put her hand on her chest and tried to remember the dream. But the memory never came back, only a stabbing pain in her chest. Eventually, the bell rang: ....... "Oh no, ......! Charlotte hurriedly began to prepare herself. Not a minute, not a second, could be wasted today. She changed into a shabby set of clothes that was little more than a nightgown and rushed out of the house. Charlotte''s mother was one of the maids in the Evans family. At that time, the head of the family had a real wife. However, she was sickly and remained mostly bedridden, and of course she could not hope to have children. Then, the head of the family had his way with one of the maids. It is a common story in all ages. The story changes a little when the maid realizes that she is pregnant and disappears without saying anything to the head of the family. She gave birth to Charlotte in a country town far from the royal capital of the Kingdom of Neils. And so she raised her by herself. Mother and child, it was not a wealthy life, but it was a quiet and peaceful one. It continued until Charlotte was seven years old. The day after her mother died of an epidemic, an envoy from the duke''s household came to Charlotte. "Oh, good morning, sir. "...... As soon as Charlotte entered the main house through the back door, she bowed deeply. There was a kitchen with a number of cooks and maids working busily. However, none of them paid any attention to Charlotte. Of course, no greetings came back to her. Their faces were covered with a black shroud and their expressions were completely unreadable. Nevertheless, Charlotte kept her head down and quickly made her way to a small table in the corner of the kitchen. There, breakfast for Charlotte was prepared as usual. Today''s menu consisted of bread, roast beef and consomm¨¦ soup. At first glance, it looked fancy, but it was the leftovers from last night. The bread was completely hard, and the vegetables were shriveled. The soup was lukewarm. "...... Thank you. Charlotte began to eat them quickly. ....... There was a lot of scornful laughter and stares coming from everywhere. There''s no way I can taste it. Counting the grains on the table to keep from looking up, Charlotte just continued to eat as if she were working. 36 36 stories Im not afraid anymore at night (2) After you''ve eaten, it''s time to clean up. "You''ll be working here today, young lady. "Yes, sir. A maid with a blurred face handed her a bucket and a dustpan. Charlotte took it and wiped down the stair railings and windows. This was her morning routine. Because of this, Charlotte''s hands are rough and red all year round. In the winter, they would bleed so badly that she had to be very careful not to stain the furniture. Each day, she was assigned to a different task. But there was one thing that never changed. "......! "Oh my. I''m sorry, miss. As I was frantically wiping the frame, a maid bumped into me from behind. She, too, had a blur on her face. With a token apology, she left with the other maid. ''That was deliberate. ''Oh no,'' she said. ''You''re really too slow for your master''s blood, aren''t you? They laughed at each other so that Charlotte could hear, and then they disappeared down the hall. After seeing them off, ...... Charlotte went back to polishing the frame. There was no dust, but now that she had been told, she had to clean it. Then a discreet voice called out to her. "Hey, Miss ....... Oh. I turned around and saw a young girl standing there. She had lustrous blond hair and crimson eyes. She had a doll-like figure and wore fine clothes, but her face was stiff. There was not the slightest hint of a smile on her face. Charlotte stopped cleaning and bowed deeply to the girl. "Good morning, Miss Natalia. Miss Natalia. "...... Good morning. Natalia Evans. She is the second daughter of the Evans family and Charlotte''s half-sister. She is seven years old. She was born when Charlotte was ten years old. She was a legitimate member of the Evans family, born to the head of the family and his wife. That''s why she is loved and cared for by all the servants. Charlotte used to be more normal and loving to her sister, but ...... her mother-in-law began to blame her, so she began to treat her with respect, like the servants. But Natalia is still the same. No, she was still trying to be my sister. She crossed her fingers as if in prayer and looked up at Charlotte. "Miss, do you have a moment today?¡¡I''d like you to read my book. "Today is ....... Charlotte choked on her words. I want to make Natalia''s wish come true. But that was impossible. She could only shake her head loosely, her heart tearing. "I''m sorry ......, please invite me again in the future. "......Okay. Natalia nodded her head. However, she quickly looked up. She held out a small vial. "Here. You looked like you had a cut on your finger. Here''s some medicine. Please take it. Oh, thank you ....... Charlotte took the vial with reluctance. My sister sometimes gives Charlotte things in secret like this. Sometimes it''s fruit, sometimes it''s stationery. Charlotte felt a pang in the back of her nose, more because of Natalia''s thoughtfulness than because of the gifts themselves. The sisters fell silent for a moment. The silence was broken by a tearful Natalia. "You know, honey. I''m going to grow up and take care of you. "Natalia. "......? Natalia''s face stiffened. Before she knew it, there was a presence behind Charlotte. She didn''t need to look back to know who it was. Her feet slumped. Her head felt numb. Still, Charlotte cleared her throat and slowly turned and bowed her head. "...... Good morning, Miss Cordelia. ''Yes.'' The woman who nodded with a firm voice was a woman in a fine jet black dress. The current first lady of the Evans family. Cordelia Evans. She was taken in as his second wife after his previous wife died of illness. Although she is the mother of Natalia and mother-in-law of Charlotte, ...... she is only twenty-five years old. Her dark purple hair was rolled and her body was adorned with jewels. And ...... her whole body was covered with a black shroud. The only thing peeking out of the shroud were her lips, which were painted a fiery red. "Mother? Cordelia only gave Natalia a glance as she called out her name in a whisper. This is not the way she behaves with her own children. But this was the way she always was. Cordelia told Charlotte in an inorganic voice. "I see you, doctor. ''Yes, sir.'' Charlotte hurriedly began to clean up the bucket. In the morning, she cleans up, and then her tutor arrives to begin her lessons. In the morning, she cleans up, and then her tutor comes to give her lessons. Charlotte does not like to learn. Charlotte is not averse to learning. When she concentrates on something, she can forget about many things, and when she can do something she couldn''t do before, she feels a sense of accomplishment. But there was one big problem with ....... A black haze slowly lifts the corners of his mouth and smiles. I''m going to watch you today. "......! Charlotte gulped heavily. She could see her face turning pale. Even Natalia''s face twisted as if she was about to cry. But Cordelia continued, unconcerned about the change in her sisters. I''m sure you''ll be fine. "Yes, ....... Charlotte barely managed to squeeze the words out of her mouth. 37 37 Stories Im Not Afraid Anymore At Night (3) Finally, the night came. In the silence where not even the insects chirped, a faint sob melted away. Hee, hoo, hoo, ...... ....... In the darkened room, Charlotte was crying in a hushed voice. This is not her room. It was a pantry in the basement of the main residence. Naturally, there were no windows, and the air was cold and sharp. The darkness that fills the space is so thick you can''t even see your own fingertips. From time to time, Cordelia would accompany Charlotte to her studies. Ostensibly, she was a kind mother watching over her daughter. But that''s not what she is. Cordelia punished Charlotte when she made mistakes, when she couldn''t answer a question, when she failed. "Why can''t you do this? "You''re an embarrassment to the Evans family. ......! Why do you have to be ......!¡¡If it weren''t for you, I''d be ......! It was like a storm. The tutors only paled, and no one tried to stop them. All Charlotte could do was keep her voice down and try to hold on. Cordelia had been reasonably nice to Charlotte in the past. It was obvious that she didn''t like her, but she wanted to keep up the pretense of father and daughter. Then, years after Natalia was born, ...... one day, all of a sudden, things changed. She became the enemy of Charlotte and hated her. The reason for this was not clear to me. Her father, the head of the family, seemed to have no interest in her. No matter how much Cordelia tortured Charlotte, he never paid attention to her. In the first place, he was often not at home. To make matters worse, today he had dropped the medicine Natalia had given him when he had been struck. Even though it was assumed that she had stolen something from the house, Charlotte did not say anything. She did not say anything because she did not want her sister to be affected. Cordelia had no interest in her own child, Natalia, and had never been violent with her. But even so, it was easy to foresee the repercussions if it became clear that she had sided with Charlotte. Thus, Charlotte accepted her punishment and was trapped in this darkness. I don''t want to be here. But she knew that no amount of crying and screaming would help. In fact, the punishment could get worse. ...... All Charlotte could do was endure. "Uh-uh-uh-uh ....... I''m scared. I''m scared. I''m scared. I''m scared. I hate the dark. I hate the pain. I don''t want to be lonely. But then I suddenly realize ....... (Here at ......, at least it doesn''t hurt.) There''s only darkness here. There is no one to laugh at Charlotte, no one to hurt her. It''s a little hard not to see her sister, but ...... she should still be able to breathe much easier than outside. As soon as I thought that, the darkness around me stirred. They took on a definite shape and clung to Charlotte. A rough, fleshless hand. It was her own hand. Dozens of them, entwining Charlotte''s body. Eventually, the darkness and the boundary of her body blended together, and Charlotte slowly closed her eyelids. If I just let the darkness consume me... Don''t think, don''t suffer, just sleep slowly. Damp, damp, damp, it''s not healthy! "......? Boom, boom, boom! Suddenly, a joke of a roar ripped through the darkness. Suddenly, a joking roar split the darkness. And there was light. There was a hole in the wall, as if it had been breached, and beyond it, in contrast to the darkness, was a white world. And there stood a young man clad in ...... robes. Kuro and white hair. A frown on his face like the end of the world. It was an unfamiliar young man (????????). "Oh, you''re ......? "Huh?¡¡Oh, um. Yes, ....... The young man ponders for a moment, then says crisply. "I''m the Great Demon King. I''m here to kidnap you. "What ......? Come on, don''t be shy. Come here. You should leave this place as soon as possible. The young man who called himself the Great Demon King extended his right hand without hesitation. His face was not covered with a black shroud. The place he was in was bright and warm, nothing like this darkness. But still ...... Charlotte shook her head. "No, sir. ...... What? I''m afraid of ...... outside. But there''s nothing here. ...... And so Charlotte hung her head. The darkness still clings to her body, gripping her and refusing to let go. She appeals that this is the only place where Charlotte can live. She should be... It''s okay. "....... The young man steps out into the darkness and kneels down in front of Charlotte. He says with a gentle smile. I''ll never let go of your hand. I swear I''ll protect you from anything. So let''s go to ....... And once again, he reaches out his right hand. Charlotte gulped. Instinctively, she lifted her right hand and ...... gently touched his hand. Instantly, like a balloon bursting, the darkness popped and the light repainted everything in the world. 38 38 Stories Im Not Afraid Anymore At Night (4) When I woke up, I was on a brand new bunk. "...... Ah. Charlotte sat up slowly. She rubbed her heavy eyelids and looked around. A bed, a closet. A desk, a chair, and a bookcase that was still not very full. A simple but cozy space. This is not the Evans family ....... This is Charlotte''s room in the Allen house. Outside the window is a deep night sky. The morning is still far away. There is no sound of animals, and it is quiet and still outside. Charlotte was vaguely talking to herself. I was dreaming about ...... something. She could barely remember the content of the dream. The only thing I remember is that I was so scared that it left a lump in my heart. Perhaps I was dreaming about my time at the Evans'' house. It was the first nightmare I had since I came to live in this house. At first, I slept like mud and didn''t even dream. But ...... then I wanted to have a more pleasant dream. But it was kind of a ...... good dream. It wasn''t just a scary dream. At the end of the dream, I had the feeling that I had been touched by something warm. Perhaps I was able to see my old sister. I felt it was a shame that I couldn''t even remember the details, but I didn''t feel like going back to sleep. ...... I didn''t want to sleep again, because I might have that dream again. This time, it might just be a scary dream. Charlotte shuddered. Then she quietly got off her bunk, trying not to make a sound. She decided to drink some water and stay in bed until morning. I decided to do that and headed for the living room. ...... I saw light leaking through the door and rolled my eyes. I slowly opened the door to find Allen sitting on the couch as usual. Noticing Charlotte, he raises one hand lightly. He raises one hand lightly, "Oh, my God. You''re awake? "Yes. Charlotte approached him cautiously. There were thick books and stacks of papers piled up on the low table. Apparently he had been writing and was late. "Are you working at ......, Mr. Allen? Allen shrugged and said, "No, I''ve got a favor to ask. Allen shrugs his shoulders. You know that guy we ran into the other day, Megas? "Yes, yes. Yes, you mean the rock people. It was about a week ago that I went into town with Allen, Eruca and the others and got caught up in a small commotion. It was about a week ago that I went to the city with Allen and Eruca and got caught up in a small commotion. The person I met was a former student of Allen''s, the Gannin. He said he wanted to change his mind and start training again. I''ve designed a special training menu for him. I didn''t know that. ...... To Charlotte, the Rock People were big and scary. But not only did Allen convert him easily, he also took good care of him afterwards. Charlotte couldn''t help but fall in love with him. You''re very kind, aren''t you, Mr. Allen? It''s not that I don''t like it, it''s just that I like to put people through training sessions that put them on the edge of death. Haha. ...... The Rock People are strong. Your arms will grow! Allen happily flipped through a thick stack of papers. I thought I caught a glimpse of words like "magma", "three thousand meters", and "one hundred hours of endurance". At first, I couldn''t tell if he was joking or not, but recently, Charlotte has been able to decipher some of his words. He was probably serious about 90% of what he said. The other 10% is a kindness that he doesn''t even realize. (I know he''s a strange person, but ...... Mr. Allen is a much kinder person than that. Allen would be too embarrassed to take her seriously if she said that. So Charlotte chuckles and asks him. I can''t sleep. Is it okay if I stay with you at ......? "...... of course. Allen gives a small nod and tries to open up a space for Charlotte. But then he looked up as if he had suddenly realized something. "Oh, yeah. It''s a good opportunity to do that tonight. "That? That is, of course, ....... Allen held up his index finger and smiled mischievously. It''s the one thing you can only do at night. 39 39 Stories Im Not Afraid Anymore At Night (5) Hey, you can come out now. "Yes, sir. In response to the call, Charlotte opened the back door of the house. There is a large garden. There is a field where Allen grows medicinal herbs and a well. And now, a ...... light fills the corner. "Wow, ......! The sofa in the living room had been taken out and a number of lanterns were arranged around it. A fire had been built nearby, and something was simmering in a pot. It was like camping. Allen fills a mug with liquid from the pot and hands it to me. "There. Be careful, it''s hot. "Is this ...... cocoa? The light brown liquid is steaming in the gentle light of the lantern. In addition, there were three large marshmallows floating in the air. Allen smiled wryly. That''s right. Let''s drink it and go stargazing. "That''s wonderful! Charlotte''s face lit up. It''s like a dream. When she sat down on the sofa as Allen had suggested, she could see the night sky full of stars. This area was far from the city, so there was nothing to block the starlight. While I was admiring the twinkling night sky, Allen sat down next to me. He began to rustle around preparing a kind of incense burner. Is it aromatic? It''s just an insect repellent. You should also wear this. Boom. Suddenly, a blanket fell from the sky. Charlotte did as she was told and wrapped herself in the blanket. Even though it was night, there was still a hint of spring in the night breeze. The blanket alone was warm enough to keep her warm. The smoke rising from the incense burner had a refreshing aroma that seemed to clear my mind. Overhead, the sky was full of stars. On the ground, a warm space. Everywhere I looked, happiness filled the air. Do you like it? Yes, yes!¡¡I''m so excited! Well, I''m glad to hear it. Allen sipped his cocoa ...... and smiled self-mockingly. I''m not sure what you mean by "astronomical observation," but ...... I don''t know much about stars. "What?¡¡You know everything, Mr. Allen! I know a lot about how the placement of the stars affects mana. But when it comes to constellations, I don''t have a clue. It''s just like him to be stoic. So Charlotte pointed to the stars that colored the night sky. "Well, that yellowish glow is the eye of the constellation Spider. To the lower right of that is the constellation Orthros. It looks like a bunch of dots to me. ...... Allen stares up at the night sky with his eyes glazed over. I''m not sure what to make of this. Charlotte chuckles. I''ve been studying a lot at home. That''s how I learned the constellations. "...... I see. Then Allen''s face clouded over slightly. Charlotte nodded her head, looking somewhat unhappy. ...... Then Allen asked her about the constellations, and the question became vague. Charlotte explained the stars and the myths associated with them. Allen then gave a brief explanation of the relationship between magic and the celestial bodies in a way that Charlotte could understand. The nightfall was filled with a series of ordinary conversations. As time passed, Charlotte yawned. "...... are you getting sleepy? Allen sets down his cup and smiles gently. I''ll walk you to your room. I''ll walk you to your room. "...... No. Charlotte shook her head slowly. I don''t want to ...... sleep today. I had a scary dream. I''m afraid that if I go back to sleep I''ll have that dream again. Charlotte confessed in a whisper. Allen listened attentively to her. (......, what if he''s stupid?) I''m like a child, afraid of dreams. Suddenly realizing this, Charlotte was deeply depressed. But, but... I''m fine. What? Suddenly, Allen gently squeezed Charlotte''s hand. The faintest hint of nervousness can be felt in his palm. He looked into Charlotte''s puzzled face and told her straight out. "I told you. I''m not letting go of your hand. I''ll protect you from anything. And he smirks. "Even if you''re trapped in a nightmare, I''ll come get you. So don''t worry about a thing. "Mr. Allen, ...... The passionate words made me dizzy. But then ...... Charlotte nodded her head. "Has ...... anyone ever said that to you before? Yeah. Yes, I did. You just forgot. That''s a bit of a waste of ...... time. Charlotte smiled softly. He would never lie to me. So I''m sure he''s got the words somewhere and he''s going to ...... protect you. A warm sensation envelops Charlotte''s body. The sleepiness came over her at once. Allen asks Charlotte to rub her eyes. "If you''re afraid of your own dreams, will you come to mine? "Mr. Allen''s dream at ......? Yeah. I have a spell that lets me enter people''s dreams. I''ll use it. Oh, you have a spell? Magic is amazing, isn''t it? "Well, it''s ...... more like it''s hastily created. Allen muddled his words and changed the subject, "Anyway," he said. "What kind of dreams do you want to have?¡¡Tell me what you want. "Well then, ....... Any dream would be fun with Allen. But Charlotte dared to ...... tell him what she wanted. "I''d like to see the stars with you in my dreams. "Yeah, no problem. They both laughed and got up from the sofa together. Not long ago, most of the world was scary. But now, even the ...... night doesn''t scare me anymore. 40 40 Stories Allens Anguish and Charlottes Challen... One morning in early summer. One morning in early summer, Miaha came to Allen''s house overlooked by a cloudy sky as usual. "Good morning. ...... Anya? In her hands are a package and a newspaper. She has the usual parcels in her hands, but on this day, she rolls her eyes and pouts. I guess that''s just as well. After all, Allen was sitting on the doorstep with his head in his hands. "What''s wrong, Demon Lord? What are you doing here? "...... Miaha? You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. His voice was hoarse and he looked as if he was about to collapse. I had been up almost all night worrying about it, so it could not be helped. How many times do I have to tell you that ...... I''m not a demon king, I''m a great demon king. ...... I''m not sure what to say. I don''t get it. ...... I don''t know what''s going on . What the hell happened to you? Hey, buddy!¡¡My little sister came to visit! Hey! Then Eruca came in noisily. Miaha''s ears twitched and she bowed with a smile. "Good morning, Eruka. "Good morning, Miaha!¡¡Good morning, Miaha! Nice cat ears again today! "I''m so embarrassed! The two girls have become acquainted through Allen. It seems that they meet each other often on the street. The topic of conversation naturally turned to Allen, while they were still chattering. What''s wrong? This. "What?¡¡When Miaha came, it was already in this state. "Hmmm ...... well, dear. I''m sure you''ll agree that it''s a great idea. I''m sure you''ve got a lot of questions. I''m sure you''re not the only one. No, let me ask you this, is there anything else you are upset about? I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out on your own. The two girls reacted nonchalantly to Allen''s panic. Anyway, they were right. Charlotte was the only person who could have given Allen this much trouble. And this time, it was very troubling. Did you have a fight with Charlotte? It''s still a good thing, ....... In response to Miaha''s question, Allen smiled self-mockingly. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Last night. After they had eaten dinner together, Allen told Charlotte. "Hey, Charlotte. It''s been a month since you''ve been here. "It''s been ...... that long already? Charlotte, who had been drinking tea, exhaled with deep emotion. It''s only been a month. But it''s already been a month. It''s been a long time, but a short time. Charlotte, remembering the past days, somewhat vaguely fell silent. There, ...... Allen smiled at her. So ...... this is payday! "......? 41 41 Stories Allens Anguish and Charlottes Challen... Charlotte rolled her eyes when she saw the sachet of leather that Allen held out across the table. After three seconds, she seems to have figured out what it is. She rises from her chair and shouts. ''Oh, I can''t believe you''re paying me ......!¡¡You can''t take that! What a surprise. ''Of course I''ll pay you if you hire me. But I can only ...... do a little cleaning, can''t I? It seems that you''ve been learning how to cook lately, but all you get is burnt eggs and thin soup. In other words, she is still at the same level of skill as Allen. Charlotte''s shoulders slumped apologetically. ''I don''t think I''m doing enough for you to get paid. I''d rather be the one paying the rent. ...... What do you mean? You clean the house every day, don''t you? Thanks to you, my house is not dusty and comfortable. Allen can live comfortably in a dump, but that doesn''t mean he doesn''t like comfortable places. Thanks to Charlotte''s attention to cleaning everywhere, Allen''s quality of life has increased dramatically. ''So this is just compensation for my labor. Please keep it. "...... I understand. Charlotte took the leather bag reluctantly, knowing full well how pushy Allen was. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. ''Five gold coins!¡¡That''s way too much! ''Really?¡¡I thought you''d be put off by this, so I reduced it. ...... How many were in there originally? I don''t know the exact number, but I packed it to the brim, almost to the point of ripping the bag open. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it, but I''m going to have to. ''Well, well, well. Saving is good, but I suggest you spend some of it when you can. You''ve never had any money at your disposal before. That''s ...... true, but... Allen bought her all of her daily necessities, clothes, and shoes, so she doesn''t seem to be in trouble. But Charlotte didn''t say much about what she wanted. It is natural for her to feel guilty about being a housemate, but it is not interesting for Allen. "What do you want to do? What do you want? Use it for whatever you want. But especially ....... Then Charlotte realized something and gasped. She alternately looked at the leather bag and Allen and made a small gurgling sound in her throat. It''s a strange reaction, but ...... it seems to have occurred to her how the money was spent. Charlotte straightens up and stares upwards at Allen. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. ''Oh. You can say anything you want. This is the first time Charlotte has really spoken up about her wishes. With this feeling, Allen happily urged her to go ahead. But Charlotte''s tense words took his breath away. I want to go to ...... town by myself. End of recollection. The scene of yesterday''s events came back to his mind, and Allen could not help but groan, clutching his head. Sending him into the city alone is like throwing marbled meat into the cage of a ...... beast of prey!¡¡It will never be approved! You might get tangled up with a ragdoll like the other day, or you might get lost. You might fall down and get hurt. ...... You might be exposed and get caught. You can''t help but have bad thoughts. But I want to give Charlotte what she wants as much as I can. ...... What the hell am I supposed to do ......? Then I looked up, curious. I''m not sure. I''m not sure if that pancake shop is that bad. There''s a line out the door every day. "It''s almost always cherry-picked. I''d rather go to the back street than that place. Listen up!¡¡You guys! It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. 42 42 Stories Allens Anguish and Charlottes Challen... The two of them looked at each other puzzledly, but soon let out a sigh in unison. "No. It''s just too silly. What do you mean by trivial?¡¡What is trivial?¡¡I''m having a serious problem! Allen stood up quickly at Miaha''s light reaction. Meanwhile, Eruca stroked her chin and growled. It''s rare for Charlotte to say something like that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what''s going on in your life. ...... Ah. I''m sure you''re aware of that, and I''m sure you''re aware of that, and I''m sure you''re aware of that. ...... You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. The sad expression on her face set Allen''s heart on fire. Allen leaned his back against the door and covered his face. You''ll want to ...... make it happen, even if you have to. So you''ve made a bargain with him. He''s a difficult man to deal with. Eruka and Miaha shrugged their shoulders. I was annoyed by the way they reacted, as if they really didn''t care, but Allen had no room to argue. Because it seemed to him that he was absolutely right. With Allen''s magic, his true identity would never be revealed. He convinced her and she agreed to go out alone. And so, today, Charlotte was to depart. When she said this, Eruca turned serious and said, "What? When I said that, Eruca''s face turned serious. No, a trip is not such an exaggeration. It''s only a twenty-minute walk from here to the city. That''s a long way!¡¡What if Charlotte falls down in the forest with such bad footing? You are so overprotective that even a new father would be upset. They both look at Allen a little coldly. That being said, Allen is always with them, even when they go for walks around here. He''s with her most of the time, except for private time, and he never lets her out of his sight. But this time, he was going to send Charlotte to the cave 20 minutes away by herself. I felt like I was going to lose my mind. (But for the first time, Charlotte wanted to do this. ......!¡¡(But this is the first time Charlotte has asked for something: ......! In addition, Charlotte is currently in the house preparing for her departure. There is no way I can say to her, who has been preparing this and that since early in the morning, that she is not good enough. Even though Allen was a bold man and didn''t care about what others thought of him, he definitely didn''t want to do anything that would make Charlotte sad. Then he suddenly realized that his mind was changing. (...... I''ve been thinking about that guy more and more lately. What is it? I want him to smile, and I don''t want to see him cry. That feeling itself is the same as the first one. It''s just that it''s grown many times over. The reason for this is not clear to Allen,......, but he was about to think of something uncharacteristic and hurriedly chased the thought away. This is a great way to get the most out of your time and money. You can easily solve ...... your problems. "What ......? Yes, sir. Miaha nodded lightly. I wanted to let him go alone, but I was worried about ...... him, so there was only one thing for you to do. I''m not sure what to do. Allen pondered for a while. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. "......!¡¡I''m not sure what to do. "Why didn''t I think of this ...... idea? You see, they say that crap makes people stupid. It''s a great way to get to know the people in your life. And so today''s naughty decision was made. You''ll be able to find out more about ...... going out alone. 43 43 Stories One Outing (1) An hour later. Charlotte was standing in the doorway, all ready to go. Her hair was dyed black and she was carrying a small basket bag. On her head she wore the hair ornament Allen had sent her the day before, and she looked ready to go out. However, her face is very stern. She was looking into the mirror and carefully checking her appearance. "Are you sure you''re okay, ......, that they won''t recognize me? "Of course not. It''s a spell that only I can break, so don''t worry. "...... if you say so, Mr. Allen. Charlotte smiles softly. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. She looked straight ahead at the narrow path that led from the house to the city. Charlotte looked back at Allen with a somewhat nervous look on her face. I''m off to ...... then. I''ll be back before the sun goes down. "Yeah. And pick up some dinner if you can. Yes! Charlotte bows her head and walks slowly and carefully. The back of her face is anxious ......, but at the same time, you can feel the strength of her will to take on something. In the sunshine, the figure was very picturesque. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who''s a bit of a jerk. I''m sorry. What are you looking at, that emotion? What are you looking at me for? In the event you''ve been hiding, Eluca and Miaha will appear and give you the cold shoulder. Nevertheless, Allen was satisfied. He could see Charlotte''s back like that. He was glad that he had sent her away. But ...... the next part is the hard part. He flipped his robe and pointed to where Charlotte was headed. And so the mission begins!¡¡I''m going to do my best to keep Charlotte out of the shadows! As long as she''s getting paid for it, Miaha can''t complain. "I''m going to tell my mom and dad about it. "I''m going to tell my mom and dad about it..." And with that, Allen headed into town with his companions in high spirits. Stealthily. Careful not to let Charlotte notice. Well, the city was bustling today. It was a little cloudy in the morning, but as the sun rose, blue skies prevailed, creating a perfect day for shopping. When Charlotte reached the crowded main street, she let out a small sigh. Wow, ...... I''m really alone here. It was a modest journey, a twenty-minute walk from the house to here, but for her, it was a huge mission. Charlotte looked blankly at the boulevard for a while, but ...... quickly realized and clenched her fists. I''ll start here. I''ll do my best! Then he took out a small map from his bag, stared at it carefully, and began to walk down the ...... main street. Allen watched him from behind a building. Great!¡¡That''s great, Charlotte!¡¡You got the map just like I told you!¡¡That''s ......! Before they left the house, Allen had given them a quick reminder. Look at the map. Don''t follow strangers. If you get lost, ask someone for directions. ...... and so on. Charlotte seemed to be following them well. Even when touts call out to her, she politely bows her head and refuses. So far, their first outing was going well. Allen''s heart is getting hotter and hotter. He felt as if he were witnessing the moment when a crawling infant stood up for the first time. Of course, Allen has no experience in raising children. In the midst of all this, Eruca and Miaha are whispering to each other. "Hey, seriously, what do you think this is pretending to be? "Brother or father? ......? No, but even so, it''s ...... hard. "Yes, ...... it''s hopelessly ...... Shut up!¡¡You guys! It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. 44 44 Stories One Outing (2) The three of them chased after Charlotte, moving from building to building, from shade to shade. "Oh, hey. Charlotte, why did you want to come to town? The only thing I heard was that you wanted to ...... shop. You didn''t tell me what you were going to buy, did you? Well, I did ask him that, ....... Of course, Allen was curious as to what Charlotte wanted. But she looked away hesitantly and then said. It''s, uh, ...... a secret! With a very serious face, she assured me. ...... In the end, they didn''t tell me. "Oh, ....... "That must be a shock, Demon Lord. "Oh, ....... I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. You can find a lot more information on the web. Allen groaned, his mouth agape. The fact that she has a secret is a sign of her growing ego. ......!¡¡Great job, Charlotte!¡¡Next time, you''ll be able to annoy me by being selfish. ......! I''m beyond grossed out, I''m getting a little worried. ...... Eruka gives him a don''t-look-at-me look, but twists her head. I''m sure you''ll be able to find out what Charlotte wants to buy if you keep watching her.¡¡I''m not going to be able to do that. No. In that case, I will erase your memory with magic immediately. It''s so heavy that it gives me heartburn. While we were having such a useless conversation, Charlotte continued on her way. Before she knew it, she had entered a deserted back street. Staring at the map, she asked, "What? and "There''s something wrong with ......" could be heard from the three people watching behind her. This caused Allen to tilt his head. "What kind of restaurant would he want to go to in such a remote place? "Oh, ......, maybe he''s going the wrong way. What?¡¡That''s a big problem! Allen was taken aback. However, I told Charlotte to ask someone if she got lost. I''m sure they''ll catch a passerby when they get to the right place. But ...... this is a bad idea. No, but ...... this is not a good idea." ...... What do you mean? I was about to pat myself on the back, but Miaha said in a firm voice, "I don''t know. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to make of this. Adventurers of poor behavior hang out here all the time. What? I think I''ve heard of it too. ...... The party in charge of the entrance is a party of extremely dangerous adventurers, right? Yes, sir. The name is Serpent Fang. I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s not unusual for them to steal from strangers and extort money from them. It is said that they are a group of criminals who are typical adventurers, taking money from ordinary citizens who wander in. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. While Eruca and Miaha are exchanging cryptic words, Charlotte is going through the back streets. Her steps are slow, perhaps because of her anxiety, but she is sure to reach that dangerous area sooner or later. "What are you going to do, kiddo? Do I go out and pretend I just ran into him and hold him off? No, ......, I''d rather not get involved head-on. This is not just an outing. This is not just an outing, it''s an adventure that Charlotte has chosen for herself. I didn''t want to interfere with that. Allen pondered for a moment, and then punched ...... his hand. It''s a good thing. I''ll leave you guys to it for now. "What? Where are you going? Just some errands. Come on! Have a good day! Leaving the two wondering, Allen jumped up and ran across the roof. 45 45 Stories Lost Road Happening (1) Ten minutes later. "Is that ......? Charlotte had finally arrived at the block. The streets were narrow and there were empty bottles lying everywhere. There were many buildings with broken windows. The air is stagnant, and the light falling from the clear sky is somewhat dull. At first glance, you can tell that the place is unsafe. I wonder where the hell I am. ...... Charlotte clutched the map to her chest and looked around anxiously. The compartment is empty and there is no sign of people. But the moment she stepped out fearfully.... Boom! Figures emerged from the buildings facing the street. Most of them were men with bad looks, and all of them were heavily armed adventurers. Some of them were werewolves, fishermen, and other non-human races. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. This caused Charlotte to gasp and back away. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "Hey, this is a bad idea. ......! This is not the time to be talking about it! Just as they were about to jump out of the shadows, the incident occurred. Just as they were about to jump out of the shadows, the incident occurred. The ruffians suddenly appeared and bowed their heads in unison. "Welcome! Thank you for coming all this way! Welcome to our home! We welcome you! "What, what, ...... what? Charlotte could not help but be confused. But the men shouted their welcome and brought in chairs and tables. They sat Charlotte down and served her tea, and some even played the guitar and harp. Some even played the guitar and harp. The welcome was like that of a royal family. Thanks to this, Eluca and Miaha could only look at each other. "...... What''s that? "......What is it? "Huh, just in time. Oh!¡¡Hey! And then Allen comes back. Where the hell have you been? What do you mean, you made it? "Oh, that''s easy. He looked at Charlotte from the shadows. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it, but I''m going to try. She seems to be relieved to be resting on a chair after walking such a long distance. Well, that''s exactly what I wanted. Allen''s eyes narrowed, and he smiled contentedly. The party that ruled the area, ...... the Serpent Fang?¡¡I twisted them up. And while I was at it, I told them to treat the girl who''ll be here soon with respect. You''re a monster parent, aren''t you? Oh, that''s why they''re all in shambles. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. Their armor is cracked and tattered, and they have bruises and bumps all over the place. Both of them seemed dismayed. But Allen was considerate, so I''ll excuse him. "We avoided bloodshed, for a change. Charlotte would be terrified of a bunch of bloody ruffians showing up. "Hey, kiddo. Have you ever heard of the term "humanity"? Of course I have. It''s the path I''m taking. Well, well, I''m sure they''ve earned their moxa. 46 46 Stories Lost Way Happening (2) Miaha looks at him with a half-smile, and sees a large man with a huge snake around his neck, nodding. It was Glow, the former leader of the Serpent Fang. The reason for the "ex" is because he was easily defeated by Allen earlier. He had a large bump on his head, and the snake around his neck looked tired and limp. Why am I in this mess......? You can''t help it. ...... It''s your lucky day when you get spotted by a guy like that. ...... One of his minions appeased him. In the event that you''re in a position to do this, you''ll be able to do so with the help of your own personal computer. Then... "Oh, um, ....... There was a person who called out to her slowly. It was Charlotte. She stood up from her seat and looked into Glow''s face. She was a little reluctant to do so because the other person had a rather rugged appearance, but there was a determination in her eyes that outweighed her fear. "Are you okay? "To ......? I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. Charlotte looked up at Glow - and the bump on her head - with concern. Then she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a small bottle. It''s a magic potion. You can use it if you like. It''s for the snake too. ...... Oh, thank you so much! Glow accepted it half in tears. Just when he was down in the dumps from being suddenly ousted from his throne, he was unexpectedly given a hand. It must have touched the heart of even the most slack-jawed person. Charlotte must have realized that there were other people who had bumps and bruises. She took out a number of magic potions from her bag and distributed them one by one. Seeing this scene, Eruka blurted out in disgust. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "And yet, so much comes out of it. ...... How many medicines are in it? Hmm. Well, I give them in triple digits. You don''t know how to do math, do you? What did you think you''d find on a trip to the city? The two of them look at you in a disturbing way, but there is a good reason for this. Charlotte is the kind of person who, if she came across an injured dog or cat, would certainly try to help it. I gave her a large amount of magic potion and told her to disperse it as she pleased because it was cheap. I didn''t expect it to be used in this way, though. Charlotte called out to each person present and handed them a potion. The group that had been forcibly welcoming her with a lot of noise fell into a hush. Eventually, however, someone spoke up. "It''s the Goddess ....... "Oh, Goddess ....... "Goddess ......!¡¡I''m going to change my mind and live a serious life from now on. ......! Oh, wow. What''s going on, everyone? I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. A new religion was born in the world. This was an unexpected development, but ...... Allen nodded his head in satisfaction. "Huh. ...... Charlotte. You''re really good at winning people''s hearts, aren''t you? I know this. It''s called a match pump. It''s the unintentional ones that are the worst. 47 47 Story Lost Way Happening (3) And so their hospitality was no longer an act. All of them surrounded Charlotte with smiles on their faces. It was quite a bizarre sight. Allen had seen something similar to this before at a meeting of a bogus religious group that he had entered as a story. Then Glow tilted her head and asked Charlotte. What is the relationship of the ...... lady goddess to the great demon king? Are you all acquainted with Mr. Allen? Not acquaintances, ....... We were forced to become acquaintances. ...... The men looked at each other in disgust. I made sure not to tell them that Allen was here, but there was no guarantee that he wouldn''t slip up. (You know what will happen if you do, don''t you ......? In the meantime, I''ll just have my long-range sniper magic ready to fire at any time. But fortunately, it didn''t turn out to be a case of using magic. Really, what''s your relationship with that guy? "Mr. Allen and I are ......, well, you know, ....... Charlotte stammered in response to Glow''s question. Charlotte clammed up at Glo''s question, probably because she couldn''t honestly tell him the truth. Eventually, she begins to speak in bits and pieces. I have no home to go back to. But Mr. Allen was kind enough to hire me as a servant ......, so when I say relationship, I mean ....... Then Charlotte cut her words short and said anxiously. "Gee, Master, is it ......? It is true that the relationship is ostensibly that of employer and maid, so there is nothing wrong with the term. But it sounded very immoral. But it sounded so immoral that it caused Allen to "gag" and hold his chest. "Hey, buddy. Are you okay? I feel like I''m getting heartburn. Eruka and Miaha both gave him a cold look. In addition, Glow and the others who were listening to this also looked at each other strangely and called out to Charlotte with concern. I''m not sure if you''re being tricked, Goddess. ......? No, you''re being threatened into submission like we are. ...... "d*mn you, ...... the Great Demon King!¡¡How dare you deceive such a wonderful person ......! It turned into a grudge against Allen, the Great Demon King, and it became as heated as a rally. They''re ....... Allen couldn''t help but look ashamed. But he knew that he would look like a criminal if he and Charlotte were on the same side. On the other hand, he was a kingpin who hummed and hollered his way through ragtag groups. On the other hand, there was the goddess-like girl who was kind to everyone. It would seem to anyone that the two were disproportionate. But then ...... Charlotte chuckles. "Thank you for your concern. But Mr. Allen is a kind man. It''s all a misunderstanding. Are you sure about that ......? The ...... Great Satan has feelings like that. They were puzzled, but seemed to be convinced at first. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Yes. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. "......! The ruffians were shocked. But Charlotte didn''t notice, she just put her hand on her cheek and continued as if she was embarrassed. The other night, Mr. Allen and I spent the night doing something naughty. The other night I did something naughty with Allen-san, and even though I knew it was immoral, ...... it was a very fun night. The other night, we stayed up late with snacks and games, and the next day we both cozied up until past noon. It was certainly a fun night. But ....... Onii...... "Demon King ...... "I''ll warn you not to say that outside ....... For the first time, Allen regretted his language sense. 48 48 Stories: The Great March of The Progress (1) "Oh, well, I''d better be going. Thank you for your help. With a bow, Charlotte hurried on. The rogues watched her go in silence. Rather, they seemed to have been completely frozen by Charlotte''s comment. "Well. Well, we''ve managed for the moment. "Oh, you ......! When Allen emerged from the shadows, Glow and the others were horrified. They all booed him loudly. "What are you doing to our goddess? "Honestly, I don''t want to die fighting you again, but if it''s for the ...... Goddess, I''m ready to go on a suicide mission! Shhhh! No, you''re wrong!¡¡You''re wrong! I''m not sure what to make of that. So Allen was forced to give a rough explanation of the situation. So, thank you for your cooperation for now. I''m going back to watch over Charlotte, so you guys can do as you please. Did you really just beat us up for the sake of the goddess? ...... I can''t believe it. ...... But it''s true that you would want to do something for her. ...... I understand. ...... The members of the Serpent Fang nodded to each other with a limited vocabulary. Allen gave them a refreshing smile. You know what''s going to happen ...... if you mess with that guy? I''m sorry, Goddess ......! We can''t rescue you from the hands of the Great Demon Lord. ......! Hahahahaha!¡¡You''re a hundred years too early! Allen smiles broadly. I''m not sure who the bad guy is anymore. "Well, let''s cut the crap. Let''s get a move on, Eruka!¡¡Miaha! "Yes. But, Charlotte, which way did we go? "Oh, I saw you turn left down the road. Miaha said lightly. As soon as Miaha said it lightly, "What the ......? The pale faces of the ruffians quickly turned pale. I''m not sure what''s going on here. It''s not good, Daimaou-san!¡¡It''s not safe to go on! "...... What do you mean? I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. In the event that you''re not sure what to do, you''ll be able to find out more about it on the web. Among them, the Puppet Family is one of the five most dangerous parties in the world. Rumor has it that they are also in the business of assassination, or not. When Eruca heard this, she screamed. Why did you let them go in that direction? "Don''t be absurd!¡¡Don''t be absurd! You''ve just heard that shocking statement!¡¡No wonder you froze! Glow glared in the direction Charlotte was headed. "d*mn it, ......, I''ll bring back the goddess and-- "No, wait. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. Then he ...... shook his head softly. You don''t need to do that. "No way, dude. ...... Oh. It''s just as simple as that. Allen smiled with a faint lift of the corners of his mouth. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. If this is a dangerous place for a fragile woman like Charlotte to be walking around,......, then Allen has only one thing to do. He thrusts his fist out firmly and declares in a high-pitched voice. I just need to take this whole area under my ...... umbrella! Are you an idiot? I''m competent, but... It''s an even worse pattern. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. 49 49 Stories: The Great March (2) From that point on, Allen did his best in many ways. He battled against many puppet masters. What''s ......?¡¡My puppet attacks have no effect? No way!¡¡It''s easy to avoid them as long as you watch the movements of their fingers! I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. "See, that''s what werewolves are for. Specially formulated perfume! I''m not sure what to do. I stumbled upon the footprints of Twilight, an elite unit of talented magic tool technicians. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s had a bad experience. What the hell?¡¡Miaha''s enemies are my enemies! I won''t tolerate anyone who threatens my preferred supplier! I will not tolerate people who threaten my preferred supplier! What the hell is wrong with you people? Allen was expanding his territory at a breakneck pace. "Hey, the Great Demon Lord. What are you doing here? You''ve stumbled upon the right place!¡¡Megas!¡¡Give us a hand! Yeah, ...... I''ve got a part-time job at a flower shop I just started. I''ve just started working at a flower shop.¡¡You''ve found a great place to work! Then come over as soon as you''re free!¡¡Then come back as soon as you have some free time and place a large order for herb seeds!¡¡I''ll buy from your store next time!¡¡I''ll buy from you again next time! Tell the owner that I''ll be his patron! Tell the owner that I''ll buy from him again!¡¡So, what can I do to help? "I''m going to fight the final battle for this area!¡¡I''m going to protect Charlotte''s outing! What about ............? And just like that, it was dusk. In a large clearing on the outskirts of town, Allen wiped the sweat from his forehead. It''s ...... good exercise. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it, but I''m going to have to. These were the same people who had been using Charlotte''s destination as their territory. There were no less than a hundred of them. However, in the latter half of the battle, completely unrelated parties also joined in, and the battle took on the appearance of an all-out effort. Apparently, those who had heard of Allen''s advance and felt threatened by him had come out in full force. Well, Allen took care of the problem almost single-handedly. "And he finally did it. ...... The Serpent Fang Glow, who was watching the whole thing, paled. Megas, on the other hand, twisted his head. After finishing his part-time job at the flower shop, he came to the final battle. How is beating up these guys protecting your daughter''s outing? "Well, I''ll explain later. For now, just go to ....... Allen then walked up to the men sitting in the corner. A pale man, a werewolf man, and a man in silver armor. They are, in order, Vogel of the Puppet Family, Ralph of the Wolves'' Stan, and Dominic of the Footprints of Twilight. These are the heads of the group that Allen beat up rather early in the game. If you''ve learned your lesson, don''t bother anyone and get on with your adventuring life. "You say that, ......? But thanks to you, things have become peaceful around here. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "...... I understand. The three of them looked at each other and then nodded meekly. I''m not sure if that''s a good thing, but it''s a good thing. I will change my mind from now on ...... to repay the debt to the goddess! I don''t know how such a good girl can exist in this world. ...... It reminded me of the sister I left behind in the country. ......! I remembered the sister I left behind in the country. ...... You were in Charlotte''s care, too? 50 Fifty Stories After Cleaning (1) They told me that Charlotte had been distributing potions to the adventurers who had been defeated and beaten by Allen along the way. Since she focused on eradicating the places where Charlotte was headed, it was only natural that she would run into people like Glow everywhere she went. Thanks to them, the number of believers has been increasing one after another, just like Glow''s group. If you look around, you can hear vague conversations here and there, such as "I ...... am going to wash my hands of bad things," "I think I''ll go back to my country ......," and "I want to see my mother ....... I want to see my mother. Apparently, Charlotte''s pure innocence worked on them, as they were having a rough time. (Isn''t that too much ......?) (Isn''t that too much?) Allen wondered a bit, but put it aside for the moment. So, how''s Charlotte doing? Yes, sir. I''m not sure what to make of it. Miaha responds with a firm salute. In the middle of the day, the cleaning work became too busy, so we decided to outsource Charlotte''s escort. Miaha helped me find an employee who was free. "Oh, speak of the devil... Two subhuman women dressed in the same uniform as Miaha appeared out of nowhere. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m sorry to report!¡¡The target has completed his shopping without incident. There''s nothing wrong with you, sir. "Well, thank you. Here''s your part-time pay. Whoo!¡¡Thank you so much! "You''re as rich as they say you are! The two employees are holding a bag full of gold coins and squealing. I thought this was not a job for a shipping company, but according to Miaha, all the employees are fine with anything as long as they can make money. You can ask them to do some of the more trivial things in the future,......, Allen said softly, lowering the tone of his voice. And by the way, ...... I have one question for you. "Wan? "Hmm? The two nodded their heads and asked in hushed tones. What the hell did he buy, ......? I think it''s good that Charlotte is keeping secrets from Allen. But I''d be lying if I said it didn''t bother me. "Oh, you don''t have to tell me if it''s private!¡¡I''m sure the ladies need it! Not at all. ...... "Um, ....... For some reason, the two employees looked at each other. For some reason, the two employees looked at each other and lowered their eyebrows as if they were troubled, but there was no sign of distress. In addition, for some reason, they are looking at you with a smile, as if they were watching kittens play with each other. ...... Not knowing why, Allen can only twist his head. They nodded at each other and said, "I''ll tell you what. It''s probably bad manners for us to say that. "What does ...... mean? "You''ll see. The chuckles of both of them were very worrisome. But before I could pursue that... "Oh, Mr. Allen. Whoa. 51 Fifty-one stories after the big cleaning (2) Allen''s shoulders jerked as he heard a voice behind him. He slowly turned around and ...... saw Charlotte standing there. As reported by the subhuman girls, she was the same as when she went out in the morning. She was still carrying her bag and her face was flushed. "It''s really Mr. Allen. It''s just like you said. "''Everyone'' ......? Then Allen furrows his brow. Only the people involved knew that he had been going around purging the city''s racketeers for Charlotte. But I''m sure I''ve kept those ruffians in the dark. When I glanced around, I saw that the dead and dying had risen up and suddenly started to rise up. "Oh, it''s the Goddess ......! "What a divine figure ......! Ugh ......!¡¡You demon king, you seduced our goddess ......! All that came from here and there were voices of worship and bitterness. It seems that no one has slipped up. (Then where did the leak ...... come from?) As Allen nodded his head, Charlotte continued with a smile. When Allen craned his neck, Charlotte smiled and continued, "When I was walking down the main street, everyone on the street was talking about you, Allen. I was curious, so I came to see what was going on. "Oh, ......? Oh, I forgot to tell you. Then Miaha beckons to Allen. I''m not sure what to say. You''re the talk of the town, Demon Lord. "...... Why? "Why? Because this area has been the bane of the town. Now that you''ve conquered it all at once, there won''t be as many ruffians around, which will be a big help to all of us. That''s great, dude. You just saved a lot of people. "Mmm. ...... You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. In addition, being thanked by a large number of people is not something I have experienced very often. I understood that I was being misunderstood because of my words and actions, but I had no intention of changing them. Therefore, it was ...... somewhat itchy to think that what I did in my usual way would be a good deed. As we were talking in private, Charlotte tilted her head and looked around. What did you do today?¡¡Did you all have a field day at ......? "Hmm. Something like that. I was asked to train you. Allen says quietly. You can''t be too proud of Goddess ......," "You can''t be too proud of Goddess ......," "You can tame the Great Demon King, just like Goddess... ..." and so on. I kept my ears to the ground and glared at them for a moment. Charlotte didn''t even notice and smiled nonchalantly. I''m not sure if this is an athletic event or a fad.¡¡I''ve seen a lot of injured people here and there today. Thanks to you, I used up almost all of the magic potion that Allen-san gave me. ...... Sorry. "No, it was a good stocking stuffer. They''re cheap, don''t worry about it. The truth is, they were good enough to be sold for three silver pieces each, but Allen didn''t bother to mention it. 52 Fifty-two Stories What I Wanted (1) "By the way, ......, um, you know... "Yes? Allen averted his eyes slightly, searching for the right words. He wasn''t sure if he should ask, but his curiosity got the better of him. How was your shopping trip to ......? Of course, it was great! Charlotte said cheerfully, rummaging through her basket bag. She took out two packages. They were wrapped in colorful wrapping paper, the kind of wrapping paper that women like, and wrapped with a beautiful ribbon. Apparently, he had gotten what he wanted. Eluca and Miaha peek out from behind Allen. "Oh, that''s the new grocery store, isn''t it? It''s the hottest spot right now. Charlotte, did you want to store at that store? Oh, um, ......, this is... When Charlotte saw their faces, she stiffened her expression as if she was a little nervous. The three of them looked at each other with a strange reaction. ...... Eventually, Charlotte gulped and held out two packages. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. "Huh? What? What''s that, ......? This made the place shake. Eruka and Miaha looked at each other and asked Charlotte with concern. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m here. I heard it was your first paycheck. ...... Are you sure you want to take it? Yes, yes. I''ve always been indebted to you both. ...... Charlotte nodded her head. So they each received a package. When you remove the wrapping, you will see a ...... lovely present. "Wow!¡¡It''s a cool stuffed cat! "Miaha has a new hat!¡¡Thank you so much! "...... is good. Charlotte''s expression softened as she looked at the excited couple. She was quite worried about whether they would like her gift or not. The three girls were laughing and giggling together. It was a very funny scene. If anyone were to interfere with this, they would certainly be guilty of a felony. But ...... Allen couldn''t stand the atmosphere. "Charlotte! "Yes? He grabbed Charlotte by the shoulders and said in a shaky voice: "I don''t know what to say. "Don''t I have a ......? "Hey, ....... "The Great Demon King ...... "The Great Demon King ...... You''ve got it backwards, dude. Eruka and Miaha. And not only that, but Megas and Glow gave me a very disappointed look. I know it''s not popular, but I couldn''t help but say it. 53 Fifty-three Stories What I Wanted (2) Charlotte paused for a moment, then looked away apologetically. ...... I''ve been looking for things that might please Mr. Allen. I''ve been looking for magic tools, herbs, ...... but I have no idea which ones would be best. ...... I''m not sure what to do." "Oh, ......, that''s not an option. Eruka nodded her head in sympathy. It is true that there are many magic-related items that are difficult to identify for the untrained eye. There are many magic-related items that are difficult to identify to the untrained eye. Some items that look like mere black stones are actually extremely valuable ores, and Charlotte would have had no idea what they were. Allen, however, was not convinced. He grabbed Charlotte by the shoulders and shouted pathetically. I would have been happy with anything you could have given me!¡¡I''m sure I''d have cried with joy if it was just a flower on the side of the road. ......! I''m sure I''ll be happy to cry. It''s still heavy. It''s so heavy! The two who are yelling at each other are getting a present from Charlotte. In other words, they were Allen''s enemies. It''s annoying that they don''t seem to be intimidated at all even when I stare at them. Then Charlotte''s shoulders slumped. I''m sorry ...... for not being more attentive to you. ...... I''m not blaming you. ...... No, I''m not blaming you. ...... Allen choked on his words and hurriedly removed his hand from his shoulder. I''m sure it was childish and selfish of me. But Charlotte gently took his hand in hers. When Allen looked up in surprise, she gave him an annoyed smile. It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one who has a problem with this. So, for the time being, I''ll just go with ....... Then he rummaged through his bag. What I took out was not ......, a present for Allen. "...... sewing kit? Yes. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Charlotte turns her gaze to Allen''s feet. It''s true that the hem of the robe is beautifully tattered due to continuous mishandling. It''s even worse today because he had a bit of a field day. (By the way, did I mention that I was in charge of sewing at ......? That''s probably why she noticed the robe. Charlotte giggles, nods her head and asks. I''m sure you''ll be glad to hear that.¡¡And while you''re at it, ...... tell me a lot about what you like, Mr. Allen. I want to be able to buy you a present this time. And ...... of course. That''s all Allen said, and he barely nodded. It will probably be a time that will be far more valuable than any other. Such a feeling spread in my heart. Behind me, people were yelling at me, "Why would you want to fall in love with a demon king? ......", "I want to fall in love too ......", and "Me too ......". I felt good, so I tolerated them. I''m going to work hard and get a girlfriend too. ...... "Then I''ll talk to her. What kind of work do you want? "Like ...... animal work? On the other hand, Glo and Megas were having a very solid conversation, not unlike adventurers. 54 54 Stories Planning an Outing (1) Well, I finished it. "Huh? One afternoon. One afternoon, while we were both reading in the living room, Charlotte approached me curiously. Allen closed the book he was reading and laughed. You''re early. You''ve already read it? "Yes, I did. Yes, it was so interesting, it went by so fast. Charlotte nodded her head, still holding the thick book to her chest. The book she was reading was about this country. History, culture, major industries, tourist attractions. It was mainly a guidebook for foreign visitors, written in a frank style, but the content was still profound. Charlotte is from the neighboring Kingdom of Neils. This is the first time she''s been out of the country, and Allen thought it would be good for her to get to know the country. Forgetting about time and immersing myself in reading. It''s a small thing, but in today''s busy world, it''s a very luxurious moment. In other words, it''s a bad idea. Maybe. There was also the important purpose of resting Charlotte, who would have cleaned the whole house if left alone. That''s why I gave her the book, but I didn''t expect her to read through it so quickly. Charlotte opened the book happily. I''ve read about the Athena Academy of Magic that Allen-san and Eruca-san were talking about. It''s a big school. Well, yeah. Allen squinted at the black-and-white photo of a familiar school building. Athena Academy of Magic is an incredibly large school. The students, teachers, and other staff are about the size of a small island nation. It''s the place where he was kicked out about three years ago, but it''s the school where he spent most of his life. I have a certain amount of affection for it. It''s been a while since I''ve been there. I grinned and asked Charlotte. I smiled and asked Charlotte, "Is the school the place you''re most interested in?¡¡Is there anything else? "Well, there are many, but if I had to pick one, it would be ....... Then Charlotte''s hand, which had been flipping through the pages, suddenly stopped. Allen tilted his head and looked at her with a frightened stare. If I told you where I was interested in ...... what would happen? You''ll know where to go tomorrow. I knew it! Charlotte exclaimed and turned mysterious. Allen shrugs his shoulders at the strange reaction. You don''t want to go far?¡¡Well, a woman has to carry a lot of baggage. When I used to live with the Crawfords, I was taken on family trips about once a year. Remembering the scene, Allen smiled. I''ll take your luggage. I used to carry my mother-in-law''s and ELCA''s suitcases with my uncle. "No, no, that''s not what I meant. ...... I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. You don''t have to be shy about it. But I love spending time with Mr. Allen here at the house. But I love spending time with Mr. Allen in this mansion," Charlotte said, smiling wryly. Every word seems to be a lie, but ...... Allen is a little frustrated. 55 55 Stories Planning an Outing (2) "Besides, it''s okay to do naughty things once in a while. If you do naughty things all the time, you''ll become a naughty girl. "Mmm ......, you do have a point there, though. Allen is not trying to corrupt Charlotte. He just wants her to enjoy a joy that she has never experienced before. Although it is said that poverty dulls the spirit, too much contentment can ruin a person. What is wrong should be done in moderation. Allen has no objection to that. However, ...... he couldn''t just give up here. He made an uneasy face and looked at Charlotte''s face. If I take you on a trip, ...... you''ll be happy, no doubt about it?¡¡I''d love to see that. "Ugh. ...... Well, that may be true, but ...... Charlotte looks away quickly. There was a response. Allen happily folded. It''s going to be a fun trip. You can indulge your taste buds in the local cuisine, take in the sights, or take a lazy nap at the inn. Oh, it would be nice to take a bath in a hot spring, wouldn''t it? "Oh, hot springs ......! Charlotte''s shoulders jerked. The Crawfords'' family vacation destination was naturally controlled by her mother-in-law, who was at the top of the hierarchy. Therefore, Allen knew very well how women were attracted to places called hot springs. His downfall was imminent. Allen smirked and scooped Charlotte''s chin up. "Come on, tell me where you want to go. Tell me where you want to go and I''ll ...... make your wish come true. "Oh, Mr. Allen, ....... Her sky blue eyes stared blankly at Allen. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but it''s a good idea. I''m sure you''ll agree.¡¡I''ll never tell! "Mmm, you stubborn bastard. ...... is the last resort. Do you want to put another death curse on me? I told you not to do that again, didn''t I? I''m not sure what to do. Just in time, the doorbell rang. Allen was about to cast a curse, but he paused and twisted his head. "d*mn, at a time like this, ...... the bad comes out a little. Wait for me. I''m so glad you''re here. ...... Charlotte was blatantly relieved and patted her chest. It is still a bit naive to think that Allen would give up at this level. You can find a lot more information on the web. When he opened the door, ...... the usual person saluted him firmly. "Hello there, Demon Lord. It''s a good day. What is it, Miaha? But didn''t you get your delivery in the morning ......? I have a special delivery for you this time. I rummaged through my bag and pulled out an envelope. The address is "To the Great Demon Lord". What a crude address. The shipping company must be crazy to deliver it like this. In addition, the handwriting was unfamiliar to Allen, so he couldn''t help but crane his neck. "Is this ......? "Mmm-hmm. You shouldn''t be surprised to hear that. Miaha smiled slyly and held out the envelope. And then she said... I''m giving away a three-day, two-night trip for two to ......! "What''s ......? 56 Fifty-six stories to a hot spring trip (1) Thus, the next day. "Wow, ....... Charlotte looked out the window of the carriage and exclaimed in amazement. Outside, there was a field of grass. Fresh greenery danced in the early summer sun. The mountains were far away, and the wind was calm. The mountains were far away and the wind was calm. Allen smiled at the more positive response than he had expected. "I''m glad you''re happy, but is it really something to admire? "Well, yes. I''ve never seen such a beautiful flatland before because the kingdom of the Neals has so many mountains. Charlotte said smilingly, then let out a heavy sigh. When I escaped to this country, I hid in a wagon,......, but I didn''t have time to enjoy the scenery at that time. "Oh, I see. ...... I guess I made a mistake in spreading the word. Allen was upset, but followed up. "Well, it''s a very rural area here. I''ve heard that your wanted list hasn''t been circulated. You can relax and stretch your wings. "Yes. It''s a dream come true to be able to go out without a disguise. Charlotte smiled indifferently with her golden hair. Seeing this, Allen felt relieved and followed Charlotte''s example to look outside. A pleasant breeze caressed his cheeks. The air was fresh, and it certainly felt good. It''s not a bad ...... view. "Hmm. Isn''t it? We both laughed a little and looked at the scenery in silence for a while. The wind and the sound of hoofs were the only sounds that colored the peaceful time. This is a place called the Unoha region. It is about a three hour carriage ride to the northeast from the house where Allen and his friends live. Today, we are going on a ...... three day, two night trip to the hot springs in this region. Allen secretly lifted the edge of his mouth. But the people in town are also very cool. I never thought they''d offer me a trip. The other day, in order to protect Charlotte''s outing, Allen took control of a place called the Maade District. It''s a place where a lot of ragtag adventurers hang out at all hours of the day, and it''s been a source of trouble for the people of the city. However, by Allen''s hand, most of the people in the area were forcibly converted. They are now doing their best to become honest adventurers, and are actively participating in picking up trash in the area. It seems that it was the right decision to go to them regularly after that. As a result, Allen has contributed to the maintenance of public safety in the city. In honor of his contribution, the mutual aid association to which the merchants of the city belonged gave him a monetary gift. In other words, this trip was free of charge. Charlotte, who tended to be reserved, would not have any complaints if it was free. However, she raised her eyebrows in annoyance. But ...... are you sure you want me to go with you?¡¡Wouldn''t it have been better to invite Eruka? No, he''s got some business to attend to. Eruka said she would be out of town for a few days. The errand would probably be the investigation of the Kingdom of Neals that Allen had asked him to do. But even if it wasn''t, Allen had definitely asked Charlotte out. Why should two old siblings go on a trip together? Bloody fights were sure to break out every hour. I think I see it. That''s where we''ll be staying today. "Oh, that''s ......! Before I knew it, the view from the carriage window had changed a little. As the carriage was heading, the plains broke up and the blue ocean could be seen. And right next to it, on a cliff, there was a large building. It was a pale cream-colored structure with palm trees surrounding it. It is the most popular resort hotel in the Junoha region. 57 Fifty-seven Stories: Going on a Hot Spring Trip (2... This area has long been famous for its hot springs, and there are many hotels for tourists here and there. Among them, the hotel where Allen and his friends stayed this time was a brand new three-star hotel. It is said that the hotel features a wide range of services such as hot springs, cooking and massage, and has many repeat customers. ...... This is all from Miaha. I''m sure you''ll enjoy it. Please enjoy it. I don''t need any souvenirs, but please give me a report. Meanwhile, the building was getting closer and closer. Charlotte hurriedly took out that thick book and showed it to me. "Look, Mr. Allen. Look, Mr. Allen, that inn is in this book, too! "Let''s see. ...... Oh, I see. It''s a double-page spread. As Allen stroked his chin, thinking that this was really promising, a thought occurred to him. "Is that the hotel you wanted to go to, by any chance? ...... Yes! You''re lying. Ugh. ...... Wow, Mr. Allen. You really do know how to lie. ...... Charlotte shrinks back like a child who has been scolded. She looked away, lost for a long time, and in a trembling voice, anyone would be able to see through the lie now. Maybe I should let her get used to the world a little. Borrowing a book from Charlotte, Allen flipped through it. "Hmm, not here ...... then this isolated hotel?¡¡No, wait. If it''s popular with women, it''s this ....... "Oh, please don''t try to guess! I''m not sure why Charlotte took the book from Allen with a bright red face. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m not sure what to do.¡¡I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to try. "Embarrassing? "Embarrassing?" Allen could only twist his head. "Why would you be embarrassed if people know where you want to go to ......? "Because ...... He hugged the book tightly to his chest and chuckled in a mosquito-like voice. It''s the kind of place a small child would want to go to. ...... "Hmmm?¡¡I see. But then, the candidates seem to narrow down considerably. I tried to continue guessing, but stopped at ....... Allen shrugged his shoulders. "Well, if you don''t like it that much, I''ll stop trying to stir things up. But I''ll tell you one thing. "What? Allen smiles at Charlotte, who rolls her eyes in confusion. I''ll tell you one thing, though. It''s also a bad idea. ...... Are there things you couldn''t do when you were a kid, Allen? Yeah. I nodded humbly and thought about the past. I was able to do whatever I wanted, but there were many things I couldn''t do. But all of them were accomplished later on. I''ve been to caves thousands of meters beneath the earth to dig for ridiculously expensive magic ores, and I''ve been to uninhabited remote areas to cast wide area destruction spells. ...... My uncle stopped me from doing any of these things when I was a child. I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s not the same, but ...... it sounds like fun! Charlotte forced herself to make a gesture of agreement. "Well, anyway. Do you think I''m going to laugh at you for being childish when I ask you where you want to go? "...... No. You know what? I''ll take you anywhere you want to go. I''ll take you anywhere you want to go. "...... Yes! Charlotte smiles like a flower blooming. She probably never had a decent childhood in the first place. It''s an important attempt to regain the time she once had. (Hmmm ...... taking her back to her childhood ...... is not a bad policy. After this trip to the hot springs, there seemed to be many more "naughty things" that could be taught. 58 58 Stories Ikenai that can only be done in hot spr... And so they arrived at the inn. "Welcome to UNOHA Resorts!¡¡We welcome you. As soon as they stepped into the front desk, the concierge bowed politely. She wore a coral hair ornament in her hair and her lower body was a fish. A typical mermaid. Still, her upper body is clad in a tight suit, and she looks like an employee. She moves dexterously with her tail and carries Allen''s luggage. When we handed her the ticket we had received from Miaha, her face lit up. You must be Crawford, who has a reservation. Your room is ready for you. Are you on your way? "Yes, please. Is the hot spring already open? Yes, of course. It''s open right now. "Well, then, let''s go in first. Yes, sir!¡¡If you don''t mind, Mr. Allen! Charlotte nodded her head. I''ve been looking forward to the spa itself. The mermaid smiled at her reaction. I''ll show you to your room and the bathhouse. This way, please. "Hmm. Thank you. Oh, thank you very much. No, no, no. It''s our pleasure. The mermaid put her hand on her cheek and let out a hot breath. The mermaid put her hands on her cheeks and exhaled hotly, looking at Allen and Charlotte with a smile on her face. It is a great honor for you to choose this hotel for your honeymoon. "...... wedding? "...... travel? The two froze at the unexpected word. The two of them froze at the unexpected word. The mermaid tilted her head to the side. "Aren''t you a couple by any chance? "Unfortunately, ....... So you''re a couple! No, not ............, not that either. He managed to lift his numb tongue and Allen answered. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "By the way, ...... can you tell me why you think that? "No, because this ...... The mermaid held up the ticket that Allen had just given her and said curiously. It''s a special package for couples. I''m not sure what to make of it. I remember her saying that she had chosen the perfect plan for the Demon Lord and his friends. I remember her saying that she had chosen the perfect plan for the Demon Lords, and she seemed strangely happy at the time. I''m not sure what to make of it. If you are not satisfied with the plan, you can change it, but ...... is the most luxurious one, so it is better to keep it as it is. "Then ....... Allen swallowed his gulp and made up his mind. I''d like a couples-only package at ......, please. "Yes, sir. "I''ll take a couple of ...... ....... Allen pulled Charlotte''s hand, which was still frozen, and followed the mermaid down the street. The room was a corner room overlooking the ocean. He left his luggage in the comfortable space and let the mermaid lead him to the hot spring. During this time, he and Charlotte didn''t talk much, and the atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Even Allen couldn''t be his usual self in such a situation. (Couples ...... or couples ......?) He didn''t even know what to think of those floating words. "Well, we''ve arrived... The mermaid stopped in her tracks as I pondered. The hot spring was located at the far end of the inn, with a large entrance and a variety of guests coming and going. The mermaid looked at Allen and the others and smiled. This is the hotel''s signature hot spring facility. All of the hot springs are natural hot springs drawn from underground, with the open-air baths being the most popular. You can see the whole ocean. "Oh, that''s nice. It looks like it''s worthy of being featured in a guide, and I''m sure the view and soaking in the hot water will soothe my itchy senses. That''s what I was hoping for. ...... But that was easily shattered by the mermaid''s question. "By the way, sir, do you have a swimsuit available? "A swimsuit ......?¡¡Why? "Of course, ....... The mermaid smiles and points to the entrance of the spa. She said. This is a bathhouse for both men and women, where you can wear a bathing suit! "What? Yes? 59 59 Stories Ikenai that can only be done in hot spr... And so, thirty minutes later. "Really? ...... Allen was looking at the hot spring in a daze. The hot spring at the inn was really big. The huge dome was lined with a variety of baths. There was also a sauna room, a massage room, a juice stand, and a heated pool with a slider, making it look like a theme park. Inside the bathhouse, a variety of visitors were enjoying the hot spring in their swimsuits. There was no distinction between race, age, s*x, or gender. There was even a magma bath exclusively for the rock people. The mermaid concierge told me that the baths were currently empty, but ...... they were still quite crowded. Rather than dividing the baths into women''s and men''s baths, you can enjoy a more spacious bath here. Families can also soak in the baths together, killing two birds with one stone. It''s a good idea to have a bathing suit. Allen can only hold his head. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out. ....... In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us. "What, what, what, what? Oh, yeah. Take your time and get ready. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve seen it before. Ever since then, the word "swimsuit" has been occupying his mind. There were many customers in swimsuits in front of him. Some of them were young women, of course, and they were stroking their fresh skin in the bathtub. However, it was the sight of Charlotte in her swimsuit that disturbed Allen more than anything else. What would happen if he actually witnessed it? To be honest, he couldn''t even predict it. (Okay. If it happens, I''ll stop the heart. (Okay. Allen made up his mind easily and tried to keep a normal mind. Then... I''m sorry to keep you waiting at ....... "......! A voice came from behind him. His shoulders almost jumped, but he withstood it with an iron will. After taking a deep breath, he slowly turned around so as not to look unnatural. He did not forget to put on a fresh smile. He was fully prepared and ready. "No, I just came from ......, too. ...... "Oh, Mr. Allen? At that moment, Allen was at a loss for words. He could not react to Charlotte''s anxious nodding of her head. She was wearing a bikini that hung from her neck by a string. However, it was not too revealing, the top was protected by a lot of ruffles and the bottom was wrapped in a pareo. But that didn''t mean I could let my guard down. In a bikini, the navel area would naturally be in full view, and the bare feet peeking out from under the pareo would be dazzling. Her style is outstanding. It wasn''t just because of the light reflecting off the water. Charlotte in her bathing suit was dazzling. I didn''t need to stop my heart. Because it stopped on its own. Charlotte raised her eyebrows, wondering what Allen thought of her silence. I''m sure you''re not going to like this ...... look, are you ......? "............ No, no. I''m not sure what to say," Allen said, shaking his head. It looks good on you. "Oh, really? ......? Charlotte''s face lights up. Charlotte''s face lights up, but she quickly looks away. She tilts her head at the strange reaction, but then notices that her cheeks are slightly red. I think you''d look good in ...... too, Allen. "Oh, yeah, I see. It''s a mutual thing. Thanks to this, I regained my composure. "What about ......? "No, it''s nothing. Let''s get going. I took Charlotte''s shy hand and we headed for the bathtub. I''ll get used to the bathing suit in time. ...... The important thing is to entertain Charlotte. Of course, I''ve planned for that. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. 60 60 stories Ikenai that can only be done in hot spr... Since we were going out of our way, we headed for the open-air bath, which the hotel recommended. When they opened the door and stepped outside, they were greeted by a dazzling light. "Wow, ......! Charlotte shouted in admiration. Outside the door was a rock face that looked like a stalactite cave. It seemed to have been carved out of the cliff on which the hotel was built, with a large opening directly in front of it overlooking the ocean. And right in front of the ocean, there was a huge open-air bath. Shiro steam was rising and the smell of sulfur was wafting in the air. Thanks to the cave, we could enjoy the hot water without being directly exposed to the sun. In addition, you can enjoy the bath without being exposed to the sun. "Wow, that''s an amazing bath! Yeah. I can see why it''s so popular. Allen nodded honestly. After taking a quick bath and rinsing off their bodies, the two of them soaked side by side in the bathtub. The water was neither too hot nor too warm. The water was neither too hot nor too cold. "Wow, ...... that feels so good. "Yes, it is ....... For a while, we both enjoyed the hot spring while looking at the sea. The other bathers were similar to us, except for a few small conversations, and the sound of the sea was the only sound. The sound of the tide was the only thing that filled the air. The occasional cries of seabirds reached them, and a peaceful time passed. Charlotte, blushing and pale, murmured happily. I wish I could stay here at ...... forever. I guess so. But if you soak in ...... forever, you''ll burn out. It''s a waste of time. "Hmm, that''s sweet. This is not the only way to enjoy a hot spring. What? That''s when Allen grinned. "Sir, I''ve brought your order. Just in time. Thank you. The mermaid concierge sashayed in with a tray. She presented me with a glass bowl of ice cream. It was pure white vanilla ice cream with a cherry on top. When I handed it to her, Charlotte''s face lit up. Ice cream while soaking in a hot spring!¡¡It''s a luxury ......! It''s too early to be surprised. "Immortal Ice. If you snap your fingers, the glass bowl will begin to glow pale. The ice cream doesn''t change its shape in the slightest even if it is hit by the steam, and it remains moderately crispy. Now it won''t melt in the hot water. Savor it slowly. Oh, thank you so much! Charlotte quickly scooped a little bit of ice cream and took a bite. At that moment, her face beamed with happiness. I watched her eating it, thinking how delicious it was, but it seemed that the other customers were doing the same. Everyone was glued to Charlotte''s ice cream, looking at each other and gulping. "Hey, mister!¡¡I want that ice cream too! I want that ice cream too! Don''t tell my mom I''m having a beauty treatment. "No, big brother. Can you put your magic on our ice cream, too? Of course not! Gentlemen. I''ll take your orders in order! Feeling good, Allen agreed. And so, a huge ice cream boom was born in the open-air bath. 61 61 Story Charlottes Desired Place (1) And that night . "Thank you so much for ...... this day! "No, no, no, no. While we were eating at the inn''s restaurant, a mermaid concierge came out of her way to greet us. Apparently, she is one of the most senior staff members at the inn. Her eyes sparkled and she crossed her fingers as if in prayer. Thanks to you, we''ve tripled our ice cream sales today!¡¡In addition, the staff taught me a magic that keeps the ice cream from melting. ...... I can''t thank you enough! I can''t thank you enough!" "Don''t be so dramatic. ...... I didn''t do anything important, so don''t worry about it. Allen chuckled and shook his head. Then Charlotte swallowed her steak and giggled. "Everyone was so happy. You''re an amazing magician, Allen. You ...... just kept the ice cream from melting. But it was true that all the guests in the room had smiles on their faces. It was a simple spell, but it worked. It was supposed to just make Charlotte happy, but people were thanking her all over the place. It was the same as the incident in the city. Hmm. (Hmm... strange things can happen. ......) But in any case, he succeeded in his mission to make Charlotte happy. Thanks to that, Allen was very happy about it. But the mermaid concierge couldn''t seem to thank him enough. She crossed her fingers as if in prayer and looked at Allen with sparkling eyes. Please allow me to thank you. Do you have any plans for sightseeing tomorrow?¡¡If you''d like, we''d be happy to give you our full support! "That''s very kind of you, ......, but I hadn''t really thought about it. All I want to do is go to the spa. ...... The mermaid rubbed her hands smilingly as she and Charlotte looked at each other. You can find a number of tourist attractions in this area, and if you ask me, I can provide you with the perfect plan. "Hmm. What kind of places are there? Well, there are diving spots and swimming beaches. ...... All the places she pointed out were common tourist spots by the sea. I wasn''t particularly interested, but the last one was a little different. There''s also a hill where you can see Fenrir. "What, there are Fenrir around here? Allen''s eyes widened faintly. Fenrir is a very high-ranking demon wolf. It is said that if you can catch a glimpse of it, you will be blessed with good fortune because it has a noble temperament that does not like conflict and rarely appears in public. Allen had seen him once or twice in his life. He was very intrigued, but the mermaid laughed. But I think it would be a waste of time to go now. I''m busy raising my children right now, so I rarely come down from the mountains. I see. ...... Bad timing. But if you''re looking for something demon-related, I can recommend a few more spots. The mermaid''s eyes shone brightly, as if she felt a response. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to hear that. "......? "......? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. 62 62 Stories Charlottes Desired Place (2) And so it was the next day. It was another fine day with mild sunshine, making it a perfect day to go out. I''ll pick you up in the evening. "Yes, thank you. The mermaid concierge drove the carriage back to the inn with a wave of her hand. The lower half of her body is still a fish, but she is very dexterous. It''s a testament to her skill at her job. Anyway, Allen strokes his chin and smiles. "I see. So you wanted to come here. "Huh. ...... Charlotte''s face turns red and she turns her head. But her eyes are glancing forward, half in confusion, half in anticipation. Her eyes also have a certain sparkle to them. In front of them is a colorful entrance gate. There was a sign on it that read. It''s called ...... Unoha Magic Zoo. As the name implies, it is a theme park where demonic animals are raised. In reality, it is more of a research facility, but it is open to the general public and is very popular. There are such facilities all over the world, but this is one of the largest. It seems to have rare monsters such as the Ancient Dragon and the Phoenix, and is very popular among both domestic and foreign visitors. Allen had even heard of it in the past. Allen unfolded the pamphlet and groaned. It would take me a whole day to see it all. Well, let''s take our time. "But are you sure you want to go to ......? Charlotte opens her mouth apologetically. I''m sorry that you have to go along with my ...... selfishness. "Well, I don''t have anywhere else to go. I don''t have anywhere else to go. Allen chuckles and nods his head. "So you like demons, huh?¡¡I didn''t know that at all. It''s not so much the demons as it is the ''petting zoo'' section of the ...... guidebook that caught my attention. "Oh, I see. I see. If you look for the map in the pamphlet, you will certainly find a "petting corner". Apparently, there were docile demons on the loose, and they could be freely fed and petted. Allen was very convinced, but for some reason Charlotte only made smaller and smaller noises. Ugh ...... sorry for being so childish ...... "What are you talking about? Look at that. Huh? He patted Charlotte''s shrinking shoulders and indicated the entrance gate. Inside were families with small children, groups of young people of a similar age to Allen and his friends, and elderly tourists. Charlotte''s mouth dropped open as she looked at them. "This isn''t just a place for kids, is it ......? "You''ll see. Age doesn''t matter at the zoo. So don''t be shy. "Oh, really, ......? Charlotte stared in amazement at the people being sucked into the gate. Seeing her reaction, Allen suddenly realized. ...... Is this by any chance the first time you''ve been in a place like this? Yes. ...... I''ve read about it in picture books, but... A long time ago, when he was still living with his mother, he received a second-hand picture book from a neighbor kid. In the book, which she carefully read until it was worn out, there were many pictures of children wearing headgear and interacting with animals. ....... I''ve always wanted to visit ...... one day. I''ve always wanted to go there." As she spoke, Charlotte stared blankly at the zoo gate with a dreamy look in her eyes. It was a profile like that of a little child left behind,......, and Allen''s chest tightened. But he did not show it, and smiled fearlessly. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Let''s be kids again! "Yes, ......! It''s a great way to get to know the people in your area. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. Today is the day to bring back Charlotte''s lost childhood. I''ll do my best to pamper her and keep her company. That''s what I promised myself. "Ah! As soon as she stepped into the park, Charlotte''s footsteps came to a halt. She wondered what was going on and followed her gaze to see the stand of a store. The item for sale was a fuzzy catsuit with ears that looked like a cat or a dog. Children and couples were buying them in droves, and there was an air of excitement in the air. It was a typical scene of a tourist attraction. Allen chuckled. "Do you want one? "Yeah, yeah, but ...... No need to be shy today. Here, pick a color. Then he took Charlotte to a stand and let her browse. At first he was confused, but soon his eyes lit up and he began to choose. The gloomy colors that had been in the air before she entered the room had all but disappeared. Allen was very happy with it, but ...... soon Charlotte made up her mind. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. "Yeah, I got it. ...... Wait, why are there two? Charlotte chose a pair of light brown cat ears and a pair of white cat ears with a black border. If you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you can always ask her. She looked up at me as if she was praying. "Oh, Mr. Allen, would you like to wear ...... with me? ".................. I''m speechless. There was no other way to react. But it made Charlotte''s shoulders slump. Oh, you don''t like this childish stuff, do you, Mr. Allen? ...... I''m sorry. ...... "How could I not like it?¡¡Shopkeeper!¡¡Pay the bill, please! "Thank you. Allen paid with two silver coins. I''ve had it up to here. And so, both of them wore the cat ears. Charlotte''s were light brown, of course, and Allen''s were white with a border. Charlotte''s eyes sparkled as she stared at Allen''s head. "Wow, ......, that looks great on you!¡¡You''re so cute, Allen! "Oh, yeah, ....... I think Charlotte looks better than me when I say that, but I couldn''t find the right words. It''s not my fault that my smile is drawn out. (I''ll have to delete ...... if anyone I know sees it. Memory or life. It depends on the case. 63 63 Stories Mage Zoo (1) So the two of them headed for the petting area in the back of the park. Inside the fenced-in area, there was a flat lawn with a variety of monsters on the loose. A breed of vorpal bunny, about the size of a man, that has been repeatedly bred to be quiet. A two-necked demon dog named Orthros, who is so polite that some rich people keep him as a guard dog. The hell capybara, which will rampage until it destroys a mountain when it gets hungry, but will remain quiet as long as it is fed. And so on and so forth. Here and there, these demons are eating the food offered by visitors or lying down and showing their bellies. A few keepers were keeping an eye on the animals to make sure that no accidents would occur, but it was a very carefree scene. This made Allen chuckle. It''s a pretty carefree place. How do you like it, Charlotte ...... Charlotte? He spoke to Charlotte next to him, but she didn''t respond. Allen looked over at her and was startled. Charlotte was trembling and looking at the petting zoo with tears in her eyes. Oh, hey. What''s wrong? Are you okay? "No, because ......! I can only assume that there was some serious damage to the linguistic field. At last Charlotte began to cry uncontrollably, and this time she began to worship Allen. I''m so glad I''m alive. ......!¡¡Thank you, Mr. Allen. ...... I have no regrets about seeing heaven like this. ......! No, um, you haven''t even been inside yet. ...... I''ve seen her cry a few times, but this time she looked a little strange. At any rate, Allen twisted his head while offering her a handkerchief. (Is it really that good ......?¡¡It''s just a hairy monster. ......) In Allen''s eyes, they are all just demons. But to Charlotte, they seem to be a sight of paradise. Avoiding provoking her, I gently lead her to the entrance. Anyway, let''s go in. "Yes, ......!¡¡I''ll be fluffing you with all my heart. ......! It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure what to make of it. You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few things to do. I''m sure you''ll understand. "Wow. You startled me. You can speak our language, sir. "Only a little. I know a bit of demon language. It won''t work with high-ranking demons like Fenrir that come out of the hills around here, but you can communicate with small fish like Vorpal Bunny without a problem. The other vorpal bunnies gathered around, probably because it was rare to find a guest who could speak the language of demons. The big rabbits all nodded their heads in agreement. "So, what can we do for you? ''Actually, my companion is very fond of you guys. Would you like to play with him? I''ll buy you as much food as you want in exchange. Yay!¡¡I''ll do it, I''ll do it! The vorpal bunnies squealed happily. The takeover was complete. Allen turns around triumphantly... "Hey, Charlotte. Come here ....... He froze in place. The scene before him was truly bizarre. "Heh heh ......, it''s fluffy ....... A lot of demons had gathered and surrounded Charlotte. There were about a dozen of them. Charlotte sank into a bed of furballs and looked like she was about to melt. Even the stern Ortolos, his eyes shining like a puppy''s, was having his belly stroked by Charlotte. "Ka-pi! The hell capybara, who is supposed to be unusually attached to food, solemnly offers Charlotte an apple. You can find a lot more information on this topic at ....... It was like a ritual to entertain the king of all beasts. "Wow!¡¡I''m not sure what to say. I can''t believe it.¡¡Give me a pat! The vorpal bunnies that Allen had bought were also heading that way on their own. This caused a stir among the other guests. "That lady is amazing!¡¡She''s so popular! So you''re a famous demon hunter. ...... "Oh man. I should have brought my camera. Allen could do nothing but stare in amazement. I stared at the scene and stroked my chin. "No way, he''s ...... 64 64 Stories Mage Zoo (2) It was really, really fun at ......! "Well, that was nice. The two were resting side by side on a bench near the petting area. The two of them rested side-by-side on a bench near the petting area. Charlotte''s skin looked great, probably because she had been enjoying Fluffy for about an hour. Her smile was brighter than usual, and she seemed to be quite satisfied with the experience. The monsters in the petting corner were barking at her from behind the fence. "Yee-hoo! "Woof!¡¡Wan-wan-wan! "Kappy...... "Mmm, I''ve gotten to know you all pretty well. Oh, yeah. I see that. ......? Charlotte smiled and waved to the demons. I''m sure it''s a heartwarming sight at first glance. Allen, who understood the language of demons, could only keep a straight face. If you translate their cries, they sound like this. Onee-san!¡¡Play, play, play!¡¡Stroke me more and more! "Hey, you people!¡¡"Hey, you humans! Touch our lady with even a finger!¡¡I''ll bite off all sorts of vital parts! "My capybara path has been found in serving you. ...... This is fan-calling gone too far. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. Allen looked at it and asked Charlotte. "Hey, I''d like to ask you a few questions. "Yes. What is it? "Have you ever been liked by a demon? "Huh? Charlotte rolls her eyes. "I''ve never been liked by a demon before, or even seen one this close. "I see. Either you haven''t had the chance before, ......, or you''re in a repressed environment and can''t wield your powers properly. What are you talking about? Well, I''ll give you a quick lecture. Let''s have a brief lecture. Allen shrugged his shoulders and began to talk. "There are many kinds of magic and special skills in this world. Some of them require a natural talent. ...... A talent with a sword that can cut through anything and everything. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or not. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or not, but it''s a good thing. And then there''s Charlotte. You may have a talent for ...... demonology. "Well, a demon wizard ......? As the name suggests, it is a person who has the power to communicate with demons and use them. Charlotte had no training whatsoever, yet she was able to charm so many demons. It''s quite possible, isn''t it? When I explained this, Charlotte looked down at her palms with a blank look on her face. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I have ...... that kind of power. Yeah. And it looks like you''re pretty good at it. In the event that you''ve got a lot of money, you''re going to need to be able to pay for it. (......Maybe that''s why the ruffians in town adore Charlotte. ......? If it works on humans as well as demons, there are few precedents. However, if that tremendous power had been used in her family''s home, the dukes,......, her life might have been a little more peaceful. As I stared at Charlotte with a bit of mixed feelings. "Oh, that ......! Mmm. Then a voice called out to me. I looked over and saw a female zookeeper running up to them. Her clothes were covered in mud and she looked pale. She''s out of breath and spinning her words in choppy tones. "Hey, you''re the people who just built a harem at the petting zoo, aren''t you? Are you by any chance one of the famous wizards ......? I''m definitely a wizard,......, but what''s wrong? Allen raised his eyebrows at the unusual appearance. Then she took Allen''s hand and shouted. "Please help us. ......!¡¡We can''t help you. ......! 65 65 Stories Wounded Fenrir (1) They were then taken to a building in the park. Ignoring the sign that said "No entry except by authorized personnel," the keeper walked deeper and deeper into the building. I followed his back to ...... and eventually arrived at a large room. "We have a wizard guest! "Oh, that''s great! The keeper shouted, and there were cheers from everywhere. It seemed to be a laboratory of sorts. It seemed to be a laboratory of sorts, lined with tools for preparing medicines and hay, and full of keepers dressed like the woman who had brought Allen and his friends here. In the midst of all this, an elderly man in a white lab coat approaches Allen cautiously. But you''re still young, by the looks of you. Are you sure you want to go to ......? Then he raises his eyebrows and stares at Allen''s face. "Are you by any chance a son of the ...... Crawford family? ...... Well, yes, I am. Have I met you before? "I''ve seen you once at an open lecture at Athena Academy of Magic. I see. It''s reassuring to know that the Crawfords are here! The man smiled his bearish face and asked for a handshake. I''m the director of this magical zoo. I''m the director of this zoo, and I''m asking for your help. I don''t mind, but ...... what the hell is going on? "You''ll have to take a look at ....... The director, with a hard face, invited Allen and the others to go deeper into the laboratory. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s ......! And Allen was speechless. Inside the cage was a large wolf. Its silvery-white fur was glossy, and its crimson eyes gave the impression of strength of will. It is a very rare species of demon, ...... Fenrir. The adult Fenrir is as big as a house, but this one is no bigger than a human. In addition, its fur was covered in reddish-black dirt, and its low growl had no power. Charlotte gasped and asked in a shaky voice, "Are you hurt? "Are you hurt, ......? Yes,......, I lost my parents and was attacked by poachers. The director shook his head with a somber expression. The fenrir is an endangered species, and unless there is a serious problem, it cannot be killed. However, their pelts and bones can be used to make high-quality magical tools, so there is no end to the poaching. Many zoos are working to protect such rare monsters, try to breed them, and return them to the wild. This is the first time we''ve protected a Fenrir, and none of the staff can communicate with each other, and thanks to ...... we can''t even treat the injuries. That''s definitely a problem ....... Allen raised his eyebrows and slowly approached the cage. He tried to use the demon language as he had spoken to the vorpal bunnies earlier. "Hey, listen to me. We''re not the enemy-- "Aah! Fenrir didn''t listen to him. Fenrir''s eyes were filled with hostility, and he was barking at Allen. Basically, high-ranking demons rarely listen to the words of humans. From their point of view, humans are like slime. If you want to talk to them properly, you have to bring a high level demon wizard or take your time to build a trusting relationship with them. As it is, it will be difficult to get close enough to use recovery magic. In addition, if you irritate her too much, there is a possibility that she will open a wound. "d*mn, ......, that''s still impossible. Allen had no choice but to slowly back away, chuckling at his helplessness. The director sighs as he sees this. He won''t even eat his food. Even if we wait for him to get used to us, I''m not sure if he''s strong enough. ...... "Hmm, is there a demon hunter? As you can see, our staff is not up to par when it comes to Fenrir. ...... We tried contacting other parks, but-- While the director and Allen were discussing this and that. Charlotte crossed her fingers in front of her chest and stared at the cage from afar. You can find a lot more information on this at ....... Seeing her like that made me want to help her even more. It''s just a coincidence. Allen turned to the director and opened his mouth: ....... "Well, I''ll do what I can to help... Oh my God! Then the sound of footsteps rang out. An out-of-breath zookeeper jumped in and shouted. "A Fenrir, who I think is the mother, is heading towards ...... this park! "What the ......? 66 66 Stories Wounded Fenrir (2) The whole place was in an uproar. The director of the zoo turned pale and confronted the keeper who had made the report. That''s absurd!¡¡When we took her into custody, we removed the smell, and we also used the distraction magic!¡¡How did they find out about this place? The only thing I can think of is that their magic was much more powerful. ...... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The director and staff of the park, with a bitter look on their faces. It''s not only the scarcity of the Fenrir that makes it famous, but also its pure strength. An individual over a hundred years old could easily destroy a city. And now it''s approaching this zoo. This is clearly a bad situation. Allen couldn''t help but groan as he felt a nasty sweat running down his back. The zoo is the culprit for kidnapping the child. ...... Is it bad to return her quietly? It''s not safe to let him out of the house. It''s not safe to let him out of the house. In addition, what will the parents think when they see the injured child? ...... "Just adding fuel to the fire. ...... Allen sighed heavily. Then there''s only one thing to do ....... He turns his shoulder lightly and says. It''s no use. I''ll stop your mother. No, ...... even the Crawford boys can''t do that! "No, I''m good at rough stuff. Leave it to me. But I need you to evacuate the guests, just in case. ...... I''m sorry, I understand. ...... Okay, Charlotte, you''re going to have to go with the guests. Mr. Allen! I was about to say, "Run away," when I was interrupted. Charlotte was staring straight at Allen. The light in her eyes is the strongest will I''ve ever seen. You said it earlier. You said earlier that I might have the talent to be a demon wizard. "Yes, I did say that ....... Allen''s brow furrowed. That was all it took for him to understand what Charlotte was trying to say. He shook his head loosely. "...... Don''t do that. It''s too dangerous. But I can''t stand ...... to do nothing. Charlotte was adamant. She bowed her head deeply and pleaded in a shaky voice. I beg you. If I think you are in danger, I will run away immediately. Please let me talk to her! "Charlotte ...... "What the hell is your daughter, ......? The director nodded his head, but the keeper who had brought Allen and his friends in shouted brightly. "Maybe you can, sir!¡¡In the petting zoo, he was able to tame the demons without using any magic at all! But the demons in that place are pretty docile. ...... No matter what, Fenrir is ...... Most of them were skeptical. However, Allen smiles with a slight lift of the corners of his mouth. (Hmm ...... really, you''re changing.) In the past, if Allen had said no, we would have folded immediately. And yet, Charlotte shows no signs of lifting her head. The girl who was like a doll when he first met her is now trying to fight for someone else. This change fueled Allen''s fighting spirit even more. He smiled and patted Charlotte on the shoulder. I''ll take care of it. You''ll have to convince the kid to get the cure. "Yes, sir! Charlotte looked up and clenched her fists. I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to get him to talk to Fenrir''s kid. It seems that he has a high aptitude for demonology. "...... if the Crawford family recommends it. Either way, there''s nothing more we can do. ...... All right, we''re on the same page. There have been times when Charlotte and I have done things together. But this is the first ...... joint front between the two of us. "Okay, let''s go. Let''s go talk to the wolf! Yes! 67 The 67th Story Of The Demon Use (1) So Allen left Charlotte and went out the back of the zoo. The plains that we had seen from the car window when we came to this part of the country stretched on forever. It was still far from dusk, and there was not a cloud in the blue sky. And at the border between the horizon and the sky, there was a faint dust cloud. There was a faint rumbling of the earth and a number of roars. The group was heading straight for us, running at breakneck speed across the plain. I''m not sure what to make of it. It is said that one look at Fenrir will give you good luck. They come in groups. I''m sure Allen''s luck will rise tremendously. He needs to escape from reality for a while. "Oh well. I''ll just put up a barrier while I can. I weave my magic power and create a dome-shaped barrier that covers the entire zoo. The people inside will be safe for now. "Okay. All that remains is ......! Suddenly, a gust of wind rushed behind Allen. He turned around and saw a line of giant fangs. "Garuaaaaa! Fenrir devoured Allen in a single breath. He swallowed him whole from the head up, thrust his fangs into his torso, and swung around like a fool. Normally, he would have died instantly. But Allen, who is still being bitten, slowly moves his right hand and-- "Paralyze! "......? I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. It''s a good thing I used a defensive spell. It''s a diversion. "Grrrrrrr ...... It''s a good thing I used defensive magic. It''s a huge body that you can look up to. It''s about ten meters tall. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your money. It was glaring at Allen with its deadly eyes. This was probably a creature that had lived for over a hundred years, and it was probably the mother of the child. At first, Allen tried to speak to her in the demon language: ....... I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m not sure what to say. "Gaaaaaah! "d*mn ......, you still can''t ......! You''re just like that kid. The other party is unlikely to even stand in the ring for discussion. "Then we''ll have to use ...... force! I''m not sure what to say. A blue light exploded behind Allen, and a number of screams rang out. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. There were about ten of them. All of them were the same size as the ones in the zoo, so I guessed that they were brothers. This is an ice trap that I set beforehand. Now, there''s only one of you left! "Gruaaaaaaa! That declaration was the signal for the war to begin. Charlotte convinced Fenrir''s kid to buy her some time to finish the treatment. But ...... it was a more difficult mission than expected. "Explosive Fire ...... Oh no, Fireball! "Gah! I was about to produce a huge fireball that could outrun Fenrir, but I hurriedly remade it into a basketball-sized one and threw it. But that level of firepower couldn''t even slightly scorch Fenrir''s fur. We had to take it easy on them, but they were naturally unconcerned. He was able to dodge the physical attacks, the strokes of his claws, and the bites of his fangs. (d*mn it, ......!¡¡I can''t cast a more powerful spell. ......! He didn''t want to hurt Fenrir if he could help it. "Ice Bind. "Ah! However, any type of magic that would stop her from moving had no effect on her. Before the ice binding could be completed, she was forced to escape. And just as I was pondering what to do... "Gaaaaaah! "Geez! With Fenrir''s spirited voice, his long body hair shot out like a needle. The hairs rained down, causing a thick cloud of dust to fly all around. Then it shook violently and ...... again, a row of sharp fangs lined up in front of it. Oh, ....... It''s not going to kill you because you''re still under a defensive spell. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. I''m not sure what to say. "Gahhhh ......? "Is ......? A shadow popped up in front of Allen and Fenrir stopped dead in his tracks. Thanks to him, Allen could only roll his eyes. A white ball of fur the size of a man. It was unmistakable. "Vorpal bunny ......? "Kyu! The rabbit-shaped demon from the petting zoo was there for some reason. 68 68 Stories: The Demon Man (2) Fenrir also seemed to be confused by the sudden intruder. He put his killing intent to rest and stared at the vorpal bunny. In the midst of this, Allen suddenly shouted in the demon language. ''Hey, hey!¡¡Hurry up and run! "Why? The vorpal bunny tilted its head up and down. The gesture itself is very comical and friendly. But the situation is too tight right now. And yet the vorpal bunny doesn''t move, just whimpers and whimpers. "We''re all here together. I''m going to stay outside for a while longer. "...... everyone? I twisted my neck at the cryptic words, and then... Boom! Whoa! With a tremendous earth tremor, many shadows descended on the plain. The Ancient Dragon, which boasts a longevity of 10,000 years, the Phoenix, which wears the Eternal Fire on its body, and the Chimera, which has the wings of a hawk and the body of a lion. ....... And then the back gates of the zoo opened, and demons without wings came out in droves. They are probably demons that were raised or protected in the zoo. And they were so well organized that it looked more like a parade than an escape. Allen could only watch in amazement. ....... I''m not sure what to say. Charlotte! Charlotte is coming to us on the back of a hell capybara. The other demons slowly made their way over and stood quietly by her side. Allen rushed over to her. What the heck is this?¡¡What''s wrong with Fenrir''s kid? "Of course ...... it''s fine! Charlotte smiled and at that moment. A large shadow flew over the heads of Allen and the others. Landing lightly on the ground was ...... that scarred silver Fenrir. Although his fur is dirty, his appearance is full of power. The child Fenrir is facing his mother and barking hard. "Gurl, gurl! "Gah ......? The parents narrowed their eyes and listened intently to their child''s voice. The fierceness faded and their expressions softened instead. Apparently, she was explaining the story. Charlotte patted her chest as if relieved. "After Mr. Allen left, I tried my best to talk to her. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who''s had it. "Oh, you really did it ......? Allen just sighs. But that still leaves something to be desired. He looked at the demons lined up around him and asked in a low voice. So what is this ......? I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. You don''t understand ...... the language of demons? Yes, I do. I kind of understand ...... now! Charlotte said without hesitation. It took Allen about six months to learn the rudimentary demon language, but ....... I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. It''s going to be an unbeatable tag team. That''s when I had a hunch. "Garou...... "Whoa! A low roar sounded right behind me, making my shoulders jump. I turned around to see Fenrir''s mother standing there. She looks down at Allen, then at the iced children in her jaws. Charlotte whispers in his ear. She seems to be saying, "I won''t attack you anymore, just let me go. "Oh, yeah. Okay. With a snap of her fingers, the ice melts and the brothers are free. Fenrir''s mother seemed relieved when she saw them shaking their bodies and dripping water. She turned on her heel and was about to leave, but... "Oh, wait, please. Mom! "...... Charlotte called out to her back. Fenrir''s mother slowly turned around. Charlotte pointed to the injured child and then bowed her head. Please let him stay here for one more day. Most of his injuries have healed, but he still needs to be examined. ...... Please help me. "...... Fenrir stares at Charlotte with his ship''s eye. With the tension in the air, Allen braced himself, but it did not turn out ...... as he had feared. "Garou. ...... "Hyah! Fenrir licked Charlotte''s face with his big tongue. The injured child also snuggled up to Charlotte and rubbed against her body in a sweet way. It''s hard to believe that this is the same animal that was growling at her in the cage. There are a lot of things to be puzzled about, but ....... So, ...... it''s all over. I''m sorry. The capybara from hell who brought Charlotte to me encouraged her, saying, "Good job, young man. "Ka-pi-ka-pi. "What?¡¡I''m not sure what you mean by that.¡¡What the ...... hell is that? I put my hand on my head and realized. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. 69 69 At the End of the Journey (1) A night with a full moon. A group of people were wandering in the mountains of the Unoha region under the cover of darkness. All of them were armed, and there was a somber air about them. The man who seemed to be the leader of the group was particularly large and stared at the depths of the forest. "Are you sure it was in this direction? Hey, hey. I''m sure. I saw him coming back from the zoo. Still, it''s a shame you were taken in by the zoo, isn''t it? ...... That''s right. I''ve finally gotten rid of one of the kids. The leader sighs and then smirks. But we''re lucky if there are any more kids. Let''s round them up, shall we? "Yes!¡¡I''ve got all kinds of poisons, and I''m not afraid of my parents! One kid is worth a hundred gold pieces. What should we do when it''s all over? Let''s go to the whorehouse and have some fun! The vile laughter echoed in the dark forest. To all appearances, they are a group of poachers. That''s why ...... has decided what to do with them. "Ice Bind. What? Suddenly the ground beneath their feet froze, and the screams of the men echoed through the mountains. They tried to break the ice that had engulfed them up to their knees, but even with their swords they could not get a scratch. Allen wandered in front of them as they fussed. You''ve really come a long way, haven''t you? It''s nice to be able to read the thoughts of the bad guys. What the hell?¡¡You''re ......! "I''m not worthy of a name. I''m just a chaperone this time. What''s a chaperone ......? The men''s faces turned pale. There was a thud as Fenrir''s mother poked her head out from between the ...... trees. Of course, the other children were with her. She scowled at the group and growled in a low voice. "Garrule, ......! What the hell? That was enough for her to sense Fenrir and the others'' anger. And the fate that awaited them. The men began to shake and beg for their lives. "Please, please, please ......!¡¡Please spare our lives! "What do you mean? Of course we won''t kill them. We''ll just turn him in to the authorities. "Oh, really, ......? The fear is gone from the men''s faces. Allen''s words were true. I asked Charlotte to convince me not to take the life of a poacher if I found one. But ...... of course they will retaliate. "Well, well, well. Before that, ...... "Defense Up. "Heh. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''ve seen it before. It''s a spell that boosts your defense. But it''s a little less effective than that. A slap won''t hurt or itch, but a full-on punch will hurt a bit. It''s the perfect balance. Allen gave the Fenrir family a refreshing smile. "Now, no matter how much you do, you won''t die. Now you won''t die no matter how much you try. Let your resentment out all you want. "Gullllllll! "Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! And so the poachers were gobbled up by Fenrir''s family all night long like bones for a snack. The next morning. "Thank you very much for ......! At the entrance of the hotel, the mermaid concierge bows her head. The mermaid concierge had come all the way to see Allen and his friends off as they were leaving. She continues smiling. "I heard you, sir!¡¡I heard that you saved Fenrir! "Huh. Well. Allen smiled thinly and patted Charlotte on the shoulder. By the way, this is the guy who did it. "Oh, really? What? Charlotte''s voice was shrill. She rolled her eyes and opened her mouth slowly. It was the zoo people who healed Fenrir''s injuries, and Allen-san caught the bad guys, right?¡¡I was just telling you a story. It''s not much. ...... But it wouldn''t have worked out the way it did without you. Fenrir''s child continued to refuse treatment, and the parents'' anger did not stop. If that had happened, Allen would have hurt Fenrir''s parents to protect the zoo. "So, you can take credit for this. You should be proud of yourself. "I, of ....... Charlotte pouted and stared at her hands. The mermaid turns to her and bows her head again. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Now you can see them healthy again! "...... Yes! Charlotte responded with a bright smile. The three-day, two-night trip to the hot springs was a fun and ...... rewarding event for Charlotte. 70 The Seventy At the End of the Journey (2) I will have to thank Miaja and the people of the city when I get back. Although he had some reservations about the travel plan, ...... Allen was generally satisfied. Now then, let''s go home. "The carriage is ready for you. This way, please. Thanks for your help. ...... What? What''s up? Charlotte suddenly turns her head in the direction of the day after tomorrow. I''m not sure what to make of that. Whoa. At that moment, a large shadow landed on the ground. It was Fenrir''s mother who made the heavy thud. The other children came one after another, and at once the front of the hotel became noisy. "Aaaaah!¡¡It''s Fenrir!¡¡And there''s so many of them!¡¡I''ve never been able to see them so close in my two hundred years of ...... life! The mermaids start to get excited, but the other guests react in different ways, running away in surprise and shouting with joy. Allen looks up at Fenrir''s mother and nods his head. Allen looks up at Fenrir''s mother and nods his head, "Did you come by any chance to say hello? "Gawd. She squealed lightly in a good mood. Peeking out from underneath her feet was ...... a child with silvery body hair. The blood stains were cleaned off and his steps were light. Apparently, he was returning from a pickup at the zoo. Charlotte''s face lit up at the sight of him. "Wow!¡¡That''s Fenrir from yesterday! "Woof! "So you''re all better now. I''m glad. Fenrir''s child squinted happily as Charlotte stroked him. Allen was uncharacteristically heartened by the peaceful scene. ...... Fenrir continued to woof, and Charlotte rolled her eyes. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡Are you sure ......? "What''s wrong? Charlotte stroked Fenrir''s head and said, "What''s wrong? This girl probably ...... wants to go with us, she said. "What? Allen was indeed surprised, but it seemed to be the right decision. His mother and the rest of his siblings were unconcerned. It was as if he had come to see his family off. ....... It was as if they were at a family send-off.¡¡He''s a precious child. "Gululu! The sound of Fenrir''s mother''s cry was somehow understandable to Allen. I think she''s trying to say that a pretty child should be allowed to travel. Charlotte raised her eyebrows anxiously. But, ...... aren''t you going to be lonely away from your family? It''s probably nothing to worry about. The mermaid concierge responds. I''m not sure if your home is in the Grolle region.¡¡With Fenrir''s legs, it only takes about an hour to get back here. It''s like a little boarding house. "I see. That''s good for Allen. He bent down a little and looked into the silver Fenrir''s eyes. Yesterday, there was only hostility. ...... Today, there is a gentle light. "Okay, then you can come to my house. Make friends with Charlotte. Whoa! Are you sure?¡¡I''m not the only one who''s going to be in trouble here. ...... I don''t care. The house is large and far from the city. The house is large and far away from the city. Even if the family grows a little larger, it won''t bother anyone. There is a lot of nature around, so you can take walks, and Allen has experience raising demons. In other words, there is no problem at all. He explained, and Allen grinned at the same time. And it''s good to have a family. "Well, family ...... for me, too? What do you mean? Of course it is. Charlotte is puzzled, and Allen nods his head. Although he was confused when he was called a husband and wife or a couple,......, he could say this with pride. You''re my family. "............ "Mmm. What''s wrong with you? What''s the matter? Did I say something funny? No, no, nothing. ...... "Garou, ....... Charlotte turned red and silent, and for some reason Fenrir''s mother gave her a half-hearted look. The child, like Allen, just nodded his head. In the midst of all this, a mermaid who seemed to have sensed something said briskly with a dazzling sales smile. In the meantime, a mermaid who seemed to have figured out what was going on briskly said with a dazzling sales smile, "Well then, ......, I hope you''ll use our hotel for your real honeymoon. 71 Seventy-one Stories One Day in Summer and forbidde... In the garden under the summer sun. Charlotte clears her throat with a serious face. She is wearing a short-sleeved blouse and a short skirt, a cool outfit, but the air around her is tense. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. Her crimson eyes shine brightly, and her silvery-white fur shines beautifully in the sunlight. The other day, a rare demon that had befriended Charlotte by chance was sitting in front of her, well-behaved, waiting for instructions to be given. Charlotte takes a deep breath and tells her. "First up is ...... your hand! "Wow! I put my paw on the palm of Charlotte''s hand. Next, a refill! "Woof! "Sit! "Gah! Down! "Woof! Fenrir dutifully complied with every command. Charlotte''s eyes lit up as she stroked his head. "That''s great!¡¡Good job, Lu! "Woof, woof! You''re really fast. ...... Allen, who was watching, couldn''t help but roll his eyes at this. He flipped through the "Introduction to Demonology" book he was holding in one hand. It was a book he had bought in town the day after returning from his trip. The last chapter of the book is about ''giving orders to demons you have befriended''. In other words, Charlotte had finished her introduction quickly. Closing the book, Allen chuckled. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. "It''s not me, it''s Lu. Here you go, Lu. Here''s your reward. "Wow. Charlotte said and gave Fenrir''s child, Lu, a bone as a treat. I''ve given him a name, and we''ve established a good relationship of trust. You can''t complain about your start as a demon hunter. Lu is contentedly chewing on the bone and laying around. She was a little sad to be away from her parents at first, but she seems to have gotten used to this house. "Good, good, good. You take good care of Charlotte. "Woof. When Allen stroked her head, Lu''s eyes narrowed and she made a small noise. Lu''s reaction to Allen''s petting of her head was a little more casual than his reaction to Charlotte. She is clearly making a distinction. It made Allen feel even better that he had a good eye for people. In the midst of this, Charlotte bowed her head and smiled. Thank you very much, Mr. Allen. You''ve taught me a lot. "Oh, it''s nothing to be concerned about. It''s an interesting subject for me, too. Allen replied with a hawkish smile. On the way back from a recent trip. On the way back from a recent trip, in the carriage with Lu, Charlotte announced as if she had made up her mind. "How can I ...... study to be a demon hunter? I want to learn what my powers are. For Charlotte''s sake, Allen did his best to start teaching her about demonology. The skills unique to demon users, the types of demons that exist in this world, and so on. It''s not a good idea to start off with too many lessons, so for now, the lessons are still modest, about an hour a day. Even so, Charlotte is making remarkable progress, making sure to study and review every day. (It''s really good to have a field of interest, isn''t it ......? (It''s really good to have a field of interest, isn''t it?) It''s a far cry from the days when she was too lazy to count the grains on the floor. 72 Seventy-two Stories One Day in Summer and forbidde... Charlotte nodded her head in response to Allen''s sigh. But when you were at ...... school, you were called the Great Demon King, weren''t you, Allen? What''s wrong with that? I don''t think he''s that scary. ...... Charlotte raised her eyebrows in annoyance and described the class. He explains everything in detail and praises your quiz scores. Isn''t he a very kind teacher? Isn''t it a mistake to call him the Great Demon King? "Haha, the students are so good now. I just don''t have the time to strike them with lightning. Oh, come on. You''re so good. Charlotte''s cheeks flushed red and she smiled. Of course, his method of teaching her was completely different from the usual one. If Megus, who knows her from her days as an instructor, or Glow, the leader of Serpent Fang, who has been training her lately, were to see her, they would be shocked at how lenient she is. However, it is also true that Charlotte is excellent. She would review her mistakes and make sure she could answer them perfectly by the next time, and she would even read books about demons on her own. He is a very motivated student, and it is very worthwhile for Allen to teach him. Let''s go see some wild demons sometime. Maybe we should go see some wild monsters some other time, or maybe we should go to a demon wizard tournament. A tournament at ......? Yeah. You compete against each other with the demons you''ve tamed. I think there''s a big one in early fall. Yeah, that''s ....... Charlotte stroked Lu''s head and pondered absentmindedly. She was a wanted woman at the moment. The city''s most wanted list is down, but the bounty on her head is still alive and well. You should probably avoid conspicuous behavior, but ...... Allen wanted you to have a big goal. Anyway, the decision is Charlotte''s. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. Well, we''ll talk about that later. First of all, congratulations on your ''hand''. "Huh?¡¡Congratulations? ......? Whaaaat? You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. Of course, Lu followed with a light step. There was a small ...... square-shaped pool. The pool is only about knee-deep, but it is filled with clear water and looks cool. "Is this ......? It''s going to be hot. Allen smiled wryly at Charlotte''s pouting. The baths aren''t bad, but I thought it would be better if Lu had her own bathing area. So I made one. I''ve been working on it secretly in between, so that they wouldn''t notice. The system not only draws water from the underground vein, but also filters it properly. The water is clean enough to be used as drinking water, so you can play without worry. When I explained this, Charlotte''s eyes lit up. It''s amazing!¡¡Thank you very much!¡¡I''m so happy for you, Lu! "Wow! Apparently, Lu liked it too. He dipped his paws in the water to check the temperature of the water. Then he walked into the water. Come on, let''s go in and see how it works. "Yes, sir! Charlotte also took off her shoes and followed Lu. One of them and one of the others were cautiously enjoying the water at first, but ...... Lu soon got used to it. He would bathe in the water with his whole body, shivering and letting the droplets fly. It''s cold, Lu. It''s cold. "Whoo! Charlotte and her friends are sparkling. Allen watches from the shade of a tree and chuckles. "It''s so peaceful. ...... I knew it was out of character. He knew it was out of character, but he couldn''t find a better way to describe the current situation. I wish these unchanging days would go on forever. Thinking about this, I suddenly remembered something from ....... I''m sure you''ll love our hotel for your real honeymoon. It was the words left by the mermaid concierge who took care of me the other day. I''m not sure what to say. Allen did a dexterous imitation of a remembered cardiac arrest (???????). He regularly recalled this phrase, and this is how he usually suffered a little damage to his heart. 73 Seventy-three Stories One Day in Summer and forbid... Up until now, Allen had never been involved in frivolous conversations. He snickered at his peers who neglected their studies in favor of women, and wondered why they wasted their energy and precious time. But now that I''m in that position, I understand ....... You become aware of it at a moment''s notice. Your hand stops working. Your thinking stops completely. You can''t think of anything else, and you can''t even blink. You feel happy when she laughs, and you feel heartbroken when she is sad. Every move she makes disturbs Allen''s heart in a thousand ways. Therefore, Allen was beginning to understand what these feelings were called. (After all, I''ve been thinking about Charlotte for ......) I''ve been putting off conclusions and turning a blind eye. But that was no longer enough. Someone whispered to me that it would be easier if I just admitted it. The forbidden box is right in front of you. As Allen reached for the box with a trembling hand... "......, Mr. Allen! "Whoa! Then he looked up with a start. You''ll find that Charlotte and Lu have entered the bathing area and are looking at you with concern. "Mr. Allen, how can I help you?¡¡You look like you''ve been thinking about something. ...... No, no, ...... no problem. I was just thinking about something. Allen smiles deceptively. And then he put the forbidden box back in the back of his mind. (It''s best if it stays ...... like this.) Charlotte finally found out what she wanted to do and started to change. The only thing Allen can do at such a critical time is to watch over her and support her. If he becomes aware of these feelings, he will not be able to resist them. He would immediately take her hand and shout out the decisive words. And that would be sweet Charlotte. Even if she doesn''t want to, she will respond to Allen''s feelings and whisper false love to him. That would mean that she, who had begun to walk on ...... her own feet, would return to being a will-less doll. That''s why Allen has decided to keep his emotions bottled up. So Allen decides to seal up his emotions, so tightly that they will never come back. With his mind made up, he turns his attention back to Charlotte. Then ...... quickly looked away. The water had soaked Charlotte''s clothes, making them quite transparent. You can even see the color of her underwear. You can see the color of her underwear, and she doesn''t seem to notice. ...... You should get up now. It''s getting cold. "Oh, wow. Allen snaps his fingers, and a bath towel falls from the sky. Charlotte pulled it over her head and smiled. I''ll do it then. What about you, Lu? "Ooo-roo. "Hmm. Take your time. Sitting at the edge of the pool, Charlotte wipes her hair. Allen sits next to her. As she dipped her feet into the cool water, she felt her worries slipping away. Charlotte nodded her head as she watched Lu play in the pool. It''s such a big garden, isn''t it? Why don''t you use it for more things? "Hmm. Well, maybe we can expand the garden. The garden is unnecessarily large enough to build another mansion. But for now, the only area that was being used properly was the one where Allen was cultivating the various herbs used to make potions. It''s not a bad idea to grow vegetables and flowers now that your family has expanded. But ...... that would require a lot of maintenance. Allen looked around the garden and said. We bought this place three years ago, and the weeds have expanded their territory even more than they did then. There''s a lot of work to be done on ......, including mowing, leveling, and removing pebbles. If you want, you can call up Megath or Glow. I''m sure Megus would be more than happy to work in a flower shop, and I''m sure the Glow gang would be more than happy to work if Charlotte wanted them to. Well, we''ll think about that later. It seems that the previous owner hadn''t done much to the garden. Were there other tenants before you, Mr. Allen? Yes. I''ve never met any. I never met him. Apparently, the previous owner disappeared one day about thirty years ago. "............ What? 74 74 Stories Basement Residents (1) It''s a great way to get to know the people in your area. But Allen didn''t notice, and continued to talk in whispers as he watched Lu enjoying a dip in the water. Thirty years ago, there was an eccentric elf living in this house. She didn''t live in the city, she didn''t socialize, she was busy with her research and she lived at her desk with only a pen and paper as her friends. But one day, she suddenly disappears from her house. It is said that she was eaten alive by a magical creature of her own creation. She may have devised a magic to cross over to another world and left this world. Or maybe she fell in unforgivable love with a human man and chose suicide. "Thanks to such rumors, this mansion is much cheaper than the market price, ......," he said. What''s wrong? Finally, I noticed that Charlotte was looking very pale. She gulped and then opened her mouth. "I read about it in a book the other day. ...... "What? "What, of course, is a ...... haunted house! "What ......? Allen could only twist his head. But Charlotte''s face is still blue as she rambles on. A person who has died leaving a lasting impression becomes a ghost and haunts the house. ......!¡¡And it haunts the visitors!¡¡It''s a very scary story. ......! I''ve been reading a lot of popular novels lately. I''ve been reading not only books for study, but also novels and general education books. Allen encouraged him to broaden his horizons, but he did not know what kind of books he was reading. ...... I''m sure the elf has become a ghost and is haunting this house,......!¡¡Ugh ......, I''m so scared ......! That''s ridiculous. I''ve been living here for about three years now and I''ve never encountered a ghost of any kind. Charlotte shivered and Allen could not help but laugh. When I hear noises in the night, it''s usually wind or wildlife. I''ve never seen anything strange or supernatural. And don''t worry. If there''s a ghost, I''ll get rid of it. What?¡¡Mr. Allen, you can get rid of ghosts too? Of course I can. Those are just the residual thoughts of the dead, they are no match for the living. In rare cases, there are ghosts that have the power to haunt and kill the living, but there is no sign of them in this house. Even if there were ghosts, they would probably just wander around and do no harm. If you see one, you can tell me. If you see one, tell me and I''ll make it vanish in an instant. "Well, that''s just sad. ...... Charlotte was a little taken aback. Charlotte''s sympathy for ghosts, even when they are supposed to be scary, is typical. Allen chuckled. I mean, it''s not like he''s dead, either. Long-lived races like elves tend to disappear at a moment''s notice. Most likely they got tired of living here. I see. ...... It''s more peaceful there, isn''t it? Isn''t it?¡¡So... "Huh? Then Lu made a strange noise. You''ll find her in the pool, holding something in her mouth. Her brow is furrowed and she has a troubled expression. "What''s wrong, Lu? "Gahhh. "Oops. ...... What''s this? Allen twisted his head as he caught what Lu had thrown to him. It was a white mushroom. It was the size of the palm of his hand, and the umbrella part was round like a ball. If you look closely, you can see other similar mushrooms floating on the surface of the water, which is quite a bizarre sight. Were they pumped up from the underground swarm ......?¡¡Oh, Lu. Don''t eat them. I was about to say, "Don''t eat it. ...... That''s when. I was about to say, "Don''t eat it. "Hey! "......? Suddenly, a woman''s angry voice echoed through the garden. Allen quickly turned around to protect Charlotte, ...... rolled his eyes and froze. The woman had poked her head out of the ground. I thought she was buried, but it seems that there was a hidden door leading to the basement. She had dark skin and silvery white hair. She has a beautiful face, but she wears thick glasses and a slouchy shirt. His hair is shaggy and he doesn''t seem to care about his appearance at all. But for some reason, she was glaring at Allen and the others as if she was looking for revenge. She sticks her index finger at us. "You''re the ones who stole my precious food, aren''t you? "Food, ............? Allen could only parrot back as he grabbed the mushroom. 75 75 Stories Basement Residents (2) "Well, you gave us a scare. I''m sorry. Oh, ....... "Uh, ......? Allen and Charlotte looked at each other and could not help but reply. They are in the basement of the garden. At the end of the rope ladder, there was a small room. A bookshelf, a bed, a small writing desk. In the corner of the room, there is a simple cooking set piled up, and in the back, there is even a room for growing mushrooms. The room is small but comfortable, with magical lights shining brightly. The woman who invited us in smiled and offered us a cup. Her shirt was so loose-fitting that it covered her hips. She was wearing nothing else. It''s not s*xy, it''s just plain slutty. "What do you think, my special mushroom soup? It''s pretty good, huh? No, thank you. ...... The cup was filled with a mysterious liquid that turned purple or reddish brown depending on the light. There was also a bitter-sweet-sour smell in the air, like the smell of fruit left out in the hot sun for several days. How could such a liquid be produced from such an odorless white mushroom? I was somewhat curious, but I wasn''t prepared to poison myself. Charlotte, too, silently looked away. Lu, by the way, is staying above ground. Apparently, there was an unpleasant smell coming from the basement, and she rejected it with a straight face and a shake of her head. To be honest, Allen didn''t want to come either, but he had no choice. The woman put her cup away and shrugged her shoulders. "So, Mr. Allen, ......?¡¡You guys built an above-ground pool and my mushrooms got pumped up. I know you didn''t steal it, but ...... it''s really annoying. I apologize for that, but ...... Allen gives a small bow. It is true that I have ruined her food. But ...... there were a lot of problems. Allen stared the woman straight in the eye. "...... Who the hell are you? What''s your name?¡¡You haven''t introduced yourself yet. The woman proudly states her name. I''m Dorothea Grimm-Warrenstein. Please feel free to call me Dorothea! No, that''s not what I meant. ...... How long have you been living in this basement? From the look of the room, I''d say you''ve been here for more than a day or two. If someone suspicious was coming and going in the garden, Allen would have noticed it. And now that Charlotte is here, I don''t think I''ve let my guard down. And yet, this suspicious person. It''s hard not to be suspicious. Is this really the ghost that haunts the ...... house? "Oh, ......!¡¡You''re really here, aren''t you ......! Charlotte is frightened and clings to Allen''s arm. The sudden contact almost made Allen''s heart stop a little, but he held on with iron will. "Yurei?¡¡What are you talking about? On the other hand, the woman, Dorothea, only twisted her head. She crossed her arms and pondered. But when did you start ......? Actually, I don''t understand it at all. "What do you mean you don''t know? What do you mean you don''t know?" "I''ve been hiding for a while because I needed to hide from people. I''m the one who wants to know. Dorothea stares at Allen. "Who the hell are you people?¡¡Why are you here? Who are you? We live in the house up here. ...... What?¡¡This is my house!¡¡What are you doing living here without permission? What are you talking about? ...... Wait a minute. That''s when Allen realized what was going on. I''m not sure what to make of this. They were clearly not human. Those ears are definitely not human. You''re not the ...... elves from the previous inhabitants who disappeared thirty years ago, are you? What? "Three ...... years? I''m not sure what to make of it. Dorothea rolls her eyes, but quickly strokes her chin and snorts sincerely. "Wow, it''s been that long already, hasn''t it? No wonder the scenery outside has changed a bit. "Well, thirty years is ......!¡¡Mr. Dorothea, you look as old as Mr. Allen! Well, elves age extremely slowly. ...... Hence, elves have a very different sense of time than humans. From her point of view, thirty years would have been a blink of an eye. Even so, much mystery remains. 76 76 Stories Basement Residents (3) I don''t believe it, but you''ve been living on ...... mushrooms for the past thirty years? Yes, I have. We elves are ridiculously fuel efficient. "Yes, we elves are ridiculously fuel-efficient," Dorothea says without hesitation. In addition, I''m a Dark Elf, the most elite of the Elves. If I absorb the mana in the air, I can go a hundred years without eating or drinking. "A hundred years!¡¡Elves are amazing, aren''t they? I''ve heard that some people can do it. ...... In contrast to Charlotte''s honest admiration, Allen could only raise an eyebrow. Elves are a race that lives close to nature. They mainly live in villages deep in the forest, and they sometimes get their energy from plants and flowers. However, they are also living beings. They may be vegetarians, but they eat well. A hundred years of ...... without eating or drinking is a feat that can only be accomplished by high ranking elves who have gained considerable strength. (What kind of circumstances would force such an elf to go into hiding for thirty years ......? It''s just too quaint. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I think it''s a good idea. "Ugh, ...... that''s what it''s going to look like, ....... Allen had to look away. (Well, ......!¡¡If the previous residents were still living in the house, it would be very bad ......! There is no doubt that this is a legally contentious issue, and it could even go to court. In the worst case, Allen and his friends would have to leave the house. They may get some money from the real estate agent, but it''s not a matter of ...... money. This house is just right for Charlotte, a wanted woman. It''s far from the city and not many people visit. She''s just getting used to living here and it would be a pity to move her somewhere else. But building another house in the woods is not a good idea either. I''m sure Charlotte will be worried about the huge building costs. No moving, no building. So the only way left for Allen is to negotiate. "Hey, Dorothea. I''d like to talk to you about something. ...... "Yes? Allen briefly asked Dorothea if he could have the house. Dorothea pondered, and then simply said. I don''t mind. I''m more comfortable in this basement. You can use the house as you like. "Great, thanks. Then we''ll discuss the price later. ...... No, I don''t want any money. What? Allen rolls his eyes and Charlotte nods her head. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s a very interesting combination. What the hell are you talking about ......? I''m going to offer you a little something in exchange. Dorothea grinned. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I have. That''s the price of the house. It''s a simple deal. "Wouldn''t ...... money be quicker and more convenient? No, it''ll be quicker if you two work together. Wow, is there something I can help you with? Of course!¡¡I can''t start without you two! The mystery only deepened. Allen glared at Dorothea. "So, what exactly do you want me to do? "Hmmm... ......, that''s obvious. Dorothea took out a notepad and pen out of nowhere and pointed the pen at the two of them. I''m not sure what to make of this.¡¡It''s also for the sake of the new work of Dorothea, the rare romance novelist! "What? 77 77 Stories Forced Love Comedy Strategy (1) "............ Um. "............mm In the living room, on the usual sofa. Allen and Charlotte were sitting side by side as usual. But they were not drinking tea or chatting. They were just frozen in place. They tried to say something, but couldn''t come up with the right words and fell silent. You can''t even look at the other person''s face. As a result of this, the meaningless exchanges described above continued in vain. In the torturous silence... "Cut, cut, cut! A boisterous voice echoed. Of course, it''s Dorothea who comes barging in with her footsteps echoing. Dorothea, of course, barges in with her footsteps. I told her to flirt with me!¡¡I told you to flirt, and you just shut up!¡¡You can talk more frankly with men and women you''ve never met before! I''m sorry to hear that, but ...... Yes, ....... The two of them can only look at each other awkwardly. Nearby, in the sun, Lu is taking a nap on her favorite blanket. She glanced at him once in annoyance, but quickly closed her eyes and went back to her dream. Allen was truly envious. Dorothea folded her arms and groaned. It would be better if you just did what you always do. I''m not asking you to kiss me in front of me. "Ch-ch-choo ......? Charlotte froze stiffly. Allen was also blatantly damaged by the word, but managed to keep his sanity. "No, Dorothea. I think you''re making a big mistake. ...... He raised his hand cautiously, and then trailed off. We''re not ...... on the same page, but we''re ...... not on the same page. "What? Dorothea frowned blatantly. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. I don''t care. "I hope you don''t mind. It''s our terminology. It''s delicious. Dorothea scribbles something in her notepad with a smile. Dorothea was smiling as she wrote something in her notepad. When Charlotte saw her, she tilted her head. "Dorothea, are you really a novelist at ......? "Yes, I am. "Yes, I am, and I used to be a very successful one. Dorothea answered proudly. Allen suddenly remembered and stroked his chin. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that there were a lot of books of fiction left behind by the previous inhabitants ....... "That''s probably the book I wrote. It was a lot of fun back then. Dorothea''s eyes narrowed and she looked off into the distance. I was so impressed by human literature that I came out of the Elven village by myself. Her first manuscript caught the attention of a publisher, and her debut novel was published. Since then, he has produced many works. After recounting the story of his life, he looked away with a ...... huff. But I fell into a super-slump and couldn''t write a single word even though the deadline was near, so I ...... holed up in that basement. It''s a nostalgic story. "I don''t believe you''ve been holed up in ...... for thirty years just to escape a deadline? It is a piece of crap to say the least. I''m not sure what to make of this. "Because my editor is really scary. If I had shown him a blank manuscript, he would have drowned me in the sea! It would have been better for me if you''d just disappeared into the sea. ...... "Haha, Mr. Allen is so funny. How can you make jokes with such a scary face? "...... Dorothea giggled. This is a great way to make sure that you don''t end up with a lot of problems. 78 78 Story Forced Love Comedy Strategy (2) But ...... my slump of thirty years has come to an end! Dorothea barks, pointing her index finger at Allen and the others. Her eyes shine brightly, and she radiates the intimidation of a predator. When I saw the two of them, I got the jitters!¡¡I knew that this combination would be a good reference for my next work!¡¡That''s why I want you to make out with her as soon as possible! That''s why I want you to flirt with me!" "So, we don''t get along like that. ...... If that''s the case, I don''t care if you''re acting!¡¡I''m asking you to do this! "Even if you say so, ...... Allen choked on his words. I don''t know what to do, even if you''re asking me to flirt. In addition, Allen has just sealed off his feelings for Charlotte. If he provokes her too much, it will come out. If that happens, ...... there will be no way to recover. That''s when he found a way out. He patted Charlotte on the shoulder. No, I''m going to have to say no!¡¡I don''t think Charlotte would like that! "What?¡¡Is it me, ......? Yeah. Pretending to be a lover with a man you don''t like is ...... impossible, isn''t it? I''m sure most women would not like that. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that.¡¡If it had been a normal woman, she would certainly not have liked it. But Charlotte paused and then ...... turned her head slightly. And then, in a mosquito-like voice, she said. It''s not that I don''t want to ...... I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. I didn''t understand her words right away. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. There was a faint hint of vermilion on her cheek. Charlotte slowly raised her head and looked up at Allen. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that. I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure what to do. It''s because Allen hit his head on a nearby wall. He hit his head with all his might. That made Lu get up and scream in protest, "Gah! in protest. Charlotte rushed over to Allen, who was cowering on the floor. What''s wrong, Mr. Allen?¡¡Are you okay? "Oh, ......, I''m sorry. I''m sorry. I almost lost my mind and had to administer first aid. What the ...... hell is wrong with you? Your forehead is all red! Oh, yeah, yeah. No problem. I''m fine. My heart was racing as Charlotte looked into my face with concern, though I was slightly calmer now that I had hit my head. My body became so hot that it felt like it was on fire, and my breathing started to become quite erratic. I felt as if my emotions, which I had sealed up tightly, were about to overflow. (This is not good. ......!¡¡(Oh no, ......!) Even a makeshift first aid would not work. ......! It would be useless to stop my heart. Dorothea cheers as Allen suffers, unable to move. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I knew my romantic comedy antennae were in order!¡¡You can''t see this kind of fresh, raw romantic comedy even if you pay for it! He continued to cackle and scribble away on his notepad at a furious pace. He seems to be enjoying himself very much. Allen felt a strong urge to kill her, but he managed to overcome it with his steel will. 79 79 Stories Forced Love Comedy Strategy (3) Dorothea scribbled a few words on her notepad, then looked at Allen and smirked. Charlotte seems to be fine. What about Mr. Allen? What do you mean? "Pretend girlfriend. Why don''t you like him? Allen choked on the question with a grin. It''s too dirty a question. He knew that Charlotte would be hurt the moment he said "no". But I was also afraid to assert that I wanted to pretend to be her lover. The moment he said it, something would end. Allen hesitated and hesitated and hesitated. ....... "Hmm, if that''s the case ...... He smiled briskly at Charlotte with determination. This kind of childish play is also in the ...... wrong category! Is that so? Yes, it is!¡¡So let''s do it for now!¡¡It''s a game and it''s not intended to be a game, so come on!¡¡Hey! ...... I don''t know what it is, but I think I got away. Dorothea clucked her tongue at him. But we got through it. Allen is relieved. (Let''s just do the rest ......, it''s impossible for us to pretend to be lovers ......) Charlotte didn''t seem to mind playing along, but she was almost as frozen as Allen was. Even if she tried to pretend to be his girlfriend, she wouldn''t be able to do anything about it. Allen had no idea what would happen to ...... him if he was approached aggressively. Anyway, I''ll try to behave like I always do. When he had made up his mind, Dorothea said in a light-hearted tone. So now that we''re on the same page. From now on, you can flirt with me as I instruct you. What? It was truly a bolt from the blue. But Dorothea made it easy for her. But Dorothea simply said, "Of course not. If I wait for you to voluntarily flirt with me, even I, an elf, will die of old age. "That''s it?¡¡Is that so much to ask of you? I wanted to think that after all these years, I would be able to do something about it ....... But this development is very bad. I was relieved that neither of us would be able to do anything voluntarily. And yet, with a third party, and this Dorothea''s instructions, it would not be a good thing. While Allen was shaken, Dorothea smiled at him. I''m a master of romance, and I''ve made tens of thousands of readers fall in love with me!¡¡I''m sure I can make you both fall in love with me in no time! If you''re a master, don''t drag us into this. ...... You can write about your own experiences. I''ve never been in love myself. "So you can write a romance novel with ...... that? "Absolutely. If you can only write about what you''ve really experienced, all historical novelists are mass murderers. Dorothea said, and turned her distant gaze toward the day after tomorrow. I''m not sure what to make of that. Creators like us are like creepy bugs behind a big stone. We are those fragile creatures who create works driven by our longing for the sun, and die the moment we adapt to the sun. ...... "Isn''t that a statement you should apologize to all the creators in the world for? "But don''t they also say that virgins can draw more erotic works? I don''t know anything about that crazy myth. Mr. Allen, Mr. Allen. What''s ......? Forget it right now. What? Yes, sir. Looking Charlotte straight in the eye, Allen gave her a sincere warning. 80 The Beginning of Love Rice (1) This elf is very bad for Charlotte''s education. But ...... it''s clear that if she doesn''t obey, she''ll be kicked out of the house. You can''t turn your back on that. Allen shook his head in resignation. "Fine, ...... I''ll do what you say. But! He stands over Dorothea as if to protect Charlotte, and sticks his forefinger at her. I''m not going to do anything that would violate public order and morals!¡¡I''ll definitely defend Charlotte''s dignity. ......! "My genre is pure love. I''m not going to ask you to do that. "My specialty is pure love stories," said Dorothea smugly. You can''t trust her. She didn''t care if Allen was staring at her or not, she just kept talking. I''m sure you''ll understand. Hmm, what is the relationship between you two, by the way? "Well, we''re sort of employer and servant, ....... I''ll skip the details and give you a brief synopsis of the last two months since we met. In the meantime, "living together under one roof ......?¡¡Why doesn''t anything happen with that? ...... Oh man, modern people ......," came the playful mutterings, but I kept them quiet. Dorothea crossed her arms and pondered, then patted her hand. All right, then, let''s do this. After many twists and turns, the two of you started dating three days ago. "Oh, ....... Three days ago to ......? Well, well, well. Have a seat. At Dorothea''s urging, they sat down side by side on the sofa. Now the arrangement is back to normal. As they look at each other in confusion, Dorothea speaks from behind them as if she were reading a poem. And now for the important part. You have both been in love with each other for a long time. They''ve been thinking about each other for a long time, but they haven''t had the courage to move forward and tell each other how they feel. "...... Dorothea''s words were painful to hear. Allen shut down his feelings for Charlotte. It was a choice he made out of love for her, but ...... was it really just that? Isn''t it simply because he was blown away by a cowardly wind? I could not read the depths of my own heart. Even though he knew it was a playful setup, Allen became immersed in Dorothea''s story. Then one day, Charlotte got caught up in an incident and was kidnapped from in front of Allen. "What the ......? What''s going to happen to me, ......? "Of course Mr. Allen will rescue you. Of course Mr. Allen will rescue you, but there are many obstacles in the way. "Of course, Mr. Allen will rescue you, but there are many obstacles in the way..." Dorothea tells her story, hurried by a harried Charlotte. It was a tale of adventure so tumultuous that it was hard to believe it had been improvised, and Allen couldn''t help but listen. The story comes to a successful end. And so, Allen reaffirmed his feelings for Charlotte. He rescued her, confessed his feelings to her, and the two were united in love. So that''s it! Well done. ...... "Mmm... ...... That''s what I call a novelist. As he listened to Dorothea''s story, Allen felt as if he had actually been involved in the incident and his confession had been successful. Charlotte, on the other hand, was frozen in place with a bright red face. Dorothea walked directly in front of them and continued. And today is three days after that!¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to make of this. And it''s a situation that will make you blush just hearing about it. (What the heck are they going to make you do with such a horrible setting? ......? If you were asked to whisper your love or confess your love, your heart would surely burst. Allen opened his mouth, ready to die. So ...... what should we do? "It''s obvious. Based on what we''ve just seen, we''ll go with ....... Dorothea smiled and said, "Hold my hand. I want you to hold my hand and look at each other. "What about ......? 81 The Beginning of Love Rice (2) "Hold my hand. ...... Are you sure that''s all you want to do? Yes!¡¡I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to say. But for some reason, Charlotte next to him was very upset. Allen did not understand why. He held her hand, looked her in the eye, and talked to her. He''d done that many times before. He didn''t think that something as simple as that would change anything now. (What a simple order for a ...... preamble.) But if it made Dorothea feel better, it was a small price to pay. Allen moved into action without any hesitation. "Then let''s make this quick. "What the ......! You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. It''s a little embarrassing, but I can live with it. The forbidden box hidden deep in my heart will not break out. I was taking it easy, but... I''m not sure what to do. Charlotte...... The moment he looked into Charlotte''s face, Allen froze. "Huh, ....... Charlotte was staring at Allen with a bright red face. The eyes were wide open and moist, reflecting the light coming through the window and glittering more than usual. Her lips were soft and her breath was sweet. The moment his breath brushed her cheek, Allen''s heart thumped loudly. All the heat in his body gathered in his face, turning it even redder than Charlotte''s. The palm of his hand was trembling slightly from nervousness, which took Allen''s thoughts away even more. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Simply holding hands is different, isn''t it? The devil whispered with a grin as he settled in front of the couch. "What do you think, Mr. Allen? What do you think? "Uh, yeah, ....... We take each other''s hands and look at each other. It''s just that, and yet a euphoric feeling comes over me as if I''m being ripped out of my thoughts. ...... Not bad, huh? "Ah!¡¡That''s a good response!¡¡How about Mr. Charlotte? Well, well, well. ...... Well, well. ...... I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I''m sure you have. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m so excited. ...... "............! At that moment, a shock like being struck by lightning pierced Allen''s brain. Cute. I love you. I want to hug you right now. I''m not sure what to do. (Of course you can''t ...... do this! Finally, Allen gave up and screamed in his heart. At the same time, the forbidden box that he had sealed so tightly came flying out. The lid was easily opened, and the contents poured out. It was like a great flood that washed away everything in the world. Finally, Allen realized and acknowledged his feelings. He knew that he loved Charlotte ....... 82 The Beginning of Love Rice (3) Allen stares blankly at Charlotte as he is tossed about by a torrent of emotions. I''m not sure.¡¡I''m sure you''ve heard of it. I''m not sure how to describe it, but it''s ....... I''m not sure how to describe it, but it''s ." Dorothea urged her on, and Charlotte dutifully searched for words. I''ve only ever known scary pounding, but ...... warm, happy pounding ......? "Wow!¡¡That''s really good!¡¡I''ll take that!¡¡I''m sure you''ll finish your new work in no time! "Oh, really?¡¡I don''t know about you, but I''m glad I was able to help ....... I''m not sure what to make of it. That smile pierced ...... Allen''s heart. It''s not the most fortunate half of life, but she can smile sincerely for others. I was strongly attracted to her strength. Once I admitted it, I couldn''t stop thinking about her. I like her smile. I like your small hands. I like her voice. I love the time we spend together, the casual words we say, the silence we share. ...... I love everything about you. Charlotte says she gets nervous when she holds hands with Allen. Allen is the same way. His heart is racing like it''s about to burst. Then Charlotte must be feeling exactly the same as ...... Allen, right? (This is the only way to ...... do it! The words "restraint" and "wait and see" did not exist in his dictionary. Quick decision. When he decides to do something, he does it thoroughly. That was the man, Allen Crawford. "Charlotte! "What? Allen suddenly shouted, causing Charlotte to jump. Charlotte''s shoulders jumped as Allen suddenly shouted out, but she immediately noticed that Allen was serious and gave a small nod of her head. "Well, what''s ...... it about? I''ve got something important to tell you. Listen to me. Allen searched for the right words. But in the end, he couldn''t find anything clever to say, so he decided to go straight to ...... the point. "Charlotte!¡¡I don''t know about you, but I-- I''m not a fan. But my once-in-a-lifetime confession was cut short by a sudden roar and a cloud of dust. "Geez, geez, ......!¡¡What the hell is ......? What the hell is ......? While holding Charlotte to my chest for protection, I turned my attention in the direction of the sound. There was a large hole in the wall of the house. The sun was shining through, and standing there was a ...... stranger. He was a young man in a black suit with a pouty face and streaked black hair. I''m not sure what to make of it. "I''ve sensed a presence and have come. I''m sorry for the sudden visit. Is ......? Both Allen and Charlotte could only blink their eyes. But Dorothea''s reaction was different. I''m not sure what to say. I''m not going to let you do it," she said, running away like a rabbit. "I won''t let you. What? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. He quickly tied her up with a rope he had taken out of nowhere. He was a very experienced hand. It was obvious that something was wrong, but Allen watched without offering any help. Looking down at Dorothea, who was rolling around like a caterpillar, the young man spoke plainly. It''s been a long time, Dr. Dorothea. It''s been thirty years, four months and ten days. "Ah, ...... yes, ...... it''s been a long time, Yoru-san ....... "Well, I never expected you to disappear the day after I rushed the manuscript. It was a lifelong disappointment for me as your editor. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. 83 83 Stories The Beginning of Love Rice (4) "I''ve been looking everywhere for you in Elfland. I didn''t expect to find you in your home. I''ve sealed up the basement where I''ve been holed up so that Yol-san won''t find out. No matter how skilled you are, you wouldn''t have been able to sense my presence!¡¡It''s amazing! "If you had spent that effort on the manuscript, I wouldn''t have wasted thirty years of my life. No!¡¡I''m sorry!¡¡I''m so sorry! Finally, Dorothea began to cry in vain. But since it was her own fault, Allen had no sympathy for her. I''m sorry for the trouble. Here is the cost of repairing the wall. Please pay. ...... The young man handed Allen an envelope and carried Dorothea up with great difficulty. He''s totally guilty of kidnapping. Thanks to this, Dorothea calls out for help in a distressed voice. "No, no, no, no!¡¡Please help me, Mr. Allen!¡¡I''m going to be drowned at sea! "What are you talking about? You wouldn''t do that to a writer you care about. Oh, really? ......?¡¡Yoru''s become a lot more rounded in the past 30 years. The ocean is not so bad. Let''s go to the crater for starters. You''ll die!¡¡I''m an elf and magma will kill me! Ha-ha-ha. Isn''t it true that a writer has to experience everything? How can I use a near-death experience in a crater for a romance novel? Carrying the screaming Dorothea, the young man walked through a large hole in the wall and easily left the scene. A few seconds later, a huge black dragon with a human figure in its mouth was seen flying away from the window. Lu is still asleep. Apparently, he''s gotten used to the unnecessary commotion. Thanks to that, the living room became quiet at once. Allen remained puzzled, but a ...... faint voice shook his eardrums. This is a great way to make sure that you don''t end up with a lot of problems. I''m sorry,....... I''m sorry. It was then that I realized that I had been holding Charlotte close. I awkwardly let go of her body and let go of her hand. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. No, ...... no. Even Allen couldn''t have said that in this atmosphere. He exhaled deeply and covered his face. He felt exhausted, but not disappointed at all. Although my confession had failed, ...... there were still plenty of opportunities. (I''m rather glad I got out of the way. I should have ...... prepared better instead of just letting things happen. Romantic scenery. Heartfelt gifts. Heartfelt gifts. Touching words. He was determined to make his confession a success. Allen was determined to do so. "You know what, Charlotte? Yes? I''m gonna do it. I''m going to do it. So, ...... wait a minute. Ha, ha. ...... Got it? Charlotte just rolled her eyes at Allen''s seriousness. 84 84 Talk for Ikenai Confession (1) That day, Allen and his friends were visiting the city''s Adventurer''s Guild. The large room was crowded with people returning from dungeons, people looking for requests, and people assessing the materials they had taken from monsters. There is also a tavern in the back of the room, where adventurers are encouraged to make money. Thanks to this, the inside of the tavern was filled with a lively and unique atmosphere. "Wow, ...... is full of strong-looking people. "...... is strong. Charlotte looked curious, while Lu looked around warily. Allen has been to this place a few times, but this is the first time he''s brought them along. Allen smiles at their innocent reactions, and he can''t help but look at them. Then... "Hey, isn''t that Daimao? I''m not sure what to say. "M, it''s you." A voice called out from the tavern. I looked over and saw a familiar face in the corner, with their heads together. There were about thirty of them, including the Gankutsu-gumi led by Megas and the Serpent Fang group led by Glow. ...... Megas, a rock man, sat upright on the floor with one hand raised, and Glow followed suit. The rest of the ruffians, seeing Allen''s face, stood up and bowed their heads in unison. "Hey!¡¡Good work again today! How are you doing, Goddess? I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. One of them noticed Lu and shouted loudly. That drew all the attention in the room. Charlotte hid behind Allen''s back, frightened by his gaze, and Lu let out a low roar. Allen pats Lu on the head and shrugs his shoulders. He''s a friend of Charlotte''s. He''s a friend of Charlotte''s. He''s here today to get permission to accompany her. A wizard can''t bring every demon he has with him into town. A demon hunter can''t bring any demon he has under his command into the city, because a half-heartedly disciplined demon entering the city could lead to a worst-case scenario. Therefore, they bring their demons to the adventurer''s guild and are screened to make sure they are not dangerous and will follow their master''s orders. Only then can you get permission to take them around. "Hey, when did you get such a dangerous demon from ......? As expected of a goddess! No, it''s not. Charlotte laughs, lowering her eyebrows in annoyance. She seems to have calmed down a bit. Allen points to a window in the back. "There''s the window. There''s the counter. I''ve already talked to them, so you''d better go there. "Okay. I''ll do my best. Let''s go, Lu. "Gahhhh! And so the two of them, with all eyes on them, went to the window with great enthusiasm. The screening would take about an hour, but I''m sure Charlotte and Lu would have no problem getting through it. After seeing them off, Allen went to go outside, but ...... Megas and others stopped him. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. "What the ...... hell kind of daytime is this? Allen couldn''t help but chuckle. He had planned to browse the bookstore while waiting for Charlotte and the others, but ...... he suddenly thought better of it. "Well, it might not be a bad idea to ask you guys for your opinion. "Yeah, what?¡¡That''s unusual. What? It''s no big deal. Sitting next to Megas, the group pestered Allen about what was going on. I''ve had to do some chores for them, and I''ve had to train them, but they''ve never asked me for my opinion. That''s probably why they were so interested in him. Taking a sip of the cheap sake that had been poured for him, Allen asked in a light tone. I''m actually thinking of confessing my feelings to Charlotte, but what would be the best situation? What kind of situation would you like? The table shattered, the liquor bottles flew in the air, and all the ruffians fell down. 85 85 Stories for Ikenai Confession (2) The sudden tragedy caused Allen to roll his eyes a little. What''s the matter with you guys all of a sudden? Have you had enough to drink?¡¡Don''t drink, but don''t be drunk. "Hey, ......, your drunkenness just blew away! Megas, who has fallen and crushed the table, screams out a scream. The others staggered to their feet, and for some reason they gave him a frightened look. The snake around Glow''s neck also froze with its mouth hanging open. "Well, for what it''s worth, ...... what are you going to confess to the goddess? Of course I''m going to confess my love. Oh, my God, he''s so open. ...... In any case, after we all cleaned up the area, the party around Allen began again. With Allen''s pocket money, he had prepared new drinks for everyone, but no one wanted to taste them. Everyone was silent, creating an atmosphere like a wake. Allen furrows his brow and stares at the group. What the hell. What''s the harm in me telling Charlotte I love her? It''s not a problem. It''s ...... This is not what I expected. ...... Megus and Grow looked at each other strangely. The rest of the triumvirate exchanged whispered words. "Hey, hey, hey, ......, did anyone bet on this happening so fast, ......? No, I think the earliest was three years. I was betting all my money on the biggest hole of all, ''I''ll be responsible for getting my hands on it on the spur of the moment in ten years or so. You''ll have to come out later. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with me, please do not hesitate to contact me. Megas covered his face and looked up at the ceiling. "But seriously... To be honest, I thought you were going to remain unconscious. What kind of change of heart did you have ......? It''s a lot of ...... things. I''m not going to say that we just held hands and looked at each other. He was embarrassed, but also because he had a feeling that the table would be smashed again. He cleared his throat, stepped back, and continued. "Anyway, I''m going to confess to Charlotte. You guys don''t seem to have much of a love life, but as they say, a dead tree is a dead tree. Use your wisdom and give me some advice. That''s not the way to ask for help. ...... As always. "...... Megath half-smiled. But Glow, on the other hand, had a difficult look on his face and kept his mouth shut. "What is it, Glow? You seem to have something to say. "...... I don''t know much about it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure I know much about it. You know that and you''re hiding her. Am I right? "...... That''s right. Allen admitted it honestly. The others averted their gazes awkwardly as well. 86 86 For Ikenai Confession (3) Glo, Megas and the others were adventurers, even if they were rotten. The guild has a lot of wanted posters, and I''m sure Charlotte''s was among them. There was no way that they hadn''t seen it, and there was no way that they hadn''t noticed her identity, no matter how much she had dyed her hair. And yet, no one had ever mentioned Charlotte or tried to catch her. In fact, the city''s wanted list is getting smaller by the day. There were obviously more of them than the ones Allen had secretly disposed of. Allen was even aware of this, but ...... kept it to himself until now. Now Glow was stepping into such impenetrable territory. He continued to stare at Allen. You can''t just hit on a girl like that and ...... use your position to force her into a relationship, can you? Oh, come on, Glow. That''s an exaggeration. I''m sure he''s got a lot of shit to say. It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one. I''m not that kind of person. I know that. But you can''t help saying that. Glow clicks his tongue and turns away. A silence falls for a moment, but ...... Allen laughs. You''ve got a point there. To the untrained eye, I''m a scumbag and a scumbag''s scumbag. ...... would you give up on the goddess? No way! Allen grinned and assured him. Of course that''s what I feared. Charlotte can''t refuse Allen''s confession because of her position. She would try to play the lover Allen wanted her to be. That''s why ...... Allen was so determined. I''m going to make him happy, I promise. I''m going to make him happy. I''m going to make him so happy that he''ll forget about all the bullshit about his position and his problems. I don''t care if I have to devote my entire life to it. I''ll remove all obstacles and make you the happiest man in the world. If you still can''t accept me after that, then ...... let''s just back off like adults. Allen can see through a lie. No matter how Charlotte disguises herself, her true intentions will be readily apparent. At that point, he would just give up. Allen''s desire is not to torment Charlotte, but to make her happy. "Even if he doesn''t choose me, if he''s happy, I''m happy. "No, that''s enough. Interrupting Allen''s words, Glow held up one hand. He covered his face with his hands and shook his head slowly. All right, ...... give me a break, please. ...... "Mm. I don''t have enough to say. "No, Glow. He patted Glo on the shoulder and Megas gave Allen a warm look. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. "...... How did you know this was my first love? "You don''t know? Megath replied with a straight face. On the other hand, the ruffians, who were supposed to be listening, were also puzzled. "What the hell have we been listening to ......? Don''t come to your senses. This is where you protect your brain with alcohol. Ugh ...... I''ve never tasted alcohol that tasted so bad in my life. ...... And so they all began to slurp down their drinks in competition with each other. It''s a bit desperate. 87 87 Story Issei 1st Generation Confession Plan (1) Looking around at the complicated-looking people, Allen sighed. I''m sure you''re all aware of Charlotte. I''m sure you''re aware of Charlotte." "Well, she did a pretty good sketch on the ...... handbill. Glow nodded crisply. The others reacted in a similar manner. But Glow immediately smiles. We don''t believe in that stuff. That''s why we decided not to say anything. ...... Thanks. Allen bows his head lightly. I was uncharacteristically struck by the thought. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. And it''s all because of Charlotte''s own actions. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what''s going on in your life. But you adore Charlotte that much, don''t you? Wouldn''t that stop me from confessing? We''re not like that, you know. We''re not like that. We''re more like idol fans. ...... We''re dealing with the Great Satan, after all. ...... First of all, she doesn''t care about us. ...... It''s the slightly resentful glances that come from all over the place. Feeling somewhat better, Allen nodded humbly. I''m glad to hear that. I''m glad I don''t have to bury a familiar face in the dark. Oh, God, this guy. Excuse me. Can I get another drink? Preferably the strongest one in the store. More alcohol is added, and the party finally begins to take on the appearance of a proper drinking party. Allen also added a little alcohol and started to drink. I''d like to confess my feelings to you. Is there a good place to do so? I''d like to give him a gift that he would like. What kind of gift? ...... If it''s something a woman would like, what would it be, flowers or jewelry? I don''t know if Charlotte would appreciate flowers, but I doubt she would appreciate jewelry. ...... If it''s too expensive, it might put her off. Rather, I felt that something like the hair ornaments I had purchased from a street vendor in town would be more appreciated. She still wears it every day. I''ll hold off on the gift for now. Just as I was about to make up my mind, Megath patted me on the back. "Oh, but I know a good place. "Oh, ......?¡¡Tell me. "There''s a dungeon called Tor Cave northwest of here, and there''s a flower garden in front of it. "Oh, there it is. Glow and the others looked at each other and nodded. According to them, there''s a dungeon nearby with a fairly high level of difficulty. Adventurers who are good at what they do go into those caves to train and hunt demons to earn money. And on the way from the city to there, there is a ...... small hill. At this time of year, the area is filled with colorful flowers and wild rabbits. Because of the proximity of the dungeon, ordinary citizens do not often stop by, but it is said to be a peaceful place ...... where demons do not appear that often. Imagining this scene, Allen slaps his knee. Oh, that''s pretty cool. Charlotte will love it. "Right?¡¡Why don''t we just call it a picnic and take her out? With the help of alcohol, Allen and the burly men are making a lot of noise about romantic confession situations. It''s quite a bizarre scene. Thanks to this, the people around us watched the group from a distance. As they talked, the details were settled. First, I lured Charlotte out to the flower garden and enjoyed the wonderful scenery. Afterwards, he confesses his love to her with the sunset in the background. It was a plan so romantic that even Allen could understand it. Thanks to this, his spirits were soaring. Allen gets out of his chair with a thud and raises his fist to the sky. "All right!¡¡I''m going to do it tomorrow!¡¡I''ll do it!¡¡I''ll do it! Oh, my God! We''re rooting for you! We''re rooting for you, and we want you to be happy! The group cheered Allen on. The excitement was at its peak. No one noticed that there was a figure approaching. "What''s the story? "Oh my God! A strange scream escaped from everyone''s mouth. When they turned around fearfully, ...... Charlotte was standing there. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. 88 88 Stories Issei 1 generation confession plan (2) "Hey, Charlotte ......, have you finished the screening yet ......? Yes!¡¡Lu, you were such a good girl. "Wow! You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. It is a sign of a demon recognized by the guild. That''s good to know. By the way, ....... I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. Did you hear what ...... I just said? No?¡¡No? All I know is that you guys look like you''re having fun. Oh, yeah!¡¡Well, good! Allen was relieved. He had prepared well for his confession, but it would be a shame if he was found out here. He puts a few gold coins on the table to pay for drinks and invites Charlotte out. Then let''s celebrate. Let''s get Lu a steak, shall we? But I''m talking to you guys. ...... Don''t worry about it, sweetheart. Oh, yeah. The goddess wants you to take care of Fenrir over there. Really? ......?¡¡Well, I''ll take your word for it. Lu. "Gahhh! I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. Allen left the Adventurer''s Guild with the two of them. Megus, Glow, and the others watched him go. When the three of them disappeared behind the crowd, everyone let out a sigh. No, I didn''t think he''d make up his mind. ...... Human potential is infinite. ...... The way they talked to each other was more like a child watching over his father''s remarriage than the way they talked to his brother. There is something heartwarming in the air. However, ...... this was suddenly cut short by a loud commotion. As soon as the guild door was violently opened, there was a scream. Help me!¡¡Is there anyone skilled in healing magic ......? "Ugh, ...... A heavily armored female adventurer and a male adventurer on her shoulder roll into the guild. The male adventurer has wounds and is out of breath. His armor is completely shattered, and his sword is broken in half. The healers rushed towards him. The others exchanged a few words with furrowed brows. Another Toa Cave monster: ...... I bet. ...... It''s a nasty dungeon, and recently a very strong one has taken up residence? Yeah, yeah. They upgraded the rank from C+ to A-. Of course, the exchange reached the ears of Megas and the others. "...... Did you know that? "...... No. " No." They exchanged somber glances. He had been busy with his part-time job and volunteer work lately, so he had been neglecting his adventuring duties. Naturally, none of them knew that the area around the Toa Cave was in such a state of alarm. They all kept their mouths shut for a while, but then ....... "Well, I''m sure Daimajou-san will be fine. Yeah. That''s for sure. In the end, we came to that conclusion and resumed our normal drinking. So at that time, no one heard the ravings of the battered male adventurer. If any of them had overheard the words, they would have turned bloodthirsty and chased after Allen, frantically advising him to rethink his plans for tomorrow. The male adventurer grunted as he was patched up. The male adventurer groaned as he was patched up, the tracks of an animal no bigger than a cat or a dog clearly etched on his cheek. "Ugh, why in the ...... hell is there a capybara ...... in that place? 89 Story 89 Tour in the flower 逡 (1) It was a perfect day for a picnic with the summer sun shining on us. Wow, it''s really a beautiful place. "Wow! Gah!" Charlotte exclaimed in admiration, and Lu was in a good mood next to her. On this day, the three of them visited an unnamed hill not far from the Toa Cave dungeon. A field of colorful flowers was spreading all around, and many butterflies were flying in the air. There is not a cloud in the bright blue sky, and the wind is gentle. The sun is shining hard, so Charlotte is wearing a straw hat. She is wearing a white dress. Since there was no need to dye her hair since there was no one around here, her golden hair and her appearance suited her well. Charlotte patted Lu''s head and turned around. "Thank you, Mr. Allen. Thank you, Mr. Allen. ...... Mr. Allen for taking me to such a lovely place? Then Charlotte rolled her eyes. Charlotte rolled her eyes, because a few feet away, Allen was standing there with his face covered. Charlotte cautiously approached and called out to him. "Um, ......, can I help you? What''s ......? Allen looked up as if he had been knocked off his feet. Allen looked up as if he''d been shot. Thanks to that, his eyes met Charlotte''s at close range, and his heart leapt. Charlotte was unaware of this, and nodded her head in concern. Is everything okay, Mr. Allen? You look a little pale. ...... "Oh, yeah, yeah. No problem. Allen waves his hand and smiles awkwardly. But his eyes are bloodshot and his face is pale. When I looked in the mirror this morning, I thought I was a corpse. Of course, I couldn''t fool Charlotte. She looked into Allen''s face with a furrowed brow. You have a cold by any chance?¡¡Your fever is ...... excuse me for a moment. "......! Charlotte gently touches Allen''s forehead. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. Their faces are close. His jewel-like eyes are right there. A sweet scent tickles my nostrils, and my head is filled with every single thought. I like it. I''m fine!¡¡I''m just sleep deprived! It''s just a lack of sleep!" The words almost came out of his mouth, and Allen jumped away. I''m just a little sleep deprived! It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what''s going on in your life. I''m not sure if that''s true ......?¡¡Please don''t strain yourself. I''m fine. You and Lu should go for a walk around the block. ...... Well, call me if you need anything. I''ll be around. Ugh. Charlotte took Lu and headed for the flower garden. She looked very worried, but I guess she was trying to help Allen get a good night''s sleep. That thoughtfulness did wonders for his heart. When they were well away from each other, ...... Allen slumped down on the spot with a huge sigh. No, you can''t ...... do this, this is too much ....... Where was yesterday''s enthusiasm? Allen was completely full of it. 90 90 Stories: A Tour of 逡 Flower Garden (2) Last night, I invited Charlotte to a picnic, which was fine. However, when I stayed in my room and thought about the words to confess and the gift to give her, ...... I became fiercely anxious. I couldn''t think of anything clever to say. He couldn''t even think of a romantic gift. This made Allen very impatient. This naturally made him anxious about the success or failure of his confession. Even if he couldn''t get her to accept his feelings, he would be satisfied if Charlotte was happy. There is no lie in what I told Megas and the others. But if she rejects you, ...... you will be devastated for sure. If I''m not careful, I might not be able to recover. As soon as I got that feeling of certainty, I was screwed. In the end, I couldn''t sleep at all last night, and I haven''t been able to swallow anything since this morning. This is the first time in my twenty-one years of life that I''ve felt like throwing up from nervousness. "You''re such a pussy, I ...... don''t know where you''ve been all day. Allen couldn''t do anything but hold his head and moan. It''s a dream come true to have a perfect confession. I''m not sure what to do. Just when he was about to falter. He heard the sound of laughter, like the rolling of a bell, and looked up. A little further down the hill, Lu was jumping up and down. Around her neck is the scarf she wore yesterday and a garland of flowers. Apparently, Charlotte had made it for her. "Hmm. I hope you like it, Lu. "Gahhhh! "Lu, you''re a girl, you want to dress up, don''t you? Whoa! Oh, that tickles. Charlotte giggles as Lu licks her cheeks. The smile was so strong in Allen''s eyes that even the sun''s glow was blurred. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. ...... I still like you. There was no embarrassment or shame. The thought fell into Allen''s heart as a simple fact. He scratched his head with a sigh. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. As you can see, just a little bit of closeness can cause your feelings to overflow. There was a good chance that I would unintentionally confess my feelings. For example, when they greeted each other in the morning. "Good morning, Mr. Allen. "Oh, good morning. I like you. "...... yes? For example, when you''re shopping in town. "Hmm, what should I do? Which do you like better, apples or oranges, Mr. Allen? "I think I prefer Charlotte. ...... "What ......? For example, at night. "Well, good night. "I love you! "I love you!" "What? No matter what the situation was, I could only see him screwing up. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. If that''s the case,......, there''s no choice but to confess here and now. I''m not sure what to say. But what can I say? ...... I can''t say anything clever. ...... You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. 91 91 Story Flower Garden Trap (1) Just saying "I like you" is not enough. On the other hand, there is no vocabulary that can be used in this situation. Despite his unfamiliarity, Allen struggles to think. I will make you happy. ...... I already told you that the day I met you. I want you to spend the rest of your life with me. ...... Isn''t that a heavy thing to say on the first try? I''ll give you everything I have in this world! ...... It''s a completely villainous line, and it''s also heavy. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. "Mr. Allen! Whoa! Then I heard a panicked voice. When I looked up, I saw Charlotte rushing towards me in a panic. There was no sign of Lu by her side, so I could tell that something was wrong. This instantly blew away my buoyant mood. "Oh, I''m sorry to bother you while you''re resting. ......!¡¡But I''m in trouble! What''s going on? What''s wrong with Lu? "Lu is watching me ......, but, um, I can''t help you ....... Charlotte paused, her breath catching in her shoulders as she trailed off. Her face is even more pale than Allen''s. She points a trembling finger across the field of flowers and cries out in grief. There''s a wounded dragon over there! With Charlotte''s guidance, Allen plowed through the flower garden. Then, in the middle of a small hill - a slight depression, Lu was there, and a small dragon was huddled in front of him. It was small, but compared to the average size of dragons, it was ....... It was about three meters tall. Its body, covered in light green scales, was curled up and it was chirping in a faint voice. When Allen saw the figure, he let out a small squeal of admiration. "Oh, a ...... Noble Dragon child. It''s also rare. Is that so? Hmm. In layman''s terms, it''s a race that is immune to magic. As such, they are natural enemies of wizards like Allen. They usually live quietly in caves, so it''s very rare to see them outside. They may have come out of a nearby dungeon and been injured, unable to return. (...... but I don''t see any external injuries, do you? As far as I could see, the Noble Dragon was unharmed. (......But there are no external injuries?) As far as I can tell, the Noble Dragon was not injured at all. However, if it did not move when approached within a few meters, it could only be ...... malfunctioning. For now, ...... "Heal". Allen tried to cast a simple healing spell on the dragon. I''m not sure what to do. "Gruff ......! The dragon roared in a low voice, and the healing light dissipated. Allen shrugs his shoulders. "See? I think it would be faster to bring the potion from home. If you want me to talk to you about it, ......? "Mm ......, that''s not a bad idea. If Charlotte can persuade him, as she did with Lu, he may accept the treatment. But it''s a wild demon. ...... Oh, my God! "Mr. Allen? He received a strong shock from behind and fell down on the spot. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. It seems that he was mercilessly attacked. There you are,......, what''s wrong with you. Lu. "Oh, ......! Lu scowled at Allen with sharp eyes and indicated the Noble Dragon with his chin. It was as if he was warning him to be careful. ....... 92 Story 92 Flower Garden Trap (2) Charlotte also nodded her head in wonder. "Lu, you''ve been acting weird for a while now. He''s been snarling at the dragon. ...... Does Fenrir-san not get along with the dragon? "No, they''re not really natural enemies. ...... Allen stroked his chin and stared at the Noble Dragon. The dragon is still mewing in a sad voice. But its voice is monotonous, like the bait that lures its prey. ....... (It''s better to stay away from ...... Allen decided to do so and looked at Lu. It''s a good idea to keep your eyes on the road and not on the road. He casually pinned Charlotte on both sides and gently urged her to retreat. "Good. I knew this place was-- Let''s go back and start over. Just as he was about to say this, a thrusting tremor hit the three of them. The earth rumbled and roared so loudly that they couldn''t stand still. "What the ......! "...... Charlotte! Allen quickly reached out for Charlotte, but ....... "Ka-pi. "What ......? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. I''m not sure what to say. He jumped up and looked around. It was a pile of rubble. You can see the blue sky high up in the sky, and there are stone paths on all sides. On the walls, magic stones are embedded and emit a faint light. The walls were embedded with magic stones that gave off a pale light. Thanks to them, I could see my surroundings clearly, but ...... there was no sign of Charlotte. "d*mn it ......!¡¡"Fly ......? I tried to use my flying magic. But it doesn''t feel like floating at all, it doesn''t even lift a few centimeters. The spell would not work. Allen could not help but be shocked. Come to think of it, I remember using magic as soon as I was about to fall. However, the fact that he was in the basement meant that it hadn''t worked either. My impatience and anxiety exploded in an instant. My eyes almost went black, but I held it together and shouted. "d*mn it!¡¡What the hell is going on ...... Charlotte!¡¡Where are you?¡¡Please!¡¡Answer me. "Shut up. I''m not sure what to say. He was pushed with tremendous force, and Allen slid roughly across the ground. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. "Lu, ......? "Calm down. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. Lu looked down at Allen and growled, "Gah! That translates to, ''Now you''re quiet. Allen can only roll his eyes. "......, you can speak a generic demon language? "Is that bad? "No, you''ve never used ...... it before, have you? The only language Allen understands is the language used by lower-ranked demons. It''s very difficult for humans to learn the language of demons such as dragons and Fenrir, as each race has a different language. That''s why it''s impossible for anyone other than demon users to communicate with them. This was the first time Allen had talked to Lu. Lu tilted his head. ''Why should Lu have to talk to you?¡¡I can talk to my mom just fine, I don''t need her. "............ You don''t mean Charlotte, do you? It''s obvious. You''re my mother and I''m your mother. I''m not sure what you mean. Your mother is probably Fenrir''s mother. I knew she was fond of him, but I didn''t expect her to look up to him as her second mother. (That would be a simple response to me. ......) Allen was deeply convinced. 93 93 Stories Flower Garden Trap (3) But it did bring back some of my coolness. Allen slowly stood up and stared at the large hole in the ceiling. "Well, Lu. Is Charlotte up there? "...... is not here. Lu shakes his head loosely. But that''s to be expected. It reminds me of the big shadow I saw just before I fell into this basement. Allen holds his forehead and growls. "So he was ...... kidnapped? "............ Yes. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea or not. A heavy silence fell between the two. Allen clenched his fists so tightly that his fingertips went numb. ...... He exhaled heavily and relaxed. You can always do some hard thinking. What we need to do now is to save Charlotte. He stroked his chin, switching his thoughts. "Let''s get out of here for now. Will you help me? "Of course. For mom. Good. But who the hell are these guys?¡¡Are they from the Kingdom of Neals, or are they bounty hunters? ...... And yet, Allen couldn''t detect any sign of them. I''m sure he''s quite skilled. In addition, the fact that he couldn''t use magic was also a concern. There are many ways to restrict the use of magic within a certain section. But they require a certain amount of preparation. It rarely happens by accident. (Tsk, ......, that''s quite an elaborate thing to do.) The enemy had probably been waiting for an opportunity for some time. The Noble Dragon is definitely a decoy. When Allen was pondering, Lu nodded his head. I thought you''d be more interested. I was expecting you to be a little more aggressive. "Well, I know Charlotte is safe. "Is ......? What? He''s been walking around a lot lately. I''ve put a special spell on his hairpiece as a security measure. It''s like a landmark. It gives you a rough idea of how far away you are from Allen and whether your life is in danger. According to this, Charlotte is not that far away and is not injured. For now, she''s still safe and sound at ....... You can find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing. You''re not going to be around your mother for a while. "Why? "It''s too loud. It''s disgusting. He even threw sand at her with his hind legs. I felt like I had a new adolescent daughter. She hadn''t even confessed her feelings yet. Lu shook his head and sighed. But that''s a relief. I think I know where the enemy is coming from. "...... What do you mean? "Lu knows about the solder. What''s ......? Allen''s voice echoed in the darkness. Lu continued, clearing his throat with a somber expression. You know that animal park that Lu saved me from a while back? Is it ......?¡¡Oh, yeah. What''s wrong with that? "That''s where they took my mom. ...... Wait. Interrupting Lu''s words, Allen puts his index finger in front of his lips. Then Lu stopped talking. While the two of you are still silent,......, you can hear a number of footsteps and the sound of something being dragged from the darkness where the magic stone lights do not reach. Something''s coming. ...... This smell is ...... Eventually, the figure was revealed. "Gluaaaaa ...... It''s a dragon with light green scales. It was an adult Noble Dragon, no more than about ten meters long. There were dozens of them, surrounding Allen and Lu. "I see. I''m not going to be able to cast a spell like that. I''m not sure what to make of that. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. 94 Ninee thousand stories for you (1) At the same time that Allen and Lu are on the brink of death. Charlotte was receiving an out-of-this-world welcome. "PIGEES! "Well, uh, thanks for the ......? Pippi? Charlotte bobbed her head in front of the fruit that was offered to her. The slime that brought it to you twitched happily and rolled away. After seeing it off, ...... Charlotte looks around. Where the heck are we? ...... It''s a huge, columnar space. It is surrounded by rocky surfaces on all sides, and ivy is growing thickly to fill them. If you look up at the ceiling, you can see a piercing blue sky, and sunlight pours down in abundance. On the green walls, Order Dragons and other demons had built nests. Charlotte is at the lowest level. It was covered with a green carpet and she found herself sleeping there. At first, she was afraid that the demons would eat her, but ...... they showed no sign of attacking her, and in fact, presented her with fruits and flowers one by one. Charlotte was a little calmer because of it. I''m safe for now. But there''s something more worrisome about ....... "Are Mr. Allen and Lu safe? ...... "Of course. "......! I turned around and looked behind me. And before you know it, there''s a demon there. It''s a stocky body covered in brown fur. Its four legs were short and it had an old batten mark on its forehead. Charlotte recognized the blank expression on his face. "Oh, you''re ....... She made a small noise in her throat, and then inquired cautiously. You''re the ...... hell capybara from the petting zoo? Left. It''s been a while, Miss Charlotte. The hell capybara bowed his head. It''s one of the demons I met when I traveled with Allen just over a month ago. (And yet, ...... what are you doing here? The capybara''s narrow eyes narrowed further as Charlotte puzzled over the question. I''m sure you''ll understand. My true name is Goussetsu. Please take care of me. Goussetsu-san: ...... Goussetsu-san brought me here?¡¡I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m here. I''m not worried. I''ll tell you everything. "Oh, ....... The tone of Goussetsu''s voice is gentle. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. However, Charlotte felt an inexplicable uneasiness. Goussetsu slowly walked up to her. Then, in front of Charlotte''s eyes, he ...... made a deep bow. You can find a lot more information on the web. I''ll make sure you''ll be fine. I will save you, I promise. "............ What? 95 Ninet-five Stories for You (2) Charlotte could only stare blankly, not understanding. However, Goussetsu''s words were so powerful that Charlotte knew immediately that he was not joking. Goussetsu continued to speak. I''ve spent the rest of my life in that zoo in peace. In the past, I had spent my days training to be a warrior, fighting to the death against many powerful enemies. However, as he grew older, he decided to retire when he handed over many territories to his disciples. He negotiated a deal with the Unoha Zoo, and as the head of the petting zoo, he monitored the other demons and lived a peaceful life for over fifty years. After meeting you there, I had a chance to see the newspaper. "What newspaper is ......? "Yes. Yes. It was full of false rumors about you. I can read human letters. I''m not sure what to make of that. He looked into Charlotte''s eyes and said. You are not that kind of man. I immediately understood that I had been tricked. "...... Yes. It was similar to what Allen had once said to me. Charlotte held her heart as she remembered that day. I lost everything and ran away all alone. How happy she was to receive those words at the end. But that warm memory will soon fade away ....... Therefore, I have decided to leave my quiet life behind and wield my ...... power again. "Power? ......! The moment Charlotte looked up. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. "Aah! What?¡¡What''s ......? I turned around in a panic. A huge cross was carved into the rock wall that should have been covered in ivy. As Charlotte lost her words in the dust, Goussetsu continued without hesitation. It''s one of my secrets, which I developed for comfort. What Goussetsu had in his mouth was a mere branch of a tree. It had a light glow to it, and the air was sticky. Charlotte gulped. In her mind''s eye, she thought of the magic lessons Allen had taught her. He told her that there were two main types of magic. One is magic that uses magic power to create miracles. The other is to put magic into a body or an object. The latter is difficult to control, and if an ordinary magician tries his hand at it, it can go out of control. The latter is more difficult to control, and if an ordinary magician tries to use it, it can go out of control. However, it is said that it is possible to create immense power with a small amount of magic power. ...... If you are a good user, you can kill a dragon with a single knife. That''s what Allen said. That excellent user is ...... surely referring to someone like Goussetsu. In the event that you have any questions regarding where by and how to use it, you can call us at the web site. Their eyes were straight and clear. That''s why Charlotte couldn''t stop the disgusting sweat from running down her spine. Gousset, still holding the branch in his mouth, looked around. This is a dungeon called the Tor Cave. It''s one of the territories I once gave up to my apprentice. He didn''t boast or humble himself. Just stating the facts, Goussetsu continued. There are many of these old homes around the world. There are many of these old haunts around the world, and I''m sure that if I were to call upon ......, there would be hundreds of times as many of them. "Well, what the heck are you going to do with all these monsters, ......? There is only one, of course. There is only one thing to do. In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. "What ......? "Death to those who have wronged you. Death to those who abandoned you. "Death to those who have wronged you. I will reduce all of them to ashes and open up a river of blood from the dead. 96 96 Stories Undesthened Revenge (1) Goussetsu uttered a series of horrible words. It seeps into the silence and freezes the air. Charlotte managed to lift her numb tongue and stammer out a quivering voice. I''m not sure how you ...... did that! What? It''s simple. It''s just a righteous indignation, sir. Gousset shook his head lazily. I just can''t take it anymore. A world in which people like you suffer and are exploited should be corrected by force. "...... still ...... still, no! Charlotte shouted with all her might. I have thoughts of those who have oppressed me and taken everything from me. You can''t feel resentment or anger or anything like that yet, but you can definitely feel a twinge in your chest. But that doesn''t mean I can overlook the horror of ...... destroying a country! I don''t want that to happen. ......!¡¡Please don''t! I don''t want that. You are the victim. Retaliation is natural. You can''t do this!¡¡You can''t even involve innocent people in this ...... thing! You''re so kind, ......, it''s pathetic. Goussetsu looked up at the sky with a sigh. I''m sure it''s the wizard''s fault. "...... Mr. Allen, is it? You''re right. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''ve been watching you guys for a while now. That young man claims that he will make you happy, but he has taken no action to retaliate against that country. He just spends his days in idleness. It''s just laziness. "Lazy." ...... Is there another word for it? He''s not saving you, he''s corrupting you. Charlotte''s eyes widened at the harsh words. Her fingertips went cold and a numbness crept into the back of her head. In the past, she wouldn''t have been able to say anything back to her opponent. But now, Charlotte was different. She stared straight at Goussetsu and said. "That''s not true. "...... What? It was with Mr. Allen that I was finally able to live. Quiet days with nothing to fear. The days were quiet, with no fear, and yet they changed little by little, and every moment was precious. We laughed, we cried, we got angry. I never thought the day would come when I could express my emotions like that. I owe my change to ...... Allen. I''m not going to let you deny that, no matter how much you want to, Goussetsu-san! I''m sure you''re not the only one who''s been seduced by that young man. Only we can save you properly. There was no hesitation in Goussetsu''s eyes. A thin smile appeared on his face. "You will see that soon enough. You''ll see that soon enough, once you''re away from that young man. "What did you do to Mr. Allen, ......? "What? Don''t worry. He''s perfectly healthy. But since he''s a hindrance to our plans, ...... Fenrir and I have captured the Noble Dragon under guard. "No. ......! Dragons that are immune to magic. I''m sure they''ll be Allen''s worst enemy. (Because of me, Allen and Lu are in danger. ......! While Charlotte is in a daze of despair, Goussetsu is in a good mood. I''ve been trying to figure out how to get you away from that man, but it''s a blessing that you''ve come so close to ....... Thanks to you, I can move forward at once. So saying, Goussetsu extended his paw reverently. ''Come, come with me. I hope you enjoy the hell I''m creating for you. "Oh, ......!¡¡No, please don''t come to ......! I stepped back in horror. But soon a wall blocked his way and he was cut off from the way out. The demons in the area also quietly crept towards Charlotte, narrowing the encirclement. My knees were shaking and I was about to burst into tears. But then... there were words that came to my mind. ''Even if you''re trapped in a nightmare, I''m going to save you. So don''t worry about a thing. The night I once had a nightmare. Allen''s words gave Charlotte the courage she needed. With all the strength she could muster, she shouted. "Help me, ......!¡¡Mr. Allen! The voice reverberated off the walls of the pit and shook the high blue sky. The next moment... "Of course! "Of course!" "......! The usual voice poured down from the heavens. When I looked up, I saw Allen standing at the edge of the ...... pit with a fearless smile on his face. 97 97 Story Undesthes Revenge (2) Mr. Allen! I''m sorry. I''m sorry I''m late. Charlotte rolls her eyes, but Allen raises one hand lightly. It looks like you''re not hurt. You can find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time, but you can''t be the only one. I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. "This is ridiculous. ......!¡¡I''m not sure what to make of that. I don''t know about that. Allen shrugs his shoulders and snaps his fingers. The next moment, with a howl of wolves, several large objects rained down from the sky. Roaring and slamming into the bottom of the pit was a pack of ...... Noble Dragons. Lu stands next to Allen and stares deep into the pit. That''s it. That''s it. You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. With that, he cast a spell and created a large ball of light. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find a great deal of information on the web. You''ll be able to get a lot more than that. If you''re looking for the best way to get the most out of your money, you''re going to have to go with the best. "Haha ...... interesting. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I have. I''m not sure what to make of it. The demons around him were filled with it, and they also became uncomfortable. In the midst of a touch-and-go atmosphere, Charlotte shouted as if in a panic. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but it''s a good idea.¡¡Please stop them! "Hmm, as expected. "Heh, ....... Charlotte rolls her eyes in disbelief. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''m not the only one. Then the purpose would be obvious. There are two things that the capybara is obsessed with. Food and ...... chivalry. They''re very attached to the creatures they love. If that were all, they would be righteous monsters. But they often tend to overdo it. They are troublesome troublemakers who do more than their masters want. I knew they liked you at the zoo. I knew they liked you at the zoo, but it was my fault for not taking ...... precautions because they rarely have humans as masters. I''m sorry. It''s not ...... something you should apologize for, Mr. Allen! That''s right. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. You are not qualified to exchange words with Charlotte. I''m sure you''re not the only one. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. I''m sure you''re right. I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to do. The ones that can fly are soaring through the air, while the others are running up the walls and heading straight for us. I''m not sure what to do. It''s a good thing I''m not the only one. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. 98 98 Story Undesthes Revenge (3) "Freezing Lance! "Gah ......! Allen unleashes his magic at the Noble Dragon that''s heading towards him. From the palm of his hand, a beam of blue light was released. These bands of light shot through their wings without fail. Their proud wings instantly froze, and they fell to the ground in vain. But before they could catch their breath, other demons attacked one after another. "Haha, there''s too many of them. ......! You''ve lost your mind! No way!¡¡No way! It''s a good way to let off steam! "No way! A roar that shakes the pit, sparks fly, and a thick cloud of smoke fills the area. Mr. Allen! ......! In a moment, Lu twisted around, and then a fierce slash tore through the air right beside them. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. It''s Goussetsu. He swung the branch in his mouth fiercely and leaped above them. "Your methods are lukewarm!¡¡You can''t save her with that! ''Shut up!¡¡What''s wrong with being lukewarm? What''s wrong with being lukewarm? !" A head-on slash of blinding ferocity. I''m not going to let you get away with it. His weapon of choice is a sword of light made of magical power. It would be the perfect weapon for slaying monsters. As he fights off the onslaught, Allen shouts. "Your idea of revenge, I''ve thought of it too!¡¡I can''t tell you how many times I''ve thought about going into that country ......! The people who hurt Charlotte are still alive and kicking. Whenever that fact crossed my mind, I felt a blackness well up in my chest. It became even worse when he realized that he loved her. However, Allen continues to hold it in. I''ve decided to give him all the fun in the world!¡¡There is no exception to that, not even the opportunity for ...... revenge! Charlotte has had everything taken from her in her life. That''s why Allen won''t take anything away from her. He would give her everything and watch over her. That''s what he''d promised. "So I''ll wait until he decides!¡¡I''ll wait until he makes up his mind! "What''s wrong with bringing evil to justice?¡¡I''m sure Charlotte-sama wants that in the back of her mind too!¡¡It must be her happiness! "Then I can''t overlook this more and more. ......! What? Allen howled with all his might. If Charlotte could be happy with someone else, Allen was willing to step aside. However, when she was told of her happiness by someone else, ...... his gut churned. He stomped on Lu''s back and leapt. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. It''s my privilege to make the woman I love ...... happy, Charlotte! I''m not sure what to do. After a brief struggle. I''m not sure if you''ll be able to find the right one for you. It slammed into the wall and carved a huge crater. Goussetsu crumpled, but a faint groan spilled from his mouth. I''m not sure what to do. However, ...... he probably doesn''t have the energy to fight anymore. The boss''s fall caused the surrounding demons to swoon and distance themselves from Allen. I''m not sure what to say. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Allen extinguished his sword of light and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. He was feeling very refreshed because he had been able to relieve his sorrows through moderate exercise. Right beside her, Lu approached her slowly. For some reason, he looked up at Allen with concern and cooed. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. What? Are you trying to tell me that''s too much? "It''s not that. ...... It''s not that. ...... Lu shook his head crisply. This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your vacation. Charlotte!¡¡Are you okay? Oh ............ I''m sorry. I''m sorry you had to go through this with me. ...... You''ll have to be more careful from now on. ...... Oh? Charlotte''s face turned red and she froze for some reason. I''m not sure what to make of it. This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time and money. "What''s the matter, Charlotte. Don''t tell me you''ve ...... hurt yourself somewhere! No, no, it''s ...... fine, it''s ...... fine. Charlotte looks down quickly. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. You can find a lot of things that you can do to help you. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. 99 99 Stories Confession (1) "Hmmm, ......, you got me there. "Oh, Goussetsu. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your investment. You still want to do this? You should stop resisting unnecessarily. No way. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve seen it before. Goussetsu shook his head loosely and ...... bowed his head. It''s a complete defeat. I''m sorry to hear that. I''m sure you''re right. Allen rolls his eyes. The hell capybara is vindictive. Once they decide to do something, they don''t bend no matter what. However, it seems that Goussetsu''s words are not a lie. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what you''re talking about. I''m not sure what you''re talking about," he says with a good-natured grin. I''m not sure what you''re talking about," he said, "but it would be tactless of me to interfere with young people who love each other. "............? "What you have just said has touched me deeply, even in my old heart. I thought you were keeping your feelings to yourself, but you have been passing them on ...... without my knowledge. What the hell are you talking about ........................? That''s when I finally realized. I''m not sure what I''m supposed to be doing. I''m not sure what to say. I feel hot all over. When Lu saw Allen, she let out a sigh of relief. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if this is the first time you''ve confessed your love for me.¡¡Oh, really? "Stop it, you guys!¡¡You can''t fold it up! The surrounding demons were also criticizing all they wanted, saying things like "Oh no ......", "That''s uncool", and "But isn''t it possible to go around? The demons around him were throwing all sorts of criticism at him. Allen had no choice but to blackmail them and hold his head in his hands. But he can''t change the fact that he said it. He can''t change the fact that he said it. I was going to confess with those things, but ...... it''s all ruined. (......But that''s more like me.) When I got to this point, it was important for me to regain my composure. I turned my body around and faced Charlotte. "Well, Charlotte, ...... that''s it. ............ Charlotte turned bright red and remained frozen. You can clearly see that she understands Allen''s words from earlier. But if Allen were to take advantage of the situation and cover it up, ...... he would be able to pretend it never happened. So Allen vowed not to run away. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. I love you. I love you. I want you to ...... go out with me. Simple, unpretentious words. That was all Allen could think of. Charlotte listened intently to his confession as she turned bright red. Allen just waited for a response. Five seconds. Ten seconds. ...... One minute. At last, five minutes had passed. Eventually, Charlotte slowly opened her mouth. A faint voice spilled from her soft lips. "Go...... "Sorry? "I''m sorry. ......! Charlotte slipped past Allen and jumped onto Lu''s back. "Please!¡¡Lu! "Huh?¡¡What? Okay. Then he rode Lu up the wall and disappeared through the hole in an instant. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. "..................? No, um... I''m sorry, young man. This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your vacation. 100 100 Stories Confession (2) A field of flowers sinking into the sunset. In the middle of it all, Charlotte was sitting. She is holding her knees, face down, and not moving. Close by is Lu, quietly waiting for her. The caring cry seemed to ask, "Are you sure? Charlotte did not look up. But Charlotte didn''t look up. She remained still, as if she had become a stone statue. Allen called lightly to her back. "Hey, are you ready to go? "......! Charlotte''s shoulders quivered. Charlotte''s shoulders shook as Allen slowly approached her, but she did not look up. Lu looked at them alternately as if troubled, and then ...... slipped away. He glanced at Allen as they passed each other and growled lowly. "If you make your mother cry, I''ll bite you. I know. Allen nodded humbly in response to the threat. And so they faced each other. Charlotte kept her face down, but Allen was unconcerned. He shrugs his shoulders and says, "Well, I''m sorry. It''s a little uncomfortable for me to show my face to someone I just dumped. I''m here because I have to tell you something. "...... I can see through other people''s lies, as I said before ......? I''m not going to tell you what to do. I never imagined that it would come in handy in this situation. "So I know. "So I know that ''I''m sorry'' was a lie. Am I right? Charlotte didn''t say anything. Charlotte didn''t say anything, but there was a faint intake of breath, and she read it as an affirmation. Allen could only sigh. "...... Why did you lie to me? "Because ......, because ......! Charlotte looked up as if she had been thrown. Charlotte looked up as if she had been shot. Her face was tear-stained and twisted with grief. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to be doing and how you''re going to do it. As much as I was crying, I couldn''t stop the words from flowing out. If you say something like that to me, I won''t be able to go back. ......!¡¡I was determined not to say anything ...... and I didn''t want to be a burden to Mr. Allen any longer!¡¡I''m not sure what to do. Charlotte covered her face and broke down in tears. Allen can only stare at her. I thought ...... that was about it. It''s not that I didn''t expect this pattern. Charlotte has a low opinion of herself and thinks too much of others. As a result of thinking about Allen, she could have ...... blocked her feelings. That''s exactly what Allen decided to do at one point. So Allen crouched down in front of her, looked her in the eye, and said. "Look, you say you''re a burden, but ...... you''re not. "What ......? You''re the light for me. You''ve changed my life. My life was boring, just going through the motions. That changed drastically when I met Charlotte. I met different people, had different experiences, and my days became more colorful. Even if I had continued to teach at the school, I would never have been able to have such a fruitful life. It was all because I had Charlotte next to me. I''m happy if you''re happy. But ...... if I may be allowed to be selfish. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. Still, Allen bit down on his words. I want you to be happy by my side, if you can. Light up my life for years to come. "Are you sure you''re okay with ...... me? That''s all I want, nothing more. Charlotte''s voice quivered with anxiety, and Allen smiled at her. There is no lie in his words. I didn''t want anything but her. So I''m going to tell her again. Again, looking her straight in the eye. "Tell me again. I love you. I want you to go out with me. "............ me too. This time the hesitation was short-lived. Charlotte scrunched up her face and said in a hushed voice. I like ...... you, Allen. Thank you for ....... Allen hugged her gently. Charlotte sobbed as she buried her face in his shoulder. Allen took in her body heat and tears. He hoped that she would be able to cry here for a long time to come. "Well, it reminds me of the old days. I used to have a lot of males in my life, and I used to have a lot of fun with them. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. 101 101 Stories: The Agony of the Great Demon King (1) That day . Megus and Glow walked through the door of the Adventurer''s Guild and rolled their eyes. "Haha, so... ...... Huh? "Oh?¡¡What''s ...... up? What''s going on ......? The rest of the henchmen followed suit, stepping inside and keeping their mouths shut. All eyes were on the Adventurer''s Guild tavern, in the corner. ............ There, at a small table for one, Allen was sipping his drink alone. It''s a normal scene, but the problem is his complexion. Dark. It was too dark. His eyes were downcast and he couldn''t tell what he was looking at. He just keeps pouring strong liquor into his mouth like a broken mechanism. And yet, he does not seem intoxicated at all. It''s as if they are serving it to the dead. Because of the tense atmosphere in that part of the room, there was no one else in the room and the place was empty. The Megas huddle together and speak in whispers. (Oh, hey, what''s that? ......!¡¡I thought you confessed to your daughter, Daimao!¡¡Why is she dying like that? (I don''t know. ......!¡¡I haven''t seen her once since then! It was about a week ago that I asked for advice on confession . They hadn''t seen Allen and the others since then. They hadn''t talked about it, but they all had the common sense that they were probably getting excited about their new relationship. But in reality, this is what happened. Allen''s face was covered with a dark hue of death. "So you don''t think ...... Yeah, ......, that ''maybe''. Megas and Glo looked at each other and nodded deeply. Then they approached Allen as if they had made up their minds. His men silently followed suit. Their hearts were in one place. "Hey. Daimaou-san. If you''re drinking, why don''t you join us? "............, is that you? Allen only glanced at Megas, who was cheerfully calling out to him. They moved the chairs and tables around and began to drink around Allen. They were making a lot of noise, but the ...... excitement was somewhat awkward. As soon as everyone has a glass, Megas taps Allen on the shoulder. "Well, you know... What is it, Daimao? Cheer up. "Yeah, yeah. There are a lot of women in this world, you know. Glow nodded his head in agreement. His minions all looked at him strangely. But Allen''s eyebrows furrowed. "...... What the hell are you talking about? "Well, you''ve been dumped by a girl, haven''t you? We''re consoling you, aren''t we? We''re trying to comfort her. ............ What are you guys talking about? Allen continues bluntly while pouring himself a drink. The confession was successful. My confession was successful. Charlotte and I are now lovers. "Huh? "Huh? Everyone froze in unison. Allen is unconcerned and slurps down his drink at the same pace. "What the hell? "Whoa! They all exclaimed at the same time as if they were talking to each other, causing a small amount of alcohol to spill. As he wiped the table, Allen glared at the people present. What''s the matter with you people? Can''t you even drink quietly? No, no, no, no, no, no!¡¡What are you doing drinking here with a gloomy face? That''s right, that''s right!¡¡If your confession was successful, you should be at the peak of your happiness right now! ...... I thought so too at first. Allen smiled a self-mocking ...... smile. That''s exactly what he said. If you''ve got Charlotte, you''ve got a rosy future ahead of you. Allen was convinced of this, but... But there''s a serious problem ...... that I''m having to deal with. "And the problem is ......? Yeah, ...... I can''t even handle this one. They all gulped and choked. He understood the seriousness of the situation from the way Allen spoke. As they watched with bated breath, Allen covered his face with trembling hands and shouted. I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m not sure what to do. The table shattered, the liquor bottle flew through the air, and the giant Megas fell, leaving a huge hole in the floor. The people around me are suddenly horrified, but as soon as they see the faces of the people who caused the commotion, they lose interest. It was like, "Oh, no, not them again. 102 102 Stories: The Agony of the Great Demon King (2) They finished cleaning up in their usual manner and once again surrounded Allen. All of them were saying, "I want to go home," but none of them said it out loud. But none of them said it, because they were too afraid of Allen, who continued to drink with a fierce expression on his face. "Well, for starters, ....... "Congratulations on ......? Yeah. Thanks to your advice. Allen replies bluntly to the puzzled congratulations. He went on to tell the story of what happened a week ago. How he had tried to confess his love to Charlotte in the flower garden that day. Despite the twists and turns involving the capybara from hell, he had succeeded in his confession. That he and Charlotte had successfully become lovers. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that," Allen said with a look as if he''d just seen the end of the world. So ...... Charlotte is now going to ask for permission to accompany the hell capybara. He''s going to be living with us. After Fenrir, it''s the Capybara from Hell. ...... This is getting worse and worse, Daimao''s army: ...... The Megas looked at each other with pale faces. I''m sure you''ve heard of them. It''s reassuring to have them on your side, but they''re rarely subservient. It''s not easy to make friends with even the best of demons. After the matter was settled, Goussetsu, the capybara from hell, bowed respectfully and asked me, "I apologize for the trouble I caused you. To apologize for the trouble I caused, I would like you to take care of Master Charlotte. Could you please keep her close to you? ''No, go back to the zoo. Allen objected with a straight face, but Goussetsu refused to budge. After much deliberation, he decided that it would be better to keep him where he could be seen, and reluctantly allowed him to settle down. It is now roosting in her room as Charlotte''s squire #2. It was a good thing that it was a female, but if it had been a male, Allen would have kicked it out without mercy. I have Lu keeping an eye on it, but so far there is no sign of anything suspicious. Incidentally, when I contacted the zoo in question, I received a curt reply: "You can''t force Goussetsu-san to come back. ...... Please take him back there. ...... Well, anyway. So, back to ...... what exactly should you be doing in a relationship? No, you should just flirt with him. ...... If I knew how to do that, I wouldn''t have any trouble! Allen slammed the table. It''s been a week since then. A week in the life of a newly-minted lover is a sweet, melting period, no doubt. But nothing like that has happened. For example, they met each other first thing in the morning. "Oh, good morning. "Oh, good morning, ....... "Do you want to go to ............ for dinner? ''Yes. For example, during the day, your hands suddenly touch. "Oh, ......! "I''m sorry, ......!¡¡I didn''t do it on purpose! "No, no, no, it''s ....... For example, just before going to bed. "Well, ...... good night. "Yes, yes. Good night. ....... Everything is like that. Not only were they not flirting, they were not even talking to each other, and they couldn''t even look each other in the eye. The reason is clear as day. We''re both too conscious of each other. That''s all. However, this is not so bad because it is sweet and sour. Just being in the same space without talking to each other fills my heart, and I feel happier than before. But now that we are ...... lovers, I want to make out with you as much as I can. I want to make out with him to the point where everyone wants to cover their eyes. Although Allen is a man who is extremely dull in the area of love, he has such desires as much as anyone. In fact, he may be stronger than most people because he has had a lot of sunshine. But he was a beginner in love. I have no idea what to say or how to say it. I''m ashamed to ask you guys ....... Allen looks around at the men in the crowd and asks seriously. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out.¡¡I''d like to hear about it. "What? ............? They were all speechless for some reason. In the event that you''ve got a lot of time, you''ll be able to take a look at a few of these. No, ...... it''s that one. I''m not sure. You know, like, dating and stuff. Yeah. It''s a date, right? Maybe. And then I''d give her something like flowers or accessories. ...... is fine, right? If it''s a date, I''d like to hold hands with her. ...... I''d like to get a kneecap or something. ...... The rest of the group said nothing but fluffy things and didn''t make eye contact with anyone. Allen pondered for a while and then clapped his hands. So, none of you have a girlfriend? Yes, we do!¡¡It''s bad enough you''re not popular! If you had girlfriends, you wouldn''t be out here in a bar in the middle of the day! "No, no, I''m sorry. No, no, I''m sorry. I''m sorry about that. Allen apologizes to the crying men. The fact that he was the only one in the room with a girlfriend gave him some peace of mind. 103 103 Stories Ikenai Date Plan (1) That''s a tough question for you guys to answer. I''ll be more careful next time. I never thought I''d be the only one here with a girlfriend. I didn''t think I was the only one here with a girlfriend. ...... Oh, yeah? I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. You''ve got the same basic mentality as the rest of us, you''re the unattractive type! The boos coming from all over the place are soothing to the ears. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. He stroked his chin, thought about it for a while, and ...... pouted. "But, well, that idea you guys had earlier. I think that might be a good idea. I mean, ......? Of course it''s a ...... date. Date. It''s an event where two lovers go out together. Allen knows at least that. I''ve heard that spending time at home is also called a date, but since I''m already living with someone, I''ll just ignore it. (Hmm, a date, ......, is definitely possible. (Well, a date is definitely ...... possible.) At home, Lu and Goussetsu are also there, so it''s never just the two of us. ......) I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of it or not, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. If you go out on a date with them, that should solve the problem. "So, to summarize what I just said, we should go out alone and give ...... gifts, right? Well, something like that would be fine. Oh, there''s a pancake shop on the main street with a line of young women. I''m sure the goddess will be pleased with that. "Mm-hmm, I see. ...... Allen scribbled down the advice that came from all over the place on his notepad. As in the previous meeting on confession situations, the sight of a group of men seriously discussing a date was so bizarre that even the waitress avoided approaching them. However, there was one person who was different. Just as the meeting was coming to a conclusion,......, a voice echoed with a sigh. "Well, ...... all of your advice is a load of crap. "Hmm? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to make of it. "What''s this, Miaha? Are you delivering? "Yes, sir. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m glad to see that ...... you are happy. Miaha smiled lazily. I''ve told her about Allen and Charlotte as she comes to deliver them every morning. In the midst of the heartwarming celebratory mood, Megus, Glow and the others frowned at her. "Hey, courier girl, ...... are you talking about our advice that made you fume?¡¡What''s wrong with that? Yes, yes, yes!¡¡What''s wrong with that? It''s not that bad. At least it''s a nice plan that you can find in any dating book. Miaha shakes her head loosely. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it. I''m sure you haven''t had much experience with it. ...... "Aww! At that moment, the hearts of many were mercilessly cut out. 104 104 Stories Ikenai Date Plan (2) Allen, of course, was a bit damaged. He slumped his shoulders and stared at the notes he had written down. "Is this not interesting enough ...... then what is the right thing to do? I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I''m sure you have. The most important thing is what you want to do for them. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that. "So far, the days ...... That''s right. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that will make you happy. This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time with your family. I want to ...... Charlotte to ......! What do I want to do for you? What do I want to do for you? That hasn''t changed since we met. I want to teach her all the pleasures of the world, make her a prisoner of them, and make her so delirious with ...... my hands that she''ll never be able to live without them. ......! You know how to say that, don''t you? "I''m sorry, ...... this person''s behavior is hopelessly villainous, but he''s not a bad person, ...... so please don''t report him... ... Glow makes a screeching comment, and Megas and the others follow up with the rest of the guests who are distracted. In the midst of this, Miaha nodded her head in satisfaction. That''s why you''re the Demon Lord. You don''t have to try to make up for it. It''s fine to be the way you are. "Thank you Miaha ....... You''re my benefactor. ......! He grabbed Miaha''s hand, and Allen thanked her in a hoarse voice. He had been so troubled, but now his vision was clear as if he had been lying. Enlightened, you might say. While I was sighing... "Oh, Mr. Allen? "......! Then I heard a voice behind me. I looked over to see Charlotte standing there. She looked the same as she always did, but that didn''t make her any less attractive to Allen. She gulped, and then slowly opened her mouth. "Oh, yeah. You''ve already finished the screening, how did it go? "Yes. Yes. ...... You can find a lot more information on the web. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Here''s an apple for your troubles. "Oh, Lu. Thank you for your patience. Lu gently hands the apple to Goussetsu. Maybe it''s because he has many brothers and sisters, but Lu is very good at taking care of them. They were a good pair, being able to monitor and care for each other. The two animals were now safely in Charlotte''s company. However, Charlotte looked somewhat unhappy. "What''s the matter, Charlotte? Is there a problem? No, no, no. ...... that ...... I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. This is a great way to get the most out of your home. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. If you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you may want to check out this website. She smiled sadly and said. I''m sure you''re not the only one.¡¡I''ll be waiting over there with Lu and the others. What is ......?¡¡Why did you-- I was about to say that I needed to leave my seat, when I realized. I was so moved by the advice I had just received that I kept holding Miaha''s hand. "No, this is not right!¡¡It''s definitely not the same! "No! She hurriedly distanced herself from Miaha and grabbed Charlotte''s hand instead. He then looked her straight in the eye and desperately pleaded his case. I was just consulting with Miaha. I had nothing to do with it. I swear to you, I''m only interested in you. Trust me. "Heh, ah, ............, yes ....... I''m not sure if Charlotte got the message, but she turned her head to the side with a bright red face. Allen is relieved. In the meantime, an air of ''wow'' filled the store. 105 105 Stories Ikenai Date Plan (3) While Allen and Charlotte stare at each other, Megus, Glow and the others sneak off to talk to Miaha. What''s wrong with a ...... safe date? No, to be honest, it''s fine. It''s a much better approach than trying and failing unnecessarily. "Then why did you deny everything earlier? I''m sure that if ...... you try to go on a royal date, you''ll just end up getting nervous and messing up. It''s much better to have them behave as usual then. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. You have a good eye for people, young lady. ...... I''m going to ignore that for now. While taking Charlotte''s hand, Allen tells her with a serious face. "Well, Charlotte, ....... "Yes, ......? Charlotte tilted her head anxiously. The angle of her face, the faint flicker of her eyes, the white teeth peeking out of her slightly open lips. The angle of his face, the way his eyes swayed, the way his white teeth peeped out from his slightly open lips, all of these things seemed to sparkle in Allen''s eyes. (Oh, that''s funny. ...... Was she this cute? ......?) After their feelings became mutual, he found her unnecessarily attractive. Allen couldn''t help but gulp. He almost swallowed the words he was supposed to say along with his spit, but he managed to hold it in and shouted them out with all his might. "Please!¡¡I want you to go on a ...... date with me! "Huh? You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. It''s not that I don''t like it,...... date,...... date,...... date? Charlotte''s cheeks flushed red and she giggled just a little. I''m glad you asked. I''d love to. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. ......! At that moment, an electric shock ran through Allen''s body. He was tempted to pick Charlotte up and walk her around the city, but his ...... body was frozen and unmoving, so he was able to avoid that. "Okay, okay. Tomorrow then. Let''s go out tomorrow. Just the two of us. "Yes, yes. The two of us, together. Allen and Charlotte exchange words awkwardly, like two broken witch dolls. I''m not sure what to say. You can''t help it. You can''t interfere with your first date. Lu and Goussetsu, as well as the other customers in the store, looked on warmly. In the midst of all of this, Allen bit down with all his might on the joy that was welling up in him. (I''m glad I confessed. ......!¡¡I''m the luckiest guy in the world. ......! He hadn''t even been on a date yet, but he was already at the peak of happiness. I wondered what would happen if I went on a date with him. The only thing that came to mind was the image of death, but that seemed to be a satisfying end. That was when I was absentmindedly thinking about such useless things. "............! Suddenly, there was an intense feeling in the air, and Allen took a small breath. That was definitely a killing intent. It was only a momentary and faint thing, and it seems that only Allen, ...... Lu and Goussetsu noticed it here. Both of them kept their mouths shut and casually looked around. "Mr. Allen, is there something wrong? "No, no. No, nothing. Charlotte nodded her head, but Allen assured her with a smile. (That was definitely directed at ...... us, not Charlotte.) Allen gently glanced down at the table. There were a number of glasses on the table and a view of the tavern. There were patrons smiling at him, waitresses in the distance, people making a fool of themselves ......, and in the corner. ............ In the corner of the room, a lone beastman was quietly slurping down a cheap drink. He was covered with fine black hair all over his body, and his face was that of a panther. It''s a good idea to keep your eyes on the road and not on the road. And in his hand was a sheet of paper. It was, without a doubt, Charlotte''s handbill. 106 106 Stories Secret Meeting of Guardian Knights (1) Late that night. After Charlotte had gone to bed, Allen, Lu, and Goussetsu were meeting in the living room. The only light source was a single lantern. It was a quiet night, with darkness overtaking most of the room, and even the sound of insects was barely audible. In the midst of this, Allen throws a stack of papers on the low table. With a sigh, he introduces the name of the enemy he saw at the ...... adventurer''s guild during the day. "That beastman''s name is Ricardo Weber. He''s a bounty hunter. "Bounty hunter? The name of the beast is Ricardo Weber. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m sure you''re not the only one. That''s what you''re saying, isn''t it? I''m sure that''s a fair assumption. ...... I''m not sure what to make of that. His name was easily found in the adventurer''s guild. He''s also a skilled player who has won numerous bounties by any means necessary. However, this was a turn of events that I had foreseen since the day I decided to keep Charlotte by my side. The bounty on her was so high that it didn''t matter to the bounty hunter how much the newspapers were reporting. (But why come now at this time? ...... usually) They have successfully become lovers and have even arranged a date. Just then, an enemy appeared on the scene. It''s a sudden turn from heaven to hell. Allen is puzzled, but ...... Lu opens his mouth in a light tone. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. He licks his mouth and smiles fiercely, baring his canine teeth. "Just eat him, that''s all you have to do. "It''s not that easy, ....... Allen shook his head lazily. He''s got his own private army, apparently. He always hunts in groups. But I couldn''t find out how many of them there were. If we miss even one of them, Charlotte''s whereabouts will be compromised. "Hmm. So we need to root them out. Exactly. And that''s the most important thing. This is the most important thing." Comparing the nodding faces of Goussetsu and Lu, Allen held up his index finger. The most important thing is.... Never kill your enemy. That''s it. "Oh, ......?¡¡This is a strange thing to say. Goussetsu chuckles. I''m sure you''re not the most humane person in the world,......, but what possible reason could you have for showing mercy to your enemies? Of course, I''ve had my fair share of deaths. I''m not saying I haven''t taken the lives of others. Allen isn''t handy enough to take it easy on an enemy that''s trying to kill him. If he had no reason to, he would have just eradicated the enemy and been done with it. But this is Charlotte''s problem. If she finds out that someone lost their life because of her, ...... she''ll suffer for sure. Even if she didn''t find out, she didn''t want her life to be in jeopardy. If possible, he wanted her to continue laughing as usual, without knowing anything, without getting dirty. That was all Allen wanted. "So I''ll lure out all the enemies, capture them, not kill them. Then I''ll cast a brainwashing spell on all of them and erase all memory of Charlotte. Then we''re done. "That''s easy for you to say, ....... "You disagree, Lu? "...... No way. "You disagree, Lu?" " No way." Lu shook her head, then looked at Allen with piercing eyes. I''ll leave no one out if it makes you sad. It''s easy to get burned when you''re Lu. "Well, thank you. "Not for you. I''m doing it for my mom. Lu turned away. Her tone of voice was rude, but her feelings for Charlotte were genuine. Patting her lightly on the head, Allen looked at Goussetsu. And what about you? I''ll help you, of course. Gousset bowed deeply. The other day I saw Charlotte. The other day, I did something rash for Master Charlotte''s well-being, but ...... I can''t help but feel ashamed. I''m sure you''re the only one who can think of her better than I can. "Hmm, you finally get it. Allen slumped down on the sofa. "Of course. After all, I''m Charlotte''s ............ Charlotte''s, you know, what ...... Yeah. "You''re not sure whether to call yourself a guardian or a lover, are you? "You''re really like that, aren''t you? "Yeah, shut up!¡¡It''s the bandits that are the problem! 107 107 Stories Secret Meeting of Guardian Knights (2) They both gave him a blank stare, so Allen forced himself to get back on track. Since it had only been a week, it took a lot of courage for him to call himself a lover. Regardless. "I asked around about him, and ...... it seems that Ricardo has been in town for about a month. "He''s been there that long, and now he''s going after my mom? He''s the only one who''s been there. He''s the only one who''s been there. Most of his men have been going their separate ways to find out what''s going on. First, the head, Ricardo, probes the target. If you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you can always try to find out more. That seems to be their method. And in recent days, there has been an increase in the number of beastmen like Ricardo in the city. It seems that they are planning to do this soon. I''m not going to let them get away with this, even though Lu and the others are here. I''m not sure if I''d be able to do that. In fact, Charlotte''s closest allies are Allen, Fenrir, and the capybara from hell. I think it''s a lot to take on, no matter how many people are involved. Goussetsu also stroked his chin and looked up at the ceiling, "Hmm. You''ll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing. Yeah. So we have to clean it up ourselves. "Don''t you need to rely on the cat lady and those big guys? They didn''t see Ricardo''s murderous intent. We''re the only ones who can handle it. The only people who were there who noticed Ricardo were these three. Involving Miaoha and the others would only put them in danger unnecessarily. I had to avoid that at all costs. (It''s not a bad idea to ask Eruca, your uncle, and your aunt for help, but it will take ...... some time. (It''s not a bad idea to ask for help from Eruca, your uncle and your aunt, but it will take time. It would be impossible to get them to move immediately, no matter how much Allen asked them to. Therefore, there are only three of us here. And if you''re going to play, the sooner the better. I think I''m going to play ...... tomorrow. "Tomorrow ......?¡¡Tomorrow? You don''t mean ....... "No, no way. Lu gulps. It seems that he has figured out what Allen is trying to say. He smiled wryly and proudly declared, "I''m going on a date with Charlotte tomorrow. Tomorrow, while on a date with Charlotte, I''m going to lure the enemy out ...... and capture all those who come at me alive!¡¡Of course, without Charlotte noticing! "Are you nuts? "What will you say? I''ve thought of everything, but this is the quickest way. If you don''t know when the enemy''s going to make a move, just give them an opening. It''s easier to deal with them and we''ll be able to round them up. Then a date is perfect. It''ll be just the two of you, and you''ll be able to give off an aura of carelessness. When I said this, Gousset''s eyes narrowed. But that would mean using ...... Master Charlotte as bait, wouldn''t it? I don''t deny that. I''ll do my best to protect you, but you''ll still be in danger. Allen can only shrug his shoulders. This operation is like using Charlotte as bait. It would have been preferable to stay at home until it was safe to do so, but ...... that''s not always possible. Allen held his forehead and moaned. He was looking forward to his ...... date tomorrow. How can you postpone it indefinitely because bounty hunters are after it? "Oh ...... indeed. Gousset shook his head in sincere agreement. Charlotte has been on edge ever since I told her we were going on a date tomorrow. Whenever she made eye contact with Allen, she would blush and hold her tongue. To top it all off, she took a quick bath. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. And then he ran off to his room. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s true, Mom, ...... you were very worried about tomorrow''s clothes and accessories before you went to sleep. ...... "You were so nervous that you were begging me to sing you a lullaby to help you sleep. I''m sure you''re right. ...... I''m sure you''re right. ...... I''m sure you''re right. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. My girlfriend is too cute for my own good. I''m not sure what to say. Can I have a bite of this? "Don''t do it, Lu. You can''t do this, Lu. You''re a valuable asset. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. 108 108 Stories Secret Meeting of Guardian Knights (3) Even with the cold eyes of the two animals, Allen was deeply immersed in the cuteness of his lover. He''s looking forward to it so much. He had to make his first date a success at all costs. In the first place, he''s the kind of guy who would reject my proposal out of consideration for his own position. He''s the kind of guy who would kick me out of a relationship because of my position. He''d be ...... even more worried if he knew he was being targeted. So it''s best to handle it in secret, as if it never happened. I''m sure you''re right about that. ...... Goussetsu shook his head loosely. Everyone in the room knew Charlotte''s personality. So tomorrow, Charlotte and I will go on a normal date. I want you guys to follow us secretly. If you see anyone suspicious, bring them in alive. I''ll do what I can. "And do it without Master Charlotte noticing, is that correct? "Hmm, that''s good, but won''t ...... Lu and the others stand out? "That''s okay. I''ll cast a spell. There is such a thing as cognitive blocking magic. It''s the art of making one thing invisible or appear to be something else. With it, you can disguise your appearance and still have the same fighting ability. It is the perfect spell for covert operations such as this one. It''s a great way to disguise your appearance and keep your fighting skills the same. Do you have any requests? It''s not necessary. I''m not sure what to do. I understand how you feel about Master Charlotte. I understand your concern for Master Charlotte, and in that case, I''d like to help. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. The other day, I saw how out of control it was, and I was worried. To be honest, I even hesitated to include it in this mission because of the high risk. I''m not sure what to make of it. The two of you will do everything in your power to support this Goussetsu. I''m sure you''ve heard of it, but I''ve never heard of it. I''ve never heard of ......? "Now that I think about it, I suppose it''s only natural. Hey, come on. "Well, well, well. Now, now, please take a look. The Goussetsu clasped the hoofs of both paws together and purred in a solemn voice. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to hear that. I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that this is the first time I''ve used this technique in a human city. ...... I''m not sure what to say. That''s all I can say about her. She looked to be in her early twenties. Her eyes were droopy and her lips were glossy and seductive. She had a faint scar on her forehead, but that also gave her a dangerous scent. She wore a jet-black dress that looked like something she would wear at a night party, and her flaxen hair with loose waves reached down to her waist, accentuating the lines of her well-proportioned body. Her lips arched in a lustrous smile as she spoke in a clear voice. It should be easy to catch the bandits off guard with her appearance. This Goussetsu will watch over the two of you and see to it that the bandits are rounded up. "............ "............ Allen and Lu both froze and could do nothing but freeze. But ...... eventually, Allen let out a heavy breath and clapped his hands in a booming manner. I''ll tell you tomorrow''s date plan. I''ll tell you tomorrow''s date plan. Take care of it, Lu. I''ll take care of it. After all, it''s for your mother. Lu said enthusiastically. Seeing the two of them getting excited, the beautiful woman, Goussetsu, shrugged her shoulders. I''m surprised you haven''t made any comments. It seems that today''s young people don''t have the heart to care for their old bodies. "You really should shut up for a while. "I''m sorry, but Lu agrees with Allen. It was too much to take in. 109 109 Mga Kuwento sa Ikenai Petsa (1) The day of the battle. The day started out with a crisp summer sky. The sun was shining brightly and a light breeze was rustling the greenery. Allen was reading the newspaper in the living room, basking in the sunlight streaming in through the window. But, of course, he couldn''t think about the contents. The door to the ...... living room opened softly. "Oh. Oh, good morning, ....... "Oh, yeah. Good morning. It was Charlotte who peeked out. She was still in her nightgown and her hair was a mess. I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of this, but I''m sure you have. Although he had seen her many times since they began living together, he had become aware of her ...... fondness for him and was now severely vulnerable to such casual moments. This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time with your family. I''m not sure if you know Lu and Goussetsu?¡¡When I woke up, they were both gone from my bed. ...... ...... Don''t worry about those two. He folded the newspaper and shrugged his shoulders. They''re going out together today. I''m sure you''ve heard that they''re going to be training with other demons in the Toa Cave. Was that so? He decided after you fell asleep. We left early in the morning. Allen tells me in as flat a voice as possible. Of course, it''s a total lie. Of course, it''s a complete lie, and he''s afraid he''ll be caught. But Charlotte smiled softly at him. "Well, then, ....... "Yeah? "It''s ...... just the two of us, isn''t it ......? ............ Yeah, I guess. Allen cocked his head and sat up. He slowly walked over to Charlotte. He looked straight into her eyes, which were somewhat tense. "Well, Charlotte. Yes, yes. To be honest, I don''t have a lot of experience with this kind of thing. To be honest, I don''t have a lot of experience with this kind of thing. I''m completely new to this whole dating thing. That''s why it''s ....... After a few moments of hesitation, Allen let the words out with a sigh. I''ll try to entertain you, but ...... to be honest, the date might be a disappointment. If you feel that way, feel free to-- ...... That''s not going to happen. Charlotte smiled and gently squeezed Allen''s hand. It''s a great way to get a good idea of what''s going on in your life. I''ve never even ...... thought of falling in love with someone like this. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. Charlotte ....... It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. I''m glad you said that. But ...... I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. I''m glad you said that. I''ll do everything in my power to make sure the date goes off without a hitch! "I''m looking forward to ....... Charlotte giggles at Allen''s enthusiasm. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''m not the only one. I''m going to go get ready to go out. I''m sorry to keep you waiting. I''m sorry to keep you waiting. Take your time. Have breakfast and then we''ll go. Yes! Charlotte left the living room with a big smile and walked out. Charlotte looked after her smilingly. "You''re too cute! Allen covered his face and fell to his knees. He knew she was cute. He knew she was cute, but she was updating that existing "cute value" every second. It was crazy that he could stand this. Writhing on the floor, Allen shouted out the window. "Did you guys see that?¡¡My girlfriend is ...... so, so healthy and pretty ......! "Well, so be it. "You''re really crying, ....... A beautiful woman peeking out of her face and a white dog the size of a medium-sized dog. It''s the Goussetsu and Lu who changed their appearance by magic. They have been standing by like this since this morning, preparing for their date. The two dogs frowned in disgust as they watched Allen''s disgusting behavior. "Can you really protect Mom like that? "............ Of course. Lu''s mocking voice made Allen stop sobbing immediately. I will protect my first date. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. He stood up slowly and ...... thrust his fist out firmly. It''s a great way to get a good idea of what''s going on. You can watch!¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it.¡¡That''s what being a man is all about! 110 100 Stories to Ikenai Date (2) Allen''s plan was very simple. First, he would take Charlotte and roam the streets. When doing so, he would deliberately go to a deserted place and pretend to keep an eye on Charlotte. If the bandits target them, he will return fire and continue the date. This is repeated over and over again. In other words, it''s like fishing. There is no guarantee that the bandits will come after him, and he has the insurance of Lu and Goussetsu. Therefore, Allen decided to concentrate on his date as best he could, but his plan was quickly foiled. The city is crowded today. Parents and children, families, adventurers ......, and couples like Allen and his friends. In the midst of the crowd, Allen made a new announcement. I''m not sure what to say. Let''s go to ......, what''s wrong? "Ugh, ....... Charlotte put on her hat and looked around restlessly. She is wearing the same wide-brimmed hat and white dress that she wore the other day when she went to the flower garden for a picnic. Her hair was ...... the same golden color as usual. Charlotte threw an anxious glance up at him. "Are you sure I ...... don''t need to dye my hair ......? "Hmm. It won''t be a problem. Allen tells her matter-of-factly. The reason she used to dye her hair when she went out was for disguise. But that was no longer necessary, Allen decided. Your wanted list is no longer in the city. It''s been a long time since you''ve been here, so it shouldn''t be a problem. "But... ...... Huh? Charlotte seemed unconvinced and just shrank back. Just then, someone approached her. It was a woman with a large backpack who looked like a peddler. She looked very familiar. "Oh, the shopkeeper of the past? "It''s been a while, Daimajou. It''s been a while, Daimajou." Allen held up one hand and the woman nodded lightly. I once bought a hair clip for Charlotte from a stall when I was in town. This was the shopkeeper from that time. It''s been a long time since you''ve seen ...... me. ......! She also looked at Charlotte and tilted her head slightly. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. I see you''ve dyed your hair. A change of scenery? "What? Yeah. It looks better on you. I think she''ll like the hair clip I sold her. Charlotte''s golden hair. The shopkeeper''s eyes narrowed as he saw the hair ornaments that adorned it. I''m not sure what to do with it. I''m going to go now, then. I''ll be there most of the time, so please come back and visit me. "Sure. I''ll stop by later if you want. After parting ways with the owner, Allen smiled at him. I''ll stop by later if you want. The people in this town know you with dark hair. I knew that if I wandered around with my original hair color now, they would just think I had changed my look. "Oh, I see. ...... Charlotte nodded her head. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. You can''t walk around with your head held high, that''s what''s wrong with you. "......, is that right? Of course. I am. ...... Thank you. Charlotte smiled thinly and gently lifted the brim of her hat. Apparently, she was able to blow it off. Allen patted her on the back, relieved. Good. Now then, let''s go to ......, but first... What''s that? I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. ...... I guess I didn''t say it well enough. This is a great way to get the most out of your business. That ...... is why we should hold hands so we don''t get separated. It is ...... yes. I''ve been to this city many times before. I''ve never been separated, and even if I were, I''d just go home. So Charlotte would have understood that this was just an excuse. But Charlotte didn''t say anything. She slowly took Allen''s hand and smiled at him. "Well, ...... we can''t get separated, can we? Yes. Yes, we mustn''t get separated. Allen smiled awkwardly back. And then the two of them walk slowly, holding each other''s hands. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure what to do. There was a lot of deadly energy, like tiny spikes, piercing from all directions. They were different from those of those who were trying to kill the couple. It''s the kind of thing you can only taste on the battlefield, the kind that makes your skin crawl. In addition, there are so few and so numerous that the full extent of them cannot be seen. Perhaps this is the group led by ...... Ricardo. (Haha ...... okay. If they try to do something, I won''t let them get away with it. I''ll crush you with all my might! Allen tried to smile wryly. "Heh, this is fun. Mr. Allen. "Yes, it''s fun. I''m sure you''ll have fun." Charlotte''s cheeks flushed as she said this, and she smiled very derisively. 111 111 stories Shopping at a magic tool shop (1) The first place Allen went was an alleyway off the main street. It was sparsely populated, with only houses lining the street. Charlotte looked at him curiously, but kept her hand firmly on Allen''s and followed him. Where the hell are you headed? I thought I''d do a little shopping. Oh, here. "Here, ......? Allen pointed to an even narrower alleyway that branched off. It was dimly lit, sandwiched between buildings, and there was a somber air in the air. But Allen didn''t mind and continued on his way. At the end of the path stood a crude hut. He opened the door and saw Charlotte''s eyes roll back in her head. "Wow, ......! What lay beyond the door was a huge space. The walls on either side were lined with shelves that ran all the way up to the third floor in the atrium. The shelves were filled with dried flowers and minerals. Other mysterious objects such as crystals floating in the air and slime sticking to the walls were also lined up, giving the room the appearance of a miscellaneous museum. And it went on and on as far as the eye could see. It was a familiar place to Allen, but it was the first time he had brought Charlotte there. He looked around in a daze. This is the first time I''ve brought Charlotte here. "It''s twisting space with magic. But still, ...... I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure what to make of it. "Hey, it''s me. Is anyone there? "Hey, Allen? Then I hear a voice from upstairs. I looked up. A young man in a wheelchair appeared out of the shadows. His dusky red hair was shoulder length and he had a soft smile on his face. It''s unusual for you to come to the store. Is there something wrong with the potions? No, I want to do some shopping. Is the owner around? He''s out stocking up at the moment. ...... I''ll come by if I can. Wait here. Then the wheelchair floated up and down to the first floor in front of Allen and his friends. The young man then bows to Charlotte. Hello there. You must be Charlotte. Nice to meet you. "Yes, I am. Nice to meet you. ......? Charlotte bobbed her head. She stares at the young man''s face and nods her head. "Um, have we met at ...... somewhere? "Yes, you know. That''s the guy that Erca was hounding in town. Oh, that guy! I''m Gilles Constant. It''s nice to meet you. Allen, Charlotte and Eruca had been in town together before. At that time, Eruca had spoken to this Jill. This is a magic shop, and Jill works here. But she''s only been here about a month. Eruka introduced me to her. ...... "I didn''t know that. ...... A magic shop, huh? Charlotte looks around with increasing interest. In the meantime, Allen twisted his head and growled. He had asked his sister-in-law, Eruca, to do some research on Charlotte''s homeland. But Eruca hasn''t come back yet. ...... She should have at least called. "Yeah. I got a letter from him saying he''d be back soon. Oh, really?¡¡But why did he write to you and not to me? ...... "...... What? Then Jill''s smile froze. Didn''t ...... Mr. Eluca tell you about me? "What? "Oh, ......, then I''d like to greet you again sometime ....... "So, what''s the greeting? Jill looked at him strangely. Allen could not do anything but twist his head, but then he realized that the man was not going to say anything more and changed his mind. I''m shopping for Charlotte today. I''m shopping for Charlotte today. "What?¡¡Oh, me? Yeah. You. Charlotte''s eyes rolled back in her head, probably because she was being talked to so abruptly. Smiling at her, Allen nodded. I thought it might be a good time for you to learn some magic. "Magic ......? Yes. Even with Lu and Goussetsu around, the more ways you can protect yourself, the better. Allen and his team will do everything in their power to protect Charlotte. However, Charlotte will be relieved if she has some fighting skills. I''m sure she''ll be able to learn magic in no time. And you know what? ...... I''m not sure what to make of that. It''s one of the five worst feelings in the world to unleash an attack spell on someone you don''t like. I wanted to give you a taste of that. Ha, ha. ...... I think it''s probably only for a few people. ...... Jill smiled a little wryly. 112 112 stories Shopping at a magic tool shop (2) But in that case, a beginner''s cane would be good. We have some available. Where is it?¡¡Let''s go for a walk and find out. One moment, please. I''ll draw you a map. Jill took out a piece of paper and a pen and drew us a map. The store was so huge that even Allen, who had been there several times, couldn''t grasp its entirety. Apparently, some customers regularly get lost. "Here you go, sir. If you don''t know where I am, please call me. We''ll come to you wherever you are. Thank you. While you''re here, I''d like to ask you a few questions. ...... Yes? Jill nodded her head, and Allen asked softly. How many people are in the store right now? If you don''t count the ...... regular customers, there''s about ten of us. "Hmm. Probably all my customers. You don''t have to touch them. Oh, I see. But are you sure you''re okay by yourself? No problem. I''ve got help. I''ll take your word for it. I''ve been wondering how to handle this many people without a manager. Jill nodded humbly. The store is quiet. In the midst of the tranquil air, a thin, deadly air was piercing from all sides. It was the same quality I had felt in the city. Jill didn''t ask any more questions, but sent them off with a smile. "Take care, then. "Okay. See you later. Thank you very much. Charlotte bowed to him and they walked off again, side by side. Unlike in the city, there was no one to be seen in the store. I''m not sure if it''s because I''ve never seen anything like it. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.¡¡I''m not sure I know what any of these things are. I don''t even know what any of this stuff is." "Well, you''ll learn as you go. Even a child can handle the most rudimentary of things. Allen laughed to encourage him. "To tell you the truth, I thought about it once, right after I met you. I was going to teach you magic. When I first picked you up, I didn''t think we''d be together this long. That''s why I thought I''d teach it how to live. But it took me a long time to put that into practice. Because I had to teach something else than magic. I had to teach something else than magic, and I was too busy with that. Is that a ...... bad thing? Exactly. What you really needed back then was not the art of fighting, but the ...... art of relaxing. Allen shrugs his shoulders exaggeratedly. "But it was hard at first. You''re the kind of guy who counts the wood grain on the floor when you tell him he''s free to go. "Ugh. ...... didn''t know how else to spend my time. Charlotte lowered her eyebrows and stained her cheeks in embarrassment. But she quickly clenched her fists. But that''s not the case anymore. If you give me some time, I can do some naughty things by myself. "Oh, like what? "Well, for example. For example, I can brush Lu, read a book, practice my cooking, or I can go to ....... Then Charlotte became a little hushed, and looked at Allen cautiously. "Do you want to watch Allen''s face while he naps ......? You''re doing ............ that? No, I haven''t done it that many times!¡¡I''ve only done it once or twice! Charlotte slurred her defense. It was as if she was confessing that she had done it many times. (Well, well, well. ...... If it means Charlotte has changed, so be it. ......) (Well, if Charlotte has changed, so be it. ) I was somewhat embarrassed, but also glad to hear it. She wouldn''t be counting the grains on the floor anymore. But then something occurred to me. "Hey, we started dating about a week ago, right? Huh?¡¡Yes, we have. Yes, but ......? I''ve never taken a nap in that time. ...... Allen nodded his head and asked straight away. "How long have you been watching me sleep? "............ "Hey, since when?¡¡Maybe since long before I realized I had feelings for you. Oh!¡¡Mr. Allen!¡¡You''ve got a lot of wands over there! Charlotte interrupted Allen''s words and pointed in the opposite direction. There, indeed, was a shelf containing a wide variety of wands. Charlotte''s face was red as she spoke. That''s where Jill told us to go, right?¡¡Let''s go there!¡¡Quickly!¡¡On your feet! No, no, no. Answer the question first. Hey, Charlotte. How long has this been going on?¡¡You can stare at me when I''m awake, if you want. No, no, I''m too cool to stare at when I''m awake. ...... It''s nothing!¡¡Let''s go! Finally, Charlotte dashed off. "Oh yeah. ...... Allen followed in a leisurely gait. He knew he was looking even looser than usual, but he couldn''t help himself. 113 113 Stories Flirting and Twisting Enemies (1) While flirting, the two of them arrived at an area lined with showcases. Wands in glass cases were lined up at even intervals, as if they were on display in a museum. Charlotte peered inside and exhaled. Wow, ......, that''s beautiful. Are these all magic wands? Some are made of wood, some are carved out of white stone, and some are studded with jewels. ...... Even though they are all magic wands, they can look very different. Some are engraved with the craftsman''s mark, and Charlotte gazed at them curiously. Allen nodded humbly. Well, everything here is for the beginner''s aid. Are there any other types? "Yes. There are wands with fire magic. You can create fireballs just by waving it. It is a kind of magic tool. It is popular among adventurers because it can be used by anyone, although it has a drawback that it can only be used a limited number of times. The wand here, however, has no such obvious effect. Allen points to his head with his index finger. To use magic, you need to concentrate your mind and create a clear image in your mind. This wand here will help you do that. "So the ...... wand will help me concentrate? "Well, in a nutshell, yes. Once you get used to it, you can use magic without a wand, but at first it''s essential. In addition to strengthening concentration, the wand has a variety of other effects, such as refining magic power, assisting aim ......, and so on. This is why it is common for those who are just learning magic to carry a wand. Allen opened the glass case and beckoned to Charlotte. "Well, rather than explain it to you. You can try it out. "Well, yes. But these things look expensive. ...... Can I afford it on my salary? "What, it''s for our first date. I''ll pay for it. "Mmm. You''re always doing that. ...... I get paid every month, and I''m saving up. Charlotte''s eyebrows furrowed, but she reached for her cane with trepidation. It''s a thin metal cane. The head is adorned with a blue crystal that glistens in the light of the museum. Holding it in both hands, Charlotte nods her head. "What do you think, ......? Hmm. Allen stroked his chin and stared at the figure standing there. He strokes his chin and stares at her. I''m sorry. I''m sorry. Can you turn around for a second? "Okay. Okay. Charlotte nodded with a serious face and spun around. The hem of her dress flew up and her golden hair swayed. Charlotte asked curiously. Charlotte asks curiously, "Does spinning help you see how good the wand is? "No, not really? "No? Allen says without hesitation. You can tell if a cane is right for you just by holding it. I asked him to come around for a more important reason. "I just thought it would look nice and pretty. ............ How did you like it? Of course you did. Putting his hand on Charlotte''s shoulder, Allen said with a straight face. You''re the cutest. "Ugh. ...... I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. She hugs her cane tightly, then slumps over and becomes small. I''m sure you''ll find a lot of people who''d like to know more about this kind of thing. What?¡¡Do you think I''m a handy guy who can use flattery? Ugh. ...... I don''t think that''s something you should be saying to yourself. ...... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure that''s a good idea. Show me more of your pretty face. The more you watch me sleep, the more I''m going to stare at you. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that.¡¡Don''t look at me. ......! Charlotte finally turned her back on him. I''ll end it there, since I don''t want to abuse her too much. Allen grinned and said... ''Well, we''ll talk about that later. You know how to use a wand, ......? "Yikes. Then all the lights in the store were turned off. The whole place was taken over by a silent darkness and Charlotte let out a small scream as she walked up to Allen. 114 114 Stories Flirting and Twisting Enemies (2) In the all-encompassing darkness, the crystals on the shelves and the liquid in the test tubes gave off a vague glow. Thanks to this, I could see Charlotte''s face very clearly. Allen smiled softly at her anxious look. "Don''t worry about it. Accidents like this happen all the time here. Is that so? Yeah. If you wait a while, the lights will come on. But don''t leave my side. Okay. I hope it gets light soon. Then Charlotte''s expression relaxed a little. She thought it was just a malfunction in the lighting. Allen wasn''t lying, though. This store is one of the most well-stocked magic shops in the country, the Golden Shop. There are many customers, but also many bandits. These unexpected incidents are commonplace. That''s why we''ve taken all the precautions we can, but this time it''s Allen''s prize. I''ll respectfully dispose of it myself. Hmm, he''s about to do it. It''s worth the provocation. Yes. Allen wasn''t just flirting aimlessly. He was thinking that if he exposed his carelessness, the enemy would be caught off guard and would attack sooner. Just as he had hoped, the atmosphere around him became even more tense. The attack would be soon. Nodding in response to the heavy handedness of the situation, Allen smiled. (Well, I did my best to enjoy it for what it was!¡¡(Well, that''s why I enjoyed it as much as I could!) My girlfriend is the cutest thing in the world! As Miaha had told him, there was no need to be uptight. We''re fine as we are. All we have to do is teach Charlotte all sorts of naughty things to see her happy and surprised face. We just added the chore of eliminating ...... enemies to that routine. (But how to get rid of the bandits without Charlotte finding out ......? Then I had a great idea. Allen smiled brightly and said in a hushed voice, as if he were trying to tell a secret. "Okay, while we''re at it. Let''s practice some magic. "Practice ......? "Yeah. Elementary stuff. A spell to create light. It''s a spell called "lighting". Unlike flames, it does not emit heat and is not extinguished by wind or rain, making it quite easy to use. The difficulty of learning it is also quite low, making it one of the most popular spells among the general public. When I explained this, Charlotte''s eyes lit up. I want to try it!¡¡I want to be a cool wizard like Mr. Allen! "Ambitious students are always welcome. So let''s get to class. Allen''s eyes narrowed at her. And so the impromptu class began. When Allen was teaching, he was famous for his spartan approach to teaching, but this time, of course, he was going to be very lenient. First, close your eyes and picture the light in your mind. "Well, what does that look like? "Light a lantern in a dark room. Something like that. You have to have a clear picture in your mind of the size and brightness of the light. I see. ...... I''ll have to try that. Charlotte clutched her wand in both hands and gently lowered her eyelids. Her face was serious, but full of the excitement of the unknown. (You really ...... have changed, haven''t you? Allen''s help had been minimal. The only reason she had changed so much was because of her own dedication. I wanted so much to protect that. What you''ve finally got. I''ll never forgive those who try to take it away from me. With a small breath, Allen looked around. His eyes had already grown accustomed to the darkness. The endless darkness began to flicker into a clearer form. All right, you stay there until I give you the signal. Keep practicing your imagery. "Yes! As soon as Charlotte replied cheerfully. "...... Sealed Wind Formation (Sylph Field). I''m sure you''ll agree that it''s a great idea. It was more for soundproofing than for Charlotte''s protection ....... This way, no outside noise can reach her. The preparations are complete. Allen holds up his right index finger and slowly bends it. Come on. A moment later, the darkness shot out like a bullet. Allen flipped his robe and spun a spell. It''s a high-level spell that sends electric shocks over a wide area. The power is immense, but the spell is long. Before he could finish the spell, an enemy shadow leapt in front of him. I''m not sure what to say. He fell to the floor and didn''t move a muscle. The rest of the shadows did the same. Muffled moans echoed from everywhere, and they fell to the floor. They were beastly men with black cloth covering everything but their eyes. "Hahaha!¡¡You''ve got me there, you idiots! Allen interrupts his spell and lets out a loud laugh. It''s no big deal. He simply threw a needle with a neurotoxin on the tip at the moment he flipped his robe. The lengthy spell was a bluff. If you''re a wizard, why don''t you play with magic? Don''t be ridiculous. They''ll think you''re a wizard and come after you. Then the right way to fight is to outsmart them. And simply, deception suited me very well. I''m sorry, but I don''t have time to pick and choose!¡¡Bring the rest of them with you! "I don''t need to be told. At the same time as he said it out loud, a deadly atmosphere swelled up behind Allen. Apparently, he had missed a shot. But... "Branch out! "Whoo! "Aaahh! The dignified sound of a woman''s voice and the roar of a beast. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. It was the work of Goussetsu and Ru. Although they didn''t show themselves, they seemed to be able to help him. "Okay, I''ll take care of the back!¡¡You guys! "Stick with ......!¡¡You''re all mine!¡¡Let''s go! And so a great battle began. Amidst the roars and explosions, the screams and shouts... "Mmmm, mmmm...... bright light...... warm cocoa...... late nights with Allen-san... ...Haha, no!¡¡I have to concentrate, I have to concentrate. ...... Charlotte continued her serious image training alone in the wind wardrobe. 115 115 Stories To Come (1) And so, after the shopping was done. Allen was taking Charlotte to the next place. Facing each other across a round table, Allen stroked his chin. "Well, I''ll have an ale for now. ...... What about you? Well, I''ll have a ...... glass of water. Orange juice and ale, please. Yes, sir. I said water would be fine. ...... The waiter bows his head respectfully and leaves with the menu. The waiter bowed politely and left the menu. And so it should be. They were in one of the most expensive restaurants in town. The spacious restaurant was lined with many tables, and the sound of the piano gently echoed in the background. Even though there was no dress code, it was a place where you would need to consult with your wallet to enter. As a result, Charlotte had been nervous ever since she stepped into the restaurant. She looked around restlessly and then looked into the face of Allen who was sitting in front of her. "Oh, Mr. Allen. I thought this was an expensive restaurant. ...... "Well, it''s not really for the masses. It''s nothing to worry about. Of course I care!¡¡You paid a lot of money for my cane earlier. ...... There was a magic wand propped up on the back of Charlotte''s chair. It was a metal one with a blue crystal on its head. The first thing she picked up was a wand that was the perfect length and weight, and she decided on it without much trouble. She must have seen how many gold coins Allen had given her to pay for it. Charlotte''s brow furrowed and she looked unhappy. (Hmm. I''m not bored with this, but I''ll have to clear up any ...... misunderstandings. Allen opens his mouth, searching his pockets. "Don''t worry, you''re not spending a dime. Look. Look at this receipt. "Receipt ......? It was a good thing I had Jill prepare it for me, just in case. The receipt listed all the items Allen had purchased this time. "One magic wand, ...... twenty bunches of herbs, seven numbing mushrooms, and three bottles of purple slime secretion ......? Charlotte rolls her eyes as she reads out the long list. You''ve bought a lot of stuff. ...... When did this happen? "Yeah. I needed some. Is it an ingredient for a magic potion by any chance? Something like that. Allen smiles hawkishly. To tell you the truth, these are to pay for the items that were damaged as a result of my antics in the store. (Even though they were weak, there were so many of them. I overdid it. There were about twenty attackers. I tried to put them down as smartly as I could, but there was some damage to the goods in the store. However, since the shop was only stocked with rudimentary magic tools, it was a small price to pay. In the end, the dark assault was settled in less than a few minutes. By the time the lights came on, Goussetsu and Lu had removed every last one of the black-skinned men, leaving behind a closed-eyed Charlotte and Allen ...... and a few rough shelves of merchandise. When the time is right, Allen gently removes the wind wards. I''m not sure if I''d be able to do that if I were you. That''s all the training I''m going to give you. Open your eyes and do as I say. "Yes, sir. Charlotte opened her eyes without any doubt and recited the spell that Allen was saying. I''m not sure if this is a good idea. At the same time as she recited it in a strained voice. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to hear that. It''s a little thing, but it''s a good thing.¡¡It''s tiny, but it''s a ...... light! "Yes, yes, you are as good a student as I thought you were. Allen nodded smilingly and watched as she used her first magic. And with that, the elimination of the enemy was complete, without Charlotte even noticing. So far, everything was going according to plan, including Charlotte''s distraction from the atmosphere of the store. When she saw the receipt, she was satisfied with the price, but she still didn''t feel comfortable in the store. In a restless whisper, he whispered. But after all, a normal restaurant would have been fine, right?¡¡I''m happy to eat anywhere with you, Allen-san. I was thinking the same thing, but as far as I could tell, this was the best place for us. Conditions? Excuse me, sir. The waiter came in with the drinks. After placing the ale and juice on the table, he reverently presents the menu booklet. Here is the menu, sir. Please take your time. "Oh. Thank you. After seeing the waiter off, Allen handed Charlotte the menu. I just wanted to give you a taste of what we have here. What the hell is ......? Charlotte opened the menu and froze, rolling her eyes. The chef here is the one next door. The chef here is from the neighboring kingdom of Neils. So you can enjoy the cuisine of both countries here. This city is located near the border between two countries, the Kingdom of Notre, where Allen and his friends live, and the Kingdom of Niels, Charlotte''s homeland. Therefore, there are some people from the Kingdom of Neals in the city. There are many restaurants that serve food from both countries, and this restaurant has the best reputation among them. I explained this, but Charlotte remained silent. This made Allen feel uncharacteristically uneasy. (Mmm ...... is it still too early to talk about home? Charlotte hadn''t missed the taste of her homeland since she came here. Maybe it''s because she''s afraid of Allen, or maybe it''s because she doesn''t have good memories of her homeland, or maybe it''s both. That''s why Allen dared to bring her here this time. He said, "Well, ...... you''ve grown accustomed to this place, and I thought it would be nice to give you a taste of home. But if you don''t like it, you can go to another restaurant now. "...... No. Charlotte quietly cut off Allen''s words. She shook her head slowly and pointed to a corner of the menu. The light in her narrowed eyes was warm. "This tomato soup with beans and chicken ...... is a dish my mother used to make. It''s been a long time since I''ve had it. "...... I see. Allen nodded as he chewed. He ordered some soup and a few other dishes from the waiter and then smiled at Charlotte again. He smiled again at Charlotte and said, "Let''s talk for a while until the food arrives. It''s about the future. "...... Yes. Charlotte nodded her head awkwardly. 116 116 Stories To Come (2) "Well. You have two choices right now. Allen held up his index and middle fingers, indicating to Charlotte. He counts the seconds, and then slowly tells her... "First. The first is to forget everything and live in peace. "Forget everything. ...... Charlotte chewed on the words slowly. And Allen nodded emphatically. "Exactly. You''ve learned today that you can walk the streets without a disguise. The bounty that was put on you is probably still in effect, but ...... if the bounty hunters come, I will do whatever I can to eliminate them. Just like now. (Well, here comes the real deal.) In the event that you''ve got a lot of time, you''ll be able to take a look at the web site. At a table some distance away, there were five men. All of them were beasts, and at first glance they seemed to be enjoying their meal while chatting peacefully. There was no hint of murder in their eyes. However, the way they carried themselves was unmistakably that of a man who had experienced many battles. The people who had attacked them at the magic shop were not that powerful, even though Allen and the others had taken them on. Perhaps that was the initial response team. The people here at ...... are probably the ones who have a distinct advantage over them. (Well, that doesn''t mean I''m going to lose. I''m not in the mood to deal with them right now. He knew what his priority should be. So Allen secretly tapped the table three times. This was the signal that he had already decided on. At that moment, a white shadow ran past Allen''s table. "Gahhh!¡¡Gahhhh! "What the hell is ...... this dog? It''s a puppy with fluffy white fur. A puppy with fluffy white fur jumped out at the feet of the sub-humans, barking and frolicking innocently. The men are baffled by it. From their point of view, it should be easy to kill one of the puppies, but they don''t want to stand out. They seemed to be having a hard time deciding what to do. "Oh, I''m sorry. Hey. There was someone who spoke to her. She was a beautiful woman in a jet-black dress. She brushed back her voluminous flaxen hair, lowered the corners of her eyes, and smiled bewitchingly at them. That''s my child, you know. He''s so full of energy, he''s in trouble. ...... I''m sorry to trouble you. "Huh?¡¡Oh, no, it''s ...... okay? Oh, yeah. I guess they thought we were friends. When men see a beautiful woman, they turn their noses up at her. It seems that her beauty has nothing to do with the difference in race. She looked around at all the admiring faces and her smile deepened. "Hmm ......, I see. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. "What is ......? A moment later, all of the men collapsed at once. It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. As it was, the beautiful woman - Goussetsu - easily carried up all the unconscious people and gave them a thumbs up. Allen thanked her with just a look. (......I''ll make sure not to make enemies of those guys) While he was making up his mind, Goussetu and Lu left the store in high spirits. Now we can wipe out all the enemies here. Relieved, Allen decided to continue his conversation with Charlotte. "And there''s another option. Forget about it all and live quietly. Her other future, which is different... "I''ll get it all over with. I guess that''s it. "...... Charlotte gulped faintly. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I have. But revenge is not the goal. The first thing I want to do is restore your honor. I''m going to clear your name and prove your innocence. Even though the heat is still on, if this continues, Charlotte''s name will be recorded as a criminal for all time to come. Allen thought it was essential to regain his honor so as not to cast a dark shadow over the rest of his life. ...... But even as he talked about this, Charlotte''s face remained stiff. She stared at the hand in her lap as if she had forgotten to blink. Seeing this, Allen groaned in his heart. (Well, I suppose that''s a natural reaction, ...... since you''re going to have to face the horrors of the past. The people in his family who have been torturing Charlotte for years. The second prince of the kingdom of neales, who framed and tricked her. To restore our honor, we must confront those responsible. It''s not enough for Allen and Gowsetsu to take action. It would be meaningless if Charlotte herself did not overcome them. That''s why I didn''t want to force her to do anything. Allen shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly and said jokingly. However, a fun revenge drama takes time. If you don''t feel like it, you can always-- "...... me. Charlotte finally opened her mouth, interrupting Allen''s words. She raised her head slowly, her face still stiff, but a small change could be seen. I''ve been running away from ...... this whole time. It''s not that I''ve been holding back. I was afraid to fight, so I just ran away. Her voice was trembling as she spoke plainly. Even so, she looked straight at Allen. The light in her eyes is as warm and strong as the magical light she has just created. I want to change that about myself. That''s why I won''t run away anymore. Even though it''s scary and painful and my heart hurts, I don''t want to run away from ....... "See you at ....... Yes. I''m going to try my best. Charlotte made her decision with a deep breath. I''m not sure I''m strong enough. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. Charlotte continued to talk as if she were a dam, perhaps as a reaction to her silence. And I want to see my sister ...... again, just my sister. "Oh, your half-sister. I think her name is ....... Natalia. I was told to call her by her name at home, though. Charlotte chuckled in annoyance. The only girl who supported Charlotte at home was Natalia. This was the first time she had ever said that she wanted to see her, although she had often mentioned her. This is the first time I''ve said that I miss her. So I want to prove my innocence and apologize to her for the ...... trouble I caused her. And I''ve been thinking ...... that if I could, we could be like normal sisters ....... You will. Charlotte''s voice began to rise. I''ve been thinking about it for a long time, and I''ve always wanted to be like a normal sister. Teardrops spill from her large eyes. Gently wiping away the tears, Allen grasped her hand tightly. I''ll help you. So don''t worry about anything. Everything will be fine. "Mr. Allen, ....... Charlotte''s face contorted into a grimace. She was about to burst into tears again when she ...... realized something and raised her eyebrows in concern. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Hmmm ......, I guess we''ll have to work that out. First of all, to what degree can I violate the law? There''s no such thing as "degree"!¡¡You can''t do anything wrong!¡¡You can''t do anything wrong! The tears completely receded, and Charlotte shouted. I can''t even tell which one of us is older than the other. (Hmmm, maybe she''ll become strong enough to take ...... me on the butt sooner or later? (Hmm, maybe she''ll be strong enough to put me on her ass one day?) Allen was looking forward to it and thinking about the bright future. 117 117 Stories To Come (3) "Well, ......, I''m glad I could confirm your intentions at first. There''s no rush to take action today or tomorrow, so let''s start slowly. "Well, yes. I''m sure Mr. Allen will give you a lot of trouble, but ...... What do you mean? You''re my ...... un. Then Allen became a little hushed. But after a while, he put the words on his tongue with determination. "You''re my lover, you know. "...... Yes. Charlotte blushed and said in a mosquito-like voice. This made us both a little silent. We could hear the clatter of dishes and the chattering of others around us. But it''s not an awkward silence - Allen looks at Charlotte, who has turned red and slumped over, and sighs deeply. (Yes, it''s still nice ...... to have such a casual exchange with a lover. Maybe in the future, she''ll be the one to take Allen under her wing. I wanted to enjoy her first reaction for a while. While I was immersed in such sweet and sour thoughts, a thought occurred to me. There''s something I want to ask you. Is this a good time? "Huh?¡¡If I can answer it, it''s at ....... "Well, it''s not much of a question, is it? Allen scratched his head and then asked simply. How long have you been in love with me? "...... yes? Charlotte''s eyes blinked and she froze. Charlotte blinked and froze. Allen, on the other hand, continued unconcerned. "No. It was the incident with Dorothea the other day that made me aware of my feelings for you. The dark elf who lived in the basement of my house. I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of this, but I''m sure you have. I''m sure he liked her even before ...... that. And then I thought, what about you? The moment when Allen confessed. Was it the moment when Allen confessed his love to her, or was it some time before that? I couldn''t help but be curious, even if it didn''t matter now. And now that they were alone, it was time to ask. Allen put pressure on him with a smile. "So, when did this start?¡¡Hmm? "Well, um, well, ....... Charlotte is blatantly upset and clams up. Allen''s eyes were on the back of her head. That''s the kitchen. I don''t think the food will be here for a while. Give it up and tell me. "Ughhhh ...... Mr. Allen''s a tease. Charlotte''s lips puckered up and she gave him a resentful look. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand that I''m not the only one. "That night? You know, we used to look at the stars together. Yeah, we did that once. One day, about a month after Charlotte''s arrival. One night, about a month after Charlotte''s arrival, she had a nightmare and couldn''t sleep. Allen took her outside and encouraged her to change her mood. He took her outside and encouraged her to relax. "You said that night, Mr. Allen, that I would come to your aid no matter where you were. You said that at ....... Now that I think about it, it''s a toothless line. Allen is uncomfortable and fidgety, but ...... Charlotte smiles softly, like a flower breaking. It''s not a comfort. It''s not that I''m complacent, it''s that I know you mean what you say. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. So, ...... since that day, I''ve been following your gaze more and more, and when I''m with you, I get nervous. So I realized that I liked him. I realized that I liked you." "Well, you realized it much earlier than I did. You should''ve told me. No, I couldn''t have told you! Charlotte looked up in disbelief. Charlotte looks up with a start, but then her shoulders slump and she shrinks. I''ve been thinking a lot about ...... whether it would bother me if I fell in love with a wanted man. I don''t think so. Do you really think I care about that? ...... Yes, of course. Charlotte giggled a little and looked up. But I''m not running away again. "But I''m not running away anymore. No, no, no. That''s good. That''s my Charlotte. Allen nodded and casually flirted with her. Apparently, we were both struggling with this and that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "Well then, ...... I have a question for you too, Mr. Allen. Can I ask you something? "Oh, anything you want. Allen responded in an eagle-eyed manner, but... "How many people have you been in a relationship with at ......? "What about ......? I rolled my eyes and froze, because the question that came out was a question. He had never been asked such a question before in his life. Allen''s brow furrowed and his voice strained. Now ......, if I''m not mistaken, I was asked about my dating experience, right? "Yes. Charlotte''s expression hardened somewhat and she nodded her head. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out how to get the best out of me.¡¡I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. "I have no idea what kind of ''Allen'' you''re talking about. ......? "Huh? I have no idea which Allen you are talking about. No, no, no. You''re the only person I''ve ever gone out with, ever. I''m sure you''re not the only one.¡¡But there are women in magic schools, aren''t there? Of course, there were women among the students and faculty, but none of them were intimate. After all, I''ve always been a magician. "So ...... I''m your first girlfriend, Allen? Yes, I am. Oh, I see. ...... Heh. ...... You look pretty happy, don''t you? Allen can only nod his head at the smiling Charlotte. I wonder if that''s how it works. (Hmm, what if Charlotte had a boyfriend, ......? (Hmm, what if Charlotte had a boyfriend before?) The fianc¨¦, the prince, is a no-go. Allen felt his ...... temples tense up as he tried to imagine just a hint of it. "Oh, no. I want to kill him. "Yes?¡¡What did you just say to me? "Ha-ha, nothing. Don''t worry about it. By the way, you''re new to ......, right? Of course I am. I''ve never even talked to a man before I came here. ...... Oh, yeah!¡¡That''s good to know! Allen''s fists clenched tightly. In the meantime, Charlotte stroked her chin and growled. I''m not sure why she''s looking at Allen so suspiciously. I''m sure you''ll be very popular. Are you sure you''ve never been with a woman? "You''re buying too much. There is no one else who likes me as much as you do. I don''t know. ...... Yes, I do. Allen shrugs his shoulders. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. "...... Yes? Charlotte''s smile tugged at the corners. But Allen didn''t notice and thought back to his old teaching days. I''m not sure if it''s because I''m a picky eater or not. I''m not sure if it''s because I''m a picky eater or not, but I''ve had a lot of people push their food on me. ...... Oh, and sometimes there''s a letter attached, too. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. Other than that, it was always the girls who came to ask questions after class. Not only that, but after school, I was surrounded by girls in the library, in the training hall, and everywhere I went. Well, all the women at that school were very studious. ...... Mr. Allen. What?¡¡What the hell? Then Allen gulped. Charlotte was smiling at him. But it wasn''t the usual innocent smile. It was not the usual innocent smile, but a smile with a hint of dignity. I''ll try to practice.¡¡I''ll try to practice. "Huh?¡¡Oh, no, but it was just regular sandwiches and cupcakes and stuff like that. That''s not what I''m talking about. Just teach me, okay? Okay? Ha, ha. ...... Allen can only nod his head in acknowledgement of the pressure. Charlotte said, "I won''t lose for sure!¡¡No matter what kind of food it is, I''ll master it! Allen twisted his head and said, "Go for it ......? Allen just twisted his head and gave him a puzzled shout. Although he was not aware of it at all, he was actually very popular with women. He is a boy genius with a reasonably good face and is regarded as one of the best in history, and his backers, the Crawfords, are one of the most famous families in Japan. With such favorable conditions, his eccentric personality was tolerated to a certain extent, and women who were looking for a fortune were making overt moves on him. However, for Allen at that time, love was a different world. He didn''t even notice that there were a lot of flags in the air, and that''s how he ended up here. (Well, whatever the case, I''m glad that ...... Charlotte became more ambitious. (Well, I''m glad that Charlotte is motivated.) Studying to be a demon wizard, magic, cooking. Her world is expanding day by day. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. I can''t believe it. You''re really strong. "Huh?¡¡What''s wrong, Mr. Allen? The next thing I know, I''m blowing up. Charlotte rolls her eyes. Charlotte rolled her eyes, but Allen didn''t have any time to make up for it. Because he saw a black panther beastman coming through the entrance of the store without a care in the world. It was, without a doubt, Ricardo, the head of the bounty hunter group that was supposed to be stalking Charlotte. (The big boss is here. ......!¡¡You''re not going to do this here, are you? It was daytime, and there were many people around. It was the middle of the day and there were many people around. The fact that he came in alone in such a situation was a sign of confidence. Allen was instantly on the alert. He was ready to unleash his magic at any moment, but at that moment... "Huh? Charlotte spun around and caught sight of the beastman. And then she smiles. "Mr. Ricardo!¡¡Hello. Hello. - Oh, the old girl. Hello. ............? Ricardo also bowed his head cheerfully. Thanks to him, Allen could only sit back and pout. 118 118 Stories The Great Work of Concluding Charlotte and Ricardo smiled at each other. There was no sense of urgency at all. Ricardo''s smile is gentle, and he does not show any hostility. It was a scene of acquaintances meeting and greeting each other in a moment''s notice. That''s exactly what I saw. (What the heck is this ............ all about? It was no longer a matter of firing off an attack spell. Allen''s eyes blinked, but he ...... chose his words carefully. "Oh, hey, Charlotte. Yes? Is this man a ...... friend of yours? "Huh. ...... acquaintance, huh? Ricardo smiled thinly and looked at Allen with a stern look. It was a very bitter color that came to mind. I''m sure I''ve met you before, too. "Oh, you know Mr. Allen too? "Oh, ......?¡¡No, no, I have no idea. ...... Allen frantically searched his memory. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. While Allen was groaning, Charlotte opened her mouth with a smile. I met Mr. Ricardo when I came to the city alone. I met Mr. Ricardo when I came to town alone. "Mm. ......?¡¡Oh, yeah. That time? Just a little while ago now. With Allen''s first paycheck, Charlotte had gone out to buy gifts for the people in her life. On that occasion, Allen had secretly followed her and supported her while she went out. It was a lion''s share of his efforts. He went ahead of Charlotte when she got lost, and worked to improve the environment by slashing and throwing the ruffians that had taken up residence in the area, and then slashing and throwing them again. I''m not sure why there were so many people who collapsed all over the place that day. ...... So I went around distributing the magic potion that Allen gave me. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. ............ I see. "I''m glad you remembered. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at our own web site. I really can''t thank you enough, young lady. That time I was suddenly attacked by a vicious thug, and I was very weak. "I didn''t know that ...... there were such scary people in this town. Hahaha ....... In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. What would she think if she found out that the thug was Allen? (No, but ...... apparently he''s not really hostile, is he? Ricardo is a natural. He''s not lying, and his gratitude for Charlotte is genuine. But then there''s the big mystery. When Allen was staring at ......, Ricardo''s eyes narrowed and he smiled. I''ll talk to you later. When you''re done eating, ...... could you give us a few minutes of your time? I don''t care about ....... Allen responded with a hawkish smile. All the food at the restaurant was delicious and they took their time to enjoy it. Charlotte, in particular, was delighted with the taste of her old hometown and was glad that she had brought her along. Their first date ended ostensibly without a hitch. Afterwards, Allen went to a bar near the restaurant. Ricardo was already waiting for him at the counter. Allen took his place next to him, and when the drinks he had ordered were served, he slowly opened his mouth. I''ve been hiding out in this city for quite some time now. I''ve been hiding in this city for quite some time now. I don''t need to tell you ...... what I''m here for. "...... Charlotte, right? That''s right. He nodded gravely and took out a wanted document from his pocket. Of course it''s for Charlotte. Then Ricardo told me his original plan. When he learned that Charlotte had disappeared near the city, he searched steadily and found a girl who looked like her ....... The plan went awry that day. The day Charlotte went off on her own and Allen continued his rapid progress. It was on that day that you were knocked down by your brother,......, and that young lady reached out to me, and I realized. Ricardo lifted the edge of his mouth sarcastically and tilted his glass just a little bit. You''re no match for him, and you''re no ...... head to be had. No, no, no, wait, wait. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''ve seen it before.¡¡I''m not sure what to say. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I gathered my men and told them to give up on this target. But my men were not satisfied. Against my orders, they began to investigate Miss Charlotte on their own. ...... The narrative is very grave. After a few moments of silence, Ricardo''s head spilled out. And then, before you know it, they ...... have formed their own group to watch over Miss Charlotte. Instead of following her, they started watching over her from the shadows. "Oh, because it''s ......? Allen was disgusted and turned around quietly. There were many subhumans gathered in the large bar. They are all black, with bumps and bruises all over the place. And yet, all of them had a bright smile on their faces. They''re surrounded by Charlotte... "Nice to meet you!¡¡It''s a pleasure to meet you! It''s a pleasure to meet you!" "Our leader took care of you the other day! Oh, would you like some juice?¡¡We have snacks. Yes, thank you. Thank you very much. She bows her head reverently, offers juice, and takes good care of him. It''s not the face of a group of thugs who are after a poor girl. ...... Of course, they are all members of the group that Allen, Lu and Goussetsu beat up. What''s that?¡¡They attacked me today because ....... I''m sure it''s just a jealousy attack because your brother took Miss Charlotte. "Why do all the weirdos like my mom? ......? You can only say that you were born under such a star. I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything that might help you. He has completely put aside the fact that he was out of control the other day. As expected, he has a thick skin. Ricardo then turned to Allen again and bowed deeply. I''m really sorry. I knew you two were going to enjoy your first date today, but I couldn''t ...... handle it, so I had to sit back and watch. Thanks for the help. "No, yeah, ...... I don''t really care about anything anymore ....... Allen''s shoulders slumped. I''m tired of all this. He thought that the bad guys who were after Charlotte were coming in droves, but the ...... actual murderous intent was all directed at Allen. It''s too much to take in. (But I guess it''s okay if ...... Charlotte is safe. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. So, what''s the deal with that ...... wizard? "Oh, you''re Allen? Yes. Has he done anything strange to you? It''s not uncommon for them to be a bit of a jerk. ...... "Mm-hmm. ......? Charlotte nodded her head. In the event that you''re looking for the best way to get the most out of your business, you''ll want to take a look at the following. I''m not sure about ......, but ...... Allen is a good person. "...... Is that so? You can find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. Some of them were quietly crying tears of regret. Seeing this, Ricardo shrugged his shoulders. She seems to have a very unique talent. I''m not sure if I''m a connoisseur or not, but ...... I''d say be careful with her. I''m sure you''re well aware of that. ...... Allen also tipped his glass and lowered his eyes. The Fenrir family, the Goussetsu debacle, and now this. And now this. Even if Charlotte is a good-natured girl, there''s a limit to how much she can be adored by the unspecified. (I wonder if it''s in her blood. ......) (I wonder if that''s the kind of bloodline she has... ) This should be clarified in the future. Allen gulped down the remaining sake and smiled. At any rate, I''m relieved for the moment. I''m sure there are no more fools in this town who would target Charlotte. "............ Mm. "Hey, what''s with the slurred responses? You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. He looked away and began to slurp down his drink like a desperate man. In fact,......, I could have stopped my crew by myself. But the ...... number of them was so large that there was nothing I could do about it. "There are too many ......? When Allen heard that, he suddenly noticed something strange. Before he knew it, it was getting strangely noisy outside the store. He didn''t like it, but he dragged his heavy feet towards it and gently opened the door to the outside. There was an army that filled the entire street. All of them are armed and bleary-eyed with murderous intent. They are the adventurers of this city,......, who, like Ricardo, have been beaten by Allen and helped by Charlotte. Some of the faces are familiar. Some of the faces are familiar: Wogel from the Puppet Family, Ralph from Wolves Stan, Dominic from Footprints in the Twilight ......, and so on. As soon as they see Allen, they all raise their eyebrows and start screaming. "The Great Demon King!¡¡You''ve finally taken our idol,......! Let me at least take one hit before I congratulate you! Hey!¡¡If you make that girl cry, I''ll really hurt you! "If you make her cry, I''ll really hurt you! Just as I was getting discouraged, Ricardo, who came up behind me, added a few words. "That''s right. The Watchtower isn''t just my crew, it''s all over the city. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m no longer the king''s vessel of this centripetal ...... force. Allen can only hold his head. It''s not going to be hard for him to take over. Just then, Charlotte pops up from behind him. "Wow. What are you all doing together? "Oh, yeah. They''re all here for me. You''ll have to wait inside with Lu and the others. Did you get ......? Mom. Leave those idiots alone and pat me down. Lu, you''ve worked hard today. Lu tugged on Charlotte''s confused sleeve and led her into the store. Allen smiled at her and slammed the door behind him, creating a soundproof barrier. The one he used to protect Charlotte in the magic shop. This time, the whole store. This way, any commotion outside won''t reach the inside. "Hmm, so that''s it. So, ...... is fine. Allen smiled thinly and flipped his cloak. Then he said in a loud, booming voice. If you have any questions about Charlotte''s relationship with me, please come forward!¡¡I''ll take on every last one of you!¡¡Prepare yourselves! "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! And so began a battle in which there was absolutely nothing to be gained. 119 119 Stories Popular Elegant Holidays (1) That day, Allen''s house was a little busy in the morning. However, it was also a quiet morning for the landlord. While he was spreading out the newspaper in the living room, Charlotte, who had finished getting ready, came in. "Charlotte, did you forget anything? Charlotte, did you forget anything? Yes, I''m sure. Charlotte nodded her head seriously in response to Allen''s question. She was dressed in her usual outfits today. A blue hairpiece, a dress, and a basket bag. It''s the same outfit she wore on her date with Allen just a few weeks ago. ...... Unfortunately, another escort was assigned to escort her today. "I''m sorry, Master Charlotte. Then from behind her comes Goussetsu. Instead of the usual "carefree" capybara from hell, he is a beautiful woman. She wears only simple clothes, but her proportions and good looks give her an aura that would attract attention at any party. I''m not sure what to make of this. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to do with your time and how you''re going to do it. "No, you don''t. I''m really looking forward to the pancakes too! I''m really looking forward to the pancakes! I''m really looking forward to the pancakes! Apparently, a popular caf¨¦ in town is offering a limited menu. The flyer shows an illustration of pancakes piled high with cream, fruit, pudding, macarons and other toppings. It seems that only women''s groups can order these pancakes, and that''s why Goussetsu invited Charlotte to go eat them. And since it''s only for women''s groups, Allen will be staying at home. (Well, yeah, ...... I can''t go out with you on this one, either, ......) Just looking at the illustration gives me heartburn, but I think I''d collapse if I actually saw it. I''m not a big fan of sweets. In the event that you''ve got a lot more than one of these, you''ll be able to take a look at a few of them. I''m not sure what to make of this. I was surprised. I''m not sure if this is the first time Charlotte has seen you.¡¡How do you like it? I''m somewhat confident in my ability to change. "It''s very nice! Charlotte''s eyes twinkled and she cheered as Gousset held out his chest. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. "Charlotte-dono ....... In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. You can call me your sister if you like. If you don''t mind, you can call me sister. I''d be willing to give up my world for my little sister. No, no, no. ...... It''s just in time. ...... You''ve got to learn to live with that. Allen can only stare at him. I could tell that he was joking 90% of the time, so I just gave him a glare and let him go. The other 10% was serious, so I had to be careful. While we were talking about this, Lu, who was eating breakfast, also came close to Charlotte. ''Mom, Lu''s ready to go out too!¡¡Let''s go! "Hmm. You''re looking forward to going out, aren''t you, Lu? "You''re going to eat good food, right?¡¡Lu likes meat, but she also likes sweets. "I hear they serve not only pancakes, but also delicious cakes and tapioca milk tea. The three of us can share. "Share!¡¡That sounds great! One of us and two of them are squealing with excitement. It''s a rather strange combination, but ...... Allen has gotten used to it. He sits back on the couch and smiles at Charlotte. I''m sure you''ll have a great time. Call me if you need anything. I''ll be right over. "Okay. Is Mr. Allen off today? Sort of. I''ll take my time. I''ll see you at ....... Well, leave it to me to protect Master Charlotte. "I''ll get you some souvenirs, so be good. And with that, the ladies departed in droves. Immediately, the house was enveloped in silence. However, it was not completely silent, and the forest outside was filled with the sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling, creating a pleasant melody. Allen, left alone, stretched out on the sofa. I''m going to read some magic papers for now. I''ve been so busy lately that I''ve accumulated a lot of papers. I picked up one of the stacks of papers on the low table beside me and flipped through it. He grabbed a red pen to check the papers and was ready to go. Immediately, Allen was so absorbed in the text of the paper that he couldn''t ----. "----? "..................? No matter how much he read, he couldn''t get any of it into his head. I try to read it aloud, but the sound of my own voice echoing in the quiet living room makes it hard to sit, and I''m getting less and less engaged. "It''s funny ......, usually I should be able to get into my head more easily, but I don''t ...... have a cold ......, do I? You know your own condition well. I''m feeling great today, without lack of sleep. Then there''s another reason why I can''t concentrate. Allen gives up and puts the stack of papers back. He twisted his head in thought for a moment, and then suddenly realized. "...... Come to think of it, I haven''t been completely alone in months, have I? Until the beginning of this spring, Allen had lived in this mansion all by himself. But now he has a roommate named Charlotte, more Lu, and more Goussetsu. In addition, there were more guests. Miaha, Eruca, Megas, Glow, and so on. There was always someone around Allen, and it was always lively and noisy. But today, for the first time in a long time, he''s alone, and it''s hard to work. This means that... I''m ............ lonely, aren''t I? A twenty-one-year-old man, a grown man, is lonely when he''s home alone. It was quite a hellish scene. No, no, no, no, no, no, no!¡¡No!¡¡It''ll never happen! Allen hurriedly got up from the couch and shook his head. He tried his best to deny that he had noticed, but the silence of the house was bothering him. It had been a long time since I was a child, and I hadn''t felt so disturbed by the absence of anyone but myself. However, Allen''s pride wouldn''t allow him to admit it. I''m sorry, ......, but I''m a little distracted. It''s not possible. It''s not like you''re going to be able to say, "I''m lonely. ...... I''m not lonely or anything. It''s not that I''m lonely or anything, but ...... yeah. I''d welcome a visitor at this time, yes. I wanted someone to come and get me out of this uncomfortable situation as soon as possible. Allen briefly recalled the faces of the possible visitors. Charlotte and the others wouldn''t be back until the evening, so those three were out. First Miaha. She came to make a delivery early in the morning, so she doesn''t have much to do today. Then there''s my sister, Eruca. We haven''t seen her in a while, so it''s unlikely. Then there''s Megus, Glow and the others. ...... They''re probably recuperating for the time being, since I gave them a good workout the other day. Jill and the owner of the magic shop have never been here, and Dorothea, the dark elf who used to live in the garden, has not been heard from since she was taken away by the editor in charge. In short, it was highly unlikely that a guest would come. I''m not sure if I''m ...... a popular person or not. I felt the blood drain from my face. This is one of those days when you realize what you don''t need to realize. As I stood there in a daze... Boom, boom, boom! "......! Suddenly, there was a banging sound at the door. This was a sign that a guest had arrived, a savior who could do something about the uncomfortable atmosphere. Allen ran to the front door in a panic. "Oh, wait!¡¡I don''t know who you are, but you''re on ......? He opened the door triumphantly and froze. I froze, for it was no one I knew standing there. It was a young woman in silver armor. Her dignified face was full of grace, and her golden hair was tied up in a careless bun. Behind her, there were several other women with similar appearances. I seem to remember seeing them on the street, but ...... they were all people Allen didn''t know. Well, who are you ......? "Pleased to meet you. I''m Giselle, commander of the city''s Kingsguard. A woman with golden hair in a bun greeted him with a stiff face and a crooked back. She then glared at Allen with her sharp twin eyes. You are the master of this house, Allen Crawford, right? "Well, ...... Allen is me. What the hell does the Kingsguard want? The Kingsguard is a self-governing organization that is hired by lords and lordsesses. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your time and money. In fact, the sword that she, Giselle, wore on her hip was also quite well used. It''s a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything that might help you. It was only a few minutes ago that Charlotte went out, and with Goussetsu and Lu with her, there was no reason for her to be in danger. But Allen gulped as a bad feeling came over him. In front of him, Giselle went through her pockets without changing her expression. I''m not sure what to say, but I''d like to know. Then she took out a letter. It was written in a very formal style, and was an official document that could be recognized at a glance. "We have received an anonymous report that you have been abusing underage girls under house arrest. ...... May I accompany you to the police station? "I knew you weren''t popular! I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. 120 120 Stories Popular Elegant Holidays (2) "Fluffy ......, it''s so good! Charlotte squealed with delight as she took a bite. The pancakes sitting on the table in front of her were about 30% larger than the ones depicted on the flyer. But the taste was even better than the appearance. The cake was cooked to perfection, and it was so light that it almost melted on your tongue. The cake was so light that it almost melted on your tongue. The cake was so light that you could easily eat a piece of it, but the rich cream and fruits on top of the cake made it even more appetizing. Knife and fork unstoppable, Charlotte smilingly cut down the huge pile. Gousset and Lu, who were sitting around the table with her, also kept on eating with their faces relaxed. This is one of the five best sweet treats I''ve ever had. "Do people eat this stuff every day ......?¡¡It''s not fair!¡¡I want to be a human like my grandmother! It''s okay, Lu, you can eat as much as you want. Do you want a refill? "Yay, yay!¡¡I''ll eat! Even though Fenrir is still a child, Lu is quite large. Naturally, the first portion was already eaten in no time. After putting a new pancake on Lu''s plate, ...... Charlotte sighed. But even if you don''t eat them every day, ...... you''re going to gain weight just from today''s portion. I''m sure it''s a lot of calories even if the three of us split it. "Ugh ......, is that so? I knew this before I ate it, but it hurts to be confronted with that fact again. When I was in the duke''s family, I rarely ate sweet things. That''s why it seems like a dream that I''m surrounded by shiny, delicious food like this now, but this is reality, and the more I eat, the more I gain weight. It was only natural. Gousset smiled at Charlotte, who was staring at the pancakes with a mysterious expression on her face. You shouldn''t worry too much. I''m sure Allen doesn''t care how fat you get, as long as it doesn''t harm your health. I think so too. ...... It is true that Allen does not care. At most, he would encourage her to exercise a little and accompany her on her runs. ...... But that didn''t mean that Charlotte was okay with it. Because-- I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who''s not afraid to show my sloppiness,....... I was a little embarrassed, so I stared at my lap and let out what was on my mind. But when she looks up, Charlotte rolls her eyes. What''s wrong with you two?¡¡You look as if you''ve been given a very bitter pill. ...... No,......, I think Charlotte looks ''calm'' to her. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. This left Charlotte with no choice but to furrow her brow. "So it''s different for you two? Well, it has its good points, but ...... it''s generally interesting to watch. "I understand. And a little annoying sometimes. Oh, God. You''re both always so harsh with Mr. Allen! Charlotte could only shrug her shoulders. Charlotte could only shrug. Goussetsu and Lu knew that it wasn''t that they didn''t like Allen. She just knew that they were looking at him as if he were a naughty child. That was strange to Charlotte. (Mr. Allen is such an imposing man, he can do anything. ...... To me, he''s like a fairy tale prince. ...... I couldn''t even tell that to the Goussets I knew so well. To overcome my shame, I pointed my fork at the pancake again. At any rate, I made up my mind to start exercising tomorrow. At the same time, Allen, the prince, was looking back on his life and thinking about it. (Was it bad behavior? ......?) If he hadn''t, he wouldn''t have been taken to this place. Allen glanced around. The place looked like an orderly office. The desks were evenly arranged, and the bookshelves against the wall were crammed with books. There was not a speck of dust anywhere, and the flowers in the vases were fresh. The papers on the walls are all perfectly parallel to the ground. This is the office of the city''s Kingsguard. Armed women have been coming and going since a while ago, and some of them are so fierce that they can drag a stretched out ragdoll with one hand. The place was disciplined and stuffy. In a corner of such a place, in a small room isolated by glass doors, Allen was facing Giselle, the leader of the Kingsguard, across a desk. He had been taken in for questioning, but the first thing she offered him was not a consent form, but a mysterious dish. "Please, try this first. "What is this, ......? It''s a dish from an eastern country called "katsudon. It''s a pork cutlet covered with egg and seasoned with sweet and spicy sauce. It''s served on a bed of white rice. ...... When Allen heard the details, he could only twist his head. Why do you need me to eat this ......? In some eastern countries, it is customary to offer this dish to suspects for interrogation. Giselle just went on and on with her words. Giselle''s words were quiet, but her gaze was as sharp as a needle. It is said that the taste is so good that any suspect will crack open his mouth and admit guilt. That''s why we usually serve it to our guests. I had a feeling that there was some kind of drug in there. I had a hunch it was a truth serum or something like that. But no matter how much I smelled, I couldn''t detect any hint of drugs. He took a bite of the food and found it to be tasty, despite its unfamiliar flavor. Giselle watched as Allen continued to eat, and finally got down to business. I''ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Allen. I''ve heard of you, Mr. Allen. You''re the man who conquered the infamous Maade district and reformed many rogues. I''ve been meaning to pay him a visit. ...... So why are you being accused of abuse and all that nonsense? It''s as simple as that. There have been a number of calls from well-meaning citizens. And then Gisele took out a bunch of papers and read them out plainly. She said. "As I was passing the mansion, I heard a man''s eerie laughter and a girl''s scream. ''I saw a creepy man following a girl through the streets. I saw a creepy guy following a girl around town. I saw a creepy guy in a bar talking about how he was abusing a girl. ...... All of this is you, Allen. I''m sure it''s me, but ...... I think you''re going overboard with the creepy creepy!¡¡I''m not denying that you have a bad physique. I''ve been told that I''m a bad person, but it hurts a little when I''m folded up like this. And the fact that all of these rumors were familiar to me made it even worse. He had once made Charlotte scream by giving her an unexpected gift, and had even watched over her from behind when she went out alone. He once told Megas in a tavern how he was corrupting Charlotte and how he was in love with her. It is understandable that a third party would misunderstand this. In addition, Charlotte is a good girl. The fact that many citizens were outraged when they found out that she was being oppressed is a sign that the city is at peace. That in itself is a good thing. Allen would have been happier if he hadn''t been treated like a criminal. (But what to do, ......?¡¡In the worst case, there is brainwashing magic,......, but frankly, that''s legal,.......) I once cast a spell on some soldiers who were chasing Charlotte and drove them back. At that time, I used a brainwashing spell to implant false memories. This kind of magic is illegal in many countries because it can be abused in any way you want. There are few ways to learn it, and Allen has only learned it on his own by applying knowledge from books. That''s why he doesn''t want to use it except in emergencies. In the first place, if he wanted to brainwash Giselle, he would have to do it to her subordinates, with whom he would have shared information. I''m confident that one or two people won''t find out, but a large number of people would be too dangerous. (If that''s the case, ......, we''ll have to go straight for it! In other words, I''m going to plead not guilty straight up. This was it. Allen opened his mouth with a mysterious look on his face. To tell you the truth, the girl has some ...... family problems, and we''re taking her into custody. "Oh, ......? I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. I picked up a girl for a reason. I hired her as a servant because she had no home to go back to. He didn''t tell her the important details, but they were mostly true. The abuse is a lie. I''m just teaching him what he shouldn''t do, when he didn''t know anything about entertainment. Eating cake and ramen noodles in the middle of the night, buying clothes and other stupid things, eating ice cream at the spa ......... Charlotte didn''t know a thing about entertainment. That''s why Allen taught her all of these things that would make a hard man frown. ...... I''m not guilty of any wrongdoing, I''m just protecting him. I don''t care if you want to bring a witness. I''ve got plenty of resources. I see. ...... I understand your point. Giselle nodded gravely while taking notes. It seems that she has accepted our argument. Thanks to this, Allen was finally able to take a breath. (That''s a relief. It''s a relief. Feeling relieved, Giselle put down her pen. With a more stern face than before, she sternly said... I can''t let such a heinous act go unnoticed. You will undoubtedly be in some kind of trouble with the law. You''re going to be in jail for a while, so if you have any family, please contact-- How did that happen? 121 121 Stories Popular Elegant Holidays (3) I couldn''t help but complain as loudly as I could. But the other person, Giselle, kept a clear face, "What''s the problem? But the other person, Giselle, kept a clear face. The fact that she had such a strong will made Allen feel a little uneasy. He cleared his throat and opened his mouth again. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''d like to reiterate that I''m merely protecting Charlotte. "Yes, I''ve heard that. Picking up a girl with nowhere else to go and taking care of her with food and shelter ...... is undoubtedly a good deed in itself. That''s it, right?¡¡And this does not amount to ...... kidnapping of a minor. Isn''t that right? In case you were wondering, Allen had also checked the laws of the country. Kidnapping a minor is, of course, a crime. However, it is often overlooked if there are certain circumstances or if the person concerned agrees to it. Although this is a relatively peaceful country, there are many children with complicated situations. A proper shelter or a person with social status is more likely to be allowed to protect such children. And there were other cards that Allen could have played. I''m a former teacher at the Athena Academy of Magic. I''m a former teacher at the Athena Academy of Magic. If you can contact the academy, I''m sure they can vouch for my identity. Allen''s old school, the Athena Academy of Magic, is one of the best educational institutions in the country. There is no more powerful proof of identity than this. I don''t like the idea of being a tiger, but it''s for Charlotte''s sake. I can''t turn my back on her. Giselle nodded humbly at Allen''s assertion. "Yes, yes. I know that too. But now that I''ve heard the story, I understand. The kidnapping seems to be a false accusation, but the ...... suspicion of abuse has been raised. You''re lying!¡¡I''ve been taking care of Charlotte in my own way, if I do say so myself.¡¡What makes you so sure? "Of course I have. Giselle narrowed her eyes. I''m not sure what to make of that. You can''t force people to eat high-calorie foods like ramen in the middle of the night. ...... It''s harmful to your health!¡¡If that''s not abuse, I don''t know what is! "What about ......? Allen''s eyes blinked. Rather, it was all he could do. Ramen in the middle of the night. I''ve fed them to Charlotte before. I wanted to show her the joys of snacking, as she was having a hard time at home. Yes, it''s a bit unhealthy, but ...... abuse, huh? I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. It''s not just that. I''m sure you''ve heard of other forms of tyranny as well, haven''t you? It''s not an exaggeration to say that these bad things are also abusive and harmful to the body and mind. "Yeah, isn''t that ...... an exaggeration? It''s a good idea to make sure that you''re getting the most out of your time with them. As for clothes, Charlotte only had one tattered dress. Even if I bought her a lot of clothes, it would not be a lot. So abuse is a ridiculous accusation. I tried to explain this, but Giselle just shook her head. "It''s true, as you say, that Charlotte grew up in a complicated environment. Giving her something to look forward to is the right thing to do. But ......! Giselle glared at Allen. You''re overdoing it. Drinking and eating is harmful to your health, and excessive luxury is corrosive to your body and soul. What''s wrong is wrong!¡¡There must be some law against it! There is no such law! Allen had to give it his best shot. It''s such a ridiculous accusation. He held his aching forehead and stared at Giselle. I mean, what is ''some kind of law''? Don''t try to judge people on such a rough basis! "What are you talking about? I have evidence. Giselle frowned in annoyance. She clenched her fists and said... "What people need is a simple and disciplined life. We, the Kingsguard, strive to live such a simple and disciplined life and enforce justice. In other words, ...... exemplary living is justice!¡¡Self-defeating behavior is evil! That logic is very strange. ...... Everyone eats late and stays up late! "At least I and my fellow members don''t have such unhealthy eating habits. We always eat about eight meals a day. Those of us who don''t work at night are asleep by nine o''clock at night. Are you a monk or something ......? Allen could only stare at her as she said it without hesitation. While I was there, I took a quick look around the office. The walls are decorated with posters that say "Tidy and Organized," and all the women in the group are working on paperwork or doing simple indoor exercises. No one slacks off or engages in idle talk. (In other words, they are a typical ...... serious group. From such a point of view, Allen''s behavior must have raised a lot of eyebrows. 122 122 Stories Popular Elegant Holidays (4) I don''t know if that''s why I''m writing you off, but ...... the lord would be upset if I held you captive for this reason. "Hmmm, no, not at all. Our Kingsguard has the highest arrest rate in the region, so the lord will remember us. The lord often says, "You guys again?" or "It''s good that you''re serious, but ......" or "Aren''t you working too hard?¡¡How about a spa vacation with all of us? How about we all take a spa vacation together? I don''t think that''s a compliment at all. Apparently, the lords of this area are having a hard time with this group of troublemakers. While I was being interrogated, a man came in accompanied by two members of the group. The man looks reasonably strong, but his face is pale and he is screaming. I''m not sure what to do.¡¡You just littered a little! No questions asked. It''s bad to pollute the city. As punishment, you''ll be asked to do community service, but until then, you''ll have to wait in the detention center for a while. The group members led the man away and disappeared into the back. Apparently, this was an everyday occurrence. Giselle watched them go and then shook her head. We were planning to take control of the Meadow District, which had become a haven for the Megas of the Rock People and their ruffians. At that time, I heard that you had taken control of both of them, and I thought that you would be the embodiment of justice. I was disappointed to learn that you were such an evil person. ...... "Don''t say that, ....... Allen could not help but reply. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. There are many adventurers who are ruthless ruffians. Megus and Groo are good examples. A city with a dungeon nearby can be prosperous, but it can also be troublesome. This town, however, was exceptionally peaceful. Now that Allen has taken over the Meadow District, which used to be a hangout for ruffians, not even the slightest incident has been heard of. Although I had some doubts about the safety of the area, ...... I see. This is what happens when you have a bunch of super stiffs cracking down on every petty crime. I understand that you''re doing your job with justice on your side. I understand that you are doing your job with justice, but I''m afraid you''re not going to be well received by the ...... public, are you? I''m sure there are many complaints about this,......, but it''s also a way to enforce justice. We''ll just play the part of the haters. Giselle''s face twisted slightly, but in the end she said it firmly. The ambition is admirable, but ...... this will inevitably lead to their dismissal sooner or later. "Hmm, I see. I understand the situation. "I''m glad you understand our justice. Now, I''m going to start the detention procedure, and I need you to sign a consent form-- But first. Before that," Allen asked, holding up his forefinger as Giselle fumbled for some papers. "Let me ask you a few questions, Giselle. Do you ...... have any hobbies? What? Giselle blinked. Giselle''s eyes blinked. The question was so sudden that her mind instantly wandered to her work. She raised her eyebrows and thought about it. "Hobbies...... self-discipline, I guess. I also patrol the streets and talk to the elderly. That''s your job. ...... So, what''s made you happy lately? Oh, yes, I have. All the people I had arrested in the past came along to my training as a ''thank you''. I guess it''s a sign that they too have awakened to justice. I really screwed them over with all my heart and soul. I''m pretty sure it''s not payback, it''s retaliation. But that''s all I have to say. In a way, the reply was as expected, and Allen could only sigh. (Well, this reminds me of Charlotte when I first got her. ......) He doesn''t know how to relax at all, he just does what he''s given. If that''s all, it''s still good, but unlike Charlotte, Giselle tends to be a bit out of control. There is only one way to deal with such a person: ...... Allen had only one way to deal with her. I''m not sure what to do. Let''s do this, Giselle. "Mm...... what is it? You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. But Allen is unconcerned. In a theatrical tone, he raised his hands in a pose of surrender. "I''ve given up. I''ll admit my guilt. But I''ll do it on one condition. "The condition ......? Yeah. Instead of admitting my guilt, I want you to experience firsthand how sinful my actions were. Then you can decide the severity of my sin. "Hmm, I see. ...... Indeed, the abuse Charlotte suffered is unknown to me. Without knowing what she has suffered, it is impossible to judge her. ...... Giselle stroked her chin and growled. She pondered for a while, but ...... she eventually nodded deeply with a resolute face. I''ll take you up on your offer. I''m not going to give in to anything naughty. All right, you say? Allen smirked. Giselle was now like prey in a spider''s web. While thinking fast and furious about how to cook her, Allen said out loud. So, ...... gather all your men now!¡¡I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what to do with it. 123 123 Stories Popular Elegant Holidays (5) The Neighborhood Guard is a place that is hard to get to for the residents of the city. They were dispatched by the lord about six months ago, and although they contributed greatly to the maintenance of public order, ...... they tended to be a little too serious. They are not bad people. Most of the residents would say with a wry smile, "They''re not bad people, but ......". That''s why no one goes there unless they have a problem. Today, however, there was a constant stream of visitors. Hello there!¡¡I''m here to bring you more pancakes! "Sorry to keep you waiting. We''re here to take care of your nails. "Hey!¡¡I''m here for a full body massage! "Well, come on in and do your thing. Allen smilingly invited the shopkeepers, manicurists, and masseuses ...... who had brought in platters of pancakes and arranged for them at random into his office. The place was crowded with people, and the stuffy atmosphere of normal times seemed to be a lie. And so it should be. The supposedly strict members of the group were ruffling feathers. They set up tables and poked each other with pancakes, had their nails done by manicurists, and got massages. At first, all of them were quite puzzled by the commander''s order to do something naughty, but now they seemed to be adapting to it. Thanks to this, the room was filled with bright air and sweet smells, giving it the appearance of a girl''s dormitory. And in the back of the room, the leader, Giselle, was trapped. Allen walked up to her and smirked. How''s that for a full course of naughty things? It''s about time you gave up. "d*mn ......!¡¡That''s not fair, Mister Allen! Giselle screamed with a pale face. She was now stuck. She was not restrained. She was sitting in a recliner, soaking her feet in a tub of hot water, getting her nails done by a manicurist, and being fed pancakes by Miaha. The manicurist took care of her nails and Miaha fed her pancakes. Just before this, she took off her armor and had a full body massage. She was dressed in comfortable clothes, and her face was glowing thanks to the footbath. She was completely defenseless and at my mercy. Still, she says stoutly. "How dare you take away my freedom and make me do something so pointless and unproductive? ......!¡¡I was not told that you would go this far!¡¡You must release me immediately. "Yes, it''s ahhhhhh. It''s full of cream. It''s full of cream. ...... Ugh ......, this lump of sugar, milk fat and wheat ...... is absolutely bad for you... ...Why can''t you refuse it ......! Giselle''s face contorts as she squirms and chews her pancake. It''s a good idea to take a look at your own personal life. After swallowing a bite, Giselle glared at Allen. No, let''s let the sweetness slide for now. The massage I just had wasn''t bad. But what''s with the nail work? I can''t work with these things. "Oh, sir, please don''t move yet. Oh, please don''t move!" "Oh, ......, I''m sorry. This time, the manicurist scolded Giselle, and she became quiet and still. The manicurist smiled at her and said, "Don''t worry. The manicurist smiled at her and said, "Please don''t worry. Our nails are made with a special protective magic that can be enjoyed by people of all professions. Even if your skin gets sores from the mucus of the strong acid slime, your nails will not get a scratch! "Well, then, well, ......, do you draw the pattern after you paint? Yes, that''s right. What kind of patterns do you like?¡¡I can do that on request. Well then, let''s see, what about constellations, etc. ......?¡¡No, no, I don''t need anything that soft! I understand. I''m going to make a star with these stones. "Wow, ......, it''s so sparkly ....... Giselle just watched with a puzzled expression as the manicurist worked meticulously. It was hard to hide the excitement she was feeling even from the sidelines. Allen saw this and laughed deep in his throat. "Well, well, well. ...... Well, well, I must thank Miaha for that. The idea of tinkering with the nails would never have occurred to me, even if I had stood on my head. I''ll put a tint on the contractor''s fee. I''ll add a color to the fee for the contractor. I''ll be sure to keep you posted. I''m not sure what to make of it. This time, I asked her to make various arrangements on my behalf, including the pancakes, and she did a pretty good job. Allen alone would have simply fed us pancakes and that would have been the end of it. Phew. ...... I guess I have a long way to go. From now on, I''ll have to keep a broader perspective and increase my repertoire of naughty things. For now, let Charlotte tweak your nails next time. ...... I''m not sure where you''re going with this. I''m not sure what to do with it. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. At that time, the door to the office was knocked on and off. Before we could respond, the door opened and Glow and his minions popped out. "Daimajou-san. I went to patrol the city as you ordered. ...... "An old man from the countryside was lost, so I took him to his grandchild''s house. Also, some people were drinking and making a lot of noise, so I had to physically quiet them down. "Okay, okay. I''ll leave you to your work. Okay, okay. What the hell do you think you''re doing? ...... While complaining about this, Glow and the others closed the door of the guardroom. In order not to interfere with the work of the Kingsguard, they hired a part-time worker from the Glow gang, who were not busy, and took good care of them. But Giselle was not amused by this, and frowned. Patrolling is our job. You don''t have to do it for us if you send your men here. "Don''t say that. They need a break too. What are you talking about? My men are not interested in such soft stuff. "That''s true, but ...... look at your men. Allen points to a table nearby. A few members of the group were taking off their armor and poking at a giant pancake. All of them were moving their forks with mysterious expressions on their faces, so I thought they might not like it. I thought it might not suit their taste buds, but then I thought, "Well, ...... is indeed a pancake from that store. I''ve been there a few times. I''ve been there a few times on the sly. The sweet stuff is really sinking in. ...... We whispered to each other about such sincere impressions. This made Giselle''s eyes widen. "You guys!¡¡You''ve been eating these high-calorie sweet treats behind my back?¡¡It''s important to take care of your health as a public servant. ......! "I''m sorry, Commander ....... We''re the Kingsguard of Justice, but before that we''re girls. ...... This place has great parfaits too. Daimao, can I have another one? Are you still eating? ...... Well, you can order whatever you want. Wow!¡¡You''re a surprisingly nice guy for a bad guy! The members of the group, who have a lot to say, begin to discuss the second helping while chattering away. The other members of the group were doing the same, and everyone''s face was beaming with happiness. In the face of this, Giselle paused for a moment and then turned her head with a pained expression. So ...... all of you have been holding back on me. Was I wrong in my policy? No, trying to live a disciplined life is a good thing. Allen smiled lightly at her. What''s important is to take a break once in a while. If you can''t make yourself happy, how can you protect the happiness of others? "Relax ......? Sir, it''s done. The manicurist''s work was finished right there. Giselle held out her hand and looked at her nails. A light pink nail polish had been applied to her nails, and they were covered with small stones. It''s the first time I''ve ever had my nails decorated like this. ...... It''s a strange feeling. If it weren''t for you, I''m sure I never would have known. In other words, being naughty is ...... necessary to broaden your horizons. Isn''t that right? "Huh?¡¡Hmmm. Yeah, I guess so. I''m ashamed of my misunderstanding. I''m ashamed that I misunderstood that you were not abusing Charlotte, but expanding her world. ...... It''s deep. ...... It''s deep. ...... It''s a bad thing. You are beginning to understand, I see. I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. All I could think of was that I wanted to give her a good time because she had been oppressed until then. (Anyway, it seems to have come to an end. ...... Yeah, I don''t know what the fun is in messing with nails. In terms of filling in, I suppose it''s a bit like writing a bunch of tweets on a rough magic paper written by someone else. But then, I suddenly imagined that Charlotte would paint her nails and dress them up. She''s wondering what color to use, what design to choose, and her face breaks into a smile when she sees her finished nails. ....... Oh, that''s good. That''s very nice. Yeah. "What are you talking about? No, no, I''m talking about this. Allen smiles cheerfully, hiding his flirtation in his mind. He pretended not to notice that Miaha, who seemed to have sensed something, was staring at him. The expression on the faces of my men is good, and we''re going to have a get-together to work on something naughty. For that reason, Mister Allen, ...... no, Master! Giselle stood up and squeezed Allen''s hand. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in this article. "Master!¡¡I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. "Ha-ha-ha!¡¡All right!¡¡All right, then, let''s go get some ramen for dinner!¡¡The rest of you who can eat can follow me! "Oh! Many of the members of the group were excited, as if they had been craving something salty by now. However, Miaha was startled and began to panic. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure it''s a good idea.¡¡I think it''s best not to do that. ...... What are you talking about? I''m just going out to eat ramen, what''s the problem? No, I don''t have a problem with ramen, but... No, I don''t have a problem with ramen.¡¡Let''s go, you guys! ""Yes!¡¡Master! It''s hard not to feel better when you hear such a reply in one voice. Allen ignores Miaha''s advice and opens the door to the cell with gusto. Because it faced the main street of the city, he could see many people passing by. And in the midst of them... "Hey, Mr. Allen, are you ......? "Oh, ......? There was Charlotte, with Goussetsu and Lu. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. As a result, Allen froze in place. (Oh, no. ......!¡¡This is very bad, isn''t it ......? 124 124 Stories Popular Elegant Holidays (6) I swear to God, I have nothing to be ashamed of, but it was a situation that was out of my hands. Miaha''s dumbfounded voice could be heard from inside the room, "Look, I don''t have to tell you. In the awkward silence, Goussetsu smiled lustily and looked at Allen and Giselle and the others behind him with moist eyes. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it. You seem to have a surprisingly bold side to you. By the way, just out of curiosity, what kind of death would you like? "What are you doing? ...... I''ll bite you if you make my mom sad. "No, you''re wrong! Even Lu snarled at me as if I were a piece of filth. This is what it must be like to be a father who is suspected of cheating. While Allen was in a panic, Giselle came out to the street, smiling. "Are you Charlotte by any chance? "Yes, I am. Who are you, ......? Nice to meet you. I''m Giselle, commander of the city''s Kingsguard. Giselle bowed her head and said her name reverently. Although she has no armor on, her demeanor is formal and refined. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with that. I was hoping that she would be able to clear up the misunderstanding, but Giselle put her hand on her chest and said proudly. I''m a student of Allen''s, and he''s taught me some naughty things! "What ......? Okay, you''re done talking!¡¡Stay back! Giselle obeyed him, but not without a fight. Giselle obeyed quietly, but twisted her head in wonder. Giselle obeyed, but turned her head curiously, "Hmm, what''s wrong with Master? "No... You can''t do that, Commander. ...... You''ll mislead him. "Why not?¡¡I''m in the same position as Charlotte to learn from you. That''s why I wanted to greet you properly. ...... ...... He''s not familiar with that kind of talk, is he? I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or a bad thing. They seemed to be a mere group of babysitters rather than the Kingsguard. Anyway, after seeing them off, Allen hurriedly grabbed Charlotte''s hand and held on to it. No, Charlotte. There''s a deeper reason for this. Then he gave her a brief rundown of the day''s events. To make sure that Charlotte wouldn''t be bothered by the allegations of abuse and kidnapping, I kept my suspicions to myself, and although I was falsely accused, I taught her the wrong thing to do and her suspicions were safely put to rest. ...... So, I just let him eat good food and stuff. This is definitely not an affair. Please believe me when I say ......! Then Allen swallowed his words. The blood drained from his body as if he had been doused with ice water, and of course his heart stopped completely. I''m not sure what to say. Charlotte''s face was pale and she was shaking uncontrollably. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. Goussetsu and Lu are now ready to kill. Allen prepared to die gracefully. After what seemed like an eternity of seconds, Charlotte bit her lip tightly and then screamed in a heartbroken voice. "No, ...... no! "Huh? Huh? Charlotte hugged Allen''s arm tightly. She was used to holding hands, cuddling, and other physical contact. However, I''m still not trained enough for this kind of contact with a large surface. In addition, this time Charlotte came at me unexpectedly. Allen was completely overwhelmed and froze in place. Charlotte is also overwhelmed, and her red face and shouted words are not coherent. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand that I''m the only ...... lover you''ll ever have, but I''m the only one you''ll ever need to do anything naughty with! I''m not sure what to say. In other words, he wants to say that he is the only one who can teach Allen how to do naughty things. I''m not sure if this is jealousy or ......?¡¡What''s more, you''ll be able to get a lot more out of it. Moreover, the thing that is squeezed is soft. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. Goussetsu and Lu give him a blank stare. It seems to have averted a shouting match. ...... It''s kind of annoying, isn''t it? Should I still nibble? "Yeah, shut the hell up ...... up. Looking up, Allen choked up. This is the main street of the city. This is the main street of the city. Naturally, there are a lot of people passing by, and various passersby stop to give Allen and his friends a curious look. The words "I knew it ......" and "report ......" could be heard everywhere. (Oh, no. ......!¡¡If we don''t do something, we''ll be reported again. ......! I wanted to avoid that as much as possible, since my suspicions had just been cleared up. I hurriedly tried to calm Charlotte down, but... "Uh, yeah. I''m sorry, Charlotte. Just calm down. I''ll be careful next time. In the meantime, if I may, let me make it up to you. "...... Are you sure? Charlotte stopped shouting immediately and looked up into Allen''s face as if she was cautiously curious. Allen nodded, trying to keep his voice as soft as possible and smile. "Of course. Have I ever lied to you? "Well, then, ......, do me a favor. Anything you want. I''ll make it happen. Allen says with determination. I''m not sure if he understood my determination. Charlotte seemed relieved, as if her resolve had been understood. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who''s a bit of a jerk. That''s what ...... is for. At that moment, the onlookers who had been watching from afar were shaken. Allen could only look up to the sky. Today has been a day of much self-reflection. However, this was the hardest. (Yeah, I''ll try to live a little more honestly from now on. ......) (Yes, I''m going to live a little more honestly from now on. ) While I was escaping reality by thinking about something out of character, Charlotte''s face twisted into a scowl. I''m not sure what to do.¡¡You can''t teach me any more naughty things? No!¡¡I''ll teach you!¡¡I''ll teach you!¡¡So yeah, let''s just go home, okay? Are you sure about this ......?¡¡But it has to be ...... more amazing than what I taught Giselle and the others, right? Yes, I''ll do my best to teach you something amazing!¡¡So let''s go home!¡¡So let''s go home! I''ll do my best to teach you something amazing! Are you really going to teach me?¡¡Can you be more specific here? Ugh, that''s ......! I''m not sure what you mean by that. The only things I''ve taught Giselle and her friends are pancakes, massage, and nail art. (What could be more amazing than that ......? The nail art was Miaha''s idea. Allen, who is not familiar with such things, has no way of knowing that they are upwardly compatible. (Yes, Miaha ......!¡¡Miaha can do something about it: ......! Giselle and her group headed for the noodle shop, but Miaha must still be behind them. I''m sure Miaha is still behind them. "Oh, I have a message from Mister Miaha. I''ve got another job, so I''ll be going now. He said, "Please give me the money for this job at the next pickup. "I guess I''m not a popular person after all! "Did you think you had it in you? Goussetsu and Lu were the only ones left in the room. In the meantime, Charlotte''s eyebrows furrowed slightly as she pulled on Allen''s sleeve, urging him on. "Hey, hey, Mr. Allen. How is it going? Are you really going to tell me? "Ugh, ......!¡¡Somebody!¡¡Somebody help me! ......! Allen finally shouted. He didn''t really think he would get a helper, but he did. Here you go. "What the ......? Then a familiar voice answered. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. Allen blinked at the unexpected appearance of the person. "What, Eruca ......? "Hey, man, long time no see. It''s been about two months since we''ve seen each other, but Eruca walks up to him, waving casually. But when she saw Charlotte clinging to Allen''s arm, she rolled her eyes a little. "Oh my God, you guys are so in love without even looking. Did they finally get together? "We''ll talk about that later!¡¡For now, I need your help! Mr. Erca, please listen to me!¡¡Mr. Allen is a terrible person! Yeah, yeah. I''ll tell you all about their love affair later. Eruka smiled and said that she didn''t really care. "But first. I''m in a bit of a pickle, so ...... you should come with me. And of course, Charlotte. "Mmm ...... trouble, huh? "Wow, me too? Yeah. I''d rather not start without you, Charlotte. I''ve come to get you both. Allen and Charlotte couldn''t help but look at each other at the sudden offer. But the next words that came out of Eruka''s mouth made them both gasp. Eruka reached out her right hand and said with a serious face. I''m going home, kiddo. I''m going back to my old school, Athena Academy of Magic. Natalia is in trouble! What ......? Natalia''s in ......? The name Eruka mentioned. It was, without a doubt, the name of Charlotte''s half-sister, Natalia Evans. 125 125 Stories Home After a Long Time (1) Across the mountains, across the sea. After about three days and three nights of travel, Allen and his friends finally arrived at the island. "Tocchan!¡¡I''m glad it''s sunny. Eruca was the first to jump off the boat. At the harbor, many ships were anchored, and the cloudless blue sky was filled with the cries of sea birds. From the harbor, there was a gentle slope toward the center of the island, where colorful buildings lined the streets, forming a bustling cityscape. Beyond the streets, there are many huge black buildings - a familiar sight that Allen can only sigh at. I''m not sure I''ll be going home this early. ...... This is the first time in three years that he has returned home since he was fired from his teaching job at the age of 18 and left for good. It''s a little complicated, but I''ll take Charlotte''s hand. "Come on, Charlotte. Watch your step. "Yes, sir. Charlotte stepped off the boat unsteadily. There was a hint of exhaustion on her face, but it was probably not all due to the unfamiliarity of the journey. He looked around the island and gulped. This is the island where Allen and his friends'' school is located: ...... Is that the black building on the hill by any chance the school? "It is a school, yes. That''s a dormitory for the students. "Oh, that big building is a dormitory......!¡¡It''s a great school after all. Yeah. Allen looked around the harbor. In the midst of the crowd of people, he saw a few people in black robes just like Allen. There were also an inordinate number of young people. After all, this island is-- "After all, this whole island is Athena Academy of Magic. "......? Here on Athena Island, it''s literally a school town. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I have. In the event you''re looking for the best way to get the most out of your wedding, then you''ll want to look at a few of these. When I explained this to Charlotte, she rolled her eyes a little and nodded her head. Charlotte rolled her eyes and nodded her head, "So you have a school on an island and people come to visit? "Well, it''s a remote island with a nice climate. Well, it''s a remote island with a nice climate, so it''s a good place to get away from the crowd and stretch your wings. ...... "Avoiding attention? Then Charlotte looked around quietly. The harbor was crowded with people. She looked around, looking for someone she recognized. I wonder if that''s why Natalia came to this island. ......? "...... Come on. Allen could only shake his head loosely. Lu and Goussetsu also came down from the boat and nodded their heads. "Natalia is your mother''s sister that you learned about in the boat, right? But isn''t she supposed to be in a neighboring country? "Well, she should be, but ...... Charlotte looked at Eruca with a hard face. Charlotte looked at Eruca with a hard face, and Eruca smiled and said casually, "Yes. "Yes. Natalia is here. She is here alone, with no other family or servants. I''ve heard that, but ...... can you please explain the details to me? A nobleman''s daughter comes to a remote island in another country alone, unaccompanied. I''m sure there will be one or two complications that will pop up. So I asked Eruca a lot of questions along the way, but she insisted that she would tell me when we got there, and I still hadn''t heard much. Eruka smiled and shrugged her shoulders. I''ll tell you more at home. I''ll tell you more at home. I''ll tell you all about it at home. ...... "Home? Allen frowned blatantly and shrugged his shoulders. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. I''m not sure if it''s ...... Allen''s and Eruca''s parents'' house! Yes. Mom and Dad are waiting for you. I have to say hello to them. But... I''m sure Charlotte will be fine. I''m sure your brother would feel awkward. Oh, you mean Mr. Allen at ......? Yeah, yeah. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. You have heard that you were fired from our school three years ago, right? Yes, I did. That''s why you went on the road, isn''t it? Yes. But the correct answer is that I had a big fight with my dad at ...... and ran away from home. "Big fight? 126 126 Stories Home After a Long Time (2) "Don''t talk about it. ...... Allen frowned as Charlotte let out a muffled scream. To be honest, it was not something he wanted to remember. Charlotte cringes and nods her head gently. I don''t know why you''re fighting ...... at all.¡¡I''m not sure if it was because I was forced to quit my job as a teacher or ......? No, that''s what started it all. ...... Yeah. It''s not that serious, so don''t worry. To be honest, that was about ninety percent my dad''s fault. "It''s probably ten percent. I''m not even ten percent to blame. "Is that so? ......? When Charlotte rolled her eyes, Eruca continued with a wry smile. And my dad can use magic in his own way. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or a bad thing. We fought for three days and three nights, and it''s still talked about in the academy. "Three days and three nights. ...... It was fierce. ...... Yeah. I''ll show you the other side of the island later, okay?¡¡The cliff where you guys fought is still gouged out. Didn''t they fix it? That''s obvious. It''s become a bit of a landmark. The more I hear about it, the more amazing it sounds. ...... Charlotte sighs deeply. For three days and three nights, Allen and his adoptive father fought and fought and fought, but in the end, Allen won because of his stamina, and he jumped on a boat and left the island. When I explained this, Goussetsu narrowed his eyes and let out an amused squeal. ''Mm-hmm. I''m going to go to my birthplace to bow down to the woman I love. ...... It''s a dramatic story, isn''t it? Don''t make up your own drama. I still have a good relationship with your uncle. We''ve been exchanging letters for a while now. Is that so? Yeah. Fights like that were commonplace in the first place. "Humans are no different from Lu and the others, huh? Lu often gets into fights with his brothers! Lu chuckles and laughs. It sounds bad to say that he ran away from home after a quarrel, but it didn''t leave much damage. And yet, there is only one reason why I have not returned home until now. (I don''t want that story to come up again, you know. ......) However, we can''t say that when Charlotte is involved. Allen came to the island with the intention of facing his adoptive father again. If it weren''t for Charlotte, he wouldn''t have come back for another ten years. As he was thinking about this, Eruca looked at Goussetsu and Lu and stroked his chin. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that your life has gotten a lot busier in the short time you''ve been away. And Fenrir and the hell capybara. My mom would be so happy to see them. "Oh, so you know a lot about demons, don''t you, Mumdo-sama? "Yes. She''s a leading researcher on demons. I''ve never seen a Fenrir child up close before, so I''m excited. They''re so fluffy! "Hmmm, isn''t that right? You can pet it more. Lu didn''t seem too happy about being fluffed up by Eruka. It was his adoptive mother who had taught Allen the language of demons, so Eruka could understand it as well. The three of them, including Goussetsu, were having a good time. I''m not sure what to make of it. But ...... I''m a little jealous. "Hmm?¡¡What? "Well, you know, ....... Charlotte looks down at her feet and clams up. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''ve never had a fight with my family, so I ...... like it. 127 127 Stories Home After a Long Time (3) When she was a child, there was no way she could express her selfishness to her mother who worked very hard. Furthermore, after her mother died and she was taken in by the duke, there was no one she could really talk to. That''s why we''ve never had any quarrels, Charlotte said in a few words. As she spoke, her face grew darker and darker. Allen listened to her until the end and then laughed. "Then why don''t you change from now on? "What? You''re going to meet my sister and ...... Natalia, right? "...... He took Charlotte''s hand and looked into her face. As soon as her sister''s name was mentioned, Allen could not miss the strong light in her eyes. The shadows on her face suddenly faded. So I knew it was okay. Allen squeezed her hand and continued. "You should meet my sister and get to know her so you can fight. Then you can have all the fights you want. But can we?" ...... Charlotte raised her eyebrows anxiously. I escaped from that country ...... and I''m a wanted woman. I''m sure Natalia is in a lot of trouble. It''s a false accusation. I''m sure my sister will understand one day. She was the only one in the family who stood up for her. I''m sure she''ll understand if I explain everything. I''m sure she''ll understand if I explain everything to her," Allen said, clearing his throat and trying to sound cool. "Don''t worry, I''ll help you. I''m here to help you. "We''ll help you, too. "I don''t know what''s going on, but neither does Lu! I''m not sure, but Lu and Lu! Charlotte''s eyes welled up with tears as she stood in front of Allen and the two animals on the ground. "Oh, thank you. Thank you, everyone. "Oh, yeah. Don''t think too much about it. I''m on your side. Eruka also put her hand on Charlotte''s shoulder and sent encouraging words with a smile. It''s a nice, harmonious atmosphere, but Allen is still slumped over. "d*mn it ......, get out of my way you guys!¡¡It''s heavy! I''m sorry, that was rude. Don''t talk to a lady about her weight. "Wow. Allen is so comfortable. Okay, guys, that''s enough. ...... Charlotte''s eyes widened in disbelief as the two continued to step on Allen. Eruka stroked her chin in admiration. You''ve changed, but you''ve become more cheerful, too. I''m sure my dad will be relieved to hear that. ...... What? Eruka is about to say something and then stops. You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. You''ll be able to find a lot of people who''ll be able to help you. "Oh?¡¡What the hell is that?¡¡Are you gonna do this? Are you going to do it too? A human young man and a fisherman young man are grabbing each other by the chest. There were several humans and fishermen in the vicinity, sparking off each other. Apparently, they had gotten into an argument over a trivial matter. The others just stared into the distance, and no one seemed to intervene. This is the Athena Academy of Magic, an educational institution that has made a name for itself both at home and abroad. Since people of various races gather here, these kinds of disputes are an everyday occurrence. You''ve got a fight on your hands, ....... "Oh, I don''t think that fight is good. Shouldn''t we stop it? Hmmm, I guess so. Falling to the ground, Allen pondered. To be honest, I''m not interested in other people''s fights. But if you''re the cause of Charlotte''s grief, that''s a different story. It was Allen''s job to quickly defuse the situation and put her at ease. He jumped over the Goussets and tried to get up, but... "Oh, ......? Just then, he spotted a familiar silver hair in the crowd. 128 128 Stories Home After a Long Time (4) Allen stared at the silver hair coming from the distance. If he was here, the ...... story would be very different. He gave up on getting up and just rested his cheek on the ground and muttered. I''ll just leave it alone. I can''t deal with that thing. I know. Eruka noticed this and nodded with a half smile. Charlotte, who was the only one who didn''t understand what was going on, just stumbled around with a pale face. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m not sure what to do. It''s going to be fine. It''ll be under control soon. What? Charlotte is puzzled. In the meantime, the argument was heating up. The atmosphere was so tense that it looked as if it was about to get out of hand, and no one realized until the last second that a man was approaching. "Can I have a word with you guys? "Oh?¡¡What--? A man taps each of the two people at the center of the dispute on the shoulder. At that moment, an icy cold air swept over the area. The people who had been watching groaned. Eventually, after the cold air subsided. There were many icicles towering above them. This was the number of people who had just been struggling. All of them were trapped in the ice with astonished expressions on their faces, and they didn''t even move. Wide range magic and no spell chanting. A brilliant move indeed. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. He looks about the same age as Allen. He is tall and thin, wrapped in a fine ceremonial dress and a black cloak embroidered with gold. He has the appearance of a high class wizard. With a smile on his gentle face, the word "gentleman" fits him unusually well. The man is preaching to the icicles. "Listen, this is a place where not only students but also guests visit. If you are a student of our school, you should be more moderate. ...... Oh, you can''t hear me now? I''ll call you later. The man looked around at the icicles and gave a slight shrug. There''s no sense of accomplishment in subduing a large group of people in an instant. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, it''s possible you''ll be able to find it in the marketplace. Watching the scene, Charlotte let out an exclamation of admiration. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''ll be fine. That''s right. That''s quite a user. "Hey, what''s that smell ......? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Then a man notices us. "Oh, ......? He rolled his eyes slightly and then broke into a smile. He walked up to you and raised his hand smilingly. It''s been a while, Allen. I''m glad to see you''re doing well. If you''ve seen this situation, I think you have a few more things to say. ...... With the two of them on top of each other, Allen looks at the man. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in the following article. I''m here!¡¡I''ve got you guys right here! "Thank you, Eruka. Thank you, Eruka. You''ve been a great help. The man responded with a smile and turned to Charlotte. "So, you must be the Charlotte I''ve heard so much about. Nice to meet you. "Nice to meet you. ...... Who are you? Oh, I''m sorry. I''m sorry I''m late. The man smiled softly, put his hand on his chest and said his name. My name is Harvey Crawford. I''m the father of Allen and Eruca over there. "Daddy? You''d be surprised. My dad''s a young man. There''s a limit to that. Allen sighs in disgust. Since the time he took Allen in as a child, his foster father has shown no signs of aging, and he suspects that he is using some kind of strange magic. 129 129 Stories Crawford Family (1) The Crawford family''s mansion is located in the suburbs, a short distance from the center of the island. There are no houses in the vicinity, and the magnificent house is surrounded by a large garden and a high wall. It looks like the house of a rich man, but there is a good reason for this. The reason is to avoid disturbing the neighbors. All of the family members are involved in some kind of magical research as their life''s work, so the house is often filled with explosions and weird noises. Although this is an everyday scene for Allen, who has lived in the house since he was a child, he would have been very uncomfortable if he lived in a crowded residential area. Allen and his friends were ushered into the parlor of the house. The large room was covered with a long, furry carpet, and Lu and Goussetsu, tired from their long trip, lay down and showed their bellies. Allen and Charlotte are facing each other, and sitting across the low table from them is Harvey, their adoptive father. He smiles softly and opens his mouth. "Well, well. It''s been a long time, Allen. I''m relieved to see you haven''t changed. ...... Harvey cut off his words and narrowed his eyes at Charlotte, who was sitting next to Allen. He then deliberately took out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes, which were not even wet. I had no idea you''d bring home such a pretty girl. If there was a championship for sociopaths, you''d be a surefire seed slot, if not the winner. ...... But are you sure it''s a consensual relationship?¡¡I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. A word or two too many ....... You know, Mr. Allen has been very good to me. Of course, your ...... relationship is consensual.¡¡Charlotte, come on. Charlotte, come on. Don''t make your uncle happy for nothing. Oh my God, it''s so rare to see Allen embarrassed. It''s a beautiful day, isn''t it? Stop it or I''ll physically shut you up. Allen glared at Harvey''s ever-growing smile with a pale stare. It''s a waste of time to take advantage of his provocation here. He let out a huge sigh and stared at Harvey again. "So, Uncle. Let me ask you straight out, is it true that ...... Charlotte''s sister is here? "Yes, of course it''s true. Eureka. Yes. I''ll get ready then. Harvey nodded easily and made eye contact with Eruca next to him. He waved her off and turned to Charlotte again. I''ve heard all about your situation, Charlotte. I''m sure you''ve had a difficult time. I''m here to help you, so please don''t hesitate to let me know if you need any help. Yes, yes. Thank you very much. Charlotte nodded with a firm face. She was nervous because she was meeting Allen''s father for the first time, but her face was tense for a different reason. He clears his throat, and then asks tentatively. It''s not about me. ...... Why did Natalia come here?¡¡Did something happen to her? "As it turns out, she''s just studying here. "Studying? Yeah. It happens all the time. It''s not uncommon for children of noble families to be sent here on the condition that they stay until things settle down. Harvey shrugged his shoulders. It happens every now and then. Until the scandal cools down, they''ll use the money to disappear to hospital or study abroad. This island is a half-day boat ride from the mainland. It is a perfect location to hide himself. I''ve been offered a job again through an intermediary. We''re an institute that doesn''t mind people coming and going, so I gave my permission. That was about three months ago, right? If it was that long ago, you should have contacted me right away at ....... "It''s another common story, but she lied about her identity. It was only very recently that she found out that I was Charlotte''s sister. It''s true that the incident was known to our country. ...... Of course, you''re going to try to hide it. Allen let out a small sigh. Because of Charlotte''s incident, her birthplace, the Evans family, was in the national spotlight. And Natalia was the precious heir born to his wife. It was only natural to take her out to protect her from the eyes of the world. But if she was just going to study abroad, it wouldn''t be a ''big deal'' as Eruka said. What the hell happened to you? "Yes. Before we get to the point, ...... just one thing. Harvey held up his index finger. His smile remained soft, but there was a dull light in his eyes. In a quiet voice, he asks Allen a very simple question. "Allen. Would you like to think about that story one more time? "No. Of course, Allen answered immediately. Charlotte blinked her eyes and nodded her head. What''s that story? I told you. Me and your uncle had a fight. Three years ago. Allen had a falling out with the faculty of the Athena Academy of Magic and was forced to leave teaching. But then Harvey came to him with a proposal that he couldn''t believe his ears. "Your uncle is the president of this school, ...... and he wants me to take over the reins. "What? 130 130 Stories Crawford Family (2) Charlotte made a shrill noise, but quickly turned her gleaming gaze of respect to Harvey. It''s ...... amazing that you''re the president of such a big school! "Oh, no, not so much. Harvey responded with a smile, but Charlotte nodded her head. But why don''t you like it, Mr. Allen?¡¡It''s a great job, I think. ...... "Well, I agree with you. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. If you are the head of the academy, it is an honorable position that will go down in history. I don''t see any reason to reject you. "It''s simple. Titles come with strings attached, don''t they? I don''t want to be bound by it. Allen said bluntly. The number of students in the school is no less than one thousand, and if you include the faculty, staff, and outside collaborators, the number of members is quite large. When you are the head of such an organization, you are bound by many ties, large and small. Politics and bellyaching may be possible, but they do not suit me. That''s why Allen turned down the position. When I explained this, Harvey''s smile deepened. There''s no need to jump to conclusions. All you have to do is train as my secretary for a while, and round up the professors while you''re at it. I''ll do my best, and I''ll take care of the fire as best I can. With that, Harvey leaned forward and extended his right hand to Allen. He looked at Allen straight in the eyes, and there was a hint of compassion in them. With the same look in his eyes as when he announced that he would bring the young Allen home, he said. You, my son, are the only one who can succeed me. Even if we are not related by blood, I can tell you that clearly. How dare you talk so much sense? Allen swiped his right hand away. He then stood up and pointed his index finger at his foster father. I know what you''re up to!¡¡The real reason he wants to force me to be his heir... Just when I was about to continue. The parlor door opens. "Hello? Then a girl with a teapot and cup on a tray came out of the room. Her fluffy peach-colored hair was decorated with ribbons, and the dress she was wearing was also decorated with ribbons and lace. At first glance, she looked like a girl in her mid-teens, as fluffy as candy. She brings a large tray to the table, catches Charlotte''s eye, and smiles softly. She brought a large tray to the table. You must be tired after your long journey, please take your time. "Yes, sir. Thank you. Charlotte bowed her head with a hovering smile. Harvey smiled at the girl as she prepared the tea with great finesse. "Thank you, Liz. Do you want me to help you? I''m fine. It''s been a long time since I''ve had this many guests, so I''m really excited. Here you go. I baked some cookies that even demons can eat, so please eat them too, Fenrir-chan. "Yay!¡¡I''ll have a bite! The girl pats Lu''s head, wagging her tail, and sits down next to Harvey. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. You are by any chance Mr. Allen''s sister?¡¡Nice to meet you. My name is Charlotte. I''m Charlotte." "Oh my God, I''m so happy you''re my sister. Thank you for your kindness. I''m, uh, Lise... No, Charlotte. She''s not my sister, she''s my aunt. As soon as he was about to say the word, a sharp wind tore right across Allen''s face. As soon as he was about to say the word, a sharp wind blew across his face. A wall made of a magical material that is impervious to the slightest bit of magic. If you slowly turn your head back, the girl will put her hand on your cheek and smile softly. I''ve been away for three years. Just because it''s been three years, you''ve forgotten how to call me?¡¡I''ve been away for three years and you''ve forgotten how to call me? "...... Excuse me, Mother. "You''re my mother? I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. Lu and Goussetsu also rolled their eyes as they munched on their cookies. Satisfied with their reaction, the girl cheerfully said her name. I''m Lieselotte Crawford. Nice to meet you. And this is my wife. Harvey hugged the shoulder of his wife, who only looked like a girl, and smiled and made a peace with her. Like his adoptive father, his adoptive mother hadn''t shown any signs of aging since Allen had met her. It''s no wonder he''s been called "the crazy couple" and "a walking violation of the law" in the shadows. Anyway, this was the very reason why Harvey wanted Allen to succeed him. I''m sure the real reason your uncle wants to force me to take the position is so that he can flirt with your aunt ...... all the time!¡¡I''m not going to give up my position to my son for such a silly motive!¡¡You''re a fool, aren''t you? What do you mean, "stupid"?¡¡What is trivial! I''m not sure what you''re talking about. 131 131 Stories Crawford Family (3) Harvey, in a spirited and exaggerated gesture, spoke up. "It is indeed a prestigious position!¡¡The joy of raising a large number of students and the rewards of studying magic can be wonderful!¡¡But it''s nothing compared to ...... Liz!¡¡I want to leave everything to my son, retire to a villa in the mountains, and spend all my days making out with my wife! That''s too honest!¡¡What do you think of my son, if I may say so? Of course I think he''s a lovely boy. Of course I think he''s a lovely boy, and I''d like him to meet his new sister or brother or something. "Stop being so graphic ......! The father and son are making a lot of noise, trying to grab each other. Three years ago, they argued like this and fought to the death for three days and three nights. This time, since Charlotte and Lieselotte were nearby, they avoided using magic on each other and only argued. Lieselotte sighs as she tilts her cup of tea at the sight of these friendly parents. I''m sorry, Charlotte. My family is so noisy. I hope I didn''t scare you. "No, no. I''m jealous of how close your family is! Thank you. But Charlotte is already like a daughter to us. But Charlotte is like a daughter to us now," said Lieselotte, standing up and gently patting Charlotte''s head. You''ve been through a lot, haven''t you?¡¡You''ve been through a lot, haven''t you? I''m glad you have another mother to take care of you. "Mother ...... "Lu, Lu, Lu!¡¡Rizuma''s cookies are delicious! "Of course you''re my child too. Of course you''re my baby. Eat up all you can. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. She may look young, but she''s a strong mother inside, having raised Allen and Eruca. An ugly father-son fight and a heartwarming group of girls. In the face of such a contrasting scene, Goussetsu groaned. ''As expected of Allen''s family. It''s a bargain sale of eccentricities and oddities. No, I''m sorry. I''m sorry. My mom and dad got excited. Oh, Eruka. Welcome home. When Eruca came back, she saw the current state of the parlor and sighed. There was a large object standing next to him, which had been carried all the way from the house, and a white cloth was draped over it. Eruka glanced at her father and shrugged her shoulders. "Oh my God, Dad, are we talking about this again?¡¡I thought you gave up after the big fight three years ago. I''m sure I learned my lesson from that ...... fight. I''m not sure what to do. It''s true that since that fight, even in my letters, I''ve only occasionally heard people talk about the university president in a light-hearted way, like ''I hope you''ve changed your mind. If that''s the case, why are you coming on to me so strongly now? In fact, ...... there''s been a lot of trouble at our school lately. Harvey sits down on the couch and lets out a heavy sigh. The way he sits there with his head in his hands is quite tragic, and he seems to be very distressed. Some of the students have been engaged in a sort of faction war lately. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I''m not sure what to make of it.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. It was still cute back then. Nowadays, the number of members swells up to about a hundred in the biggest places. Try having that many of them clashing here and there on the island every day. You''d be overwhelmed, indeed. That''s a disturbing story. Maybe the trouble in the harbor was also ...... Yeah, you''re one of them. Harvey nodded his head absentmindedly. In the closed environment of a school, factions inevitably arise. It''s not uncommon for them to clash. But when you have a group of a hundred people competing against each other, it''s a very different story. The students in this school are very talented. When it''s led by the head of the class, it can hardly be called a student skirmish, but a gang war. In fact, the incidents that Harvey lays out with a sense of dismay are on a large scale in their own right. An entire school building was destroyed in half, the ocean was broken, dragons summoned by students filled the sky, ...... and so on. There have also been a lot of complaints from tourists. After he finished, Harvey looked up. He then looks up, and with a look of deep despair on his face, says I''ve been so busy dealing with them that I haven''t been able to make out with Liz as much as I used to. ......!¡¡I''m sure you can understand the pain I''m going through.¡¡You know what I mean.¡¡I''m sure you''ll understand.¡¡I''m sure you can understand the pain I''m going through.¡¡I want you to share that time with me. ......! You want to be blown away so badly? ...... No, wait... I''d like to share that time with you. "You said the academy was going through a rough patch. Is that by any chance something to do with ...... Charlotte''s sister? Natalia, is it? Hmm. ...... Your intuition is as good as ever, I see. 132 132 Stories Natalia Evans (1) Harvey looked at Charlotte who quickly changed her color and let out another big sigh. "Mr. Allen and Ms. Charlotte. I called you here for one reason and one reason only. We want you to solve Natalia''s problems and save ...... this school. I''m not sure if you''re suggesting that Charlotte''s sister is involved in this conflict. I think it''s best if you see it for yourself. Eruka, please. "Yes, yes. Eruka responded lightly and removed the cloth from the item she had brought with her. What appeared was a large, gold-framed portrait mirror. But the mirrored surface only reflected a white haze, and there was no sign of Allen and the others. This is the Mirror of Hope, a magical tool that reflects other places. ...... Harvey snaps his fingers. This is a magic tool that reflects other places, ." Harvey snaps his fingers together and the mirror''s haze instantly clears to reveal an outdoor scene. Charlotte gulped as she saw it. "Natalia, ......! It was a corner of an open garden. A light breeze rustled the trees and flowers bloomed everywhere. The place looked cozy, but there was only one person in sight. "...... A young girl sat on the edge of the fountain, her legs dangling in a bored manner. Her hair is shoulder-length and golden. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. She was dressed in the uniform and black robes of the Athena Academy of Magic, the very Natalia that Allen had seen in Charlotte''s dream. She was seven years old. Charlotte, too, hadn''t seen her in a long time, and forgot her words. Silence reigned in the room for a moment, but then Allen suddenly realized. I''m not sure what to make of this. The mirror projected an image. A number of students begin to appear from the edge of the mirror. There are rock people, dragon people, subhumans, elves. There was not a single human figure, but all of them had a physique and gait that made it clear at a glance that they had been working out for a certain amount of time. There were about thirty of them. All of them, without exception, were approaching Natalia slowly with their heads down. This chilled Allen to the bone. Charlotte, too, was pale and puzzled. "Hey, Natalia''s at ......!¡¡Is she okay? ......? No, no, no, this is not good!¡¡No, no, no, this is not good! We have to go help ......! In the meantime, a huge group of people surrounded Natalia. One of them, a dragonborn - a humanoid race, but much larger than humans, with scales all over their bodies and sharp claws and fangs - steps forward and slowly extends his right hand to the little girl. It was clearly a tense scene. But despite Allen''s impatience, Harvey flaps one hand absentmindedly. I''m sure he''s fine. It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one who has a problem with this. "What are you taking so long for? ......!¡¡Enough!¡¡This is around the third research building!¡¡Now I''m going to-- Just when I was about to run out of the room, I saw a startling sight in the mirror. An amazing scene unfolded in the mirror. Boom! "Where''s ..................? The deafening sound of the explosion caused him to look in the mirror and see the dragonborn who had approached Natalia flying through the air. It was quite surreal to see her huge body, no more than two meters tall, being blown away and slammed into the ground. The others stirred and opened the way. Out of it slowly walks Natalia. She looks like a demon, and her body is covered in a tingling, deadly energy. "Can you please not play around with me? ...... She holds a loaf of deli bread in her hand and shouts at the top of her voice. She said. I ordered you to buy ...... croquette bread, not yakisoba bread! Silence reigned in the room as she looked into the mirror. "...... Hmm? "......What? 133 133 Stories Natalia Evans (2) Allen and Charlotte looked at each other, looked in the mirror, ...... and looked at each other again. In the event that you''ve got a lot of questions, you''ll be able to contact us. However, this was something he could not understand. Not only Charlotte, but also Lu and Goussetsu were rolling their eyes and staring blankly at him. The mirror became noisier and noisier as we froze. The dragon people who had been knocked down got up staggeringly, rubbed their foreheads on the ground on the spot, and desperately said words of apology. I''m sorry, sir. ......!¡¡The yakisoba bread at the store is so popular that it''s always sold out. ......!¡¡So I thought I''d take its place. ...... I''m sorry! It''s none of my business!¡¡You can''t even run an errand!¡¡You can''t even run an errand! All of you ...... are just decorating your body! ''Well, well, well, master, please contain your anger. "That''s right, there''s no point in getting upset. "The croquette bread here is also very good! The rest of the group hurried to follow Natalia''s shouting. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It was a perfect scene of the boss and his prefects. "............ What the hell is this? I still don''t get it. Allen turned his head slowly to look at Harvey, no longer clinging to him. Then his foster father shook his head loosely and opened his mouth. It was about three months ago that Natalia came to study here. Since then, she has studied magic here at her leisure. The result: ....... Harvey trailed off and took a deep breath. With an impatient look on his face, he grabbed Allen''s shoulder and shouted. I''m not sure what to make of that.¡¡We can''t even get our hands on him anymore. ......, so please do something about it ASAP! Can I go home to ......? Allen could barely squeeze out a single word to his overwhelmed foster father. That''s when he finally understood the real reason why he was called. (This is just a three-way meeting for troubled kids. ......? I felt like I had lost a lot of money worrying about it. "This is total bullshit ....... Hey, Charlotte ...... Charlotte? "Oh, wow. ...... Charlotte was staring into the mirror with a pale face. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. "What should I do, Mr. Allen? ......!¡¡Natalia ...... has turned into a bad girl! "Bad girl, I guess. ...... This is... Allen could only nod his head. Rather than a bad boy or a delinquent, it would be more appropriate to call her some kind of demon sergeant. "Well, actually, he''s not that bad. ...... Look at him. Harvey points to the mirror with a sigh. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. ...... He pulled a leather bag out of his pocket and held it out to Natalia with reluctance. There was a faint sound of metal scraping, indicating that it contained a good amount of food. However, Natalia only sniffed and did not reach for it. She turned her head away and said in a brusque tone, "You take that. You can keep that. It''s for free. ''What ......?¡¡But that''s thirty pieces of silver!¡¡I can''t take this much money! Just keep it! It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your work. I''m not sure if you know that I''m working part-time and sending money home to my family. What kind of a boss are you if you can''t feed your subordinates well? It''s fine to cut back on food expenses and be filial to your family, but you should take better care of yourself. "Hey, boss, ......!¡¡Thank you very much!¡¡I''ll spend the rest of my life repaying this debt! It''s a small price to pay. It''s a small price to pay. I can''t have you feeling indebted to me like that. "The potions you make will be sold at a high price in the Purchasing Department. "Good for you, kid. You can now be free from living with a cabbage a day. The prefects are making a lot of noise around Natalia and the dragon people who are crying and bowing down. The picture is quite bizarre, but the atmosphere is heartwarming. As you can see, she''s very popular,....... I can feel the blood. ...... Overwhelming centripetal force and magical talent. Apparently, her sister is also blessed with the same potential as Charlotte. Natalia: ...... I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. I''m glad to hear that ...... your kindness has not changed at all. I''m glad to hear you''re relieved. I''m glad to hear that you''ve been reassured. You''re a pretty unflappable kid too ....... Maybe it''s your influence. I''m sorry about my Allen-chan. ...... "Why are you blaming me? The family members all stare at him coldly, and Allen can only make a reluctant face. It was hard for him to deny it even to himself. In the meantime, Lu and Goussetsu squealed with deep emotion. Mom''s sister is amazing. She''s just like you, but she likes weird people! ''Mm-hmm. I wonder if she was as outstanding in your family? "No, ...... not at all. Charlotte shakes her head in confusion. She''s quiet, quiet, quiet, and I''ve never seen her raise her voice ...... before today. The gentle part is the same, but the rest is very different. "I see. Allen stroked his chin and looked at Natalia in the mirror. His eyes are very sharp for a seven year old. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to help me. I''m sure it''s the latter, as she was a quiet young woman when she entered ....... Harvey made a light gesture of agreement. 134 134 Stories Natalia Evans (3) I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. But we soon turned them away. ...... Now she has turned down all support from her parents and is earning her school fees on her own. She''s a very respectable young lady. I can see her rebelliousness towards her parents. ...... Have you informed your parents about the situation? They didn''t say anything. I''m sure you''re not the only one. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. I''m not sure if it''s ...... my fault that Natalia has changed the way she has. "I suppose it''s possible that I was one of the ...... triggers. He knew there was no point in denying it so easily. So Allen could only shake his head bitterly. Charlotte was falsely accused. However, he did not know if Natalia knew this or not. Even if she knew that she was falsely accused, there was no guarantee that she would not hate her sister for running away from the country and causing unnecessary embarrassment. (I''d love to take you to see her, but ...... right now might not be the best time. If you make the wrong decision, you could end up hurting not only Charlotte, but Natalia as well. In the meantime, ...... what exactly does your uncle want? If possible, it would be helpful if Natalia could calm down a bit. ...... Harvey slumps his shoulders tiredly and sighs. Her talent is amazing. She may even surpass you and me. But she''s too reckless for that now. ...... As he said this bitterly, the mirror became noisy again. "Boss!¡¡What''s wrong? What''s wrong? A student appears from the edge of the mirror again. This one is also not human, but avian. Natalia''s face darkens slightly as she receives the letter he presents. "Hmm ......, a letter of fulfillment from the magic smithing class? ''What?¡¡They''re experts in magical weapons! Rumor has it that they beat up on the Potions class the other day. ...... "What are you going to do, master? "Huh. That''s obvious. I''m not sure what to do with it. At that moment, the paper was swallowed by the Red Lotus Flame and turned to ash. With the ashes dancing in the wind behind her, Natalia lifted the corners of her mouth and grinned. I''ll take it!¡¡I''ll take it! I''ll make you regret that you dared to bare your fangs at me! "That''s my master! "Yes!¡¡We''ll all follow you! "Hey, but isn''t the president''s class supposed to be after this? ...... "I don''t care about that!¡¡We must boycott again today! That''s right, that''s right!¡¡That''s right! What do we care about a pedophile president? That''s right!¡¡That''s right! All of you ......, follow me! "''Oooooh! Natalia took her students and left the garden as if on a triumphant return. Then Harvey erases the image in the mirror and lets out a huge sigh. It''s all well and good to get some practical experience, but ...... I''d like you to take your classes a little more seriously. My sister''s sorry ...... It''s really a three-way meeting with a problem child. ...... I''ve been on the students'' side and the teachers'' side, but never on the parents'' side. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what''s going on in your life. That''s what I want to make sure people know. I''ve heard it a million times and it really doesn''t matter. ...... Listen, Liz!¡¡My son is being a real pain in the ass! "Okay, okay, poor Harvey. 135 135 Stories Natalia Evans (4) Patting her husband on the back, Lieselotte put her hand on her cheek in distress. But you know, Allen. She''s already overthrown a third of the factions that existed in the academy. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to be doing. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. ...... I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s not surprising that something unforeseen happened. There is no doubt that she could be tricked by a bad adult and end up going down the path of delinquency. ...... I can''t help it, it''s an old trick. Allen shook his head and flipped his cloak. He then slapped his chest at his foster mother. Leave it to me to deal with troublemakers. I''ll talk to Natalia first. Thank you. I knew you''d say that. Good!¡¡I''m hoping that you''ll return to the academy and take my place as president. I won''t let that happen, so work hard until you die. After giving his adoptive father a blank stare, Allen turned to Charlotte. Charlotte was still staring into the mirror where Natalia''s image had disappeared, her profile tense with thought. She seems oblivious to the fact that Lu and Goussetsu are looking up at her with concern. Allen softly called out to her. "Hey, Charlotte. I''m not sure what you''re talking about. I''m going to talk to your sister. So ...... what are you going to do? "What do you mean, ......? Charlotte looked away quickly. Her anxiety was palpable to Allen. So I''m going to make sure I say it out loud. "I''ll be frank with you. I don''t know how Natalia feels about you. There''s a chance she might resent you. That''s why we shouldn''t meet face to face right now. You should wait and see. "............ Yes. Charlotte nodded in a muffled voice and stared at her toes in silence. But on the other hand - Allen smirks. But if you want, I can let you see your sister without ...... revealing yourself. "Yes. Then Charlotte looked up with a start. Oh, you can do that? Yes. With my magic, yes. But we have a lot of problems. The way Natalia was acting, she might give Charlotte a hard time for hiding her true identity. She might say something bitter, not knowing that she''s looking at her sister. Seeing your sister might hurt you. Do you still want to see ...... her? "I''m ....... Charlotte clears her throat. She turned her head and breathed in slowly, and when she looked up, there was a determined light in her eyes. I''ve been called ''Natalia-sama'' ever since she can remember. I''ve been called ''Natalia-sama'' for as long as she can remember. I''ve never been able to do anything like an older sister, except for reading her a few picture books. ...... Even so, she always called me "sister. ...... That is the only wonderful memory I have of that house. Charlotte clenched her fists and looked straight at Allen. I don''t care if they hate me or not. If I run away here, I''ll regret it for the rest of my life. So please go to ....... Mr. Allen. Charlotte shouted her heartfelt thoughts firmly. Please let me see her and ...... Natalia!¡¡I want to see my sister face to face! "Okay, well said! Allen clapped his hands and shouted with joy. Allen clapped his hands and shouted his pleasure, then pointed his index finger at Harvey. "Uncle!¡¡Get me Charlotte''s fake papers!¡¡I''m going to get her into the school as my assistant! "Ha-ha-ha, dude. That''s some serious naughty stuff! That''s a small price to pay, sir. It''s a small price to pay. I''ll get you a permit to go with Lu and the others. Yay, yay!¡¡Say hello to Mom''s sister! "Don''t worry, Miss Charlotte. Don''t worry, Miss Charlotte. We''ll be right behind you. "You can all go to ....... And so the Crawford household became noisier than ever, and the strategy meeting began. 136 136 Stories Approach to Problem Children (1) It seemed that Natalia and her friends were using the garden as a hangout. The name of the genius, who has grown remarkably in just over three months, is well known within the school, and the only people who actively want to get involved are the prefects and other factions who don''t like her success ....... "Hey, you''re in my way. "......? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Charlotte, behind him, gulped a little as a large number of people turned to kill her. Allen, however, only smiled aloofly. He looks at Natalia, who is sitting on the edge of the fountain, and asks her in an arrogant tone. "Hey, little girl. Are you sure you are Natalia? ...... Who are you? "Who are you?" Natalia growled in a low voice as she took a bite of her frankfurter. She made no effort to hide her caution. She stared at Allen with a cautious look in her eyes. She seemed to be trying to calmly determine whether or not the person in front of her was really an enemy. Not only that, but he is also fully prepared to intercept. He casually checked the positions of his allies around him and shifted his center of gravity slightly forward so that he could jump out at any time. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''ve been studying magic for only three months now,......, which is a terrific talent. If she had lived a normal life as a daughter of a duke''s family, she probably would have never blossomed. Whether this is fortunate or unfortunate, let''s leave it at that. Allen smiled deliberately and said his name. Let me introduce myself. My name is Allen Crawford. I''m a temporary instructor for hire. "Crawford ......?¡¡You''re related to the president? Oh!¡¡Hey, boss, that''s him!¡¡The Great Demon Lord of the Academy of Magic! One of the prefects pointed his index finger at Allen and shouted, upsetting the rest of us. I''m not sure what to make of this. I''ve heard that even the top graduates can clear the academy dungeons in about five minutes instead of the three hours it takes to get through them. ...... In the event that you''ve got a lot of money to spend, you''ll be able to take advantage of it. "Huh. ...... Don''t praise me like that. You''re embarrassed. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. It''s not the same as the "Demon King" that Miaha calls you with affection. I don''t think it''s a compliment, folks. ...... Charlotte in the background made a sneaky comment. Natalia''s eyes narrowed. I understand the Great Demon King, but ...... who''s that? "Oh, he''s my assistant, ......, and he can tell you his name. "Oh, ......, yes. Charlotte walked awkwardly in front of Allen. She wore the same clothes and had the same haircut. The only difference is that she''s wearing ...... glasses with dorky frames. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for and what you can do to help. I''m Sharo, ....... It''s nice to meet you. "Sharo, is it ......? Natalia said the name as if she had something on her mind. But that was her only response. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. "So, what do the Great Demon Lord and his assistant want from me? It''s simple. It''s simple. The headmaster has asked me to help him with a problem child. You can think of them as your personal teachers. Take care of him. "d*mn it, ......, that was unnecessary. It''s none of my business. Allen reached out his left hand, but Natalia only clicked her tongue. She ate the frankfurters quickly and sat up. I don''t need a personal teacher. Leave me alone. Let''s go, boys. "Yes, sir!¡¡Sir! And with that, Natalia led her students out of the garden. The only thing left for Allen to do was to shrug. "I suppose first contact is a good thing. What do you think, Charlotte ......, Charlotte? "Uh-uh ....... Charlotte was standing there, tears streaming down her face. She was standing there, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clutched at Allen''s clothes. I''m really glad I got to talk to Natalia. ......!¡¡I''m so glad I had the courage to ......! Can I count that as a conversation? Allen exchanged a few words here and there, but Charlotte just gave a fake name. If she was crying, we would have no choice but to react. And then Goussetsu and Lu, who had been hiding just in case, came out of the bushes and looked at us. "Oh, Allen''s making Mommy cry. It''s not right. "I wonder if this needs to be sanctioned. "You saw what happened, didn''t you?¡¡Don''t stir things up! You''ve seen what happened! Calm down, Charlotte. What are you going to do with that? What are you going to do now, ......?¡¡What''s more, what''s going to happen to ......? Of course there''s ...... something. So, what are some of the things that are going to happen ......? Well, you''re my sisters. ...... He imagined that he and Natalia had successfully repaired their relationship, and that they had become good friends. And then Allen said what he thought would happen. It''s not just about talking, it''s about sitting around the table together, sleeping in the same bed, playing around, etc. ...... Charlotte!¡¡Don''t let go of your consciousness in a place like this, Charlotte! You''re not going to like it. "You''re less intense than usual today, Mom. I''m sure you''re very excited to see your sister again. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a number of things you can do. After a while, Charlotte calmed down and took off her glasses, rubbing her tear-stained eyes. But she really didn''t notice. ...... Magic glasses are amazing. Well, for a quick fix, it worked. It''s just a pair of ordinary glasses, but because of Allen''s magic, they make Charlotte look like someone else. Her voice would naturally sound different. This is an application of the magic that hid Lu and Goussetsu''s appearance on their last first date. When I explained it roughly like that, Charlotte sighed with deep emotion. I''m not sure what to make of this. You''ll be able to master this level in no time. It''s a good opportunity for you to learn the basics while you''re on this island. Yes!¡¡I want to learn! Charlotte expressed her enthusiasm with a smile. Next to her, Gousset sighs bitterly. But the problem is Natalia. It will be difficult to break her guard. ''She''s so jumpy. Can you really talk to her? "We''ll have to get closer first. Let''s just take our time, shall we? Charlotte. Yes, yes. I''ll do my best not to cry next time! No more fainting. I''ll do my best. ...... Charlotte made a fist in front of her chest. And so the first day of the mission to infiltrate the academy ended with just a face-off. 137 137 Stories Approach to Problem Children (2) And the next day. Allen and Charlotte walked into the main auditorium. "Hello, Natalia. I see you''re in class today. "d*mn, ......, you''re here already after all this time? When he spoke to Natalia, who was sitting at the back of the room listening to the lecture, he was met with a frown of disgust. Allen sat down next to her, unconcerned. Charlotte also sat down slowly. Around them, of course, were the prefects. But they only gave us a glance, and none of them showed any clear hostility. In fact, they seemed to be making a conscious effort to ignore us. Allen stroked his chin and growled. "Hmm, you ordered me to leave you alone, didn''t you? "Of course. Of course not, since you seem to be after me. Natalia shrugs her eyes and sighs tiredly. "I''ve studied you, Great Demon Lord of House Crawford. I''ve read about you, the Great Demon of House Crawford. There''s no harm in fighting with such a thing. I told him to be quiet and wait and see what the enemy does. Besides, I''m the only one who can take the brunt of the fire. "Are you really seven years old, ......? "Are you really seven years old, ?" He showed great dignity as a superior. While we were talking about this, the class in the auditorium was going on quietly. Standing at the lectern was an old professor with a bent back. He scribbled a lot of complicated mathematical equations on the blackboard and explained them, using a lot of technical terms. The auditorium was quite full, but everyone seemed to be barely able to take notes, and not many seemed to be able to understand the content properly. Taking a quick look at the blackboard, Allen felt nostalgic. He felt nostalgic because he had learned this subject a long time ago. The five magic elements applied science. Do you understand it? "It''s rather boring, sir. You can read a book about this. Natalia shrugged her shoulders and looked at the blackboard briefly. Natalia shrugged her shoulders and looked at the blackboard briefly, then stood up and spoke in a clear, clear voice. Professor, the formula you just wrote is wrong. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s a fan of your work. "...... Oh, yes, you''re right. "......Oh, yes, you''re right. Sorry, I get distracted in my old age. ...... The professor laughed and fixed the equations as Natalia had pointed out. The professor laughed and fixed the equations as Natalia had pointed out, eliciting shouts of admiration from many people. The word "prodigy" could be heard here and there, but Natalia sat back, unconcerned. Allen whistled. "Wow. That''s pretty good. "I''m not happy about your praise. Natalia turns her head away. Although they are sitting next to each other, the psychological disconnection between them is immeasurable. (Hmm. It''s great that she''s good, but it looks like she has a long way to go. ......) Allen''s mission is to rehabilitate Natalia, but his ultimate goal is to bring Charlotte to him. In order to do that, it is important to talk to her first. ...... At this rate, I don''t even know when I''ll be able to complete the first step. (Hmmm ...... I wish there was a chance for something ......) When I was an active teacher, if I had a cocky student, I would talk to them after showing them the difference in power. That way, the student would open up very honestly. ...... You can''t use that technique this time. I didn''t want to cause any problems later on. So, the only thing to do is to steadily close the distance, but at the moment, I could not find any concrete opening. Now, I was wondering what to do with ....... It''s amazing ...... I don''t even know what''s going on ....... It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your money. She looked at her sister with a look of honest respect. However, Natalia raised her eyebrows suspiciously. What?¡¡I''m sure you''re not the only one. "Oh, ....... Charlotte stammered. It''s not that I''m not a good person, but I''m a good person. But Charlotte held it in and gave him an awkward smile. I''m sorry. ...... I''ve just recently started studying magic. ...... I''m sure you''re right. Natalia rolled her eyes in surprise. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. 138 138 Stories Approach to Problem Children (3) (How about ......?) I thought about it for a bit and decided to go for it. Allen patted Charlotte on the shoulder and said. My assistant is just starting out. My assistant is just starting out, and I''d like to take advantage of this mission to teach her magic from scratch. Hey, Shallow. "Yes, sir. I''m a novice, but I''d appreciate it. Hi. ...... As Charlotte bowed her head, Natalia just replied. She seemed to have identified Allen as a target to be wary of, but was having a hard time deciding what to make of the apparently harmless Charlotte. Charlotte, however, is trying to work up the courage to speak to her sister. But Natalia ...... is amazing. You''ve studied a lot, haven''t you? "No, this is nothing. It''s just the basics. It''s still amazing. There are so many adults in this auditorium, and I really admire you for studying with them. ...... "This is a meritocracy, regardless of age. ...... Natalia slurred her words and turned her head away. The lines were dull, but the sting seemed to have slipped away ninety percent of the time. Then Allen grinned and said. Just what I needed, Sharo. You should ask that child prodigy over there to teach you the basics of magic. "What?¡¡Why am I ......? That''s right. Mr. Allen. I''m sorry to interrupt your studies. Charlotte hastened to follow up on Natalia''s frown. But Charlotte hesitantly rubbed the fingers of her hands together. But if you have any free time, you can ...... tell me a little bit about ...... that. Then he cut off his words and declared with a lot of energy. I''m so happy, I think I might faint. ......! "Why are you so ......? "Oh, don''t worry. I''ll do my best to resist! "Why are you really ......? Natalia stared at Charlotte, trying to hide her confusion. But she must have realized that she was serious. Then she looks away and says, ...... We have a duel with another class after this. You can do it during the lecture. "Oh, really? Charlotte smiled like a flower when she heard this. When Charlotte heard her words, she laughed like a flower. "Yes. But only a little. You''re in my way. Get out of my way. "Okay, okay. The sisters'' lecture began. Natalia unfolded her notebook and began to draw diagrams and explain. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand what I''m talking about. "Yes, yes. While listening intently, Charlotte glanced at her sister''s face. She had always wanted to see her sister, and now she was so close. Her heart was filled with emotion, and she could feel it in Allen, who was watching behind her. (Oh, you''re getting closer, aren''t you? Is it because we''re dealing with a woman? A woman is the best person to lower a child''s guard. But Allen couldn''t help but think that there was another reason. (Or maybe he was thinking of his sister. ...... I wonder which.) Allen stroked his chin and stared at the back of the two sisters, who were having a friendly lesson. 139 139 Stories: Dinner with Problem Children (1) Here at the Athena Academy of Magic, it''s a huge place with many facilities. Among them, there are many cafeterias for students all over the island. There were specialty restaurants that served food that only certain races would eat, and there were high-end restaurants that were a bit more expensive. The most popular, however, were the cheap and plentiful cafeterias. A single silver coin was enough to fill you up, making it a friend of students. Many students were gathered around the tables in the spacious restaurant - Natalia and her group were there. Of course, Allen and the others were forced to go with them, and at first they just stared disapprovingly, but now they were showing a completely different reaction. "Wow, ....... The pupils didn''t even touch the daily set meal, and moaned with their mouths half open. Everyone was staring at Charlotte with a pale face. Charlotte, unaware of the attention she was receiving, just smilingly watched Lu and Goussetsu eat. "Is it good, Lu? Goussetsu-san. "Yes!¡¡I''m sure they have food for demons here. "Mm-hmm. The menu is more sophisticated than before. I can feel the cook''s tireless efforts. "Hey, Goussetsu-san, have you been here before? "Yes. Yes. I was a tourist and turned myself into a man. It was a smaller academy then, but it was just as lively as it is now. You really have a lot of life experience, don''t you, Grandma? The two of them were in a good mood as they gobbled up the set meal for demons. Charlotte is slowly eating her student set meal while chatting with you. For Allen, it''s just another day in the life, but for the rest of us, it''s not so easy. Natalia, of course, was standing there with her tray, shivering. "Hell, capybara and Fenrir''s kid?¡¡Who the hell are you, ......? "Huh? Charlotte rolled her eyes in disbelief. She didn''t realize that she was being watched until she was told. By the way, not only Natalia''s group, but also the other students were whispering about us from afar. Thanks to this, there was a strange space in the crowded store. Charlotte tilted her head curiously and called out to Allen next to her. I''ve heard a lot of people say that ...... is such a great thing? I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. The ramen has few ingredients and is generally greasy, but the flavor is quite addictive. Slurping it down, he opens the lecture for Charlotte. There are very few demon hunters in the world who have Fenrir at their side. In addition, silver fur like Lu''s is extraordinarily rare and will easily make you a legend if you go to a fair. "Hmph, Lu is amazing! The anecdote of the saint who followed Fenrir five hundred years ago is still a favorite of bards. It''s very popular. On the other hand, I''m just a rodent. "He''s a gentle creature, but he can turn into a raging horse at the slightest provocation. You know it well. Yeah, sure, ....... The other day''s kidnapping was fresh in Charlotte''s mind, and she nodded with a mysterious expression. To the average person, she''s just a dumb-looking mascot at the zoo, but to those who have learned a little magic, she''s a sleeping lion. And Allen had never heard of any other wizard who had both a Fenrir and a hell capybara at his side. Natalia sits down in front of Charlotte and sighs in exasperation. I''m not sure what the point is in learning ...... magic when you''ve already made it as a demonologist. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''ve always been protected by Mr. Allen and the others. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "To stand up to ......? Natalia''s expression hardened slightly as she said these words. 140 140 Stories: Dinner with Problem Children (2) I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure what to make of it.¡¡I''ll do my best to master it! I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s had a bit of trouble with this. "Really?¡¡Thank you very much, Natalia! ...... It is the duty of the strong to provide for the weak. Natalia turned away, but her cheeks were slightly red. The distance between the sisters seems to be shrinking quickly. The two sisters seem to be closing the distance quickly. "I''m glad you found a good teacher, Sharo. I''m glad you found a good teacher. That spell is the type that stops the enemy from moving, so if a weak woman can learn it, she''ll be a force to be reckoned with. I''m glad you found a good teacher. Good for you, Mom. I''m not going to do that. ...... Charlotte chuckled and looked at Natalia''s food. "Well, Natalia, ...... is that all you''re eating today? "Yes?¡¡It''s enough. A hamburger, fries, and orange juice. She is a young girl who likes to eat a lot of junk food like fried noodle buns and frankfurters. As the daughter of a good family, she had probably never been exposed to such common tastes, and now she might be addicted to them. But Charlotte raised her eyes. You have to eat your vegetables, too!¡¡I''ll order a salad or something! "Oh, no, thank you. ...... Would you like me to accompany you, sir? It''s okay, I''m right there. I''ll be right there. Oh, have a safe trip. Yeah. ...... Natalia watched with confusion as Charlotte walked enthusiastically to the order counter. As she picked at her fries, she tilted her head and growled. I''m not sure why she''s so obsessed with me. It''s not like it''s a job. "Well, it seems that my sister back home is about your age. Isn''t that an overlap? "...... I see. That makes sense. I''m not lying, but it''s not true either. I''m not lying, but it''s not true either. Charlotte was also happy to be able to do something sisterly with Charlotte. As the two of them chatted, the prefects, who seemed to have gotten used to the idea, spoke to Lu and the others with a bit of trepidation. Apparently, some of them can speak the language of demons. "Well, let''s see, ''Hello'' ......? "Hello! "Well, well, well. It''s no bother. It''s nice to see a young man who can say hello. What''s he saying? You can hear Fenrir, but I don''t understand Hell Capybara either. ...... It''s a very old official demon language, this. It''s a very old official demon language. How old is this hell capybara? ...... While some of them were shivering, the atmosphere of the dinner was friendly. In the meantime, Natalia watched Allen sipping his ramen, but then let out a small sigh. It''s just as well. Now that Sharo is gone, I have a few questions for you. What is it? Are you the one who was sent by my ...... Evans family for a request? No. Allen categorically denied it. 141 141 Stories Interviews with Problem Children (1) Natalia shrugged her shoulders and said, "Of course. I don''t think my family will interfere with me now, and if they do, they''ll probably send me a more straightforward and less interesting teacher. I was just trying to make sure. I''m flattered that you believe me. By the way, what would you have done if you had found out it was your parents who were behind it? I would have sent him away. Of course. Natalia bites into her hamburger and says plainly. She ate wildly, not caring if her mouth was stained with sauce. I can''t stand the idea of being related to that family. We have to get rid of the pests for the sake of our mental health. Pests. ...... Sounds like you really hate your parents'' house. Yeah. I get chills just thinking about the blood in my veins. Natalia smiles a thin smile at the edge of her sauce-covered mouth. We are a typical aristocracy in name only. My father is only interested in keeping the family alive, and my mother is a trifling woman who is only proud of the fact that she gave birth to me. The servants are all mere idlers. It''s really a trivial house. No, don''t say that. ...... Of course I have the right to say it. She''s never even picked me up or read me a story. How can she be a mother? Natalia''s words are harsh, but they do not sound heartbroken. It was easy to see that she was deeply dismayed and dismissive. After that, she continued to munch on junk food, using her family''s sarcasm as a snack. (Hmmm, looks like a long standing grudge has exploded here. I''ve been raised to be a butterfly and a flower, but suddenly I''ve been sent to a remote island. I thought that''s why he''s not good enough. ...... Apparently, he''s been overwhelmed with resentment towards his parents for a long time. He even vented it to Allen, whom he met yesterday and today. He must have been very upset about it. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who''s a bit of a jerk. "...... That''s one thing. If you have magic, most things can be done in this world. After a few moments of hesitation, Natalia assured him. It''s not just a rebellion, it''s a decision. It''s not something to be taken lightly. (Then how do you feel about Charlotte, ......? Father, mother, and servants. That''s all Natalia has to say badly. She waits and waits, but there is no sign of her sister''s name. So Allen decides to try the scythe. He nodded and nodded to Natalia''s complaint, and when the time was right, he said. I heard about your sister. I heard about your sister, too. I think her name was Sha-- Then Allen stopped talking. He had to. Natalia had stopped eating and was staring at him. In her crimson eyes, there was a cold fire that froze her. With a look of pure murder that left even Allen speechless, Natalia said simply, "I will never use that name again. Don''t ever speak that name in front of me again. It makes me uncomfortable. "...... Understood. Allen raised his hands in the air and paused to comply. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. (It is fortunate that Charlotte is not here at this time. (It''s fortunate that Charlotte-sama is not here at this time, as she seems to have a lot on her mind. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what it is you''re thinking about. Is it a grudge of a different kind from your parents'', or is it a different emotion? Until we find out, it would be better to avoid having her meet Charlotte directly. At that point, Natalia shut her mouth completely and picked at the remaining French fries in silence. She could feel the distance that had almost been drawn between them opening up again. (I knew this was going to be difficult.) As he slurped down the stretched ramen, Allen muttered in his mind. It was just at that time. Just then, uninvited guests approached the table they were sitting at. "Hey, isn''t that Natalia there? "Hmm? 142 142 Stories Interview with Problem Children (2) When I turned around at the sound of a rude voice, there was a boy with blue hair standing there. He was about ten years old. However, he has a grin on his face that is a bit grim for his age. Behind him are about ten large human students. He is the king of the mountain, as you can easily see. "Oh, your schoolmates. I see you have other friends besides your prefects. Stop it, you''re creeping me out. I''m not your friend. Natalia frowned at Allen''s snide remark. She glared at the boy with the same frown. "What do you want, Neil? "No, I just wanted to say hi. The boy called Neil waved his head deliberately and clapped wildly. "Looks like you beat the blacksmith class the other day. Congratulations. They''re pretty good, but that''s Natalia. "Of course. They''re no match for me. That''s why you''re my rival. But ...... Neil breaks off and stares at Natalia with sharp eyes. "Don''t get carried away. Your reign is coming to an end. Your reign is about to end. I''m going to lead you out. Ha! How can a little fish bark? Natalia laughed it off and stared the boy straight back. Fierce sparks flew between the boy and girl. Their cronies also glared at each other, and the air was filled with heaviness. But in the midst of all this, Allen made the sound of noodles being slurped without a care in the world. (Oh, I see. A rival position. He seems to be a talented young man. He must have been praised as a child prodigy. But then one day, out of nowhere, Natalia came along and took the top spot in less than three months. Neil looked at Natalia and her pupils and narrowed his eyes as if to make fun of them. Howling. ...... Isn''t that your men? I can''t stand the smell of animals today. "Oh, ......? You know what they say... Oh, come on, boys. "Stop it, you two," Natalia said, controlling her fretful pupils. I''m sorry, but we''re eating. If you want to fight again, make an appointment. It''s common sense. "d*mn you, ......, you clever b*tc*. Let''s go, boys. Neil clicks his tongue and leads his men back to their heels. The air was already bad, but Allen had finished every last grain of fried rice. (Well, that''s youth. I used to be like that too. (I used to be like that, too.) I used to get into trouble with various students like that. And I crushed them all without mercy. (Well, I didn''t have any prefects, but ...... yeah. (Well, I never had any prefects, but yeah.) Natalia is more wholesome, isn''t she? I was having a heartwarming thought... "What the heck is ......? "......! The moment he heard a small scream, Allen looked up as if he had been hit. You''ll be able to see that Charlotte was slumped on the floor with her eyes rolled back in her head. Apparently, she had collided with one of Neil''s men. The tray and salad that she had apparently carried were strewn about at her feet. Charlotte hurriedly tried to clean up the mess, but... I''m sorry. ...... I''m sorry!¡¡I''ll clean it up right away. ......! "Hey, don''t walk around so slow. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. You''re in Emilio''s way. Get out of the way! I''m not sure what to say. "He-bo-bo-bo! At the same time as the shout roared, the first of his minions blew up in a beautiful parabola. It wasn''t Allen. It was Natalia, who threw a beautiful flying knee kick with no reserve action. 143 143 Stories Interview with Problem Children (3) He used a simple spell to strengthen his body. But the skill with which he did it was so good that even Allen was impressed. Neil and the rest of the team smirked as they watched his men fall into a coma with one blow. "Oh, you ......!¡¡How dare you do this to my men? "I gave them discipline in return. You should be thanking me. Natalia wobbled to her feet and glared at Neil. The calmness with which she had dismissed her opponent earlier was completely gone. The calmness with which she had dismissed her opponent earlier was completely gone. With her hair fluttering with murderous intent, Natalia bared her fangs and said. You can''t touch a woman!¡¡No more appointments!¡¡I don''t need an appointment right now. "Come on, Natalia. He walked up behind her and patted her on the shoulder. I thought he thought it was my sister, but ...... he just couldn''t stand the fact that women were being mistreated. I appreciate your sense of justice, but this is a bit unfair. Allen smiled and indicated the area. Around him, there were many students who were watching from a distance. "You should look around properly. This is the cafeteria. There are a lot of other students here. An unplanned brawl in a cafeteria like that is not something to be admired. What?¡¡Sharo-san is your assistant!¡¡She''s your assistant! You can''t just sit back and let her get hurt! Hahaha. You''re funny, you know that? Allen smiles at the howling Natalia. That was one of the funniest jokes I''ve heard in a while. He quickly removes his smile and lets out a low, muffled chuckle. "...... Who said I forgive these guys? "Heh. Natalia''s eyes widened slightly. At the same time, Allen snaps his fingers. A pale blue light rushed across the floor, quickly building a wall of light that reached the ceiling. Only Allen and the rest of Neil''s group would be trapped inside the walled-off space. "What? ......!¡¡Warding!¡¡You can''t cover this scale in an instant! I''m not sure what to say.¡¡The weakness of this kind of warding is obvious!¡¡Strike the surgeon! "Yes, sir! I''m not sure what to do. Three of them immediately chanted a spell, pulled out their weapons and jumped out. The precision with which they carried their bodies and chanted their spells set them apart from the rest of the ragtag group. But in Allen''s opinion, it was just a student''s plaything. "Look, Natalia. There are three things that are important in a fight. "There are three important things in a fight," Allen told Natalia, who rolled her eyes. The first is to cut off the enemy''s path of retreat. And the most important thing is that you don''t let any of them get away. And the most important thing is ......! "Aaah! "Scream! "Yabo! I ducked and dodged three incoming attacks and bound their arms and legs with ice as I passed them. He then struck them with a flowing gesture, sending them to the floor. Of course, he could have locked them in the icicles, as his adoptive father, Harvey, had done the other day when he calmed the rowdy students in the harbor. Instead, he kept the restraints to the bare minimum. ...... He simply wanted to apply physical sanctions. This is better and more flashy, as it generates more screams. As you planned, three of your allies fell into a coma, further unsettling Neil''s group. With his eyes fixed on them, Allen lifted the corners of his mouth to the limit in an animalistic smile. The most important thing in a fight. The most important thing in a fight is to break the other person''s heart so thoroughly that they will never want to confront you again.¡¡It''s the most important thing in a fight. "Hmm ......, look what you said. Natalia smiles elegantly. But the next moment, that smile turns into a fierce one. I''m sure you''ll agree with me.¡¡I agree with you completely! "Hahahaha!¡¡You''re a man who knows how to talk!¡¡I''ll turn you all into stains on the floor, you little bastards!¡¡Prepare yourselves! What the f*ck is this? It''s ......!¡¡You''re the Great Demon King!¡¡You''re back, aren''t you? "Whoa, whoa, whoa!¡¡We''ll follow the master and the demon king! Let''s show them what we''ve got! And so, in the ring of the wall of light, a brawl of screaming and shouting began. Charlotte was sitting in the corner, and Lu walked over to her and nodded her head. Is your mother all right?¡¡Can Lu and I come join you over there?¡¡We''re going to get even with Mom. "If you give me the go-ahead, I''ll turn this place into a bloodbath in no time. No, no, no, no!¡¡I''ve only fallen!¡¡I''m stopping!¡¡Stop! Mr. Allen, please wait at ......! It''s too warm, too warm!¡¡That''s the extent of it, trashbugs!¡¡I''m not going to let you get away with harming my Charo!¡¡I''ll make you regret being born in this world! "What? "I don''t think he heard you. ...... I told you, you can''t do that!¡¡Goussetsu-san!¡¡Give me your wand! "Yes, sir. In the event that you''re not sure what to do, there are a few things you can do. Raising it, Charlotte shouted at the top of her voice. "Fighting is really not a good idea! "Oh no! The thunderbolt spell that Natalia had just taught her - a spell that had very little killing power, but could knock even a bear unconscious with a single blow - burst forth and struck Allen. 144 144 Stories Daimaos Guidance Time (1) An hour later. Allen and Natalia were sitting side by side in the garden. Charlotte sits in front of them, lecturing them profusely. Charlotte sat in front of it and lectured her. "I''m glad you''re mad at me. But that was too much, both of you. Rudeness is not good. I''m sorry, ....... You too, Natalia. What if she gets hurt ...... by doing something so dangerous? You can heal her with magic. ............ No, I''m sorry. ...... I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. I''m sure you''ll agree.¡¡I''m sure you''ll agree. "Haha ...... Natalia''s younger siblings also sat upright behind Allen and the others and simply replied. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us. "Remember that! is a typical line of discard. As Charlotte continues to lecture her prefects, Allen sighs with sadness. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to be doing and how you''re going to do it. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. ''But you know what? I think Allen could have dodged my mom''s spell.¡¡There was a lot of room for error. No, no, no, Lu. ...... Don''t listen to that. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. You''ll be able to find a lot of things you don''t need to know. This is one of them. ''Oh, why? I''m curious. Even Lu could''ve dodged it. "Huh, ......, of course. I''m just trying to give him a taste of success. "Yes? I''m sure you''re not the only one. The most important thing you need in order to use magic is a strong mind. The most important thing in using magic is mental strength. The experience of defeating a battle-hardened wizard like me in a single blow will definitely give him confidence. The next time he encounters an enemy in a situation like that, he''ll be able to take them on without fear. You mean you ...... hit him on purpose?¡¡For your mother? Exactly. Allen nodded easily. I''m still a little tense, but it''s a small price to pay for Charlotte''s confidence. I thought that Allen''s determination would be met with a lot of respect from the ladies, but... "You''re really creepy. What is it with you and your twisted love? "I shouldn''t have asked you. ...... You were right after all. "All you have to do is understand, Lu. "Why? "Why?" "It''s over with the three of them giving me the eye roll. I don''t get it. Without realizing it, Charlotte continued to lecture her prefects. The prefects listened curiously, as if they knew that she was concerned about them. But they looked at each other and sighed heavily. But even if you say you can''t fight, ...... "Basically, we''re on the side of the fighters. We''ve never initiated a fight. "Oh, really? Charlotte blinked and looked at Natalia. Natalia nodded humbly. "Yes. All of them were originally from the outskirts of the academy. Their families were poor, they had hair or scales that were rare among their kind, or they were extremely poor at certain magic. Such people are easy targets in a small community. Natalia''s prefects had also previously been taunted, scorned, and mistreated by Neil and the others. I helped them out. Bullying the weak is not a pleasant thing to watch. But because of that, he''s getting a lot of flak. Ugh, I''m sorry, sir. ...... It''s our fault. ...... "Shut up!¡¡I just took it upon myself to do something!¡¡I''ve always said I don''t need an apology from you! I''ve always said that you don''t owe me an apology!" Natalia shouted angrily at the nodding prefects. 145 145 Stories Daimaos Guidance Time (2) "I see. You''ve just been fighting fire with fire. ...... You''re right. It is true that when I looked at her in the mirror, or in the cafeteria today, it was always the other side that started the fight. Natalia''s shoulders slumped tiredly. I just want to improve my strength here. I want to get stronger. I''d like to get stronger as soon as possible. Neil and the others are a good training ground for that, but ...... they keep coming at you, and I think that''s a little depressing these days. I''m not sure what the problem is, but I think I''m starting to see it. You have a great deal of talent, a noble sense of justice, and a relentlessness when you recognize an enemy. The combination of these factors must have intensified your relationship with the people around you. By the way, how did you buy all the fights you were sold? Of course, it''s always a brawl. If anyone comes at me, I beat them all up. I''m good with all kinds of magic, but I tend to use body-enhancing magic to beat them with my bare hands. Oh, you''ve got good taste. I guess that''s to be expected. "Just a regular brawl ......? Charlotte paled while Allen nodded humbly. She''s probably worried about her sister. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. Then we can talk. Natalia. There''s only one thing you need to do. I don''t suppose you''re going to tell me that I have to get along with the ...... guys, are you? No. Quite the opposite. He pats Natalia on the shoulder, who is frowning. Looking directly into her young face, Allen said with a smile. "Natalia, you''re going to be the head of this school. "Yes, ......? It''s not just Natalia, but the rest of us as well. If the enemy keeps coming back, it''s because you don''t know how to defeat it. I''ll teach you how to fight them effectively. I''ll teach you how to fight effectively, and your enemies will soon disappear from this academy. That way, Natalia would have a peaceful student life and Allen would be able to win her trust. It was a move that would kill two birds with one stone. But Charlotte just cringed with a blue face. But you can''t fight with her. And if Natalia gets hurt, I''m ...... worried, worried, worried ....... "Mr. Shallow, ...... Don''t worry, Shallow. What I''m trying to do is not just a fight. I''ll keep the danger to a minimum. I''ll teach you how to defend yourself if you ever need to get into trouble. Of course, Allen had no intention of letting a seven year old girl do anything rash, no matter how capable she was. He explained this to her and smiled fearlessly at her. If you still find it dangerous, ...... you can stop me again like you did before. I''m not sure I want to do that again. ...... I think it was a little too much for me too. ...... "Oh. You mean you can''t? I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m sure you''re not the only one.¡¡You''ve decided that you''re going to stand up to ...... whoever the enemy is. "......! Charlotte huffed and scrunched up her face. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web at the moment. I understand. I''ll leave it to you, Mr. Allen. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. "Hahahaha!¡¡That''s the spirit!¡¡You''re the only one in the world who can grab my reins!¡¡Take heart! Yes, sir!¡¡I''ll do my best! I''ll do my best!" "No, no, don''t get excited with me in between. I don''t even know what your enthusiasm is for ....... I''ll do my best!" Natalia replied suspiciously. If two people who have just met yesterday and today were to have a heated discussion about their own educational policies in front of their parents, any person would be reluctant to face them. Allen reached out his left hand to Natalia, just as he had done before. "So what do you say, Natalia? Do you want to join forces with me? "Hmm, you want to take on the Great Demon King? ...... Natalia stared at the hand. The hesitation was short-lived. With her small palm, she grasped Allen''s hand firmly. The edge of her mouth lifted in a vicious smile. It''s interesting, isn''t it? You can use it in the future. ...... Let''s take a ride for now. But if you are deemed useless, your cooperation will be terminated without mercy. Is that clear? "Of course. You can shudder in fear at my competence! Allen replied with a broad smile, and an alliance was formed. "Oh ......, good luck, master! "We''ll do our best to support you! "We''ll do our best to support you!" The prefects were excited. But then a cool voice sounded from behind them. "Hey, hey, what are you guys looking at as if it''s someone else''s problem? Hey. What they saw when they turned around was a beautiful woman with a large scar on her face - Goussetsu in human form. The other day she was wearing a dress, and today she was wearing a monotone military uniform and a thick coat, wherever she got it. The way she smiled as she patted her shinai with her hand, she looked like a demon instructor herself, no matter how you looked at her. The reason why Natalia was spotted by the enemy in the first place was because you are weak. A vassal who can''t even get rid of himself is nothing but a liability. Hence, ....... Goussetsu thrusts his shinai at his brothers and tells them with a horrifying smile on his face. I will train you to be of some use to me. No need to thank me. It''s for my master''s benefit, after all. "......, who are you? "Yes, I''ll take care of that!¡¡But don''t let me die! ...... Yes, sir. It''s been hundreds of years since I coached a young man. This is going to be a real challenge. You too, Lu!¡¡I''ll give you a hand with that! "Well, Goussetsu-san and Lu, please go easy on the ......? I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. 146 146 Stories: The Great Demon Kings Teaching Time ... That day, against a clear sunset sky-- . "d*mn it, ......!¡¡Next time I''ll win!¡¡Remember that! "I''ll probably forget about it tonight. With that, a battered Neil ran off with his minions. Natalia waved him off with a curt wave. Behind Natalia, there was a long staircase leading to the basement. The sign reads, "Academy Training Dungeon (*Please contact the office if you wish to use this dungeon! There is a sign that says, "This is a dungeon for training. It''s a dungeon where demons are actually kept, and it''s a training ground for students to test their strength. In front of the doorway, Eruca claps her hands with a binder under her arm. The winner of the dungeon time attack game is Natalia. Well, that was an overwhelming victory. I didn''t expect you to beat me by more than 30 minutes. Neil is excellent, but Natalia is a cut above. "I''m honored by your praise, Judge. By the way, it looks like there''s more to this dungeon. ...... Why is it closed to traffic? Oh, the dungeon boss in the back is just in his spawning season, so he''s upset. It might be better to seal it up more tightly. While muttering such things, Eruca made a quick note in her binder. Like Allen, Eruca has already graduated from this school, but she sometimes works as a part-timer doing miscellaneous school work. This time, as a member of the school''s dungeon watch committee, she witnessed the match between Natalia and Neil. Meanwhile, Charlotte comes in with a towel and a bottle. "Thanks for your help, Natalia. I made you some herbal tea. Would you like some ......? "Thank you very much. Thank you. I''ll take it. Natalia takes the bottle and slowly drinks the tea. Charlotte was watching her sister with a smile on her face, and Allen walked up to her with a relaxed gait and offered words of encouragement. I''m not sure what to make of it. That''s a new personal best, Natalia. "Hmm, of course. Hmm, no wonder. ...... With a sullen look on her face, Natalia pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket. There was a list of names on it, but all of them were marked with a cross except for Neil. Natalia glared at Neil as he left. Neil is persistent. He''s the only one left who''s stupid enough to pick a fight with me. "Well, it''s a rule that the last stronghold is the hardest to lose. Let''s be patient, shall we? "If that''s what the ...... Great Demon King says. Natalia nodded reluctantly, though she looked unhappy. The cautiousness she had felt when they first met had faded. She unfolded a sheet of paper lined with crosses and sighed with deep emotion. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. You know, I was right, wasn''t I? Allen chuckled. "Well, I was right, wasn''t I?" Allen chuckled, having spent the past week in a power struggle as Natalia''s coach. You don''t have to take on the whole group. We just need to take out the heads individually. Then, dare to challenge the leader in his or her area of strength. If you win, the difference in rank will be clear. It''s simple, but it''s an easy way to instill a sense of hierarchy. For the demon wielding students, it was a game of catching demons. For those who majored in potions, there was the potion mixing match. And for those who are good at fighting, a simple duel. However, that''s not the only fighting Allen has taught. But I''m impressed with the Great Demon Lord''s ingenious plan. I didn''t think there was a way to avoid combat by dropping the enemy''s relatives as well as fighting in single combat. ...... "Right?¡¡A fight won without a fight is also a fight won without a fight. If you find out that the boss of the enemy team has a doting sister, you can try to make friends with her. If you find out that the boss of the opposing team has a sister who dotes on him, you can befriend her. If you find out that the boss is a grandmother, you can give him health supplements that are popular among the elderly. As a result of such manipulations outside of the game, people other than Neil raised the white flag and did not get involved at all. Allen patted Natalia on the shoulder and said with a fresh smile. I''m only going to teach you the easy way this time because you''re a student, but if you want, I can teach you some ...... subterfuge that will barely get you in trouble with the law. Brainwashing, blackmail, bribery ...... are all fun weapons when used well. It''s ...... fun, isn''t it? I look forward to working with you. ...... I''m sure you''ll be able to use it well. I think Natalia is becoming more and more of a naughty girl ......! Charlotte did not try to stop Allen, even though she looked blue. I''ve been watching him closely for the past week, and I think it''s because I know I''m not teaching him anything dangerous. In fact, in all the many battles they had fought, Natalia had managed to avoid injury every time. It was the result of Allen''s teaching. 147 147 Stories Sister Evans (1) "Oh, hey!¡¡Good work! As we were talking, some people came running up to us with big smiles on their faces. Natalia''s prefects - three of them. Three of them were Natalia''s prefects, including the dragonborn who had been kicked out of the house for buying croquette bread. Natalia greeted them and smiled. "We''re done here. ...... How''d it go with you guys? "It''s perfect! "It''s perfect!" says the Dragonborn. The other two also seem to have lost their excitement, and the three of them say with glittering eyes... I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''ve beaten up the guy who was using me as a pawn ...... and we''ve become friends! I''ve also made the cocky kid from the original family apologize for all the ...... things he''s done! I''ve taken the bastard who slept with my girlfriend to the ...... sea to play with her! You guys ...... The three of them reported their revenge quite mildly, as if they were paying attention to Charlotte who was right beside them. Natalia smiled with satisfaction as she listened to the report of her prefects. You''ve done well. That''s what I call a servant. "Thank you, master ......! Thanks to you, ......! The three of them clung to Natalia and broke down in tears. They called him "sir," but of course they didn''t mean Allen. As she soothed her minions, Natalia turned her attention to a clearing nearby. I can''t thank you enough, Goussetsu-sensei. I''ve trained him in the past, but ...... I can''t tell you how much I admire the way he uses the lash and the whip. You must be a very famous capybara from hell. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I''m just an old man. The Goussetsu in the clearing bowed respectfully. Behind him, dressed in his military uniform and holding a riding whip, the rest of his prefects lay dead. Looking at the three who had taken their revenge, Goussetsu narrowed his eyes and smiled. The fact that you have achieved your goal is a result of your diligent training. I was only helping you. You may take pride in that and continue your training. "Yes!¡¡Thank you very much. And thank you, Miss Lu. "Hmph. If you want to play chase and fight, I''ll be your training partner anytime. Lu, who had been playing with his fallen brother, smiled proudly. During the week that Allen and Natalia had teamed up to take over the world, the two of them had squeezed their prefects to increase their strength. The other prefects, crawling on the ground in tatters, got up in desperation. The other prefects, crawling on the ground, struggled to get up. "Oh, shit. ...... I can still do it. ......!¡¡Please continue your training! We''ve got our revenge, but we want to get stronger!¡¡Sensei! "Well, good on you for being so bold. So long, ....... Goussetsu gives a small cough and shakes his whip, shouting angrily. "Well, break time''s over!¡¡There''s no time to waste on these maggots!¡¡You''re going to run around the island now!¡¡And when you''re done, you''ll have to wrestle me!¡¡I''ll beat you until you can''t cry or laugh, so prepare yourselves! "Sir!¡¡Yes, sir! "Yee-hah!¡¡It''s a chase!¡¡If you don''t run fast enough, Lu will nibble on you. "Thank you, Goussetsu-sensei. Lu. Natalia bowed her head deeply and watched the crazy group run off. Although it was a heartwarming scene, Allen was not convinced and made a reluctant face. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it.¡¡You can call me Allen-sensei if you want. "You''re not a teacher, are you? Daimajou is Daimajou. Don''t be smug. Giving Allen a blank stare, Natalia stretched. But let''s go to the dining room to celebrate our victory. I''m starving. "Yes, you are. But you have to eat your vegetables, too. You''ve been eating them lately, haven''t you? You''ve been eating them lately because Mr. Shallow suggested it. That''s great. That''s Natalia! Charlotte smiled at her younger sister who was stammering. Charlotte smiled at her younger sister, who was watching from afar, and Eruca walked up to Allen. You two are looking good. You two look great together. You''re the perfect sisters. I wish that were true. ...... Oh, so you haven''t asked Natalia yet?¡¡How does she feel about your sister? That seems to be a real minefield for him. I need to be able to talk to her more openly. Allen can only sigh. That anger he showed the other day when I mentioned his sister''s name in the cafeteria was real. He whispered to his sisters, who seemed to be on good terms with each other. We''re in the process of building trust. We can''t make any bad moves. We''ll just have to take our time and work it out. "Hmm. Even a big brother would be cautious when dealing with the sister of the boy he loves. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that the war at the academy has settled down for the time being. The only thing that remains is Natalia''s problem. I''ll be watching over you until the end, so hang in there. I''m sorry. ...... By the way, what are you going to do when this is over?¡¡What are you going to do when this is all over? Are you still going to investigate Charlotte''s house? I think my dad will take care of that, and I''ll just go back to the city. I want to see Jill, too. Yeah, I saw him the other day. He''s a young man in a wheelchair who works at a magic shop that I visited on a date the other day. He said he wanted to say hello again. What''s going on? "Yeah, we''re dating, you know. "Oh, I see. ............ What? The truth that was told in a light-hearted tone caught me off guard, and at the same time Charlotte and Natalia, who had begun to walk, turned to look at me. I''m not sure what to say. I''m going to leave you here. "Come on, Daimao!¡¡We''re having our next strategy meeting! "Okay, okay, okay. ...... Hey, Eruka!¡¡Tell me more about it later! I''ll be in touch with you later. I''m surprised you''re so interested. Are you curious about your sister''s love life? I really don''t care about that! What''s ......? He grabbed Eruka by the shoulders, and with a serious look on his face, approached her. I''m not sure what to make of that.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that.¡¡Don''t let him get away with it at all costs! That''s completely calculating!¡¡It''s not like you''re messing with my cute little sister. ...... Wait a minute, dude! Wait, Charlo. ...... Charlo!¡¡I''m coming! I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. 148 148 Stories Sister Evans (2) That night. When the sun had set, Allen and his friends visited Natalia''s dormitory. "Hey, Natalia. We''re here. "Mniu...... At Allen''s back, Natalia makes a sound that can''t be described as a reply or sleep. While they were having a strategy meeting in the cafeteria, Goussetsu and his prefects joined them late, and the party began. As is to be expected in a school cafeteria, alcohol was not served, but the feast of juice and sweets continued until midnight, when Natalia fell asleep. Although she was already wearing the aura of a champion, it seemed that she was old enough to do so. Seeing Natalia''s peaceful sleeping face, Charlotte smiles at her. "You''ve had a lot of fun today, haven''t you? "Sorry, demon king. I''m afraid I''ll hurt you with my scales if I carry you on my back. ...... Don''t worry about it. Just open the door, please. Hey. The dragonborn brother who had accompanied me used the key Natalia had given me to open the door to my room. Inside, the room was quite spacious and there were piles of textbooks on the table. The walls were covered with notes on magic formulas and equations - Allen couldn''t help but stop and look at them. "Oh, ......?¡¡You''re a dedicated ....... I don''t understand. I still don''t understand ....... Charlotte also looked up at it and sighed in admiration. You don''t know what kind of magic they''re researching, but you''ve read their enthusiasm. Leaving that aside for the moment, Allen went to the bed by the window. "Here, Natalia. Here, Natalia, get into bed properly. ...... Oh? He was about to put Natalia down when something caught his eye. On her bedside table was a square travel bag. It was made of good leather and had a number of keys attached to it. "Gyu...... number...... Natalia reached into the bag and hugged it tightly. It looked uncomfortable as a pillow, but she fell into a full-blown sleep. Then, the Dragon People hurriedly called out to him. "Whoa, don''t touch that bag. Don''t touch that bag. Even we''ll be beaten to a pulp. What''s so important about it, ......? Apparently. It''s enchanted. Allen replies to Charlotte, who peers into the room without hesitation. You can see at a glance that the lock is not only on the outside, but is also sealed by magic. It''s biometric, and if you try to force it open, it will trigger a trap,......, and it''s very secure. What the hell is in there? "Hey. I''m not going to talk about myself too much, ....... The young man from the Dragon tribe twisted his head and glanced at the clock on the wall. It''s almost time. Then I''ll be on my way to ......! What''s wrong? What''s going on?" When you open the door and step out into the hallway, you let out a shrill scream. I looked and saw a small shadow standing in the hallway. Clutching a crumpled letter is Natalia''s rival. "Oh, it''s Neil. Another letter to Natalia? "Shut up! When Allen called out to him, Neil fled as if in a panic, still clutching the letter. The dragon people saw him off and shook their heads in disgust. I''ve got a job to do. Well, I''ve got a job to do!¡¡If you''ll excuse me, sir! "Umu ...... "Oh, be careful. The room was completely silent as I saw the Dragonborn off. Allen looks into Natalia''s sleeping face and smiles. You''re just a normal kid, aren''t you? Yes. Yes, it reminds me of the old days. Charlotte also smiles softly. Charlotte also smiles softly, squinting her eyes nostalgically as she continues. I used to read to Natalia a few times when she was younger. She used to fall asleep in the middle of the book. Then Charlotte trailed off and looked around the room. She looked at the piles of technical books everywhere and smiled. But ...... you can already read such difficult books, I can''t read you picture books. He''s really grown up. Charlotte continued, with the proud expression of a child who has been left behind. Maybe it''s better for me to stay ...... nameless. ...... Why do you think that? Allen asked quietly, and Charlotte shook her head slowly. She only stared at Natalia''s sleeping face and did not pat her head. She seemed to be holding back from touching her sister. When I came to the island, Natalia and I had a lot to talk about. But she doesn''t want to talk about her home at ...... at all. I think that''s the answer. Charlotte smiled sadly and said to herself. I''m sure that''s the answer," Charlotte said with a sad smile, as if to say to herself, "It''s better to forget ...... about me, as I''m just a bad memory. ''...... Why do you say such sad things?'' Lu squeals anxiously as she slips closer to Charlotte. ''Mom and Natalia are good friends. And you want me to forget ......?¡¡It''s weird. It''s because it''s not me, it''s Sharo, Mr. Allen''s assistant. But you''re my mom, and Natalia is Natalia. I don''t like Lu if the two of you don''t get along. "Lu-chan: ...... You''ll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in this article. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. "Well, well, there''s no need to jump to conclusions. Take your time. You''re right, sir. You''re right, Master Charlotte. Gousset also walked up to Charlotte and gently hugged her shoulders and smiled. Time will tell. You will have to wait and see with Natalia in the long run. "As expected of the oldest. You''re the oldest. Your words carry a lot of weight in a situation like this. "Well, well, I''ve been through a lot. Once upon a time, I was so careless that I turned a volcanic area in the East into a barren plain, which has now been transformed into a lush green plain. Time is a panacea for all things. The scale is a bit strange, and ...... aren''t you talking about the famous unexplained natural disaster ......? The truth about the catastrophe, which is still being disputed, has been revealed. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. You''re right,......, you''re right. I''ll think about it some more. I''ll think about it some more. I''ll stay with you as long as I have to. Allen nodded humbly, but he had no idea at the time that things would take a major turn the next day. Natalia had disappeared without a trace. 149 149 Stories What She Cherishes (1) The next morning. The next morning, in his usual garden, Allen had his arms crossed and a difficult look on his face. And when I went to wake him up at ......, he was gone. Yeah, that''s right. I''m not sure what to make of that. It is often difficult to read the changes in facial expression of a race whose appearance differs greatly from that of humans. Even so, it was obvious to Allen that he was quite distraught. "Boss, I''m really bad at mornings. That''s why one of us has to wake him up every morning. ...... He wasn''t in his room today. So, your precious bag was gone along with it? Yes, that''s right. I''ve never taken it out before. ...... "Hmmm ...... Allen stroked his chin and growled. Allen stroked his chin and growled. The other prefects only looked at each other anxiously. When they found out that Natalia had disappeared, they had all split up to look for her. But with no results, it became clear that things were about to get really bad, and they turned to Allen for help. "How''s Lu? "Hmm. I think he''s gone off the scent. I don''t know. Lu''s nose was twitching, but his eyes narrowed and he shook his head. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that will help. Maybe you heard what I said yesterday. ...... I thought you had a good night''s sleep,......, but I suppose it''s possible. I''m sure it''s possible." Gousset nodded his head reluctantly. I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s not impossible, just looking at the circumstances. However, Allen denies it with a shake of his head. "No, it''s not. Perhaps there was another reason. "Hmm. You seem pretty sure of that when you say it like that. But what are you going to do? You can''t just leave him there. Well, I guess I''ll just go to ...... and-- There he is! Just when I was about to continue looking for him. Just when I was about to continue to look for him, a few students came running up to me with urgent voices. All of them looked familiar, and all of them looked even more pale than Natalia''s prefects. They all looked more pale than Natalia''s students. I''m sorry, but right now-- Please!¡¡Please help me! They clung desperately to him, even as Allen tried to push them away. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I think it''s a good idea. As I wondered about them, they opened their mouths in a very distraught manner and said something surprising. My boy has forced Natalia to go to the depths of the ...... sealed dungeon! "And stole her precious ...... things! ...... Tell me more. The people in the room were shaking. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. It seems that Neil has been having a lot on his mind lately. As Allen had predicted, until Natalia''s arrival, he had been known as a child prodigy in the academy, and was riding high on his shoulders. But Natalia had defeated her in every battle. Her pride had been torn to shreds and she had become so cornered that she had begun to say that she had to win by any means necessary. Then, last night, when he went to bring a letter of honor, he happened to find out about Natalia''s precious bag. Neil stole it from her and lured her into a duel. I''m not sure what to make of that. Even the teachers rarely go near the back of that dungeon nowadays. ......!¡¡That''s not good! "I see. Allen can only groan with a sigh. The possibility of running away from home had been completely eliminated, but it was still a bad situation anyway. I saw Neil last night. ...... I guess he found out about the bag then. I hadn''t expected him to be that worried about it. (No, I should''ve guessed. (I should have guessed. I guess I was a little narrow-minded about Charlotte too. ......) I''m sure you''ll be able to understand that I''m not the only one. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before. I''m going to help you!¡¡I''m going to help you! Charlotte screamed in a distressed voice. Charlotte shouted in a distressed voice, apparently unable to stay in the face of her sister''s danger. Allen, however, just shook his head calmly. No. You may have some magic, but you''re an amateur. It''s too dangerous, even with me by your side. I''ll go with you then. Goussetsu stepped forward, but Allen was reluctant to do so as well. It''s not a good idea. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. If other demons approach them, they''ll just add fuel to the fire. I''ll go alone. "Are you sure you''re okay by yourself, Allen? "What? I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. He grinned at Lu, who looked worried, and then Allen asked Goussetsu softly. But you should call your uncles first. You never know what might happen. (...... I understand.) Goussetsu nodded and quickly disappeared from the scene. Allen looks into Charlotte''s face, smiles like it''s nothing, and says, "So that''s it. So that''s it. You''ll wait here for me, won''t you? "...... Okay. Charlotte nodded stiffly. Charlotte nodded stiffly, her face still drained of blood. Her face remained bloodless, but I could see the firmness of her trust. Charlotte looked straight at Allen with her bright eyes and pleaded with him. "Mr. Allen, ......!¡¡Please take care of Natalia! I''ll take care of her. You guys stay here!¡¡Take care of Shallow! Yes, sir! With his brothers and sisters watching him, Allen rushed off. When he was teaching at the academy, he often dove into dungeons. 150 150 Stories What She Cherishes (2) There are many kinds of dungeons in this world. Those that have existed in the region for a long time. Some have become dungeons as a result of demons living in them. There are many different types of dungeons, but one of the most unusual is the man-made dungeon. These are places like biotopes where demons are allowed to roam free in a vast space and are managed by human hands to some extent. They are often built for research and training purposes, and one of the indicators of a school''s power is how many artificial dungeons it owns. The Athena Academy of Magic also has several dungeons. One of the most difficult is probably the cavernous one where Natalia and Neil had their confrontation the other day. It is a labyrinth of rugged rocky surfaces leading deep underground. Magical lights here and there dispel the darkness, but the cries of demons and the sound of something crawling around echo from all sides, threatening the intruder. Of course, it is full of traps. Therefore, it is necessary to get permission from the academy to enter and to have a watchman. However, we ignore such rules for now. After passing the "No Trespassing" sign, Allen found his target in an open area. A giant chimera was about to leap from the shadows of the rocks... I found it! ......! "Gah! At the same time, I shoot a magic fireball at it. The fireball hit the demon right in the side with the right aim and blew its huge body away with great force. The chimera staggered to its feet and fled deeper into the cave. It was one of the creatures living in this level. It''s known to be a bit of a marvel, but there are other bosses. Well, that''s not the point. "The Great Demon King ......, what are you doing here? In a corner behind a rock. In the corner of the rocky shade, a huddled shadow looked at me with a blank stare. It''s Natalia. She was hugging that locked travel bag tightly to her chest, and right next to her was an unconscious Neil. No visible injuries on either side. There is no smell of blood. ...... At first, Allen crouched down in front of Natalia and looked into her face. I''ll start with my question. Are you hurt? Well, I, uh, sprained my foot. ...... Natalia sits back and looks at her right ankle. It''s red, swollen, and covered in scratches. It looks fine, but if ...... Charlotte had seen it, she would have screamed. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. The other idiot fell and hit his head, but ...... it doesn''t look life-threatening. I''ll take care of both of you. But first, ...... Hey, what''s up? Allen puts his hand in front of Natalia''s eyes. There is only one thing to do for a child who is found safe. "Ta-rya! What''s that? I gave her a much more moderate blow. Natalia cowered, screaming like a kitten. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes and she howled wildly. "What are you doing? "That''s what I''m talking about, you idiot. Allen quickly cast a healing spell on him and turned to look at him. The redness in his leg quickly receded. "Neil''s people have told me the general situation. You''ve done a hell of a job. You know how dangerous it is to run into a nest of demons during their egg-laying season. I''m sure you''re not the only one. You should at least talk to me about it. He stroked Natalia''s head roughly. I''m not sure if I''m that unreliable of a teacher.¡¡Sharo and the prefects were all worried about you. I''m sorry, ....... Natalia nodded her head and let out a shaky whisper. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. But this is the one thing ...... I had to get back on my own. "...... I see. Allen''s eyes narrowed and he sighed. You can see that there is so much in it that you can''t stop thinking about it. I''m sure you''ll be able to guess what it is. "I''ll tell you what''s in it. "Huh? "It''s about your sister, ...... Charlotte, isn''t it? "....... Natalia gulped and looked up at Allen. Her face was contorted as if she was about to cry. Natalia hugged her bag and let out a muffled cry. You know ...... what happened to the Evans family, don''t you? "Well, roughly. Allen shrugged his shoulders and said in a deliberately aloof way. "Your sister did a lot of bad things... That''s not true! No!" Natalia shouts, so loudly that it echoes through the cave. At last, large tears spilled from her eyes. Her voice trembling with sobs, Natalia shouted angrily. You can''t even kill a worm, you can''t do something that big. ......!¡¡I''m sure that that rotten prince was just trying to trick you!¡¡And yet, the Evans family chose to cut off their sister ...... rather than take the effort to clear their ...... name! "I see. Allen gently stroked her head. It was something he knew all too well. But yesterday, when he stepped into Natalia''s room, he was convinced. There were a lot of notes in Natalia''s room. They were all traces of her research into ...... magic for lost property and missing person searches. You didn''t hate your sister, did you? "I hate you ......?¡¡I''d like you to stop being silly. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. The only thing I couldn''t forgive was myself for not being able to help the Evanses and ...... you. 151 151 Stories What She Cherishes (3) Then Natalia talked about her sister, one by one. She was half-brother to her, but she had been kind to Natalia since she was born. At some point, however, she had been treated like a slave at home. She wanted to do something about her sister''s situation, so she helped her as much as she could. However, he had always felt frustrated because he could do nothing more than gently hand her a piece of damaged fruit under the watchful eyes of the family. Allen just kept listening quietly. His voice was trembling and filled with deep regret. With a squirm, Natalia continued, letting everything in her stomach out. I thought for a long time that I was going to help my sister when I grew up. But ...... I was wrong. When her sister disappeared, she was sent to this school. It was there that Natalia realized her latent magical talent and ...... despaired. If I had stood up right then, I could have saved you. If I had stood up right then, I could have saved you, but I made the excuse that I was a child and did nothing. That''s why she was forced to leave the country. "...... It''s not your fault. It''s the prince who tricked you in the first place. But ...... that doesn''t mean I''m blameless. Natalia shook her head helplessly. If she had been just a helpless child, she would not have been tormented by so much regret. The conviction that she could have saved her sister''s life because she had been blessed with talent continued to gnaw at her heart. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. This is the only thing that was left of ...... that I had kept with me all these years. Natalia hugged the bag so tightly that her knuckles turned white. The only thing I know is that thanks to this, you are still alive somewhere. I can''t let anyone touch it. "Lost and found magic. ...... You searched your personal belongings for traces, didn''t you? Yes. But you haven''t located ...... ...... I see. There is a spell that traces the thoughts left behind in objects and searches for the owner''s whereabouts. However, this is quite difficult. If the thought left on the object is old, it is difficult to trace, and even if the thought is new, if there is some great power such as a dungeon in the direction of the thought, it will be blocked and cannot be traced. From the notes left in Natalia''s room, it was clear that she had made many attempts. (She must have been grasping at ...... straws, wanting to see her sister. Allen''s heart was filled with emotion at this thought. It''s a great way to get the most out of your time and money. "............? I''m not sure what to make of that. Who are the undesirables ...... who are holding Charlotte captive? Well, ...... why do you think my sister is being held captive? I''m sure you''ve heard of it. Lately, she''s been reacting like a joke by saying that she''s right next to me. ...... She must know that I''m looking for her and is interfering. "Oh, ....... I''m going to find you ...... and I''m going to get rid of you with my own hands. With my own hands. Natalia clenched her fists in an uncanny way. It seems that Allen''s proximity to her was interfering with her tracking magic. (I''m going to be ...... torn to pieces... ......) I can''t say that I''m innocent, so that was bad. I guess I''ll just have to accept my fate. With a distant look, Natalia unclenched her fist and gently patted the travel bag. "There are people in the way, but ...... I will find you one day. I don''t care if you hate me or if you hate me. Give this back to ...... me and apologize to me properly. Her voice was very firm and her determination was evident. Natalia spilled tears and made her final decision. So, for that reason, I have to become stronger and stronger. ......! I know how you feel about ....... Allen patted him on the shoulder. I want to see my sister and apologize. I''m sure your feelings are genuine and should be respected. But don''t be too reckless. But don''t be too reckless. Your sister will be very sad if you do. "...... It''s a clich¨¦. What do you know about your sister? "I do. As he wiped away Natalia''s tears of frustration, Allen gave her a refreshing smile. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or a bad thing, but it''s a good thing. So - I truly believe that these sisters will be fine. "Let me assure you. You sisters will be able to laugh together much more naturally than in the past. "...... No way. You don''t believe me?¡¡Then let me show you. You sound as if you want me to take you to see your sister. ...... I''m not sure what to make of that. She seemed to be trying to figure out what he meant. Why are you doing this? You and I just met the other day. It''s a simple matter. She was the sister of someone he cared about. Of course, that''s part of it, but this past week, Natalia has become something special to Allen. He stroked her head and smiled at her. You''re my student, you know. You''re my student, you''re my teacher, you''re supposed to devote yourself to your students. "...... Mr. Allen. 152 152 Stories What She Cherishes (4) Natalia chuckled and sniffed. Her usual sarcastic tone was completely absent. ...... There was a certain trust in her. All right, let''s go home then. But first, I''m going to have a quick look at the little bastard. ...... Oh. That''s when Allen let out a yelp. Before he knew it, Neil had gotten up. That''s all there was to it, but ...... he was shedding tears. He was crying so hard that I was afraid he was going to lose all the water in his body. Noticing this, Natalia also jumped up and down. What''s the matter, Neil? Are you in pain? No. ......!¡¡If anything hurts, it''s ...... my conscience. ......! "What ......? Neil bows his head to Natalia, who looks at him suspiciously. "I''m sorry ...... I woke up and heard that. ......!¡¡I''m sorry, I''m so stupid. ......!¡¡I''m really sorry, Natalia. ......! No, it''s okay. ...... What is it, suddenly? ...... I have a sister too. Neil''s shoulders slumped and he confided in me. He also comes from a good family, and his sister and a nobleman have recently been engaged to be married. In addition, she has a childhood friend, a young man to whom she has secretly pledged her future for a long time,......, and she has received many letters of concern, and Neil has been suffering. I''m not a child prodigy, but I''m still a child. I can''t interfere in the affairs of the house, and I can''t do anything for my sister. I was so frustrated that I took out my frustration on you ....... I''m really sorry. "...... Oh, I see. Natalia nodded her head. She patted Neil on the shoulder and smiled at him. "Look, Neil. It''s not too late for you. "What ......? What do you want ...... from your sister? No, of course not!¡¡I want her to be happy!¡¡That''s it! That''s a good answer. Then I know what I have to do, regardless of the child. Then Natalia''s smile deepened and she whispered devilishly into Neil''s ear. I''ve just been idle. Let''s go visit your birthplace next month. There, you might have a freak accident or get kidnapped and your sister and her childhood friend might disappear. ...... Well, that''s just the way the world works, isn''t it? I''m not sure. "Natalia, ......! I''m not sure what to make of that. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with your loved ones, you can call us at our own web site. Allen couldn''t help but hold his forehead and groan. "Don''t be so brazen about your deviousness, ....... What, you have a problem with that? Isn''t this a great way to help people? "That''s no problem at all. Do what you want. It will be a great experience for you. However, adult supervision was necessary. "You can do as much as you want, but when you have a ...... plan, show it to me first. Because the perfect crime requires careful preparation. And I''ll check out your fiancee''s house thoroughly. He''s an aristocrat who lends money. There''ll be dust anyway. The more cards you can play to shut him up, the better. "The Great Demon King: ......!¡¡Thank you very much! If I may say so myself, you are quite a softy ....... Natalia laughed, and a friendly atmosphere was created--then. And then... "What? A vibration that shook the entire cave struck with a roar. After that, the earth continued to shake intermittently, and it was clearly getting closer. Natalia and Neil sneaked out from the shadows and let out a short scream. Allen followed suit and let out a squeal of admiration. "Oh, I knew it was him! It was a huge red dragon that walked up to him. Its body is as round as a ball, and flames are leaking out of its large mouth. Seeing the huge body, the children turned pale and trembled. "It''s the boss, Salamander. ......! It''s a good thing you''re the master of this place. ...... It''s twice as big as a normal one. The Salamander is a so-called fire dragon. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your money. It is famous for being the most ferocious of all dragons. In addition, it''s spawning season right now. Their faces look sleepy but their eyes are piercing. It will turn anyone not of its own kind into an enemy and turn them into charcoal in an instant. Even Natalia and Neil have never taken on a Salamander before. She looked up at Allen, flustered, but straight in his face. "What do we do now? Mr. Allen. I''ve learned about salamanders in class. ...... A joint front? I''ll take the bait or whatever!¡¡Tell me! "Oh my God, calm down. He took them both in his arms and pushed them behind a rock. "Look, it''s easy to take him out. Just sit there and watch. "Wait, Dr. Allen! Allen jumped out of the way, not caring about Natalia''s panic. The Salamander stopped dead in its tracks at the sudden appearance of a figure. In a flash, however, the figure''s body began to glow with a crimson light. It was the color of a threat to foreign enemies. The Salamander then kicked the ground with great force and rushed towards Allen. If he were to be hit in the flesh, he would have no choice but to scream at the top of his lungs. "Porgy!¡¡Sit down! "Grrrr......rrr! Boom! The Salamander plunged into Allen, and the biggest earth tremor of the day shook the entire dungeon. The entire area was covered in dust, and Natalia rushed out from behind a rock, but... "Oh, Dr. Allen!¡¡Dr. ......? Natalia''s mouth dropped open and she froze. Neil peeked out fearfully and did the same. It was not Allen who had been crushed, nor Salamander who had been struck down. "Round and round and round... "Oh, shit!¡¡I told you to sit down, you idiot! I told you to sit down, you idiot!" Allen shouted angrily as the salamander pushed him back. He tried to push back, but the rocky behemoth didn''t budge, and mistakenly thought he was being petted, and instead got into a good mood and started to throttle him. The menacing color had completely disappeared, and I could tell at a glance that he was relaxed. "Oh? Then a calm voice echoed in the cave. Coming from the back is Allen''s adoptive mother, Lieselotte, in a jersey, carrying a large bucket. No! This place is currently off-limits to students, you know. I''m a teacher of demonology, and I''m the only one who can enter. "I''m sorry, Miss Liz. There''s actually a lot going on ......, but there''s something strange going on with Salamander ....... "Well, well, well... This is a great way to make sure that you don''t end up with a lot of problems. You remembered Allen''s face, didn''t you, Pochi? You''re the father who raised me from an egg, aren''t you? You''ll never get any discipline, though. ...... Gaw! The salamander, which had been hatched as a child with the help of his foster mother, responded proudly for some reason. I''ve always been bad at discipline, and this is the result of spoiling him so much. I guess I''m still doing the same thing, Allen thought to himself as he was crushed by the giant dragon. 153 153 Stories Connecting Sisters (1) When you go out of the dungeon, you will find all of them together. Charlotte and her friends, Natalia''s brother, Neil''s men ......, and Allen''s adoptive father, Harvey, were all there. They all looked at each other anxiously, but when they saw Allen and the others, sighs of relief could be heard from everywhere. "Natalia, ......! Charlotte came running out from the middle of the crowd as if she had been shot. She crouched down in front of Natalia with a blue face and touched her shoulder and cheek to make sure she was okay. You''re okay!¡¡Are you hurt ...... anywhere? I''m fine. ...... But... Natalia responded with a slight roll of her eyes. Charlotte''s dismay was more than she expected. In the meantime, Neil, who came out with her, walked up to Harvey and bowed deeply. "I''m sorry, sir. This is all my fault. I''ll accept any punishment! "Well, it looks like you''ve come out of your shell. Harvey laughed, his eyes widening. The minions seemed confused by Neil''s sudden change, but were relieved that he was safe. Natalia''s prefects reacted in a similar way. But even as the air became softer, Charlotte''s face remained blue. Finally, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes and she began to sob. "I''m glad ...... you''re so ...... sure ...... if anything happens to you, I ...... I ...... "I''m sorry, Mr. Shallow. I''m sorry, Mr. Sharo. I''m sorry you''re worried ......, but it''s really okay. Natalia cringed and comforted her. It was a smiling scene. Then Allen patted Charlotte on the shoulder. You''re right. Calm down a little, Charlotte. "But Allen, ............ what? "...... Charlotte? Charlotte froze and Natalia furrowed her brow questioningly. The two sisters'' contrasting reactions caused Allen to grin and laugh. There, you''ve met your match. "Oh, ......! "......? He quickly took away Charlotte''s glasses. Both sisters gasped at the same time. In Natalia''s eyes, it was as if her sister - the sister she had been chasing with regret for so long - had suddenly appeared in front of her. The prefects who had been watching began to buzz. Goussetsu and Lu also rolled their eyes, but ...... they chose to remain calm. Charlotte paled even more as Natalia held her breath and froze in front of her. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. "Oh, Mr. Allen!¡¡What are you doing all of a sudden, ......? It''s okay. Come on. Allen pulled her hand and made her stand in front of him again. He patted her tense shoulder and whispered in her ear. Your words will reach her now. I guarantee it. ...... Be brave. "Mr. Allen, ....... Charlotte compared Allen''s and Natalia''s faces stiffly and gulped. She stepped forward of her own volition and faced her sister squarely. "Oh, um, ...... Natalia. The ....... Clenching her fists tightly, Charlotte continued without looking away from her sister. I know I''ve caused you a lot of trouble. I''ve been wanting to apologize for that. "Really ......! Charlotte''s words were interrupted by Natalia clinging to her arm. Her voice trembled as she looked up at her sister with eyes opened to the limit. I''m sure you''re not the only one.¡¡You know what I mean. You know it when you see it. Allen smiles softly at her. If you still have doubts, ask her what only she knows. With my magic, it''s impossible to answer. "Well, then, ......, what''s in the picture book you used to read to me, ......? It''s about a zoo, isn''t it? ......! Natalia''s shoulders jumped as if struck by lightning. Charlotte chuckled and answered slowly. "A children''s book about going to the zoo. When her mother was alive, she used to read it to me ...... and I used to take it to the duke''s house, but before I knew it, it was gone. They must have thrown it away. ...... Hey, Natalia? "Ah, ah, ah, ah, ......! Natalia broke down in tears. She did not cover her face or wipe away her tears. With trembling fingertips, she unlocked the travel bag that lay at her feet. Inside, she found something wrapped in layers of fine cloth. Natalia untied the cloth with a faltering hand. Hey, that''s ....... Hey, that''s ......! That''s ......! After the cloth fell down, a faded picture book appeared. There were some minor scratches on the spine and the edges of the book, but there were no other noticeable damages, indicating that the book had been treated with great care. On the cover are several children playing with deformed demons. Natalia held out the book to Charlotte with great reluctance. It was about to be thrown away, but I picked it up and hid it. ...... I knew it was a precious memento of your mother. ...... Natalia cried, stumbled, and scrunched up her face as she struggled to get her thoughts out. "I''ve been wanting to give this back to you for a long, long time,......!¡¡So, just one more ...... time, just one more time, I want you to read this, this picture book to me. ......! "Natalia, ......! Charlotte hugged her sister tightly with the book. Burying her face in her sister''s chest, Natalia rolled her eyes. The next moment, she clung to her sister''s body and screamed at the top of her lungs. "I''m sorry, sister ......!¡¡I''m sorry I couldn''t save you ......!¡¡I''m sorry! "Natalia, ......!¡¡I''m sorry, too, for leaving you alone ......! They hugged each other and cried out loudly. Allen put his hand on both of their shoulders and just watched quietly. 154 154 Stories Connecting Sisters (2) I don''t know what this is, but ...... is this some kind of emotional reunion? Good for you, Natalia, ......! "Well, it''s a wrap, isn''t it? All of the prefects and Neil shed tears as the atmosphere engulfed them. Harvey narrowed his eyes, smiling. When Natalia stopped crying, she raised her tear-stained face. "But why are you here, ......? "Actually, ....... Then Charlotte explained what had happened, and Natalia looked at Allen with a roll of her eyes. "Oh, really, Dr. Allen? Dr. Allen ...... saved your life? It''s not that big of a deal. When Allen shrugged, Natalia paused for a moment and then bowed deeply again. "Thank you, Dr. Allen. You are ...... our benefactor. I thought you were going to tear ...... my sister''s captors to pieces. No way. When you see her, you''ll know how much you care for her. You were testing me to see if I would let you see her, weren''t you? Natalia chuckled, shook her head and gave a soft smile. It was nice to meet you. Thank you so much. "Natalia ...... Allen was also struck by the straightforward words and smile, and choked on his words. I''m really glad that the sisters were able to reunite safely. You can find a lot more information on the web at ....... Charlotte wiped away her tears with a look of realization on her face. I''m sure. You need to introduce Natalia to Mr. Allen as well. I''m sure you''ve heard of him. This is Mr. Allen, my benefactor and ...... my current significant other. What about ............? In an instant, all emotion disappeared from Natalia''s face. Seeing the look of complete nothingness on her face, Allen''s heart skipped a beat. (Oh, no. This is not good. This is definitely not good. The feeling of certain death was close at hand. Allen hurriedly tried to interrupt Charlotte''s words, but... "Okay, Charlotte. We''ll talk about this another time. ...... No, let''s hear it. What do you mean by that, sir? "Well, it''s ...... a lot of things. ...... Charlotte''s cheeks flushed and she squirmed. Cute. Very cute. But Allen couldn''t fully enjoy the cuteness of his girlfriend. But Allen couldn''t enjoy the cuteness of his girlfriend, because Charlotte''s squirming words were the signal that the war was about to begin. I''m actually in a relationship with ...... Allen. "You aaaaaaaaaaah! Huh? Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa! The shout and the roar were almost simultaneous. Natalia pounced on Allen like a demon and deployed her attack magic at the same time. She held a sword and a spear in her hands, both woven with magic power, and swung them down relentlessly, her whole body covered with the light of strengthening magic. The slash, which was equal to the speed of sound, was caught in the nick of time by the magic barrier that Allen had instantly woven. As he felt the cold sweat running down his back, Allen looked into the distance and muttered in his mind. (I knew it would come to this. ......) The sister who loves her sister with all her heart. It''s also known as a super-class siscon. It was obvious what would happen if you greeted such a person by saying, ''I''m dating your sister. In addition, because of the circumstances of the situation, it would not be surprising if he had picked her up with a completely ulterior motive. Perhaps that''s why they were so much more deadly than I expected. On the other side of the barrier, Natalia lifted her eyes and shouted a voice that sounded like it was coming from the depths of the earth. You ...... have no idea what you''re doing to my lady, do you?¡¡You''ve been coming to me for that all along!¡¡Filthy!¡¡Pervert!¡¡Scumbag! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!¡¡You''re wrong!¡¡I have to say, Charlotte and I have had a very clean relationship. Don''t tell me what to do!¡¡I''ll kill you right here and now!¡¡I''ll kill you right here!¡¡I''ll kill you, kill you, kill you, ...... kill you, kill you, kill you, kill you, kill you, kill you, kill you! "d*mn it, ......!¡¡I''m not going to let you get away with this!¡¡I''m going to beat you and get you to admit that you''re dating ...... Charlotte! I''m not going to let you get away with this.¡¡I''m not going to give my precious lady to you! The two collided, and the sound of sword fights and explosions echoed throughout the area. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m sorry.¡¡Why?¡¡Someone!¡¡Somebody please stop this! Charlotte was flustered, but the rest of the group looked at each other reluctantly. Then Harvey broke the ice with a half-smile. It''s better to let ...... them do whatever they want. I agree with you. I agree." "Then perhaps you and I should go out for a nice meal. "Oh, you do know your stuff, don''t you, Mr. Gousset? How about one of my favorite restaurants?¡¡The seafood is excellent. Let''s invite Liz and Eruca and have a family reunion. Yay!¡¡It would be nice to have fish once in a while. "What, can you just leave ...... alone?¡¡Really? I''m not sure what to do. What are we going to do ......? I''m not going to get involved in this. ...... Let''s go to the cafeteria and have a chat. How about you and Neil? "Hmm. We''ll treat them to a meal to make up for the trouble. The two of them fought to the death, and the whole group disbanded in a casual manner. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I''m sure you''ll agree. 155 155 Stories Miahas Wishes (1) Satyuros Shipping Company. It is the largest mailing company in Magnolia City. Most of the company''s employees are subhumans, and all of them work at various part-time jobs in the time between deliveries. The company''s policy is that you can do whatever you want as long as it doesn''t interfere with your main job, so some of the employees even work as adventurers at the same time. Among them, Miaha Bastetos, the deputy manager of the Magnolia City branch, was known to be the most dedicated employee. She works multiple jobs, including delivery, part-time work, and all kinds of temporary jobs. However, she lives a simple life, and people think that she enjoys saving money, but no one around her knows the real reason why she collects so much money. "Hi there ...... Ani? That afternoon. Miaha was visiting the city''s magic tool shop, Golden Land. The store was located off the main street, but it was the most well-stocked store in town, and the quality of the goods was so good that it was constantly visited by customers. It is one of Satyuros Transport''s customers. As usual, she opened the door of the store carrying a large amount of goods. But then she rolls her eyes in disbelief. At first glance, the shop looks like a small house, but because of the magic used to expand the space inside the store, there is an almost infinite number of shelves. As soon as you enter the store, there is a counter for the shopkeepers, and today there was a strange meeting being held in front of it. A group of people of different ages and races were sitting around a strange low table, sipping tea. As Miaoha looked at them curiously, one of them looked up and waved his hand smilingly. "Hey, it''s you, Miaha. Thank you for delivering today. Hello, Flora. I''m Flora, the witch who owns this store. She''s a beautiful brown woman in her mid-twenties, and in addition to running a magic tool shop, she''s also an excellent manager, opening up popular ramen stores all over the place. Miaha walked up to her and her eyes were black and white again. "Another day, another usual meeting at ...... Anya? "Oh, ......?¡¡Oh, you''re the letter carrier''s daughter? What?¡¡You know Miaha and Glo? The one next to Flora was the snake charmer Glow. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or not, but it''s a good thing. The pet snake around his neck was in a relaxed mode today, with his eyes closed. Flora hugged Glow''s arm and gave him a peace. Glow is one of us, you know. I''ve just recently found that out and brought him in! I don''t remember becoming a member of ....... I don''t remember being a member of The witch Flora and the reformed but still thuggish looking Glow. At first glance, the other members of the coven have nothing in common. But Miaha knew what this coven was all about. She stroked her chin, looked around at the dozen or so people present, and exclaimed in admiration. The number of people in the room has really increased. Flora''s reincarnated friends. And they''re not just any reincarnation. They''re reincarnated Japanese from another Earth! How can such a small group gather so many people ......? "How can so many people be gathered in such a small group?" Grow sighed wearily. Reincarnates. In this world, "reincarnation" means a person who has memories of a previous life. In this world, reincarnation is not a particularly rare phenomenon. It has been known for a long time that souls, like water and mana, go through cycles of rebirth. Most of the time, when we are reincarnated, we forget the memories of our previous lives, but in some cases, we can recall them vividly. There are even laws governing the ownership of property from previous lives, which are quite common. However, when it comes to reincarnation from another world, the number is much smaller. There are said to be an infinite number of other worlds, and even among them, the probability of finding a soul from your hometown is like finding a single diamond in the desert. And Flora had managed to collect so many of them. She is proud of herself and smiles proudly. "Phew phew. This is another feat of my persistence. I wanted someone I could talk to about my hometown! "Good for you, Flora. I''m glad to hear that, Flora. I''ve never heard that story before. It''s not something that can be said in a formal manner. ...... It''s not popular at the bar either. "Well, it''s nothing to say in a formal way. Miaha was greatly intrigued by his somewhat brusque manner. Miaha was very much intrigued by his brusque manner. "By the way, what kind of person were you in your previous life, Glow? "Oh?¡¡Oh, you know, a normal... But listen, Miaha!¡¡He was a delinquent, but one day he died defending a child who was about to be hit by a truck! Idiot!¡¡You promised not to tell anyone about that! "Another truck, huh? There''s a lot of them. Flora is smiling and Glow is panicking. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. For some reason, the leading cause of death among reincarnated people from Japan on Earth seemed to be iron trucks. The other reincarnated members open their mouths with a sincere expression. I used to be a truck too. I was tired and dizzy from working for a black company. ...... I felt bad for the driver at that time. ...... I was on a train. I was trying to save a high school girl who fell. ...... "It''s good that everyone is dying outside. ...... I''ve been in a hospital since I was born. I''ve been in a hospital since I was born." In this way, the gathered people got excited about the cause of death. Everyone seemed to have a certain degree of clarity about their previous lives, and there was no air of sadness, but those who did not know about the situation would have been very surprised to hear about it. Looking around at the heartwarming group, Miaha tilted her head. I''ve been wondering about this for a long time, but I haven''t had the time to ask. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The table that they were all sitting around was a mysterious low table. It was placed on a woven grass rug, with a thick blanket between the legs and the top. Everyone took off their shoes, climbed up, and sat down with their feet in the blanket. When Miaha''s eyes widened, Flora smiled mischievously. Flora smiled mischievously. You''ve got a good point, Miaha. This is a ...... kotatsu! "It''s a kotatsu ......? 156 156 Stories Miahas Wishes (2) Just try it. Try it, Miaha. Sit here and put your feet up. ...... "Okay, I''ll take your word for it. ...... MIAHA tries to enter the empty space, imitating the others. In that moment, the mystery was solved. The inside of the table was slightly warm. I see, it''s a heating device. This blanket is to keep the warmth in. ...... Is this also Japanese? Yes, I made it. I also have tangerines, eat them. Thank you very much. I ate the tangerine as recommended. It''s autumn and a little chilly today. The warmth of the kotatsu was soothing to me. As I was enjoying the sweetness and freshness of the tangerine, I felt a heated gaze on me and looked up. "What''s ...... this, Glow? "......! You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to do with the money you''ve got. You''ve always been an animal lover, haven''t you, Glow? Flora smiled and put her hand on her cheek. The other members of the group also let out a sigh of relief. I like cats and kotatsu ....... "This is the heart of Japan. ...... Hey, hey, Miaha-chan. Would you like some of this candy? "Thank you, Miaha. Thank you, Miaha. Here''s a small gift for you. If you like it, I have a lot of prototypes left over, you can have one! "Yes, sir!¡¡Thank you very much! Everyone offered sweets and pocket money, and Miaha was treated with glee. They all seemed to love her as if she were their grandchild or something. Thanks to them, Miaha was a regular visitor even though she was not a reincarnated person or anything. Most of what they said was incomprehensible to her, but she loved the atmosphere of everyone smiling and talking to each other. She was a little excited to hear what they had to say today. "Guys!¡¡Oh my God! The door of the store opened with a bang, and a young man came in as if he were rolling in. He''s a member of the reincarnation coven that Micaiah knows well. He breathes on her shoulder, and Flora nods her head. "Oh, my God, what''s wrong? "I''m in trouble, Miss Flora! The young man shouts with a blue face. The young man shouted with a blue face. His voice was faint, as if he had come in a panic, but he tried his best to speak. There''s your noodle shop three towns over, isn''t there?¡¡I heard that a girl who came there ...... screamed as soon as she took a bite! "Oh, you mean ......! They all gulped and choked. A solemn silence filled the restaurant. After a while, the young man paused for a moment before saying. "This tastes like the best food in the world! ! "''It''s Japanese! I really don''t think that''s the right criteria. ......? I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. Miaha doesn''t know much, so she just silently removes the strands of tangerine. "Flora, you''re a witch!¡¡I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you.¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it.¡¡I''m sure you''re not the only one. I''m not sure what to make of that. It''s not just our ramen that helped you find Glow-kun. He was screaming in front of the store. "That''s why they''re yelling. ......!¡¡What the hell is that perfect taste?¡¡If this wasn''t a different world, you would have been sued for sure! I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. The other members of the group are excited about the appearance of their new reincarnation friends. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea.¡¡I heard he''s an adventurer from the past, but he''s still in town! "That''s great, let''s go!¡¡I wonder what era he''s from this time. Can you ask him if he''s finished with Xantar Xantar? I want to know how many Pokemon there are now. I want to know how many Pokemon there are now. I also want to know if my Gaelic is still at the top of the rate usage ....... They all followed the young man out of the store. "Let''s go too, Glow, it might be the reincarnation of Mike-chan you''re looking for! I''m sure you''re not the only one who knows what Fatty tastes like. ...... Glow frowned, but let Flora pull her along. He caught sight of Miaha and barked lightly at her. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this, but I''m sure you''ve seen it. I''ll pay you for the job!¡¡I think Jill will be coming to work soon, so until then!¡¡Please! "Of course I''ll be fine. Of course you can. Miaha waved them off with a wave. The door closed quietly, and Miaha was left alone in the store. It''s nice. It''s good to be with people from the same town. Miaha sighs sorrowfully. She sipped her cold tea for a long time, put her chin on the top of the ...... kotatsu, and let out another heavy sigh. It is really a ...... enviable thing. 157 157 Stories Miahas Wishes (3) Are you sure you want me to take this ......? "Of course I can! I''m sure you''ll be glad to hear that. After taking a turn with Jill to guard the store in the golden land and completing the rest of the deliveries, Miaha came to Allen''s house on the outskirts of town. She had already made the delivery in the morning, but she had other business to attend to. She wanted to bring in the set of kotatsu that Flora had given her. "Wow, ......, it''s warm. "It''s so warm. ...... "Wow, that''s pretty ...... cool. Charlotte''s face loosened up as she got into the kotatsu spread out in the living room. I''m not sure what to make of it. The kotatsu that Miaha received was about two sizes smaller than the one she had shared with the reincarnation circle. With three people and two animals in it, it''s already full. Looking around at the soft, peaceful air, Miaha nodded in satisfaction. It''s a little cramped in my apartment, and it takes up a little space in my office. But if you put it at your house, Miaha can take a break and come in. It''s a preparation before the cold winter comes. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Would you like some tea? Of course I will! Both Miaha and Allen got into the kotatsu, and a friendly tea party began. There are no more deliveries or part-time jobs today, so Miahwa savors the tea and sweets served in a relaxed manner. While she was relaxing, she kept a sharp eye on him. It''s sweet. It''s sweet, Demon Lord. (The purpose of Miaha is not only for ...... tea! There is another reason why I brought the kotatsu here. You can find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time, but you can''t be the only one. I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to do that. No, no, it''s ...... okay. Charlotte also blushed a little and said slowly. You can see at a glance that the kotatsu is small and that your foot must have hit it. This was the moment when Miah''s true purpose was achieved. She clenched her fists secretly so that they would not see her. (This is it, this is it!¡¡The smaller the better for couples!¡¡(This is what I''m talking about! The smaller the size, the more suitable for couples! You can deliver the thrill of touching feet or hands at a moment''s notice! It was a way of sending salt to two reluctant couples. The plan seemed to have worked, and Allen wasted no time in refilling his cup of tea. Charlotte also nibbled on a cookie in silence. Thank you for the innocent exchange. (Perhaps if we marketed this line, we could make a fortune ......?¡¡I''ll talk to Flora about it later. (My company will help you with the sales channels, etc.) I played the abacus in my brain in full work mode. At that time, Allen cleared his throat and turned to talk to me. "Oh, by the way, Miaha. "Oh, by the way, Miaha... I''m sorry for taking care of your mail while you were away. "Yes?¡¡Oh, yeah. Don''t worry about it. Miaha replied with a smile. I''ve been away from home for the past half a month, so I''ve been accumulating a lot of stuff. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. We had some business to attend to at the Athena Academy of Magic. Hey, Charlotte. "...... Yes. Charlotte smiled slightly. I was actually at ...... to see my sister. Hey. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand what I mean. Miaha was well aware of her - Charlotte Evans'' - situation. The scandal in the neighboring country had been widely reported in this country, although it had not appeared in the newspapers recently. But even though the news had died down, it didn''t mean that Charlotte''s problems had been solved. And yet, the idea of going to see her sister ...... made no sense to me. Is that really, really ...... true? Yes. I found out that my sister was studying at the Athena Academy of Magic by herself,......, and a lot happened. Then Charlotte began to tell me about her time at the Academy. It was quite a wild story,......, but in the end it all came together. The sisters were reunited safely. "So I promised Natalia. "And I promised Natalia that I would come to this house again. It was hard to get home, though. ...... Allen sighed in disgust. I heard that it took a lot of effort to convince Natalia to keep Charlotte. She agreed that Charlotte was still a wanted person and that it was not a good idea to keep her in the public eye for too long. Charlotte is in the full swing of happiness, while Allen, by contrast, does not even try to hide his exhaustion. It seems that it will be a long time before he is accepted as a brother-in-law. "...... I see. Miaha looked down at the cup in her hand. In the event that you have any questions concerning where by and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I''m glad to hear that. You and your sister are going to be good friends from now on. "Yes!¡¡Please let me introduce you to Miaha next time! By all means. I''m looking forward to it. Miaha nodded her head to Charlotte''s enthusiasm. Charlotte is a dear friend, and it should be a joy to see her safely reunited with her family, yet Miaha''s chest continued to ache. 158 158 Stories Miahas Wishes (4) After that, we had a tea party in the kotatsu, and then we were treated to dinner. We enjoyed Charlotte''s cooking, which has been getting better and better lately, and chatted a bit more in the kotatsu. ...... By the time Miaha left. By the time Miaha left, the sun was well past its prime. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I don''t care. I''ve got to thank you for the kotatsu. Allen, who had come to see me off at the door, nodded humbly. He left the cleanup to Charlotte and the others and was the only one who came outside. There were no other houses in the area, and it was off the beaten path, so all I could hear was the sound of insects and the wind. Under the quiet night sky, Allen clears his throat. The ...... Miaha. Can I ask you a few questions? "Yes?¡¡What is it? Do you have a brother or sister? ...... What makes you say that? When Charlotte told you about her sister, you were acting a little strange. When Charlotte told you about her sister, you seemed a little strange. I thought something might have happened to her. He furrowed his brow a little and said bluntly. His tone and expression were a little rough, but I could feel his painful concern. I don''t mind if it''s difficult to answer. Just forget the question. No, sir. It''s nothing important. Miaha just shook her head slowly. It was a personal story that she had never told anyone before. But today, because it was him, she naturally felt compelled to talk about it. Miaha is supposed to have a sister ......, a twin sister. What do you mean, "should have"? We were separated a long time ago. I don''t know where she is now, and I don''t even know if she''s still alive. ...... Miaha chuckled and scratched her cheek. She and her sister were born into a poor family and were sent to an orphanage shortly after birth. There, they were taken in by different families. ...... Since then, her connection with her sister has been cut off. A few years ago, she visited the house where her sister was taken, but she had long since moved away, and now there is not a single clue. However, Miaha has not given up hope of seeing her sister again. She wants to save up a lot of money and go on a journey to find her sister. That is Miaha''s ambition! Is that why you''re so dedicated to your work? Allen stroked his chin and growled in a faint voice. Allen stroked his chin and snorted faintly, then smiled mischievously and said. "So you''re willing to let Charlotte go? The bounty would have been worth it. "What are you talking about, Demon Lord? What are you talking about, demon lord? Miaha won''t be happy to find her sister with the money she got from doing bad things. I see. That''s the kind of guy you are. Allen smiled at her. Miaha''s heart patted her chest a little bit in response to the fact that it just made sense. He didn''t want to get any sympathy. But then he went on to say something that made her roll her eyes. "Okay, then let me help you. "What? I''ve got some contacts at the Athena Academy of Magic. I''ll see if I can''t find a clue or two about your sister. I''m sure you''ll be glad to hear that, but is ...... okay?¡¡You''re really grasping at straws here. The world is a big place. There are more of them than humans, and we don''t even know if they''re still alive. It must be a different challenge for Flora to find a reincarnated friend. When Miaha said this, Allen shrugged his shoulders. It''s not much work. You''re a familiar supplier. ...... He breaks off, looks off into the distance, and continues in a whisper. You''re a friend of ......''s. "............ "Hey, don''t just shut up there. At least say something. Please. Allen grabbed Miaha by the shoulders and threatened her. In the end, it didn''t end well. Miaha was puzzled by him, but ...... soon let out a puff. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. "Hmm. That''s none of your business. So what do you think? Do you want me to do it or not? Yeah, yeah. I''ll take your word for it. It''s reassuring to have the Demon Lord as a friend! "Huh, don''t you think? Allen also smiled wryly. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s a bit of a jerk. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to hear that. Can you tell me the name of your sister first? Let''s start with a quick guess. "Yes, sir. My sister''s name is-- Miaha was about to say a familiar name when... You''re here? "Hmm? A crazy voice echoed from far away. He looked over and saw Glow running towards him, looking flustered. The serpent around his neck was also restlessly leaning on his sickle. Glow?¡¡What a strange time of day. What do you want from me? No, I''m not here for you, I''m here for ...... the mail lady over there. "Miaha, is it? She pointed to herself, and Glow nodded her head. She stopped in front of them and breathed on their shoulders as if she had finished her work. I''ve been looking all over town for you. I''m glad I took a chance and came here. ...... I''m sorry to have bothered you with that, but can I help you with ......? Yeah, big deal. See, we''ve been to three neighboring towns. We went to three neighboring towns to look for a customer who said he was at Flora''s. Huh. ...... What about it? Miaha nodded her head. You''ll be able to find out more about this in the future. I found a client who ...... looked exactly like you! "............ What? "And when I asked him about it, he said, ''Miaha is my estranged sister. Now she''s come to Golden Land. Your sister has been looking for you for a long time. After saying this excitedly, Glow smiled with satisfaction. "Well, such coincidences do happen, don''t they? Flora''s hobby business can be useful sometimes. ...... What''s up, girl? "............. ............ Yeah, well, what the heck. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but it''s a good idea. He says with an exquisite expression of awkwardness and congratulation. It''s good to see you again, isn''t it? "It''s not quite what I was expecting! And so the sisters were reunited in Flora''s store. After that, her sister Maia also settled down in this city. ...... The two were often seen drinking together. 159 159 Stories Special Day (1) The unbelievable commotion began one morning near the end of autumn. The mornings are getting colder, and the plants and animals are getting ready for the long winter. The area around the house where Allen and his friends live is also covered with fallen leaves. In the midst of the silence, a light humming echoes in the living room of the house. "Mmm-hmm-hmm... "Huh? Allen looks up from his newspaper and blinks. He looked up from the newspaper and saw Charlotte sitting in front of him, buttering a loaf of bread and playing a song with a smile on her face. The scene was so funny that he couldn''t help but smile. As I folded the newspaper, I asked Charlotte a question. What''s the matter, Charlotte? You''re in a very good mood today. "Oh, I''m sorry, ......, was that too loud? No way. I''d like to hear more. I interrupted you because I wanted to know why. I thought it would be unusual for you to be so happy. Did something good happen to you? "Well, it''s more like ...... I''m going to have something good happen soon. It''s a personal thing. "Oh, that''s a new one. As Charlotte replied with a sly smile, Goussetsu, who was having breakfast right next to the table, looked up from his food dish. He can turn into a human, but in normal times he is always dressed like this. It is said that his shoulders are stiff in that way. He strokes his chin with a round paw and tilts his head. You are going to play with Miaha and Eruca?¡¡If so, I will escort you. No, sir. It''s just a personal thing. ...... "What''s that? When you''re happy, Lu is happy. "Hmm. Thank you, Lu. Charlotte strokes Lu''s head as she puts her chin on her lap. Charlotte stroked Lu''s head, and Allen and Gousset''s eyes widened at the heartwarming sight. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that the flowers in the garden are about to bloom and the birds are about to leave the nest. ...... Happiness is happiness, even if it is small. I would not have been able to savor such happiness in the way I lived until early spring this year. It is because of this that Allen feels warmth in his heart when Charlotte looks happy. However, the ...... heartwarming atmosphere disappeared in an instant. Charlotte put her palms together and said. "Actually, I ...... have a birthday tomorrow. I''m turning eighteen. Dogobichabareeeee! Allen flipped over backwards in his chair, and Gousset slumped over and plunged his face into the food dish. Silence reigned in the living room for a while. Lu rolled her eyes and nodded her head. ''What''s wrong, you two. What''s wrong? "Are you okay, Mr. Allen?¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Charlotte ......, is that true ......? Charlotte rushed over to Allen, who was lying on the floor. Allen grabbed her hand tightly. The blood drained from his face and his whole body was trembling badly. Still, he squeezed out a faint voice. "Are you sure ...... tomorrow is your birthday? "Yes, it is. Yes, but ......? Charlotte''s eyes went black and white, but she nodded firmly. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Then Lu walks over and pulls on Charlotte''s sleeve. "Hey mom. What''s the day of birth? It''s the day you were born. Don''t you know, Lu? "Well, Lu and Fenrir live a long time, you know. Maybe they don''t care about the calendar too much. While the two were chatting heartwarmingly, Goussetsu got up staggeringly. With a piece of apple stuck to his face, Gousset squeezed out the same shaky voice as Allen. It is true that demons like us are not familiar with this culture, but I remember that ...... humans used to celebrate birthdays. Is this a now defunct custom, by any chance? ......? No, it is. It''s still in use and celebrated with great fanfare. "Is that so? Charlotte just nodded her head as Allen assured her emphatically. In some parts of the world, everyone rejoices on the first day of the new year. However, in this country and in Charlotte''s hometown, it was common practice to celebrate birthdays in a rather big way. Gifts are given and small parties are held. When Allen was in his parents'' house, he was also celebrated in an exaggerated way every time. But Charlotte didn''t seem to be getting the idea. When I lived with my mother, we celebrated. ...... Aren''t these things only for small children or special people?¡¡Natalia, your father and mother-in-law had big parties for their birthdays. "You went by the name of the duke''s daughter, didn''t you ......?¡¡Didn''t you have a party or something to show off to the rest of the family? ...... I''ve never been to a ...... party. ............ Oh! Charlotte pondered for a while and then made a face of realization. It''s always a great time of year to have a big party at the mansion. But every year I''m told to stay in my room because I have a cold,......, and that''s what I''m doing,......? "So that''s what ...... is. Allen can only cover his face and nod. (Probably because he was annoyed with celebrating his concubine''s daughter. ......) (He probably didn''t want to celebrate his concubine''s daughter or something. The shyness and lack of self-esteem that she had in the beginning improved considerably, and Charlotte became much more positive. However, due to her long years of slavery, she is still unaware of the world. Although I had seen glimpses of this side of her from time to time, this was indeed unexpected. This is the first time I''ve ever seen such a thing. It''s also my fault for not asking until now. ...... I''m sorry, I''m really sorry. ...... I''m sure you''re not the only one. It''s not too late to apologize, Allen. It''s not too late, Mr. Allen, why don''t you give it a shot?¡¡I''m willing to help you. "No, wait. Let''s just focus on the task at hand, shall we? I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out how to do it. It''s not a bad idea to go for a shot here, but right now every minute is too precious. Slowly standing up, Allen shouted from the bottom of his stomach. "Yes!¡¡I''ve got it, Charlotte! "What?¡¡What? Charlotte tilted her head in confusion. He wanted to congratulate her for 18 years. That''s why Allen wanted to declare... "Tomorrow I''m going to make your birthday a big deal... "Hey, I''m here to visit you! What the hell? As soon as the door behind him opened, a mass of deadly energy jumped at him. 160 160 Stories Special Day (2) Allen quickly ducked and caught a small knee in the palm of his hand. He used the momentum to throw him away, and the opponent landed lightly, giving him a little tongue-lashing. "As expected of the Great Demon King. It''s tough to land a blow even with a surprise attack. "Omae ......, what are you doing showing up all of a sudden!¡¡Don''t take my master and brother-in-law by surprise! Who''s your brother-in-law?¡¡I have not yet approved of your relationship with my sister! The one who glared at Allen was of course Natalia. She was dressed in the uniform of the Academy of Magic, and was carrying a large backpack. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. Natalia, welcome. Welcome, Natalia. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or a bad thing. She looked like a girl of her age. She smiled at her sister, as if she had forgotten that she had just tried to kill Allen. I''m here to play!¡¡Is today a good day for you? "Of course you''re welcome. But it''s not a good idea to get into a fight with Mr. Allen. I''m sorry. No, I''m not. This was just a hand-to-hand. A disciple is allowed to attack his master in the dark at any time. Is that so?¡¡It''s not easy being a teacher, is it? I don''t think it''s a teacher-student relationship, I think it''s something much more degrading. ...... Allen sighed and patted Natalia''s head absently. So how did it go with Neil? Did it work? "Well, of course it worked. Slapping Allen''s hand away, Natalia sniffs. It seems that her big project to save her friend''s sister was a success. Allen was relieved, as he had been a part of the project and had thrown in a lot of advice. While they were talking, Lu and Goussetsu also surrounded Natalia and welcomed her. "Welcome, Natalia. How have you been? "Good. "Yes. You''re looking as good as ever, Lu, all shiny and fluffy. "You must have traveled a long way. It''s quite a distance from the academy to here. I''m fine. I had a bridesmaid this time. A bridesmaid? It''s me. Just as Allen tilted his head, another guest entered the room. It''s Eruka. She is carrying several large boxes, which she places in a corner of the room. It''s heavy. Natalia, how was the ride on the dragon? "It was comfortable. She is indeed a child raised by Miss Liz. I''m amazed that we can be at your house in just two hours. Natalia nodded a little excitedly. Allen''s foster mother, Lieselotte, is a demon specialist. The demons she has raised are perfectly bred and disciplined, and have won high praise at many fairs. Riding such a dragon would have been a very relaxing journey. However, there were a number of things he did not understand. Allen twisted his head and pointed to the large package. What does Natalia want with Eruka?¡¡What''s the big package anyway? "Oh, this?¡¡Hmmm, I can do it later, you can give it to Natalia first. I''ll take your word for it. ...... After exchanging glances with Eruca, Natalia pulled down her backpack. She rummaged through it and pulled out a neatly wrapped rectangular box. She holds it out to Charlotte and smiles at her. "Here you go, honey. It''s a little early, but it''s a birthday present. "What? Charlotte''s eyes rolled back in her head and she froze. Charlotte rolled her eyes and froze. She took the box slowly and compared it with Natalia. "Oh, birthday ......, is it really for me? "Yes. So far, I''ve had the eyes of my family on me, but ...... now I''m not. This year I wanted to celebrate your birthday as much as possible, since I haven''t been able to in the past. Please open it if you like. "Yes, yes. At Natalia''s urging, Charlotte opened the box. What appeared inside was a mirror. However, it was obvious that it was not just a mirror, but that it had a special magic on it. It''s a magic mirror. It has an artificial spirit attached to it, so it can tell me what I''m looking for, and I can talk to people from far away. It''s amazing!¡¡Are you sure you want to take this precious thing? "Of course. I made it myself. Natalia giggled and fidgeted with her fingers. In return, it would be nice if you could visit ...... and talk to me once in a while. I have the same thing. "Really?¡¡Of course. We have a lot to talk about, Natalia. "...... Yes!¡¡Yes, ma''am! The two sisters smile at each other. After the incident the other day, they seem to have become much closer. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. . I''m not sure what to say.¡¡It''s no wonder that Natalia knows her birthday, but ...... she''s completely late! You can''t prepare for a big event like Charlotte''s birthday. This is not only a failure as a lover, but also as a guardian. Just as I was getting impatient to do something about it, Eruca thrusts out one of the boxes she brought with her. And now, I have a birthday present for you too. A set of cooking tools. What? You too, Eruca? The box was full of pots and knives. The box was full of pots and knives. Charlotte''s eyes lit up as she peeked at them, and Eruca proudly explained. It''s a magic tool, so you can easily heat it up or freeze it without fire. It also has other useful functions. You''ve been studying cooking lately, right?¡¡I thought it would be good for you. It looks really useful!¡¡Thank you very much! And this big box here is a magic textbook from Dad and a demon whip from Mom. If you have any questions, you can always ask. "Oh, honey. Neil gave me a present too. He said it''s a rare flower seed. And an assortment of sweets from all my prefects. ...... And some more cute clothes and stuff from my mom and dad. ...... What, what, ...... what? Charlotte''s eyes only rolled back in her head as the two of them handed her gifts in droves. In no time at all, she was surrounded by pots, flowers, clothes and other offerings. "Wait, wait, wait! Allen couldn''t help but exclaim. "How do you and your uncles know when Charlotte''s birthday is? "What? Why? ...... I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. I''m not sure what to make of this.¡¡I asked her about it when I was making the official documents. I taught Neil and the others. I taught Neil and the others. I wanted to thank you for all your help. Oh, my God, ......! Natalia is fine. But the fact that Eruca, his father-in-law Harvey, his mother-in-law Lieselotte, Neil and Natalia''s brothers and sisters ...... knew Charlotte''s birthday was quite a shock. Allen could do nothing but stand there with a pale face. Then Natalia smiled at him, as if she knew what was going on. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of this, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. I''m not sure. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. "Ugh, ......! I felt like a son-in-law being snubbed by his mother-in-law. But Natalia''s words were so righteous that no excuse came to mind. Gousset also fell to his knees on the floor and groaned like it was the end of the world. It is a shame for a vassal not to be able to offer even a singleƸÎï at the Lord''s celebration. ...... This Goussetsu will be a failure for the rest of his life. I''m sorry. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m not sure what to do.¡¡I''ll give you something too! I''m not going to give you a gift. That''s all I need. That''s not how it works! I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. The serious look on his face is one of determination. "Wait for me, Charlotte. I''m going to get you the best birthday present you''ve ever had! "I, too, will dedicate a unique treasure to you! "Lu will consult with your mother. You all can go to ....... Charlotte''s eyes welled up as if she was embarrassed. Seeing these three desperate people, Natalia smiled fearlessly. "Ha, okay. So, let''s see whose gift will please you the most ......! That''s what I want! And so began a tumultuous birthday, but at that time, no one had any idea of the big event that would ensue. 161 161 Stories Present after Suffering (1) Then, a few hours later... "So, it''s done. ......! Allen''s voice was muffled and his fists clenched tightly. He was currently in a laboratory in a secluded part of the mansion. He uses it to mix potions on a daily basis, and since there are many dangerous chemicals in it, Charlotte and the others are not allowed to enter. The room is crammed with weird lab equipment, flasks, and magic kilns, all of which are currently in full operation. Among them, the one making the biggest bubbles must be the huge glass culture tank in the center of the room. Filled with a lime green liquid, a small shadow could be seen inside. Allen gazed at it with satisfaction and wrote a note on a piece of paper in his binder. "Okay, now we just need to fine tune the-- "Wow. It''s pretty good, isn''t it? Whoa! Suddenly, someone speaks to you from behind, causing you to drop the binder. He turned around in a panic, and Allen''s eyes rolled back in his head. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡You''re alive? You can''t just kill someone without permission. The one with the half-lidded eyes is Dorothea, the Dark Elf. She still wears the same Zborra style of a stretched shirt and bare feet. She is the former owner of this house. She had been holed up in the basement and disappeared without anyone noticing, and the house was sold to Allen to live in. The house was sold and Allen took up residence. There was a bit of a dispute over the ownership of the house,......, but in the end, many things happened and he disappeared from the house. Dorothea smiled brightly and said. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. My work has settled down, and Yol-san ...... got permission from the editor in charge, so that''s why I came back! You''re back, are you ...... going to live here after all? Of course I am. But don''t mind me. I think I''ll stay in the basement for a long time. I think I''ll get some sunlight once every six months or so. "Are you a cicada or something? Dark elves are a rare species, and they rarely come down to human settlements like this. Just meeting and talking to them is of great academic value. But why is it that I don''t appreciate it at all? When Allen looked at Dorothea with a reluctant face, Dorothea looked into the culture tank with great interest. By the way, this is very well done. ...... Why are you making this again, Mr. Allen? "Oh, you know... Allen explains briefly. I''ve been in love with Charlotte for a long time. But he didn''t know that her birthday was tomorrow. I was preparing a birthday present for her. When I told her this, Dorothea''s head tilted more and more. "So ...... this homunculus is your birthday present? "That''s right! Allen pointed triumphantly into the incubator. A small figure was floating in the green medium, holding his knees. She looked to be a girl of about ten years old. Her eyes are closed tightly, and she is sleeping soundly. But it''s not a real person. It is a homunculus, an artificial human being created by the best of magic and alchemy. All you have to do is put a pseudo-soul into it, and it will perform simple household chores without any problems. I made it to help Charlotte. I made it to help Charlotte out. She''s a very caring person, so I thought a child form would be easier for her to adapt to. "I think that''s fine. ...... Hmm. The homunculus he made this time was one of the best Allen had ever made. However, Dorothea only stared at the incubator with a reluctant look on her face. Allen raised an eyebrow. ''Well, there''s probably nothing wrong with the operation. Or is there something you''ve noticed about the dark elf? "No, I think it''s more of a general point of view, elf or not. Elves are generally a race that is skilled in magic. I''m not sure how much of a sociopath I am, but an elf is still an elf. I''m sure you''ll find that point helpful. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that will help. "This homunculus ...... looks a lot like Charlotte, doesn''t it? "What about ............? Allen froze for a few seconds. Allen froze for a few seconds, then slowly turned his gaze to the incubator. There, floating and sleeping, was a homunculus baby girl. Her innocent face was just like Charlotte''s. Except for the white hair, he might have believed her when she told him she was a child. Allen gulped and squeezed out the words. "You look like ...... ............. I''m sure you''re unconscious. Dorothea claps her hands in agreement. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. That''s what you get when you make a gift with the recipient in mind. I''m glad you guys love each other so much!¡¡I''ll have to hear all about it later! She took out a notepad and began to chatter away, her main occupation, I think, was a romance novelist. While remembering such useless things, Allen covered his face with his hands and opened his mouth. "Hey, ......, it''s Dorothea. "What is it, Mr. Allen? "What do you think of a man who sends his girlfriend a ...... homunculus for her birthday? Yeah, I guess so. If I may be frank with you, ...... Dorothea stroked her chin with a suggestive grin, made a straight face, and assured him. I''m sure you''ll be surprised. I knew it! At about the same time that I was screaming, a crow cawed behind a window that was tinted with dusk. Charlotte''s birthday was less than six hours away. 162 162 Stories Present after Anguish (2) "Well, that''s kind of bad. I''m sorry I had to join you. "No, it''s no problem. You''re home now. Charlotte smiles as she fills Dorothea''s glass with wine. The table in the living room was filled with a variety of colorful dishes. Her birthday was tomorrow, but since Natalia and Eruca were here, Charlotte had decided to go all out. Her sister and sister-in-law had also helped. However, they didn''t touch the food and asked Allen with a mysterious look on their faces. "Hey, you know a Dark Elf?¡¡I''ve never seen one in person before. I''ve never seen one in person before. ...... So this is the Dark Elf, the famous Guardian of Wisdom. ...... "Yeah, yeah. ...... Allen had no choice but to reply. It was hard to explain that it came with the house when he bought it second-hand. In addition, he still hadn''t decided on a birthday present for Charlotte, which made him say even less. (Gggg...... what to do!¡¡The homunculus is in storage. ...... What should I give her? I felt bad about getting rid of it, so the homunculus is still in the lab. But I can''t give it as a gift. Charlotte would be happy, but the other women would be turned off. In particular, it would be unbearable if Natalia''s opinion of me were to drop any further. Dorothea snaps her fingers and says, "Oh, by the way," while Allen agonizes over this. Then a book with a ribbon wrapped around it fell from the sky. She holds it out to Charlotte with a smile. It''s your birthday, isn''t it, Charlotte? Here''s a present from me. It''s a romance novel I wrote. "Oh, my God!¡¡Are you sure? Charlotte was so happy to receive it that she jumped out of her skin. Her face broke into a smile and she hugged the book tightly. I found a lot of Dorothea''s books in the storeroom, so I''ve been reading them little by little. It''s very romantic and exciting. ...... I''m very happy to have a new book! "Well, thank you too. Thanks to Charlotte and Allen, I''ve been able to write this new book! What do you mean by that? What do you mean? - Well, I wrote the book based on both of them. The book was written with you two as the models, so we made it really sweet! What? What''s ......? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Allen couldn''t overlook it either, so he sat up. He was about to check the contents of the book when he heard a voice say. "If it''s a gift, don''t forget about us! "Lu, too! The door opened with a bang and Goussetsu and Ru appeared. They had been out all morning to prepare a present for Charlotte. Both were carrying furoshiki wrapping cloths on their backs and had leaves stuck all over their bodies as if they had rushed back. Charlotte walks up to them and brushes away the leaves and other debris. "Goussetsu-san, Lu-chan. Welcome back. You''re all dusty. Let''s take a bath together later. "Thank goodness. But first, we''d appreciate it if you''d accept our gift. "Mom!¡¡I''ve brought you a present!¡¡Please take it! "Thank you both for ....... "Thank you both for the " Charlotte sobbed, and the two of them hurriedly opened the wrapping cloth. I''m going to give it to you first. The first thing I wanted to do was drop a castle on you. ...... No, please don''t. ...... I''m sure you''ll agree, so I''ll start here. Goussetsu held out a pendant with a round paw. A diamond-like sparkling stone is connected to a thin chain. I''m not sure what to make of it. Is this really jewelry?¡¡How can I accept such a precious thing? ...... ''No, it''s not jewelry. The teeth of our capybara, when well polished, become a clear stone like this. I''ve made a pendant out of it. As you can see, Goussetsu opens his mouth wide. One of his front teeth was missing from his beautiful set of teeth. By the way, our teeth grow back in three days, so don''t worry. It''s also used as a good luck charm. "Oh, I see. ...... Well, I''ll take it gratefully. It''s so beautiful and sparkly! "I am honored that you are pleased. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. "Look at Lu''s, look at Lu''s!¡¡Lu is playing with her mother and brothers at ....... "Wow, a scarf? Lu brought out a fluffy scarf with gold and silver hair mixed in. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. "Yes. My mother gathered up the hair of everyone and made it into a scarf. You''re very good at it, you can even turn into a human. It''s fluffy. ......!¡¡I''ll have to go thank your mothers next time. "Come, come!¡¡My mother and brothers want to see you one more time. "I''d like to go and say hello to her, too. I''d like to come and say hello to you, too. One of them and two of them are having a good time. At first glance, this was a very amusing scene, but the rest of the group was in a state of shock. Eruka and Natalia, their faces scrunched up, whispered secretly. Charlotte, you''re getting a great present. ...... Yeah, I wonder how many hundreds of ...... gold coins those two items will be. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your money. When both of them hit the market, lovers will pile up their money. (Wait a minute, ...... am I less than them?) I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that both of them have been able to provide Charlotte with a thoughtful and unique gift. In contrast, I ...... and Allen are uncharacteristically depressed. In the midst of such a three-way atmosphere, Dorothea sounded a little surprised. I''ve heard of this, but what does it mean to be loved by both Fenrir and the capybara from hell?¡¡I''ve been alive for about a thousand years and I don''t know of any such outstanding person. "Mmm. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. Natalia shook her head and stroked her small chin with a mysterious expression. I''m sure you''re not the only one. "Oh, so you have a special family background. If you don''t mind me asking, could you tell me about it? It''s the Evans family of the Kingdom of Neils. Evans...... Ah!¡¡Oh, the Saint Lydyria! "Saint Lydia''s ......? Allen''s head twisted at the unfamiliar word. "Lydyria Evans. She''s a hero who saved the kingdom of Niels about 500 years ago. There''s not a person in the kingdom of Neals who doesn''t know her name, even though it was a long time ago. She mastered magic at the tender age of ten, and was a match for all adults. Her words moved the hearts of even the roughest of people, and she was able to tame all kinds of demons. She once single-handedly took on a group of demons that attacked her country, and instead of defeating them, she persuaded them to leave. Thanks to her efforts, she is said to have made a name for herself at the time as a saint who saved the country. Allen, as expected, had heard at least that anecdote. I didn''t know that was your ancestor. ...... No. Lydyria died of an epidemic at a young age, so the Evans family was taken over by her brother. It is said that the Evans family was originally a very low class family, even though they were noblemen. However, Lidyria''s success was highly praised, and she quickly rose to the rank of duke. Even after that, they maintained a close relationship with the royal family and built their current position. However, we have a lineage that has produced saints. It is said that in my family, people with divine power are born from time to time. I''m sure you''re one of them. You''re exaggerating. I just get to talk to Goussetsu and Lu. "You say that, but ...... I''ve always wondered. Natalia shakes her head and asks with a serious face. I''ve been wondering about this for a while now. "Oh, I know you''re not supposed to talk badly, but ...... what about it? Then how the ...... hell did you escape from that prison? "Huh? Charlotte rolled her eyes and puzzled. I''ve heard that before. I think I heard that before. Allen interjects, but then nods his head, questioning his own words. When he picked up the stranded Charlotte, she told him that she had snuck away from the guards. She was telling the truth, and Allen had believed her, but now that he thought about it again, it was absolutely ridiculous. "It''s a prison in the royal castle, right ......?¡¡I''m sure you''ve heard of it. And Charlotte was known as the evil woman who plotted to overthrow the state. With such a criminal in custody, there must have been many soldiers on guard. It''s hard to imagine that Charlotte, who had no allies at the time and couldn''t even use magic, could have escaped. I''ve been wondering about that too. I''ve been wondering about that too," Eruka said, curious. I''ve done a lot of research on Charlotte. I''ve done a lot of research on Charlotte, but I can''t figure out how she escaped from the castle. I''m sure the security was pretty tight. I''m sure the security was pretty tight." "Oh, well, I just snuck out, that''s all. ...... While attracting everyone''s attention, Charlotte said as if it was nothing. The next thing I knew, the cage was unlocked and all the soldiers on guard were taking a nap, so I snuck out ....... I was very lucky. I''m not talking about lucky. After that, he took a path he thought would be safe and didn''t run into anyone at all. He then safely escaped from the castle, hid in a stopped vendor''s carriage, and succeeded in fleeing the country. This story is so absurd. If Allen had heard this story from someone other than Charlotte, he would have said, "You''re lying! If Allen had heard the story from anyone other than Charlotte, he would have said, "Bullshit! But it was Charlotte. There was no lie in her words, and all of the ...... people could not help but look at each other strangely, as if they understood that. The more you hear about it, the more mysterious it becomes. ...... How is that possible? In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us. I guess castle security is hard work. ...... Everyone seemed to be sleeping peacefully. "I''m sure it''s not just exhaustion, Charlotte. I''m sure it''s not just exhaustion, Charlotte. At the time, people were wondering if you had used some kind of strange magic. ...... You don''t seem to have any idea. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get the best results, you can contact us at the web site. "Hmmm... I see. So, perhaps Charlotte has more unknown powers. "Is there, ......? Charlotte just nodded her head, not quite sure what to make of it. Looking at her, Allen suddenly had an idea. (Could it be that ...... Charlotte is the reincarnation of the saint Lydyria? Reincarnation is not a rare phenomenon. There are a number of people around Allen who have memories of their previous lives. And some of them have awakened to the special powers they had in their previous lives. ...... Looking at Charlotte''s past actions, it seems that this is not an impossible story. I''m not sure if Eruka and Natalia have any thoughts on the matter, but they are pondering it. The only sound in the living room is the sound of Dorothea chewing her vegetables. "Moo!¡¡You''re talking about something complicated!¡¡I want to celebrate my mother''s birthday! Whoa! When Lu gets tired of the silence, she presses her head against Charlotte''s and goes to spoil her. When Allen sees this, he smiles. You''re right, Lu. The birthday is tomorrow, but ...... we have to celebrate today as well as the past. "Right?¡¡I''ve been asking your mother about your birthday. She said it was a big day. Your mother knows a lot about humans, doesn''t she? "Yes. She said she had a human friend once. Lu sniffed proudly. This childish gesture made both Allen and Charlotte''s cheeks relax. However, the heartwarming atmosphere changed drastically when Lu wagged her tail and let out a cheerful voice. "So, Mother, you were saying. "So, Mother, you told me that the male Tsugai gives the female Tsugai the greatest gift of all on her wedding day!¡¡What did you get from Allen?¡¡Something delicious? "Uh, let''s see, ....... Charlotte stammered a little and glanced at Allen. The blue eyes met his gaze, and Allen froze in place. I''m not sure what to do.¡¡I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. The saint or reincarnation was a trivial matter. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. I''ve given you Tori, so now you must please her as a lover. You know what you''re doing, Daimao. "Gosh, ......! In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. A number of expectant glances pierced Allen''s eyes. Only Dorothea, who knew the truth about the gift Allen had prepared for her, asked, "Are you really going to bring out a homunculus that looks just like Charlotte''s?¡¡Or do you have some other plan? I''m not sure what to say. (Yeah, ......!¡¡Think!¡¡The most valuable thing I can offer right now is ......!¡¡(Besides homunculus, ......! Allen''s brain is working at the top speed of his life. But I''ve sent Charlotte all sorts of things so far. Sweets, cakes, clothes, and magic wands ...... would not be well received by her. This was the only thing he could cut with the cards he had. Allen left his seat and walked up to Charlotte. He took her hand and gently placed the item in it. "Charlotte, ......, take this. "Is this the key to your house? Yes. As Charlotte held the key to the house, Allen continued with a straight face. The most valuable asset I have at the moment is this house. If you include the magical tools and materials I have on hand, it''s worth about two thousand gold coins. I''ll give it to you, so you can boil it or bake it as you like. "I can''t accept it. ......! Charlotte let out a backwards scream, and the room was filled with an air of dismay that said, "This guy is really ....... 163 163 stories on the eve of birthday The eve of the festival went smoothly and the night was over. On the sofa in the living room, Allen sank into a reverie. On the table in front of him was a pile of items that Charlotte had given him for his birthday. I''m really sorry ...... for suggesting that we share property as a birthday present, but I think that was a bit crazy ....... No, no, I''m sorry I didn''t have the courage to accept it myself. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''m not the only one. In the end, I couldn''t come up with a decent gift, and Allen was the only one of us who couldn''t give Charlotte a gift. He knew that Charlotte would be happy with a simple gift such as flowers or daily necessities. Because I knew that, I wanted to give her a unique gift that only Allen could give. However, he also understood that his intentions were completely strangling him. Sighing, Allen looked around the room. The living room, which had been so bustling with activity, had somehow disappeared, and the place was quiet and still. What happened to the others? Natalia and Lu have gone to bed. Eruka and the others have gone into town for the after-party. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who''s a bit of a jerk. I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s quite a dense group. You can find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time, but you can''t be the only one. (Well, isn''t ...... taking care of us so that we can be alone? He felt the silent pressure of everyone telling him to do something, and his stomach churned. Just then, Charlotte opened her mouth next to me in a formal manner. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. But I don''t need a gift right now. Mr. Allen has already given me so many things. That''s not going to happen. I haven''t given him much in the past either. The city''s cakes and sweets, clothes and hair ornaments, books and magic wands ...... are bigger than mountains, but they are not very expensive. Charlotte shook her head as she said this. But that''s not all. I''ve received many more wonderful things. Did you ......?¡¡I don''t remember any of that. Maybe it doesn''t ring a bell because it''s not real. Charlotte looked into Allen''s face, which was puzzled. "You gave me a ...... family. "Family ......? Allen''s eyes blinked at the unexpected word. I never thought I''d be sitting around a table with as many people as I am today. The food was warm, kind and ...... very delicious. There were other things that Allen gave me as well. The joy of studying and the comfort of napping. The excitement of going out, the joy of casual conversation. Charlotte counted them slowly and happily, thinking that Allen had given them all to her. You told me once, Mr. Allen, that you were the happiest person in the world. You told me once, Mr. Allen, that I would make you the happiest person in the world. Those were the words that he had vowed to make her taste all kinds of happiness when he had first picked her up. Charlotte gently squeezed Allen''s hand with her fingertips, having just counted her blessings. I''m already the happiest person in the world. I don''t need anything more. It''s enough. "Charlotte...... The smile on her face made Allen choke on his words. There was no lie in Charlotte''s words. From the bottom of her heart, she knew that she was happy. He had never imagined that a girl who had been so depressed could change so much in just six short months. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with that. "Yes, yes. I knew Mr. Allen would say that. ...... Charlotte nodded her head with a slight smile. I''m glad to see that you are well aware of Allen''s stubbornness. You may say you''re the happiest man in the world, but that''s only the beginning in my book. I''m going to continue to teach you all kinds of naughty things and make you experience even more depravity, so be prepared. "Hmm, can you teach me more than this?¡¡I''m so nervous. Of course I will. I''m ready to spend the rest of my life. Allen grinned, but then his shoulders slumped as he remembered the reality of the situation. Well, first of all, I have to worry about a birthday present. ...... Now, what should I really do? ...... I''m not sure what to do.¡¡I''m happy with anything you can give me, Allen. That''s why I''m thinking about it. It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one who has a problem with this. I''m not sure what to make of this. It''s a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web to make sure you''re getting the most effective results. It was a battle for human dignity, not to mention the pride of being a lover. I was surprised that Dorothea also congratulated me. I haven''t had a chance to read your book yet, though. "The book you said was written on our model? ...... Yes. I found ....... It''s here, isn''t it? From the pile of presents on her desk, Charlotte finds what she is looking for. It''s a thick, well-bound book. On the back cover is a synopsis of the story: "A pessimistic wizard meets a pure girl and falls in love. Charlotte says with a twinkle in her eye. A book about us sounds interesting. Would you like to read it with me? "Well, I guess I''ll have to check it out. ...... Allen nodded grimly and looked at the book on Charlotte''s lap. He was prepared to see what it contained and, if worse came to worst, to sue. (It''s Dorothea, after all. ...... It''s bound to be something trivial. I''m not sure if it''s a good book or not. While I was making these assumptions, Charlotte was excitedly opening the book. And then--they both froze, holding the page open. "............ "............ A heavy silence settled over the room. It wasn''t because we were disgusted by the messy writing, or because the hypnotic magic was triggered the moment we opened the book. ...... It wasn''t for such lousy reasons. From the first page of the book, there was a large illustration of a kissing scene between a man and a woman. The mood was full of excitement, and flowers were falling all around. The glitter hurt my eyes. (Oh, those d*mn elves!¡¡What the hell did you give me for a birthday present?¡¡And ......, why did you make the man and woman in the picture look like us? One is a black-and-white haired man in a robe, and the other is a pretty blonde girl . For all intents and purposes, it was Allen and Charlotte. The resemblance was so striking that anyone who knew them would recognize them at once. Maybe I can win a lawsuit. (This is too awkward. ......!¡¡I''ve never done anything like this before. ......! It''s been two months since we started dating. We''ve only been dating for two months. We''re both too new to this kind of thing, so we''re not ready to do it yet. I thought we would ...... eventually, but I never thought I would be made aware of it in this way. I gulped and glanced at Charlotte''s face. As expected, Charlotte was also staring at the illustration with a red face. Slowly, however, her eyes turned to me. Her lips trembled slightly, and she asked Allen in a whisper, "You know, I think this is one of those things that I''d like to do. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. What is ......? I''m not sure what to make of this. It is a genre that is distinctly different from the ''naughty things'' that Allen is talking about on a daily basis. That''s a ...... naughty thing to do,...... the kind of thing adults do,...... "Oh, yeah? ...... I''m not sure what to make of that. She looked down at the illustration again and fell silent for a moment. Then she looked at Allen again. Her cheeks are slightly pink, and she opens her mouth. "I''m going to be eighteen tomorrow. ...... I''m going to be an adult. ...... Yes, you are. ...... "So ...... you''re going to teach me about this kind of adult naughty stuff ......, aren''t you, Mr. Allen? ......? "............ Looking back on his state of mind at the time, Allen said to himself, "I guess that''s what enlightenment is all about,....... What came to his mind was ''complete nothingness'' and he could not think of anything at all. Not only my heart, but all my organs stopped working. In front of Allen, who was frozen like a stone statue, Charlotte''s face turned bright red with a puffing sound. I''m sure you''ll understand.¡¡I''m so sorry. "Charlotte. "Ha, yes, ......! I put my hands on Charlotte''s shoulders as she mumbles her defense. He was sure that his own face would be just as red as Charlotte''s, even though hers was as red as a boiled octopus. Still, Allen''s throat quivered as he spoke. "Do you mind if I tell you ...... now? It''s too sudden, and it would have been smarter to ask in a more moody place, and you''re new to this, so how can you expect me to teach you? Even so, Allen couldn''t just run away here. Charlotte''s eyes rolled back in her head and she froze for a moment. But Allen''s determination must have gotten through to her. Then, in a faint voice, she said. "Yes, ............. That was his only reply, and he closed his eyes tightly. Allen smiled secretly at his honest reaction. (The first kiss as a birthday present ...... is a bit too rude for my taste ......) But still, it''s a birthday present that only Allen can give. He glanced at his watch and saw that in less than a minute it would be Charlotte''s birthday. Allen finally made up his mind. Like Charlotte, he closes his eyes and gently brings his face to hers. Their breaths caress each other''s cheeks, and I can feel the distance between them slowly approaching zero. I can feel the painful tension. The sound of my heart is annoying. And yet, in just a few more millimeters, our lips will touch. And then, finally, the clock struck midnight, and the bell rang. That moment... My head is so high... (??????????)! "Huh?¡¡Ugh, geez! Allen was grabbed by the neck and given a beautiful throw. This is a great way to make sure that you don''t get caught in the middle. His breath caught in his throat from the impact, but his mind was filled with questions. (What the hell?¡¡Did I just do something wrong? How could I possibly know how to kiss? I wondered if I had done something wrong, but ...... soon realized otherwise. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s had it. She stood with her arms crossed, full of dignity and confidence. (Who the ...... hell is this guy? It looks like Charlotte, but it can''t be Charlotte. Allen has a hunch. The mysterious being sticks his index finger at Allen''s black-and-white eyes. You rude person!¡¡Who do you think I am, ............? Then he broke off and looked around as if he had noticed something. So Charlotte (?) She stroked her chin in agreement. Oops, no. I''ve come out. Maybe she''s just getting old. "Oh, the front ......?¡¡What the hell?¡¡What''s going on all of a sudden, Charlotte? I''m sorry, but I''m not Charlotte. Charlotte put her hand on her chest. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. "My name is Lydyria Evans. I''m a saint who lived five hundred years ago, and I''m ...... her past life thing! "Past life thing? This was my first contact with Saint Lydyria, at the worst possible time. 164 164 Stories Saint Lidilia (1) The next morning. The house was filled with unprecedented tension. In the quiet of the living room, light footsteps approach. "Good morning, gentlemen! The person who opens the door with a bang is not Charlotte ......, but Lidylia, who has borrowed Charlotte''s body. She is followed by a bewildered Lu. It''s been a long time since I''ve slept in a bed. And to have Fenrir''s child as well. It was nice and fluffy! "Haha ...... Lu responded to the pat on the head. Normally, Charlotte''s petting would be enough to put her in a good mood and make her purr, but that doesn''t seem to be the case today. But it seems that this is not the case today. Still, she tugs on Lidylia''s sleeve with a hesitant look. "I thought you were ....... Lidylia, you have a story to tell. Hurry up. "Oh, you''re right. Now, ......? Lidylia nodded humbly and sat down on the sofa. She tries to go on with her story, but her brow immediately furrows. "Is ............ it? She looks at Natalia, who rolls her eyes and freezes. She just grunts and no real words come out of her mouth. When she saw her sister, Lydyria tilted her head to the side. "What is it, Natalia? What is it, Natalia? I am going to give you a word in person. What are you standing there for?¡¡What are you standing there for? I don''t feel like talking to you. Whose fault is it, whose ......! "Whose fault is that? He had piled up a bunch of books and papers in a corner of the room and spent the whole night pondering over them. Thanks to this, dark circles were firmly etched under my eyes due to fatigue and mental strain. After everything that had happened yesterday, and after being thrown to the ground by Lydyria, who had borrowed the body of Charlotte ....... Allen tried to talk to her. But Lidylia, who was really Lidylia, sighed loudly, rubbed her eyes, and waited for him. Fluffy. You can explain it to her, but ...... let her sleep first. I''m already asleep. I can''t admit it!¡¡I can''t allow you to do that! You''re going to tell me everything you know right now! You can say that, but this body belongs to Charlotte. Isn''t lack of sleep the bane of your health? I don''t know.¡¡Then you can have the whole day or as much sleep as you want! So the discussion was put on hold for the night, and Lydyria finally woke up just before noon. In the meantime, Allen had done some research on the saint Lidyria and told the situation to Natalia and Lu when they woke up in the morning. Both of them seemed to be skeptical, but they were convinced when they saw the real thing. Incidentally, Eruca, Dorothea, and Goussetsu went out for a drink last night and have not returned yet. That might have been a good thing, because it would have complicated the story. Allen, on behalf of the confused group, sits down at the table and faces Lydyria. ...... First things first. You are really Saint Lydyria? Yes, I am. The person in the form of Charlotte answered with great dignity. She put her hand on her chest and cheerfully said her name. "My name is Lydyria Evans. My name is Lydyria Evans. I was born about 500 years ago, in the year 174 of the Kingdom of Neales, and died in 184. My mother''s name was Christine. My father''s name was Beldot. His brother''s name was Robert. My dog''s name was-- "Yeah, that''s enough. Allen held up one hand to interrupt the introductions that were about to continue. He picked up a stack of papers scattered around and flipped through them. He had spent the night flying to the Athena Academy of Magic at full speed, waking up his adoptive father Harvey to open the old library of the academy, and the information on the saint Lydyria that he had researched was roughly written there. The information on Saint Lydyria that I could find was roughly written there. It''s true that the birth and death dates and family names match. There''s not much evidence to support this conclusion, but ...... Turning over another sheet of paper, I found a copy of Lydyria''s portrait. The young girl with the clever eyes looks exactly like Charlotte. I guess we''ll just have to believe her when she looks so much like her. "Hmm. Thanks for talking so quickly, Allen. I''ll take that as a compliment. It''s so weird to see you looking so arrogant like that. ...... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. I''m not sure what to make of it. The only thing is that she talks and looks in a way that Charlotte never would. It''s refreshing to say the least, but it''s going to take some time to get used to. In the meantime, Natalia, who seemed to have recovered somewhat from the shock, walked up to her and looked into Ridilia''s face. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that you''re the reincarnation of ....... "Yes. Yes, that''s right. So, you''re Charlotte-nee-sama? ......? "Technically, no. Lydyria shrugged, fondling Lu as she explained. This body now contains a soul. It once belonged to me, and now it belongs to Charlotte. And I and Charlotte are two completely different personalities. "What, uh, ......? That is, two personalities living in one body. Allen adds to Natalia''s confusion. There are three main types of mere reincarnation. There are three types of mere reincarnation: "Continuation type" in which the personality of the previous life is inherited as it is. The "new" type, in which the personality of the present life remains the same and only the memories of the previous life remain. The ''separate type'' in which the personality of the previous life and the personality of the present life reside in the body independently. It''s a rare case, though: only one in a thousand reincarnated people have it ....... That''s not to say there aren''t cases. So, what''s going on with your consciousness now? "Don''t worry about it. She''s asleep in this body, but if you want to talk to her, I can wake her up. Are you going to sleep for me? No. I''d like to have a little chat with Charlotte myself. I''d like to have a little chat with Charlotte. What a good one. ...... Lydyria looked around the room and noticed a table. There was still a pile of gifts that Charlotte had received. Lidyria pulls out a mirror from among them. It was a magic mirror that Natalia had made for communication. Just in time. Let''s use this, shall we? She snaps her fingers with a light voice. At that moment, the mirror emits a blinding light, and after the light disappears... "Oh, is that ......? There was Charlotte on the screen. She rubbed her eyes absentmindedly. I''m not sure how long I''ve been asleep and ...... I''m here!¡¡What the hell is going on here? "Hmmm. This is the first time we''ve talked like this. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of this, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. (This person just now analyzed the magic I cast and interrupted me in an instant. ......) (Hmm... I guess I''m pretty good at this. It''s still fresh in my mind that I was thrown off last night. Then, Lydyria gave Charlotte a brief explanation of who she really was. Charlotte rolled her eyes, but seemed to be convinced. I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of it, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. I''m not sure what to make of that. Lidylia laughs. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. But I did borrow your body once. I think I owe you an apology for that. "What?¡¡When did that happen? "So you''re not aware of it. You''re quite a natural, aren''t you? Lydyria smiles at the flustered Charlotte. Allen interrupted her. I''ll give you a guess. Let me guess. That''s when Charlotte was falsely accused and put in ...... jail, right? Exactly. I woke up and made arrangements to escape. "What?¡¡I''m not sure what to make of this. She put the soldiers to sleep, broke the lock, and searched for a safe escape route. After that, she woke up Charlotte, and Lydyria went back to sleep. "I''ve been asleep inside you. "I slept inside you for a long time, but I saw the outside world dimly. I couldn''t leave ...... that thing alone, as I should have. I''m sorry I took the liberty. That''s not true. If that''s true, then you owe me a debt of gratitude, Lidyria! I''m sure you''re right. ......?¡¡It''s a bit embarrassing when you say it like that. I''m sure you''ve heard of it, but I''m not sure if you have. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. (That''s how it happened. ...... It made a lot of sense.) The truth behind her escape from the castle, her ability to win the hearts of demons and people, and her talent for magic ...... have all been solved at once. Charlotte didn''t just have special powers, she had a special presence. However, there were still many problems. "......Why? "Mm. Allen was deep in thought when he heard a chilling voice. He saw that Natalia was staring straight at him. It was not the look she would have given to the man who had saved her sister. Shaking her fist, Natalia spoke up. You said you were inside her the whole time, watching her. Then ...... you must have known how much she has been mistreated!¡¡So why didn''t you tell us? "Natalia ...... At the sound of her sister''s screams, Charlotte''s face twisted in the mirror. It was because Natalia was deeply regretting not being able to save her sister that her words carried such weight. If Lydyria had awakened and wielded her power in the duchy, the treatment of Charlotte would have been different. In the midst of the heavy atmosphere, Lydyria stroked her chin. "Well, you have a valid question. I certainly knew the situation she was in. I knew what she was going through, and I kept quiet about it. "Why?¡¡You could have saved her! ...... It''s as simple as that. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. If Lydyria had woken up when she was at the duke''s house, Charlotte''s treatment would certainly have been different. However, that would not have been the only favorable development. "A mere concubine''s child or a person with the power of a saint. Which one is more valuable? "......! Natalia fell silent, her face pale. There are many ways to use the reincarnation of a saint that once existed. Charlotte was hated for being the son of a concubine, but her only enemies were her family and the prince in question. When it was discovered that she was the reincarnation of a saint, many evil people must have targeted her. This means that ...... Lydyria has been asleep for a long time to avoid the consequences for Charlotte. Am I right? "Hmm, you are an interesting man. Lydia licked her lips like a beast that has found its prey. 165 165 Stories Saint Lidilia (2) Lydyria crossed her legs and asked Allen with a buzz in her voice. "On a different note, what cause of death is it that I''m supposed to have died from? It only says "epidemic." ...... Allen flipped through the stack of documents he had gathered. The saint Lydyria was killed by an epidemic. That was all the information he could find, no matter what books he pored over. It happened only five hundred years ago. It was only five hundred years ago." There should have been a little more detail, but the specific name of the disease was nowhere given. It''s natural to think that there was a deliberate cover-up. "Then what do you think the real cause of death was? That''s easy. Death by overwork. "So, death from overwork ......? Charlotte gasped at Allen''s simple statement. Natalia and Lu also looked at each other suspiciously. Only Lydyria clapped her hands in amusement and said, "Correct. "I''ve always been more skilled at magic than others, even as a child. I was hailed as a saint and ...... used my powers unnecessarily. Well, if it weren''t for that, she wouldn''t have been able to create such a great anecdote at the tender age of ten. Allen flipped through the research paper. Allen flipped through the research paper, which contained a list of Lydyria''s accomplishments. She created a new magic system, stopped a record-breaking rainstorm from wreaking havoc, and single-handedly prevented an invasion of demons from attacking the country. ...... Ten or twenty such achievements were not enough. She was seven years old when she first became aware of magic. There are far too many episodes for her to have built up in just three years from then until her death. That''s all the official records. If we count the incidents that were not recorded, the number would have been much higher. Allen is convinced, but then Charlotte raises her voice. "Wait, wait, wait. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. "Yes. She is ten. "I thought she was older than that. ...... I thought you were much older than that, ." "This way of speaking was popular because it sounded ''saintly. It has become a part of me. Lydyria chuckles. She took a small breath and continued with a distant look in her eyes. My father, mother, and king were happy whenever I took credit for something. At that time, the Kingdom of Neils was still a small, emerging country. I was a good advertisement. At home, I could use the symbol of a saint to gain the loyalty of the people, and abroad, I could appeal to the power of the Kingdom of Neals. The fact that she was a beautiful girl also made her the perfect candidate to carry the sign of a saint. Therefore, since her awakening to power, Lydyria has been assigned the duties of a saint. She traveled around the country and abroad, making speeches and using her power to help others. Although she could not eat or sleep, she was rewarded by her family for her hard work. Her parents, who had been living in poverty, were very happy about this, and her younger brother was also happy to have a good life - seeing them, Ridilia did her duty as a saint without complaining at all. However, her overexertion came back to haunt her. One day, she suddenly collapsed and passed away at the young age of ten. Allen stroked his chin when he heard the story. "Well, let''s just treat it as an epidemic. From the kingdom''s point of view, it''s as if we killed him ourselves. "Oh, my God. ...... Charlotte spills the words with a pale face. But Lydyria remained aloof. I don''t really care about that. I don''t really care about that. She frowned and waved her hand curtly. If I were to put it simply, his death should be described as an atrocity. And yet, he acts as if it were someone else''s matter. He seemed to be accepting everything as a pure fact, without any toughness. (At the age of ten, he''s very enlightened. ......) Allen could not help but grumble in his heart. The air in the room became heavy with the heavy talk about his life. Even so, Lydyria continued to talk in a light tone. "Anyway, now you know. It is better not to have power in the first place. It''s not good for anyone to know that you have it. Is that why you''ve never come out to the public ......? Exactly. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. She glanced at Charlotte in the mirror and continued. I was aware of Charlotte''s situation, but she was still offered the position of second prince''s wife. I knew that time would eventually tell, but ...... not with that plot. He said, shaking his head loosely. I assume you''re referring to the false accusations made by the prince''s former fiancee. Lydyria lets out a heavy sigh. ''If I hadn''t interfered, Charlotte would have been killed within a day or two. I''m sure you''ve been caught, but I thought there was a trial for that kind of thing,....... There is no trial. The food and water served in the prison were all poisoned. "Poison. ......? I don''t know if you noticed. When Charlotte was speechless, Lydyria sniffed sarcastically. "No matter how much you try to falsely accuse her, it''s best to keep her mouth shut before she says anything else in court. It would be best to keep her mouth shut before that happens. "That means that the prince is going to ...... you? What''s that?¡¡What the hell do you think you''re doing? Both Natalia and Lu frowned and raised their voices. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. I''m sure you''ve seen this coming, Allen. "...... Well. Allen nodded his head reluctantly. It seems that the prediction that I had been vaguely thinking about had come true. (If it weren''t for Lydyria, I would have learned of Charlotte''s death in the newspaper. ......) A poisonous woman who caused a stir in a neighboring country, stirring up poison in prison. This is the kind of headline that would make the newspapers buzz. Allen shudders to think of what it might have been like to read such an article one morning, fold the paper emotionlessly, and forget about it. It was a terribly unfunny story. 166 166 Stories Saint Lidilia (3) "Oh, by the way, I was served a meal in jail, and I fell asleep before I could even eat it. ...... "Oh, no. You''re so unguarded, you''re making me nervous. In contrast to Charlotte''s pale face, Lydyria chuckles and laughs. ...... "Lydia, let me ask you something. Allen asks her. There was one more thing that needed to be confirmed. Why didn''t you just take over Charlotte''s body? What ......? No, not just then. There were plenty of opportunities. Take Charlotte''s body and run away from the house. ...... You''re not a saint, you''re not a duchess, you''re nothing. You could have had your freedom. It is extremely rare for a reincarnated person to have both the personality of the previous life and the personality of the present life living together. The reason for this is simple and obvious. When the two personalities collide, the one with the stronger power absorbs and integrates the other. Therefore, reincarnations with dual personalities are rare. A personality as powerful as Lidylia''s would have had no trouble completely putting Charlotte''s consciousness to sleep and taking over her body. Why didn''t she do that?¡¡Why didn''t you? It would have given you a chance to redeem your miserable life. "Don''t be ridiculous. I don''t want a second life. I don''t want a second life." Lydyria shook her head easily. There was no hesitation, no anguish. The look on Charlotte''s face was one of deep resignation. "I''m tired already. I''d like to get some sleep if I can. "...... Is that what you want, by any chance? "Yes. Lydyria nodded humbly. "It''s been a long time since I used my powers to save Charlotte in that cell. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep. But I recovered over time. ...... By the time I realized it, she was happy. There are days of peace and tranquility unthreatened by anything, and many people who are understanding and supportive. And someone who loves her with all his heart. Knowing that Charlotte was surrounded by such things, Lydyria made up her mind. "Then there''s no need for me to watch over her. It was an accident that she came out here like this, but ...... it''s a good opportunity. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. "This is Allen. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. Can you help me? "Yes, I do, but ...... are you sure you want to do that?¡¡That would be total annihilation. When the personalities of the previous life and the present life live together in a single body, it leads to various problems. From conflicts over control of the body to mental anxiety ...... and current laws, it is the personality of this life that is sovereign. The basis of the interpretation is that the personality of the previous life is only a ghost of the past and does not have the right to live in this life. Therefore, there is a magic that can erase the personality of the previous life that has become a hindrance, a magic that is of too limited use. Allen has only read the paper in the past and has not mastered it, but if he were to order the ...... paper and make his own improvements, it would not be difficult to erase even a personality as powerful as Lydyria. However, I was hesitant to do so. She was dealing with the personality of a ten-year-old girl, and she was Charlotte''s benefactor. I don''t want to be cruel. But Lidylia said simply. I don''t care. I don''t have any desire for this crappy world. But I can''t make myself disappear. That''s why I need your help. "But ...... Allen is reluctant. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. There is no guarantee that Lydyria will not change her mind in the future. He was well aware that if there was a possibility of harming Charlotte, he should get rid of her. Still, it was difficult to make a decision. So Allen decided to leave the decision to her. "What do you think, Charlotte? What do you think, Charlotte? ...... Of course not! Well, you''d say that, wouldn''t you? Charlotte clenched her fists tightly and assured him. The answer was so predictable that Allen''s cheek slackened. Charlotte continued to raise her voice. ''I''ve had the pleasure of meeting you, Lydia. I''m not sure what to say to her. No need to thank me. I just want to leave this stupid world. That''s what''s wrong with you! "Oh, ......?¡¡What the hell are you talking about? Charlotte spoke more strongly than ever, and Lydyria''s eyes narrowed as if she were a little intrigued. Charlotte looked straight at her and continued. I''m sure there are many terrible and painful things in this world. But there''s also a lot more ...... fun and joy and wonderful things!¡¡There is nothing trivial about it! "Hmm, you''ve got a funny way of saying that. Lydyria lets out a small giggle. She smiles fearlessly and says in a cheerful tone. I am a revered saint. I have tasted the luxuries and pleasures of this world to my heart''s content. A full course of fine food made from the rarest of ingredients. A robe made of the finest silk. Glittering gold and silver treasures. Lydyria was frequently presented with such things during her lifetime. But none of them were worthy of my heart. Will you tell me? What wondrous things are there in this world? "Ughhhhh ...... that''s ......! Charlotte stammered, her gaze wandering. But then she quickly snapped out of it and pointed straight at Allen. I''m sure Mr. Allen can tell you what it is! I expected this, but ...... you''re throwing a hell of a lot of crazy ideas at me, man. I''m sorry, I''m sorry. ...... It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your money. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or not. I think it''s a ''bad thing''. "Oh, you know about that? Of course. Of course. You''ve been watching me to some extent along the way. "Of course not. (In other words, they know about this and that with Charlotte. ...... That''s what you''re saying, isn''t it ......? Specifically, that she and Charlotte had a good time last night. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m sorry. You can''t use that kind of childish trickery against me. "What ......? Allen''s temples twitched. Whether he noticed it or not, Lydyria laughed at him in a mocking manner. It''s impossible for you to move my heart, of course. You may be somewhat skilled in magic, but only a very good-natured or naive person or an idiot would be bonded to such an idiot. You can''t say anything bad about the lady, but ...... you''re generally right in your assessment of the Great Demon King. I mean, anyone can see that Allen is an idiot, can''t they? I''m not sure what to say.¡¡Whose side are you on? I''m sure you''re not the only one who has a problem with that. I don''t care, you cheeky little shit!¡¡I''ll make sure to teach you something bad and ...... make you cry!¡¡Don''t lick the adults too much, okay? Don''t lick the adults too much! Haha, you can try if you want! You can''t fight!¡¡We have to get along! In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a few things you can do. 167 167 Stories Ikenai Onslaught Strategy (1) And so the battle without honor begins. The game was to teach Lydyria something wrong and move her cold heart. Of course, Allen had the odds in his favor. After all, he had spent the past six months thinking only of teaching Charlotte something naughty. He had plenty of material to work with. In addition, she was a ten-year-old child, albeit a mature one. I knew that if I could catch him with the food, sweets, and animals of his homeland, he would shout with joy. But the result was... "Hmm. It was delicious. "No reaction! Wiping her mouth elegantly with a napkin, Lidyria gave a quick comment. A restaurant in the city - the same restaurant where she had brought Charlotte on their recent date. This restaurant is famous for serving the cuisine of their homeland, the Kingdom of Neils. The plan was to appeal to their emotions with nostalgic flavors. But the result was as follows. After eating all of the dishes, Lydyria called out to the cook who was standing nearby. Although all of the dishes were familiar,......, the taste and cooking methods have changed a lot since I was alive. "I''m sorry, but ...... it''s difficult to recreate a recipe that''s three hundred years old. No, it''s nothing to worry about. "No need to worry about it." Lydyria smiles hawkishly at the shrinking cook. It was a valuable experience to taste the change of time. I''ll take that as a compliment, cook. Oh, thank you, ......!¡¡I''m ...... thrilled that the saintly lady Lydyria would enjoy my cooking! "Well, well, well, it''s not hard. It seems that the legend of Saint Lydyria is widely known among the people from the Kingdom of Neals. Thanks to the fact that I briefly told him about the situation, the cook did his best to cook for me. The food that was served was first class, even from Allen''s point of view, but it seems that even with all that food, it was not enough to melt the girl''s heart. "How do you like it, Lu? I''m sure you''ll be satisfied. "Yes!¡¡It''s so good!¡¡But isn''t that Lidylia''s food?¡¡Did you like it? "Ha-ha. Don''t worry about it. It''s Allen who''s paying for it anyway. Lidylia kept a cool face as she fondled Lu. Eating the food of his homeland and being healed by an animal - a combo that a child would enjoy without question, but this is the result. Allen watched the whole thing from a distant table and blatantly clucked his tongue. "d*mn, ......, the first mission failed. He opened his notebook and drew a line through the relevant operation. The enemy is quite formidable. But Allen couldn''t just draw a line here. (This is a battle for our pride. ......!¡¡I''m going to give that little bastard a run for his money! I''ll buy the fight that''s been sold to me head on, with a smile on my face. That''s Allen''s motto. He no longer cared about Charlotte''s previous life or whether she was a famous saint. He was caught up in the immature desire of ...... wanting to surprise Lydyria and watch her sob with tears in a manner befitting her age. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that the ...... things you said were true. It''s a simple case of past life returning. But it''s still very uncomfortable. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to make of it. In the meantime, Goussetsu (Beauty Mode) is holding a mirror with Charlotte''s image on it and gnashing her teeth with tears. I''m sorry Charlotte, but I didn''t realize that this was going to happen while I was away.¡¡I''m sorry to be your servant. "No, no. I''m fine. I''m fine. I''m fine. Charlotte reluctantly soothed him. The three of them were having an all-night drinking party, and Miaha, who had just finished work, joined the party and had a blast. All of them must have been up all night, but they showed no signs of fatigue. Seeing all these people, Natalia tilted her head slightly. You''re not really surprised, are you?¡¡You''re not really surprised that we''re in this situation, are you? "No?¡¡No? Yes, I was surprised, but... This happens all the time, you know. It''s more like I''m satisfied. It is common for people with previous lives to have cheats and a checkered life. Eruka and Dorothea say this matter-of-factly. It''s not uncommon for a person to suddenly awaken from a previous life and cause an uproar. The probability of waking up in a previous life is higher than winning the lottery. Miaoha also ordered extra fries and an ale and had a drink, smiling nonchalantly. My sister has a past life too. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. I''m sure it was a surprise at first, but there''s nothing special about it. "Nya nya, is that so?¡¡I think it''s a disaster to get caught up in this kind of slapstick when it''s your birthday. "Ah! "............ I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before. I forgot!¡¡It''s my birthday, by the way!¡¡I''ve turned eighteen! "Happy birthday! I have a birthday the month after next, so you''ll be older than me for a while, right Charlotte? "Welcome to the adult world, my dear. That''s why Miaha has a present for you too! "Wow!¡¡"Wow! A glove?¡¡I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to try. Charlotte was very excited when she saw the gloves Miaha presented to her. Allen is in a cold sweat. (Yes, a birthday present ......!¡¡(Yes, the birthday present ......! I''m not sure if the others noticed the pallor on Allen''s face, but they gave him a cold stare. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if you''ve decided on a gift yet? We''ve been away from home for a while, and I''m wondering if ...... I can be your running mate for Master Charlotte? No, no, no!¡¡I was going to give you a present, but things got in the way. ...... I was going to give you a present, but there was a lot going on. And Natalia, somewhat relieved, broke into a smile. I''m relieved. So what kind of gift was the Great Demon King planning to give you? What?¡¡I''m not sure what to say. I''m sure you''ll be glad to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. I''m going to kiss you as a birthday present.¡¡I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. I can''t even tell you that, because I think it''s pretty rude myself. I''m sure the ladies will look at me warmly, and worst of all, Natalia will snap and attack me. That was the only thing I had to avoid. But that didn''t change the fact that today was the day of my birthday. I need to get everything done by the end of the day. (The limit is twelve more hours: ......!¡¡In the meantime, if you solve Lidylia''s problem and kiss Charlotte, you will complete the mission. ...... It''s very difficult! Both of these things are extremely burdensome. And there''s not a moment to lose. I''m not sure what she was thinking when she saw Allen shaking uncontrollably, but Lydyria snickered. "So, Allen, is this the end of your naughty business? It''s not the end.¡¡It''s not the end of the world yet! Allen accepts the obvious challenge head on. It''s a lot to take on, but I have to do it. I''m sure you''ve heard of it, but I''ve never heard of it. I will not cut corners from now on!¡¡I''m going to train you with a parade of naughty things and get you cleared for ......!¡¡Prepare yourself! 168 168 Stories Ikenai Onslaught Strategy (2) The battle was fierce from then on. Allen threw everything he had at Lidylia. He bought her a whole set of clothes at a trendy clothing store. "Well, I don''t care if they dress me. This body is Charlotte''s, and it suits her just fine. You''re right, ......! She didn''t respond well to the food from back home, so I gave her some of the junk food from today''s world. Hmm, it tastes good, but ...... why do you have to color the cheese seven different colors? Bad ...... I don''t get it either. It was just the right time, so I put him down for a nap. Fluffy, you''ve slept well. So what''s wrong with napping? "Ugh, ......! And so the time passes... "d*mn it, ......, it''s already evening and I''m out of ideas. ......! "Oh, Mr. Allen. Are you okay? In a corner of the bar, Allen was holding his head. The bar was located on the main street of the city, and the menu and prices were very common. It seemed to be the place where Eruca, Dorothea, and Goussetsu had spent the night last night. Allen has also had a few drinks with Megas and his friends. It''s a familiar place, and they have a good variety of drinks. However, there was no time to savor the drinks today. I feel a little better when I gulp down a glass of water. However, I didn''t have time to relax at all because of the smirk of triumph that came from right next to me. "Haha, why don''t you just admit defeat? As she gracefully tilted her cup, Lidylia laughed loudly. As she did so, she placed Lu and Goussetsu on either side of her and alternately patted them on the head. She seemed reasonably satisfied with the fluffiness of the two animals, but not to the point of being overly impressed. The double fluffing mission had ended in failure. Lidylia''s lips twisted into the shape of a crescent moon as she stared at Allen with lustful eyes. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea.¡¡I''m not sure what you mean by that. Is that what this is all about? "You little shit. ......! He grumbled with a blue streak, and a fine crack appeared on the glass in his hand. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. I''m sorry, Mr. Allen, ...... for the inconvenience I caused you with my strange request. ...... What do you mean?¡¡What are you talking about? What are you talking about?" Allen smiles softly at the apologetic girl. I''m not going to bother you. If it''s your wish that''s important to you, I''ll do everything in my power to make it happen. "Mr. Allen, ...... And, you know, ....... I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "Well, that''s what worries me. ...... I''m worried about that. I''m not sure what to make of it. This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time and money. On the other hand, Lydyria snickered at the head-on declaration of war. ''You''re a lousy man. Anyway, ....... Then she breaks off and throws her gaze to the back of the store. Allen, too, looked at him. It was still early in the evening, a little too early for the store to be busy. And yet the tables in the back of the restaurant were almost all occupied. "No ...... good food, no gold, no silver, no treasures. ...... If it were us, we''d be great if we had a drink. "You can''t serve alcohol to a seven-year-old. You can''t serve alcohol to seven-year-olds. ...... I was getting scolded by my dad for skipping work at my parents'' store. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. My brothers-in-law always accompanied me. I spent all my time studying magic with my brother. And watching Mom and Dad at work? "Seven years old? ...... That was a long time ago for me. Back then, my mom was the guardian deity of my family''s forest. The usual suspects, Megas, Glow, Miaha, Eluca and Dorothea. They were all exchanging serious words with their foreheads to each other. Seeing this, Lydyria cocked her head in wonder. "What the hell are they doing at ......? "Oh. They''re thinking of something bad to do to you. What?¡¡You''ve got to be kidding me. You''ve got to be kidding me. Don''t be ridiculous. I didn''t ask for this. I told him what was going on and he said he wanted to help. I told him to stay out of it, but Eruka and the others were ready to get involved. Then Megas and his men, who had just returned from the dungeon, joined them. Of course, their men were with them, and the store was quite busy. Although the group was quite lively, it was peaceful in a sense, since all they were discussing was how to please the saint. In addition, the saint was seven years old, and every table seemed to be filled with memories of her childhood. When I explained that... I''m surprised there are other bored people out there. Lydyria averted her gaze boringly and sipped her tea. I''m not sure what to make of that. (Huh?¡¡I thought you were going to make fun of me like you did with me, but I guess not. ......) Rather, they seem to avoid looking at it directly. It seems to me that there is some kind of hint in there that will help us get to Lidylia. (Hmmm, is she the type of person who is surprisingly shy?¡¡(Hmm, is she surprisingly shy? Or is she unaccustomed to being taken care of? ...... Hmm, I wonder what this is all about) I''m not sure what to make of it. In the meantime, Charlotte smiles and talks to Lidyria. I''m not sure what to say, but I''d like to know. ''Oh, is this it?¡¡Oh, yes. I think it smells good. ...... "Good!¡¡I love that tea. "Oh. We both have similar tastes, don''t we? I''m not sure what to make of it. Goussetsu also narrowed his eyes with interest. I''m sure we have a lot in common since we were both in previous lives. But your tea leaves are a bit on the strong side. ...... It''s a bit out of Charlotte''s league, isn''t it? "Oh, uh, well, ......... I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to be doing and how you''re going to do it. ... I''ve always been in love with you. "You''re starting to look like Allen, Mom. "Ugh! ......! "Stop using me as an excuse to flirt, you fool! You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. 169 169 Stories Saint Rough (1) An open square on the outskirts of the city. There was now an air of tension in the air. There were countless logs lined up in the shape of people all around, and in the middle of them was a subhuman figure. Her long cobalt-green hair was tied up around her waist, and on top of her head was a pair of animal ears the same color as her hair. A long key tail grows from her hips. Her gender is female. She wears light equipment that makes it easy for her to move around, making her the obvious choice for an adventurer. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''ll go to ...... now. The next moment, she leaps high into the air. She lets out a short breath and waves her arms. Zuggahgahgah! Countless knives were shot out. They were aimed right at the human form that filled the area - where a person''s heart should be. She landed lightly and breathed a sigh of relief. She looked back at the gallery watching behind her, held out the knife, and said with a blank expression. Come on. Go ahead, try it. It''s fun. "Don''t be absurd! Everyone in the room chuckled in unison. And she nodded her head. Why?¡¡You asked me to tell you about something I enjoyed as a child, so I did. No, most kids don''t do that. I mean, they can''t. Megath shrugged her shoulders in disgust. You can''t do it either, can you, Saint? I''m sure it''s a great technique, but I''m not sure I can do it. ...... I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. You will find a lot of people who are looking for the best in the marketplace. Miaoha scratched her cheek and added. I''m sorry for the trouble I''ve caused you. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I used to enjoy practicing this skill when I was a kid. My dad can hit more targets without any preliminary movements. I can''t help but think they''re a family of assassins. ...... I''ll pay you a visit next time. Yes. Miaha is always welcome. Maia nodded vigorously. In contrast to her sister, she seems to have a quiet nature and her facial expression does not change much. But there was a small smile on her face, as if she was happy to be reunited with her sister, from whom she had been separated. Then, Glow spoke to him excitedly. Do you know who William Tell is?¡¡Can he put an apple on his head and shoot it out? Of course I can. I didn''t think there was anyone who could understand these earth stories. Well, because of someone else, there''s a lot of people in this city. ...... I''m sure you''ve heard of it. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. The corner of the room began to be filled with talk of past lives, and the presenter passed the baton. "Alright!¡¡I''m next!¡¡I''ll show you the rock pieces I played with my brothers when I was a child!¡¡Let me show you the rock pieces I used to play with my brothers when I was a kid! We''ll smash each other''s pieces and the winner is the one who crushes the other''s! "Is that funny, ......? In the face of the lump of rock that Megas had so enthusiastically produced, Lydyria''s reaction was muted. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m sure you''re right. ...... I''m not sure what to make of that. After that, other people came and went and taught Lydyria things that children would enjoy. However, the results were not good, and Lidylia''s mood was getting worse and worse. Perhaps sensing this, Goussetsu also whispered to her. How can I help you? I think it would be counterproductive to continue. Worst case scenario, she''ll be so offended that she won''t come out of Master Charlotte''s body. I suppose that''s entirely possible. He might become annoyed by Allen and the others'' interference and run away like he had been hiding inside Charlotte all this time. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it. (Now, what should I do?) That''s when I thought about it. I''m not sure what to do. But that may be a good thing. "What? I''m sure she said she wasn''t interested in life, but ...... we can''t be sure she won''t change her mind and take over Charlotte-sama''s body in the future. I''m not sure if she''ll change her mind and take over Charlotte-sama''s body. I''m not sure if that''s a good thing or not. It''s definitely a disturbance that could harm Master Charlotte. Isn''t it more logical to just seal it up and bury it? "...... You have a point, though. Goussetsu has a point. If you''re truly concerned about Charlotte''s safety, the best thing to do would be to seal off Lidylia without question. She is a person from the past, a dead person. There''s no need to curry favor with her. But Allen waved his hand in the air. "Don''t do that. It''s against my principles. I guess you could call it willpower. Isn''t it reasonable to throw all that crap down the drain for the sake of the woman you love? Yes, there''s the will, but there''s another reason as well. Once you decide to do something, you do it. That''s Allen''s motto. But this time, there was an important reason as well. I think back to when I first picked up Charlotte. The words I swore to her. "I made a promise to Charlotte once. "I promised Charlotte before that I would change her so that she could be proud to say she was the happiest person in the world. That sounds like something you would say without hesitation. So, what happened to that? "When I made that promise, Charlotte had Lidylia in her mind, too. In other words, I made a promise to Lidylia, too. I promised to make her happy. "That''s why I have to make her happy as well as Charlotte. That''s the main reason. "......, you''re quite the man. Isn''t that just a matter of willpower in the end? Gousset shrugged his shoulders. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your money. He chuckles and speaks at a normal volume this time. "Well, if you weren''t so bold, you wouldn''t be my second master after Master Charlotte. And? What? If the seal doesn''t work, we''ll need to melt her heart. ...... Do you have a plan?¡¡It''s not going to be easy. I can handle that. I''ve got a clue as to what''s going on. Huh?¡¡That slippery kid can be caged. That''s Allen. That''s why he''s the Great Demon King. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. In the meantime. "I''m back! "Mmm. And then, with a bang, Natalia appeared. She was carrying a bulging rucksack on her back and a paper bag in both hands. It was quite a large load, but she didn''t seem to mind and looked very proud of it. Allen belatedly realized that he had disappeared from the scene. "Natalia, ......?¡¡Where the hell have you been? "Preparing for something naughty, of course. I went to do some shopping. Natalia giggled as if she was sure of victory. 170 170 Stories Saint, Rough (2) In front of all of them and Lydyria, Natalia sniffed. She is always a confident young woman, but even the way she brushes her hair is filled with the absolute pride of a hero who saved the world. When Glow saw her, she rolled her eyes. "Oh, you''re the goddess''s sister. I hear she''s pretty good. "Hmm. Of course I am, after all, I''m your sister. Does that mean this little one is related to the saint? If anything, this one looks more like her. ...... The other members of the group were also exchanging words in secret. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a few things you can do. The way she sighs, propped up on one elbow, is tense to behold. And now you. Can we end this now?¡¡I''m getting tired myself. "No matter. I''m sure the game will end on my turn. Oh, ......, you''re so sure about that? Of course I am. I''m sure the saint will be turned off by the naughty things you do from the perspective of a child! It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. A cold wind blows in the square, and the feeling of turmoil increases. There, Megas called out to Allen in a whisper. "Hey, the Great Demon King. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. Let''s consider ....... I laugh at most things, but this one seemed a bit out of order. Charlotte clenched her fists as if on edge while the adults turned their heads away in disbelief. "Natalia, you''re very confident. ...... What the hell are you going to do? I think that''s the only way he''s going to get it. Allen shrugs his shoulders. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. If there is one thing that Natalia will confidently bring out, it will be her own precious memories. Rummaging through her large luggage, Natalia presented the items. Please choose your favorite picture book!¡¡I''ll be happy to read it to you. "A ...... book? Lydyria''s eyes went black and white. What Natalia took out were picture books of various genres. There are many different types of picture books, including simple ones for learning letters, ones with cute animals, and ones with orthodox fairy tales. I''m sure you''re right. You''re right, picture books are for kids. I still have some picture books at my parents'' house that I used to read to them. My dad used to read them to me too. Eruka and the others were also very excited. Eruka and the rest of the group seemed to be impressed with Natalia''s choice, as if it had been a surprise to them. However, Lydyria''s reaction was not so positive. With a frown on her face, she pushed back the picture book Natalia presented to her. I''m not interested in something for a little girl like that. Put it down. "Hmm, there''s no need to be so stubborn. Returning to your childhood is one of the best ways to relax. A seven-year-old girl talking about her "childlike mind". It''s quite a surreal scene, but she''s quite serious about it. Undeterred by the rebuttal, Natalia holds out the picture book and continues with some pride. One of my favorite memories from when I was little was being read to by you. If you were one of them, you may already know that. ...... He scratched his cheek and looked straight at Lidylia. "You lost your life at an early age. You lost your life at an early age, a life that some would call unbelievable. But even for you, don''t you have at least one warm memory, like ...... a family member reading you a storybook? I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. She shakes and raises her eyes, stares at Natalia and screams as if she is going to explode. "I''m not interested in anything! "Huh? The second Natalia rolled her eyes, a blast of air suddenly erupted across the square. The heat alone was so intense that it burned her lungs. A direct hit would turn any race, no matter how sturdy, into dust without leaving any trace of its original form. But the blast subsided. "Oh dear. You''re a tricky disciple. "Aww ......, the Great Demon ....... In Allen''s arms, Natalia''s eyes blinked. She jumped out of the way to protect herself and was not even burned. The others managed to get through with the magical barriers cast by Eruka and Goussetsu. Instead, the dolls Maia had used were charred to a crisp and lying around. The damage was enormous and widespread. (As expected of a saint who will go down in history, ......! While secretly admiring her, Allen glared at Ridilia. I''m not sure what to say. Huh? That was your fault!¡¡What if Natalia gets hurt?¡¡Apologize to her! No matter how you look at it, Lydyria is at fault. However, she is shaking her head like a spoiled child. The air of pessimism that she had felt in the past is gone, and she is even shouting. "Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up. ......!¡¡I have nothing ...... wrong with me! Wait a minute! A light floods out of Lidylia''s body. But it quickly subsided - and then there was Lidyria ...... blinking her eyes, or Charlotte. What''s going on ......?¡¡What''s going on ......? Lidylia has pulled into you. Do you feel any different? Yes, I''m ...... fine, but ...... yuck. "Hey, hey! Natalia jumped on Charlotte, who was lying face down in sorrow. She sniffed and wiped her eyes. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. "Natalia ...... is fine. Thank you, Mr. Allen. No, don''t worry about it. I was just doing what a master should do. Allen pats Natalia''s sobbing head and smiles. But you''re my disciple, aren''t you? You''ve got a way of pinpointing what they don''t like. ...... Did she hate picture books that much? "What, I''ll explain it to you later. Charlotte seems to have figured it out, though. Yes. So, Mr. ...... Allen. Charlotte stammered a bit, but then clenched her fists and looked straight at Allen. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. I''ve been thinking about it. Of course I was planning on it. Allen nodded and looked around at the people present. I''m sorry to have you here, but it''s our problem from here. I''m sorry to have to tell you this, but this is our problem. Eruca shrugs his shoulders. The others look at each other. There was a 50/50 split between those who had some idea of what was going on and those who didn''t have a clue. Among them, Lu pulled Allen''s sleeve and growled. I don''t know, but what are you going to do?¡¡Is that still wrong? ''Of course. "Of course. It''s against the rules of the world. Allen grinned, the corners of his mouth lifting. "All right, let''s go home, boys. It''s about time. ...... Let''s make some quick preparations. 171 171 Stories To Give to Girls (1) It was a couple of hours later that the preparations were complete. By that time, the sun had already set and the forest around the house was in complete darkness. On the contrary, the living room of the house was filled with bright light. "Okay, I think we''re all set. We''re good to go, dude. Well, I did what you said. ...... Eruca gave a thumbs up. On the other hand, Natalia raised her eyebrows and twisted her head. She looks around the living room, which has been completely prepared. The living room is completely buzzing with activity. The walls were covered with paper decorations and the tables were lined with colorful dishes. It was the scene of a small home party. Of course, there was a large cake in the center of the table. It''s a scene that any child would be excited about, but it''s not an extravagant ...... kind of thing. It looked like an ordinary home party. I''m not sure if this is really how you''re going to defeat the saint.¡¡It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. This is rather good. Anyway, I asked you to do as we discussed. "Well, if that''s what the Great Satan wants, then ...... I understand. "We understand. "Lu... I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m sure you''ll be pleased with the results. ...... It''s perfect. I can vouch for that. I can vouch for it." "Well, if you say so, Mr. Allen, then I can vouch for it. This is the only group of people in the house. The usual four of us and our two companions. It''s a small dinner party for family members. Anyway, I''m going to invite another person there now. As Charlotte and Allen smiled at each other, Natalia puzzled over the situation. By the way, what were you two whispering about earlier?¡¡Was it about the saint? "Well, you''ll have to wait and see. Okay, Charlotte. Can you do me a favor?¡¡It''s supposed to be your birthday celebration, and it''s strange that the star of the show is being sent away. ...... I don''t mind. I don''t mind. I''ve had enough celebrations since yesterday. Please, Mr. Allen. ...... Okay. I put my hand on Charlotte''s shoulder and lightly cast a spell. Then Charlotte began to paddle her boat. Allen snaps his fingers in her ear. "Wake up, Lydyria. "............ At that moment, Charlotte looked up with a start. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Her personality had been replaced by Lydyria. She glared at Allen and growled in a low voice. "What, did you wake me up? ...... That was unnecessary. "Well, don''t say that. I''ve got some business with you. "Hmph, I won''t apologize for what I said earlier. Lidylia crossed her arms and turned away. She glanced at Natalia and sniffed. "Whatever you say, it''s the little girl''s fault. I have nothing to blame. "Ugh. ......!¡¡The fact that it''s you makes it all the more annoying and frustrating. ......! "Natalia, please calm down. ......? Charlotte wobbles as she coaxes her sister out of the mirror. Goussetsu and Lu only looked at each other. The air is tense, but... (Hmm, that''s a good trend.) Allen was secretly biting back a smile. After all, the change in Lidylia was obvious. Her manner of speaking was as mature as ever, but her every gesture was childish. Despite her pretensions, the way she glanced at Natalia was somewhat shaky. This was evidence of his lack of composure. It seemed to be the most appropriate state to poke at the enemy. Hiding his intentions as well as he could, Allen said in a light tone. "Aside from what just happened, I called you here for one reason and one reason only. Now I''m going to teach you something bad. "So, you haven''t given up on ...... yet? Lydyria sighed blatantly. I don''t care about that anymore. Get rid of me as soon as you can. I''ve learned a lot today. After all, there is nothing in this world that can comfort my heart. "Hmm, you can only imitate such a pessimist for so long. Allen only smiled wryly at the sinking Lydyria. "This is the last time. If I can''t sway your mind with this, I''ll gracefully seal you up. "...... Really? Yeah. I''m a man of my word. "............ Really? In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find out more about it here. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "All right. Then you''d better hurry. I''ll stay with you until the end. "All right, we''ve got a deal. Now let''s go to ....... Allen put his hand on Lydyria''s shoulder and indicated the table with his chin. We''ll have dinner first. You''re coming with us. What''s ......? 172 172 Stories to Give to Girls (2) At the mention of food, Lidyria''s eyes blinked. But as soon as she saw all the food on the table and the decorations on the wall, she made a sullen face. This is ...... Charlotte''s birthday celebration dinner? "That''s what it is. You should join us. Then I''ll back off. This body belongs to Charlotte. What''s a celebration without a leading man? That''s not what this is about. Now, sit down. Even so, Lydyria refused to obey. She just glared at Allen with a pouting face. Then there is a last resort. Let''s do that for the first time in a long time. Allen chanted a short incantation and snapped his fingers. Then a hideous pattern appeared around his heart. He puts his hand there and smirks wickedly. "I just cast a death curse on myself! "What about ......? I won''t lift this curse unless you say you''ll join me for dinner. What do you say, Lydyria? If an innocent civilian were to die because of you, you''d be heartbroken as well. Then hurry up-- No, I think it''s fine if they die on their own. "............? I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. She was neither upset nor crying to stop her. It''s exactly the opposite reaction I was expecting. Allen froze for a moment at the unexpected situation, but then he hurriedly closed in on Lydyria. My life is at stake here!¡¡If a good citizen loses his life because of you, even a little shit like you would feel guilty! Who''s the good guy, who''s the bad guy? It''s not like I have anything to do with an idiot like you dying on his own. "Gosh, ...... was a very effective threat to Charlotte, but ......! "Daimajou, have you ever threatened my lady in that way? Ugh, that''s the ......! Natalia glared at me with cold eyes as if she was about to shoot me. You can''t say you''re innocent, so you clam up, and Charlotte rushes to your defense. "Well, well, well. Natalia. I''m sure you''ll be surprised at first, but ...... Mr. Allen hasn''t done much of that lately, so you''ll be fine. "Recently" ......?¡¡I''m sure you''ll be fine.¡¡Daimao, I need to talk to you later. You''re going to have to tell me exactly how much trouble you''ve been causing me. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on this in the future. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m not sure what to do. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The rest of them reacted in a nonchalant manner. The rest of the group reacted curtly, with a number of cold, "You''re being ridiculous" looks piercing through their eyes. Then Natalia sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Not at all. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on, but I''m not sure if you can. The food will get cold if you wait too long. I''m sure you''ll agree. We''ve all prepared it together. What are you doing here? With Natalia and Eruca pushing her, Lydyria ended up sitting at the table quietly. But she was still somewhat nervous and looked at Charlotte in the mirror. This is your birthday celebration, isn''t it ......?¡¡More and more I don''t think it''s something I should be eating. ...... "I''ll have it later. Don''t worry about it. Charlotte smiled at that. I''ll take it later.'' Charlotte smiled at her. ''It''s also my way of thanking Lydyria for her help. You can have it if you like. If that''s the case, I''ll have some ....... "Yes!¡¡There are also desserts. There are also desserts at ....... Do you think you can have some too? "Gosh, it''s ...... okay, I''ll have some ....... I have no choice but to lift the curse myself and get up slowly. It was a somewhat uncomfortable start, but I succeeded in getting Lydyria to the table, so that''s good. The whole family was now at the table. Lu and Goussetsu also had their food plates placed nearby, and they were ready to go. Let''s eat! Bon app¨¦tit. "Yes, thank you. ...... Eruka and Natalia are cheerful, while Lidilia holds her hands together somewhat nervously. And so the meal began, a little more lively than usual. Each person took their favorite dish from the platter. From the mirror propped up on the table, Charlotte spoke to Lydyria with a nervous look on her face. I hope it''s to your liking. ...... Lidylia, you seem to have a discerning palate. ''Well, no problem. I don''t have any particular likes or dislikes. Anything-- "Well, how about this?¡¡It''s delicious. You should try it. I''d recommend the fried shrimp. You made it for me. What?¡¡You can''t serve it to me like that! Eruka and Natalia quickly piled up the food on Lydiria''s plate. In no time at all, the plates were piled high. It was far from a sophisticated dinner party. Lidyria puzzledly picked up her fork. Everyone was staring at her expectantly, and she realized that there was no escape. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. So he extends his fork to the fried shrimp. The tail is a bit burnt, so it''s not a perfect dish. Lidylia took a mouthful of fried shrimp with trepidation. At that moment, her frown suddenly eased. ...... is delicious. "Are you sure? Charlotte''s face lit up when she heard the whisper. I''m sure you''ll love it. I''ll make it any time! "Well, well, I''m ....... Lidylia looked away awkwardly. You''ll be able to see the confusion in her eyes. Allen chuckles because he can see the confusion in her eyes. You''re a child, after all. Would such a straightforward menu suit your taste better than a full course meal? "Oh, shut up!¡¡You''re the one who-- Hey, Natalia. Do you want this salad? Let''s eat. Would you like some, Goussetsu-sensei? "Then I''ll share it with you. "I''ll have some too, Lu!¡¡I like tomatoes!¡¡What about you, Lidylia?¡¡¡¡What does Lidylia like? "Huh?¡¡What do you like?" "Huh?" "Well, let''s see, ......, strawberries ......? I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or not. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. Allen, stop talking. What do you want me to do? "What I''m going to do to you is simple and straightforward. Allen spreads his hands hawkishly. The only thing it''ll fit is a table full of people. "This is it. Lydyria, I give you ...... this sight. "This ...... sight? Yes. That''s ....... Allen smiles at Lydyria, who raises her eyebrows quizzically. You can get a lot more information on the web. I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. "......? I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. 173 173 Stories to Give to Girls (3) "Or family ...... family, then ......!? Lidylia said the word over and over again in a stunned manner. Her face grew bloodier as she said it. Finally, she slammed the table and yelled at Allen. You''ve got to be kidding me!¡¡I don''t need that ...... thing in my life! Are you sure about that? Allen shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. He also took out a stack of papers from his pocket. It was a pile of information about Saint Lydyria that he had researched in the archives of the Athena Academy of Magic. Her short life, her brilliant achievements, and her picture-perfect family ...... are all written down in detail. It''s not just your accomplishments that are impressive, but your family''s accomplishments as well. There are many glorious anecdotes left behind. Oh, I''ve heard of them, too. Natalia stopped eating, crossed her arms and made a pouting face. Natalia stopped eating, crossed her arms and made a pouting face, apparently unwilling to talk about her birthplace. She continued as if she were talking about someone else. I heard that Lydyria''s parents were very respectable people and her younger brother, who succeeded her, did his best to help the world. Even now, there is a portrait of the family together in the house. "Hmm. Friendly, huh? Did it really look that way? Really?¡¡Yes, at least more so than my family at ....... Yes, but... Natalia put her hand to her chin thoughtfully. Only the portrait of Saint Lydyria was painted separately from the family. It may have been painted after her death. ...... No, probably not. No, probably not. Lydyria would not have been included in the family portrait in the first place. Why not?¡¡She was supposed to be the first child of the Evans family. Exactly. But it wasn''t official. Allen pulled out a new stack of papers from his pocket. The paper was so old that it looked like it was about to fall to pieces. But there is something definitive written on it. "You''re just like Charlotte, aren''t you, Lydyria? You''re a bastard who should never have been allowed to exist. "What ......?¡¡Saint Lydyria? "The same ...... as me. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand what I mean. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what to make of this. ...... How dare you look into that? I''m pretty sure all the documents that point to it have been destroyed. It''s true that the library of the Academy of Magic would have been a dead end. After all, it''s information from another country. There''s no way they''d have been able to keep all the behind-the-scenes stuff. Even the cause of Lidylia''s death is just a guess based on a document that is not too shady. The only way to find out what happened after that was to use a method other than ....... I had to cheat a little. I went to my long-lived acquaintances and asked them about the gossip of the time. "Your connections are pretty cool, too. First the dark elves, then the black dragons. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''m not sure what to make of it. I don''t know what that means. I don''t know. You know that meeting, don''t you, Eruka? "Famous is famous, Mr. Gousset. It''s a secret society of the most powerful of the Long-lived Species. I''m sure you''re right, but ...... it''s just a club for killing time.¡¡I''ve been invited to join a few of their activities. It''s the size of the group that''s the problem. Elder''s Alliance. The Elder''s Alliance is literally an alliance of only the Eldest. Elves, dragons, spirits, vampires, ...... and all sorts of other races gather together to do peaceful activities to enrich their lives, which are often too long and boring. However, what they do is always dynamic in every way. They built a huge island overnight, transformed a bankrupt country into a commercial powerhouse in just one year, summoned people from other worlds,......, and their legend has no boundaries. In addition, it is also famous for being involved in a variety of businesses in its spare time. As a result, he knows a lot about the backstory of this world. At first, he tried to talk to Goussetsu, but he was in another continent at the time and didn''t have any good information. That''s why Allen tried to contact Dorothea. It was a bad idea. But he soon found out that he had hit the jackpot. "Bastard ......? Yes, it was a well-known gossip. Dorothea, like Natalia, had disappeared for some time, but a quick search revealed her in a coffee shop down the street. As she sipped her tea elegantly, she held her temples and tried to remember. I''m sure that the saint Lydyria was the child of the then head of the Evans family and a prostitute. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. I''m sure you''re not the only one. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your money. As soon as she awoke to her miraculous magical powers, the head of the Evans family at the time offered a large sum of money to take her in. It seems that the amount of money included a hush money, but you can''t put your foot in your mouth. A rumor circulated quietly, but because the saint lost her life after only three years, no one talked about it after that. I''m sure you''re aware that the ...... family story is a minefield, but that''s why. My father sees himself as a money-grubber. My father, who sees himself as a money-grubber, probably doesn''t have good feelings toward my stepmother and brother either. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that my own mother took the money and offered Lidyria to me. I''m sure you have at least one warm memory of being read a storybook by your ...... family. It''s no wonder she exploded when Natalia said that. Allen held up one hand smilingly. "You have my thanks, Dorothea. I see you can be of some use. No, no, not at all. What do you say, Mr. Allen? Would you like to join me for tea? Everything on the menu here is excellent! I refuse. Of course I''m leaving. I don''t want to interfere with your work. I don''t want to interrupt your work. - No, don''t say that.¡¡Otherwise, I''ll be sent back to subspace where I''ll be stuck in manuscript hell. "Okay, five minutes have passed. The interview is over. What a lie!¡¡It''s been less than three minutes!¡¡I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. The hole quickly disappears, and Allen thanks the man - Dorothea''s editor, Yol - for his help. "I''m sorry I couldn''t make it while you were busy. ''It''s true that I don''t have a moment to spare in my schedule. But I''m willing to make time for a visit if Mr. Allen asks me to. Yor bowed reverently without twitching his facial muscles. It seems that Dorothea had lied about finishing her work, and had only taken advantage of an opportunity to escape. Yoru, who said he had come to capture her, put his hand on his chest and continued with a straight face. The new romance novel I wrote based on Master Allen is selling like hotcakes. I''ve been thinking that I should thank you again for a long time. Thank you very much. "Is it selling well, that worthless book ...... "Yes. It''s the biggest hit in our company''s history in the last hundred years. It has a lot of fans in our alliance, and they''re rushing for more. Yoru nodded nonchalantly. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the following web site: ....... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure you''ll do fine. Can you show me the details of what you just said, if they still exist? ''That''s no problem. I''ll have a look in the warehouse right away. Yoru took out a business card from his pocket and introduced himself in a flat voice. My name is Jor Darkhorn, and I am in charge of the publishing division of the Elder''s Alliance. I look forward to working with you for many years to come. You''re the Chieftain of the Kuro Evil Dragon, aren''t you ......? It''s as rare as the Dark Elves, and it''s the first of its kind. It''s a great deal more than just the connections that come with buying a used house. But that''s not the point. Allen deliberately held up a clipping from the booklet he had been given. He said, "It would have been quite an ugly story at the time if this had been made public, along with the cause of your death. After all, it''s so tragic. "...... What the hell are you trying to say? What are you trying to say?" "Oh, it''s simple. Lydyria glared at him with no attempt to hide her annoyance. I''m not sure what you mean by that. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. That''s what a saint really is. So you''re going to be my family instead ......?¡¡If you want pity, give it to the wildflowers. That''s very unpleasant. "Hmm. Pity and sympathy are so cheap. Allen didn''t back down at all. Just like when I picked up Charlotte. He just couldn''t stand it. That''s all. I don''t remember my own parents very well either. "I don''t remember my real parents, either, but I''ve done enough to keep my days interesting. You deserve that. "Shut up, shut up!¡¡Don''t give me any more of your silly sweet talk. ......! Lydyria barked hoarsely. The outpouring of power caused the plates on the table to shake and her hair to shimmer like a snake. The amount of magic far surpassed that of the attack on Natalia. So Allen chuckled secretly. It seems the mask is about to fall. "So did your father when he came for me back then. ......!¡¡He said that he loved me and that we should be a family. ...... So I worked for that family until the day I died!¡¡I was foolishly determined to help the family that I had finally made. ......! Her birth mother, a prostitute, did not love Lydyria. In addition, when her daughter began to flourish as a saint, she begged for more money from the Evans family,......, and her whereabouts are still unknown. She was probably erased. That''s why Lydyria made an extra effort to help her only family, the Evanses. "And yet, up until the moment of my death, they were talking about the gold that came from the royal family!¡¡The last thing I heard was that they were planning to manipulate my corpse after my death to make it look alive. ......! ...... I know that too. I know that too. I lost my life about six months ago. I''m not sure what to make of it. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. A temporary soul was placed in the corpse, and she was given the bare minimum of orders. It is an anti-soul technique similar in principle to the operation of a homunculus. In order to prevent her from being discovered, Lydiria''s corpse was cremated after she was done. Despite the fact that the common burial method in that country is burial in the ground. This is all the information Yol gave me. He let out a small sigh, though he did not move his face. ''That''s why I kept this story to myself at the time. To make it public would have damaged her dignity even after her death. Lidylia was used and abused while she lived and even after she died. Perhaps it is only natural to hope that this time she will rest in peace. "I certainly wanted a family back then!¡¡I wanted to be loved. ......!¡¡But I don''t expect anything from you anymore!¡¡I''ve had enough of being betrayed!¡¡I''ve had enough of being betrayed! Why can''t you understand that I''m telling you that I don''t want to live in this world? "......! I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea or not. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. "f*ck you, you idiot! Boom! A roar shook the house. A roar shook the house. There was smoke in the living room and a huge hole in the wall facing the garden. It was the first time I''ve ever been to a place like this. It''s not bad to feint. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to hear that. I''m sure you''re not the only one. Listen, Lydyria. It was five hundred years ago that you were hailed as a saint. I''m sure you''re not the only one. In this day and age, ......! Lydyria was about to cast her next spell when her eyes widened. But Allen moved faster than that. He pounced on Lydyria with a glint in his eye. I''m sure you''re not the only one who has a problem with that. "What the ......? I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I have. But then she looked up fearfully. It''s probably because Allen didn''t use any magic at all. "What the ...... hell is this? Instead, he quickly rolled his eyes. Instead, he immediately rolled his eyes, because around his neck was a large collar. The leather belt has an ostentatious lock on it, and despite its appearance, it is quite light. "Huh, this is something that didn''t exist in your time. "Huh, something that didn''t exist in your time. This is the result of modern technological progress. Allen sniffs and sticks his index finger firmly at Lydyria. "It''s a special magic tool. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to do.¡¡I''m not sure what to do. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It was a kind of magical restraint device used in prisons. I made it quickly and adjusted it before this discussion started. He is a great demon king, so this is no problem for him. A saint is like a baby when her magic is blocked!¡¡It''s a good thing I''m not the only one. I''m sure you''re not the only one.¡¡You, you ......! "Hahahaha!¡¡What is it?¡¡I''m not going to let you get away with that.¡¡It''s not going to hurt or itch! "Fuuuuuuuuuck ......!!! This is a great way to get the most out of your business. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The fact that she looked just like Charlotte made his heart ache, but Allen kept his mind on it and kept goading his opponent. To the untrained eye, it must have looked like a very bad scene. In fact, the onlookers were giving him the cold shoulder. "Wow, ......, you''re not very popular. "I really don''t think that''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. "Even I, as a demon, am slightly disgusted. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure what to make of it. But from the mirror Natalia was holding, Charlotte raised an eyebrow. ''Don''t pick on her too much, Mr. Allen. You may be strong, but you are still a little girl, Lydyria. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand that I''m not trying to bully you, but I am trying to discipline you. ...... It''s not a good idea. You can''t do that. "...... Okay. You''re too weak, you ...... In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a few things you can do. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before. But now you know, Lydyria. In this day and age, you''re nothing more than a helpless child. "...... And while I''m weaker than Charlotte, I''m far stronger than ...... you! I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. So, unlike people 500 years ago, I will never use you. Because it''s faster and more efficient to work on your own! "Well, that''s absurd. ...... But it''s the truth. In your previous life, you were used because you were a saint, but if you were an ordinary child, you would not be worth using. In fact, I don''t even need your power. "............ Lydyria stared at Allen''s face, stunned. I''m a normal kid, ......?¡¡I''m sure you''re not the only one. "Of course. To me, most people are ordinary. Allen crouched down in front of her and looked into her sullen face and smiled. "It''s your saintly self you hate, isn''t it?¡¡I''m sure you''re not the only one. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. He looks down at his hands and speaks one by one. "Live your life as a normal child," ...... is the first thing he said to me. But I don''t think I can do that. ...... You can use magic, but you can''t even read or write properly. You can use magic, but you can''t even read or write. I never got a hug from my mother. I never had a friend. Don''t you think it''s a little harsh to ask me to live as a normal child when I''ve only known how to live as a saint? "No, I don''t. "No. ...... It was not Allen who denied it in a quiet voice, but Charlotte. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in the following article. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve seen it before. You say it so simply, ...... but will it work? You say it so simply, but will it work? You say it''s easy, but will it work? It was all taught to me by Mr. Allen. As if to cheer up the depressed Lidyria again, Charlotte continued cheerfully. For example, ...... we can have breakfast and go to town and plan the menu for dinner together. And sometimes we''ll take our lunches and go away. Can you include fried shrimp in my lunch ......? "Of course. When we get back from our outing, we''ll take a bath and talk about the fun we had that day. Then we''ll have a warm glass of milk and go to sleep. That''s a ...... kind of day to be sneezing at. But that''s what makes me happy. Charlotte reaches out from the mirror to a smiling Lydyria. Just as Allen once did to save her from a nightmare. ''I won''t let you be lonely anymore. We''ll be with you forever. "Charlotte. ...... Lidylia''s eyes widened. (......?) Then Allen''s head snapped up. Charlotte''s words sounded familiar to him for some reason. Words not unlike the ones he had sent her in the past. Somewhere, sometime, in Allen''s life, someone had said them. I couldn''t help but feel that. (Uncle, or ......?¡¡(Uncle, or ......, but that''s not important right now, is it? The memory is fuzzy, and even the outline is uncertain. The vague sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu fades as he does so, and Allen switches his thoughts. Lidylia slowly shook her head. "No! I can''t do that. "Don''t be stubborn, Lydyria. I''m sure you''re a little upset yourself. ...... Even if you were. Even if you were, this body would still be Charlotte''s. Lydyria holds her heart and sighs. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s wrong with me. I don''t think I want to live long enough to violate the rights of the living. ...... "Oh, don''t worry about that either. "Don''t worry about that either," Allen grins, patting the nodding shoulder. Such fears were trivial. After all, Allen... I''m a man who does what he says he''s going to do. Leave everything to me. "You''re looking pretty badass, you ......