Finishing the Outing

Previously: We bought bananas from a grocer.

Now then, there have actually been some people following us for a while now.

Are they Maiodoru's acquaintances…? They're two or three adult men in shabby clothes who look like total bandits.

Hmm.

I think they're probably guards the lord secretly assigned.

The proof is that they haven't made a move on us at all. If they were real bandits, they would have already had several chances to pick a fight or snatch Maiodoru away.

But this works out well. Maiodoru still looked like she wanted to go somewhere, but it's about time to head back to the mansion anyway.

"Mai-sama, let's head back to the mansion."

"Ehh, I wanted the date to last a bit longer… please?"

"No. Also, I'm your escort… Look over there discreetly. There are men who look like bandits watching us."

"What!? … I-is that so? Could they be agents of the Pavera family?"

Oh, right. There's also the possibility that other nobles are investigating.

… Vonodoru having me escort her might also be a way to show that off and leak information. I should just focus on doing my job as her guard and get us back quickly. If I show matter-of-factly that this is just work, they shouldn't get the wrong idea either.

"So we're ending today's stroll here. Understood?"

"Mmm, muuu… Kehma-sama, couldn't you just scatter those people?"

"A guard's job is to not expose the person they're protecting to danger… Would you like me to carry you princess-style so we can hurry back?"

"Eh!? … P-princess-style, you say? You mean… that kind of princess carry?"

I don't know what "that" kind means, but since the term "princess carry" made sense to her, it must exist here.

Maiodoru fidgeted for a while, twirling her blue drill-curled hair, thinking about something. Then she turned back to face me and spoke with determination.

"Th-then, um, p-please!"

"Very well. Let's go then… Kuro, carry the Ojou-sama."

"Okay."

"Eh?"

I never said I would be the one to do it.

Maiodoru looked dumbfounded. Niku effortlessly scooped her up in a princess carry and took off.

Time for the assist function of the Cloth Golem to shine.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

Upon reaching the mansion, Niku set Maiodoru down.

The bandit-looking guys had been following us, but we left them completely in the dust. Victory goes to the tireless Cloth Golem boost… My hip joints hurt a little, though.

"Y-you're fast. I wasn't shaken around at all either. You're much stronger than you look."

"Heh."

Though her expression remained unchanged as always, Niku puffed out her chest proudly. Right, she's gotten much better at expressing emotions through body language other than her facial expressions.

"… Personally, I wanted Kehma-sama to do it. The princess carry."

"Unfortunately, I'm not very strong. I leave most physical work to Kuro."

"Please give me a princess carry next time, Kehma-sama."

"If the opportunity arises, perhaps."

"I'm going to be growing a lot from now on, you know? Now's the easiest chance while I'm still light."

"Well, I may be weak, but I can still lift a woman. It doesn't have to be now."

"Ufufufu."

"Hahaha."

Maiodoru covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed. Despite being so young, this little one is still a noble.

"Well then, shall we go report to Vonodoru-sama?"

"You could princess carry me to Otou-sama's room…"

"Emergencies aside, it would be presumptuous of me to touch a lady in peacetime."

"Muu, even though I wouldn't mind…"

You should mind! Besides, I just want to go home already. Come on, let's get going, get going.

I headed to Vonodoru's office with Niku and Maiodoru in tow.

Knocking on the door, I entered after receiving permission. Inside, Vonodoru was doing paperwork at his desk. He placed his fountain pen back in its holder and smiled at us.

"Welcome back. That was fairly quick. I thought you'd play a bit longer."

"Yes, we cut things short because there were some suspicious individuals around. Also, may I consider the escort quest completed with this?"

"Sure. What kind of individuals were they?"

I briefly described the characteristics of the men I saw. Vonodoru nodded without much change in his expression. So it was probably the case that Vonodoru sent them as guards, then? It made for a good excuse either way.

"… So, what about it? Have you decided to become Mai's fiancé?"

The way he said it made it sound like me becoming her fiancé was a done deal.

But I refuse.

"Regarding that, I must decline."

When I said that, Maiodoru visibly deflated beside me.

"Hmm… May I ask your reason? You only met yesterday, but I assume you've learned at least something about Mai after spending half a day with her today?"

"First, half a day doesn't really change the fact that we just met. Second, honestly speaking, there's a woman I already like."

"Hmm… I see."

Ah, he hasn't given up. That's the face of someone thinking about what move to make next.

But here I activate my trap card! I'll interrupt that train of thought!

"If I may, Vonodoru-sama. I have a suggestion regarding this matter."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Before that—"

I glanced at Maiodoru — was it okay for her to hear this? — and Vonodoru seemed to understand my intention.

"Mai, go back to your room. It's a bit early, but go ahead."

"… Muu. Kehma-sama, I won't give up, you know!"

At Vonodoru's words, Maiodoru reluctantly left the room.

"Mai seems to have taken quite a liking to you. Did something happen?"

"I don't recall doing anything that would cause that."

"Well, I'll have Mai tell me about it later. So, what's your suggestion?"

I grinned.

Take this, my counterattack!

"Well, here's my proposal… To be blunt, she doesn't necessarily need to be engaged to a man for a fake engagement, does she?"

"…!? W-what do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said. I recommend Kuro here as Mai-sama's fake fiancé."

I firmly presented Niku before him.

"There are several reasons… First, she's a member of my party, so in terms of adventurer achievements, she shares the same record as me. Furthermore, I can vouch for her proven track record in the administration of Golen Village. All of my achievements are thanks to Kuro."

And by me vouching for her, I can insist that all my achievements were actually because of Niku! I will not accept any objections.

Niku looked at me. Of course she'd be surprised. Vonodoru was surprised too. Yes!

"Now then, is there any other prestige she'd need?"

"… Well, I suppose her being a woman is fine in this case. She's close to Mai's age too… But isn't she a slave? That collar she's wearing."

"That's just Kuro's hobby. I'm technically her master, but Kuro has a peculiar fetish where she can't relax without wearing a collar, so she wears it by choice. You have sons, correct, Vonodoru-sama? So even if Kuro married Mai-sama, it's not like she'd become the lord… there's really no issue. It's just a fake engagement; they won't actually get married."

I rattled off this nonsense one after another, and Vonodoru faltered a bit.

"Y-yes…? Could I think about it?"

"Then to help with your consideration, here."

Time for the finishing blow. I took out Niku's Adventurer Guild Card and showed it to him.

This was what we got from Haku-san… Ventulier, was it? I'm pretty sure it was a rank like that. In other words, her B-Rank Guild Card also served as proof of nobility.