Escapism

"What a splendid display of skill. I like you. If your engagement with Mai falls through, why don't I take you under my wing?"

"I must decline, Rondo-sama."

"Hahaha, I've been turned down. And, Kuroinu-dono is a 'man,' right? Hahaha, please do get along well with Mai."

"Haah."

Ah, so he knows about it. As expected, the heir was told after all.

By the way, the content of the mock battle was just Niku dodging everything and tapping Rondo's neck with a wooden knife.

If I had to estimate Rondo's strength in adventurer terms, I'd say he's about mid-to-upper C-Rank. He wasn't much of a challenge for Niku, who'd been training with the A-Rank Misha.

"B-but big brother can use magic too!"

"Is that so."

Niku glanced at me. Yeah, Niku can use magic too, but there's no need to mention it. I shook my head slightly. And Niku gave a small nod.

"… You two seem to have quite the understanding, don't you?"

"Oh, Mai-sama. Even if he's your fiancé, he's also a member of my party. We've been together for so long that we can't help it. Please don't be jealous, okay?"

"I was simply envying your long relationship. You must have known each other for quite some time."

"Yes, it's been about a year now."

"… Eh, isn't that short?"

… I've been with her about 99% of the time since coming to this world, so I never thought of it as short. Niku's memories from before she became my slave are fuzzy too, so she probably feels the same way.

It's only been a year, but it's been a dense one.

"… Then, perhaps I should become an adventurer too?"

"Then you should start with rabbit hunting. Do your best. I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines."

When I brushed her off like that, Maiodoru pouted in dissatisfaction. Good, I chose the right option.

"Well then, now that you're satisfied with his skill, surely there are no complaints, Jitterbug-sama?"

"… If I objected now, I'd be disrespecting my brother's ability. I acknowledge him!"

Good, now there are no more obstacles for the fake engagement!

"Then, since there are no more issues… may we return?"

"Ah, sorry about that. You may return. Please rest well."

On the way back to my room, I told a maid that I wouldn't need breakfast in the morning.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

And so, I decided to sneak out in the middle of the night and return to the dungeon.

Fool! The longer I stay, the more trouble will pile up. Now that the matter is settled, staying in the lord's mansion any longer is nothing but a bad move!

Just in case, I left a note saying: "I'll lend Niku Kuroinu's name for one month as promised. If you want to borrow her in person, please contact Golen Village with your preferred dates as soon as possible."

"Alright, I'm sleepy but I should be fine… Let's go, Niku."

"Yes, Goshujin-sama."

Timing it for when the sun had completely set, I took Niku and left the mansion.

Uuu, I'm sleepy. But I must endure.

Outside, it wasn't completely dark thanks to streetlights, taverns, and other shops that were still open at night. Come to think of it, this is my first time walking through Tsuia at night… The back alleys are probably much darker.

We reached the gate before long.

… It's closed. We were too late. Crap, we can't get out. Should we climb over the wall? No, there might be magical defensive measures. Better not to try anything reckless. What to do…

"Hey, what are you doing over there?"

While I was wandering around a bit, a soldier suddenly called out to me. Night patrol, huh. How diligent.

"Ah, Soldier-san. I'd like to get outside the gate."

"The gate passage hours are over for today. Come back tomorrow."

"… There's really no way?"

"That's what I'd like to say, but I have an obligation to explain the regulations. If you have the lord's permission or are a noble, you can pass after completing the procedures."

It seems this soldier is a good, dutiful one.

… I considered showing him the lord's invitation, but it would be troublesome if he ran to the lord's mansion to verify it. Instead, I decided to use Niku's noble status to get through. It'll leave a record, but they'll come looking for me at Golen Village once they notice I'm gone anyway, so it doesn't matter.

"So you were a noble. My apologies."

"No, thank you for your hard work this late at night."

Receiving the noble's words of appreciation, the soldier saluted. Meanwhile, I completed the procedures.

… Good thing I made it so I can do simple writing with the golem gloves.

And so, after completing the procedures, we went outside through the staff entrance.

Well, I did get the lord's permission to "return," after all.

"Now then."

It was pitch black outside the gate… I can't tell where anything is. Should I have a golem take me back automatically?

I used [Create Golem] to make a palanquin. The kind of palanquin you'd see in the Edo period. Then I made two clay golems to carry it.

Golems can somehow see well in the dark. Going back according to the map will be easy for them.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

"So that's why you came back?"

"Yeah?"

"That's suuuuuch a sudden way to cut things off, but is that really okay?"

"What do you mean, Rokuko? Isn't that obvious?"

Hearing Rokuko's reasonable question, I answered honestly.

"… Like I care!!"

Yeah, I just can't keep up with noble interactions anymore. I'm exhausted. Therefore, I demand rest. Especially right now, having just gotten back, I'm insanely sleepy. Please let me sleep.

The palanquin ride was unexpectedly rough, and I couldn't sleep at all.

"… Well, um, I was a little angry, but I don't care anymore. You did rush home, after all. And you came to see me first."

Ah, so she was angry after all.

"I'm going to sleep for two or three days, so I'll leave things to you. Acting Village Chief, do your best."

"I don't want to be left in charge. There are definitely going to be inquiries, right? I'm waking you up when they come, got it?"

"… Fine. But let me sleep if it's something that doesn't require waking me up."

There are times when you want to escape from reality.

This was one of those times.