Chapter 72

I had an idea. Maybe I'm a genius.

The bed in the boarding house is made by arranging five wooden boxes in two rows.

If I increase it to three rows, then, oh wonder, it will instantly turn into a semi-double bed.

Yeah, this way, even if I share with Mart and the others, we won't be packed in like sardines.

And, I should have realized this earlier.

Maybe because I was no longer packed in like sardines, or maybe because I was still tired, I fell into a deep sleep until night without even having lunch.

"Kento... are you there? It's dinner time..."

"Mmm... Ah, Maisa, good morning..."

"Good morning? It's already night. And Kento, you're so unfair! You got to sleep with three Moffs, that's so unfair!"

"Ah... Mart and the others were working hard and were tired..."

"Muu... I want to sleep with you too..."

"Then, how about we take turns sleeping with Maisa?"

"I want to sleep with all three of them!"

"Um, that's..."

When I looked at Mart and the others, they all had a "That's a bit..." look on their faces.

"Kento, Maisa, come down quickly, or I won't give you any dinner!"

"Okay, I'm coming, come on, Maisa, let's go."

"Muu... Kento is so unfair..."

She really wanted to sleep with Mart and the others, and Maisa kept a grumpy face throughout dinner.

"Maisa, don't eat with that pout. You'll make the food taste bad."

"But... but Kento is so unfair..."

"Really, if you want to sleep with the Kobolds so much, you could just sleep in Kento's room."

"Right! Mom, you're so smart!"

"Wh-What? Wait, Maisa, you're going to sleep in my room?"

Surprised by the sudden situation, I asked, and Maisa crossed her arms and nodded as if it were obvious.

"If I go to Kento's room, I can sleep surrounded by Moffs!"

"Um... but, Maisa, you might wet the bed..."

"I won't! I absolutely won't wet the bed anymore!"

"Um... really?"

I glanced at Amanda, who gave me a look that said, "Try to endure."

"Ha... Well, if you go to the bathroom before bed..."

"I will, and Jibura won't eat too much!"

"And you have to do your arithmetic homework."

"Ugh... I'll do it... I'll do it properly, please..."

"Ha... Alright, you can sleep together."

"Yay! I love Kento!"

Maisa hugged me and rubbed her cheek against mine, but because of her usual behavior, I couldn't be genuinely happy.

"Sorry, Kento."

"No, it's fine. If she gets a bit older, she'll start sleeping alone."

"Actually, you can take Maisa if you want."

"Huh? What are you saying, Amanda?"

"Ahaha, just kidding. You can't get married if you still wet the bed."

"Ha... Don't surprise me like that."

Maisa is about the age of a fifth-grader in Japan, and it's impossible to think of her as a romantic partner.

She's more like a troublesome little sister.

On the expanded bed, as I rolled around with Mart and the others, there was a small knock on the door.

"Come in, it's open."

"Uuu..."

Maisa, in her pajamas and holding her pillow, was making a small groan at the door.

"What's wrong?"

"Uuu... a small light..."

"Ah... I see, it's dark and scary, isn't it?"

"No, it's not! It's just that it's hard to go to the bathroom in the dark..."

"Ah, right, it's a different room tonight, isn't it?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm not used to it..."

"Okay, let's say that..."

"Kiiii... cheeky, Kento is so cheeky!"

"Alright, I turned on the light, you can sleep in the middle of the bed."

"Muu... stupid Kento..."

Maisa, who had been pouting, immediately relaxed when she got into bed and was surrounded by Mart and the others.

"Hafuuu... moffu moffu..."

"Then, I'll go take a bath, you can go to sleep if you want."

"Okay... good night..."

"Sure, good night, Maisa."

When I came back to the room after the bath, Maisa was sound asleep.

I wasn't very sleepy because I had slept a lot during the day, but since I've been busy since coming to this world, I should rest when I can.

Just then, Fred spoke to me.

"Master Kento... report..."

"How is Camilla?"

"Severely affected... always in a bad mood..."

I had Fred return to Lastock for reconnaissance after the mass outbreak subsided.

According to Fred's report, the garrison where my classmates were missing is now actively fortifying the city's defenses.

Camilla, after gathering information from Paul, Gerhard, and the townspeople, believes that one of the five who participated in the first battle is the mastermind.

However, she has no idea how the person survived, how they put the knights to sleep, or how they controlled the monsters.

Given the scale of the operation, it is believed that there were accomplices, but the involvement of the Republic of Lanzhelt is considered unlikely, as it would be practically impossible to mobilize a country in such a short time.

Camilla believes that the Second Prince's faction is more likely to be active.

Based on eyewitness accounts, it is highly possible that the escaped individuals crossed the bridge and fled to the other side of the Demon Forest.

However, there is a possibility that they were made to believe this and actually crossed the river by boat from another location and are hiding within the borders of Reisenburg.

In any case, the opposing forces have increased in number and have recovered their hostages, so they are strengthening their defenses in anticipation of a possible military attack.

Some of the knights suggested that if the missing individuals are not replaced, new slaves could be summoned, but summoning requires a long preparation time and a large amount of money, so it is currently not possible.

The loss of a large number of subjugation bracelets is also a significant blow.

As I had felt, the bracelets worn by my classmates were inscribed with special magical formulas, and it would take time and money to produce them in large quantities.

"I was thinking of returning the bracelets all at once, but it might be better to dispose of them."

"Leaving them in the shadow world would be safe, but destroying them would be safer."

"Right, let's destroy the ones we have and the ones stored in Lastock's warehouse."

"Master Kento, it would be better to start negotiations before Camilla recovers."

Rhinhardt's opinion is supported by Fred and Bastian.

"Um... negotiations... I understand that it's better to do it quickly, but I'm not very confident..."

"Master Kento, we will support you, so it's fine."

"Of course, I will ask for full support from everyone..."

"Hahaha, are you worried about what Corey said?"

"Yeah, that's it..."

My communication skills are poor, so my tension and agitation are clearly visible on my face.

"Maybe I should use a mask..."

"Master Kento, you cannot grow by running away from difficulties."

"Right, I understand that, but I don't have time to grow this time, and it's not a situation where I can afford to fail."

"Hmm... Then, how about this?"

Rhinhardt proposed a method to keep both possibilities open.

Prepare a mask in case it doesn't work out.

On the other hand, practice negotiation to promote my growth.

"Right, if I'm not good at it, I should practice."

"Indeed, and even if you hide your face with a mask, you can't hide your voice."

"Right..."

Thinking back, when I encounter unexpected situations, I tend to make sounds like "fa" or "fe."

Yeah, I definitely need to practice.

"Master Kento, you should consult with the teachers about the content of the negotiations."

"Right, I need to discuss things like how much compensation to set and how to verify the authenticity of the return spell."

"Then, how about asking someone to be your practice partner?"

"What? Rhinhardt and the others won't do?"

"We are a bit too close, so it might not be the best choice."

"Right, family and close relationships are strong."

"Also, someone you don't usually talk to might be better for focusing on the negotiation."

"Right, let's do that."

The teachers were talking about working, but the most important thing is to get a way to return to the original world.

Honestly, with the money from selling the salamanders, I can afford to pay for all 200 people.

Let's visit the temporary barracks of the defense force first thing tomorrow and consult with the teachers.

"Well, if you have your plans for tomorrow, Master Kento, you should rest."

"Right, I will... but I'm a bit worried about Maisa wetting the bed tonight."

"Hahaha, Jibura didn't eat tonight, so it should be fine."

"Right, I hope so."

Maisa is sleeping soundly, sandwiched between Mart and Milt.

I thought about sleeping between Milt and Maisa, but Milt moved to the outside.

"I can be on the outside."

"Master is in the middle, and we'll warm you from the outside."

"Got it... thanks."

"Kun..."

After petting Milt, Mart, and Murt, I got under the covers.

"Umm... moffu moffu..."

Maisa, even in her dreams, is rubbing her cheek against Mart and has a relaxed expression.

Yeah, she's cute like this.

I'm an only child, so I don't know, but if I had a sister, it might be like this.

"Umm... moffu moffu..."

"Faa..."

Maisa, who rolled over, clung to me.

Mart is sleeping outside the covers, so she can rub her cheek but can't hug.

Or, Mart is guarding to prevent her from hugging...

"Umm... Kento can't die..."

"Huh..."

I didn't expect to be called in her sleep, so I was a bit startled.

And, being hugged by the soft and warm Maisa, I started to think again.

Huh? She's like a sister... but we're not actually related, and we're just like family... huh?

No, Maisa is four years younger... but when they grow up, a four-year age difference isn't unusual... huh? Huh?

My heart is pounding and I can't sleep... but, Maisa, rubbing against me won't make me "moffu moffu."

"Mmm... pervert... crybaby... pervert..."

"Ugh... is Maisa awake?"

I suspected she might be awake, but after the sleep-talking, she started snoring, and I felt a sudden loss of energy.

If she found out I was worrying about her, I don't know what she would say.

And, I don't think I talk in my sleep, do I?

When I started to think it was silly, sleepiness suddenly hit me, and I was drawn into the world of sleep.

The next morning, I woke up feeling a bit suffocated.

I thought I was being crushed again, but with the bed expanded, Mart and the others were curled up quietly on the side.

I felt a heaviness and coldness around my sternum, and when I lifted the covers, I saw that Maisa was using my stomach as a pillow.

And, she had drooled all over my stomach... I wonder if she's not getting a sore throat from sleeping with her mouth open.

"Rhinhardt, what time is it?"

"It's a bit early to wake up."

"Ha... Well, let her sleep a bit more..."

"Hahaha, it will be fun to see Maisa when she wakes up."

"Ha...