Chapter 8

Was what she said true?

No, no, that was probably a lie.

That girl likes to play pranks and often teases me.

Surely, there’s nothing to it. Yeah, there’s nothing to it.

I stood outside, looking at the castle I live in, thinking such thoughts.

Well, it’s quite something that a man like me, who has no particular merits, can live in such a grand castle.

Of course, it’s all thanks to everyone in the guild.

Thinking about it, my gratitude towards everyone grew even more.

Well, I shouldn’t keep these thoughts to myself.

So, I expressed my appreciation and thanks to Sorgros, who was watching over me.

“―――――!?”

Then, in the quiet forest where nothing moved, a presence was suddenly agitated.

Furthermore, Sorgros, who was standing on a tree, fell down with a rustling sound.

Eh...? Was it so funny that I said thank you?

“S-Such a thing! It is out of the question! Rather, it is always I who... Yes, I who always receive so much from everyone...”

Turning around, Sorgros, dressed in a ninja outfit, was frantically prostrating herself.

But, why...?

Moreover, she emphasized that it was always her.

No, I feel like I’m doing a lot to repay everyone in the guild.

Anyway, I need to go to her...

“W-What is it, Master...?”

Sorgros, who seemed suspicious of my approach.

To be guarded by the guild master just for approaching...

I’m not sad or anything...

No matter how the guild members think of me, it won’t change what I’m about to do.

It might be a bit unpleasant, but please bear with it.

I explained this to her and lifted her right hand.

Then, I asked her to roll up her sleeve and expose her right shoulder.

There, a certain emblem was drawn.

I touched it and poured in the excess magic power I had.

“Uwan!?”

Sorgros let out a surprised cry.

I was also surprised by her cry.

Sorry... I should have explained it better.

However, I can’t stop pouring in magic power now, so I’ll continue, even though I feel bad about it.

“Nn, fu...”

Sorgros let out a somewhat seductive breath.

If I hadn’t lived for so long, it might have been dangerous.

But, I want you to feel reassured.

Having lived for an incredibly long time, I believe I have a level of rationality that surpasses most people.

One of the few things I can be proud of.

Also, Sorgros, who hides everything except her eyes in her ninja outfit, might have been in danger if it weren’t for the concealing cloth.

Sorgros is very cute.

However, I can’t imagine laying a hand on her, whom I’ve raised since she was a child and think of as a child.

...Yeah, I think it’s about time.

Thinking this, I removed my hand from her right shoulder.

“Haa... haa...”

Sorgros looked as if she was gasping for breath.

...I’m not doing anything strange, okay?

All I did was send magic power through the guild emblem to heal the bruises she got from falling.

However, as expected of Sorgros, she didn’t have any damage even after falling from a fairly high tree.

If I fell from there, I would probably break a bone.

This might be due to the fact that I am human and Sorgros is a monster.

Well, I’ve lived for an incredibly long time, which is hard to believe for a human.

I wonder why... Is it because of the amount of magic power I have?

Oops, I shouldn’t be thinking about this now.

I really need to check if Sorgros is okay and ask her.

“Hah! I’m fine! To worry about a fool like me and even use the noble magic power of the Master to heal me...! I will work even harder for the Master!!”

Sorgros knelt before me, her eyes shining as she looked at me.

No, that’s an exaggeration.

After all, worrying about and helping guild members is something a guild master should do.

Besides, I’m always taking care of Sorgros, so this is only natural.

“What humility...! I am even more impressed!”

When I explained my thoughts, Sorgros only made her eyes shine even more.

What is it...? I feel like I’m being severely misunderstood as a person...

Not just Sorgros, but I feel like the guild members are misunderstanding me a lot.

Anato even deifies me and offers prayers.

She’s a good girl, but it’s scary when it goes that far...

“Mm, they’re here.”

While I was worrying about the guild members, Sorgros reported, looking at the guild castle.

Her face looked very displeased.

“Tsk. To interrupt a moment between the Master and me...”

Sorgros muttered something, but unfortunately, I couldn’t hear it.

Maybe because I’ve lived for a long time, my hearing has declined.

I often miss what the guild members say.

As I was looking at the castle with Sorgros, a small figure appeared at the entrance.

Well, at this time, I can guess who it is.

“Master... Where are you...?”

The small figure was indeed the girl I had guessed.

She had long, wavy green hair and a large flower as a hair accessory.

But now, the bud was closed, not showing its beautiful petals.

Her face was innocent and adorable, like a child.

However, I can tell she will grow up to be a beautiful woman.

...I won’t let this girl marry easily!

She was walking unsteadily, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

Her eyes were searching for me.

She seemed anxious about my absence, and tears were welling up in her eyes.

Fufu, she’s still a child.

“Master... Where are you...?”

As I was captivated by her cuteness, she called out to me again.

Her voice was trembling and very sad.

Oh, I should go to her now; it would be cruel to leave her like this.

I called her by her name—Laladi.

“Master!”

Hearing my voice, Laladi looked at me as if she had found a treasure.

When she saw me, her face, which had been distorted with sadness, lit up like a flower blooming.

Oh, so cute!

All my guild members are cute, but in terms of the cuteness unique to children, Laladi might be the cutest!

Laladi wobbled over to me.

She seemed frustrated that her legs weren’t moving as she wanted.

Ah, right. Laladi, being of her race, isn’t very good at walking.

“Master...”

Laladi looked at me with a pout.

Fufu, she’s still a child.

I’ve raised most of the guild members since they were young, but they rarely act this way anymore.

Children who act cute are adorable, so I can’t help but be soft on Laladi.

“Ahh... Master...”

I said a word to Sorgros and decided to go to Laladi.

Sorgros, watching me leave, looked sad and reached out her hand.

Oh... I’m weak for this kind of thing.

But, I want to go to Laladi now...

“Ahh... Master...”

I gently stroked her head, conveying my apology.

Her hair, a characteristic of her race, was slightly damp.

However, I didn’t mind and continued to stroke it gently.

“Hah, Master! The head pat was so nice!”

When I said I would go to Laladi, Sorgros nodded happily.

So, she’s still a bit of a crybaby, even though she’s grown up and can do her job well.

Maybe the other guild members are still children too.

I’ll try to praise them and pat their heads like I used to.

Feeling like a father who hasn’t been pampered by a child in a long time, I headed towards Laladi.

“...”

Huh?

Looking at Laladi’s face, I tilted my head.

How do I put it... I usually see her laughing cutely, but today she looks completely expressionless.

Her eyes, which usually sparkle, were now fixed on... not me, but Sorgros, who was holding her head and laughing, “Hehehe...”

...What’s going on?

When I got close to Laladi and asked what was wrong, she puffed out her cheeks and looked at me cutely.

“Master. I want a piggyback.”

Laladi opened her arms and pleaded with me.

...She’s really clingy.

“Ufufu”

And I, who accepted it, am just as bad.

Laladi wrapped her arms around my back and her legs around my waist, clinging to me.

She hummed a cute tune, looking satisfied.

She even rubbed her cheek, which had the guild emblem, against mine.

Her skin, soft and plump, felt very nice.

As I did this, the emblem began to glow, indicating that she was receiving magic power from me.

“It’s delicious, Master.”

I see, that’s good.

I have an excess of magic power, so I’ll give you as much as you want.

As she absorbed magic power from me, the bud on Laladi’s head slowly bloomed.

Finally, it blossomed into a beautiful full bloom.

Wow, it’s always so beautiful.

“I’m blushing.”

Laladi’s cheeks turned red at my words.

...Still, she’s not just rubbing her cheeks but her whole body against me, being very clingy.

She’s so skilled at rubbing her body against me while clinging to me.

...I’m fine, even though I feel a small sensation. I’m old, so it’s okay.

“Master. I need to go to the bathroom.”

I see, that’s why she was looking for me.

Even though I say she’s like a child, she’s a girl.

Ideally, she should ask a female guild member, but she throws a tantrum if I suggest it.

In the end, it’s my job to carry her to various places because she can’t walk well.

I told her I understood and started walking.

“Mmm! I’m so jealous...”

“Why? Sorgros also got a head pat.”

“Muhuhu, indeed, I was very happy... But, she sent such a strong killing intent at me. I almost threw a shuriken.”

“The plants will protect me. They’ll just eat you and bury you in the ground.”

“Oh, that’s scary. For monsters to be so hostile to each other, the world is truly in decline.”

“Actually, Laladi doesn’t dislike Sorgros. She just doesn’t like how Sorgros acts as a ‘stalker’ under the guise of being a bodyguard.”

“Well, Laladi isn’t that bad at walking. Her ‘acting’ is just annoying.”

“...”

“...”

Hmm? The air feels tense...

“Nothing, Master.”

“Yes! Everything is fine!”

When I asked them, they said there was no problem.

Even though I don’t do much work as the master, they are more reliable now.

If they say it’s fine, it must be fine.

I walked, carrying Laladi in my arms, feeling reassured.