Chapter 43

"Why do I have to live in this mansion...?"

While wiping the tea that I had spurted out, I asked Natalie.

"The two of you will be safest here, and besides—we need to hear the kingdom’s story. There are other reasons too..."

Indeed, there are plenty of spare rooms, and as long as I’m the head of the household, Felis won’t be kicked out, so there’s no real problem.

As I was pondering, Shal stood up and bowed her head.

"Mr. Touya, I also ask you. Could you please let us stay here?"

At the same time, Al bowed her head as well.

If two women bow and make a request, a Japanese man can’t just refuse.

"Alright... There are still empty rooms, so it’s not a problem, but what about the shop?"

"For now, we’ll commute from here. Eventually—no, we’ll talk about it after things are decided. For now, just think of it as us monitoring you to make sure you don’t do anything to them."

"Th-that’s not gonna happen!"

I immediately denied Natalie’s words.

Indeed, both of them are beautiful. Given my current age, they might be a suitable match.

However... Shal clearly looks like a noble lady, and even though Al claims to be a knight, she might also be a noble.

Even though we have a mansion, it’s unlikely they’ll stay here for long as adventurers.

Besides, it seems like I’ll get dragged into some troublesome matters.

"For now, just make yourselves comfortable. I’m going to take a bath."

Leaving those words, I left the dining room.

"Ah... This feels so good..."

Soaking in the large bathtub, I let my fatigue melt away. It had only been a few days since I left home, but the events were so overwhelming that it was mentally exhausting.

While soaking, I thought about the future.

...I can’t go back to my original world anymore.

I’ve killed someone with my own hands—.

Even if I could return to Japan, this feeling won’t disappear.

I might have been exposed to too much "death."

While thinking about these things, I submerged myself in the bathtub up to my mouth.

◇◇◇

After Touya left for the bath, the remaining three gathered around the table with serious expressions.

"So... How is the situation in the country?"

At Natalie’s words, the two of them looked grim.

As Al reported the battle situation bit by bit, Natalie’s expression grew darker.

"---I see, Gallet is gone too... He was a good man. If anyone could defeat him, it would be someone beyond the others."

Natalie sighed deeply and took a sip of tea.

"My father assigned me and Al a group of soldiers and told us to come to you immediately. I haven’t heard the details..."

"That ‘Hero’—what kind of existence is he...? I want to avenge my father."

Al clenched her fist and shed tears of frustration. Shal gently placed her hand on Al’s back and rubbed it.

"I can’t do anything alone. And this country won’t move. If there were a stronger presence, it might be different..."

"---Mr. Touya. If we could borrow Mr. Touya’s strength..."

At Shal’s words, Natalie tilted her head.

"Would Touya alone make a difference? After all, he’s just one person. He’d reach his limit against ten opponents."

"No, I can’t see the bottom of Mr. Touya’s strength. Even in that battle, I think he was holding back."

"---Really? Can I hear about Touya’s battle?"

Natalie latched onto Al’s words. Natalie had also felt that Touya was quite capable. He had a lot of knowledge she didn’t know, especially about food.

Recalling the battle, Al began to explain.

"---So, Touya is that strong..."

"Yes... And he’s still only level 17. I couldn’t believe it either."

From a knight’s perspective, his strength in that battle didn’t seem to match his level at all.

Indeed, the level on his guild card was still low, even lower than Al’s. No one in the country’s knights could defeat him.

Moreover, it was a common belief that forging a guild card was impossible.

Even so, his strength in the battle against the orcs and soldiers didn’t seem to match his level.

"Indeed, regarding Mr. Touya’s strength... Al even proposed marriage without thinking."

"?!...W-well... When I saw that battle..."

Shal smiled as she spoke, and Al’s face turned bright red.

"To the point where a beastman would propose marriage... Hmm, that might not be a bad idea. He’s a decent man. I could be his partner, but for some reason, humans don’t find me attractive. Despite being so charming... Why is that?"

Natalie’s words made Shal and Al’s expressions twitch.

They had heard from their parents that she was around the age of a “monk,” but when they met her after ten years, their impression was that she hadn’t changed at all.

"But Mr. Touya is indeed attractive. He seems more mature than his age, and he’s so strong. If I weren’t bound by royal ties..."

"Wh-what!? Shal too!?"

Al’s face turned red as she exclaimed in surprise at Shal’s words.

"You two are still young. If Touya chooses, it will be me! With this mature charm!"

"Impossible!!"

"Why not!!"

While Touya was in the bath, the girls’ conversation heated up.

Thank you as always.