36 Episode 36 "A Small Request from Nagi to Cecil".txt

Iris...... isn't kidding, right?

She's on a chair, and she's bowing deeply.

...... us, in the center?

'Yes, sir. I want you guys to be the last line of defense for Iris.

As you may know, my fellow wizards aren't feeling well, and our forces are greatly diminished, so if we have more than 30 adventurers to escort Lady Iris, I don't think we'll make much difference with our strength.

But I still need to ask you, sir.

Iris did not relent.

'Why?'

For Iris does not 'understand' you.

Because 'I don't understand'?

There's a saying in the port city of Ilgafa. 'If you save a man from drowning, be prepared to throw away a piece of luggage' - you don't save a man unless there's merit in it.

It was an amazing rationalism.

'And yet what Lady Souma wanted as a reward for helping Iris is truly modest. Iris can't understand that.

I probably wouldn't be able to explain that to you.

The only reason Rita insisted on helping Iris was because she liked little kids and couldn't leave them alone, and the only reason I allowed it to happen was because I was disgusted with the guy who was making even dead people work in black, and the limp Iris overlapped with Cecil, who was running a fever.

'But maybe it's because you're like that, Souma-sama, that you're able to resist the same incomprehensible 'enemy'.

With that, Iris concluded her story and bowed her little head once more.

'I have my priorities,'

I said.

"We were the only ones who could save you then, Iris. That's why I did it. And now he's going to be protected by a lot of adventurers. That's why I want to put my friends first in protecting him. That's why I want to protect my friends first.

So how about a guest?

"Our guest?

There is no need for a 'contract'. As an equal friend, you can be a place for Iris to escape to if she is ever needed. You may use the villa's detached house as a place for that purpose.

Dear Iris: "Dear Iris, ...... that's as far as you'll go: ......

'Your father never said not to make friends on the road. Matilda.

Iris shook off the maid's hand and laughed.

'My lord said, 'Choose your friends,' my lord, Iris.

I remember. 'Think about how many arshahs you can earn for the time you spend on that friend,' right?

What kind of day trader are you, Lord Irgafa?

'But,' he said, 'keep the assets you won't touch until the end. It will save you,' he also said. It will help Iris to have a place to escape to one day. What do you think, Nagi-sama?

Yes, that's about it: ...... of course.

More than 30 adventurers, an army of soldiers to come. And the wealth, connections, and other assets of the port city of Ilgafa.

It's unlikely that Iris, who is so well protected, would ever rely on us.

Thank you, Mr. Souma. Dear Souma.

Iris plucked at the hem of her skirt and gave a little bow.

"Now Iris and Nagi-sama are friends. Since we are going to be friends, shall we formally 'contract' to 'become friends'?

''Didn't you consider the possibility that they were controlling the 'Black Armor (Living Mail)'?　Lady Iris.

In the parlor after Souma-Nagy and Rita-Melpheus have left.

Matilda asks Iris while she is re-brewing her cooled tea.

She approaches her, pretending that she saved Iris-sama herself. It's a common practice.

'Yes. They knew they were under suspicion too. That's probably why they came here.

Iris replied as she dangled her feet on the chair.

'If they were the mastermind, they would leave some of the party members at the inn. Both to communicate with the outside world and to provide an escape route. The fact that they have all come away together is a statement of their willingness to accept our family's surveillance.

What if there were more than just those five party members?

'You can't read all the winds and waves at sea,' as the saying goes, 'You can't read all the winds and waves at sea,' and Matilda knows that, don't you?　At that point, let's just give up on the fact that you didn't have eyes for us.

But, Mr. Iris!　You don't know what kind of a person you're talking about, and you don't want to be friends with them!

'I will not allow you to speak ill of your friend Iris!

Iris couldn't help but exclaim.

Souma-sama was her first friend.

There had never been anyone like that before. She had never had the chance to meet him in the first place.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. I'm sure you'll be able to find a good deal more information on the subject.

'You know what, Matilda? If you were an enemy, you would have hired me to get close to Iris, right?　And yet those people refused the request. The reason for that is a party member who is in poor health. Moreover, they claimed to themselves that they don't have much of an ability. Where is such a strange enemy?

Ugh, Matilda choked on her words.

Sigh.

Matilda is a maid given to her by her father. I don't hate her, but I resent her trying to manage herself forever. Even this visit to the grave was only possible after persuading Matilda for several hours. It's not right to take so much time and effort to visit your own mother's grave, and it's also disgusting to have her look at you and say, "See?" just because you were attacked.

Even Iris knows her place. I will do the work of a miko, and I will do the work of a maiden. I don't dislike the work of a maiden, and I don't dislike the work of shipping. But the thought of devoting one's life to the Irugafa is disgusting.

"A place I can run to when the need arises...

Just the fact that there is a place like that makes me feel lighter.

That alone was worth the effort of talking to Souma-sama.

I wish them luck on their journey. Hopefully, we'll meet again.

Well. Let's unravel another escape route.

Iris ordered Matilda to bring out a book.

It's a love story between a sea dragon's daughter and a human boy. Of all the legends, this is the closest to the truth.

I don't remember a single word of its content.

Still, I'm free only when I'm reading the story.

Two souls pledged to each other. The boy's strength is healed and he acquires new skills.

The boy's strength is healed and he gains new skills, and he faces a new challenge from the sea dragon.

The only thing that allows him to connect his soul is to defeat the sea dragon's natural enemy.

He must defeat the sea dragon's natural enemy, a giant monstrous fish that walks across many lakes.

The name of the monstrous fish, which is covered with pearl-colored scales and has many tentacles, is...　

Could a brave man who has survived his ordeal come to ...... Iris to kidnap her, too?

The house we rented was located across the river from Iris' house.

It's a brick building with a chimney on the roof, and a well in the garden. There's a well in the garden. There was room for all of us and a tub with feet. As you would expect, there was no hot spring on tap.

When we returned, Cecil and his friends had just finished eating the stew that Aine had made.

I explained the situation to the three of them and then went about my own business.

Rita was on alert for the surroundings. Aine is cleaning up and Leticia is helping Aine.

Cecil's job, for now, is to sleep.

I'm in my room, checking out what I received from Iris.

Four skill crystals that were given away at cost. The healers are supposed to come tomorrow at noon.

I also have a book written about "Spirit Link" and "Engage".

Spirit Link and Engage

A vow ceremony that binds the souls together to ensure that the bond between them continues after they are reincarnated.

Each race has its own way of doing this, and it is formed when two people who are "deeply connected as one living being" make a vow of eternity. It is also possible for two or more souls to be connected in the same way.

All the rituals are meant to unite the magic and breath of two people.

When the 'soul agreement' is established, the souls will resonate and a great recovery effect will occur, awakening them to a new skill.'

The system of 'Engage' is simple.

However, it is said to be terribly difficult to synchronize with each other.

All of the rituals are designed to synchronize the breathing and magical power of two people who are 'Engaging Souls'. The rituals are numerous and complex, and there are few concrete records left of them.

''Even in the ...... original world, it's said that there was originally a complicated procedure for marriage. With that upper version, it can't help but be complicated.

The light from the lamp illuminates the book.

The only voices that can be heard are those of Aine and Leticia. Compared to the inn, it's very quiet.

In this way, I hope Cecil can sleep calmly...

...................

.................. Cecil, I hope you're okay.

I hope there's something like this, some kind of magic to boost your strength.

It could be a blessing or ...... ritual.

...... rituals .............

"The two of us are as one living being deeply connected as one another.

"Great recovery effect.

"Skill Awakening.

............ I see.

I left the room.

Cecil's room is next door.

I knocked, waited for him to answer, and then opened the door.

I didn't want to wake you up. "Cecil.

I've slept a lot on ....... ............

Under the moonlight, Cecil was waking up.

She's wearing a nightgown that she kept in her room. It resembles the yukata in my world.

It suits Cecil, who has a slender figure, well.

How are you feeling?　Can I get you some water?

You're welcome. ......

With sleepy eyes, Cecil replies.

'I'm much ...... better than I was during the day. I'll be ready to work tomorrow.

No.

At ......, but I'm not comfortable doing this at ......

Cecil wiped his sweaty forehead and murmured absentmindedly.

"Even Nagi-sama, you all have your part to play, but ...... I'm the only one who can do this.

So why don't you do me a favor?

Do you mind?

Yes.

I said.

"I want you to spirit-link with me.

...... Oh, yes. Okay. Wow.

Cecil opened his mouth with a pop and looked at me with bright red eyes.