153 Episode 153 "Extra Part 14" Nagi, Iris, and Rafilia's Secretly Cheat Escort Trip (Part 1) "".txt

I've been asked to do some work for you before the trip: ......

Iris sat back in her chair and sighed deeply.

It was the morning of the day Aine, Leticia, and Cutlass had left on their journey. I had been invited by Iris to come to the lord's house in Ilgafa.

This is Iris' own room in the lord's house.

Next to Iris is Rafilia in a maid's outfit waiting for me.

''Actually, I was asked to help in rebuilding the ...... adventurers' guild.

"Rebuilding the Adventurers' Guild?

"Big brother, Rafilia-sama, you also remember that Master Shishou was receiving the 'apakamenjo' at the guild, right?

Iris looked at Rafilia, apologetically.

Rafilia herself has forgotten, or maybe she's just smiling her usual breezy smile.

But I also remember the time when she was undergoing the 'pressure interview' (Ί面せつ) at the guild. I'm sure you'll remember the time when she was verbally beaten to a pulp and it was me and Reggie who rescued her.

''After that, Iris's former brother 'Neuel-Hafeumea' was accused of a crime, and the adventurer's guild in this town has completely lost faith in us.

Well, ...... you will.

The previous guild master and employees have fled, and it's now being run by new people: ......

It's not like I'm going to win back the trust of adventurers anytime soon, is it?

At my words, Iris nodded.

The purpose of the Adventurer's Guild is to protect the adventurers.

If that was the case, if the head of the guild was surrounded by a group of adventurers who were being threatened and left alone, and the head of the one who was threatening them was accused of a crime, then no one would trust the guild.

'I don't care about that anymore. It's because of that that I've become the master's.

Not all of them are as big a vessel as their mentor.

Iris shook Raphilia's hand and laughed.

'But it's a problem, isn't it? If the Adventurer's Guild has lost its credibility, then there are fewer adventurers signing up, aren't there?　And quests to take on.

I said, and Iris nodded.

'Yes. That's causing some problems: ......

Like this one, when gargoyles and demons attack a town, are there fewer people who can move quickly?

...... That's my brother.

We had something similar in the original world: ......

When the place that refers you to jobs keeps quiet about black employers, it's not surprising, but they won't trust you. That will reduce the number of people who will take the job. It takes longer to get quests and to negotiate. It's the adventurers who suffer when the terms of employment are lied to, so that's normal.

But because of that, when something like this 'Gargoyle Attack Incident' happened, there were no adventurers who would immediately take on the task of defeating them. Because even if it was a request from the Irgafa Lord family, the Adventurer's Guild didn't always pass on the information correctly.

That's probably why the regular soldiers had no choice but to make a move this time──I'm sure that's why.

But the regulars are not used to dealing with demons. And since they are heavily armed, they move slowly. Also, if someone with flight or high mobility abilities like a gargoyle comes, ......

We can deal with it, but it will make the Lords family less protected. ......

''The purpose of 'The Veil' was to 'sell magic items to the nobles,' so it wasn't a problem, though. So, if you were to attract soldiers and someone wanted to harm the new lord, you wouldn't be able to respond to them.

''The new lord, Royeld, is innocent, you know. Besides, if your brother were to get involved like ...... this time, Iris would be .......

Iris is trembling faintly, holding her shoulder.

'Iris-sama. I was very blue then.

Raphilia murmured as she looked at Iris with gentle eyes.

''I've sent my brother out to fight. My brother has been taken away. My brother is ......'. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. For a while, I couldn't even send the message of 'consciousness sharing and modification' to the master.

Master!　You don't have to tell your brother that: ......

I know Master is the most important person in the world to me and Iris. If something were to happen to you ...... Iris was going to ask Kerkator to ignore the damage around her and destroy her master's enemies, and I was going to limit my luck to wiping out my bad luck to face his enemies. Ta-da.

...... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you.

Iris and Raphilia, who are resident in the lord's house, aren't going to be in the fight any time soon.

So it seems I've worried them more than everyone else.

'If the same thing happens, I'll make sure we don't get caught up in it. I'm sorry.

I patted Iris and Raphilia's heads.

Iris closes her eyes ticklishly and Raphilia says, "I'm never going to wash this hair. No, I'll wash it. I'll stroke it again afterwards.

'Let me get back to it. Big brother.

Iris turned to me.

''Anyway, the Adventurer's Guild in this town needs to regain its credibility. Like this incident, we don't need to put a burden on big brother. That's why I've decided to help out as the 'Sea Dragon Priestess' .......

That's why Mr. Iris is going to be on an 'errand quest'.

Raphilia took over Iris's words.

''Of course, keeping your identity hidden, right? And after the quest was over, what a surprise 'Sea Dragon Priestess', the quest of the Adventurer's Guild of Ilgafa!

"Our guild also trusts the 'Sea Dragon Priestess' who is descended from the 'Sea Dragon Kerkator'. So please feel free to take the job with confidence - is that right?

Kerkator, the sea dragon, is the guardian deity of this town. Her blood, Iris, is an important figure in the town.

If she accepts the quest, it will be a good appeal to the adventurers. It's the quickest way for the adventurers' guild to regain trust.

Since it's Iris, she didn't accept the quest unconditionally, right?

...... Your brother knows all about Iris's chest, doesn't he?

That's of course.

I can usually tell by the look on Iris' face when she's being 'evil'.

''I've made him promise to thoroughly eliminate the 'black' jobs that big brother was talking about before.

Specifically, the guild will guarantee the content and compensation of the work. He would never get involved with an organization like the 'Divine Life Knights' that bullied his master. If I broke it, Iris declared that she would issue a proclamation saying 'I will never be involved with the Adventurer's Guild again,' and she agreed.

...... You're thorough (tentative). Iris. That's my girl.

What do you think of these terms from your brother's point of view?

I can't complain about that.

Thank you.

Iris held her chest and smiled gently.

''Now Iris can work without worry. Rebuild the Adventurer's Guild so that ...... your brother doesn't have to fight.

So, how long has the quest been going on?

'It's very urgent, but it starts this afternoon. They say it's a simple job, just a half-day's walk from Ilgafa to the village to deliver a memento of the 'new lord'.

All right. I'll be ready when I get home.

What?

What?

Iris is tilting her head in wonderment. I'm the same way.

Raphilia is holding her mouth and laughing, though.

''Brother, are you by any chance coming with us ......?''

'Huh?　Wasn't that what you were talking about?

No, of course not!　I can't believe you're letting your brother's hands be bothered!

Iris tapped the armrest of the chair with her tiny hand.

'And it's an 'easy job for anyone to do,' you know?

That's a rather unsettling phrase: ......

''You will be escorted from the lord's house. The master will also follow you. ......

I owed Iris and the others for worrying about me the other day.

Iris and Master are my brother's slaves.

Iris touched the choker that adorned her neck with her slender fingers.

'Isn't it natural for a slave (Doroi) to be worried about his master?'

'Isn't it natural for a master to be worried about his slaves?

Moo.

Hmm.

What?　Isn't this a wishful thinking?　Lady Iris.

Raphilia looked at Iris with a strange look on her face as if she was looking at something strange.

"Because before going to bed, I always have a parchment under my pillow with a note of 'what you will do when you grow up and take the quest with your brother' written on it...

Oh, Iris turned bright red.

Iris dives straight into the bed. A parchment from the back of the pillow──, how many pieces of parchment are you hiding?　Is it a ritual?　I mean, why are you staring at me with tears in your eyes?

'This is fictitious and has nothing to do with the real Iris. It is!

Dear Iris. I'll be honest.

Raphilia put her hand on Iris's shoulder with a plop.

'I would like Master to come with me on this quest, wouldn't you?　But you held back because you didn't want to interfere with the trip, right?

...... ugh, ugh.

If I'm honest, I'll give you a copy of my upcoming Master Cuddle Pillow, won't you?

'Iris wants to go on a quest with her brother!

It was a quick decision. Good choice.

But what is Rafilia planning to do, anyway? You know, Rafilia has a flair for the arts. I wonder what she's going to do now: .......

"I want to go!　I'd like to join you!　I want to stick around for as long as I couldn't be with my brother when he was in danger!

Okay. Well, I guess I'm going to have to join you.

'...... Master. Please remember that later.

It's good to be honest. Lady Iris.

Rafilia's big breasts are puffed out.

I have no intention of hiding any of my dreams of becoming Ilgafa's local "shape-shifting hero" by wearing a mask that matches my master's!

You have to keep that dream to yourself.

I'm working on a really cool mask, though.

It's a problem because he has a strange sense of humor. Raphilia is.

Jeez, ...... what if I'm in the mood?

''Well then, I'll make sure Iris is ready to go.

Iris, who had sweat on her forehead somewhat, declared that, and we broke up for once.

That's how me, Iris and Rafilia decided to go on an overnight "errand quest" for two days.

──────────────────── ...

Well, I'm off.

Bye. Mr. Nagi.

Oh, and if anything goes wrong, you call me right away, okay?

At noon that day, I spoke to Cecil and Rita and then left the house.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with the help of a few of your friends. The fact that Cecil is embarrassed - I can kind of understand why he's embarrassed.

...... The embarrassment is mutual.

I'm sure you're not the only one who's been through this. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the best of it. You can't hide anything from someone, Rita.

The landlord has arranged for some adventurers to escort you around, so I'm sure there's no danger.

I said, stroking Rita's animal ears.

'I'll be back tomorrow. Then we'll do the 'transference portal' experiment. Be ready.

Uh-huh.

Yes. Nagi-sama!

Rita clammed up a bit, while Cecil bowed his head towards me with a bright red face.

'...... Oh, um, you know what? Nagi.

What are you doing here, Rita?

"This trip is a 'company trip' too, right?

Rita looked at me up and down for some reason.

Of course. This trip is also intended to be a continuation of the "company trip". So...

Yeah. My last trip ended halfway through. I'm on paid leave from today.

"......, okay. I'll try my best. If it's the same as last time, I'll try harder.

Rita clenched her fists and nodded.

''If it's 'Yuukyuu Kyuka', even if I try to do my best myself...''

You don't have to try so hard. It's your day off.

I know. You have the day off, right?

Me and Rita looked at each other.

Rita's cherry-red eyes were looking straight at me.

I thought it stayed that way for about five seconds, and then I heard the sound of a carriage outside.

It was like Raphilia had come to call me.

I'm supposed to meet up with Iris now and head to a village near this town.

''Well, I'll leave the rest to you.

We await your return! ...... Come home soon, ...... master.

And so I waved to Cecil and Rita and left the mansion.

──────────────────── ...

It's nice to meet you. My name is Natalia.

A woman with a spear in her hand introduces herself to me.

She's got her brown hair pulled back into a short bun, and she's wearing a cloak of leather armor.

She's the adventurer who will be escorting Iris with me.

"I will be guarding the 'Sea Dragon Priestess' with you for the duration of your journey. I look forward to working with you.

Lady Natalia is the daughter of a regular captain.

Raphilia adds to the woman's words.

'He was a skilled spearman, and he went to the dungeons of Metekal to train as a warrior.

My father has told me about you. You were the ones who helped Lady Iris during the Festival of the Sea Dragons.

Natalia's tone softened slightly.

''Let's see how much you guys care for the 'Sea Dragon Priestess','''

I hope this is as good as you expect.

I said.

"'Priestess of the Sea Dragon' is very important to me as well.

For me, too!

Me and Raphilia looked at each other and laughed.

It's hard to say "friends" and "family" in this place, though.

We are on a road near the port town of Irgapha.

We can still see the port city walls in the background. We shouldn't go in the wrong direction. If we follow this road to the northeast, we should be able to find our destination village in about 2 hours.

Natalia and I are walking side by side with the carriage.

Rafilia is the one who controls the carriage. The guru skills are provided by the lord family. The horses are the familiar 'pickle' and 'pockle', so they know our comfortable speed. Even if we don't say anything, they'll get us where we need to go, so it's easy.

I'm surprised that I was given such an important assignment so soon after I returned home.

Natalia looked at me and said.

''But now that I have accepted, I will do my best to serve you. My mission is to protect the "Priestess of the Sea Dragon" on her secret journey. I'm sure you understand the importance of that mission, but how about it?

Natalia looked at me with a spear in her hand and sharp eyes.

She seemed to be a serious person.

He's related to the regular soldier commander of the Ilgafa, so he seems trustworthy.

If that's the case, I'll have to answer seriously too.

''I am fully aware of the weight of the task of protecting the 'Sea Dragon Priestess'. I am prepared to offer my loyalty to the "sea dragon priestess" Iris Hapheumea during this journey. I consider it an adventurer's honor to protect the young and beautiful girl.

............ awa. Awwww.

Huh?

The next thing I knew, Iris was looking at me with her face pressed against the carriage window.

She was cheek to cheek. She's snug-nosed and smoldering.

"Mmm. "Mmm. Loyalty. As a fellow adventurer, I have an appreciation for that.

Natalia hit the ground with a stone thrust of her spear, and with a thud.

'Then. Would you be willing to chant the same words I did?

Okay. How so?

'Of course, a declaration to protect the great 'Sea Dragon Priestess'

Of course it is,

I nod.

This time, as an adventurer, I'm guarding Iris.

"Then──'Hon. I will fulfill my mission and bring the sea dragon priestess safely to Ilgafa.

"I will do my duty and get the sea dragon maiden safely to Ilgafa.

''I will protect the sea dragon priestesses along the way.''

I'll be guarding the maiden of the sea dragon on the road.

''In the meantime, I venerate the revered sea dragon priestess and promise not to lift a finger to her.''

"All the while, I have been worshipping the revered maiden of the sea dragon, who I have admired and touched with my finger.

Bang, bang, bang!

The next thing I knew, Iris was tapping frantically on the carriage window.

...... I think it's too much to not touch a finger. Let's try to be a little looser.

"In the meantime, I'm going to stroke the respected sea dragon priestess...

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

In the meantime, I don't want to flirt with a sea dragon priestess I admire...

Doubtful, gobbledygook!

...... Stop banging on the windows with your fists (fists), Iris. What if it breaks?

The horse is frightened. You don't have to show your sea-dragon offspring's dignity here.

''May I have a word with my guards? I'm sorry.

Opening the window, Iris coughs loudly.

With that, Raphilia stops the carriage.

''This quest is to restore trust to the Adventurer's Guild. This must be accomplished by working together. Therefore, Iris is also here now as an adventurer.

Iris declares in a loud voice as well. There's something about it that makes my eyes swim.

'So. I thought we didn't have to think too much about status and so on!　If you ever want to talk to Iris, please feel free to do so. Yes, that's quite all right. What do you think you're doing, old man, if you're wasting the opportunity that Iris has got, but let's just get along!　Pretty good!　Very well!

Oh, how kind of you!

Natalia will be on her knees.

I do the same.

'So ...... not so ......'

I can't help it, I'm in public.

I looked up just a little bit and looked at Iris.

Iris's cheeks puffed out, but she nodded. She seemed to understand.

─ We will talk about it later in the evening, but we will have plenty to talk about! We'll have a lot to talk about later!　Because the opportunity to hear the stories of these adventurers is something that Iris would be happy to hear.

I'll take those words to heart!

Natalia shouts out, as if impressed.

Then Iris moves her head, buzzing, and looks at me.

'I'll take those words to heart!

I follow Natalia's lead and chant.

'It's true, it's true, it's true, it's true!

Inside the carriage, Iris turned her chest back, nodded her head in agreement, and closed the carriage window.

──────────────────── ...

The journey continued smoothly.

The travel time was less than three hours. We only encountered a demon once.

The only thing that happened was that a giant bat - 'Giant Bat (red, diurnal)' appeared aiming at the horses. When Rafilia fired an arrow at them, all three of them fell together.

The reason why the land demons didn't appear is because I placed the 'slime' on the roof of the carriage.

Raphilia's messenger 'Elder Slime' and the three 'Green Slimes' that I found in the swamp when I paused. Collectively, I negotiated with Magic Sword Reggie's skill 'Liquid Creature Domination (Slime Bringer)' and hired them as guards instead. Of course, Natalia didn't need this.

I asked a total of 4 slimes to hide on the roof of the carriage. When they see a demonic shadow, I asked them to combine their bodies and raise it up and threaten it with a gau-gee," he said.

I see. ...... It's hard for slime to hear physical attacks," he said.

And I'm sure the demons wouldn't go near an enemy bigger than themselves.

Raphilia and Iris heard about my plan and agreed with me. In secret, though.

I guess it worked, and no demons other than giant bats showed up. Good.

Of course, we gave the green slime people some dried meat as a reward.

We said goodbye before we reached the village, but 'if you need me, give me a call again! I was told (through Reggie). Apparently there are slimes that like to travel as well.

Now that I've learned how to recognize the "travel-loving slime", I'll look for it on the way back.

──────────────────── ...

So we arrived safely at our destination village before nightfall.

Iris safely handed a gift from the new lord to the village headman and said, "It's nice to meet you again" (greeting). After that, we decided to rest at the lodge they had set up for us.

After that, Iris called me into her room and asked me to tell her a story about the adventurer.

Tea is ready to be made.

Thanks, Rafilia.

I'll take it. Master.

It was dusk.

We were sitting side by side on the bed in our room, drinking tea.

""Whew."

Then the three of us all breathe a sigh of relief.

"Rafilia, you're getting better at making tea.

'In my spare time, I have Aine to guide me. When I'm at the lord's house, the head chef.

'The master gets along with the maids and the people in the kitchen very quickly.

I'm also gathering information. Everyone on the ground knows best what's going on in the house of the lord.

Raphilia nudged her elf ears against my shoulder and nodded.

As the three of us sat side by side, we quickly went into our usual relaxation mode. When we do this, it's almost the same as when we're at home. Iris is happily flapping her thin legs, and Rafilia is relaxing her shoulders.

I'm glad we came together.

''Speaking of which, are Aine and Leticia-sama and Cutlass-sama, who went on the trip, okay?

Raphilia said as she brewed another cup of tea.

''Yeah. There was a 'message' that we arrived safely in 'Sharka's Town'.'

I called up the window and double-checked the message I received from Aine. It said that the three of us arrived in the winged town of 'Sharka' without much trouble.

However, there was one thing written in the message that bothered me.

On the way, the three of them rescued an adventurer who was being attacked by a demon.

At that time, they heard that there was a conflict between the sub-humans (demi-humans) who live in the forest. And because of the conflict, the demons who live in the forest are coming out on the roads.

The sub-humans who live in the forest are represented by elves and beastmen. I've sent a message to Rita and asked her to gather information about that area at the Adventurer's Guild.

So far, nothing in particular.

The Adventurer's Guild in Irgafa has completely lost all credibility, so they're not getting any information in anymore. That's why Iris is going to receive the quest this time, though.

''Conflict between sub-humans, huh? ...... I'm curious.

Is this going to affect the port city?

'We do business with them on a small scale. We do business with them on a small scale, but we do deal with them on a small scale: nuts and berries, their seeds and seedlings. I thought it would have little economic impact.

I'll gather more information when I get back. Maybe the Merchant's Guild will be able to get more information.

Okay. I'll make a move on Iris.

Moo. Both of you ...... can't have difficult stories until you're on the road, right?

Raphilia sits back down next to me.

Then, with a puff, she rested her head on my shoulder.

We're just adventurers who were asked by the Adventurer's Guild. And the Master has given us a paid vacation. The master's orders are absolute, so Iris and I have to relax when we're not working.

...... Iris loves that about her mentor.

Iris laughed and put her little head on my shoulder, just like Raphilia did.

You know ...... I can't move in this position, can I?

I'm just a little bit of help in the world, right?

We're just taking it easy on ourselves. That's our way of throwing parties.

You said that, didn't you?　Iris and the others, we will obey your orders.

We're your loyal slaves.

''Of course...''

Iris and Rafilia join their voices together.

I guess it can't be helped.

The two of you had us worried about the incident with the Veil. Let's not be like this for a while longer.

Well, I was just thinking...

Konnichiwa, konnichiwa.

Mister Iris, may I have a word with you?

There was a knock at the door and Natalia's voice.

Me, Iris and Rafilia looked at each other and nodded.

''...... disguise operation has begun (Gisoussaku kanshi).''

...... formation C. In an adventurous reporting version!　Feel free to arrange it!

I have an idea at ...... Iris!

"...... got it!　We'll be right with you!

Ssshhh. Whisper.

And then we switched positions and...

Is there anything wrong with ......, what are you doing?

Natalia walks into the room and rolls her eyes.

Yeah ...... that's what happens.

The formation we took is for Iris and I to cover up if someone comes in when we're playing family.

Formation C is the position of me kneeling in front of Iris and reporting as an adventurer. Raphilia is next to her, and she pats me on the back instead of Iris.

But it would be suspicious if it's the same every time, so I've made a lot of arrangements.

And this time the arrangement is - a relaxing version, but ......

Can I help you?　Dear Natalia: ...... hmmm.

No, you know what? ......

Natalia looked at Iris, then at me next to her, then at Rafilia...

Why are the adventurers Nagi and Iris sticking their feet in the trough together?

I thought I'd ease your travel fatigue.

I said.

Raphilia, by the way, will be standing next to us after transferring the hot water to the tub for tea. After Natalia leaves, though, she's supposed to take over with Iris.

I was born in the East, and I know a place where you can get rid of the fatigue in your feet by munching.

I said with a stick.

This was Iris's brainchild, but ...... didn't you have a better way to cheat?

This stimulation of Mr. Iris's feet with his toes will help to relieve the fatigue of the journey.

Then I touched Iris's tiny feet in the tub with my toes.

I push the sole of her foot up with my thumb, and she pushes back with a plop.

Iris lets out a "haha". She's splashing around, bouncing the hot water and looking good. When I was standing in my former world, I once looked online for ways to loosen my tickled feet. That seemed to help.

Now I just need to stimulate the pressure points in a little more detail.

'Hey ...... Onii ...... Nagi-sama. The space between your toes is ...... yo yo ...... hmmm.

Iris was pouting, but then she noticed Natalia's gaze.

Okay, so what's the big deal?　Has something happened in the village?

'Yes, yes. That's the one.

Natalia's eyes were downcast.

It's like she pretended not to see the scene in front of her. Excellent.

"There's been a break-in in the village," she said. And the Mayor asked if everything is ok.

Intruder?

'Yes, sir. It's dusk, and those in the village have only seen shadows. ......

Natalia's voice trailed off, as if she was afraid to be heard.

'The lodgings of the messenger from Irgafa' - she asked.

The messenger from Ilgafa: ...... Are you sure you're an assassin?

I said, and Natalia shook her head.

He wants to talk. That's all. I'll secure the perimeter of the inn, just in case. You can go to .......

I understand.

I pulled my feet out of the tub.

Iris looked unhappy, but it's your job.

I'll leave the rest of the leg joints to Raphilia.

'Be careful with ...... your brother, .......'

...... Please let me know if you need anything else. ...... master.

Iris and Raphilia murmured in a small voice.

I nodded to them both and left the room.

This journey for Iris is a snub. Only the Adventurer's Guild knows that Iris is riding in the carriage. I don't see how the guild can leak information when they are trying to regain our trust.

That means that the other party didn't know that we are Iris and simply came to contact the messenger from Ilgafa, without knowing that we are Iris.

I wonder if it has something to do with the demons that Aine and the others fought: ......

We'll look into it.

If it's not something we should be involved in, that's fine.

If it's not, then .............

............ Well, we'll figure it out later.

I went back to my room and decided to go out to look around with Reggie the Magic Sword.