142-Episode 142: Shadow Warrior's Shadow Warrior !?

Aydra asked us to meet Megri and show her the many adventures we've had since we became adventurers.

'Awesome!　Megrielna has had such an awesome adventure!　Lovely!　It's like something out of a storybook, fighting huge, horrible demons and going on an adventure to an island in the sky!

When Aydra-san heard our story, she looked at Megri-san with great enjoyment and envy.

'But why did you become an adventurer?　You don't have to be an adventurer if you're going to do my shadow work, do you?

'My mother ordered me to become an adventurer. She said I should gain some real-world experience before I could formally serve as a shadow warrior.

I see, that certainly makes sense.

No one would expect the princess's shadow to be an adventurer.

Besides, if something goes wrong, my status as an adventurer will come in handy.

Yeah, it's not uncommon for royalty to become adventurers in order to create a temporary identity.

In the adventures of the great swordsman Rygaard, there was a story about a prince who became an adventurer in an assumed form to punish the villains along with Rygaard.

But that story became so popular that before I knew it, another story with the prince as the main character was created.

I'd love to have that kind of wonderful adventure. I'd love to have a wonderful adventure like that too.

''Master Idra, that's not exactly........''

I know. It's just not allowed.

Aydra-san looks down in disappointment from the joyful atmosphere she was in earlier, and she looks down at us.

And instead, Megri-san turns her gaze to us.

''Everyone, I was ordered by my mother to work as Aydra-sama's shadow warrior. So we can no longer be together as adventurers.

Well, what can I say?

Yeah. Well, that's what it's all about in the first place.

Perhaps they had already discussed it, but Jairo-kun and Mina-san readily accepted Megri-san's opinion.

''Are you sure?''

In response, Liliera-san asks them.

I guess Liliella-san knows that, but she still couldn't help but ask.

After all, even though they are not part of the same party, they are fellow adventurers who have gone on adventures together.

It's natural to be sad to hear that such friends will be separated from each other.

''Thank you Liliella. But I need to be there for Aydra-sama so that I can be her shadowman whenever she needs me. If I were to go on an adventure, I might not be able to make it in time when the need arises. Then there's no point in being a shadow warrior.

...of course.

It's a difficult question.

When it comes to a nobleman's shadow warrior, you really don't know what's going to happen at any given moment, so there are always a number of different shadow warriors ready to go at any given time.

There was even a country that used a super elaborate golem as a shadow warrior.

I'm sure you're right. I think we should prepare a golem shadow warrior as well, don't you think?

Suddenly I remember that and suggest it to everyone.

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

Uh, Master Lex. What the hell is a golem's shadow warrior?

When Aydra-san heard my words, she asked me with a scowling face.

I think the shadow warriors using golems are rather famous among the nobility, but.......oh, Aydra-san is a princess in the position of being protected, so maybe she doesn't know about it on the contrary.

''There are some very elaborate golems that are used for your shadow warriors.

Is that right?

What?　I've never heard of a golem like that!　Is this more sophisticated than the other golem?

You're going to have to be a good friend to get it.

It's a little too excited to be curious about the new magic technology.

"Yes, it requires a bit of precious materials and a bit of work, but I can make a golem that moves as well as a shadow warrior.

""It's definitely not a little bit or a lot."

Haha, that's not true.

And I don't think a golem would be able to have a complex conversation.

I wonder if it's possible.

If I had the materials and time, I could do that, but I don't have the materials on hand to do that.

'Ah, but if you don't need a freestanding type, I can make a golem where the user attaches a magic item to control it.

"....a flying magic item?

'Yes. A golem that can move the golem around as well as its own body and feel as if it were there.

""What kind of super technology is that?"

''Um, oh yeah. I have some leftover golems I made in Dragonia the other day, so let's give you a little experience with these.

""Like that leftover dinner!"

I take out the emergency stopper from the magic bag, along with the armor-type golem.

The quality of the materials used in this one for the golem wasn't great, so I made it in case it went out of control.

''I'm going to convert this emergency stopper into a golem control system. I'll just shave it off a bit and.......hmmm, well, it's just a trial run this time, so I'll just make this part appropriate.

'Ma, magic items are being made at random...'

Oh, relax, Mina. This is Lex's quality. It's just a waste of time and exhaustion in light of our common sense...

"Oh, great, bro!　I don't know what I'm doing, but it's amazing how easy it is to modify a magic item!

Well, modifying magic items is so easy.

'Lord Aydra, it only looks that way because it's Lex. Not normally.

"There we go!　Please, Master Idra, try moving the golem around with this.

Now that we've completed our trial maneuvering magic item, let's get Idra to use it.

''I wonder how I'm going to use this?''

"First, you will fix this image crystal made of the gemstone to your head. Then, when you press this button on the control panel...

'Well!　I'm right in front of you!

Activating the golem, Aydra-san was surprised when she saw herself.

Yeah, I just placed the golem directly in front of Aydra-san.

'Go ahead, move the golem. If you move it here, it will move left and right.

Here's the thing!

As I teach Aydra how to operate it, she awkwardly maneuvers the golem.

'Wow!　It's like having two bodies!

Aydra-san exclaimed excitedly as she piloted the golem for the first time.

''This was hastily made for you to try it out, but if you give me a little time, I can make it feel more like a real body.

'Excellent, Lady Lex!　Well, for example, for example, is it possible for me to make a golem for snitching that can walk around the outside world while I'm in the castle?

Aydra-san, who was interested in the piloted golem, looks extremely excited and bites into it.

I'm going to make it. It's enough to make the transmitter for the control unit to be able to handle long distances.

Yeah, we'd love to see you make it!　My shadow golem and my snobby golem!　Oh, and please make sure your snake golem looks different from me.

Aydra-san, who was completely addicted to the charm of the golem, immediately placed her order.

She's a young lady who can't usually go outside, so she can't help but be curious about the outside world, can she?

''I understand. Two golems, right?''

A natural moving golem disguised as a human, well, it's been a long time since I've had my arms ring!

Yes!　It's a golem that's meant to enjoy the outside world, so it should also have a certain amount of sturdiness and strength for self-defense!

"You will be paid as you wish. Except for the cost of materials, of course. That's right!　I don't care if it's a title, if you want it!

Aydra-san couldn't hide her excitement and asked me to demand whatever I want for my reward besides money, but as expected, I don't want that.

''No, I don't need a knighthood. Just the money for the golem is enough.

"Why?　If you can make a golem that great, the country will welcome you with open arms!

I don't like that.

I don't like that, because that's why I was forced to do so many troublesome jobs in my previous life.

I don't want to get involved in power. I want to live a quiet, inconspicuous life.

And that's why I became an adventurer.

""No, I don't think that's possible."

Kewl.

Why are you all so quick to deny it?　Why are you all together in the same boat, Fluffy?

'And, at any rate, adventurers are lovers of freedom, so we're not interested in anything that constrains our freedom, no matter how much it's worth.

Well!　Master Rex is a selfless man, isn't he!

Aydra-san was looking at me as if she couldn't believe it, but she let out a small sigh and straightened her posture to look at me.

''I understand. It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get any more rewards from me. However, simply paying the price is a sign of disgrace to the royal family. The reward will be richly colored and I will prepare something of value that will not be a burden to Lady Lex. Would that be all right?

Yeah, that's all right.

Well, we have a deal. Good to know you're a princess who knows what she's talking about.

Oh, and by the way, can you do me one more favor?

Yeah, whatever you say.

Yeah, I have to tell you this.

'Could you keep us in the dark, please?　It's just that I came in here on my own today.

'Oh, really?　Oh, come to think of it, you disappeared and came in, didn't you?

""I'm sorry to come in here."　

Liliella and the others bow from beside me.

''Huh, don't mind me. You are Meghri's friends. You are friends of Meghri, and we do not want to hear about your intrusion into the unmarried princess's room at night.

"...Huh?　Have we crossed a pretty bad bridge, by any chance?

'It's not quite, it's quite bad. The break-in alone is bad enough, but if Lex and the other men are caught entering the bedroom of an unmarried princess, they will definitely be executed.

Wow, that's scary.

By the way, in my past life, I was rather actively being dragged in.

Well, I guess it's time to go home!　It's a good thing Megri's okay.

Oh, my God, are you going home already?

When we say we're leaving, Aydra-san looks sad.

The fact that you're worried about Megri-san this time, so since we know she's not in any danger, we're going to leave you alone. It's not good for us to stay around too long.

If they make too much noise and the escorting knights jump in, we'll be in trouble.

''I understand. It would be rude to keep them too long.

Then I'll come back when the golem is complete.

Yes, he's expecting you.

Megri, the next time you leave, make sure you leave a note for me before you leave.

I'm sorry.

But I'm just glad Megri's okay.

Yeah, we were all very worried about you.

I'm sorry.

After we finished our greetings, we went to the window and held hands.

'Well then, Mr. Megri, if you need anything, please come by anytime.

Yeah, I'll take care of that.

After a short conversation, I activate my disguise spell.

'Megrielna, she's gone again!

Yes, it's Lex's magic.

Magic is amazing.

Aydra rolled her eyes in surprise while we were still in front of her.

'Let's go home then, guys,'

Yeah, sure.

We activate our flying magic and jump out the window.

'It's well past midnight, isn't it?

Well, I'm just relieved and then I'm hungry.

'Me too, me too!　Brother, let's get something to eat on the way home!

Yeah, I'm starving, too.

....Huh?　Speaking of being hungry, I feel like I'm forgetting something...?

Megri.

'Hmm, they were great kids to break into the castle for their friends, Megrielna.

Looking out of the window, Aydra-sama mutters happily.

''Lex and the others are a bit different, so...''

At my words, Aydra-sama turned around and said with a smile on her face.

''It's okay. I'll make sure you don't tell anyone about them.''

Idra-sama smiled and relieved my concerns.

I should say that I'm glad this person is the subject of my escort.

''Then let's take a break too, shall we?

Coo!

Then the mohumofu held in Aydra-sama's chest struggled and leaned forward and stretched out towards the table.

Ah, the body of a Fluffy Fluffy stretches like a cat.

''Oh?　Do you still want some candy, Fluffy?

''Squeak!''

As Mofumov nods in agreement, Lady Aydra picks up the candy on the table and brings it close to Mofumov's mouth.

''Kyuuhu!''

Eat a lot of food, and you'll grow up.

Her smile is as compassionate as the Virgin's, and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

...Huh?

Then I noticed a strange feeling.

I had always been so close to it that I had forgotten how strange it was.

'Moffff, you forgot to return it!

That's right, Lex had left without collecting his mofo.

''Kyuuh!''

You're not going to be able to do that.

Hmm....

After leaving Aydra-sama's room, I return to my room.

''I didn't expect Jairo and the others to come here...''

To be honest, I underestimated Lex's preposterousness.

I didn't expect him to sneak into the castle without taking a risk...

Well, it wasn't that I wasn't happy, but....

Also, I didn't expect the mofo thing.

At any rate, Aydra-sama is quite fond of it, so I'll send out an errand and tell her to let me stay in the castle for a bit.

And then I can return the golem for the shadow warrior when I bring it back.

Although Aydra-sama was excited because of the golem matter, I feel depressed when I think of what's to come.

But with Lex's golem, Aydra-sama's shadow warrior problem will be fine. I'm sure that the snake golem will be able to do something.

That makes me both relieved and a little worried.

But, well, that's not what I'm thinking about at the time.

And then there is a knock at the door.

But it's not from the room next door, Idra-sama's room.

It's from the other door.

The only people who come through that door are those who have business with me as a shadow warrior.

Come in.

Before I could finish answering, the door opened.

The person who came in was someone I knew well.

'Mother....'

It was my mother who came in.

And this is the head of the clandestines in this country.

I said to Lex and the others that he was a guard, but in reality, the secret scouts are right.

My mother touches a small gemstone that she took out of her pocket without saying anything.

It's a silencing magic item.

When you use it, no sound escapes outside the magic item's perimeter of 2 meters.

The fact that you used such a thing means that this is a story you don't want Aydra-sama to hear.

"Megri, we've set a date for the ceremony.

What?

I knew that. But I still get a little upset when you say that.

'A week from now, we'll be ready on that day.'

A week, not sure if it's a long or short time.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but you'll have to make a sacrifice.

".........?

I was surprised, I thought this man had no parent-child affection.

I didn't expect this kind of thing to be said, and once again I was upset.

'I know. It's all for the good of this country........

But what I do it doesn't change what I have to do.

'Yes, to save this country, or even the world. You will be sacrificed to contain the demon. For that is your mission as a man of royal blood.

Yes.

Yes, my name is Megri. But my real name is Megrielna the Terra Sierra Tion.

The daughter of a king who was wiped out of existence from the day she was born to be sacrificed, that was my identity.