Chapter 5 - Volume 1

I asked Fang, who maintained a serious expression, for more details.

「I don’t mind accepting the request. But by《Princess》you mean a member of the royal family, right? However, I’ve never met her.」

「Indeed. We basically talked only with the king.」

「Where am I supposed to transport such a person?　Or even, is it really okay for me to do it?」

It’s only the first day since I became a carrier, should I really accept such a request. I asked, wondering—

「Precisely because it’s you I can make such a request. Transportation this time is from the inn next to your house to『the City of Winds』located a bit over ten kilometers from here.」

「Oh, so she is in this town already?」

Fang nodded to my words.

「But why?　In the first place, I think it would be better to openly move during the day instead of traveling in the night, is there a reason why it is not possible?」

「…I think it would be faster if you were to discuss those circumstances directly with the Princess. Is it alright to call her here?」

After I nod, giving my consent, Fang left the house, telling us to wait for a while.

——A few minutes later.

Along with Fang a girl, who wore a dress that appeared simple yet classy, entered my house.

「This girl is the princess?」

The one that replied to my words wasn’t Fang, but the girl beside him.

「I’m the fourth princess, Luna Lilium. Pleased to make your acquaintance, cooperator, please feel free to interact with me without any reservation.」

With a smile, she gave me a little nod while looking directly in my eyes. The girl had a mild tone and demeanor, but strong-willed eyes.

She acts dignified, as one would expect from a princess.

「Yes, I will be in your care, Princess Luna.」

And so I returned the greeting, answering to her will.

Which made Luna slightly widen her eyes in surprise, but her expression immediately returned to a smile.

While wondering if casually returning a greeting, since she said to interact with her without any reservation, was a mistake, I decided to proceed with conversation in order to ask what I had to ask.

「Ehm, so Princess wants to go to the neighboring『the City of Winds』during the night?」

「Yes. Tomorrow morning there is a meeting with foreign nobles at the City of Winds. It concerns the food situation in our country, so I cannot afford to be late. Now, as the Demon King was defeated and efforts are being devoted to rebuilding, we must not miss this chance, otherwise, huge losses will be unavoidable, thus, we cannot delay the meeting and allow the other party to gain information that might be used against us in negotiations…」

Apparently, this girl is involved in running the country.

Well, one can say that it is only natural since she is a princess.

「In other words, Fang, the reason why the Princess wants to go to the neighboring town in the middle of the night, is because she might be late to negotiations.」

Fang nodded in agreement.

「I see. Since it’s about making our country a better place to live, I have no reason to decline this request. I even thought that I want to take it. However, it’s only a few hours walk on foot to the next town, you can normally get there even without me. With you coming along, there is no chance of getting lost. And you likely even have horse carriages.」

This town also has a guild of adventurers, so you could just go there and gather members that were held in high regard. That’s what I thought but—

「There are two reasons why we can’t do that. The first one is the unfortunate mass outbreak of goblins and orcs. I can use protective magic to some degree, but honestly speaking I’m not suited for battles involving guarding someone. After using protective magic once or twice I will run out of magic power, so I can’t use it continuously, I’m completely devoted to offense.」

「I thought you’d say that. Since the old days, you just kept plunging into enemies and triggering duels. And I was the one who had to pull you out of there.」

「Well, I really troubled you back then…」

Fang is good at fighting endlessly while protecting himself, but it can be said that he almost completely lacks the ability to protect others.

I remember, he knew protective magic, but on others, he could maintain its effects for a few minutes at most, and as I was recalling the old days—

「Hey, Fang?　What kind of person is this one, that fought alongside you, the hero of the Holy sword?　You were greatly delighted saying that you found a person who would cooperate with us, but… 」

Luna suddenly voiced her thoughts.

「This is a sudden question, I can only say that he is stronger than me… Ah, that’s right. This is『the Invisible Dragon Knight』of whom you always spoke in such a wonderful fashion.」

「Eh, this person is that, is that『Invisible Dragon Knight』-sama?」

In response to Fang’s words, Luna almost began to hop around.

Then she started to observe my face even more intently than before.

「Hey, Fang. Somehow, the Princess is really staring at me. What is this『Invisible dragon knight』? I have never heard of it.」

「It’s you, Axel-san. No matter what kind of work we did, you wouldn’t show up in public, right? In addition, because of the helmet, your face was hardly visible. That’s why at the royal castle you were given that nickname. Since there was a great dragon knight, but those who have seen his face were not too numerous.」

「So such a thing was actually going on…」

It’s my first time hearing about this. I simply was unable to show my face and found it hard to appear in front of large groups of people because of『Helm of the Dragon Knight King』, and yet I was given such a name.

Was what I thought in shock, but—

「So such were your noble features.『Invisible Dragon Knight』-sama…!　Since a while ago I thought that it was strange that my【Charm]doesn’t work on this person, but if it’s the great invisible dragon knight-sama then it is only natural…!」

The princess exclaimed.

「【Charm]？」

「The skill of my Job《Princess》. The effect is the seduction of living beings…Though it won’t work on someone with so much abnormal status resistance as dragon knight-sama.」

Blushing as if confessing her secret says Luna.

「Ehm… Does a princess really have such a skill?」

「Yes, most of those with the job of《Princess》have it. And Princess Luna has the greatest level of the skill nowadays,【Charm Rank 8]. For its tremendous power, she is assigned to public relations. It’s amazing, allowing to easily ensnare opposition, thus people call her『Enchanting Princess』or『Opposition Crusher』.」

「Whoa, this princess is amazing!」

「Fufufu, you are embarrassing me with such praises. The dragon knight able to resist my charm is even more amazing.」

Even though she wears such a simple attire, she is an amazingly shrewd person, were my thoughts yet—

「However. This power also has its problems or rather downside.」

Said Fang with a sad expression.

「Downside?」

「And that is another reason why we can’t hire adventurers for this. Charm is a passive skill. And it works on both monsters and adventurers. Adventurers without high resistances won’t be able to focus on escorting, but monsters, on the other hand, will be focusing their attacks on her. Of course, there is a possibility that a person under the effects of the charm might attempt a sexual assault.」

「Aah… I see. Bringing charmed people and then trying to get through charmed monsters would be dangerous.」

Allies who cannot be trusted are scarier than enemies.

「Yes. That’s why I came with the request to Axel-san. We cannot allow the likes of orcs or goblins to attack princess Luna. By the way, I would like to confirm, Axel-san. Looking at her, do you think or feel anything?」

「No, nothing in particular. Ooh, so she is the princess, that’s about it.」

I don’t feel particularly tempted.

「What about you, Berzelia?」

「I’m completely fine as well. Or rather, I’m charmed by master’s power. There is nothing that would tempt me more.」

「…In other words, my skill does not work on the dragon knight and his companion!」

When we responded, for some reason Luna spoke in delight.

On top of that, she is looking at me with frighteningly sparking eyes.

「…Fang. Why is the princess so happy?」

「Because Charm is passive. People with whom she can speak without charming them are few. And so Axel-san is one of those few.」

「That’s right!　 I always charm people unintentionally… So I’m happy to meet a person who can resist it.　 And since it’s the esteemed dragon knight-sama it’s truly joyous.」

Says Luna while tightly holding my hand.

But I guess I will have to make one correction.

「Princess. I’m not a dragon knight anymore. Don’t be mistaken.」

「Yes, you changed your job!　 I have already heard the story. By the way, which job do you have now?」

「It’s《Carrier》.」

Luna froze the moment I said that.

「……」

It’s that reaction again.

As expected, after getting the same reaction three times on the same day I’ve got used to it. However, different from the previous two times—

「It’s fine Princess Luna. Axel-san is not a simple《Carrier》.」

Fang who knew my circumstances provided a follow-up.

Though I feel that explanation is a bit lacking after all.

With those words as a trigger, Luna broke free from the freeze.

「…Eh, ehm, wait a moment, I fail to comprehend. Carrier is, beginner-tier, right? That one with a low abnormal status tolerance.」

「Normally that would be the case. But somehow the abnormal status resistance is S. So it’s fine.」

「Eh… Eh…?!　The person with beginner’s job resisted my Charm, but that person actually has S rank abnormal status resistance?　 That’s absurd…On top of that, that person with a beginner-tier job is actually『Invisible Dragon Knight』-sama… Eh…?!」

The freeze was undone but she appeared to be slightly confused.

She looks at me with eyes filled half with respect and a half with doubt.

「Yes, yes, I understand you, Princess Luna. That’s how one would react, normally.」

「Fang, If you have time to show your agreement, I would prefer if you gave an explanation first.」

Saying that I was maintaining eye contact with Luna.

「Well, what can I say? Please treat me well. Princess, I would add that this is also my first request, but I want you to rest assured, I will certainly bring you to the neighboring town, is that fine with you?」

When asked, though still confused, Princess Luna firmly nodded in agreement with a slightly red face.

「Y-Yes!　 Yes, of course. I trust you, so, I will be, in your care…」

Those might be only words, but for now, we obtained the trust of the client.

Then the only thing left is to do my job.

「Now, it’s the first request. as a newbie《Carrier》I’m going to put my spirit into it, Berzelia.」

「Yeah. I’ve got it, my Master!」