Chapter 19

When the talk was settled to some extent and I was considering if I should have A1 drop everyone off, I heard the voice of Ayla.

「U, umm……」

When I turned around, the girl who had lost consciousness earlier was standing behind Ayla while pressing a knife against her neck.

「Re, release everyone……!」

She said that in a voice like a sound of a bell comparable with her petite appearance and I somehow turned around to Baltic. Then, I saw the face of Baltic that grew pale and turned to deep blue.

「Can, can you stop it, Mea? Taiki-dono saved us!」

The girl called Mea heard the angry voice of Baltic and looked around a while observing the situation around her.

Baltic who spread out his hands with a pale face, I who stood in front of him, and the family members lined up unrestricted in front of the carriage were seen by her.

After looking at all of us, Mea shifted her gaze to Ayla who she pointed the knife at.

Seeing Ayla’s eyes looking straight at her eyes, beads of sweat formed on Mea’s forehead.

「I, I, I’m sorry!」

Removing the knife from Ayla, Mea knelt on the spot and apologized. Ayla’s neck doesn’t seem to have a scratch.

When Ayla was released I became relieved, Baltic sincerely bows his head to me.

「We, we are really sorry…..! We repaid your kindness by putting our hands on the wife of Taiki-dono…..!」

「Wi, wife……!?」

Hearing the words of Baltic, a shocked voice was heard from behind. It’s was Ayla.

Despite receiving a little shock, she lightly waved her hand from side to side.

「No no, I am a temporary resident. I will be sent back to my home after this so……」

In the flow of her speech, she inadvertently said that she don’t want to stay. She became slightly depressed by her own words and Baltic looked at Ayla with a difficult expression.

「I see, so that’s how it was. However, it is true that we pointed a blade regardless of you being a resident…… Allow us to apologize from the bottom of our hearts. Mea!」

「Ye, yes! I’m sorry!」

「Well, I’m glad nothing serious happened. Then, all those who want to go down to the surface, get in the carriage.」

The place has calmed down somehow and all of them got in the carriage leaving behind Baltic’s wife and his two siblings who received a slave mark.

Then, Mea turned her face to Baltic with a puzzled expression.

「Um, won’t mother and the rest get in?」

Hearing Mea say that in an anxious voice, Baltic knit his brow. What? So, she’s a daughter of Baltic?

「Torraine and the rest have received a slave mark on their bodies…… It’s sad, but they will not be able to protect the small shrine. Mae, father wants you to protect the small shrine together with me…….」

「No way! If that’s the case then I will stay together with mother!」

「Mea!?」

Hearing those remarks from Mea, Baltic made a face like it was the end of the world. Well, he’s just at his awkward age as a father, probably.

I could somehow understand the feelings of Baltic and Mea, so I will try to make a suggestion.

「…… How about this. For the time being, we will look after Mea-chan here for a short time, so she can spend time together with her mother, her uncle and her aunt」

「….. N, no, please wait. Maybe, Mea doesn’t really understand the story yet. You see, Mea. It’s not like you will not be able to see your mother and the rest again. Taiki-dono also said that they will come back occasionally. So, we should do our duty to protect the small shrine…..」

「No!」

「Mea!?」

Baltic just stood there staring at her as if it was the end of the world.

While smiling wryly at that situation, I try another suggestion.

「For example…… we will come back again after half a year. At that time, why don’t you ask Mea-chan again?」

「Ha, half a year…… no, in, in three months…..」

Nodding to Baltic who looked depressed, I look at Mea.

「Well then, do you want to live here for three months?」

When I said that, Mea nodded with a bright smile.

「Un! Ple, please!」

Seeing Mea who replied cheerfully and jump off from the carriage, Baltic seriously said.

「Listen, Mae. You will meet with father after three months so until then, even if you will be lonely….」

「Yeah, I get it!」

While hearing the heart-warming parent and child conversation, I gave instructions to A1. Watching how A1 lifts the carriage, I shift my eyes to Baltic and the rest who managed to fit inside one of the carriages.

「Well then, see you in three months」

Thus, Baltic and the others returned to the surface. While also feeling warm and fluffy from the love of the Baltic’s family, I smile wryly to this strange situation that feels similar to a job transfer away from home.

No, the direction for his job transfer should not be his very own house, right?

On the other hand, after Baltic and the others went down to the surface, I notice his sister Schnee and his brother Rant explaining the situation to his wife, Torraine, at the back.

Torraine rolled up the short sleeves of her unique clothes that was patched with cloth and leather, and looked at the slave mark which was imprinted on her right shoulder.

When Mea also looked at it anxiously, Torraine laughed as if it was hopeless and caressed the head of Mea.

「Well, don’t worry about it, but….. certainly, if someone has a slave mark, then there’s no way they can protect the small shrine again.」

Saying that in a soothing tone, Torraine turned her body to my direction and bowed her head. It’s a Dogeza style with her both hands placed in front of her head.

「Thank you for saving us from this incident. We will do whatever it takes to return your kindness, so please treat us well from now on.」

I received a dogeza from a beautiful married woman.

For some reason, such words dance inside my head and I sit in seiza in front of Torraine while flustered deep inside.

「No, it only happened by chance, so don’t worry too much…… Oh, I will be grateful if you can help me with the harvest of vegetables, fruits and medicinal herbs. If you like, I will show you around the island and also the place where you will live from now on.」

When I said that and make a slight bow, Torraine looked up at me with a round eyes. Behind her, Schnee and Rant are also surprised.

While saying her gratitude, Torraine looked at me, A1, and the Heavenly castle in sequence.

And, she turned to Mea.

「Mea. I wonder if it’s almost time for you to get married?」

In a carefree tone, Torraine blurted out something unexpected. Moreover, it’s not only me, but Mea also became speechless.

It seems like my life with the new residents will be full of troubles.