Master’s Smile

Volume 5 – Kingdom Arc

C105 – New Job

It had been around a week since I was appointed as Princess Neena’s escort.

…Though, I couldn’t recall some of my memories since then, I wonder what happened?

Princess Neena also said something similar, which was quite strange.

Well, Ritter seems to be in a good mood and nothing bad must have happened, so all’s well ends well.

There was nothing in particular that needed me to stand out ever since the chimera attack, so we spent our days peacefully.

In fact, I was able to return to the guild a couple of times as there was so little going on.

At that time, when I told them that I had accepted the request to escort Princess Neena, I was surprised to see everyone looking at Ritter with dreadful eyes.

Ritter was probably so scared that she even hid behind my back.

…Though, it was unclear why she rubbed her body violently on me.

Thus, we spent our time leisurely at Princess Neena’s estate, but….

“Ritter-sama, Master-sama, Neena-sama wishes to see you. Please come to her office.”

Maid-san called us.

I wonder… Did something happen?

In any case, I had no choice but to go, seeing that I was called by my employer.

…Come on, Ritter. You were called too, so you better get up.

“Nn….”

I chuckled and looked at Ritter, who was sleeping on the bed.

I assure you, without a doubt, that this was the room given to me by Princess Neena, and I did not barge into Ritter’s room.

Rather, the opposite happened all the time.

Ever since I was given a private room, Ritter had been visiting my room very frequently.

It gave me a happy feeling, believing that she adores me, but she would always occupy my bed and sleep on it.

Also, she slept in very light clothing.

I’m not that young to get agitated by this kind of action, but I’m worried about Ritter’s future.

Even now, she was sleeping peacefully in a thin garment that clearly showed her curves.

Even though most of the workers at this estate were women, several men naturally employed here as well, so I couldn’t let her wander around dressed like this.

Hey now, get up and get dressed.

“…sleepy, lazy, dress me.”

…This spoiled girl.

Nevertheless, there was no way someone like me, who had a soft spot for my guild members, could refuse a request from her and her upturned eyes.

I easily took off her clothes and-…why aren’t you wearing underwear…?

I hurriedly put her clothes back on, but I had accidentally seen not only her chest, which had grown larger than regular people, but also her place that should not be seen….

…I’ll erase this memory later.

“…Seduction?”

Ritter tilted her head with dazed eyes.

She was usually expressionless, but as one would expect, her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.

Seduction, you say… that was really bad, you know…

It made me want to gouge out my eyes on impulse….

“That bad?”

Ritter asked in a depressed voice.

No, that’s not what I meant, okay? It’s like how a father feels when he sees his daughter naked, you see?

You should be confident in your body-… What in the world am I saying?

“…I see.”

Still, Ritter seemed satisfied with my inexplicable encouragement and nodded.

Phew… it was obviously a strange way to encourage her, but I’m glad she bounced back.

Now then, Princess Neena is waiting for us, so just change into simple clothes.

“Mhmm.”

Saying so, Ritter took off her clothes….

…You’re not wearing any underwear, so changing your clothes here is bad, you know…?

　◆

“…You’re late.”

Princess Neena stared at me and Ritter.

Well, we’re really sorry….

I apologized with a wry smile, yet Ritter just absentmindedly stood still without feeling any remorse.

…The brazenness of this girl sometimes made me jealous.

“Nevermind, I called both of you here because things have gotten a little bad for me.”

Princess Neena let out a sigh and explained the reason why she had called us.

Bad? It didn’t seem like that to me since I was allowed to live here, though….

“Recently, some of the nobles who supported me had been killed or disappeared.”

…Eeeh?

We already know who did it, don’t we…?

The face of the first prince of Evans Kingdom with a nasty smile on his face appeared in my mind.

Princess Neena smiled bitterly at my remark.

“Well, it’s most likely my brother. However, in the absence of clear evidence, no one can denounce the first prince, you see.”

Princess Neena got a headache and her eyes were squeezed shut.

Hmmm…. Certainly, if we only accuse him without any evidence, we can’t make him the culprit.

Especially if he is the prince.

“Nevertheless, we can’t just stand by and do nothing. Some of the nobles have already switched sides to my brother’s faction, fearing that this heinous act will also be directed against them. If this continues, all the people of my faction will be taken away by him.”

Not everyone who supports Princess Neena also goes along with her decisions.

It’s no wonder that they valued their own lives more and willingly joined Prince Lintz’s faction.

Still, to remain silent and only watch would mean her defeat in the throne battle.

As a member of a dark guild, I don’t really care who becomes the ruler, but in my view, Princess Neena would make the kingdom more friendly.

How can I help?

“Thank you. I’m going to depend on you two right away, so I’d like you to escort a noble who is probably being targeted.”

Princess Neena smiled and requested so.

Hohou… So you already have an idea who is being targeted?

But then, what about Princess Neena’s guards?

“No matter, I can fight quite well, so I won’t be that easy to take down.”

She grinned and said something dependable.

Well, that’s true. It’s a fact that she has a combat strength that’s unthinkable for a princess.

Even if several kingdom knights attacked her, she might be able to easily parry them.

Although the case would be different if it’s a chimera that attacked her like before, she had already reported it to the royal castle after the incident, so the security around here had been very tight.

They cannot deny the possibility of another attack, but they will not be taken by surprise.

“If it were true, I would like one of you to stay here, but… I don’t think Ritter would agree to that.”

“Yes.”

Ritter came up to me and hugged me while grabbing my arm tightly.

An immediate reply…. This is more or less our job, so you shouldn’t be selfish, though….

If Princess Neena had expressed her disapproval, even I, who have a soft spot for my daughters, would have given my honest complaint to Ritter, but the princess just laughed it off.

I will take advantage of her favor this time.

“I’m going to ask you two to escort them alone. If the other knights follow you, setting aside Master, they will only be a hindrance to Ritter.”

Princess Neena’s words made Ritter and I nod in agreement.

Certainly, Ritter alone would be enough, even when an enemy appeared.

I have also been getting back my old reflex lately from being involved in a lot of battles with Laladi and Sorglos, but it’s still hard to use my magic to wipe out enemies with allies around.

“You won’t be the only ones who I dispatch for the nobles who are believed to be targeted. I will also send several knights from my faction to other candidates as well.”

I see, alright..

…Ritter too, it’s fine if you want to rub your face in my arms, but listen to what the princess has to say, okay?

“The assassins my brother may have hired are so skilled that they are able to leave few witnesses, let alone any evidence. I trust Ritter and Master’s powers, but be very careful.”

I replied with a nod from her advice.

Thus, Ritter and I set out for the noble who was likely to be targeted.