Chapter 160
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Ahh, so that’s what it was.”
Frederica came over, listened to me and the maid talking, glanced at her chest, and nodded like she understood.
Then she added an explanation about why the maid’s marriage prospects had been delayed.
”You know how they say even if you have a wet nurse, it’s healthier for a child to drink at least some of their mother’s milk? That’s why in noble houses where heirs are important, women who seem like they wouldn’t produce enough milk tend to get avoided.”
”Ahh… I see?”
So this was about immunity, not just nutrition.
Even if you could use someone else’s milk, I’d heard there was the risk of infection and such.
I didn’t know how much of that had been figured out in this world, but from her tone, at least among nobles it was treated as common sense.
This ms. maid was also from a noble family, and if she wanted a partner of equal standing, then of course they would expect something from her too.
That “something” was being able to raise an heir without issue—and with doubts on that point, she was kept at a distance.
In other words, well, this maid was beautiful, so if she didn’t fuss about her partner she could easily find one. Half of it was her own fault for being picky.
”Muu…”
She herself didn’t look convinced, though.
Anyway, this wasn’t something I could solve, so I moved the talk back to the main topic.
”Well, enough about that. So, what about that ‘matter’ we discussed?”
”Ahh… Mizary, this is a private matter, so could you step out?”
Since we were in public, I asked politely, and Frederica told the maid to leave.
But the maid—Ms. Mizary—looked troubled.
”Um… being left alone with a man from outside is a bit…”
That was only natural.
Frederica was the daughter of the house entrusted directly by the royal family to govern this town, so of course they couldn’t let her be in a room alone with some random commoner man.
Well, technically it was already too late for that, but…
Anyway, as Mizary worried about the worst-case scenario, Frederica dropped it without hesitation.
”It’s fine. Koji and I already slept together.”
””Hah!?””
Mizary and I shouted at the same time.
Wait, why the hell are you spilling that!?
While I was still reeling from the sudden confession, Frederica explained why she’d outed us.
”Even someone like Mizary who’s still unexperienced, you noticed my body changing when you helped me change clothes, right? Especially experienced women, including Mother, have been half-suspecting it already.”
”Gu…”
Mizary made a bitter face at being called out as inexperienced, but she couldn’t deny it and admitted she had noticed Frederica changing.
”Indeed, I felt your aura changed more than two months ago, and while nothing was said openly, the women have been whispering among themselves.”
I’d heard in my past life that women noticed that sort of thing quickly, so I guess it was the same here.
”Uh… isn’t that kinda bad?”
”No one’s said anything to me, so it’s fine. In my case, considering the ties between our house and the royal family, I actually have to be even more careful about partners than you, Mizary. Maybe they’re just being considerate.”
When I asked Frederica, she brushed it off easily.
I remembered she’d refused an arranged marriage and said she wouldn’t do a political match. Maybe that was partly because of this situation.
So nobles weren’t pursuing her anymore, which meant no one openly called her out even if they’d noticed.
But still, even if they overlooked the fact that Frederica had a man, if they found out who it was, I could easily get dragged into it. Being exposed here wasn’t good at all—yet she added this:
”If anyone asks, I’ll just say I used my body to get info on ‘Mose.’ He defended the royal family, after all, so if I went that far to learn more, Father and Mother would understand.”
Huh. That… might actually fly.
While I was chewing on that, Mizary pressed her.
”Milady, if that’s the case, then you’ve been seeking info on ‘Mose’ for more than two months…?”
”I’ll just say I couldn’t get it out of him in one try.”
”But wouldn’t that make it seem like Sir Koji wasn’t satisfied with you?”
”Ah, Koji’s bottomless. It’s not about my body—it’s just stamina. Nothing wrong with that.”
”Eh? I–is that so…”
Mizary turned red at Frederica’s reply.
And Frederica added:
”And also… it feels so good you lose your mind ♪”
”!? “
She even glanced down at my crotch. And yeah, Mizary noticed too.
”Ahh, maybe not today for sure, but I’ll probably have him stay the night. If that happens and you attend me, you’ll know I was telling the truth ♪”
”Attend you… but the house needs me… but this might be my only chance…”
Still blushing, Mizary muttered under her breath.
”Good, then…”
Shove shove shove—slam!
Frederica pushed her out and shut the door, leaving just the two of us. Then she started talking about Tina and the others.
”Alright, to the point. I’ve got permission to attend Tina and the others’ audience.”
”Oh, really?”
”Yes. I can even bring guards, so as long as I wear the house’s equipment it should be fine.”
”Didn’t you say using that gear would tip off your family?”
”As a possibility, yes. The family crest is on it, and if someone wanted to abuse it they could, so it’s tightly controlled.”
”I see. Well, even if they find out, as long as Tina and the others don’t notice, it’s fine.”
”Right. At worst, if pursuers come, I can say I was acting for the good of this country and town.”
”When’s the audience?”
”Whenever Father’s ready. He’ll wait for me, so unless I take too long, there’s no rush.”
”Still, it’s bad form to keep the lord waiting. Let’s move fast.”
From what I’d heard, Frederica’s father was strict—he’d even made her work at the dismantling area of the adventurers’ guild after she refused a political marriage.
So we decided to act right away and headed for the warehouse where the spare equipment was stored.
Knock knock knock.
”Lady Frederica is here.”
”Enter.”
Mizary knocked and announced Frederica’s visit. A gruff voice answered from inside.
She opened the door, leading Frederica in first.
Inside, a round-faced man sat at the main seat, with a fully armored guard behind him.
The clothes had fine details and ornaments. That must be the lord.
The voice didn’t quite match his appearance, and he didn’t resemble Frederica, so for a moment I doubted. But that doubt quickly cleared.
”Sorry to keep you waiting, Father.”
”Mm. So, are you ready?”
”Yes, no problem.”
”Good. Then let’s call in the envoys. Even if there’s no issue, it’s no good to be thought of as a slow-moving lord who makes them wait.”
”Yes, Father.”
He wasn’t fat, just rounded, with a gentle look but a firm dignity. Clearly a man of status.
And Frederica treated him like her father, so he was definitely the lord.
”…Badsell.”
”Yes!”
”Hm?”
The lord called the name of the guard—apparently Badsell. He stepped out and told a servant to summon Tina and the others.
That was fine, but… for an instant, I thought the lord glanced at me.
Did he realize I wasn’t really a guard?
If he suspected, he’d have checked. Since he said nothing, it must’ve been my imagination.
Frederica moved close to him, and I took up the position she’d told me about beforehand, waiting as a guard.
After a few minutes, Tina and the others entered with a servant.
”Pleased to meet you. I am Martina, from the Moktaris Grand Branch of the Holy Church.”
”And I am Roselia.”
”!?”
They knelt and gave their names. That’s when I realized the names I’d been told were fake—but whatever. The real problem was they were from Moktaris.
Moktaris was a country—the one I’d been born in.
So they came from the east.
I’d only told Lunamaria and Solferris’s little sister dragon that I was from Moktaris. So these two weren’t after me, but still—I was surprised.
I’d better stay unnoticed.
While I thought that, the conversation continued.
”Mm. I am Brandl, lord of this domain. So, what brings you here?”
Martina answered.
”Yes. Actually, the ‘Saint’ in Moktaris received an oracle: a new Saint will appear in this town.”
”Ohh, an eighth Saint. Is that certain?”
”Yes. The one in Moktaris is the ‘Oracle Saint.’ Her words never fail.”
”I see… so your urgent, secret request for an audience was to deliver this?”
”That too, but the important part is that the new Saint may not necessarily join the church.”
”Ahh, that could happen.”
”Exactly. If she consents and joins, it’s fine. But…”
”But she might refuse. If she’s satisfied with her life now.”
”Yes. Especially since church life heavily restricts personal relationships, even if not money.”
”True.”
”And if she refuses, the church will likely split in response.”
”Two factions, then.”
”Yes. Our faction does not force. But the other faction believes in doing so. They might cause trouble here in this town, so we came to warn you early.”
”I see. Your faction values relations with the town—and with our country.”
”Yes. Everywhere we go, our faction forbids arrogant behavior.”
”Hm… very well. But I heard pursuers were after you. Is that because you tried to reach the Saint first?”
”If possible, yes, but we don’t yet know who she is. Still, that’s likely why we were targeted.”
”I’ve heard Saints have great power. This eighth one too?”
Martina nodded.
”Yes. The other faction likely wanted to recruit her, and so tried to stop us first.”
”That much power… I wonder what kind.”
”…If it comes to it, we may need to ask for protection. So, let me share the title revealed by the oracle.”
The lord hadn’t expected an answer, but Martina, after thinking, spoke.
”Unlike the normal Ceremony of Blessings, the Oracle Saint can not only hear but also see. And the title she revealed was ‘Saint of Shukuchi (Teleportation Saint)’—likely a power related to movement.”
When I heard that, a certain face flashed in my mind.
Wait—could it be… Ms. Sakura?
Notes:
• Frederica – The receptionist. The daughter of powerful figure in the town.
• Tina – Female. A magician. She has a slender build, and her chest is described as soft. She is initially rescued by the protagonist and expresses a desire to accompany him. Her relationship with the protagonist develops quickly, and she seems to be attracted to him.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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