Chapter 90
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I was talking with Iris and the others about our plans. I left their tent and headed outside the base.
They suggested that maybe I could stay here for today, but I decided to say no.
All the women being protected here aren’t just scared of men because of “Gem Snake.” Some of them just have a hard time with guys in general. That’s why for the past week, I’ve been delivering supplies and going back to town on the same day.
Actually, I decided to take Iris and the others back with me now.
The plan was to try staying in the dungeon for a longer time, but extending my stay this long wasn’t part of the plan.
So, I figured I couldn’t be seen hanging out as “Mose” anymore, and I decided to leave the 4th District as “Mose” and come back as “Koji.” I told the two of them and then left the base.
* * *
The time was… if the clock I made with “Imitation” was right, it was around the afternoon.
With this timing, I could head back to town and go to the “Silver Orchid” office to report that “Gem Snake” was taken care of and that Ferris was safe.
I also wanted to check the top of the rocky mountain, which is the entrance to the 3rd District.
I had been delivering supplies without stopping by because I thought there might be some activity in town, so the mini tomatoes I planted there had been left for a week without water and might be dead.
However, normal things usually get absorbed by the dungeon if left for a while, but those tomatoes didn’t get absorbed even after a night, so they might still be there.
Even though it’s a dungeon, I have memories of being educated as a Japanese person, so it feels wrong to leave things behind.
Well, I’m also worried that leaving them could cause some kind of problem.
There was a concern about Ferris seeing me while I was invisible on my way to the mountain top, but now that my identity is known, that’s not an issue anymore.
So, I thought I might as well take care of that if needed.
* * *
When I stepped outside the base, I saw the women from “Silver Orchid” scattered around the area where “Gem Snake” had been, collecting their belongings.
Ferris and Ms. Sheila were supervising, making sure no outsiders got too close.
I walked over the grass that was stained red from the “Gem Snake” guys and was about to greet them when Ms. Sheila noticed me.
Since she uses a bow, she might be sensitive to my presence, even if it’s just my image.
”Ah.”
”Hm? Oh, what’s up?”
Ferris noticed me too because of Ms. Sheila’s reaction, so I told them my reason for being there.
’I’m thinking of heading back to town now.’
”Okay. What about Iris and the others?”
Her reaction was pretty casual since it wasn’t unexpected that we were returning, but I checked on Iris and the others since they were supposed to go back tomorrow.
When I told her my plans, Ferris crossed her arms and thought for a moment, looking a bit serious.
”Ah, I guess it’s my fault that the plans got extended. Should I give those girls some kind of compensation?”
’Umm…’
It would be nice if I could ask for a magic item to break the curse that Iris wanted, but it seems like she wants to keep the fact that someone related to her was cursed a secret, so I can’t do that.
Even if she says she’ll give compensation, the only clear cost is the care expenses for Seria’s mother, and I’ve already decided to cover that myself.
Seria was being polite about it, but I’m the one who changed the plans.
So, I told her it would be good if they could use the base, considering all that… Ferris sighed lightly but then her eyes sparkled with desire, and she moved her arms up and down, making her chest bounce.
”Haah. Then… I’ll add that to the ‘bill’ too~♪.”
She shook her body.
’Umm…’
Even though my feelings were different, I ended up reacting the same way as before.
Ms. Sheila is here, and I started to worry if this was the right place for this kind of conversation, but she didn’t seem surprised, as if she had already heard about it from Ferris.
”Oh, so that’s what we’re talking about. I’ll thank you too, if you don’t mind.”
She lightly rubbed her lower belly.
Looks like Ms. Sheila is ready to go for it.
She’s definitely beautiful, so I don’t mind at all, but it really depends on the negotiations with Dear Princess Charlotte.
Oh, and I should check how to handle the information about my true identity.
Maybe it’s okay to talk quietly, but someone might come over and overhear us, and I don’t want all the women from “Silver Orchid” to know about it…
’Um, Ms. Ferris. Could you come with me to a quieter place?’
I thought it wouldn’t be good to take both of them away from here, so I invited Ferris, who definitely knows that “Koji” = “Mose” = “Fraud.”
Then… Ferris smoothly came over and hugged my left arm.
*Swoosh… Squeeze*
”Oh, suddenly? Well, that’s fine, but only until Iris and the others show up, okay? If you don’t mind being seen, we can keep going.”
While saying this, Ferris moved her fingers in a circle in front of her mouth.
She’s not hesitating at all.
Maybe she feels really grateful or likes me.
Of course, I’m not inviting her for that reason, so I quietly told her it was about my true identity.
”Oh, that topic. Got it.”
It seems she didn’t really think I was seriously inviting her, so she left the situation to Ms. Sheila and headed with me toward the rocky entrance.
I stopped in a spot where I could see well and knew no one was around.
’Um, is this okay?’
”Yes. So?”
Ferris leaned in closer, knowing it was a secret conversation.
Her beautiful face got closer too, which would usually be a nice situation, but… I could still smell blood even after just wiping it lightly, so I wanted to get to the point quickly.
’Um… first, just to confirm, you know my true identity, right?’
”Yes. You’re Koji, right?”
’Yes, that’s right. I’m sorry for tricking you about the invisible magic item.’
Since I ended up messing with Ferris’s body because of that incident, I felt the need to apologize, even if she was the reason it happened.
Ferris replied with a slightly flushed face.
”Oh… well, I enjoyed it, so it’s fine. I mean, I said that to get something out of it too…”
’Really? Is that so?’
”There’s a different kind of fun compared to doing it myself. Besides, it was my fault that it happened, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
’Okay, that’s good to hear.’
She seems to realize that her actions caused it, and as I felt relieved by her words, Ferris encouraged me to continue.
”So, you didn’t just want to apologize, right?”
’Yes. I’m thinking about the future…’
I explained that I plan to say “Mose” and “Fraud” have left the town and that I want to keep my true identity as “Koji” known only to people close to Ferris.
Then… Ferris made a thoughtful face.
”Hmm…”
’Is there a problem?’
”It’s fine to keep your identity just among my people, but saying that Mose and Fraud have left the town might not sit well with Shirley.”
’Why is that?’
”Considering that the ‘Gem Snake’ might move in this town again, it would be better to have them around as a deterrent, right? It could improve overall safety too.”
’Oh… I see.’
That makes sense.
If those guys are going to move again, it’s better for “Mose” and “Fraud” to be in the town as a deterrent.
About the safety situation, the fight between “Fraud” and “Gem Snake” started because of something that happened at the “Horned Ox Inn,” so it’s not like it doesn’t matter.
But…
’I really can’t let “Mose” and “Fraud” stay. The people connected to “Mose” might get targeted.’
”Yeah, that’s true. Even if I say you should take that risk, you don’t have to.”
After I replied, Ferris let go of my left arm and stepped back.
”Well, I understand how you handle information. If Shirley… I mean, Charlotte complains about it, I’ll make her quiet, so don’t worry.”
She purposely used the princess’s name instead of Ms. Shirley.
So, Ferris is in a higher position, huh?
I was curious about that and thought it might help in future talks, so I asked her, but she answered a bit hesitantly.
’Um, what’s your relationship with Princess Charlotte?’
”Oh? Well… I guess you could say I’m a supporter of this country.”
I see, that’s why she can be strong even with a princess.
From Charlotte’s attitude, it doesn’t seem like she’s lying, but if that’s true, she should be able to say it openly, right?
I could say I’m in a similar position in this situation, but I don’t want to brag about it.
That would just bring more trouble.
So, I get why she wants to keep that position secret, but her behavior makes it seem strange to hide it.
’…’
As I was wondering about this, Ferris seemed to sense it and didn’t want to talk more.
”Oh, I should get back soon. There might be some girls who are slacking off because I’m not watching them.”
I can’t believe there are people like that after seeing the mess, but… well, it’s probably not good to push for more info.
’Okay, then. I need to go meet Iris and the others as Koji, so I’ll be leaving.’
”Oh, you’ve never been to our base as Koji, right? What will you do about that?”
’I plan to meet them outside. There shouldn’t be anyone bothering people coming out of your base, and even if there is, this square has a good view, so I can handle it quickly.’
”Alright… then I’ll have some guards with them until they can see you.”
’Thanks a lot!’
When I thanked her for the offer, she shook her head.
”It’s nothing. It probably won’t turn into a big deal, so this is really no big deal. See you in town.”
Ferris said that and headed back, so I decided to go to the top of the rocky mountain, which is the entrance to the 3rd District.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply