Chapter 337 Sudden Turn
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Hiroya’s POV)
A maid came from my house, and told me,
”Kazumi and the others are staying at the mansion.”
That’s right, I just remembered that there was no one in the Clan house who could use ‘Telepathy.’
The maid only conveyed that and then rode away on her horse.
(I wonder what they talked about with my mom)
I’m really curious, but I decided to take a bath before bed.
* * *
”I did promise to you, but… it’s surprising to suddenly have you right next to me.”
When I tried to wash my body, I felt a presence behind me and turned around to find Shinobu there.
She was holding a lathered towel in her hand, completely naked without even wrapping a towel around her body.
”Isn’t it a bit careless for someone as skilled as Lord Hiroya not to notice my presence?”
”What should I be cautious about in my own bath?”
Shinobu, who laughed softly at my tsukkomi, crouched down behind me and started washing my back.
”I truly appreciate it… I vowed to dedicate my life to Lady Sasha, but because I kept Pressner alive halfway… it put Lady Sasha in such a predicament…”
She’s saying something ominous, but she really seems to regret it…
the strength in her hands rubbing my back is weakening.
”I heard that Shinobu was transferred from Ms. Sasha’s business partner… that… slave, but even so…”
”You want to say ‘too loyal,’ don’t you? ──But it’s not just that.”
Finally, Shinobu’s hands stopped.
When I turned to look, Shinobu was smiling lightly with her eyes closed.
”I don’t think Lady Sasha remembers, but… I owe her a debt of gratitude that makes me willing to give my life.”
”Is that so? Then… the fact that you were transferred to Ms. Sasha wasn’t just a coincidence…”
Once again, Shinobu started washing my back.
”Yes. I have already been freed from slavery due to my work primarily in intelligence. My previous master understood the circumstances between me and Lady Sasha, so with his cooperation, I was finally able to serve Lady Sasha.”
From Shinobu’s cheerful tone, I realized that she truly admires Ms. Sasha.
”If you don’t mind, I’d love to hear more about that ‘debt of gratitude’ sometime.”
”Hehe… eventually. …But it’s a secret from Lady Sasha, okay? It’s just my one-sided feelings.”
As Shinobu’s hands came around to the front, I stopped her and snatched the towel she was holding.
”Y-you were just going to wash my back, okay? For this side, I’ll do it myself!”
”Oh… there’s no need to hold back. ──Tonight, since Lord Hiroya’s ladies aren’t here, I can fully demonstrate my bedroom skills…”
Just as I was pressed against by Shinobu from behind, the bathroom door swung open with force.
”I’m here, Ms. Shinobu!”
A n*ked Ms. Sasha stood there, striking a pose.
* * *
”I never thought Ms. Shinobu would try to get ahead of me…”
Ms. Sasha, soaking in the hot water, embraced me.
”I have no intention of getting ahead of Lady Sasha… I just wanted to thank Lord Hiroya for not only defeating your opponent but also saving me…”
”No, it’s fine, okay? Just your feelings are enough.”
Shinobu, submerged up to her nose in the water in front of me and Ms. Sasha, looked a bit cute.
”Due to Ms. Shinobu’s job, she must have witnessed my affair with you… I’m sure she’s interested in Mr. Hiroya♡”
Ms. Sasha whispered in my ear.
It was a really quiet voice, but… Shinobu must have heard it, as her face above the water turned bright red.
When our eyes met, Shinobu slowly averted her gaze.
* * *
(Doll’s POV)
(I can’t believe it’s happening this soon…!)
Gliding low and fast through the night forest.
I had to hurry and convey this message.
Flying over the forest, I increased my speed and flew over the snowy plains.
Soon, the southern residential area of Razia Village came into view.
I landed in a nearby spot and ran towards the Clan house.
* * *
I had the cute maid who appeared at the entrance call for Hiroya.
I was invited from the entrance hall to the reception area, but I told them I had to hurry home and waited in the entrance hall.
”Doll!? What’s wrong?”
It was already late.
Hiroya appeared, already dressed for the night.
”Hurry and get ready for battle! Sir Azradelius is… attacking the village!”
”──!”
* * *
(Hiroya’s POV)
The succubus (Doll) who appeared at the Clan house had a serious expression, unlike her usual teasing demeanor, and began to speak urgently.
”Demonkin (Majin) are coming too. His target is young lady Kazumi.”
”Kazumi… no, not just Kazumi, but Liz, Rena, Martina, Dorothy… all of my women are at my family’s estate──the lord’s mansion.”
”This is bad… Sir Azradelius’s target is precisely ‘there’…”
I told Suu to gather everyone and meet in the dining hall, then asked Doll to wait a moment while I returned to my room to change.
* * *
”Azradelius is attacking!? And the target is the lord’s!?”
”A, A, Azradelius is… the master of the S-rank dungeon… right?”
Gieze and Sister Karina, who were supposed to stay at the Clan house tonight, rushed into the dining hall.
Following them were Noriss and Lotta.
Everyone was wearing adventurer gear.
”Anyway, Ms. Hanna, Ms. Sasha, and Toldo, go to the basement! ──Shinobu, Suu, Noo, Uu, I’m counting on you 3!”
I informed everyone that we were going to the ‘lord’s mansion.’
Even though Liz and the others were there, they were completely unarmed.
”W-we should at least take some weapons with us!”
At Sister Karina’s words, Noriss and Lotta hurried to the weapon rack in the dining hall.
”I’m going to the carriage!”
Gieze went out to the backyard.
* * *
”I can’t take it easy either. Okay? Just listen calmly, Hiroya…”
Doll was staring at me seriously in the entrance hall.
”Sir Azradelius’s target is── ‘Koichi and Megumi’.”
”Huh? W-why…?”
I don’t understand why Azradelius is targeting the two of them.
My mother is a former member of the hero party.
Well, it’s not that I don’t understand.
There must be some kind of connection with Azradelius.
(But… why Koichi…?)
”Hiroya! It’s Otto! Otto has appeared!”
Asuka’s voice shouted from outside the entrance door.
”This is bad… I can’t let the Demonkin (Majin) find out I’m here…”
”Doll! From the backyard!”
I pushed Doll towards the dining hall.
”Thanks. ──Anyway, protect Koichi! You must not let him get kidnapped!”
Doll said that and dashed through the dining hall, flying out from the backyard.
* * *
I hurriedly rushed outside from the entrance.
In front of me, Asuka, wielding ‘Kansenmaru (to pierce)’, was facing off against Otto.
Next to her, Gorge was also readying his bastard sword.
”Otto! I’m glad! Your left arm has grown back!”
At my loud voice, Otto turned to face me.
”I have no business with you brats tonight… What, is it just you guys?”
(As I thought, his target is Kazumi!)
He must have a grudge for having his arm cut off by my master.
So he’s planning to target that girl.
”Then I have no business here. Should I go kidnap Müller’s woman instead…”
”You won’t get away!”
”You bastard!”
From the building that was supposed to be the base of ‘Rose Hip’, 2 shadows lunged at Otto.
At the same time, the ground around Otto’s feet was being solidified with dirt.
The two shadows that jumped at him swung down their weapons.
But…
”Get lost! You pesky insects!”
Otto swung his longsword and easily brushed
”Ggh!”
”Guh!”
The shadow that was knocked away neatly takes a defensive stance and immediately stands up.
”Flaming Arrow!”
From somewhere, several Flaming Arrows flew in, heading towards Otto,
”Magic Eye!”
At the same time as the sparkle in Otto’s eyes, the earth binding his feet and the incoming Flaming Arrows vanished.
”I heard that if I get violated by you, I could be embraced by Hiroya…”
”Hmm… no way. It’s too disgusting… I’ll pass.”
The shadow that was easily brushed aside by Otto was 2 female Fighters.
Both were glaring at Otto with their katanas drawn.
”Silke! Annabelle! You two can’t handle this! Step back!”
Laura appeared from the opposite mansion, shouting.
”Nele! Nina! Magic won’t work on this guy. It gets nullified by Magic Eye!”
(I see… they are from Rose Hip…)
”Hey! You’re that female Thief. Just what I need. Ever since becoming a Demonkin, I haven’t been able to properly embrace a woman. Come here quickly!”
Laura, directly addressed by Otto, started to tremble.
A woman who seemed to be a Tank stood in front of Laura, raising her shield towards Otto.
”Hiroya! I’m coming!”
Asuka kicked off the ground.
I also dashed towards Otto.
Asuka, who was close to Otto, twisted to dodge a thrust from him.
However, the ‘Kansenmaru’ that was quickly returned to her hand unleashed an even faster thrust.
”Kansenmaru!”
”Nuu!”
Asuka’s shout and Otto’s groan echoed.
Asuka’s thrust beautifully struck Otto’s left shoulder.
I also aimed for that spot and delivered a quick strike with ‘Yamikirimaru’.
”What!?”
I was sure I had hit…
At the moment Yamikirimaru’s slash was supposed to sever Otto’s left arm──
(His left arm ‘detached’!?)
My strike cut through the air, and Otto kicked Asuka away while holding his shoulder.
”Asuka… you did it…”
Otto’s detached left arm was tightening around Asuka’s throat.
”Guh…!”
”You bastard!”
Gorge is trying to pull that left arm away from Asuka.
”Hmph… this time, you guys aren’t the target. I don’t have time to waste.”
The left arm that had been on Asuka’s throat returned to Otto.
”First, it’s the Müller woman…”
Saying that, he left at a speed like the wind.
”Asuka, are you okay?”
”Yeah. I’m fine. ──Hiroya! Hurry to the lord’s mansion… no, to Kazumi’s house! Leave the lord’s mansion to us!”
”Got it! ──Thank you, Laura and everyone!”
I left Asuka, Gorge, and the members of Rose Hip behind and ran to the stable, mounting Haya to head for Kazumi’s house.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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