「 Gilbert-san, when’s Davey or whatever his name is coming? 」
「 Kotori-dono, it’s Davey-sama! I saw signs of a group that looked like them in a village before this city. With that in mind, I’m sure they’re coming before the day is over… 」
Gilbert-san doesn’t seem confident, but since he’s experienced, he has to be right.
But, I don’t want to call someone who wants to get his hands on Euphy with any respect.
「 For now, we’re not going to enter the dungeon, and how about we wait for them to come? 」
「 It is an urgent visit so I don’t think we have to worry about it 」
Euphy faced me and she looked sorry.
There you go again, worrying that you’re bothering me. What an earnest girl.
Don’t make that face.
So, I gave her a pat on the head for reassurance.
「 That won’t do. We don’t have a problem if we don’t make money for a few days, so let’s take a day off and figure out a way to deal with it. Euphy, don’t make that face 」
「 Certainly. Just in case, I will never leave Daiki-sama unless he doesn’t want me anymore 」
「 Don’t worry. I don’t intend to let you go. With that said, Gilbert-san, will you take care of the first response as our princess thinks? 」
「 Kuh! It seems that our princess has a firm will. I understand. I won’t say anything. I’ll speak to Davey-sama so he can leave 」
No, you should’ve done that from the start.
He’s a knight so I guess he doesn’t have the idea of sticking his head into the conversation of nobles.
Oh right, they’re all former knights.
Oh well, let’s have him go first.
With that said, we left the dungeon and went to a restaurant.
I don’t know if it’s just this town but there are no coffee shop-like stores.
Fortunately, we were the only guest so if we keep our voices down, nobody would hear us.
「 Hmm, as for the strategy, what should we do? 」
「 Let’s see. I suppose I could tell them that I have no intention of going with them 」
「 However, princess, if you consider his personality, he will not just go with it. To tell the truth, I doubt that I will be able to persuade him 」
「 Euphy-nee’s a noble? 」
Nia’s the only one surprised, but if we’re to discuss our countermeasures, we need to come up with a plan.
I don’t know this Davey guy, Euphy only met him a few times, and Gilbert-san isn’t close to him because they’re from a different family, so he only heard what Davey had to say.
「 It seems that we have no choice but to think about it. The only conclusion on our side is that Euphy won’t go to his side. So, I’d like to ask you Gilbert-san, how much military power does Davey have? 」
「 Kotori-dono… 」
「 Oh, I’ll be sure to pretend to call him right when he’s right in front of me. So, how strong? 」
「 Four knights of the Duke of Badel should be accompanying him. As for his strength, I’m not sure. I’m not close enough with his knights to interact with them 」
「 Is that so? Four knights? 」
I don’t know how good these guys are, but at least I’m sure that none of them have a level-four skill.
Even if they take a tough lie, I think we can handle it, but if they have some kind of skill 3, it won’t be impossible, but it will be a little tough.
「 I have to ask, Gilbert-san’s allegiance is to Euphy, right? You seem to be concerned about Davey 」
「 Wha?! My loyalty is only to the princess! The reason I worry about him is because he has Royal Blood through the Duke of Badel! Kotori-dono, you must not underestimate them 」
「 Hearing that relieves me. I’m sorry for doubting you 」
「 Mu? I-If you bow your head like that… Hmm, indeed, I’m sorry that I’ve been acting without considering Princess’ feelings. Kotori-dono may have seen it that way. I apologize 」
I had a few doubts, but when you give out a puppy face in the rain like that, I have no choice but to believe you.
Hmm, it seems that he puts Euphy as a priority, so he will be a valuable asset.
While we’re talking, Nia’s sipping the fruit juice, staring at one side and then the other.
I get you. It’s hard to join the conversation.
Well, she looks excited to hear the conversation so I guess it’s okay?
「 Right, how did Davey find out about Euphy? Did someone betray your group? 」
「 Wha?! N-No! That won’t happen! It seems that people around us saw us making a fuss and got the message. It’s inevitable as everyone was excited to find out that the princess was safe… 」
Oh, I get it.
It seems that they were being a freeloader so the information inevitably leaked.
「 Yeah, this conversation isn’t going anywhere, so let’s wait while shopping 」
The clerk at the restaurant didn’t seem to mind if we stay longer, but when we sat down to talk, it had a boring atmosphere.
Let’s not continue the plan from yesterday, which was buying Euphy and Nia lewd underwear. Gilbert-san’s here.
Well, we can still buy anything else.
We left the restaurant, and went to the town, looking for stores that catches our eye.
It’s a nice change of pace to chill out and buy stuff.
Most are storefront stores, but the streets are lined up with food stalls.
I’ve been in the city for a fair amount of time but there are still places I don’t know.
Walking down the street, Euphy’s gaze fell on one of the stores.
I checked what they were selling and see that they have some accessories.
She’s a former noble, but still one, and so she’s interested in accessories, albeit these ones aren’t expensive.
I walked closer and the three followed.
Euphy and Nia are on my sides, while Gilbert-san was following a step behind as if he’s our bodyguard.
「 Euphy, what do you think of this earring? The jewel seems to suit the color of your eyes 」
「 I think it’s great, but I’m scared that I’ll lose them in battle 」
「 Just take it off when in combat. 」
「 Eh? But I want to keep it on all the time if you gift me that 」
「 Then, how about a ring? It also has the same jewel 」
「 Y-You’re putting it on the ring finger? 」
I picked up a ring with a stone of the same color as the earrings, then Euphy grabbed my arm.
「 You’re clinging hard. Is this good? 」
「 Yes 」
Seems like it has to be this one, I paid because they look like they don’t want it stolen, then, Euphy sticks out her hand, with only the ring finger raised high.
Does it mean the same thing in this world?
「 Euphy-san, why that finger? Tell me 」
「 The ring finger in the left-hand means…well, I’m yours 」
「 In marriage terms? 」
「 No, it’s in possession terms 」
「 You’re fine with that? 」
I seem amazed with that but since she’s okay with it, I won’t complain.
I put the ring on her and she raised her hand to the sky, making a perfect smile, gazing at the ring on her finger.
I thought long ago that nobles are supposed to have some pride in them but Euphy doesn’t have any.
Well, it’s much more friendly that way.
I mean, I feel like she’s got blind faith in me, so maybe I shouldn’t look for that in her.
By the way, Gilbert-san’s just watching the exchange, not saying anything.
His face looks like he’s given up.
「 Hey, Daiki-nii, what about me? 」
「 Hmm, how about a hairclip for Nia? A small flower would look good on you 」
「 Ooh, okay, this is cute! I like this 」
I picked an ornate hairpin for her to use and she seem to like the design I chose her tail was flapping in delight.
She has short hair, and only one side is styled, she now suddenly has that sports-girl vibe on her.
It looks good on her new clothing.
Underneath the leather armor, she’s wearing a shirt that’s short enough to show her navel, and as for the lower half, she’s wearing a leather belt and a short for easier movement.
As we were having a fun talk, Gilbert-san approached and whispered.
「 Kotori-dono, aren’t you being a bit too relaxed? 」
「 Even if you say that, we don’t know when they’ll come, right? I don’t like being too conscious. We’re taking a break from dungeon exploration so it’s fine to have fun 」
「 Muu, it can’t be helped then 」
「 Huh? You seem surprisingly easy to convince 」
「 I wish we brace ourselves a bit better, but it’s been so long since I’ve seen the princes smiling with such joy 」
Gilbert-san looks at Euphy with the gentle eyes of an old man looking after a child.
He knew her since her childhood so that’s how he feels.
「 Well, we’ll deal with it when the time comes. Look, why don’t you buy some fish from that stall? Euphy’s been glancing over there 」
「 Mu! Then I’ll go get some. Should I get one for the lass too? 」
「 Nia prefers meat 」
「 I’ll be back 」
He’s surprisingly sensible once you talk to him.
Wait, he didn’t ask what I want.
After an hour of shopping for stuff and eating, I saw a carriage and a group of followers moving down the main street.
「 Hey, it must be that 」
「 It is that… 」
「 What’s that? 」
Euphy and Nia speak as I point out with my finger.
Looking at Gilbert-san’s grim expression, it seems that our guess is about right.