「 Daiki-sama, this is Gilbert, the former head of the Slye house, one of the Knight families long in service of the Adicilton house, he led the knights as the deputy commander 」
The old knight sat down on the chair and bowed lightly.
「 Gilbert Slye Pleased to meet you 」
The old knight was a man with wrinkles, yet, he gives off the appearance of a strong man
He’s a little taller than me, which is about the average height in Japan, but his broad shoulders and thick chest makes him look good.
Although he’s a knight, he’s not wearing any metal or leather armor, but a cloth outfit covering his body and a cloak. At a first glance, he’s so lightly dressed that one could be forgiven for thinking that he’s an adventurer.
「 Kotori Daiki. Oh right, it’s Daiki Kotori in here 」
I introduced myself to Gilbert-san, who had a stern look on his face, his expression never relaxed when facing me.
I know why.
Feeling comfortable, and not wanting to see that face…Euphy, who was sitting next to me on the bed, speaks up.
「 Gilbert, I can’t let you stare at Daiki-sama like that 」
「 But, princess 」
「 No Buts. Stop this disrespect towards my master 」
「 Ah, Master?! P-Princess…you’re not brainwashed… 」
「 I’m in a normal state of mind. Now apologize to Daiki-sama 」
Euphy’s intimidating air was too much for Gilbert-san.
He calls her “princess,” and if she were to put her force on the battlefield, she would get called princess knight or something, which is dignified and powerful.
「 Kotori-dono, I apologize 」
「 No, I can understand how you feel, Gilbert-san 」
Gilbert-san made a passable apology, but I still think that he’s not all over it.
Well yeah, you can never see what’s good on a man who makes your princess his slave.
Everyone knows what happens to good-looking female slaves.
After meeting the old knight Gilbert, we went back to the inn to settle down and talk.
I sat down and this happened. I was a little freaked out to see when Euphy, who I thought would be happy to see him again, just snapped at him.
For now, let’s have the two of them talk it out first, watching over like it’s an ornament, Euphy lets out a small sigh and softened her expression.
「 It’s been a while, Gilbert. I’m glad that you’re still alive 」
「 I’m thankful to hear that. I’m embarrassed, but I’m still living. 」
「 It’s been a year since Mugdam has fallen. Needless to say, I’m happy that I’ve been captured as a slave and that Daiki-sama’s purchased me. How was yours? 」
「 H-Happy? U-Uhm, I’ve avenged Master Clive’s death, and after that, I gathered the survivors that were being chased down and now we’ve taken refugee in the county of Loureshou After that, we heard rumors about the princess being in the Nyhied kingdom, but when we found out that you’ve already departed, we scattered in various places in search for you 」
「 I see. I never thought that there were still survivors 」
“Clive-sama,” It must be her brother or father.
I mean, the bloody knights or whatever is looking for Euphy?
「 We’ve reached a number to call ourselves an order of knights. However, we believe that the princess is still alive, and so we spent our days looking for you. Princess, please come with us 」
「 So you ask. I’m happy that your hearts are still with us even after the loss of Father and Brother 」
「 Princess! We can revive the Adicilton house! 」
Gilbert-san got up from his chair and knelt in front of Euphy.
I feel like I’m watching a historical drama.
「 Gilbert, calm down. I will not go with you 」
「 Ha! W-Why?! 」
「 It’s because I don’t like leaving Daiki-sama’s side 」
「 Guh! Kotori-dono! I ask you! Please release the princess from her slavery 」
Suddenly, Gilbert-san’s troubling me with his hands on the floor, but Euphy puts her hands on my arm.
「 Daiki-sama, I’m sorry for the trouble my family had caused you. Gilbert, don’t trouble Daiki-sama. Even if I’m no longer a slave, I will not go. I’m devoting my whole mind and body to Daiki-sama 」
「 P-Princess! Everyone’s waiting for you! 」
Gilbert looks at her in disbelief, but Euphy gives him an apologetic downcast look.
She’s also in trouble, but this doesn’t seem like it’ll make any progress unless I talk to her.
「 Euphy, I’ll have to interject 」
「 I’m sorry 」
「 No, don’t apologize. Did you do anything wrong? Okay, first of all, Gilbert-san. I cannot let go of Euphy. Euphy’s irreplaceable to me, and so I cannot let go of her this late 」
「 We’re not asking her to be released without compensation either. We’re going to pay you the appropriate amount 」
「 Hmm, appropriate amount? I’m not saying that I will, but if I were to sell her off, I’ll have to receive double what I paid for her. Can you pay 600 gold coins? 」
「 S-Six hundred?! W-We cannot pay such absurd amounts! 」
「 No, I don’t care how much they accumulate. I just want Euphy next to me 」
Hearing what I tell him, Gilbert-san stares at the floor.
He’s quite mad, the trembling of his body scares me.
But, he’s the one who started talking about money.
I’m not willing to let go of Euphy, but I don’t think this will resolve itself.
So, let’s go with a compromise or a suggestion.
But, I have to hear him out first or I will not understand the situation.
「 I did say that I will not let her go, but I also give her a lot of consideration. I want to ask Euphy, what do you truly want? Do you not want to reward these people who yearn for you? 」
「 T-That’s… 」
「 Don’t worry about me, just tell be honest. That’s an order 」
「 I-I want to respond kindly to Gilbert and everyone’s feelings. 」 However 」
「 Do you want to revive the Adicilton house? 」
「 I think that’s the final objective 」
「 I see. So, how can you achieve that in specific steps? I heard that there are houses that have recovered after their collapse, but, how are you going to do that when the country itself is gone? It doesn’t have to be Euphy, Gilbert-san, I’d like to hear your ideas too 」
I turned to Gilbert, who looked at Euphy for a moment, and he looked bitter for some reason.
「 The current plan and the most likely scenario would be to receive a fiefdom from accumulating achievements in Loureshou and start a new house there 」
「 A new house? What do you mean? 」
「 T-That’s… As proposed by the third son of Duke Badel, Davey-sama, it would be marrying the princess and restoring the Adicilton house in the future generations who inherited the blood of the King of Mugdam and the blood of the House of Adicilton… 」
「 Davey-sama? 」
Huh?
So they plan to impregnate my Euphy with their blood?
Do you think I’d allow that?
「 U-Uhm, Daiki-sama? 」
「 Oh, sorry. I just moved without thinking 」
That’s a surprise, I was already hugging Euphy unconsciously.
I mean, I’m kissing Euphy’s cheek already.
If stares could kill, Gilbert-san would’ve already done that.
「 So, I’m wondering if you have any idea how to gain territory? I don’t think that’s easy to get. Or am I wrong? 」
「 There are several places in that country where powerful monsters haven’t been cleared out. As soon as the princess returns, we’re going to go out with all our people to defeat them and take the land for our exploits. However, if we weren’t successful in battle, we could take the offer Davey-sama had and take his land 」
「 From what I’m hearing, I feel like you’re counting on his assets from the start! 」
「 There’s no other way! Most of the elite knights of Adicilton’s house had already departed to the other life! Those who remained are capable, but we’re outnumbered! 」
Gilbert-san’s voice is hoarse as he exhales roughly.
Reflecting on the fact that he was a little agitated, I continued.
「 I just want to make sure, if you take down the monsters on that land, you can take it?
「 It was an idea from the Marquis of Loureshou, whom we had a longstanding relationship with. So there’s no need to worry 」
「 I see. Then, there’s only one solution I could give you. Now, before anything, Gilbert-san, are you willing to spar with Euphy? 」
「 Huh? With the princess? 」
「 Yes, I’ll have you listen to my suggestion after that 」
「 W-What joke is this? 」
Gilbert-san’s reaction is normal.
After all, we never mentioned that we’ve been hunting in the woods or dungeon so far, so he probably thinks that Euphy doesn’t have the strength to fight.
I put my hand on Euphy’s shoulder, as she was staring at me.
「 With that said. Euphy, can you? 」
「 May I? Gilbert is someone who knows me well 」
「 It’s fine. Besides, it shouldn’t be a problem if it’s the same Gilbert-san as you know, Euphy 」
「 Daiki-sama, thank you for trusting in Gilbert. Come, Gilbert. Daiki-sama gave his orders. Let’s spar 」
Saying that Euphy stood up and Gilbert-san also got up from the floor
「 Princess, what does this mean? 」
「 This is important. Let’s get in the courtyard 」
Euphy leads outdoors, and Gilbert-san follows.
I followed the two to watch them spar.