「We have arrived.」
「……Fue?」
「We have arrived, Argusta-sama.」
At the coachman’s voice, I hurriedly wiped the drool from my chin.
I had been awake for part of the journey… but Noie had fallen fast asleep too.
「Noie. We’re here.」
「……Good morning.」
「Ahaha. It’s already past noon.」
「Yes.」
The girl who had been clinging to me sat up and stretched.
Being able to do that in such a cramped carriage was only possible thanks to her child-sized body.
Noie was the first to hop out through the opened door. She jumped lightly to the ground and quickly scanned the surroundings.
「Arg-sama.」
「Yes, yes.」
Ever since the attack the other day, her instinct to keep me safe had grown incredibly strong.
As one of the continent’s foremost dragon slayers, she made an impeccable bodyguard… but looking at her, she was unmistakably a little girl, so the mental damage to the one being protected was immeasurable.
With her help I stepped down from the carriage. From the direction of the mansion, several people came running in a flustered rush.
「So today was the day of your arrival, Argusta-sama.」
「Sorry about that. Work and the carriage schedule didn’t quite line up.」
「No, no. Please forgive us for being late to greet you.」
「It’s fine. You must be very busy with your duties, right?」
「Haa…」
The person bowing deeply in apology was the head of a lesser noble house.
Even though I was no longer formally part of the royal family, he was sweating buckets in my presence. He really ought to take a page from his daughter, the one with hair growing on her heart.
「Hmm?」
「Is something the matter?」
「Where’s Mische?」
「……」
The leftover goods who was supposed to be back at her family home during the rainy season break was nowhere to be seen.
Her father, Horshun von Eberhecke, gave a strained smile.
「That girl…」
「Skipping and sleeping in?」
「No. She went out this morning to care for a horse that fell ill.」
「Then there’s no helping it.」
Work is work, no helping it.
She had thumped her flat chest with full confidence earlier, saying 『I’ll take perfect care of you during your stay!』… but I can tease her about it later.
Following his lead, we started walking toward the mansion.
Looking around, the place was full of open grasslands and trees, a truly pleasant spot. The air felt especially clear and delicious to breathe.
The western region of Univance was known for its abundance of trees. It was also the homeland of both Mische and Lutte.
Growing up surrounded by such vast nature… maybe that’s how people like Mische, with her oversized personality, or Lutte, with her oversized chest, ended up the way they are?
Noie, just like me, kept glancing around curiously in every direction.
As always, she clung tightly to my right arm and refused to let go.
「Argusta-sama.」
「Hm?」
Horshun-san spoke up in a reserved tone.
「According to my daughter, you are currently her superior… is that correct?」
「Yeah, pretty much.」
He steeled himself visibly, his lips trembling as he opened his mouth.
「Is Mischeela carrying out her duties properly? As her father, I am truly concerned about that.」
「……」
Huh? Hold on a second? What’s that noise?
「Mischeela?」
「Yes. Our daughter… Mischeela von Eberhecke.」
「……」
My feet stopped naturally. I looked down at Noie clinging to my arm. Her clear, bright eyes were utterly adorable.
Just looking at her like this healed everything inside me. Ah… I’m so happy.
「Wait, ‘Mische’ wasn’t her real name?!」
I was genuinely shocked to learn that fact for the first time.
-0-
「I myself have no idea why my daughter came to be called Mische instead of Mischeela…」
We were led into a modest yet calm receiving room, where her father told us many things.
Born as the second daughter, Mische, Mischeela, had spent a very lively childhood. At the age of twelve she left for the royal capital… and then vanished without a trace.
About four years later she suddenly returned home, accompanied by Prince Halfren as an important guest. Since then, she has come back regularly, but she never speaks about the details of her work.
No matter what he asked, she always answered 「I’m doing my job properly～!」 Lately, though, that had changed to 「I’m dealing with some super amazing creatures～!」 and it had left him deeply uneasy.
I do admit they are super amazing creatures, but I will never forgive anyone who speaks ill of my wife.
「So, Argusta-sama. How is our Mischeela doing?」
「Her work… she does it occasionally. Yeah. Well, she’s called a payroll thief, but since none of her comrades actually dislike her, we just leave her be.」
「Haha… I see.」
The father looked so deflated that his soul might slip right out of his mouth. Poor man.
Well, having a daughter so useless she’s called a payroll thief,
「Who are you calling a payroll thief?! Both brothers are so rude!」
「Noie. That tiny one… toss her lightly over here.」
「Yes.」
「Wait, Captain! Why are you moving so casually when you normally never do, eaaaaaaaaaah!」
The idiot who tried to climb in through the window was hurled away by a girl who looked every bit a noble young lady.
Horshun-san stared in stunned silence at Noie’s fluid motion as she discarded Mische. As her superior, perhaps it was my duty to give him at least a little honest evaluation of his daughter.
「Just between us… whenever new recruits join the squad, she tends to feel intimidated. While she’s struggling to fit into the group, that one always shows up spouting nonsense and making jokes.」
「I-I see.」
「She gets turned into the butt of jokes without permission… and the more she gets angry and yells, the more they tease her… until her sense of being the victim grows so strong that she naturally slips right into the circle of comrades.」
「……」
Noie gave a small chuckle, sat down beside me, and looked up. I stroked her head gently.
She herself should be an object of fear by rights… yet not a single person in the squad is afraid of Noie.
「By acting the fool and providing laughter, she keeps the squad’s morale steady all on her own. For that, I am truly grateful.」
Of course, something this embarrassing can never be said in front of her.
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