Here we go! Today is another day of exploring Amatsukuni!
The plan is to visit the carpenter guild master who helped build the Yutopola hot spring mansion with us, then greet Yuuki-san’s father Gouki-san, and carefully select items we can order regularly!
And tea, of course, tea!
Not just tea leaves, but matcha too!
Once I get some good matcha, I’ll make matcha pudding for Freed again!
Buying some Japanese sweets and inviting Mika-chan and Misa-chan for a tea party sounds nice too.
The venue…….. the tatami room in Yutopola would be perfect, right?
All right, let’s enjoy Amatsukuni to the fullest today too!
……..Or so it was supposed to be.
「Don’t move! One man, two big-breasted women, three beastkin, and one Amatsukuni woman…….. that’s definitely them!」
「Surrender peacefully!」
「You’re under arrest! You’re under arrest!」
……..What exactly did I, or we, do?
The moment we left the inn…….. is this the fate of a troublemaker?
Why…….. I didn’t want this. I didn’t ask for this.
All I want is to quietly enjoy the charms of Amatsukuni, why does this keep happening?
Is wishing for a slow life really such a bad thing?
Goddess…….. Reidianna-sama, save me!
「Hmm. No killing intent. Probably just capture.」
「I see. Then my liege is safe for now.」
「Each one is pretty strong. C…….. no, probably B-rank adventurers.」
「I’ll protect Master……..!」
「No, Wendy, stay behind me.」
I gently take Wendy’s shoulders and move her behind me to shield her.
Haaa…….. I really wish they’d spare me from trouble……..
「Those uniforms…….. White Fox Squad, right? So, Tachibana’s unit……..? Wait, could it be…….. related to the fox shrine maiden-sama?」
Shion had been muttering to herself, then suddenly turned back to me with a start.
Why is she whispering 「This is m’lord’s power…….. what is this, so scary!」 in a small voice while looking at me with a trembling, fearful gaze?
Absolutely, definitely, positively, I haven’t done anything!
「M’lord. I’ll handle this somehow…….. but we’re in trouble. If Tachibana were here, it’d be resolved right away…….. but she’s not. Useless serious girl……..」
「Hmm? I don’t really get it. Should we just beat them up?」
「No no no, we’ll become wanted criminals! These people protect the city, if we fight back, we won’t be able to stay in Daiguu anymore! Well…….. that’ll be the last resort……..」
That is…….. unfortunate, but it can’t be helped.
It seems if this Tachibana-san were here, things could be resolved, but safety comes first above all.
……..Really unfortunate, though.
「Mmm…….. I’ll try to handle this, so everyone, absolutely do not get involved! Got it? No getting involved. Absolutely not.」
Shion lectures each of us one by one like a parent scolding children, firmly repeating “do not, absolutely not”.
Everyone reluctantly agrees, putting away their weapons but keeping their guard up while observing the situation.
「Hmm, nn. Excuse me, but there’s no reason for us to be surrounded like this. Is this an order from Tachibana?」
「You know Tachibana-sama’s name……..? Who are you……..」
「I’m Shinobi-name Shion. Tachibana and I were in the same class…….. Is Tachibana not here?」
「Shion……..? Wait, could it be 『Talented Genius Shion』?」
「Uwaa…….. I wish m’lord and the others hadn’t heard that painful nickname…….. Ah, just to clarify, I didn’t give it to myself. People just started calling me that on their own, okay?」
Putting the naming sense aside, I’m realizing Shion really was treated as exceptionally talented……..
It’s not a mocking nickname, she actually earned it, huh?
That said, Shiro just muttered “Talented Genius” in a deadpan voice, so she’ll probably keep calling her that for a while.
「Well, even if she’s not here, she’ll come if called. Tachibana! Tachibana! Hurry up or I’ll beat up everyone here!」
Hey, don’t say scary things like “beat up everyone”.
The moment you said that, they all got way more alert.
「……..You haven’t changed. Still fooling around as always.」
「Oh, Tachibana. So you were here after all. Long time no see. Still as annoyingly serious and uptight as ever, good to see.」
Apparently, she knows Shion, but she’s wearing something like a shrine maiden outfit…….. or rather, a priestess robe with slits showing her armpits and thighs, barely covering her chest, black hair in a ponytail, glasses, and a serious-looking woman……..
She speaks calmly and seems very proper, yet the sideboob peeking through the slits is so erotic……..
She’s clearly braless, any sudden movement and the tips might show, but since she’s a shinobi like Shion said, she’s probably made sure nothing slips.
「So? What’s the meaning of this? We have no reason to be surrounded or arrested.」
「……..Haa. I ordered you to find them, not to capture them……..」
The woman called Tachibana gave a single sharp glare, and the men surrounding us shrank back, breaking out in cold sweat as they trembled.
So, no capture was necessary after all……..
If that’s the case…….. then why were they searching for us?
「……..My subordinates were rude. I will make sure this never happens again through proper discipline.」
Ah…….. yeah.
That would be best, but all the soldiers are standing rigid and shaking……..
She must be their superior, and a very, very frightening one……..
「……..However, we must bring you before the fox shrine maiden-sama at her request. I apologize, but even you, Shion, will have to comply.」
The fox shrine maiden-sama?
The fox shrine maiden-sama…….. according to Shion, she’s the greatest monster-like figure in this country…….. What could someone like that want with us?
「The fox shrine maiden-sama……..? What could she possibly want with us……..?」
「I do not know. However, Yae-sama seems to be in an excited state…….. Apparently, the fox shrine maiden-sama is concerned about it. And the cause appears to be one of you…….. Beyond that, I do not know.」
「Yae-sama……..? I don’t quite understand…….. but there’s no danger, right? I cannot allow m’lord to be put in harm’s way, so please guarantee that.」
「Not just me, everyone’s safety too.」
That is absolute.
In other words…….. this is one of those situations where we have no choice but to go……..
Haha…….. this seems like a hassle……..
I just wanted to quietly enjoy Amatsukuni……..
「Yes…….. As Tachibana the attendant, I guarantee your safety in the fox shrine maiden-sama’s name. She is not a bad person, so you will likely be released immediately after the audience……..」
「I see…….. M’lord. I’m sorry, but this is an invitation from the greatest person in this country. We could refuse if we wanted…….. but it’s probably better not to.」
「……..Yeah, feels that way. Then we’ll have to delay meeting the carpenter guild master and Gouki-san…….. or maybe reschedule for another day……..」
「Yes…….. I’ll speak with Tachibana about that. If we mention it was the fox shrine maiden-sama who summoned us, they should understand. Still…….. I truly wonder what she wants……..」
That’s something I’m curious about too.
If they were searching for us, there must be some reason……..
So we followed Tachibana into the castle……..
This is a valuable experience in its own way, but the one we’re about to meet is the fox shrine maiden-sama……..
「M’lord. M’lord」
「What is it, Shion」
「As expected…….. we ended up meeting the fox shrine maiden-sama!」
「……..」
「I’m worried. About what kind of tricks m’lord will use to charm the fox shrine maiden-sama」
「……..You’re already assuming I’ll charm her」
「Because look, m’lord has charmed every important person you’ve met so far. So what are you planning this time? Taking her chipai into your mouth?」
「I’m not doing that……..」
I have no idea what she’s so worried about, but I have no intention of doing anything!
She’s not someone’s acquaintance like Koren or Sicilia, and I have no connections here, so surely this will end peacefully!
……..Right?
「……..I’ve been wondering since earlier, but Shion. Have you chosen your master?」
「Ah, yes. This is my lord! Just to say in advance, please refrain from comments like ‘he looks ordinary’ or ‘he doesn’t seem impressive’, okay?」
「Hey」
「No no, it’s better than the people behind you unleashing killing intent and going wild……..」
……..Yeah.
I don’t really mind, but still……..
「It’s fine…….. We all know plenty of m’lord’s good points. That’s enough, isn’t it?」
「Well…….. yes」
「Yes! I said something good! Now m’lord is totally smitten!」
No way it’s that easy.
But I’ll admit she said something nice.
「Haa…….. I’m surprised you chose your master, but…….. you seem very happy.」
「I am! Being with m’lord is so much fun!」
She clings tightly to my arm, flashing a sideways peace sign to show we’re close, but hugging while walking makes it hard to move.
Also, she’s definitely pressing her breasts against my arm on purpose.
Hmph, as if a trained man like me would be happy over something like…….. no, it’s nice no matter how many times it happens. Yeah.
「I see…….. You do have good judgment. I can’t see it myself, but surely he has something special.」
She gives us a suspicious look, yet somehow seems to believe Shion’s words just a little.
……..Perhaps there is a certain level of mutual trust between them?
「Ah, Tachibana-san, you said you and Shion were in the same class…….. Could it be you were rivals or something?」
「No. We were classmates, but there was a world of difference between us. Rivals…….. I could never claim that much.」
「Tehe. It’s fine, Tachibana. Keep praising me more. My evaluation isn’t rising fast enough, so come on, tell them about my heroic tales from training days!」
「……..She was always fooling around like this, yet she truly was exceptional. I was honored to serve as the fox shrine maiden-sama’s attendant, but if Shion had any motivation at all, I would never have gotten this position.」
「Well, being an attendant is an honorable job, I suppose, but it didn’t seem very fun. Still, thanks to that, I met m’lord, so my choice was definitely the right one!」
Haaa…….. hooo……..
She really was that talented, huh……..
This personality probably holds her back, but at the same time, it’s exactly this personality that makes her Shion.
We continue talking as we climb through the castle, passing the final stairs until we reach an especially solemn door.
「Well…….. let’s end the conversation here. Beyond this door is Kitsune-dono, where the fox shrine maiden-sama awaits. Please…….. do not be rude.」
「I don’t know the proper etiquette or manners……..」
「Just imitate Shion. Some rudeness is fine since we summoned you here. The fox shrine maiden-sama is humble and kind, so she will not reprimand you like a king from another country might. I will enter first. Please come in after a short while.」
Tachibana-san cracks the door open slightly and steps inside.
As always, I wonder, how long exactly is “a short while” supposed to be…….. hm?
「……..What is this? There’s something dangerous behind this doorssu.」
「Yeah…….. it feels like when we faced the earth dragons……..」
「Ah…….. definitely the fox shrine maiden-sama. Now you understand why I said not to make trouble, right? She is Amatsukuni’s guardian deity. Normally she is very kind, gentle, and adorable, but if you anger her…….. well, that’s why.」
「This pressure just through one door…….. Shiro. Could you win?」
「……..No chance.」
「That certain, huh…….. We really should behave ourselves.」
Oooo…….. the combat team seems to be sensing something, but I’m just standing here blankly.
I’d like to act like I understand, but since I don’t, I’ll keep quiet and just try to look composed.
Wendy is gripping my clothes tightly, perhaps as a great fairy she can sense it too?
……..If only Mizera were here, I wouldn’t feel so alone.
「I’m glad you understand how terrifying the fox shrine maiden-sama is. Now then, let’s go in. Everyone…….. please, no matter what――」
As Shion urges us once more to be careful and places her hand on the door, it suddenly flies open with force, and something leaps out……..
Something…….. eight fluffy tails and a small rear end, which jumps straight at my face and knocks me flat on my back.
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