Return

I was pushing Ram toward Alf Town, making him run literally like a Carriage Sheep.

Miranda Lousouth, a member of the Mastermind Family, was never one to fight directly in combat. However, she was the one who had supposedly pulled the strings behind the scenes during the Academy Attack Event known as the Dark Academy Festival—the event where the vast majority of the Academy turned into enemies and fell upon the protagonists.

While she hadn't shown any notable activity as a Mastermind since then, the fact that almost every male character except for the protagonist held her in high regard suggested they had likely been beguiled by her. She was the very mirror of a Villainess, after all—obsessed with men and indiscriminately snatching up any handsome man she saw, even if he was already someone else's fiancé.

Dangerous opponents in my territory... the Mercenaries?

It was hard to imagine that Totto or Ren, both veterans of the underworld guild, would make a clumsy blunder. That meant the real risk lay with the Mercenaries responsible for the town's defense. Even without them, the town could technically function, but it would become extremely vulnerable to external threats.

For the time being, we had established friendly relations with the Beast Kingdom and the Empire. As for the Holy Principality of Ames, they shouldn't suddenly Attack us thanks to the Magic Tools... I hoped.

...No, considering their obsession with those things, I have to account for the possibility that they might invade while shouting, "We shall obtain every last Magic Tool!"

The probability was low, but compared to the two nations where I had relatives, the Principality remained a wildcard I needed to watch.

But the most terrifying factor of all was the Demon Kingdom. That was the one place I simply couldn't read. During the previous Attack, there had even been reports that the Demon Lord himself had led the charge. Unfortunately, he had already withdrawn by the time we arrived, but the subsequent silence from that direction was, if anything, more unsettling.

Just what are they plotting?

Regardless, with so many dangers still looming, having our Mercenaries headhunted now would be nothing short of a disaster. The only silver lining was that since the primary figures involved were women, the town’s core functions wouldn't be completely usurped.

"Why are you in such a rush?" Fee asked.

"I have a bad feeling. Like something outrageous is about to happen... Anyway, move it!"

"I-I'm trying, baa! But pulling two carriages is exhausting, baa!"

"I'll increase your dinner tonight based on how much time we save."

By "dinner," I meant those vegetables grown with the "white powder" that had become Ram's exclusive obsession. Even though they had no actual flavor, he seemed to love them. Since it was a substance that would likely cause all sorts of diplomatic incidents if I brought it into another country, I had been exercising some self-restraint. Despite appearances, I did have a conscience.

"I'll do it, baa! I'll give it my all for Food Squared, baa!"

"...Wait, aren't you trying to increase the portion by an astronomical amount?"

"It’s just your imagination, baa!"

I considered secretly docking his pay later, but I suppressed the urge for now.

"I’ll run for my food, baa! Taking the shortest path, baa!"

From that point on, Ram ignored every obstacle in his path. He ran in a perfectly straight line, occasionally devouring a few groups of Thieves along the way until we reached our destination.

"We're here," Fee said.

She was perfectly nonchalant, but Emilina and the others were limp with exhaustion.

"That was... way too fast..."

"I-I was so scared..."

Elu clung to me, burying her face in my side. Seeing that, Luna watched with envious eyes.

"I was... scared."

Luna's delivery was a complete monotone, but she clung to me as well.

"You don't look even remotely frightened, do you?"

"...Just your imagination."

As I suspected, she wasn't scared at all. Then Fee, who had been happy to be home just a moment ago, looked back and forth between the town and our group.

"F-Fee was actually scared too."

"Sigh... if you just want to cling to me, fine. Do what you want."

Realizing that refusing would be an exercise in futility, I gave a wry smile. Immediately, I felt a murderous aura emanating from behind me.

"Don't you even think about it, First!"

"W-Why not!?"

As I had feared, First was also attempting to join the group hug. For starters, the guy hadn't been scared in the slightest. In fact, he had been the one telling us to go even faster.

"No one is going to be happy if you do that."

"I would be happy," Emilina interjected, flatly contradicting me.

Truly, I have no greater enemy than her.

"In fact, please keep providing more of this. Fritz was a bit of a letdown in terms of excitement."

"Hey! What do you mean I wasn't up to the task!?"

"I meant exactly what I said."

"Guh... Yuri, a man can't just back down after being insulted like that, right!?"

Fritz was suddenly burning with a strange competitive fire. If you're a man, please back down. Especially if you don't realize exactly what kind of 'excitement' she's imagining.

"Yuri-sama... could it be that you prefer men...?"

Predictably, the innocent Elu was getting the wrong idea. Emilina really was the last person who should be in charge of anyone's education.

"Don't listen to Emilina. I'm perfectly normal."

"I-It's okay. I'll follow you no matter what your tastes are, Yuri-sama."

She said it with the gravity of someone making a life-altering resolution.

"We're totally being left out of the loop, aren't we?"

"Better that way. It's peaceful."

Lark and Gale, unable to find a way into the conversation, were huddled in the corner of the carriage with their arms wrapped around their knees.

Just as I managed to parry Emilina’s psychological Attack, Sasha came sprinting toward us from the direction of the town, looking frantic.

"B-Brother!? Thank goodness. Brother, you have to come quickly!!"

Her tone was panicked, dropping her usual formality. As I feared, had the Mercenaries been turned?

"I'm coming. Who went over to their side? Is at least half the force still here?"

"The ones who joined Big Sister are Lucille-san and Melty-san!"

"What!?"

The names were so far outside of my expectations that I couldn't help but let out a shocked gasp.