Episode 54: Townsman A Introduces the Villainess to a Pervert

“A-Allen?”

Ana finally emerged from the Queen’s room, her voice timid as she called out to me. I was currently doubling as a jungle gym, having graduated from being held and lifted high to giving Milly-chan a shoulder ride.

Why did she look so apprehensive?

I set Milly-chan down and introduced the two of them.

“Lady Anastasia, this is Lady Mililurella, the Queen’s youngest daughter. And, she is also the contractor for Lord Ro, who is—technically—here, and is—technically—the Light Spirit.”

I pointed at the pervert, making sure to emphasize the word “technically” twice. It was a distinction worth making.

『What’s with the “technically”-o?! That’s just rude-o!』

Ignoring the incomprehensible pervert’s protest, I introduced Ana to Milly-chan.

“Milly-chan, this is Lady Anastasia. She’s someone very precious to me.”

Milly-chan stared intently at Ana. In response, Ana offered an elegant, formal bow.

“I am Anastasia Kleiner von Ramslett. It is an honor to meet you, Lady Mililurella. And…”

Ana glanced around the room restlessly.

『Allen-shi, is this old hag your wife-o? Also, normal humans can’t see spirits-o. Did you forget something so basic, Allen-shi? Pfft-ha-ha-ha!』

The pervert was spewing all sorts of nonsense. To think this thing was actually the Light Spirit… honestly, the world really was going to hell in a handbasket.

(Then why can I see you?) I thought.

『Allen-shi is special because he’s the owner of an elven charm-o. You’re an honorary elf, Allen-shi!』

When I whispered the question to him, that was the answer I got.

“It seems spirits are invisible without elven assistance, but he is technically here. Yes. Technically.”

I pointed at the pervert again.

“……I see.”

A look of slight disappointment crossed her face. Even though she couldn’t see a thing, Ana turned toward the direction I was pointing and performed another graceful lady’s bow.

“Lord Ro, Great Spirit of Light, I am Anastasia Kleiner von Ramslett.”

『Hmph. For an old hag, she’s quite polite-o. She might actually be a decent BBA… Wait. I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere-o… Oh? Kleiner and Ramslett? Is she from House Ramslett-o? Oh? Oh?!』

As he spoke, he began flying circles around Ana, scrutinizing her from head to toe.

『Now that I look at her, she does have traces of Liza-tan-o! Is this girl the daughter of Gerhardt and Elizaveta—Anastasia-o?!』

(What, are you an acquaintance?)

『Acquaintance?! More like I was the one who taught Liza-tan magic when she was just a little girl-o! Back then, Liza-tan was a total angel-o!』

“……”

Isolating this guy in the forest had definitely been the right move.

『Come to think of it, I’ve only visited once since she got married and had kids-o. To think that little girl has already turned into such an old hag! I’ve failed as a mentor-o!』

“O-oh……”

As I continued my hushed conversation with the pervert, Ana remained in her bow, looking increasingly uncomfortable under Milly-chan’s unblinking stare. Eventually, she looked toward me, pleading for help.

“H-hey, Allen……”

“Er, Lady Anastasia. There’s no need to be so formal. Oh, I know. Milly-chan, Ana-oneesan says she wants to hold you.”

“Eh? Allen?!”

At my suggestion, Milly-chan’s face lit up with a brilliant smile, and she scurried over to beg Ana for a hug. With a strained expression, Ana awkwardly managed to lift the girl into her arms.

It was a scene featuring a stunningly beautiful young woman holding an adorable elven child. What’s more, the little one looked absolutely delighted to be held.

It was a scene as picturesque as a fine painting—if you ignored the fact that Ana’s face was frozen in a stiff, nervous grimace.

『Hmm. My Milly-tan has taken a shine to her, so I guess she isn’t a bad person-o. Wait. But Allen-shi, weren’t you a commoner-o?』

(What about it?)

『I see, I see. Allen-shi, you’re more of a risk-taker than you look-o. Playing with fire, are we? I get it-o. Oh, I get it-o!』

God, he was annoying. He was a pervert and a pest. Dammit.

I know. I know better than anyone that I shouldn’t fall for Ana, and that she shouldn’t be wasting her time on someone like me.

Ana has to enter a political marriage eventually. Even if it isn't with the Crown Prince anymore, her partner will be a high-ranking noble or perhaps foreign royalty.

She was a flower on a high peak, a prize far beyond the reach of a commoner like me. I wasn’t even supposed to dream of her.

And yet!

I started all of this just to save my mother, but before I knew it, the list of people I wanted to protect had grown. Now, I find myself wishing for the one thing I mustn't have.

Dammit!

『That face says it all-o! Allen-shi is serious about this girl-o! Oh, oh. To think you’d call me a pervert while chasing an illicit love yourself—the double standard is real-o! Pfft-ha-ha! Hey, hey, how are you feeling right now? U mad? You salty?』

I ground my teeth. It was infuriating, but I couldn't find a single word to fire back with.

『Well, fine-o. I’m not a monster. As long as you’re inside this village, word won’t leak to the outside. You should just do what needs to be done tonight and get it out of your system-o!』

“That makes it even worse! Ah…… sorry.”

I accidentally shouted out loud. When I realized my mistake, I quickly apologized to the startled Ana and Milly-chan. I was left standing there under the gaze of a grinning pervert, a suspicious-looking Ana, and a completely bewildered Milly-chan.