Lilia-san’s tearful lecture still echoed in my ears. No matter how I sliced it, I was the one at fault.
I had known the truth about Noin-san’s identity for months. We had been corresponding through letters that entire time, so I’d had countless opportunities to ask if I could share her secret with Lilia-san. Thinking back on it now, I felt miserable for being so thoughtless.
While I was enduring that marathon lecture, it seemed Lunamaria-san had taken care of Acht and the others, showing them around the mansion and serving tea. Her ability to handle those fine details was truly impressive. If only she didn't have that nasty habit of teasing everyone, she would be an exemplary maid.
Once Lilia-san had finally recovered and exchanged a few words with the group, the three of them asked to move to my room to chat. I let out a heavy sigh the moment I stepped inside; sitting in the formal seiza position for two hours had taken its toll on my legs.
"You okay, Kaito?" Acht asked.
"Yeah, more or less..."
"I heard the gist of what happened," Acht said with a wry smile. "Look, she might seem tough, but she’s just a girl in her early twenties. You should try to be a bit more sensitive toward her."
"I have no excuse."
Acht really did have a big-brotherly vibe about him. He was surprisingly attentive to the feelings of the women around him. Perhaps that was the secret to being popular. I made a mental note to be more careful about those things in the future.
"Speaking of which, Noin-san," I said, changing the subject. "It’s a bit late to ask, but was it actually okay to reveal your identity to Lilia-san?"
"Yes. It isn't as if I was stubbornly trying to hide it..."
"Wait, really? Then why do you always wear that armor?"
Noin-san was always encased in full plate. I had only seen her face twice now, including today. She even ate while wearing that helmet—though I had no idea how she managed it. In a way, it felt like she was hiding her identity more than even Alice did, yet Noin-san didn't seem to think it was a big deal.
When I voiced my question, Noin-san began to fidget bashfully. Her face, usually concealed behind a visor, turned a faint shade of red. It was a charmingly feminine gesture.
"It’s... it’s just embarrassing," she whispered.
"Huh?"
"I mean, there are stories about me all over the world that have been ridiculously exaggerated, and my portraits are everywhere! There’s even a Friendly City named after me with a statue right in the center!"
"I... I see. That makes sense."
Now that she mentioned it, the First Hero was a legendary figure in this world. Her name was monumental. I tried to imagine what it would be like to see your own face on every corner. Maybe the founder of a certain famous fried chicken chain would feel the same way if he were alive today.
"And it's not just the statues!" Noin-san continued, her voice rising in distress. "They’ve discovered my old diaries and even the letters I wrote but decided to throw away! I can’t walk around in public like this!"
"I don't think it's something you need to worry about that much, dear..." Eva said, trying to soothe her.
"Eva-sama... B-But..."
"Come to think of it," Acht added, "didn't that Friendly City have a snack called Hikari Manju or something?"
Noin-san went silent.
"Acht!" Eva barked. "Watch your mouth!"
"Ah—my bad."
Noin-san sat down and buried her face in her hands. It felt a bit rude to think it, but she was incredibly cute in her distress. I watched with a small smile as Acht and Eva scrambled to comfort her. Seeing them interact like this really drove home the fact that they were a family. For a moment, I felt a pang of envy.
As the peaceful atmosphere settled over the room, I suddenly remembered my upcoming date with Kuro at the end of the month. I was still struggling to come up with an itinerary. I figured if I asked her family, they might know of a place that would make her happy.
"Um, if you don't mind, could I ask for some advice?"
"Hmm?" Acht looked up.
"Advice?" Eva tilted her head.
"Yes?" Noin-san asked.
The three of them turned toward me simultaneously. Feeling a bit self-conscious, I slowly broached the subject.
"Actually, I’m going out with Kuro soon, and I was wondering if you knew any good spots—"
"When is this date!?" a voice shrieked.
"Whoa!? A-Alice? Where did you come from?"
"Never mind that! What is the date of this outing!?"
Alice appeared before me the instant I opened my mouth. Her usual playful demeanor was gone, replaced by a sharp, tense energy I had never seen from her before. For someone who was supposed to know everything, she looked genuinely, profoundly shocked.
"A-Alice... I thought for sure you already knew."
"Kuro-san puts up powerful barriers whenever she meets you in your room, Kaito-san! I have no idea what the two of you discuss when you're alone in here! Anyway, tell me the date!"
"It’s... the 30th of the Month of Wood. Why?"
"The 30th? That’s much earlier than I predicted... Dammit! Kaito-san, I have a request!"
"Sure, what is it?"
I was completely overwhelmed by her rapid-fire questioning. I couldn't understand why she was in such a panic.
"On the 29th of the Month of Wood—the day before you go out with Kuro-san—come to my shop. I need you to give me one full day of your time!"
"Uh, okay?"
"I’m serious! This is important!"
"I-I understand."
I didn't know what she was planning, but Alice wasn't the type to act like this unless it was truly serious. Hearing my agreement, she let out a long sigh of relief. Then, she flourished her chained robe and shouted into the air.
"Emergency summons! Only Count-class, assemble!"
The three guests gasped. In an instant, ten figures clad in black robes materialized in my room. If Alice was telling the truth, these were all Count-class High-ranking Demons—powerhouses who ranked among the elite of the Demon Realm.
As Acht and the others looked on in shock, Alice addressed the newcomers with a voice of cold iron.
"I will be away on urgent business. Until I return, you are to serve as Kaito-san’s guards. If he receives so much as a single scratch, consider your heads forfeit. And it should go without saying, but Kaito-san’s orders take absolute priority over everything else."
"Yes!" the demons shouted in perfect unison.
The ten high-ranking demons knelt on one knee before vanishing just as quickly as they had arrived. According to Alice, they were now protecting me from the shadows. The thought was anything but relaxing. My privacy had just vanished into thin air.
"Kaito-san, I’m sorry," Alice said, turning back to me. "I’ll be away for a few days. If you need anything at all in the meantime, my subordinates will handle it. Just give the word."
"Eh? Ah, okay..."
"Well then, excuse me."
With that final word to my bewildered self, Alice vanished.
I stood there, trying to process the heavy atmosphere she had left behind. It felt as though a state of emergency had just been declared. But why?
All I had done was mention a date with Kuro. Yet the tension in the room had felt as though a great war was about to begin.
Dear Mother, Father—
I tried to ask Acht and the others for advice about my date with Kuro, only for Alice to suddenly appear. She was completely different from her usual self—dead serious and focused. It felt as if something... something big was starting to move.