The next day, I took off from the Elven Village Airport with Milly in tow. She was a total handful at first, bouncing around with excitement, but she eventually fell asleep on my back.
I spent the rest of the trip alternating between soothing her whenever she woke up energized and occasionally landing to placate her. Somehow, we managed to make it back to the garden of the Ducal Mansion before sunset.
I’d mentioned I’d be back today or tomorrow, which was probably why the Head Maid and the maid who’d been looking after me came out to meet me as soon as I landed.
However, their expressions turned deeply suspicious when they saw me cradling Milly, who was huddled deep inside her hood. In fact, the maid who’d been caring for me seemed to be shooting me a look of pure accusation. What was that all about?
"Head Maid, please inform the Duke that I have returned."
With that, I carried the half-asleep Milly into the mansion.
"It’s been a while since I was here-o. Riza-tan’s husband’s place is certainly impressive-o. And that old hag of a Head Maid used to be quite the cutie back in the day-o."
How should I put it... this pervert really is like the Great Sage.
His personality is a total wreck, though...
"Ah, but the old hag who was glaring at Allen-shi is a hag I don't know-o. Allen-shi, did you do something-o?"
"I have no clue. I'm the one who wants to ask."
By the way, I had reverted to my usual way of speaking. This pervert had told me it was creepy if I didn't talk normally around him, so I decided to take him up on that.
"Allen-shi, don't you think she's seen through your true nature? You're just like Bokuchin-o. Allen-shi, kidnapping is a crime-o. If you have a record, you should just confess-o."
"No, I don't! And I am absolutely nothing like you!"
While we bickered, I hurried toward Ana's room, still carrying the dozing Milly.
But it seemed I moved a bit too quickly, and Milly woke up halfway there. From then on, it was a struggle; she bombarded me with questions, pointing at the paintings decorating the mansion and asking what this was or what that was.
But to my surprise, the pervert answered those questions, breaking them down into simple terms that were easy for Milly to understand.
"What’s with that look-o? I was called a Sage back when I was human-o. This is just basic common sense-o."
"Why does a Sage know so much about fine art anyway?"
"Because if I give a good answer, the loli will get happy and tell me how amazing I am, obviously-o!"
The pervert puffed out his chest, but his motive was bottom-tier. To make matters worse, since he’d become a being known as a Light Spirit, he looked like a stunningly beautiful young girl. The gap between his appearance and his character was horrendous.
Moreover, since this guy acts like the ideal, holy Light Spirit in front of anyone but Milly and me, no one else has noticed how abnormal he is. I suppose you don't spend a lifetime as the "Selfless Great Sage" without getting good at hiding the fact that you're a total pervert.
"Sigh. Why do you only reveal your true self like this in front of me?"
"Hmm, why is that-o? Even Bokuchin doesn't know-o. But Allen-shi doesn't hate Bokuchin even like this, right-o?"
"W-Well, yeah."
"That means Allen-shi is definitely just like Bokuchin-o."
"I'm definitely not!"
"Allen, what's not?"
"Hm? It's nothing, Milly."
"Hmm..."
I wonder what kind of reaction Milly will have if she ever realizes this pervert's true nature.
Feeling a sense of unease, we finally arrived at Ana's room.
Knock, knock.
"Ana, I'm coming in."
I called out after knocking on the door.
"Please, come in."
I was startled for a moment by the reply, but I immediately regained my composure. Right, that was Elizaveta’s voice.
When we opened the door and entered, we found Elizaveta sitting by the bedside, clearly having been nursing Ana.
"Excuse me."
I entered the room, still holding Milly.
"Oh? And that child is...?"
I closed the door and brought Milly before Elizaveta.
"Lady Elizaveta, this is Lady Mililurella, the youngest daughter of the Queen of the Elven Village. And perched here on Lady Mililurella's right shoulder is Lord Roh the Light Spirit, who is contracted to her."
"My, is that so! It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Elizaveta, mother of Anastasia and wife of Duke Ramslett. Lady Mililurella, Lord Roh, I thank you for traveling all this way for my daughter's sake."
Elizaveta performed a truly elegant, perfect lady's curtsy.
"Hmm, Ana's mama? Ah, it's Ana!"
Milly stared at Elizaveta for a moment, then spotted Ana. She squirmed out of my arms and dove onto the bed.
"Ah, wait, Milly! Ana is currently—"
"She's sleeping!"
Milly said, gently patting Ana's cheek. Watching this, Elizaveta could only manage a wry smile.
"Why did you bring such a young child alone?"
"When I mentioned the situation to the Queen, it was decided almost too easily that Milly should come along. I'm not entirely sure why myself."
I tried my best to answer Elizaveta, who was giving me a somewhat accusing look, but the pervert chimed in with a supplementary explanation.
"I'm contracted with Milly-tan, so I can't leave her side-o. That's why if I go somewhere, Milly-tan has to come along too-o."
"I-I see. Uh, it seems that Lord Roh cannot stray too far from his contractor, Lady Mililurella."
"But is this Riza-tan-o? She's definitely aged-o."
Elizaveta seemed satisfied with my explanation, but beside me, the pervert casually dropped an incredibly rude remark. Obviously, I wasn't going to translate that.
"Well then, time for an examination-o."
Ignoring me as I pondered how to keep the conversation going, the pervert flew over to Ana's pillow.