Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 134: Going to Meet the Lord of Noza Town
“There’s also a less urgent matter. It says here that Princess Sophia has been appointed lord of Noza Town and the surrounding region.”
Demon Lord Rukie continued as she held up a piece of parchment.
“Huh? Princess Sophia… has become a lord?”
“Yes. More precisely, Noza Town became part of Archduke Kharon’s domain, and its administration was entrusted to her.”
Rukie nodded in response to my question.
“The letter doesn’t explain the circumstances in detail. Therefore, Thor, I want you to go and hear the full story from her.”
Princess Sophia had become the lord of Noza Town.
Honestly, I was surprised.
Princess Sophia certainly had the ability and popularity to become a lord—if the Empire valued talents beyond combat and assigned people accordingly.
But the Empire isn’t that kind of country.
Archduke Kharon was probably involved.
He was Princess Sophia’s ally, but also an archduke of the Empire.
He might have acted both to protect Princess Sophia and to keep her talents within the Empire.
“I understand regarding the meeting with Princess Sophia.”
I bowed my head to Demon Lord Rukie.
“I’ll depart for Noza Town and ask Princess Sophia about this important matter.”
“Please do. Princess Sophia is a valuable neighbor, and Noza Town is the nearest human settlement. Both matters are important.”
“Understood. Although, I feel it might not be a very serious matter.”
I said.
“If it were bad news or an emergency, Princess Sophia would have sent word through the winged pixies. Since she didn’t, I suspect it’s important but not urgent.”
“Indeed. I agree as well.”
“A representative of the Demon Lord’s Domain will attend the meeting as well, correct?”
“Agnis will be there.”
“That means this will be an official meeting between Princess Sophia and a representative of the Demon Lord’s Domain.”
Chancellor Kelve said.
“Princess Sophia probably wants to convey an important matter in an official meeting.”
“What do you think about the content of the information, Kelve?”
“Perhaps there’s a new magical beast near the border, Archduke Kharon or Princess Liana plans to return, or Imperial troops have begun moving. Something along those lines.”
“I see. Then it makes sense to have an official meeting.”
Rukie nodded with the dignity of a Demon Lord.
“If she merely wished to speak with Thor, she would use the bathhouse at the Trading Post.”
“I agree.”
“The secret room of the ‘Fizzing Bath,’ right?”
“…Yes.”
“I’m surprised that the Empire’s princess peeks into the secret room every time she takes a bath.”
Rukie and Chancellor Kelve stared intently at me.
They must have read the ‘Water Summoner’ report…
Anonymous Princess S had been so impressed that she wrote passionately about the Fizzing Bath.
Although I had never heard that someone peeks into the secret room every time she takes a bath.
“Now, I order alchemist Thor Canaan,”
Rukie cleared her throat, as if trying to change the atmosphere—
“Travel to Raisenga territory with Mabel and your escort. Then meet Agnis and hold the meeting with Princess Sophia in Noza Town.”
“Understood.”
I replied, still kneeling.
“I’ll meet Princess Sophia together with Agnis and hear the detailed story from her.”
“Good. I count on you, Thor.”
“Thank you very much, Thor-sama.”
Thus, I was assigned a short journey to Noza Town.
“That means the combined Security Buzzer, Hair Dryer, and Water Spirit Stone Pendant Cover I’m making for you’ll be delayed a little. Sorry, Mabel.”
“No, no! No need to rush, Thor-sama.”
That afternoon,
Mabel and I prepared for the trip in my room.
There was little actual packing to do. The Miniature Simple Storage could hold nearly all the household goods we might need.
Still, traveling would leave me less time for alchemy.
I really wanted to take a long time to make items for Mabel.
The item required the precious Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone, so I couldn’t afford to fail.
I had already decided on the construction process, but wanted to work in a calm environment.
I would finish it after returning.
“Thor-sama, since you have an important mission entrusted by Her Majesty, it’s natural to prioritize that.”
“But Mabel is also important.”
“Eh!?”
“I’m making an item to protect my fiancée. For me, it’s just as important as Her Majesty’s mission. Isn’t that obvious?”
“B-but, Thor-sama, you’ve already given me both a Security Buzzer and a Hair Dryer…”
“That won’t be enough to protect Mabel.”
Grasp!
I placed my hands on Mabel’s shoulders.
She still didn’t seem convinced, so I looked directly into her eyes and spoke firmly.
“The Security Buzzer and Hair Dryer are certainly powerful, but there will be times when neither is in your hands.”
“T-Thor-sama… when you look at me so closely… ah, ah…”
“I originally wanted to add a beam-firing mechanism to your pendant. That would be dangerous if it malfunctioned, so I settled on the Security Buzzer and Hair Dryer. The Hair Dryer has a safety mechanism and will also help style your hair.”
“…T-Thor-sama.”
“In any case, protecting Mabel is a top priority for me.”
“Th-thank you… Thor-sama.”
“Yes. Honestly, I would prefer that you remain at the Demon Lord’s Castle during this trip—”
“…What did you just say?”
Clutch.
It happened suddenly.
This time, Mabel placed her hands on my shoulders.
“There’s no way I’m staying in the castle. I’m Thor-sama’s attendant and fiancée. Besides, there must be things I can do during the journey.”
“Rukie-sama did make me promise to bring you whenever I entered the Fizzing Bath’s secret room, but—”
“That isn’t what I mean. Staying by your side and caring for you is my purpose, Thor-sama.”
Mabel whispered, staring intently at me.
“Just as you wish to protect me, I wish to be useful to you. I can’t create magic items as you can, so I want to serve you directly at your side.”
“…Mabel.”
“And there’s also Thor-sama’s health. If left alone, you’d probably skip meals and sleep and focus only on alchemy.”
“Do I really seem that incapable of taking care of myself?”
“……”
“Why do you silently smile so kindly?”
“Oh, it’s almost three o’clock. Time for a snack.”
“Um, Mabel, what about my answer?”
“The kitchen staff have developed a new dish—pancakes mixed with fruit. Their work has become easier thanks to the Water Summoner, so they offered to make some for you.”
“Y-yeah.”
“I’ll go get them right away. Thor-sama, please rest.”
“Got it. Also, about my ability to take care of myself—”
“Yes, Thor-sama?”
“I can take care of myself. In the Empire, I lived alone in a dormitory, prepared ordinary meals, and cleaned my room.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. In the imperial capital, I rarely used alchemy and had spare time.”
“…I see.”
“That’s right. I spent extra time organizing the warehouse or reading historical books in the government archives… but when I returned to my room, there was nothing else to do.”
“Thor-sama… so that was your life in the imperial capital.”
“Ah, you don’t have to look so serious.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m happy with my life in the Demon Lord’s Domain now.”
“I’d be glad if you could say that specifically.”
“Of course. I can practice alchemy freely, talk with you, and meet with Rukie-sama. My life is fulfilling. At night I continue researching and experimenting, and there’s never enough time in the day—”
…Ah, shoot.
Mabel nodded with an expression that said, “Just as I thought.”
I had walked straight into her trap.
“Thor-sama.”
“Leading questions are cheating, aren’t they?”
“As your fiancée and family, I need to maintain Thor-sama’s health.”
Mabel took my hand, her eyes shining earnestly.
“If anything happens to Thor-sama, I would feel guilty toward Agnis-sama, Princess Sophia, and the other fiancées. Among the fiancées, I’m ‘Thor-sama’s health caretaker.’”
“When did the roles get assigned!?”
“By the way, Agnis-sama is ‘Thor-sama’s bodyguard.’”
“And it actually makes sense…”
“So, Thor-sama, please make up your mind and let me take care of you.”
“Is that okay?”
“It is. Taking care of Thor-sama is my happiness… and there are still so many things I want to do…”
I understood.
Just as I wanted to protect Mabel, she wanted to care for me.
In that case, there was nothing more to argue.
“Alright. Mabel. Let’s go together.”
“Yes, Thor-sama.”
“But only up to the border forest.”
“As an elf, I would stand out in Noza Town…”
“I’ll make new disguise items eventually.”
“Yes. I look forward to it.”
“Also, I’ll properly tell Mabel about Princess Sophia in my own words.”
I planned to bring a Voice Recorder as a precaution.
But Mabel wanted me to convey important matters in my own words.
She was my fiancée, and I intended to honor her wish.
When I said that, Mabel—
“Thank you. I love hearing things in your own words, Thor-sama.”
She showed me a beaming smile.
The next day, Mabel and I set out for Raisenga territory with our escort.
The journey was uneventful.
Whenever they spotted our carriage, winged pixies came over to talk.
According to them, people were gathering in Noza Town.
It was probably related to Princess Sophia becoming the region’s lord.
The larger crowds made it harder for the shy winged pixies to approach the town.
They’re all shy, so it can’t be helped.
We therefore pushed the carriage a little faster than usual—
occasionally speaking with the pixies who gathered along the way—
and safely arrived at General Raisenga’s mansion.
“We’ve been waiting for you, Thor-sama!”
“Finally… we were able to meet.”
General Raisenga and Agnis were waiting in front of the mansion.
The general wore his usual armor, while Agnis wore practical clothes that would let her depart immediately.
When we got off the carriage, the general nodded and said,
“Thor-sama, you must go to Noza Town immediately, right?”
“Yes. I want to hear from Princess Sophia as soon as possible.”
“…I see. That’s unfortunate.”
General Raisenga hung his head deeply.
“I wanted to hold an engagement announcement party for Thor-sama and Agnis.”
“…Eh?”
“I proposed an engagement between my Agnis and Thor-sama, and Thor-sama accepted. Her Majesty the Demon Lord approved it as well. Naturally, such an occasion deserves a grand celebration.”
“F-Father!? Now isn’t the time…”
“I understand. But in truth, I wanted to hold a festival for the entire territory: parade Thor-sama and Agnis through the streets in a carriage, announce the engagement to everyone, and then hold a grand banquet at the mansion for all our officials. We could recount how the two of you met and speak of Agnis’s feelings—”
“…Father?”
Agnis tightly grabbed the general’s arm.
Agnis smiled calmly as her Health-Boosting Pendant began to glow.
“I told you before, we won’t do things like that.”
“I-I understand. We can’t provoke the empire’s princess, after all. So, that’s why we decided on a private party. I understand, Agnis.”
“…I’m glad you understand, Father.”
“I’m a general of the Demon Lord’s Domain. I won’t allow my emotions to dictate matters of state.”
Saying that, General Raisenga gave a wry smile.
Then he looked toward me and said,
“I’ll accompany you to the border and wait in the forest for you and Agnis to return. In the meantime, I shall protect Mabel and the others. Leave your fiancée to me—as the father of your other fiancée, I’m practically family. Focus on your duty without concern!”
General Raisenga nodded firmly.
Before long, we reached the forest along the border.
We temporarily parted from Mabel and General Raisenga, and Agnis and I continued to Noza Town.
When we arrived at Princess Sophia’s mansion—
“Thor Canaan-sama and Agnis Freizad, right? I’ve heard about you.”
An unfamiliar girl stood in front of the mansion.
Her long chestnut hair was tied into a ponytail.
She had a slender body.
Two short daggers were tucked at her waist.
She wore light armor.
Beneath the armor, she wore long sleeves and trousers that covered her down to the ankles.
She met our gazes without flinching—
“Archduke Kharon entrusted me with Princess Sophia’s protection. My name is Dorothy Listan.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Thor Canaan.”
“I’m Agnis Freizad…”
…Hmm?
Dorothy Listan…?
“Um… are you perhaps a relative of Archduke Kharon?”
“I’m the daughter of a branch family of House Listan.”
The ponytailed girl Dorothy nodded.
Then—
“I came here on the Archduke’s orders. Captain Isaac’s Omawarisan Unit will maintain public order, while my unit protects Princess Sophia. I look forward to working with you.”
The girl Dorothy gave a mischievous look and winked one eye.