Kays Translations

Chapter 171

“For the time being, we still have some time before your father arrives, right? In the meantime, I’d like to buy a souvenir for Melt and properly change into my ceremonial outfit.”

That’s how, all of a sudden, a meeting tonight with Lady Shuris’ father, Lord Veil, ended up being arranged.
Fortunately, though, I’d already ordered a ceremonial outfit from the Pigeon Trading Company, so I wouldn’t have any trouble finding clothes to wear.

“By the way, Melt’s staying behind, isn’t she?”

“Yeah. She didn’t seem used to the ship, and it looks like the seasickness medicine has some side effects.”

“Oh? There’s medicine for seasickness here? Huh… I see. Well then, let’s go buy the souvenir first.”

Since she wasn’t in her armor, she didn’t stand out as much as she did in Lindblum.
Even so, her beautiful blonde hair fluttered as she strode briskly down the street, catching people’s eyes.
Together, we headed for the fruit stall Melt had been curious about, down by the harbor.

It seemed that by now people already knew she was the one leading the Glory Knights and maintaining order on Yasha Island. Not only did she draw people’s gazes, but everyone also stepped back slightly, as if in awe of her.

“As expected, you’re highly regarded even here.”

“That’s right. When we first arrived, the population had increased a little, and disputes were popping up all over the place.”

“So you suppressed them all by force, huh?”

“It wasn’t under my orders. I was heading to Izbel, so I only arrived here recently. But the other members had been here for over a month already, and apparently they’d been cracking down pretty heavily.”

“I see. I’d heard the stories, but it sounds like quite a commotion happened in Izbel?”

“Yeah. Well, personally… being able to see the work of Shijima, the brigade’s blacksmith, was the biggest reward. Have you seen it yet? Melt’s new dagger.”

“Of course I have. It’s an amazing blade. I doubt we’ll see many swords surpassing that one.”

“Exactly. If it were possible… I’d love to have him make my longsword too.”

As she spoke, Shuris placed a hand on the slightly long-bladed sword at her waist.
Come to think of it… this might be the first time I’d seen her actually carrying a sword.

“So you’re a swordswoman, Lady Shuris.”

“Now that you mention it, this might be the first time I’ve equipped anything other than a ceremonial blade in front of you. That’s right, among two-handed swords, I specialize in long, slender blades. This one’s made to the longest length I can still handle.”

Just from the scabbard alone, it was clear it was a fine sword — a beautifully crafted sheath holding a blade that must be over a meter long.

“Alright, I’ll go ahead and buy the fruit.”

I picked up several fruits resembling mangoes and papayas, along with a bunch of banana-like fruit.
I also bought a large, watermelon-like fruit — though instead of vertical stripes, it had horizontal ones.
They must have been transported before fully ripening, because they were still a bit green.

“That bunch there — that’s a pretty good one. It’s got a texture like boiled potatoes and is quite filling. Many explorers use it as trail food.”

“Sounds great. It’d be nice if we could cultivate it back home.”

“Yes. The Core’s power has boosted the nation’s fertility, and I’ve heard new glass greenhouses will be installed in Lindblum’s lower levels. I’d like to see promising crops like these cultivated more.”

“Makes sense. With more refugees arriving and more people visiting from abroad, we should do what we can now.”

After buying the fruit, we returned to the hotel.
Since Lady Shuris wasn’t a guest, she waited for me in the lobby.
As expected, management of these details was thorough.

“Melt, I’m back — I bought you some fruit.”
“Welcome back…”

Tragic news: our fox girl has melted.
Melt was now lying face-down, arms and legs sprawled out, completely limp.
She even had her tail totally relaxed — she looked so comfortable.

“I don’t think they’re fully ripe yet.”
“It’s fine… I’ll just use magic to ripen them a bit…”
“That’s… incredibly convenient. Really impressive magic.”

Now that she mentioned it, if she could manipulate the roots of grass and trees, fruits would also be within her control.

“Melt, I have to go meet Lady Shuris’ father, so I’ll probably be back late. Will you be okay eating dinner on your own?”

“Eh? This hotel’s probably expensive, isn’t it? What should I do…”

“I’ll leave you some money. There seem to be places to eat outside too… but you’re cute, Melt… weird guys might approach you if you’re alone.”

“Really? Am I cute?”

“Yeah, you’re cute.”

“I see… then I’ll eat here at the hotel tonight. I think the money will be enough…”

She really did look sleepy… that seasickness medicine probably shouldn’t be used too often.
Even though Melt said she didn’t need it, I slipped three large gold coins into her pocket just in case.
The moment my hand went in, snap — she grabbed it.

“Caught you…”
“I’ve been caught. Okay, I’m just putting the money in.”
“This bed’s unfair… it’s slightly cool and makes me not want to move…”
“Haha, I’m looking forward to sleeping here tonight.”

“Make sure you come back, okay? Don’t go doing the Bonding Ritual with Awawa-san… I know about it… if you do the Bonding Ritual, you become one of those ‘morning return’ people…”

“Where on earth did you get that knowledge from…?”

“I read it in a book— ‘The Leisurely Madam and the Earl of Eastfield’…”

“I… I see…”

It was probably some kind of romantic or erotic novel.
Well, let’s just call it a form of emotional education.
At least I hope it’s one of those that implies things rather than describing them directly.

“Alright then, I’ll be back tonight. Melt, don’t sleep too early or you won’t be able to fall asleep later, okay?”

“Got it… I’ll clean my sword in a bit…”

Leaving those words behind, Melt once again collapsed onto the bed without moving.
Utterly adorable. To be that cute while doing absolutely nothing—honestly, that’s a kind of talent.
What is this fox creature!?

…Anyway, I changed into my ceremonial outfit and returned to the hotel lobby.

“Welcome back, Same. …That kind of outfit suits you quite well.”

“Thank you. It feels a bit strange, though. I’m the only one dressed like this while you, Lady Shuris, are in adventurer gear.”

“Ah, this? Well, it’s pretty warm around here, you see. Wearing my usual armor would be a bit much. Of course, if we were entering a dungeon, I’d switch back. But for patrols around town, this is more than enough.”

“I see. Then… what shall we do until tonight?”

“Hmm, I think I’ll head back to the clan house on the island. I’ll change into formal wear there and pass the time.”

“Ah, so there is a clan house here. I’d like to know its location, so I’ll go with you.”

“Of course. This one used to be a tavern, apparently. It even has a recreation room—might be good for killing time. Why don’t we hang out there together?”

Oh-ho, so that means this expedition was arranged on very short notice.
If the recreation room used to belong to a tavern, I bet it has billiards, darts, maybe even a few card tables.

…And according to Same’s memories, I do have experience with such games.
And more importantly—while I’m not much at billiards, I am quite good at darts…!

Feeling a bit excited, I headed with her toward the temporary Glory Knights clan house.

Just as I’d heard beforehand, the clan house wasn’t a grand mansion like the one in Lindblum.
Instead, it was a moderately large building sitting right on a street surrounded by still-operating taverns and restaurants.

The old tavern sign had been removed, replaced with a modest new plaque reading “Glory Knights Clan House.”
It gave the impression of a local constabulary or sheriff’s office—something with a sense of public order and authority.

“I’m back. Finished the morning patrol around the docks.”

“Oh, you’re back, Captain. A messenger came from the guesthouse earlier—they want to schedule a meeting about the dinner banquet. They asked if you could come the night after tomorrow.”

As soon as we arrived, one of the members came up to report.
So they’re being roped into preparing the banquet as well. No wonder Shuris is so busy.

“Hey, isn’t that Same? Dressed like that, I almost thought you were some nobleman.”

“Haha, they say fine clothes make the man, right?”

“Don’t be so modest! You really look the part—like a young heir of some noble house.”

“Haha, well, maybe I am.”

Technically speaking, according to my backstory, I was once a noble.
…In the storyline, even though my class remained “Thief/Swordsman” to the end and I never regained my title, I did live out my days as an honorable rogue—earning recognition for my deeds.

It was one of the few combinations that actually ended without a bad ending.

That game had way too many jobs that ended on a tragic note.

“I’ll go get changed, so Same, feel free to play around for a while. Can someone show him to the game room?”

“Got it. Alright, Same-san, this way. There are a few people with free time right now, so let’s play together.”

“Sounds good. I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ve got.”

“Alright! That puts my score at exactly zero!”
“Damn it!? Again!? You’re seriously too good at this… next round, we’re doing 1001!”

Yes—there it was! Darts!
The scoring layout was a little different, and apparently “Zero-One” wasn’t the most popular mode here, but still—no doubt about it, darts.

It happens to be one of my rare real-life talents, so… I’ve been completely dominating everyone.

At this point, Same’s knowledge, experience, and physical ability hardly even matter.

“Seems you’re all having a good time. How is it, Same? Enjoying yourself?”

“Enjoying himself? He’s wiping the floor with everyone… none of us can beat him!”

“We’re all getting crushed here! And we’ve been playing every day since we came to this island!”

“Sorry, sorry. There’s a similar game back in my homeland, and it’s one of my specialties. Got a few years of practice under my belt, you see.”

I even had a full soft-tip dart setup at home—no needles, all electronic.
So getting to throw proper steel darts again? Yeah, it’s bringing out my competitive side a bit.

“Oh? So you’re good at this, Same? Then how about a match with me next?”

“Sure thing. We were just about to start another round of 1001.”

“That’s quite a large starting score. Sounds like it takes some serious focus.”

If it’s this much fun, I really should’ve brought Melt along too.
Maybe I’ll ask tomorrow if we can let her play here for a bit.

And so, until it was time for our appointment, Shuris and I got completely absorbed in a heated darts battle.

Man, Shuris is strong—almost had me beat there.

“Ugh… if I weren’t in a dress, I could’ve done a lot better.”

“Challenge me anytime. So… is it about time?”

“Yes, I think my father’s arriving on tonight’s regular ship. He’ll be heading to the guest mansion, so we should go ahead and meet him there.”

Alright then—time to play the fake boyfriend and meet her father…

“Same, the captain filled us in on the situation. The vice-captain and young Letty back in Lindblum know too. Honestly, this could end with the captain stepping down and passing the reins to someone else. So please—we’re counting on you.”

“Got it. Sounds like quite the responsibility. I’ll do my best.”

Most likely, Lord Veil doesn’t actually want to marry his daughter off to some foreign noble.
He probably understands her importance—and from a national defense standpoint, he wouldn’t want that power to leave their borders.
But due to the politics among the nobility, he probably has no choice but to present her in situations like this.

…He’ll see right through the “fake boyfriend” act, no doubt about that.
The real problem is going to be the banquet—that’s where things will get tricky.

As the carriage rocked along, all I could think about was how to act, how to greet her father properly, and what to say.

…Why does my mental age still feel like that of a high schooler, yet I’m sitting here worrying about meeting someone’s father like it’s a marriage proposal!?
What if he actually pulls the classic “You’ll never have my daughter!” line!?

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