Chapter 16

What on earth was happening?

Every single thing Kota presented to her captured her heart and refused to let go.

Today, during their break, he served her something called a “caffè latte.” She had experienced drinking coffee several times before. It had a distinct bitterness and aroma; she didn’t dislike it, but she didn’t have any particular affection for it either.

However, the coffee Kota served her the other day was something entirely different from the coffee she had known. She was captivated by its blooming fragrance. Above all, when eating chocolate alongside the coffee, the aromas of both were heightened, creating a unique harmony.

And today, the caffè latte Kota and his friend prepared made that coffee milder, adding even more richness to the scent. Its compatibility with the chocolate was exquisite.

But Kota… every time you bring me joy, I simultaneously feel a wave of anxiety.

Will you stay by my side forever? If so, I could immerse myself in this pleasure without reservation. But the contract with Kota is supposed to last only until the end of my military service. At that point, our master-servant relationship will end…

Oh, God of Space-Time! May I monopolize the Summoned Beast you have ordained?! Please, answer me. Please, show me the way.

The moment she questioned the heavens, a sudden change came over her body.

Once again, she was struck by an intense urge to urinate in front of Kota and the other. It is well known that caffeine, found in things like coffee, has a diuretic effect. She had indulged in a second cup of caffè latte. Furthermore, she was traveling under a winter sky with cold winds blowing.

Her urge was an unavoidable physiological phenomenon. However, it was over 10 kilometers to the next village, and they were on an open plain with nowhere to hide. She decided she had no choice but to be honest about it. This sort of thing might happen many times from now on. She felt she should get used to it now.

Clara-sama brought Blitz to a halt. I wondered what was wrong.

“Is something the matter?”

“I… I need to relieve myself…”

Eh? Ah! I see…

Since Clara-sama was wearing her helmet, I couldn’t read her expression, but judging by her voice, I figured she was incredibly embarrassed. In times like this, a business-like attitude is best for everyone involved.

“Understood. Yoshioka, can you make a wall with Earth Magic?”

“Leave it to me.”

“Then I shall assist you in removing your plate armor.”

“Please.”

A short distance away, Yoshioka began creating a makeshift restroom. I started removing the armor while making sure not to meet Clara-sama’s eyes. Without panicking, but with haste.

Having finished the wall, Yoshioka returned to the bike in silence. I stripped the armor off her with unprecedented speed.

“We’ll be waiting over here, then.”

“Umu.”

Clara-sama disappeared behind the wall without ever looking in our direction.

It must be tough for women. I wonder what they do during military campaigns? If you’re a guy, you can just take care of it easily nearby, but women can’t do that. Well, as long as Yoshioka and I are around, we can manage it like we did this time.

In a way, I think it was a good simulation. I discussed that with Yoshioka.

Clara-sama returned to us. As we’d coordinated, Yoshioka provided magic water to wash her hands, and I offered a towel to dry them.

“Kota, Akito… you have my thanks.”

We told Clara-sama what we had decided beforehand.

“Clara-sama, we are your attendants. It may be embarrassing, but please give us any order you require. Especially once your military service begins, there will be various inconveniences. However, we are here specifically to resolve them.”

“…Umu. I am putting you to a lot of trouble, but I shall rely on you. …Thank you.”

As she spoke, Clara-sama looked a bit more at ease.

“By the way, Akito, what was with that ‘restroom’?”

“I tried to give it an artistic finish!”

“But, that… a toilet seat modeled after a dragon’s maw is a bit much…”

Say what?

“Furthermore, even engravings depicting the movements of the sun, moon, and stars… could you not make it a bit simpler?”

Just what kind of thing did he build!?

I instinctively started to go take a look, but Clara-sama scolded me with everything she had.

“Y-You fool! You must not go there! I—I just used it!”

I’m sorry. That was a serious lack of delicacy on my part.

As Kota helped her back into her armor, Clara spoke to the God of Space-Time once more.

Oh, God of Space-Time, so this is your answer. That if I open my heart, Kota and the other will respond in kind… I do not know what will become of our master-servant relationship in the future, but I intend to face Kota with sincerity in my own way. So that, as a result, our bond may become something better.

No one knew if Clara’s prayer reached the God of Space-Time. However, it was a fact that this incident had deepened the bond of Clara’s party just a little bit more.

Clara-sama had her hands pressed together. That was the gesture for praying to God, common to both Earth and this world. Was that a prayer of thanks for a successful bathroom break? No way.

Still, she really did need a woman’s touch for her personal care. Maybe I should suggest recruiting a female attendant once we hit the Royal Capital. It wasn’t just for Clara-sama; Yoshioka and I were getting pretty worn out from the mental strain too.

“Senpai, do you think there are guilds in this world?”

“No idea. Why?”

“I was thinking I’d like to hire a woman once we get to the Capital.”

So Yoshioka was thinking the same thing as me.

“Looks like we’re on the same page.”

“Eh? Are you into dark elf ‘moe’ too, Senpai!?”

We were not on the same page at all.

“Not even close.”

“What, so you’re a standard blonde elf guy?”

“Get away from the elves.”

“A beast-ear fetish?”

“That’s not it.”

Our journey continued. We arrived at Kattenstrokt, our intended lodging for the day, around 3:00 PM. It was much earlier than planned. This was thanks to Yoshioka’s Recovery Magic, which allowed Blitz to walk without getting tired.

This village was about the same size as Ebba-berg, so it didn’t have any proper inns. In times like this, the local branch of the Temple is where you stay. Most Temples have a common space where travelers can lodge cheaply. In exchange, the rooms are communal and meals aren’t included. However, many places do have private rooms reserved for nobility. For a rural priest with a low salary, lodging fees were a vital source of income.

When we arrived in front of the Temple, a servant came out.

“I am Clara Ansbach, Knight Bachelor of Ebba-berg. I request lodging for the night.”

Once Clara-sama stated her title and name, we were immediately shown inside. It seemed being a noble really did come with privileges. The fact that the Priest came out to greet us right away made that very clear.

I tied Blitz up in the stable and secured the bike to a pillar with a locking chain. Then, I chopped up some fodder and fed it to Blitz. As a special treat, I pulled some apples and carrots out of my Spatial Storage.

“Here, Blitz, a present from me.”

“Brrrpt!”

Blitz happily rubbed his neck against me. Having that heavy saddle taken off must have made him feel liberated too.

After feeding Blitz, it was time to prepare our own meal. The cooking area was set up in a corner of the courtyard. Nearby, chickens and goats were wandering around. Yoshioka had already started the preparations.

“Where’s Clara-sama?”

“She’s resting in her room. She said we’re free to do as we like until dinner.”

Yoshioka and I were in the communal room, but as a member of the nobility, Clara-sama stayed in a private one. Of course, the rate was higher, but nobles weren’t allowed to stay in communal rooms. If they absolutely had to, they usually did so while hiding their identity.

Just as I heard cheerful voices coming from the main building, six young women appeared. They were all girls, ranging from their late teens to their late twenties.

“Hello. Are you two staying at the Temple tonight as well?”

It seemed these girls were staying here too. Could it be in the same room? Yoshioka immediately started acting fidgety. He’s basically shy around strangers. I’m used to sleeping in mountain huts, so communal sleeping didn’t bother me.

“We’re the B-rank adventurer party ‘Silver Knife.’ I’m the leader, Mel. It’s only for one night, but good to meet you.”

A woman named Mel, who had a scar on her cheek, greeted us. She had the vibe of a powerful “brave woman”, but she wasn’t unfriendly.

“We are the attendants of Lady Clara Ansbach, Knight Bachelor of Ebba-berg.”

After exchanging greetings, we each set about preparing our respective meals.