So, Kikori Is Your Name

Kikori was ultimately overruled, but he was still worried.

That included whether Orphe might blast the Fortress City with magic, but he also could not imagine what kind of effect a “fairy that appeared friendly” would have.

So after passing through the fortress ruins and entering the forest, he decided to ask Orphe one more time around there.

“…Hey, Orphe.”

“What. Do you hate having me around that much?”

“That’s not it.”

“I’m asking whether you hate it or not.”

“I don’t hate it.”

“Then isn’t that fine?”

“Haaah…” Kikori let out a long sigh.

That was not it. That really was not it.

“To begin with, why did you decide to come with me?”

“Isn’t it obvious? To slaughter those wyvern bastards.”

“I can’t beat them, you know?”

“I’m not saying do it right away. But it’s better than trying to negotiate with other monsters, right?”

“…I guess so.”

Leaving Orphe sitting on top of his helmet, Kikori approached the Hero Gate… and the guards raised their spears in alarm.

“Stop! On your head! Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed!?”

“She’s a friendly fairy! It’s okay!”

At the guard who had taken up a whistle and was preparing to blow it, Kikori shouted in a panic.

This was about what he had expected, but that did not mean he could avoid responsibility for bringing her here.

“A friendly fairy!? Don’t be ridiculous…!”

“She hasn’t attacked at this point, has she!? That’s true, right!?”

At Kikori’s shout, the guard lowered the tip of his spear, though still hesitantly.

“…Well, that is true, but… remain where you are. I can’t let you in on my own authority.”

“Yes, sir.”

When the guard shouted something toward the inside of the gate, one of the guards ran off somewhere.

“You’re less trusted than I expected, huh?”

“Is this really a me problem…?”

While they were saying that, several people in rather important-looking clothes, along with what looked like their escorts, came into view, led by the guard.

To be honest, Kikori had no idea who they were.

When they saw Kikori with a fairy on his helmet, they cried out in surprise, and before long one of the apparent escorts came running over.

“So you’re the one who brought this so-called friendly fairy.”

“Yes.”

“…”

“What.”

When the escort turned his gaze toward the top of Kikori’s head, he recoiled under Orphe’s pressure.

“Wait a moment.”

When the escort turned around and nodded, the people in important-looking clothes came closer to Kikori.

“My word…”

“It really isn’t attacking.”

“There’s no way…”

“Hey.”

At that, Orphe spoke up irritably.

“I don’t like being looked over like I’m merchandise. Can I go in or not?”

“I’m sorry, but I’d like you to tell us your purpose. It is common knowledge that fairies are hostile toward humans.”

“I just teamed up with this guy… with Kikori. Is that enough for you?”

The people in important-looking clothes looked at one another, and then one of them turned to Kikori.

“So, Kikori is your name?”

“Yes. I’m Kikori.”

“I see… yes. I am Haideln Seims, the General Administrator of Nilgen. I have also been granted the rank of Defense Count by the Kingdom of Senon.”