It Was That Serious

A nobleman. Realizing that, Kikori hurriedly dropped to one knee.

“M-My apologies. Should I have addressed you as Defense Count Seims-sama?”

“Hm. You are still a child, yet you know proper decorum.”

Smiling in satisfaction, Defense Count Seims continued, “As for that fairy…”

“Kikori, if she is partnered with you personally, then naturally the responsibility falls on you. You understand that, yes?”

“Yes, sir.”

“That said, I can imagine, in my own way, the sorts of problems that could arise from the presence of a fairy.”

When Kikori stood at Defense Count Seims’s words telling him to rise, Defense Count Seims removed something like a pendant.

“Keep this on you. It should be able to resolve a certain amount of trouble.”

“This is…”

“My house’s crest. If trouble still arises after they see that, then it would amount to slighting my house… well, that is what it means.”

The escorts around them started to protest as Defense Count Seims pressed the pendant into Kikori’s hand, but Defense Count Seims silenced them with a wave of his arm.

“A fairy and a human forming a pair. You may not yet understand it, but that carries an extremely grave meaning. I must inform the royal capital of this matter and keep watch over your future.”

“…Yes, sir.”

“In the near future, I shall also send an invitation to both of you through the Adventurers’ Guild. Ah, and one more thing…”

Then, as if remembering, Defense Count Seims met Orphe’s gaze and gave her a bow.

“My apologies for the late greeting. I am Haideln Seims, the man in charge of this Fortress City of Nilgen.”

“I’m Orphe. But let me tell you this—if you expect too much from fairies, you’re the one who’ll get burned.”

“…I shall keep that in mind. May I ask what led you to join forces with Kikori-kun?”

“Because I liked him.”

“I see. That was very informative indeed. Would you allow me to send you an invitation as well, together with Kikori-kun?”

“Do whatever you want.”

Smiling gently, Defense Count Seims turned his gaze to Kikori once more.

“That equipment of yours also appears to be quite something. Well, I shall not ask too deeply about it.”

“Uh, yes.”

“Then we shall take our leave now. Let’s go.”

“W-Was that really okay!?”

“What else is there to do? Ah, guard. That is how it stands. Be sure to let Miss Orphe through as well.”

Nodding to the saluting guards, Defense Count Seims and the others departed.

Watching them leave… Kikori let out a long breath.

“Haaah… that was tense. So that means he’s basically the most important person in this city.”

“Well, it was that serious, after all.”

Saying that, the guard pointed at the “Defense Count Seims’s pendant” still clutched in Kikori’s hand.

“Don’t lose that. Put it around your neck right now. It’s basically proof that you’ve entered under Defense Count Seims’s protection.”

“…So it really is that kind of thing.”

“I’ll say it as many times as it takes, but it was that serious. If any trouble comes up, show that without hesitation. Understood?”