Chapter 90

“I just happened to have a job where I had to drop off some cargo near Franz-kun’s territory, so I took a leave of absence to go offline right after that. I figured since I was here, I’d bring this little one along and head over,” Tototo-senpai explained why she was here.

However, since I hadn’t told her I was coming home, I suspect the President had a hand in this. Also, Tototo-senpai… I know we’re at the beach, but that swimsuit is way too revealing. Where do they even sell those?

“Marsh Troll wants to broaden horizons from now on, gau-gau!”

It seems this turned into a fun experience for Whowa-whowa. If so, that’s a good thing.

“Franz-san, you were very cool. I was quite moved. I’m glad I hired you.”

“I agree. I thought he was like the protagonist of a novel.”

“Clap clap.”

President Kelkel and my two seniors, Sansonsu and Farphistania, all praised me. Being watched by this many people is honestly embarrassing.

“You said you want to make everyone precious to you happy—most people can’t bring themselves to say that. I’ve lived for five centuries, but you’re the first person I’ve heard go that far.”

Well, yeah, people don’t exactly run into situations like that every day.

“So, that means you’re going to marry everyone and take care of us all, right?”

“…………Huh? I think there’s a huge misunderstanding here…”

True, if a man holds a bouquet and tells a woman, “I’ll make you happy!” it usually counts as a proposal. Is that how they interpreted it…?

“I don’t know if this counts as a legal marriage, but I’m happy nonetheless…”

“Sansonsu-senpai, what are you saying?! It’s a misunderstanding!”

“There’s an age gap, but is it okay with you, Junior-kun?”

“Farphistania-senpai, it’s not about whether it’s okay or not—it’s irrelevant!”

The President is laughing; she definitely did that on purpose… Now some of my pure-hearted seniors are starting to get ideas…

After clearing up the misunderstanding, we went back to sunbathing. There’s surprisingly little else to do at the beach.

By the way, I was being stared at even more than I was on the first day.

“Who the hell is that guy…?” “He must lead a depraved life…” “Drop dead, lucky bastard.”

They’re saying all sorts of things, but there’s no real problem—the gender ratio at my company is just extremely skewed.

“I was teasing you earlier, but I truly believe you’ve become a fine Dark Mage, Franz-san. I feel like you’ve grown even more over these past few days.”

“I don’t know if I’ve grown, but there were just things I couldn’t leave alone…”

“An excellent member of society finds challenges and grows even during their complete ‘off’ time. I believe that was the case for you.”

There goes President Kelkel’s specialty: killing with kindness. I’ll take that with a grain of salt.

“When you’re surrounded by seniors you have to look up to like this, you end up that way. It’s thanks to all of you.”

Suddenly, Farphistania-senpai reached out from behind and patted my head. That caught me off guard.

“Flattery won’t get you anything. There, there.”

I suppose you could say her “dere” side is showing.

“Now that my training is over, I hope to be even more active after summer vacation.”

“That’s a great attitude. Oh, speaking of training—um, who was it again?”

The President got a pensive look on her face.

“Ah, yes, yes. A woman named Aliénor is apparently coming to stay with us for a short while in September, so please look after her.”

“Eh? Why her, of all people…?”

“It’s a system in the Dark Magic industry called a ‘Mini-Study Abroad.’ It’s hard for those who are mostly self-employed to learn new techniques, so it’s not unusual for them to come to a company in the Royal Capital.”

Recalling the Sabbat, my face felt hot.

“I see… I’ll work hard so I don’t let her get ahead of me.”

“Yes. I’m sure you’ll be fine, Franz-san. Please continue to learn the ropes of the job.”

It looks like September is going to bring more “trouble” my way.

It was just around lunchtime, and people not in swimsuits began to increase on the beach. People who work nearby often eat their meals while looking at the sea.

And among them, I spotted my old man.

Guh… I have a bad feeling about this…

The moment he spotted me, he dashed over with a hawk-like gaze.

“Franz, you… you! How much more enviable can you get?!”

Seeing that reaction, I realized he really is related by blood to that ancestor.

“These are people I met through work. There’s nothing scandalous going on!”

For some reason, my dad put his head in the sand and knelt like a turtle right there on the spot.

“Hey, what are you doing…?”

“I’ll give you twenty silver coins. No, thirty!”

“What are those silver coins for?! Are you an idiot?!”

“I may be an idiot, but a harem is a man’s greatest ambition!”

“Shut up! And stop posing like that!”

“At least step on me and look down on me!”

Afterwards, the President told me, “You have a very interesting father.”

It was a summer vacation where I ended up showing the most embarrassing side of my family to everyone at the company…