“I was thinking of doing something else besides being Noa-san’s bodyguard.”
“Oh? Are you dissatisfied being assigned solely to me?”
“No… it’s not really like that.”
When I replied while instinctively averting my eyes, Noa-san giggled.
“I’m not particularly blaming you. But what will you do? Well, after all, if you have that much power, being a bodyguard is the best choice. You are strong, after all.”
“You’re right… Well, it’s a matter of whether there’s that much demand, though.”
“There is. I’ve looked into various things, and there are surprisingly many people in this world who have magic… or spiritual power.”
Noa-san replied while tapping on the keyboard placed on her desk.
“Is that so? Well, I suppose since there are even Onmyōji and ninjas around…”
“Yes… it’s common knowledge in the political and underground worlds. If you can absolutely protect them from those hostile forces… wouldn’t you be in high demand?”
“Won’t I stand out too much?”
“Well, isn’t it already impossible to keep all that power hidden? Conversely, it might be better to step out into the underground world a little. You’ve brought the Kamo family to your side as well, right?”
“For now…”
“In the worst-case scenario… you can just spirit me away to that other world… so you can do as you please. If you want, shall we turn that apartment into a bodyguard office?”
Noa-san stopped her hands and looked at me.
“That… might be a good idea.”
“Why not make Reilia-chan and the others into staff? With the four of you, you’d be invincible, right?”
“Certainly… but if we do that…”
“It’ll get a bit cramped over there. Also, you’ll need identification cards…”
“I can’t go as far as asking for the office expenses… as for the IDs… I’ll try looking into it.”
“Oh? The money is fine. But if it bothers you, Riku-kun, I’ll let you have it as a loan. Once your reputation spreads, you’ll get requests even with high fees. As for the IDs… ah, Uncle Yamazaki. For that, it’s best to leave it to the professionals… if you’re at it, why not ask for family registries too?”
“That’s an option…”
“Phew… finally reached a stopping point…”
Noa-san, who exhaled a sigh and struck the enter key hard, picked up the receiver on the desk.
“Chika, I’m taking a short break, so don’t let anyone in…”
Having said that, she put down the receiver with a click.
“Ri~ku~kun, your big sister is a little tired, so won’t you massage my shoulders?”
“Sure… that’s fine.”
I massaged her all over in various places after that, of course.
“IDs aside… if it comes to family registries, it’ll be quite expensive and take some time, you know?”
Nakata-san answered with a somewhat sour expression.
“Well, I’ll manage the money somehow…”
“Ah, the young lady is backing you, after all.”
“Yes…”
“Also… if there’s a conflict, I’ll be asking for your cooperation.”
“If it’s something Zero-san can’t handle, that’s fine.”
I tilted the glass containing whiskey. The burning stimulation at the back of my throat and the rich aroma passed through my nose.
“Yes…”
“Well, it’s more convenient for me if Yamazaki-san’s group secures the surrounding area…”
“It helps to hear you say that. So… for now, I’ll make the IDs, do you have photos on your phone?”
I took out my phone and looked at the Reilia folder.
…I’ll take photos of Reilia next time.
When I looked at Liz’s folder, only photos of her with my cock in her mouth came up.
…Liz, too.
Hina… only photos of her looking embarrassed while hiking up her skirt and sex tapes came up…
Hina as well…
“I’ll take some next time…”
“Weren’t there any good photos? Haha, could it be you only take perverted photos?”
“No… it’s just that there weren’t any particularly good photos…”
I should take some normal photos once in a while. I made that firm vow.
“Is that you, Ayame?”
Feeling a presence, I entered a back alley and called out to Ayame.
“Yes! My Lord… I have just returned.”
I had considered the possibility of her coming to her senses and running away… or rather, the possibility of her just pretending to obey.
It would be better to stay on guard for a while.
Ayame, dressed in a female ninja outfit, knelt before me.
“I am terribly sorry!”
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
“It seems Kamo Yasunori approached my father regarding My Lord at the same time… and from those events, he saw through the fact that I had entered My Lord’s service!”
Wow… I was found out faster than I expected…
“Eh? Why?”
“Because my father ordered your subjugation, My Lord… Taking him by surprise, I burned down the village and fled!”
“Whaaat?! Eh?! Why? Why did you burn it down?!”
“Yes! To hold enmity against My Lord is something that cannot be forgiven, even if it is my father! It is only natural that they should die!”
“You went too far! What were you thinking, suddenly burning down the village?!”
“I failed to strike down my father, as expected, but I believe I succeeded in dealing a considerable blow!”
“You dealt too much of a blow! You’ve completely turned them into enemies, haven’t you?!”
“Eh? Was that bad?”
“Of course it’s bad!”
“Eh?! B-But… my father is towards My Lord…”
Ayame suddenly began to panic.
“Normally, you start with a discussion! It’s one thing to run away because you were found out, but what were you thinking, suddenly burning everything down?!”
“Ah, ah… I-I am truly sorry! I-In that case… I-I will find a way to annihilate the village!”
“Why… does it turn into that?! Annihilation… and such… I mean, now that things have come to this, is annihilation… the only way? Also… ‘The Court of the Reverse Side,’ was it? Won’t all of them turn into enemies?”
“N-No… my father hates showing weakness to ‘The Court of the Reverse Side’… so I doubt he will report it immediately… A-Also! I have cut the tendons in the feet of those dedicated to delivering messages, so please rest assured!”
“I can’t rest easy! I mean… if they use a phone, it’s all over! Now there’s no choice left but to completely suppress them with force or annihilate them!”
“Let us annihilate them! The phone will be fine! They do not use communication methods that have even a slight possibility of being intercepted!”
Sigh… it can’t be helped, I’ll settle this tonight…
“Teleport.”
“Hmm?”
I could see Ayame’s blank expression.
In the next moment, I returned, bringing Liz with me.
“Master… is this person Master’s new servant?”
“Eh?! Eh? M-My Lord, where did you just come from…?”
“State your name… Liz, the first maid who serves Master, commands you. State your name…”
“Hiee?! Ah, aah…”
Overwhelmed by Liz’s presence, Ayame froze.
“Liz, don’t threaten her too much… Ayame, this is Liz, my precious maid.”
“A… maid? Is she?”
After roughly explaining the situation, I had Liz come in her adventurer style, anticipating combat.
A maid outfit based in black woven from Killer Spider thread, a breastplate made from a Land Turtle, and a bastard sword at her waist.
It went without saying that this was overwhelmingly excessive force, but I brought her along because if annihilation became necessary, some might escape if I was alone.
“Master… this person claims to serve Master yet fails to grasp Master’s intentions and is causing you trouble. I believe re-education is necessary.”
“Ah—maybe next time.”
Certainly… if I asked Liz to handle the education, any hint of rebellion would likely disappear…
“I-I apologize for the delay, Lady Liz! I-I am Hattori Ayame, who has come to serve My Lord this time! As a female ninja, I will surely prove useful to My Lord, so please! Please allow me to join the lowest rank of My Lord’s servants!”
“If you understand your place as Master’s servant and follow accordingly, I, Liz, shall permit it.”
“Yes! I am most grateful!”
What is this? What am I being made to watch?
“So… Master. What are this person’s skills and level?”
“Ninja… something like a thief who can use attack magic. Her level is 22…”
“Magic aside, the level is far too low… but very well. Personnel to ensure Master’s safety in this world are precious. Let us train her gradually. Shall we go then… Master?”
“Right…”
“Very well, Ayame! Lead the way.”
“Yes! B-But Lady Liz has a heavy-looking greatsword at her waist…”
“Ah, don’t worry about it. She won’t fall behind… rather, Ayame, you should run at full speed. How long will it take from here?”
“I believe it will take about three hours running at full speed while taking breaks along the way!”
“The situation is urgent. Complete the run in two hours without any breaks.”
Liz tossed out an unreasonable demand.
“Yes!”
She actually answered yes…
Ayame kicked off the wall of a building in the alley and leaped up to the rooftop.
Just like that, she began to move while jumping between the rooftops of the buildings.
Well, for a human in this world, it must be an inhuman movement…
Liz, who had easily caught up right next to Ayame as she desperately leaped, ran, and dashed through, called out to her.
“Can you make it in time at such a slow pace? Run faster.”
“Hiee! Hieeee! W-Why! So fast! I-I understand!”
“Faster! Faster!”
“Yeeesss!”
While watching that scene from behind, I somehow thought, “Well, it looks like they’ll get along just fine.”
