Chapter 140: SHALL WE DANCE 2(5)

"Did you manage to explain things to the Princess before you left?"

I asked AA as we entered a neighborhood alley. I didn't want this to get complicated and annoying. It would make it easier to fuck Erina later.

"No. I just said I had Knight Order business and left."

Really? Was this something to hide? Was I someone so shameful that she had to hide the fact that she was meeting me?

"You shouldn't have done that. You have to be honest in everything you do. Lies lead to misunderstandings."

"But, telling her I'm meeting you, Sir Priest, is a bit… It's not like we're meeting for a clean affair."

It seemed Erina really hated the fact that AA and I were meeting. Hearing it from the person concerned made me feel a little bad, but it couldn't be helped. I had unintentionally fucked AA raw in front of Erina, but did that mean it was okay for her to lie like this?

"What do you mean, not a clean affair? This is a righteous deed. You could have just said you were meeting me briefly for the Knight Commander's business. I don't know why you're making things difficult. What will you say if the Princess finds out later? Are you ashamed of me?"

"…A little."

With AA saying it so bluntly, I had nothing more to say. Looking back on my life, it wasn't strange for AA to hide the fact that she was meeting me. I nodded my head and scanned the alley again.

"So, why did we come here?"

A secluded alley that people rarely frequented. AA seemed uncomfortable with the fact that I had dragged her to a place like this. Was her hand subtly moving toward the hilt of her sword due to a hero's unique vigilance, or was it because she felt a threat from me? I waved my hands and spoke.

"Actually, I tailed Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba yesterday."

After talking with AA last night, I waited for Rosalyn Yuba's performance to end and confirmed her return route. Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba returned to her lodging through this path with a few escort guards. There were four escort guards in total, all sturdy, skilled people over level 20.

"You're even tailing her?"

AA said, looking at me with a dumbfounded expression. I nodded. It's not a crime if there's no victim. It's not a crime if you don't get caught. Therefore, I hadn't committed a crime. AA's gaze seemed to hold a different thought, but a difference of opinion was always to be expected.

"I have to be sure. For now, I plan to watch the situation for a few more days before proceeding with the operation, but I thought it would be good to come and check out the location in advance rather than just on the day of."

"…I see."

AA nodded with an unimpressed expression. I pointed to the boxes in the alley and spoke.

"Could you come over here?"

As AA walked toward the boxes, I spoke again.

"Now, hide yourself so you can't see me coming."

Once AA was hidden, I stepped back a little and started walking forward slowly. Even as I walked, I couldn't see AA at all. I spoke with a satisfied expression.

"For now, I think it would be best to hide here and then attack. When the carriage comes, we'll appear with our swords and frighten Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba."

"…Will this really work? I've never heard of anyone getting married this way."

AA seemed to feel this operation itself was flimsy. From her perspective of pursuing a pure and fateful love, a strategy that forcibly changed someone's heart was clearly not to her liking. But what could I do? I wasn't confident that Robin and Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba would fall for each other at first sight.

"This is the trend, Sir Hero. Understand? It's just that everyone who got married this way is keeping their mouths shut, but it's a very traditional method."

At any rate, it was a trendy method in fiction. To be honest, I couldn't think of any other way for Robin, a middle-aged man in his 30s, to seduce the fresh, blooming virgin in her 20s, Rosalyn Yuba. Just because Rosalyn Yuba looked like a pig didn't guarantee her preferences were also shitty.

"A traditional method… I understand. I'll give it a try."

"Good. Then we'll wait here. As for the details, how about we meet again later to discuss them?"

"Let's do that."

AA nodded. And so, AA and I parted ways, promising to meet another day. When I returned, Sieri was sitting in a chair, reading a book. She was rocking a rocking chair inside the lodging, her bare feet propped up on the desk. I poked Sieri's foot and asked.

"Sieri. What are you doing?"

"Eek? Lu-Lusius. You surprised me."

"If you're spacing out like that, anyone would want to surprise you. So, what are you doing?"

"I was reading a book. Is Sir Hero doing well?"

"Yes. She seems to be doing well enough. She agreed to help me with my work."

"Is that so…"

At the words that AA had readily agreed to help, Sieri drooped, her head hanging low. I stroked Sieri's head and asked.

"Sieri. What's wrong?"

"I should be more helpful to Lusius… but there's nothing I'm good at."

She was clearly feeling down, being surrounded by only strong people. But what could I do? Sieri was just one of the NPCs, while the others were all strong people set as the protagonist's companions. Sieri becoming a strong person who surpassed AA or me was an absurd story on par with Aira suddenly awakening to magic and defeating Soya.

"What do you mean you're not good at anything? You always make me smile."

"I do?"

"Yes. When Sieri is around, I smile, and I feel like I should live as a good person today, too. You're my sanctuary. Sieri. You don't have to be strong to be helpful."

Sieri nodded as she listened to my words. She muttered a few words to herself, then smiled a bright smile and said.

"That's right… You're right! Lusius. I think I was being too down on myself."

"See? Sieri. You have to always stay by my side and watch over me, okay?"

"Yes!"

After a little while, Robin returned. Today, too, Robin had a dazed, pale expression and a dopey smile. Seeing only this expression on Robin lately, I couldn't even remember what his original face looked like. I hid my unease and grinned as I asked Robin.

"Robin. How was it?"

"It was fantastic again today. The scene where Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba transforms into an angel to save the hero was truly… My Lord, you must see it for yourself. The emotion of that scene is something I won't forget, no matter how many times I watch the performance."

"So, did you get to speak with Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba?"

"Ah, I wasn't able to speak with her. I go to the performance so often, I think she remembers my face, though…"

"She remembers your face?"

"Yes. She waved at me before the performance started. With a big smile. Hehe…"

Robin laughed foolishly and began to describe how plump and smooth Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba's hands were. I didn't want to hear about someone else's hands, so I cut him off.

"For the next several days, keep going to the performance hall and make your face known. Don't do anything too rude. Don't do anything too obvious, either, but make sure to consistently show your face and appeal that you like Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba. Got it? People don't fall in love with complete strangers. Robin, you first need to imprint your presence on Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba."

"I'll keep that in mind."

The next morning, a letter arrived in the name of Marquis Rosalyn Barba. It stated that in three days, a meeting would be held at his capital mansion between Robin and Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba. Three days. It was a long time if you thought it was long, but a short time if you thought it was short.

For two days, I coached Robin on his outfit and behavior, and spent the rest of my time fooling around with Sieri. Sieri had lost a lot of confidence, so we didn't go to the ball. In the evening, I secretly went out and confirmed Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba's return route once more.

Since the capital's security wasn't that bad, it seemed Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba didn't pay much attention to security on her way home. While I was perfectly analyzing Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba's return route, Robin said he had exchanged a greeting with her. He said that when he sat in the front row seat to watch the performance, Young Lady Rosalyn Yuba recognized him and said, 'You're here again.'

Robin was worried he hadn't appeared too foolish.

"It'll be fine, Robin. More importantly, it's tonight. The meeting is tomorrow, so we have to execute the plan tonight, at the very least."

"I understand. But, the thought of deceiving that innocent young lady, I…"

"This is… a tradition, of sorts. You understand?"

"Is it a tradition?"

"Probably?"

I managed to persuade the conflicted Robin and set out for the plan. When I arrived at the meeting place, AA was already waiting with an anxious face. She wasn't carrying the sword she usually used but had two cheap swords from a hardware store. She handed one to me and said.

"You're early."

"You too, Sir Hero. But you don't look too happy today, Sir Hero."

"It's just… Erina hasn't been looking well lately. She won't answer when I ask what's wrong, and she seems a little depressed. She keeps asking me to tell her I love her. Do women normally get depressed when they're pregnant?"

"I've never gotten a woman pregnant, so I wouldn't know."

AA looked like she had a lot to say to my statement but just kept her mouth shut. Robin walked up behind me. He was wearing splendid armor, and his hair was slicked back so excessively that he gave off the impression of a 30-something Westerner on his way to a swinging party.

I put on a mask and explained the plan one more time.

"Okay, look. Sir Hero and I will wait over there, and Robin, you wait here, a little ways off. The carriage will probably come from a distance. After we attack and stun all the guards, you, Robin, will appear and defeat us."

"I'll… I'll do my best."

"I hope it goes well."

AA said with an anxious expression. I patted AA's back as if to tell her not to worry.

"It'll be fine. Let's move."

We quickly dispersed as per the original plan. AA and I hid in a back alley where boxes were piled up, and Robin waited in the back alley of a shopping district where he could see us. Being so close to AA, I could smell a sweet scent.

I took a deep breath through my nose and readied my sword.

"It's coming."

AA said in a low voice. AA and I carefully drew our swords and were about to jump out of the alley. At that moment.

"Uraaaah!"

"Waaaaaah!"

Out of nowhere, about ten mysterious assailants wearing masks appeared and began to attack the carriage.

What the fuck.