Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Capítulo 4

Capítulo 4 – Capítulo da Philuffy – O Trabalho da Companhia Aingram

Parte 1

Durante os dezessete anos de vida de Lux, o lugar em que ele acordava mudou muitas vezes.

Na sua infância, foi na Corte Imperial da Capital.

No período de vida de seus trabalhos estranhos, seria onde quer que ele estivesse trabalhando no momento.

Desde cerca de meio ano atrás, estava na Academia de Cross Field.

E então, agora— ele acordou dentro de uma mansão desconhecida.

“N-Nn......?”

Lux esfregou os olhos sonolentos enquanto lentamente levantava a parte superior do corpo.

“Eh......? Este lugar—?”

Ele estava dormindo em uma cama extravagante com dossel anexado.

Não havia uma única mancha no teto branco, a mobília de madeira que estava emitindo um brilho cor de café liso foi alinhada dentro da sala espaçosa sistematicamente.

A luminária decorada com vidro e a textura macia e fofa do edredom com manta de penas era muito luxuosa. Apenas um olhar foi suficiente para dizer que era preciso muito dinheiro para tudo nesta sala.

Pela luz que brilhava através da abertura da cortina, provavelmente a hora era de manhã cedo.

Mas, embora fosse um lugar que ele estava vendo pela primeira vez, havia um cheiro vagamente nostálgico.

“—Espere, sério, onde estou exatamente!?”

Lux estava parecendo atordoado, mas logo depois disso ele gritou instantaneamente um segundo depois.

As roupas que ele usava consistiam apenas em pijamas finos.

Ele se lembrava de ontem, quando foi solicitado para acompanhar a diretora, Relie, para beber álcool, mas ele não tinha nenhuma lembrança depois disso.

“Apenas, o que aconteceu comigo...?”

Uma forte ansiedade estava crescendo dentro dele por causa dessa situação desconcertante.

Quando ele procurou nas proximidades, nem mesmo seus Sword Device do <Wyvern> e <Bahamut> estavam lá.

Será que, quando ele estava voltando do escritório da diretora para seu quarto, ele foi sequestrado por algum bandido?

Se isso era trabalho da Dragon Marauder, então isso era ruim.

O nervosismo percorreu a expressão de Lux.

Se Lux foi sequestrado, talvez o perigo também estivesse se aproximando de todos na Academia.

“Eu tenho que entender a situação o mais rápido possível e escapar daqui—”

Lux respirou fundo e ia se levantar, sua mão desceu para empurrar a cama, naquele momento—

“Nn......”

*Munyu*

“E-Eh......?”

Uma sensação diferente de antes fez Lux inclinar a cabeça.

A sensação era um pouco diferente do edredom macio e do lençol.

Dentro da suavidade onde seus dedos estavam afundando, uma elasticidade lustrosa e calor podiam ser sentidos.

Lux, que ainda estava um pouco confuso de sono, moveu os dedos seguindo seu instinto, massageando aquela textura agradável—

“Nn. Kuu...... Lu......chan.”

“......Espere, uwaaaah!?”

Uma voz abafada saiu de debaixo do edredom. Lux saltou instantaneamente.

Seu movimento sacudiu o edredom onde o rosto de uma garota que estava respirando dormindo feliz apareceu por baixo.

“P-Por que a Philuffy está aqui!? Ou melhor, agora era como eu pensava—”

O rosto de Lux estava ficando vermelho com a sensação do seio que ainda estava em sua mão enquanto confirmava isso.

A garota que era sua amiga de infância com cabelos de aparência macia e levemente rosado.

Sua aparência inocente que ainda tinha um vestígio de imaturidade, combinada com seus seios pesados que proclamavam sua existência vividamente, deixava escapar um apelo sexual que vagamente parecia imoral.

Além disso, a curva suave da pele saindo da calcinha, acompanhado do cheiro dela que era como leite doce, fez o coração de Lux palpitar imediatamente e começar a bater forte dentro de seu peito.

“A-Além disso, por que ela está só de calcinha...!?”

Lux não conseguia olhar diretamente para aquela aparência que era muito provocativa e ele imediatamente desviou o olhar.

Ele também estava mais ou menos vestindo pijamas, mas diferente de Lux, a aparência de Philuffy era completamente apenas de roupa íntima.

Cordas finas estavam presas em seus ombros conectadas a um corpete branco puro.

Cada parte era tão fina que parecia transparente. A fita preta foi misturada como uma decoração que trazia elegância, tornando seus membros sedutores, que já eram fascinantes mesmo em circunstâncias normais, ainda mais charmosos.

Além disso, não havia saia, então ela estava totalmente exposta até a calcinha na parte inferior do corpo.

A lingerie preta que ele viu uma vez quando eles estavam compartilhando o mesmo quarto anteriormente dava um fascínio um pouco adulto, mas esta também era incrível em um sentido diferente.

Com ela vestindo apenas roupas íntimas com enfeites adoráveis, em vez disso, trouxe um sentimento indecente desequilibrado.

“......!?”

*Zzz, zzz *. Os seios voluptuosos de Philuffy estavam se movendo silenciosamente para cima e para baixo em conjunto com sua respiração tranquila. Vendo que a garganta de Lux de repente ficou seca e um impulso sensível estava brotando dentro dele.

Embora, com a situação desconhecida em que foram colocados, também não havia como ele continuar desviando os olhos assim e deixá-la dormir.

“I-Isso, Phi-chan. Vamos, acorde—”

Lux gentilmente estendeu a mão para o ombro dela e sacudiu levemente o corpo de sua amiga de infância.

Ele estava desviando o olhar para não ver diretamente a figura da calcinha dela, mas, honestamente, parecia que perderia o controle.

“......Nn. Eh? ......Lu...chan?”

Enquanto ele a sacudia repetidamente por meio de seu raciocínio que quase se rompeu, Philuffy finalmente abriu os olhos fracamente.

Porque ela tinha acabado de acordar, seus olhos pareciam mais sonolentos do que o normal. Ela esfregou os olhos e Lux foi refletido nesses olhos.

“E-Ei, Phi-chan. Mesmo eu não entendo em que tipo de situação estamos agora. —É por isso que não é como se eu tivesse feito nada estranho...”

A situação atual em que eles estavam dormindo na mesma cama, enquanto, por outro lado, era apenas Philuffy que estava de apenas roupas íntimas, fez Lux ficar nervoso, pensando seriamente em como explicar isso, mas—

“Zzz......”

“Espere um segundo!? Não durma de novo nesta situação, ok!?”

Lux respondeu espontaneamente ao ver Philuffy fechando os olhos mais uma vez.

Ela estava indefesa, sempre em seu próprio ritmo. Parecia que ela não estava preocupada, mesmo estando na mesma cama com Lux.

Ele estava feliz por ela confiar nele, mas agora não era hora para isso.

Por enquanto ele tinha que acordá-la de alguma forma e perguntar a ela o que estava acontecendo...!

“Phi-chan, acorde!? Ainda há algo que eu quero perguntar—”

Quando Lux balançou o corpo seriamente mais uma vez, ela finalmente se levantou lentamente enquanto esfregava o olho.

“Fuaaa...... Lu-chan, por que você está aqui?”

“Sou eu quem quer perguntar isso–!?”

Lux respondeu espontaneamente em voz alta. Então, *toc toc* um som de batida de repente veio de trás.

“Estou entrando, vocês dois—”

“Eh, espere– ......!?”

A porta do quarto se abriu, sem nem dar tempo para Lux responder.

Quem apareceu vestindo roupas pessoais com cores elegantes foi a diretora da Academia, uma mulher em idade avançada que também era a irmã mais velha de Philuffy, Relie Aingram.

“Espere, Relie-san!? Por que você está aqui– ......!?”

As palavras que Lux ia dizer pararam no meio.

Foi porque ele suspeitou de algo depois de ver a expressão de Relie que mostrava um sorriso que parecia um diabinho.

“Não me diga que isso é,tudo de Relie-san—”

“Meu Deus? Eu me pergunto do que você está falando. Lux-kun concordou apropriadamente comigo ontem à noite para vir aqui. Eu disse, certo? Eu disse a você ‘Eu vou para o próximo quarteirão para trabalhar um pouco, então porque Lux-kun não me acompanha para estudar?’.”

“Ah......”

A missão especial que a Capitã dos Sete Paladinos Dragão, Magialca deu a ele, ‘a busca do traidor’.

Quando ele se infiltrar na República Heiburg para realizar sua investigação, ele se disfarçará como um comerciante especializado em importação. Por causa disso, desta vez ele aprenderia como agir de acordo com seu papel, acompanhando Relie em seu trabalho, mas—

(Por que estou dormindo junto com Phi-chan?)

Mesmo que ontem Lux devesse estar bebendo suco enquanto acompanhava Relie, que bebia álcool na noite passada.

Pensando agora, o álcool entrou em sua bebida daquela vez?

Esse tipo de ‘pegadinha’ era uma coisa cotidiana para Relie, mas era realmente algo impensável para ser feito por uma diretora.

“Mais importante, a Academia ficará bem?”

Hoje e amanhã a aula seria suspensa por causa do feriado nacional, mas o pessoal não ficaria preocupado se ele saísse do dormitório de repente?

“Este lugar é uma mansão da casa Aingram localizada no primeiro bloco de Cross Field. Eu deixei um recado sobre o nosso passeio, então não haverá nenhum problema, mas— houve um pouco de dificuldade.”

Relie penteou o cabelo da frente como se dissesse ‘meu Deus’ enquanto mostrava um sorriso irônico.

“Aquela garota cujo processo de admissão está sendo processado. —A garota chamada Yoruka tinha uma visão aguçada, ela apareceu na nossa frente enquanto carregávamos você adormecido, sabe. Eu fui mal interpretada de que iria sequestrar Lux-kun, demorou um pouco para persuadi-la.”

“......Err, é verdade que fui sequestrado, não é?”

Lux primeiro respondeu naquela parte com um rosto em conflito, então ele pensou em algo.

“Mas— é incrível que ela tenha permitido que Relie-san me levasse embora.”

Com base na personalidade de Yoruka, ele pensou que no mínimo ela viria aqui, mesmo se tivesse que forçá-la, e ainda...

“Sim, ela estava preocupada com o seu bem-estar e não desistiu. Então, também pensei em várias ideias.”

Relie disse isso enquanto olhava para Philuffy, que ainda estava atordoada com um sorriso.

“Quando eu disse a ela que, para criar um herdeiro, Lux e Phi precisarão de um tempo para ficarem sozinhos apenas os dois, ela consentiu alegremente.”

“Por favor, não a convença com uma razão ultrajante como te agrada igual a essa!?”

“Nossa? Existe algum problema com isso?”

Quando Relie respondeu com uma cara séria, Lux baixou a cabeça.

“Que tipo de desculpa devo dar a ela quando voltar para a Academia...!?”

“Foi por isso que preparei adequadamente uma situação como esta, onde tal coisa pode acontecer naturalmente com facilidade, não vê? Ah, é lamentável, embora se eu batesse na porta um pouco mais tarde, talvez não houvesse necessidade de dar qualquer desculpa.”

Relie contorceu o corpo, aparentemente mergulhando em algum tipo de ilusão por si mesma.

“............”

Talvez ele devesse dizer exatamente como o esperado, parece que Relie era o cérebro que o fez dormir com Philuffy.

“Relie-sama. Logo chegará a hora do café da manhã.”

A porta foi batida mais uma vez e desta vez uma voz clara de uma jovem entrou.

Muito provavelmente ela era uma das criadas da casa Aingram.

“Sim, sim, iremos para lá imediatamente. Então, Lux-kun, as roupas são colocadas dentro do armário, então acorde Phi direito e desçam juntos, ok?”

“E-Espere um segundo, por favor!? Isso, no mínimo, mesmo que apenas a aparência de Philuffy—”

Embora Lux tenha gritado por reflexo, Relie saiu da sala como se não tivesse ouvido nada.

Depois disso, havia apenas Lux e Philuffy, que ainda estava sonolenta e atordoada, que foram deixados para trás.

“Nn, eh......?”

Parecia que a consciência de Philuffy foi finalmente despertada, ela olhou para o rosto de Lux maravilhada e inclinou a cabeça.

“Ah, e-err, isso é, Philuffy. Isto é, há um motivo—”

“......Está errado.”

“Eh?”

Philuffy de repente colocou o dedo indicador nos lábios de Lux e trouxe seu rosto para perto dele com seriedade. Suas bochechas estavam ligeiramente inchadas.

“Ao me chamar, é Phi-chan. Certo?”

Em vez da situação de ela dormir junto com Lux com sua aparência apenas vestindo roupas íntimas na cama, ela não ligou para isso e disse isso com uma expressão pura.

Ser abordado tão próximo assim, também trouxe aquele rosto infantilmente fofo e seios grandes até bem diante dos olhos de Lux. Suas bochechas avermelharam espontaneamente.

“Ah, desculpe. Isso, b-bom dia. Phi-chan.”

O olhar inexpressivo usual de Philuffy ligeiramente afrouxou ao ouvir as palavras de Lux e seus lábios relaxaram.

“Sim. Bom dia, Lu-chan.”

No final, parece que Philuffy estava em seu próprio ritmo, como de costume.

Lux desviou o olhar em pânico e deu as costas para ela enquanto trocava de roupa para que ele não olhasse a figura de Philuffy de roupas íntimas tanto quanto possível. Em seguida, eles desceram para o primeiro andar da mansão.

—

Parte 2

“Sobre isso, hoje estou pensando em sair por aí visitar alguns parceiros comerciais que estão próximos da nossa empresa no trabalho.”

Na mesa do café.

Relie disse isso de repente dentro da espaçosa sala de estar, onde a mobília alinhada emitia um belo brilho.

Na mesa verticalmente comprida, pratos que pareciam ter sido cozinhados por um cozinheiro exclusivo foram alinhados até a mesa ficar apertada.

Panela recém-assada com ervas amassadas, ovos estrelados acompanhados de bacon gorduroso, salada com óleo e suco de limão como molho, potage de batata, geleia de laranja e framboesa.

E ainda havia sobremesa cozida com calda de pera.

Lux pensou que o café da manhã que comia no refeitório da Academia também era bastante substancial, mas este café da manhã era ainda mais extravagante.

Do ponto de vista de Lux, que havia passado por um período de vida de trabalhos estranhos, esse cardápio realmente não era algo para ser comido como café da manhã.

Talvez aqui ele deva dizer isso, como esperado da vida diária do conglomerado Aingram.

“Hoje temos que sair rápido da mansão, então o cardápio desta manhã é moderado.”

Lux ficou pasmo com o que Relie disse a ele suavemente enquanto tomava o café da manhã.

A propósito, esta mansão com um tamanho que pode ser cinco vezes maior que a casa normal parecia ser a casa que Relie usava quando estava em Cross Field.

Cada um dos pratos criados pelo cozinheiro exclusivo de Aingram era incrivelmente delicioso.

“Afinal, o que vamos fazer desta vez?”

“Você se tornará um assistente do meu trabalho. A Academia está adquirindo várias coisas em uma grande loja no terceiro bloco, então iremos principalmente lá e teremos uma discussão de negócios com o parceiro comercial. No final da nossa programação, haverá um jantar com algumas pessoas importantes.”

Relie tirou um caderno do bolso e o leu sem problemas.

Uma mulher que parecia ser uma secretária estava a alguma distância da mesa, mas parecia que Relie era do tipo que não deixava tudo para outras pessoas e entendia a situação sozinha.

“Este também é o momento certo para fazer Phi aprender a trabalhar como minha secretária e guarda-costas. Vou ensinar Lux-kun sobre o comércio e, ao mesmo tempo, avaliar o trabalho de Phi.”

Aqui, a razão pela qual até Philuffy os estava acompanhando foi finalmente esclarecida.

“É-É mesmo...?”

Lux respondeu enquanto dirigia seu olhar para Philuffy, que estava tomando café da manhã em silêncio. Seu rosto inexpressivo deu um breve aceno de cabeça.

(Trabalhar como secretária e guarda-costas da Relie-san...)

Relie tinha a posição de herdeira de um grande conglomerado que controlava várias empresas, ela tinha muitos inimigos por toda parte.

Philuffy tinha um Drag-Ride de primeira classe, e ela também aprendeu artes marciais, então também era excelente em técnica de autodefesa.

Com base em sua habilidade, podia-se dizer que ninguém era mais adequado do que ela para o papel de guarda-costas, mas ela tinha alguns problemas para o trabalho de secretária.

Ela realmente ficará bem...?

Lux olhou para o lado para Philuffy, que parecia não ter nenhuma motivação enquanto terminava um monte de café da manhã.

—

Part 3

It seemed there were seven places where business discussion with trade partner would be held even just for today.

After they finished eating, they immediately dressed up themselves for the outing.

Lux returned to the guest room at the second floor and prepared by stuffing things like water bottle and general goods the servants prepared for him into a small backpack.

Relie had prepared a dress suit exclusive for Lux with his measurement that was unknown when it was taken, so he borrowed a different room that differed from Philuffy and changed clothes there.

「Somehow, it has been a long time since I’m wearing this kind of clothes even when it’s a holiday……」

Lux was looking at the mirror while feeling anxious whether he had dressed himself correctly or not, then──,

「Lu-chan, you there?」

The door knob was turned *click* and Philuffy suddenly entered inside.

「Uwah!? Phi, Phi-chan!? What are you doing!?」

「I just want to ask a bit, though?」

She tilted her head slightly with her usual absentminded expressionless face.

「Wait, not that, I’m still in the middle of changing here!」

「……I, don’t mind you know?」

「Be mindful there! I won’t take long so wait a bit!」

He was relieved that at least even Philuffy herself also wasn’t in the middle of changing, but like this it was meaningless for him to ask for a different room to change.

「…………」

Overwhelmed by the presence of the girl who was making her displeasure known wordlessly, Lux quickly changed into his dress suit and finally he turned to face Philuffy again.

「And then, what do you want to──……-!?」

The face of Lux who was talking suddenly stiffened still.

The hands of Philuffy who had already changed into an outfit with similar coloring like Lux’s were each holding underwear of different color.

At one hand was purple, while the other hand had black with slightly thin fabric.

Until now he had seen the underwear of female students through several incidents, but what Phillufy was holding were underwear with mature atmosphere that couldn’t be categorized the same like them.

Instantly Lux imagined how Philuffy would look wearing them but,

「Which one do you think will be fine for Nee-chan’s change of clothes?」

「That’s not something to ask me isn’t it!?」

Lux spontaneously retorted with rough voice.

It appeared that Philuffy was also scrutinizing Relie’s baggage on top of accompanying her.

Of course, such things were usually prepared by servants, but in case of there was no staff of Aingram house nearby or they were in a long travel that took several days, as attendant Philuffy would need to procure them on-site or ordering them and making arrangement.

With such meaning also included, it seemed that Philuffy was thinking by herself about the preparation for the sake of her big sister Relie whom she would be assisting, but──.

「……Wait, this bag. It’s only filled with nothing but snacks though?」

When Lux asked her to show him the content of the bag she prepared, the capacity was occupied by foods like cookie, donut glazed with honey, cheese tart, or whole orange.

「…………. Onee-chan too, perhaps she will get hungry in the middle of work.」

「What was that pause just now!?」

Lux retorted, but Philuffy was silent without a single change in her expression.

Philuffy was absolutely planning to eat them by herselves.

Lux was sighing with that prediction while recalling his own experiences in doing chores.

He had experienced being someone’s attendant or carrying luggage in army march, so he used those experiences as reference.

「Err, what to bring will be different each time depending on where you are going, but I think fundamentally it’s better to prepare necessities with excellent functionality and small articles.」

Overcoat to protect against cold, wallet, pocket watch, notebook and pen, household medicine, and so on, Lux chose the essentials and stuffed them into the bag together with Philuffy.

After five minutes, the packing for a day trip of someone who was working as Relie’s attendant was completed.

「Lu-chan, amazing.」

Philuffy made a small applause *clap clap* and praised him with her usual serious expression.

But, it also looked like Philuffy’s expression was vaguely dissatisfied.

To be more accurate, his childhood friend’s gaze was fixed on the bag of sweets.

「Eerr, I think that it’s quite full already but, want to try putting in the sweets too?」

「Un.」

When Lux asked her, Philuffy nodded as though she had been waiting for it.

But, naturally not everything could go in. Half was the most that could be brought.

「……Unfortunate.」

Philuffy muttered with the slightest hint of dejection hinted within her usual expressionless face.

Lux smiled wryly seeing that.

She hadn’t changed since childhood in regard to her love for sweets.

Lux searched for another bag, stuffed the remaining sweets into it, and then put it in inside his own bag.

「I will carry the remaining half for you, so tell me if you run out.」

「…………」

Hearing Lux’s words, Philuffy’s eyes sparkled with her serious face staying unchanged.

And then, the next moment──.

「Uwah!?」

• Gyuu*. With a motion that was slow but going through the shortest route, she embraced Lux’s body.

「Thank you, Lu-chan. I love you.」

Philuffy whispered with a faint happy smile.

The warmth of the body that was clinging tightly, and the softness of the voluptuous breasts that were pressed on him caused blood to rush to Lux’s head.

「Wai-, wait, let go Phi-chan! My packing is……that’s, I still haven’t finished it.」

Lux hurriedly try to make her let go of him, but it didn’t really go smoothly.

While he was doing such thing, a knocking sound could be heard once more.

「Philuffy-ojousamayoung lady, Lux-sama. It will be soon time to depart, have you finished preparing?」

The voice of Relie’s secretary who was also there at breakfast came from the other side of the door.

「Err that’s──there is no problem!?」

The panicked Lux immediately yelled with the implication that he didn’t want her to open the door, but he blundered.

‘We will come down soon so please wait.’ He should have said that.

「Is that so, then there is something that I wish to hand over first──!? Please excuse me!」

The female secretary who opened the door and entered inside spontaneously turned red in surprise.

And then, she closed the door hard and rushed down stair right away.

「No, wait!? You are misunderstanding!?」

Lux yelled in panic, but it was already too late.

After that, by the suggestion of Relie who was being considerate for some reason, the departure time was delayed for ten minutes.

–

Part 4

After they left the villa that was actually a mansion, they finally departed to the third block of Cross Field.

They traveled mainly by using horse-drawn coach, but they were going through paved path, so the shaking wasn’t that bad.

Inside the coach, other than Lux, Philuffy, and Relie, there were only the female secretary and the coachman who was driving the coach. Ten-odd minutes after their departure, Philuffy who was sitting beside Lux had quickly started dozing off sleepily.

「Phi-chan, you mustn’t sleep. If you don’t guard Relie-san properly──」

「……Un. I, know.」

Philuffy let out a sleepy voice even now and looked up with an absentminded face.

It seemed that Relie would be accompanied by at least two guards when she went out, but today Lux and Philuffy had to serve as their replacement.

Naturally, although they were outside Academy, they had their Sword Devices on their sword belt.

Lux was resolved to also fight when push came to shove.

「Even so, isn’t Relie-san anxious?」

「My, I wonder what do you mean? Even though I look like this, in the business world I am known as a capable young lady you know?」

Relie made a teasing smile at Lux’s question.

But, what Lux was concerned about wasn’t that.

「No, that’s not it. About the security, I wonder if it will be enough with just us──」

No matter who strong Philuffy was and how excellent her skill as Drag-Knight, they didn’t know what would happen if they were actually attacked.

Lux too almost had no experience doing chores of guarding important person, so he said that for caution’s sake.

「Geez Lux-kun, you worrywart. You are Phi’s escort, so it will be fine if you relax more and accompany her you know?」

「But──」

「Besides, if it’s about Philuffy then you don’t need to worry. Even though she look like this, she is sensitive to other people’s killing intent and hostility.」

「Err, she is already sleeping though……?」

「Zzz……」

When he noticed, Philuffy who was doing her best to resist the sleepiness until just now finally lowered her eyelids and began to quietly let out sleeper’s breathing.

Or rather, her posture had crumbled somewhat and she was leaning until Lux beside her. How should he say it, there was something soft pressing on him.

「……As expected from Phi. She isn’t flinching back even at her first duty. As I thought she really has talent as guard.」

「How pampering you are to your little sister!? Or rather, wake up Phi-chan! I told you it’s no good to sleep in this kind of time──」

Lux felt his strength drained seeing Relie who was like always while lightly shaking Philuffy beside him.

「Nn, it’s fine. ……I’m properly, awake.」

「At least say that with your eyes opened!? Even the miss secretary is watching anxiously since some time ago you know!?」

「You are really exaggerating, Lux-kun. Rash people who would do something stupid like aiming at the coach of Aingram conglomerate won’t appear that often. That’s why it will be fine.」

「You are already denying the necessity of the guard duty itself though!?」

In the end, wasn’t Relie just assigning Philuffy as her aide only for the sake of her mental healing?

The time inside the coach was passing while such doubt passed Lux’s mind.

–

Part 5

But, in the end Lux’s anxiety only ended up as absurd fear, after that they safely arrived to their destination, in front of a branch store at third block.

「……Amazing.」

Lux who entered inside the building spontaneously raised his voice seeing that sight.

It was a branch shop of Welled Company that was under the umbrella of Aingram conglomerate.

The building made from wood and brick looked conspicuous. It was bigger than he imagined.

A straight paved route was stretching from the closed gate that was a defense point against Abyss. The shop’s huge delivery entrance was connected on the route’s extension.

It was as though the building was the symbol of greed to quickly buy up the many articles that were brought from Ruin or the outside.

Inside the shop that had high class feeling in some respect, there was no wild hustle and bustle like in the market, but the eyes of the men and women of all ages who were exchanging business discussion at their respective table shared the same fierce light in their eyes.

Lux too had got involved several times with this world through his life of chores, and it seemed the characteristic aura that merchants possessed was the same anywhere.

Relie too, right after she lightly greeted the branch manager of the company who should be her associate, her expression immediately turned serious and they exchanged stories like the scrutiny of commodity, transactions talk, present market price, and so on.

Beside Relie who was having discussion with a smile that showed no opening, the female secretary who accompanied her was also taking memo with a serious face──,

「……Wait, eh?」

Lux couldn’t see Philuffy’s figure and thought of it as strange. Then he noticed the poking on his shoulder from the side.

Philuffy was standing beside him with her usual expressionless face.

「Lu-chan. Let’s look around together at various merchandise.」

「Eh……!?」

Philuffy was nibbling on a honey glazed donut while saying that.

This shop had three floors, and each floor was amazingly wide.

Certainly it was a place where they could look around without trouble but──,

「No, that’s bad right!? We are coming here……more or less as guard or for studying, that’s our position here!」

「Onee-chan told me it’s fine to study by observing around here.」

「We aren’t counted even as helper!?」

「Also, tell me if there is anything you want to buy? I received money from Onee-chan.」

「We were even given pocket money-!?」

What happened with being apprentice for being secretary and guard……?

And then, was it fine for him to not study for later?

He had known about Relie’s lackadaisical attitude since the past, but as expected this still made him felt exhausted.

Even so the public safety of Cross Field was good, furthermore a heavy security was laid out at the surrounding of this shop.

The possibility of problem occurring here was remarkably low.

Besides Lux’s mission in the end would be only to pretend in appearance, he wouldn’t be able to go as far as learning how to do business discussion for real anyway.

Then──perhaps familiarizing himself with the company atmosphere of this place was also a valid method.

「I get it, Phi-chan. Then, how about we look around for a bit?」

「Un. Let’s go, together.」

Lux observed around inside the shop together with Philuffy who made a faint smile.

A floor of the three storey shop was fairly wide, it was divided into several section.

It seemed the shop only dealt with few kind of perishable food, but things like bottled seafood or jerky were preserved foods that were liked anywhere.

Because those kinds of foods were also handy for Lux at the period of his life of chores, he was looking at them with nostalgic feeling. The shop assistant immediately prepared a chair for him, asking if he wanted to taste a sample.

「Ah, don’t mind me. We are only looking around so──」

「This is, tasty you know?」

「──Wait, you already eat one!?」

Lux who tried to act reserved made his retort, but Philuffy was chewing the jerky silently.

「Now now, feel free. Please sample the food freely. The result of this year is great as you can see.」

「Ye, yes……」

Urged by the shop assistant’s smile, Lux also sampled the jerky.

Compared to in the past, with the jerky that was only hard and salty that he chewed at his life of chores, this one had a special taste with nice aroma too.

「This, gives the aroma of oak.」

Philuffy who gulped her jerky and nodded muttered that with a small voice.

Then, the shop assistant reacted in delight.

「Oo, as expected from the little sister of Relie-sama. You have an expert eye there to be able to notice that. Now now, how about the dried grape here too?」

「I like, sweet things.」

「Ah, I’m sorry……. We also want to look around at other thing, so let’s stop with this for now──」

Philuffy’s eyes shined in excitement, but for Lux it would be awkward to stay here longer.

Because there was a saying among the merchants, there was nothing more dangerous than something free.

After that, they looked around even more at various things like coffee and tea, sword for self-protection, fur and clothes, and so on, but it appeared that being a daughter from Aingram conglomerate would cause one’s name to be widely known, because Philuffy was welcomed no matter where they went.

At first Lux felt awkward at that treatment, but after a while he was getting used to it.

And then, even for Lux too who had been doing various odd jobs for five years, he was having fun after so long looking at various utensils and merchandises that he recognized.

(Somehow, it’s nostalgic doing something like this……)

He wondered how long ago it was.

He suddenly recalled something. At time when Lux’s mother was still in good health, there was an offer if he was interested going to see the main office of Aingram company together with Philuffy.

Right after that, Lux’s grandfather Wade remonstrated the emperor that was carrying out a despotic administration, then Lux’s family was banished from the imperial court. Because of that, in the end he was unable to accept the offer──.

「Ah, this one, perhaps it looks quite good──」

While Lux was thinking such thing, he muttered his impression about the knife in front of his eyes.

Perhaps it was made from a good steel that was heated and hammered well, the sharp edge part and the balance of the blade’s thickness were nice. And then, the shortness was suited for his chores too.

But, at that moment, a young man merchant beside him suddenly approached beside Lux and Philuffy.

「Oo. Do you like that one? That is a knife I procured from neighboring country, a skilled blacksmith made it. But──, I have something better this way.」

The gentle looking man with wide physique seemed to be a merchant who came from foreign country and not someone from the Welled Company.

The moment the merchant looked at Philuffy’s face, he took out a scabbard attached with leather belt that was applied with splendorous ornament from the bag he was carrying and showed it.

「This is……it’s a bit of antique, but this is a short blade that was forged by a famous smith at Wam province ten years ago. Its sharpness and solidness are guaranteed.」

「Is──that so?」

Lux took that short sword and gazed at it.

He remembered hearing such rumor several times when he was doing chores at blacksmith workshop, but this kind of showy ornament wasn’t really Lux’s preference, and it looked expensive.

「How about it? This leather belt is without a doubt the real thing. If it’s now I’ll give you discount──」

What to do?

Most likely the price would be outside of Lux’s reach, but perhaps it would be better to at least show it to Relie?

「Perhaps that’s……a fake.」

「Eh──?」

The moment Lux and the merchant tilted their head open mouthed, Philuffy held the short sword over her eyes and stared at it. She then muttered that.

「I saw something like this before, this one’s smell isn’t really old, also, it looks like the iron’s quality is bad, so it’s also smelly there, that’s how I know.」

Philuffy turned her gaze toward the merchant with her usual expressionless face and bland tone.

「N, no, such thing, you will understand from looking at that sword belt──」

「The leather is genuine. But the inside is different──is, what I think.」

「Ueh……!?」

It appeared to be bull’s eye. The merchant who came from the side suddenly showed uneasiness and acted flustered.

His gaze constantly darted around to the surrounding, confirming whether attention was gathered on him.

From that action it was clear whether what Philuffy said was the truth or not.

(……Shocking──)

This traveling merchant surely saw Philuffy who was looking absentminded by herself and tried to sell her a fake, but he met an unexpected counterattack like this.

If it got exposed that he was trying to sell a fake intentionally and got caught here, it would be the same as having his future as a merchant severed.

「Thi, this is truly an inexcusable thing that I have done! Du, due to some mistake it got mixed up with a different merchandise it seems──, I, I beg you to please keep this a secret!」

「…………」

Philuffy was staring fixedly at the face of the earnestly apologizing merchant with an expression without emotion.

For someone who didn’t know her, this silence from Philuffy might felt scary instead.

「The knife before, I want it. The first one.」

「……Eh? Eeeh!? Of course. If it’s right now I will give it for cheap!」

The merchant made an awkward business smile and brought out the knife without any decoration before this.

「Make it free.」

「Eh……!?」

It appeared that the knife was of a good quality, because the merchant said 「No, as expected that’s……」 with twitching face.

「Is free okay?」

In the end, the merchant was overwhelmed by her pressure and folded.

While Lux was staring at that event from beginning to end in mute amazement, Philuffy accepted the knife wrapped in cloth before she presented it toward Lux.

「Here.」

「Eh……?」

Lux tilted his head at this sudden act.

「For Lu-chan. It’s thanks, for helping me, at the morning.」

Philuffy pressed the bundle on him with a serious face.

「No need to hold back, it’s free after all.」

「Ahaha, thank you……」

When Philuffy who was obstinate despite her appearance was like this, he could do nothing except shutting up and accepting it.

Lux said his thanks with a wry smile and suddenly a footstep came from nearby.

「How’s that, Phi too is unexpectedly pretty good right?」

It appeared that the business discussion was over. Relie approached along with the female secretary.

「If it’s food ingredients than Phi can sort out which one is good or bad by smell, even though she look like this but she is reliable you know?」

Reiri puffed up her chest proudly before she then added 「But, she is still not there in grasping the market price and regarding knowledge though」.

「…………」

The sharpness of her sense of smell might be the influence of the Abyss seed Ratatoskr that was dwelling inside her body, but in the first place Philuffy seemed to look absentminded, so she excelled in in seeing through something’s true essence.

All things considered, Philuffy who obtained the knife for free might unexpectedly be a big shot.

「Lu-chan, you see me in better light now?」

「Yes. That was amazing, Phi-chan.」

When Lux showed a smile, Philuffy too made a faint smile.

The atmosphere of ordinary days where he played together with Philuffy.

Lux and Philuffy shared the nostalgic and gentle atmosphere together.

–

Part 6

In the end even after that there was no trouble that happened. They went around at various places and at night──they safely returned to the villa at the first block.

After receiving an aromatic tea in the living room and took a breather, Lux went outside to enjoy the cool air.

When he went out to the balcony from the window at second floor, the cool air caressed his hair.

「Even so, it was unexpected.」

Lux was thinking of Philuffy who looked as though she hadn’t changed since the past, and yet she showed a little bit of growth even as Relie’s secretary and guard.

He got the feeling of relieve that today went well and an emotion that felt like a bit of loneliness.

「But, everyone is changing huh. I too──」

When he was talking to himself like that, a footstep suddenly came from behind and Philuffy arrived at his side.

「Thank you for your hard work today, Phi-chan.」

「Un.」

Her words were few as usual, but a vague hint of happiness was included within her tone.

「Thank you, for accompanying us today.」

Philuffy sat beside him at the balcony while quietly said that to him.

「No. It was a really enjoyable work. At first I didn’t know just what would happen but──」

When Lux was smiling wryly while recalling the case of the packing and the food sampling like that,

「…………」

• Puih*

Philuffy puffed up her cheeks slightly and averted her face from Lux.

「Wai, wait a second……? Did I, said anything strange!?」

「……It wasn’t, work.」

「──Eh?」

Lux looked puzzled for a moment, but immediately after, he noticed what Philuffy tried to say.

Come to think of it, certainly regarding the matter this time, he had never heard anyone calling it work for even a single time.

He was only forcefully invited by her big sister Relie to accompany them for reference.

And then Philuffy was spending time with Lux without paying any mind about work or duty at all.

「I, didn’t make any work request to Lu-chan, you know?」

Philuffy told him while inside her expressionless face, a vague hint of dissatisfaction oozed through.

「Because, I only wanted Lu-chan, to accompany me together.」

「Ah……」

Philuffy’s pure eyes were staring fixedly at Lux’s face.

「You’re, right. Sorry, Phi-chan.」

Lux too let out a breath and smiled in respond to Philuffy’s words.

For Lux who had the shackle of criminal status and life of chores ingrained deeply into himself, it was something natural.

The feeling of himself growing and changing little by little.

But Philuffy was treating Lux not as a criminal of the old empire or even as the chore prince, but merely as her important childhood friend.

(Could it be──)

Perhaps, Philuffy remembered about the promise at their childhood, of the offer to Lux to look around together at Aingram’s shop.

For the current Lux, her feeling that was unchanged like that felt really pleasant for him.

「Thank you for inviting me this time. It was fun.」

「I’m glad.」

Philuffy let out a faint sigh of relieve, then she quietly brought her pure expression close to Lux.

「I, won’t make request or anything at Lu-chan. If there is anything I want, I’ll always say it, and invite Lu-chan──」

Her tone sounded absentminded following her own pace like usual.

However, that tone felt somehow talkative for Philuffy. She continued like that.

「That’s why Lu-chan too, you must not act reserved with me, okay?」

And then, she showed her usual faint smile that no one other than Lux would notice.

‘Aah.

So it’s something like that.’ Lux realized her feeling.

Since the past she was calling those who were close to her with nickname was also because she didn’t want to act reserved with each other.

Her being a daughter of Aingram conglomerate, or Lux’s position as prince or criminal, those were irrelevant. Her act was filled with such feeling.

「Yes. Best regards from here on too, Phi-chan.」

That was why, Lux responded to her feeling with a smile──but,

「Then, today too, let’s sleep together?」

「…………Eh!?」

「I said, I won’t make request or anything, right?」

「Wai-, wait a second!? Thi, this isn’t that kind of problem──!?」

The sudden suggestion that was said with a serious face caused Lux to turn bright red and panicked.

「My? Phi is lonely you know? Since Lux-kun moved to another room in the dormitory──」

「Why is even Relie-san coming here!?」

In the end, it would become like this when he spent time with these two.

「Before, I presented Lu-chan, with a knife you know?」

Philuffy threatened with just a bit dissatisfied tone while her face remained serious.

「Even though normally it doesn’t seem like you are interested with trade, don’t get calculating just in this kind of time-!?」

–

In the end Lux lost against the pressure and that day he slept with Philuffy on the same bed with canopy attached, but naturally Lux couldn’t sleep from the excitement and he spent a difficult night.