Chapter 5 – Count

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At present we were in the midst of the party hosted by Ester-chan and her family. As for what kind of gathering it is, you can basically describe it as tet-a-tet of the FitzClarence Faction organized by Richard-san.

The main event was the debut of the people who joined the faction as its newest members. The same being done back when this ordinary Japanese flat-face had received the title of Baron was still fresh in his mind.

This time I’d go through the event together with Neumann and Shotachinpo.

“Oh my, what a pleasure, Count Tanaka. I have heard the rumors about you for quite some time now.” “Maaan, nothing less of Count Tanaka. Just as rumored, you’re a man of valor.” “For a while now I have been sensing that you have been hiding a hidden potential from us, Count Tanaka.” “You protected Charis from the demon queen. I would have loved to stand by your side and support you during that great achievement, Count.”

Moreover, unlike before, the socialization was actually terrifying this time. All of this must have to do with the previous audience.

Currently the Prime Minister faction is keeping pace with the FitzClarence faction. This flat yellow dude, who has little to do with the country’s circumstances, can’t tell where those two factions rank in influence when counting from the top. But, there’s no doubt that both are pretty high up there.

Of course, if both were to merge, they’d clearly dominate the empire’s main stream.

“My daughter is a huge fan of yours, Count. How about it? Would you allow her to meet you once?” “Ohh, if we’re talking about such matters, please give my daughter a chance as well.” “Now, now, wait a moment. Getting a head start on everyone is bad manners, you know? We should hold a tea party and invite everyone to it…”

As soon as I stepped into the banquet hall, which also served as venue, I was surrounded by a throng of nobles. Because of that, I wasn’t even able to grab a drink. Not to mention food, which would remain a dream within a dream for the foreseeable future. They were hurling their voices at me from all directions.

When I casually looked outside the circle, I found Neumann to be in the same situation. He had changed out of his usual uniform of an official, and borrowed an attire from Richard-san that looked quite expensive. It made him look a lot more like a noble in comparison to me.

“Baron Neumann, I heard you used to be an official working at the central government. Is that correct?” “Hmm, I remember having heard your name in the past. They said you were a man who’s quite good at his work!” “A man capable at work is pretty obviously different from some ordinary person, huh?” “Indeed. He has an outstanding aesthetic sense.” “How about it? If you like, you could visit our home tonight.” “Hey, wait a second, it’s wrong to suddenly steal a march on us.”

It was funny to see a lanky beanpole like Neumann to look quite flustered from being surrounded by a great number of nobles. I guess the realization of being a noble hasn’t fully kicked in yet. Moreover, his fundamental seriousness contributed to him answering in a panic whenever someone addressed him.

“No, u-umm, I’m not such an important person…”

He’s completely panicking, yep. He’s acting like Sophia-chan. I’d like him to spare us from peeing, however.

I’m sure Richard-san will come to his help at an opportune moment. Since I feel his eyes on me whenever he finds a moment to look my way, I have no doubt that he’s keeping an eye on our situation. I honestly think it’s better to leave the aristocratic stuff and so on to him rather than making a move myself. It’s what you call every man knows his own business best.

Rather, assuming a problem were to occur, I’d assume it to stem from our young Viscount-sama. Only Shotachinpo was being treated like a tumor with people steering clear of him.

“……”

I suppose you can only call that natural. I mean, he’s got a dick growing down below. Yet, he came to the party venue while cross-dressing as a woman. I admit I’m awed by his courage and guts.

Frankly speaking, it’s a bit of a problem, isn’t it? To be honest here, I feel it’s unrelated to him being part of the Aufschnaiter family.

If you consider pedigree and status, this busamen would be counted as being in a far worse position. After all, I’m about the only member of the flat yellow race. Compared to myself, people should have a lot less resistance to a former noble like him.

And in reality, I can see how the people around Shotachinpo keep casting fleeting glances at him. But, as of yet no one has spoken to him. Even so, he’s the target of passionate gazes by a certain portion of the nobles. Those stares are no different from the ones a certain imperial knight lesbo would throw at a woman she likes. What should be taken into account here is the fact of a certain percentage having the same gender as him.

Isn’t that wonderful, Shotachinpo? If it’s this place, I’m sure they’ll be able to accept that special hobby of yours. Something like Shotachinpo’s degenerate gang-rape scene, well, umm, how to put it…one day I’ll graduate from being a virgin, then I’ll safely conclude a fuck vacation, fully experiencing all the sex there is to experience in this world, and then, even further down the line, it’d be the right time to take a peek at this horrifying sight from far behind.

“C-Count Tanaka, are you enjoying yourself!?”

Suddenly my name was used. Because it came out of a young woman’s mouth, I naturally reacted to it. However, the tone of that voice has become quite familiar to my ears over the last few months.

“What an honor, Elisabeth-sama. It is a great pleasure to see you in such a wonderful mood today.”

“……”

Because many nobles were watching us, I endeavored to greet her as stately as possible.

This shouldn’t have been the wrong decision. Yet, hearing this ordinary Japanese flat-face’s greeting, Ester-chan’s face froze with cracking sounds. Maybe my greeting just now was still too familiar? Yep, that must be the issue here. Even if my words might have been filled with respect, my calling her by first name in public feels like we’re pretty close.

That’s bad. Our previous sense of distance has ingrained itself unexpectedly deeply in my body.

“What might be the matter?”

“Eh? Ah, no? I-It’s nothing in particular, Count Tanaka!”

“Is that so? If you feel like your health is not at its best, I will gladly guide you to your room.”

“gh!? R-Right! In that case, please do by…”

In the middle of her answer, Loli Bitch suddenly seemed to realize something. Just as her eyes began to look around restlessly, she reflexively took half a step back. Immediately following, she thrust out both arms in a hurry, and loudly announced, “I-I’m alright! I’m totally fine! I-It’s true, you see!?”, as if saying that any more would be impossible.

“…Is that so?”

“Yes! It is!”

I wonder why. That blatant rejection stung. But, I think this might be the proper relationship for us two.

Richard-san went out of his way to prepare such a great stage for me, and even the prime minister went along with it. I couldn’t afford to have the people around us misunderstand that we have some sort of discord or problem with each other. Maintaining the appropriate distance would be the aristocratic way of doing, wouldn’t it?

“Please forgive me for the intrusive suggestion, but whatever the young lady of the FitzClarence family regards as important shall be equally important to me. I would like you to freely call out to me, in case something troubles you.”

“S-Sure! I guess I will rely on you at such a time!”

“Thank you kindly.”

This is how our future relationship is going to be from now on, I suppose. People around us started to whisper amongst each other from just watching us exchange a few words. They probably sensed that the relationship between the Count Tanaka family and the Duke FitzClarence family is pretty solid from this busamen’s harmonious talk with Loli Bitch.

Richard-san is very famous for being a very doting father after all.

The party kept proceeding in such a manner. Some time after toasting, I started to notice how the flow of people at the venue calmed down. As might be expected, I felt like wanting to grab something to eat anytime soon. The prepared food was presented buffet-style. Every dish looked super luxurious and expensive. So much so that I actually felt like stuffing all of it in Tupperware to take back home.

Even the nobles, visiting for greetings without pause, started to gradually go down the ladder of titles as time passed on. Beginning with duke, I’d say it went to marquis, count, and then viscount. Naturally, this ordinary Japanese flat-face’s attention detached itself from them, heading for the feast lined up on the tables.

If the ranks go down a bit further, like all the way down to baron, I’ll excuse myself and go grab a bite. I’m sure they must also be hungry after waiting in line to greet this flat, yellow dude. If we head over to the food together, I don’t think they’d regard it as blunt rejection.

Just as I started to entertain such thoughts, Richard-san’s voice suddenly filled the venue.

“Now then, there is something I would like to report to everyone on this fine occasion today.”

Naturally all eyes shifted to the source of the voice. He stood on a slightly elevated spot in front of the floor.

I wonder what’s going on.

“I think it might have been just several weeks ago. All of you have heard the voices of blame towards the Penny Empire by the Great Holy Land. And of course, we all know today that everything has been groundless nonsense.”

The bustling party venue quieted down. If faced with such a reaction, you’ll be overpowered after all. Nothing less of a Grand Duke-sama.

“Said country, which should have been the biggest authority in the fight against the demon queen, suffered a blow from the demon queen before anyone else and suffered great casualties. On the other hand, our Penny Empire is welcoming today in perfect shape despite having already suffered countless invasions by the demon queen.”

Making sure that he had the attention of all nobles present here, Richard-san continued. Him acting like normal even while having more than a thousand eyes pinned on him made me admire this guy. I earnestly felt that I wanted to become a full-fledged member of society just like him.

“I think all of you already know whom we have to thank for this. I feel very happy that I was able to welcome him in this place. And I wish to walk by his side for the rest of my life.”

Richard-san flattered me. And in response to this, the venue went astir. Naturally, all eyes gathered on this ordinary Japanese flat-face.

Yet, I had just now thrust my hand into the pocket of my pants. Because I’d been exposed to the eyes of others ever since the party had started, I couldn’t fix the positioning for a long time. Because of that, my dick was stuck in a slightly bad angle.

I’d like people to not pay me too much attention right now. But, having no other choice, I pulled my hand out, improving my manners.

“Meanwhile I also have been harboring big doubts about the way how the Great Holy Land has been handling things. I also have been able to see the oracle published by that country. It’s a terribly one-sided discharge and the stigma of a traitor, given to the Hero of the West without any backing whatsoever.”

The topic shifted to the Hero of the West. Yet, many still kept glancing at this ordinary Japanese flat-face. For the moment, I have no choice but to hang in with the current positioning.

“Wondering whether that isn’t an act unbecoming of people, I investigated the details. I found a very dutiful person who even traveled to the Dark Continent to bring back the tail of a phoenix for a prince of the Tihts Kingdom, who was on the verge of death, on the behest of Saint-sama.” ¹

What he talked about next was an adventurer tale this ordinary Japanese flat-face also remembers. It’s great that the delivery seems to have been on time.

“Is it forgivable that we discard him, who has gone this far for the sake of another person, whenever it suits our own convenience? Can you approve of him being branded as a traitor and then driven out?” Richard-san asked.

In response, nobles all over the venue yelled that it wasn’t forgivable. It’s almost as if I’m watching an idol doing a mic performance on stage. It nostalgically reminds me of Sophia-chan’s pantie-showing stage.

“I was impressed by his devoted way of life. Therefore, I shall make a declaration. In the future, I want our FitzClarence faction to keep supporting the road to the demon queen subjugation with the Hero of the West as true hero.”

Compared to the Saint-sama of the Great Holy Land, Richard-san’s existence is small, no matter how powerful a duke he might be in the Penny Empire. It’s the same gap as it exists between an enterprise operating globally and a small, local backstreet workshop. But, despite all that, his reassuring, strong attitude, which makes you believe that success inevitably waits at the destination he’s heading for, clearly became apparent as he talked. It’s a power that makes me naturally feel that I’ll be able to obtain a bright future as long as I follow this person.

“With that said, we shall welcome the Hero of the West on this occasion today.”

I haven’t heard anything about this. Just when did he bring him here?

“Star the Elysion-san, I leave the stage in your capable hands.”

Richard-san exaggeratedly pointed a hand to the stage’s wing. Thereupon, a familiar face suddenly appeared from there. It was doubtlessly the Hero of the West.

Excited yells filled the venue upon his entry. It looks like his appearance here had been kept a secret from everyone, including this ordinary Japanese flat-face. That’s a production with quite an impact, isn’t it?

While being urged by Richard-san, Hero-sama walked towards the center of the stage. And just as everyone stared at him with bated breaths, he slowly opened his mouth.

“I feel very grateful to have been introduced in a place like this.”

Him speaking and acting as usual reflected his reliability. He’s probably used to being seen by people.

“To be frank, Now that I know about the scheme behind the name hero, I don’t see any value in further using that title anymore. This doesn’t stem from me having parted with the Great Holy Land, but because I grasped the truth of the demon king and hero, which had been hidden by that country for a long time. Moreover, at the same time, it originates from me having hit upon what you could call true courage,” he smoothly rattled down while standing in the middle of the stage. “I think many of you already know, but the heroes are the Great Holy Land’s puppets and the generations of demon kings were fakes created by the Great Holy Land. At the very least, no demon king resurrected during the last 500 years, except for the current demon queen. And the oracles by the saint were lies to secure the interests of said country.”

Voices of surprise could be heard from the floor in reply to the hero’s words. I think the number of people hearing about this for the first time isn’t small by any means. Some nobles looked at the hero full of disbelief, others looked at those nobles as if baffled that they didn’t know about it. I was able to witness such scenes taking place across the venue. It was slightly funny to watch.

As there was no way for him to know the true motives of all nobles present here, the Hero of the West focused on confronting them with the unvarnished truth.

“I felt terribly disappointed by that truth. If I had to be honest, I feel like going back and taking it easy for a while. Of course, I don’t think that all my adventures up until now had been deceptions. I was able to save many lives thanks to them. But, all of it took place on a path the saint had laid out for me.”

Naturally, everyone’s attention shifted to Richard-san, wondering whether the Hero of the West was okay. But, even as he received those doubting looks, his expression remained calm and neutral.

It looks like their advance negotiations have been flawless.

“However, the present head of the FitzClarence family told me that I’m a hero despite all that. That it’s not so easy to lay down the title of hero. That there’s a simple truth attached to being named as a hero, unrelated to things like my own principles and positions.” The hero of the West looked at Richard-san and continued, “To be honest, I don’t like you.”

Richard-san responded to that with a smile, saying, “I am well aware of that.”

He donned his usual, broad smile. And as if it was natural, voices teeming with uneasiness started to be heard in the venue.

The Hero of the West’s words thundered across the hall as if to drown out those other voices, “But, regardless of whether I should mourn or rejoice over this, he and I agree on one thing. And if you ask what that might be, we perfectly align when it comes to believing in a certain person.”

The Hero of the West and Richard-san stared at this ordinary Japanese flat-face. It felt as if they were closely scrutinizing me. Of course, the other nobles realized this and directed their attention to me.

“Baron Tanaka, no, right now he’s called Count Tanaka, right? If he says he will side with the Penny Empire, I would like to be allowed to support this country as well. If he says he will side with FitzClarence, I would like to support FitzClarence as well.”

Having spoken up to that point, the Hero of the West lowered his head towards Richard-san. I was being flattered as never before, and thus I felt extremely apologetic to make him say all this.

I’m pretty sure that he didn’t lie about hating Richard-san. Say what you want, but he’s a hero with a noble character as he showed during our meeting on the Dark Continent and our talk at the Academy City. There’s no doubt that his principles don’t match with a noble who prioritizes his own benefits first and foremost.

For this very reason, I’m quite curious what sort of alignment happened between those two.

“Hero of the West-sama, we have made preparations to welcome you,” Richard-san announced solemnly.

This was answered by the Hero of the west bowing his head once again with a meek expression.

“Thank you very much.”

Loud applause from the floor blessed the two on the stage. It was so loud that it actually hurt my ears.

＊

This ordinary Japanese flat-face, Neumann, and the Hero of the West were all terribly busy while being surrounded by the nobles of the FitzClarence faction. The venue had temporarily calmed down due to the appearance of an unforeseen guest, but it soon devolved into a hustle and bustle again.

If there was an exception to this, it’d be Shotachinpo. Him solely focusing on his food without a care of what was going on around him woke memories in me about my own past. I felt pangs of sorrow seeing his back hunched over in front of the table with all the food.

Shotachinpo eating all by himself while looking sad was somehow nice. It kinda triggered a feeling of affinity with him.

“Count Tanaka, I have already heard many rumors of you…”

“Ah, yes.”

On the other hand, this ordinary Japanese flat-face saw no signs of the stream of people coming for a greeting to ebb down any time soon.

Just when I thought I finished talking to one person, the next one called out to me right away. I had no spare time to grab a bite. If the exchanges continue at the same pace as they have been happening until now, things are going to gradually become troublesome. Moreover, because the ratio of overly fat, old dudes was extremely high, I didn’t get any joy out of the conversations either. With feudal society also being at the height of its prosperity, the only one holding any substantial power were men.

Yet, that doesn’t mean that the number of women was small either. In fact, many women were surrounding Neumann. Moreover, most of them were young and cute. The reason must be the abnormal status afflicting him right now – being a one-time divorcee.

The conversation with his wife and her loverboy in front of the FitzClarence estate must have already become known among all people present on the floor. Right now he was literally a noble single. On top of that, he was armed with his handsomeness. Can’t he choose whomever he wants? How enviable.

In contrast, this busamen was surrounded by many old men. There must have been some terrible stories going around about me.

“Count Tanaka, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m…”

“Oh my, it is I who feels honored…”

The number of common topics among the nobles gathered around me could be counted on one hand. All conversations sounded like routine work. Starting with the standard greetings, I would confirm their position in the FitzClarence faction, before being stuck listening to their endless spate of touting their own worth.

Even my nervousness, which has been heightened by attending such a grand party, naturally vanished before long.

At this point I noticed an important principle in the physiological phenomenons of men. An erection occurs whenever the parasympathetic nerves become predominant. In short, your dick will stand if you’re relaxed. And right now, this ordinary Japanese flat-face has gradually been relaxing with the help of the continuous decrease of his conversation partner’s ranks.

After a long stretch of nervousness and tension, I had experienced a complete change into a state of tranquility. And this wasn’t good.

As if telling me to leave it to him, my dick’s hardness maxed out, contrary to my own wishes in this regard. In spite of never having been entrusted with anything so far, he insisted on it with fervor. Moreover, because he was in a bad position inside my pants, his action resulted in visually producing the worst-possible bulge.

Thinking that things would become really bad at this rate, this virgin scheduled a positioning. Judging that it’d be a tough challenge to perform this operation through the pocket, I decided to inform my current conversation partner that I wanted to visit the toilet in order to exercise a drastic reform. I’d say, “Sorry, I have to relieve myself for just a bit,” and so on. And once I pinned down what was pointing upwards with my shorts and belt, I’d be able to fight once more.

However, just as I tried to voice this out, the situation suddenly progressed at the corner of my eyes.

“You’re wearing a fairly stimulating attire, aren’t you?”

This late in the game, a brave noble challenger appeared who called out to Shotachinpo.

“…Eh?”

Shotachinpo’s befuddled reply echoed across the floor. Hearing the conversation between those two, this busamen naturally had his attention pulled in this direction. And with my eyes suddenly drifting to the side, the old dude in front of me naturally shifted his attention to Shotachinpo and his conversation partner as well.

“Won’t you have a little talk with me, if you don’t mind?” The man asking Shotachinpo appeared to be in the middle of his twenties.

He was a hunk with impressive, smooth, blond hair that reached all the way down to his back. His slender body wasn’t as tall as Neumann’s, but it seemed as if he exceeded 190 cm. his oblong, droopy eyes coupled with the light blue pupils overflowed with a charm you’d only encounter in a kabuki town.

I could tell without even talking to him. His compatibility with virgins would be the worst.

“W-What is it? Who are you?”

“Oh, please forgive me for not introducing myself earlier. I’m Adam Gay. Usually I don’t make an appearance at such events, but it is truly wonderful that I decided to do so today. After all, it allowed me to meet you.”

“……”

Shotachinpo drew attention whether you agreed with his conduct or not. By having addressed him, the man naturally drew the attention of the surroundings on them. However, the man himself seemed to pay absolutely no heed to the looks of the other people. His eyes were fixated on Shotachinpo alone as if no one else besides him existed.

“…That’s Viscount Gay,” the old man in front of me muttered.

It sounds like he’s a noble of the same rank as Shotachinpo.

“Do you know him?”

“Yes well, he has become the present family head of a family that had just recently lost its previous patriarch. For better or worse, that family had remained inconspicuous without causing any scandals or such, but ever since he took over, rumors have started to sporadically circulate.”

“I see. Would it be okay for me to hear some more details?”

“I hear the current family head seems to be a homosexual. There are rumors about him kidnapping commoner boys he takes a liking to, just to lock them up in the basement of his castle. Well, the number of people with such hobbies isn’t low by any means, but I’m told Viscount Gay is quite excessive in this regard…”

“…I see.”

So it was that sort of story after all. However, that’s not a bad development. Shotachinpo is someone who seems to dress as a woman out of a personal preference. Wouldn’t they get along as fellow Friends of Dorothy. Furthermore, if Shotachinpo’s partner is a hunk, this busamen can see a future where Shotachinpo will start to leave him and get along with his new partner.

“He seemed to be a man so meek that people were rumoring he’s perfectly suited for homosexuality with his character of being so introverted that he almost cannot talk to the other sex at all. But, seeing him today, I must admit, the rumors are totally off.”

“I understand, and yes, it sure looks like it.”

Possessing an introvert character while being as handsome as Allen; I wonder what sort of stimulating childhood he must have had. Maybe he himself might have experienced a treatment where plug met connector with someone close to him.

Oh, if you consider it like that, he’s a hunk with something deeply moving.

“Are you interested in that man, Count Tanaka?”

“Yes, I think it would be great if he could get along with Viscount Aufschnaiter.”

“…I see?”

The venue’s attention increasingly kept gathering on those two. But, without caring about any of that, Viscount Gay said, “I’ve heard that you’ve studied at the Academy City. Even though I may look like this, I dare to pride myself with having attained a certain level of scholarship in regards to magic. If you like, how about we share an extended talk about this tonight? There was also a time when I gave a speech at the Imperial Academy’s Learning Technique Meet.”

“No, I already have plans for tonight, so I’m sorry…”

“Is that so? In that case, would you allow me to visit you at some point?” Viscount asked with a broad smile.

The white teeth, peeking out through his lips, were shining brightly.

“…..”

“Could you humor me? I’m very interested in you.”

He’s coming on very pushy. I think this is how you’d describe a carnivore. While cheerfully talking with his mouth, he will approach you so closely that your toes are touching his before you notice anything. I thought that Shotachinpo is quite a player himself as well, but I feel an energy from Viscount Gay that is strong enough to even confuse someone like Shotachinpo.

It’s great that his partner is into boys’ love. That alone makes it already a perfect world for those two. It’s a place that’s completely unrelated to this busamen.

“H-Hey, don’t come so close to me…!”

“How cold of you. And here I’m so infatuated with you.”

“gh!?”

As he stepped forward, Viscount Gay quickly placed his foot between Shotachinpo’s feet. Contrary to the former, who looked very calm and composed, the face of the latter was bright red. It was a complete reversal of the situation with this ordinary Japanese flat-face at the Academy City some time ago. Shotachinpo was completely acting like a girl there.

“Hehehe.”

Viscount Gay was probably happy over seeing Shotachinpo flustered. Now that he had placed his leg between Shotachinpo’s knees, he next extended a hand. It was clearly aiming at Shotachinpo’s hair. Seeing how Viscount Gay was not only one head, but actually two or even three heads taller than Shotachinpo, his fingertips easily reached Shotachinpo’s prided twintail without much effort.

At that very moment, Shotachinpo exclaimed, “S-Stop it!”, and thrust out both his hands, forcefully pressing them against Viscount Gay’s chest.

“Uh oh…”

Apparently that push had more force behind it than Viscount Gay had expected. He staggered back a few steps.

If you consider the difference in physique between those two, Shotachinpo might have compensated for his physical abilities by using magic. Naturally the matter at the Academy City immediately came to mind.

P-chan, I wonder where you are and what you’re doing right now.

In the end, he’s probably going to suck his dick anyway, even if he’s complaining about this and that. No, let’s stop thinking about his oral issues.

“An instantaneous body strengthening without chanting; that’s what you’d expect of a student who studied in the Academy City.”

“You’re disgusting! S-Stay away from me, got it!?”

“You appear to be shyer than I had initially thought.”

“S-Shut it! I already like someone else! There’s no way that I’d have any interest in a playboy like you, okay!? Don’t bother me with your gross behavior!” Shotachinpo shouted wildly.

On the other hand, Viscount Gay kept up his calm demeanor. A smile adorned his face, just as before. This sort of complicated communication must hit his taste.

Very likely, the ones suffering the biggest damage must be all of Shotachinpo’s relatives who don’t know anything. Maybe this has completely decided how the Aufschnaiter family would be treated in society from now on. The reborn Aufschnaiter family is already facing a danger of discontinuation. In the sense of lacking eggs, that is.

“Do you really mean that?”

“Y-Yes!”

“That is a very interesting statement. Would you be fine giving me the details? I’d love to hear more about this.”

Oh noes! This is starting to develop into an extremely bad direction.

In a hurry, I searched the vicinity for Ester-chan or Sophia-chan. In this situation, I wouldn’t mind either. By just having one of them stand next to me in a close manner, it’d drastically change the estimated damage that’s going to hit me any second now.

However, only at times like these, the bitches were far, far away from my own location.

“O-Old man!”

Shotachinpo turned around towards me and cheerfully ran over. With each step, his extremely short skirt flapped. Moreover, he still calls me old man this late in the game.

“…What might be the matter, Viscount Aufschnaiter?”

“I l-love you, old man!”

I know. I’m fully aware of it. So, don’t say it. At least not at this moment.

“That’s why, umm, w-w-with you…”

His eyes, which he had lowered slightly, were clearly pinned on something. Ahead of his eyes lay my boldness which was still continuing to store power.

“O-Old man!?”

No sooner than his eyes flew wide open, did his lips break into a bright smile. The looks shifted downwards from this busamen’s face, and at once the surroundings could easily perceive what he was looking at in this moment.

From super hard to steel, and then diamond.

“D-Did it possibly…because of my confession just now…”

His flustered state caused by Viscount Gay was already something of the past. Shotachinpo was now looking at me with the face of a bitch. His face was flushing and his eyes had begun to moisten.

Why is the phenomenon of getting hard connected to the parasympathetic nerves? No, wait, if it’s related to sympathetic nerves, that in itself might be a big deal. I cannot even describe how much I regret this. It’s an extremely troubling issue.

I sincerely hope for a society where it’s permissible to have your dick erect in the presence of the public. Wouldn’t that be the true meaning of gender equality?

“……”

“…Umm, O-Old Man?”

Let’s deal with the problem right in front of my nose while leaving aside the male physiological phenomenon for the time being. Becoming bashful over something like this is a bad idea. As long as I look confident about it, even my surroundings should understand that it’s simply a physiological phenomenon, I’m sure.

I mean, we’re surrounded by dudes who also possess a dick between their legs, just like I do.

“Just as I’ve told you before, I have another woman in mind.”

“I know. I don’t mind just staying at your side as I’ve been doing up until now. However, one day I’ll definitely show you that I’m the most precious to you, Old Man. And I’ll make you desire me!”

That way of phrasing it makes it sound as though I’m surrounded by lovers, doesn’t it?

The nobles present at the venue quickly reacted to what they had heard during the chain of exchanges. The looks they had been directing at Shotachinpo and Viscount Gay thus far, now started to be directed at this ordinary Japanese flat-face.

“Oh my god, so Count Tanaka also loves someone?” “No, but the previous talks about his marriage with Count Bitch’s family…” “Come to think of it, what happened to that?” “Speaking of Cyan-sama of the Bitch family, she’s a prominent, talented knight in the Magic Knight Order. There’s no way she’d have turned it down.”

“But, as far as pedigree is concerned, both are Count families, right?” “Having said that, you won’t find anything amiss in the history of the Bitch family.” “In the first place, wouldn’t the selection become even further limited when it comes to families being above Count in rank?” “In that case, it’d mean the aforementioned marriage is still a thing, huh…?”

“While having such a wonderful woman like Cyan-sama, he even makes a move on guys…dear goodness, it seems to be true that heroes are quite lustful.” “I see, that’s yet another very interesting viewpoint, isn’t it?” “Hmm, I suppose this means my family has a good chance as well.” “Mine as well.”

They were running their mouth as they pleased. Because the venue was packed with several dozens of people, it’d be more than difficult to go around and correct each and every single one of them. On the other hand, if I raised my voice loud enough so that everyone could hear and declared that I love women and hate gay men, it’d completely destroy any reputation Shotachinpo has as a viscount.

Moreover, I have a feeling that it’d also revive the matter with Sofia-chan. It’s sarcastic how this is the sole salvation for me right now.

“…Please do your best. But, make sure to keep public and private parts apart.”

“I-I know!”

This was probably the most this busamen could offer. On the other hand, Viscount Gay easily crossed through the dick wall.

Before I noticed, he had already walked up close. In the instant when Shotachinpo nodded, creating a short break in our conversation, he slid his body between the two of us. At the same time, he bowed at me in an exaggerated manner.

“Count Tanaka, it is a pleasure for me to meet you today for the first time. My name is Adam Gay.”

“Oh my, how very polite of you. I’m called Tanaka.”

I got a premonition that he locked on to me.

In response to him raising his body again, his long hair rustling lightly made him look like the perfect ikemen. Moreover, he somehow smelled nice. With the guy in front of me being a shota-lover, I felt relieved as a busamen on the one hand, but on the other hand I couldn’t help but feel tormented by an inferiority complex as fellow man.

“Please give him to me, if you don’t mind.”

Furthermore, he was rather abrupt in his demands for someone talking with me today for the first time. This is truly out of my hands.

“…It sounds like you are living the life of the fast and furious, Viscount Gay.”

I directed my attention to Richard-san for a split second. It was a call for help.

However, he was staring this way with his usual smiling face. He probably means to tell me that I should do something about it myself.

“A person’s life is short. Don’t you think so, Count Tanaka?”

“Indeed. We agree on this point.”

“I wish to live my life while being honest to myself at any time.”

“I see.”

His shapely features coupled with his refined conduct made him very much look like an intellectual. If it’s him, this busamen would readily agree with ludicrous comments, which would give anyone goose bumps, coming out of his mouth. As I thought, ikemen are truly incredible.

“However, no matter what your feelings might be, his feelings are his own. I don’t restrain him. And other than the fact of us being nobles of the same faction, he and I don’t share a special relationship. Could you understand this much?”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“I got it.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Pheew, it looks like he’s someone you can talk to within limitations. It’d be too terrible to look at, if this were to lead to an irredeemable situation.

“It’s no wonder you rose all the way to the rank of count in a lifetime while being a foreigner. But, I’ll never give up. Allow me to predict here and now that his heart will definitely grow apart from you someday.”

He wasn’t understanding at all. Or rather, he was gradually becoming bothersome.

“Sure, I look forward to such a time.”

At this point I’m just dealing with him randomly. The dick topic is over with this. I don’t need to get involved any further with it. The other party is a viscount, so if I consider my own position as count, it won’t be any problem if I wrap up the conversation with him from my side.

I revitalized my determination that I ought to turn my back on him as soon as possible.

Suddenly something good happened. A voice announced the arrival of a guest.

“Her Highness Princess Angelica is heeereee!”

It seems like the princess has shown up as well. Everyone’s eyes immediately zoomed in on the entrance of the venue.

Over there you could watch the princess entering the hall in a luxurious dress. The outfit, which was made out of thin fabric, splendidly decorated her superb, voluptuous body. As always, that girl got some big tits and booty. Her tight waist also gets a 10 out of 10. It’s a lewd body that draws men to it like honey draws bees. A physical beauty which doesn’t lose out to Ester-chan’s.

Moreover, today her skirt was awfully short, compared to usual. It ended around twenty centimeters above her knee. The terrifying part about it was how its shortness could easily compete with Shotachinpo’s skirt which was famous for being extremely short. I don’t believe that her ever-doting father, His Majesty, would have ever approved of this outfit. In other words, she spontaneously put this on.

What an outrageous princess. I was impelled by the desire of wanting to rape her hard from behind in this place while throwing away all my social life.

“Oh, Your Highness, what an honor to welcome you here.”

Richard-san had headed over to deal with her. How enviable!

As if to participate in this, several nobles had lined up behind him. The power of a royal is amazing. And as if it wasn’t already enough, she’s getting pampered too.

But, thanks to her, this ordinary Japanese flat-face could be happy as well because he could escape from the spell of men.

Pretending to be faintly related, I’ll take the liberty to join at the end of the line. Taking distance from Viscount Gay and Shotachinpo, I blended in with the other nobles, join the royal bitch thigh appreciation meeting.

“Please forgive me for visiting unannounced.”

“No, not at all. Please visit us at any time, if you are alright with our home.”

“Oh my, that is a wonderful offer.”

But well, Richard-san sure is in perfect form there. There’s probably no higher honor than a royal voluntarily visiting their home. It’s like endorsing their authority. Because of that, his followers stared at him with spellbound looks once again.

“I have heard that Count Tanaka is participating in the party over here and couldn’t suppress my impatience. Where might he be? I wanted to talk with him for a bit…”

With her being who she is, I had already prepared myself to be called out here. Thanks to that, my dick’s situation calmed down as well. Probably out of nervousness.

Good job, Princess-sama. If possible, I’d have liked it if you could have shown up a bit earlier.

“Hey, look at the count.” “It seems like the earlier exchange was true.” “Yep, sure seems so.” “For his thing to lose strength after seeing the princess…good gracious, I’m in awe.” “This means that luck has finally come around for our family as well.” “Our family, which runs a slave market, is unrivaled in this field.” “No, no, isn’t that rude towards the count?”

The nobles’ whispers reached my ears, whether I liked it or not. For the time being, I don’t want to talk with Shotachinpo in a place where others can see us.

“I see. If it’s him…”

As Richard-san moved so as to survey the crowd around him, our eyes met. Observing the change in his expression, the princess’s attention was drawn this way as well. Naturally, everyone present in this place directed their full attention to this busamen.

“There’s no way that I’d be able to ignore all of them.”

“Oh, what a pleasure, Your Highness. It is wonderful of you to have come here.”

I headed towards the two while passing through the crowd. I mean, it’d be presumptuous to expect Royal Bitch to walk over to me. Whatever you say, she’s still a royal.

“So you really participated in this party. I’m happy to meet you here.”

I felt uneasy, wondering what she was scheming this time. My heart was thumping as I was on tenterhooks, as it happened with Loligon after meeting her. Although it’s after forming an agreement with His Majesty and the prime minister, the girl in front of me was equipped with the authority and dynamism to overturn any and every thing.

Moreover, a great number of nobles were carefully watching us in this place. This might be the worst situation to meet the princess.

The nobles here are ignorant of the princess’s true character. I have no doubt that they frankly believe this girl of marriageable age came here to meet this flat yellow dude who caused a stir at the imperial court most recently out of pure curiosity. Of course, the one getting blamed if some sort of problem occurred would be this ordinary Japanese flat-face.

“I feel very delighted to be allowed to meet with you, Your Highness.”

“Oh my, do you mean it?”

“Well of course. Even at this very moment I am suppressing the joy in my chest.”

“Hehehe, I’m happy to hear you say that,” she smiled gently.

Placing a fingertip on her lips gave you the impression of her being the ideal princess.

“By the way, do you have some sort of business with me, Your Highness? If it is something complicated, I would gladly offer you to take some time for a chat in a place that is not as noisy as this venue. We cannot afford to inconvenience Duke FitzClarence either.”

The Loligon would have faltered from one fireball. At this point, her frightened face was a distant, nostalgic memory. But, the same method wouldn’t work on Royal Bitch. She’s seriously a formidable enemy.

“No matter how much you get in contact with the emotional ups and downs of others, all of them belong to the other person. Therefore, your desires definitely won’t be fulfilled for eternity. No matter how gruesome the despair in front of you looks, it is of no consequence as long as you look at it from the side.”

“…Your Highness?”

It’s a line I’ve heard somewhere. It’s what people generally call a dark past you want to forget.

“I am but an inexperienced person, but I do have the conceit of possessing more than an average amount of life experience. For this reason I might have persuaded myself that I understood things. But, looking back at it now, it seems that you were totally right in what you said before.”

“……”

“My heart trembled when I saw the guise of the Great Holy Land’s saint crumbling apart right in front of my eyes. I felt an urge as I have never experienced in the past. At the same time, however, I felt an irresistible, fiery frustration.”

Richard-san looked like he had also noticed the odd state of the princess. It was cool how he was handing out orders to the surrounding maids with his eyes.

“It’s different from gradually becoming unable to move your limbs due to illness. There was no joy to be found in that process. As such, I’ve been desiring an extremely ephemeral yet theatrical impact. And exactly because there have been so many onlookers, I managed to fulfill that desire for the first time.”

I had vaguely felt it before, but now that I hear it again in this form, I cannot help but admit that she’s quite a masochist. All her sadistic episodes I heard about so far might have been about her getting excited by overlapping herself with the victim she cruelly made fall into despair.

She’s an extremely annoying masochist. Well, she isn’t a royal for show, after all.

“Count Tanaka, I feel like I’ll be able to attain this feeling over and over again as long as I stay by your side.”

“…I understand what you are telling me.”

“Do you really? Nothing less of you, Count Tanaka,” Her Highness the Princess nodded with a smile.

On the other hand, everyone else, who was present and listening to our conversation, seemed to have question marks over their heads. All of our exchange was based on the matter that happened between us in the jail. It’s highly unlikely that anyone other than myself and that imperial guard lesbo would comprehend her words.

“Hehehe….I…somehow I also…like her…”

“…”

The princess muttered happily, without speaking to anyone in particular. Those words weren’t directed at this busamen.

“…That’s all I wanted to tell you. Let us meet again in the near future,” the princess turned on her heels after having said all she wanted to say.

It appears she really came here just to tell me this. She’s seriously a nutcase, that girl.

“Please excuse me, Duke FitzClarence.”

“A-Are you alright with this?” Richard-san was surprised as well.

But, I mean, that makes total sense.

“Yes, I offer my gratitude to the FitzClarence and Tanaka families for having been able to spend my time so meaningfully. In such matters, there is nothing better than the time spent with others. I would be very happy if you could entertain me so nicely in the future.”

“…As long as you have had fun, that is all that matters to us,” Richard-san bowed respectfully.

Being royalty sure is nice, isn’t it? I’d love to live out my hobbies just like the princess does.

＊

Several days after the party sponsored by Richard-san, this ordinary Japanese flat-face went back to Dragon City.

Originally I had planned to spend some more time in the capital. As a reward for me having done my best. I thought about attending classes at the academy for the first time in a while and such. It might not have been bad to bask in the moratorium for a while.

But, all of this became a castle in the sky. Without me knowing from where it had been leaked, nobles kept swarming me in my room at the academy’s dormitory with gifts in hand everyday. It took such an extent that they started to form queues in the corridor in front of my room. And on top of that, it all started early in the morning when the sun hadn’t even risen yet.

Even so, I don’t think it’d have been any problem for them to visit, if their gifts were to be loli-loli and chubby-chubby. It might have been the start of a time of happiness for me. They could have come at me with their seductive techniques, and I’d have accepted them all and I’d even let them trick me with their obvious, little schemes. Honey traps are marvelous!

I wouldn’t have been able to control my joy over the array of pretty girls lining up, thinking that finally my time might have come.

But, reality wasn’t as sweet.

Each and every gift given to this ordinary Japanese flat-face had one growing down below. What all of the nobles brought along were pretty boys instead of beautiful girls. Moreover, all of the boys without a single exception were cross-dressing shotas. I guess that sort of market exists. All of the shotas presented to me looked so much like beautiful girls that you wouldn’t realize their true gender right away during a first meeting.

There was no room to doubt the criminal behind all of this. It obviously was Shotachinpo. The whole case at the party venue had apparently left a lasting impression on the guests.

Shotas equipped with dicks and nice ribbons visited my room throughout the days. I literally couldn’t get any break. And because of that, I had to unfortunately leave Charis.

“Hey, what’s up? As might be expected, even you have become exhausted from this?”

“Oh, what a pleasure, Gonzales-san. Sorry for not having noticed you.”

As I was gazing outside the window in my office, Gon-chan called out to me. When I quickly turned around, I found his macho body leaning his back against the door’s frame.

It looks like this ordinary Japanese flat-face didn’t hear him knocking. But he’s certainly right. I might be tired from all the recent aristocratic work.

“When did you come back?”

“Just a short while ago.”

“Neumann stayed back?”

“It was decided that he would represent our side at the imperial court.”

I asked him to cooperate with His Majesty and the prime minister at the court. Of course I also made sure to bring this up with the other side in advance. I basically informed them that Neuman would attend the court as ambassador plenipotentiary. And since I got their consent as well, I doubt it’ll be a problem.

Neumann himself, however, became ghastly pale when he heard with whom he would be dealing in the future.

“I see. Well, I don’t think we gotta worry ’bout that guy either way.”

“Yes, I think so as well.

As expected of Gon-chan, he does get it.

Besides, even if he messes up when dealing with His Majesty and the prime minister, this ordinary Japanese flat-face and Richard-san can fix it afterwards in the worst case.

I’d like him to make a career at a flashy place and freely climb as high as he can. Neumann’s success story is still at its very start.

“By the way, what are you going to do, Count-sama?”

“Let’s see…”

I feel like this city will keep growing on its own, even if I leave it alone. Kind of like a startup company that passed its critical phase and got on a regular track.

“…You’re certainly not going to tell me that you’re going to scoot elsewhere, are you?”

“Huh?”

“Somehow you totally look like a guy who finished doing his bit of work. I had a hunch that you might disappear on a whim, but I’m wrong about that, right?”

“Of course, I would never do anything like that.”

The demon queen, who’s been a hot topic for a while now, is still actively going at it with full force. For the time being, I have the intention to keep doing my best over here.

“Still, most recently our knight order’s reputation has improved quite a lot, you know? It’s still insignificant when compared to you or our mayor, but if you speak about knight orders who are able to decently fight teams of several lesser demons, you won’t find many of them.”

“Is that so?”

“Our fame goes far enough for some folks to have deliberately come to join us, skippin’ on the knight order in the capital.”

“Oh, that is indeed incredible.”

“Right? When I heard about it, I was surprised as well.”

At some point Ester-chan had said that a knight order serves as a sort of status symbol for nobles. The more splendid the noble, the more splendid the knight order they lead. In that sense, there’s no other knight order as reliable as our Twilight troupe.

This busamen cannot express just how thankful he is for them cooperating with him.

“Also, it looks like the airship built by Rock is going to be usable very soon as well. Our troupe will be able to fly through the sky then, you see? It’s finally started to feel like we’ve grown into a proper knight order, I’d say.”

“An airship, you say?”

“There was this huge magic stone we got from you, remember? He apparently used that.”

“I see.”

Now that he mentions it, such a guy was around as well. He’s Gon-chan’s relative. A handsome guy with the hobby of being a pirate. I almost never see him, so I totally forgot about his existence until just now. But, it’s completely beyond my expectations that he’s been building an airship.

“In that case, I must improve the remuneration of the Twilight troupe. If you say you’re going to use an airship, it comes with a certain level of danger. In addition, the equipment on land and in the air should be different as well, so considering all that…”

“No, no, Boss. That’s not why I brought this up, okay?”

“Really?”

“How to explain it…? That’s not what I meant for sure, Boss.”

“Meaning?”

“Well…I’m sorry because I know you’re a busy man, but would you please drink some wine with us every once in a while. We’ve received more than enough money, so we don’t have a single complaint here. That said, we’d be happy if you could remember that request of ours in a corner of your mind, you know?” The troupe leader said cheerfully while flashing a broad, vibrant smile at me.

“…I understand.”

This is the very reason why hunks are so unfair. I earnestly wished that I’d become able to say such cool lines one day as well.

＊

For a while the peaceful days continued after I came back to Dragon City. Of course, those were busy days, nonetheless. There were a ton of things that had to be done, and a ton of things I was doing.

For example, the Loligon had continued to diligently erect new buildings on the free plots of land, so it was quite a piece of work to just catch up. But well, that’s all part of a job I’ve desired to do myself, so it didn’t feel painful or annoying. As expected, people won’t bicker about hardships if they’re doing something they like. At least it felt like that, and I was very happy about it.

Just when several days doing such stuff had passed, someone unexpected visited.

“Isn’t this quite the city to behold, Count Tanaka? I can fully understand the reason why the other nobles are making such a fuss. The strength of the wall surrounding your city is startling, too. I must admit, I’m jealous of you for being able to build something like that at such a scale.”

“I feel grateful for your praise, Viscount Gay.”

Our guest was Viscount Gay. I’m sure he must have come after Shotachinpo.

At present we were facing each other in the parlor of the mayor’s mansion. No one else was visible anywhere, except for Maid-san who had come over to brew our tea, just to leave afterwards. At that time, she had glanced at the Viscount awfully much. I guess it’s inevitable for her to be drawn towards his pretty face.

“By the way, what kind of business do you have with us today?”

“Ah, sorry for coming here without prior notice,” after lightly bowing his head, he started to explain at length, “This is a personal matter, but last month I took over my family, meaning I’d carry out the family’s obligations as present family head. But, although it’s slightly embarrassing to say out loud, I was perplexed as I’m quite unfamiliar with ruling over a territory.”

“That in itself must have been a fairly challenging situation then.”

“Accordingly, I thought I could learn all sorts of things under you, who has become famous as lord, if you don’t mind. I’m terribly sorry about confronting you with that sudden request, but could you please grant me that opportunity?”

“…I see.”

So far as it goes, it sounds like he’s come up with a proper excuse.

“But, will that be alright with your own family?”

“It’s no problem. For the present, the servants, who originally supported my father, have been taking care of this. Or in other words, they do not deem me worthy as being counted on in regards to this duty.”

“It sounds like you have very reliable people on your side.”

“Yes, indeed.”

It’s not a bad story for my side either. If I can get this hunk to take care of Shotachinpo, he’ll naturally let go of this busamen’s hand. As long as Shotachinpo reveals the enchanted face of a woman in heat, that’s fine by itself. And if he doesn’t do that, it might become a chance to have him stop cross-dressing.

I’d like him to return to a path of decency for the sake of the new Aufschnaiter family. I’d feel guilty towards Richard-san who had recommended him for that position, if the peerage would end within a lifetime after its restoration or some such.

“I would appreciate your cooperation on this,” Viscount Gay stood up on the spot and bowed towards me in a respectful manner.

Let’s have the hunk in front of me take over the Shotachinpo care-taking.

“Very well. Let us handle it as you said.”

“Really? Thank you kindly.”

“The rules in this town are somewhat different from those in towns ruled by other nobles. Let us start by getting you accustomed to those rules first. I think it could be inconvenient for you in various ways, but it’s my condition that you follow my instructions.”

“Very well. I’m very grateful for your generous mindset.”

Unlike with Allen, I don’t need to worry about hymens when it comes to Shota-Lovers. I can welcome them openly with a calm heart.

I’ve become slightly happy over the existence of a powerful ally who was willing to cooperate with me unexpectedly. I don’t know what he might be thinking here, but relationships between people are accumulations of very one-sided intentions like the one I’m currently harboring. I’ll gratefully allow myself to depend on him.

With that out of the way, I explained the rules of Dragon City to him. Recently the nui have apparently entered their breeding season, and thus their numbers have basically exploded. I took the liberty to talk about such things predominantly while adding Q & A sessions about this and that every now and then.

And just as I finished the general explanation, we heard a hollow knocking in the office. For an instant I thought someone might be knocking on the door, but the sound originated from outside. Or to be more precise, it came from the exact opposite side of the door.

That sound, which was slightly harder than usual, seemed to come from someone or something knocking against the window’s glass.

This ordinary Japanese flat-face and Viscount Gay directed their attention outwards. Thereupon, they spotted a person floating in the air, beyond the window that had been left open ajar.

“…Talk.”

It’s Gogguru-chan. Gogguru-chan has come to visit! This is truly unexpected. But, where did her promise with this ordinary Japanese flat-face go?

“gh!?”

Spotting her, Viscount Gay reflexively leaped towards the corridor-bound side of the room. Almost as if he had touched something hot. Jumping several meters with flight magic, he hopped all the way to the room’s entrance in one breath.

The Goggurus were relatively well-known among the powerful. This wasn’t limited to the Penny Empire either. It was easy to imagine that demand for their help existed in huge quantities. In reality, Richard-san had stationed several of them around his estate as well. I felt the urge of wanting to be reverse-raped by a group rise in me.

“Rocoroco-san, what might that be?”

What was bothering me was the mysterious items in her hands. She was holding something akin to a slightly bigger Hula-Hoop loop down like a swim ring. That loop was built by two loops of different sizes being arranged in a concentric circle. Moreover, those two loops were connected through braces that extended outwards radially.

The smaller loop was held by Gogguru-chan’s cute hands, and in response to that, the outter, bigger loop looked like it was floating in the air, covering a bigger range. The whole construct seemed to be made out of metal as it was dazzlingly shining thanks to the sunlight.

“Made.”

Moreover, it seems to be handmade. For a brief moment I wondered why she had made this, but then I noticed that its design of being a circle with a radius of approximately three meters was close to the Gogguru range claimed by her.

“Is this possibly related to your ability?”

“Relieved with this.”

“…I see.”

So I was spot on.

Just as she insisted, this is probably her idea of dispelling all concerns about walking next to her. As far as this ordinary Japanese flat-face is concerned, there are still some doubts about the safety level on the vertical axis, but dealing with that would inevitably lead to her rolling around in a ball while among people.

“But, why did you do something like that?”

It’s not really necessary to expressly ask this, but I confirmed it anyway for the time being. And her response was more straight than expected.

“I want to walk outside with you.”

“……”

How assertive, Gogguru-chan. It’s not that I don’t understand appeal either.

Although various things happened during our time together, quite a bit of time has passed since we moved to Dragon City, and she’s been continuing to live like a shut-in here ever since then. Her frustration must have piled up quite a bit. If I also take into account her origin being the Dark Continent, she might have had the daily habit of always going for a walk. I’m sure.

I feel an impulse of wanting to be constricted by Gogguru-chan’s lean thighs, but I don’t want to see her being fat due to lacking exercise. Because of that, it’s the one problem I’d love to solve one day. Otherwise, she’s going to become as thicc as Edita-sensei. Though I love seeing her to the extent of never growing tired of looking at her.

“…Understood.”

“Really?” She asked me with a serious look while holding onto the loop.

It’s just lovely how her sense is disconnected ever so slightly from the world.

“In exchange, I have one condition for when we go on a trip.”

“Tell me.”

“I feel truly sorry while being offered such a wonderful suggestion, but…”

“Skip the preface.”

“Ah, okay.”

Even son, I’d feel worried for her to go out alone.

The residents of Dragon City would throw stones at her out on the street, yelling, “Get out, you Gogguru! Get out!” Of course, I’d be interested in seeing Gogguru-chan being downhearted and sad. I mean, persecuted, beautiful girls are lovely. I’d love to gently hug her under such circumstances and insert my dick from behind in a standing position.

However, no matter how you put it, the aftertaste after making out like that would be bad. It’s regrettable, but I think it’s better to keep it limited to being a delusion. I’m pretty sure that this sort of situation should be quite common in this world. So I should savor my time together with her for now.

But, hmm…I wonder what it is…knowing that my mind isn’t being read at this very moment is somewhat lackluster.

“Please allow me to add the condition that you will only go out when I’m with you. Of course, if there is some sort of reason why you’d need to break that rule, I will never hold it against you. But, I would prefer it if you didn’t go out by yourself too often.”

“Don’t mind.”

Her reply was immediate.

“Is that really okay with you?”

“Don’t mind at all.”

“Even I feel sorry for just restricting you, bu…”

“Told you…don’t mind.”

“Okay, thank you very much.”

If I’m to be very honest, I’ll enjoy it very much to harass her sexually while in front of the public. I don’t think she’ll be accepted by the townspeople. Of course, there will never be a day when the Loligon accepts her either. It’s also unclear how long Edita-sensei will keep interacting with her. People simply cherish the distance to others that much. And of course, that also applies to me.

For this reason, I wish to cherish the now and here. I want to harass her sexually in even more extreme ways.

“Count Tanaka, w-who might this p-person be?”

When my conversation with Gogguru-chan had reached a stopping point, someone else spoke up ― Viscount Gay.

“Which reminds me, I haven’t introduced you yet.”

“I can see she looks like a gogguru, but…”

His eyes were fixed on Gogguru-chan who was still floating outside the window. He was incredibly wary of her. Maybe Gogguru-chan has become a rumor in the imperial court or something.

“The person over there is Rocoroco-san. As you have pointed out, she is a gogguru, but she is slightly special. She can read other people’s mind without touching them as long as they’re in the range indicated by her loop.”

“Oh my god, such gogguru exist as well?”

“I don’t know the details either, but strictly speaking, she seems to be a superior species compared to gogguru.”

“I-I see.”

Going by the fact of him immediately jumping away when faced with a gogguru, I have no doubt that he’s hiding some sort of guilty conscience deep in his heart. There have been rumors about him having been a rascal back at home. But well, I think most of the powerful are like that.

When it comes to nobles who aim upwards in the same faction as the other party, it’d rather be weird for nothing to happen.

“N-Nice to meet you, I guess, Ms. Rocoroco,” Viscount Gay addressed her all of a sudden.

It was a greeting tinged with a big amount of nervousness.

“……”

“…Is something the matter?”

“Nice to meet.”

“A-Ah, yeah.”

Right now, cultural exchange is being carried out in front of me. Well, I suppose that’s how things go.

“Currently she’s living in the tower built by the mayor. Because of the circumstances I brought up earlier, it’s rare for her to appear in public, but I would be happy if she could do it more often. However, there is no need to force interactions, so I would be grateful if you could not misunderstand that part.”

“…Handle it carefully.”

“Thank you.”

By the way, I wonder how Gogguru-chan made that loop. It’s very interesting, you see?

＊

【Sophia-chan’s Point of View】

Today we opened our family’s restaurant in Dragon City. The one in Charis will remain closed for the time being. In exchange, we moved here to take the liberty of doing our business in Dragon City. Tanaka-san offered me to take a break from my maid work for several days, and while taking advantage of this offer, I have been helping out with my family’s business.

“One set meal over here!”

“Okay!”

“Two for us!”

“O-Okay!”

The customer flow was wonderful. No wonder that this area is described as the best part of the business district. Because it was our first day of opening, many people had shown up out of curiosity.

“Missy, could I have some water?”

“Sure! I will bring it right away!”

“We also order two!”

“Sure thing!”

Because of that, our restaurant was extremely busy. I didn’t even have the time to take a break. But, I felt it was something worth doing, despite it being rather hectic.

In the end, your body moves naturally if you do a job you like. Most recently I have been going at it without knowing exhaustion. Even after spending a whole day working while standing, I didn’t have any impression that I was putting up with something. This actually scared me a bit.

In addition, we had a brand-new floor and sparkling clean kitchen which had been installed just recently. Moreover, various things that allowed this maid to experience something new, like meeting a big number of completely new customers, made this maid more excited and motivated than usual.

“Sophia, three set meals are done. Please take care of them!”

“Okaaay!”

The kitchen in the mayor’s mansion isn’t bad, but I think I’m more suited to the one over here. As I placed the dishes cooked by Dad on a tray and carried them, I felt something akin to calm spreading inside my chest, despite all the external busyness.

With this and that going on, we managed to weather through the extremely busy lunchtime.

“Sophia-chan, do you have a moment?”

“Ah, sure.”

Suddenly my name was used when I was cleaning up a table. The voice came from the restaurant’s entrance. And once I reflexively looked there, I spotted a trader who was a regular customer back in the capital. He was also the man who passionately listened to my story on the occasion of me returning home together with Elf-san. It looks like he has visited Dragon City.

“Welcome! Please come over here. The table will be cleaned in a moment.”

“No way. I didn’t expect to really find you in this city.”

He walked up to me while looking quite excited. I wonder what’s going on. I smiled while feeling a slight pang of impending danger.

“W-What is it? If it’s an order, I’ll immediately take it.”

“Ah no, I’ll order as well, but I wanted to talk with you at any cost.”

“Umm, i-is there something you need from me…?”

Didn’t he come here to eat lunch? I reflexively put myself on guard.

“As a matter of fact, I have been staying in this city for around two weeks. And I was blessed with the opportunity to talk to many, different people, but I had never expected that you would be one of the parliament members who rule this city, Sophia-chan.”

“Eh?”

What is he talking about? I have absolutely no clue.

“Sophia-chan, could you introduce me to your superiors?”

“Err, f-forgive me, but I don’t understand what you mean…”

“No, no, no, even if you pretend to not know anything about all of this, this uncle knows it all, you know? You’re one of the three powerful people in this city. When I heard about it for the first time, I cried out in surprise.”

What is this guy talking about? His eyes are slightly scary. So much so that Tanaka-san’s leering eyes, which are oftentimes focused on my chest and butt, seem to be adorable.

“The one ruling over the city’s military forces is Mr. Gonzales, the Knight Leader. The one handling the city’s politics is Baron Neumann. And lastly, the one single-handedly running the city’s financial affairs is no one other than you, right Sophia-chan?”

“Eh? U-Umm…”

“Isn’t this city run based on the approval of these three people? Even the mayor cannot take action without consulting you three. It’s said even the great Duke FitzClarence has it difficult to get his opinion approved.”

“……”

I heard of this for the first time. Just who’s spreading such a weird rumor? It’s such a terrible story, too.

“Can’t you introduce me to your superiors as a friend of your restaurant?”

“No, umm…I really…”

“I hear you’re the sole subordinate allowed to talk back to Count Tanaka. Isn’t that right?”

What should I do? He’s coming on very strong here. I’d like him to at least take a seat first. The cleaning of the tables hasn’t finished yet either.

“Please, please see what you can do for me!”

The merchant bowed his head exaggeratedly. This drew the attention of the other guests in the restaurants as they wondered what was going on. Today was our opening, a day of celebration, so I’d like him to give me a bit of a break.

Word-to-mouth advertising is extremely important for restaurants. Moreover, the rumors spread by a guest, who frequented us many times in the past, carried quite a clout. If we dealt badly with this, it could potentially affect the future course of our business.

But, I don’t understand a single thing of what he’s saying. There’s no way you can put a small-fry like me on the same level as Gonzales-san or Neumann.san.I’ve just been helping out Tanaka-san a bit.

“You see, t-that is…”

I directed my eyes to the counter in order to ask for my father’s help.

Just as I was about to turn my face to the counter, the bell at the door rang, announcing the arrival of new customers. It’s the bell we had also used in Charis. Its sound had filled the restaurant for a long time. Even before I started to become aware of the things going on around me. I think it is a sound I won’t forget for the rest of my life.

“Ah, welcome…,” I reflexively moved my body, turning around towards the sound of the bell.

At that point I realized. The guest was one of my acquaintances.

“Sorry, Sophia-san. We have come in a slightly big group, I know, but do you have some room for us?”

It was Tanaka-san. And behind him, outside the restaurant, were Ester-sama, Sophie-sama, Allen-sama, Elf-san, Rocoroco-san, Drill-sama, the attendant of Drill-sama, and I could even see Aufschnaiter-sama, who is said to be Gonzales-san’s relative.

It’s a fairly big party.

As for Rocoroco-san, she was holding a big, metallic loop with both hands for some reason. The loop consisted of a relatively small, inner loop, and a big, outer loop. Both were connected through props. Rocoroco-san herself was in the middle of the construction. I feel like it’ll be hard for her to come into our restaurant.

In reality, she followed everyone else, trying to enter, but the outer loop got stuck with a loud clunk. It’s necessary to provide them with a special feast, I suppose.

Moreover, the noble hunk, who had been staying with us since last month, was with them as well.

He’s a very good looking man. His blond hair, reaching down all the way to the shoulders, is extremely beautiful. As a matter of fact, he might be as attractive as Allen-sama. His slightly drooping eyes are emitting an indescribable allure, causing the tender spots of this maiden to throb.

“Y-Yes, we have a free table!”

“Because I have heard that your restaurant opened, I came here for lunch with everyone…”

Tanaka-san’s fleeting glance wandered to the area next to me. Over there stood the merchant with whom I had spoken up until now.

However, if we speak of this problematic person, he has now lost all his drive from before, merely staring at Tanaka-san and his party with a completely dumbstruck expression. This maid is going to use Tanaka-san as a shield and allow herself to proceed with her work.

“T-Thank you kindly! Please allow me to guide you to your table!”

“Please forgive us for troubling you when you are busy, but please take care of us.”

Maybe they have come here just to celebrate the opening. If that is the case, let’s see, that’s very pleasant isn’t it?

This maid is extremely delighted by this sort of consideration. Moreover, she feels somewhat moved, seeing them having shown up in such a big group. After all, this maid is in a position where it usually doesn’t matter whether she is present or not.

I felt how I unconsciously narrowed my eyes out of happiness. Let’s guide them to their table full of vigor.

“This way please!”

I think they might have deliberately come to our restaurant outside of lunchtime when we are not busy. Fortunately it was less crowded now, so I was able to lead them to a big table.

I recalled the time when I had previously invited Elf-san, but you can describe that as inviting a friend over, right? My motivation is currently soaring.

『H-Hey! Don’t get any closer to me, got it!?』

“…Know.”

『Aaaahh, wait a sec! Stay away! STAY AWAY, I’m telling you!』

“Still alright.”

『Alright my ass! N-Nothing is alright!!』

Dragon-san and Gogguru-san seemed to enjoy themselves. But, then Tanaka-san wedged himself between those two.

“In that case, I will move to the same table as her. It would be too lonesome for her to be all by herself after all.”

“W-Wait! I will come w-with you as well then! M-Me too!”

『gh…』

Once Elf-san also volunteered to join Gogguru-san’s table, Dragon-san pulled a mortified expression. This feeling of everything being just as always makes this maid very happy. While the crowd was making noise, they all sat down.

The position of me welcoming everyone as poster-girl of this restaurant was really novel and fresh as it felt different from normal. Changing the appearance of things by taking on another position, even if it’s the same scene, somehow made my heart beat faster.

Tanaka-san might also feel such strong emotions ever since becoming a noble.

“Oh, by the way, Sophia-san, I would like to book a table in the evening before long, if possible.”

“O-Okay! That is no problem!”

“I would like to reserve it for everyone when Neumann-san has come back, but could we have you accommodate us whenever that moment comes? I think we will probably have one such opportunity before the month ends.”

“Yes! Please leave it to me!”

A reservation, right? Please count on me. It’s going to be a party. I will do my very best too.

I went back to the kitchen in a hurry, and told my father that a big group had arrived. Because it was a rare opportunity, I fetched a few bottles of aperitifs, placed them on a tray with the appropriate amount of glasses, and carried all of it to the tables.

Usually we had a rule to not pass out alcohol during the lunch time frame, but making an exception every once in a while should be okay, I think.

After getting back to Tanaka-san’s party, I lined up the bottles and glasses on the tables. What naturally reached my ears were the cheerful, lively voices of everyone as they chatted with each other. All of them were talking to those sitting close to them.

“Hey, t-there is a little s-something I want to a-ask you…”

『…What?』

“Umm, h-how to say it…? D-Do you usually w-work out in some s-special way or some such?”

『Haaah?』

“I-I’m talking about exercise. E-Exercises!”

Elf-san’s eyes wandered to Dragon-san’s belly.

I can fully understand. Dragon-san’s belly is very tight and lean, isn’t it? In contrast, Elf-san’s belly is…how to put it best…slightly flabby, I guess? Well, it’s not like it’s bad or anything. Isn’t her body very appropriate for her apparent age? She looks adorable.

However, she herself must be dissatisfied with that. It’s just a guess, but I think she noticed the difference when she carried Dragon-san in Charis. This is the sort of thing you end up realizing at such random moments, I think.

“Sorry, Rocoroco-san, you ended up at another table with me alone.”

“Don’t mind.”

“Really? Even though it was such a rare opportunity for Edita-san to be with us as well…”

“Don’t mind at all.”

“I felt truly sorry for forcing you to always pay attention to our needs.”

“Don’t mind.”

By the way, only Gogguru-san and Tanaka-san were sitting at a slightly distant table. Somehow I feel like Gogguru-san’s expression looks brighter than usual.

If there is a problem with this setup, it would be the fact that this maid cannot deliver food to the table over there. She literally has no choice but to toss it over.

“Umm, T-Tanaka-san, excuse me, but…

“Ah, sorry. Forgive me for not having noticed it right away.”

“No…”

That’s great. Tanaka-san stood up from his seat and handled things on his side.

In that way one part of the group seemed harmonious, yet another part was pulling a grim expression. Aufschnaiter-sama. I have heard his family has been reinstated and he has become a viscount. But, his habit of cross-dressing as a woman was going as strong as always. With his childish-looking appearance chipping in as well, he appeared to be very cute.

Next to him was the noble hunk with the droopy eyes, constantly addressing Aufschnaiter-sama. Just the other day, Tanaka-san had introduced this maid to the noble hunk. His name seems to be Viscount Gay. Apparently he inherited the family headship just last month, and currently he is staying with Tanaka-san for the sake of studying.

Many of Tanaka-san’s male acquaintances are quite cool and attractive, aren’t they? I wonder whether having noticed this only now can be seen as something joyous.

However, the noble hunk seems to be a homosexual and doesn’t even spare an eye for this maid.

“Ash, how about tonight? I got my hands on a good wine.”

“…Drink it by yourself.”

“It’s going to be the best because I’ll drink it with you! I would love to invite you over by all means!”

“Just how many times do I have to tell you that I won’t go!?”

It looks like Viscount Gay is making the move on Aufschnaiter-sama. I’m drawn to that lighthearted chat between those fellow viscounts. Will it be a bittersweet memory to have such sweet words directed at this maid someday in the future?

Moreover, Gonzales-san, someone of the same Aufschnaiter family, seems to be in a great mood. I wonder whether something nice happened to him. He emptied his cups of wine as soon as they were carried over at a decent pace. Looking at him, it was a way of drinking making it clear that he was feeling good.

“Puhaaaaaaa! Drinking wine in the noon is a true luxury!”

“Oh my, you are an unexpectedly tough drinker, aren’t you?”

“What, Missy, wanna have a match with me or somethin’?”

Drill-sama was sitting next to him. It’s something I have noticed only very recently, but Drill-sama is close to everyone in one way or another without any favoritism. She has also been kind to a town girl like me. This is just my selfish imagination at work, but I feel like I understand the reason why Tanaka-san is considered to be her favorite.

“Hehehe…are you sure? Don’t come crying to me later, okay?”

“Sure, bring it on!”

“M-Milady! I would like to participate as well! Together with you!”

There doesn’t exist anything as ironic as her being Ester-sama’s childhood friend. With Drill-sama sitting opposite of her, Ester-sama was sitting together with Sofy-sama and Allen-sama. Ever since Ester-sama sat down, her eyes were constantly fixated on Tanaka-san. At this point, it was already a passionate, longing gaze.

“Ester, is something the matter?”

“Eh?”

“Do you have some business with him?”

As if it was only natural, Sofy-sama threw that retort at Ester-sama. Her way of drinking the wine as if licking it in small quantities out of the glass she held with both hands was a behavior very typical of Sofy-sama, I believe.

This maid shall keep the sight of her heartily downing a bottle of wine at night on the day before yesterday while sitting on her knees on the single-bed in the living room locked away in her heart.

“N-No? Nothing of that sort, okay!?”

“…Is that so?”

“Rather than that, l-let’s enjoy the f-food! I always felt like trying the meals at Sophia’s home someday! That elf ate it in Charies as well and said that it tasted very good, didn’t she? I’m totally thrilled!”

“……”

Allen-sama’s expression as he stared at Ester-sama was very miserable. It seemed like an unbridgeable, large rift had opened up between those two, despite them sitting right next to each other.

However, even while being so distressed and sad, Allen-sama still looked very cool. I cannot get enough of him. He has a face I’d love to stare at forever.

Allen-sama, if it’s this maid, she is ready to spread her legs for you at any given moment.

“Oi, Sophia! Help out over here as well!”

“Ah, yeees!”

As I was dilly-dallying around, my father called me over from the kitchen. I wanted to watch everyone happily chatting away for a bit longer, but no helping it. At any rate, currently it’s my duty to treat everyone hospitably. I will work hard and with all sincerity to allow their bodies and minds to feel fully satisfied.

But, how should I say it…? It’s nice. Things like this. I love them. They’re strong feelings I wish to cherish from now on while somehow making sure to continue this blessed time for many years to come.

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Translation Notes:

1. The Kingdom is called パイオーツ. Remove the ー and you get パイオツ (Tits)