Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Journey (3)
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The first mission was complete.
Dressed in new clothes, the girls were brimming with confidence.
“I feel like I’m walking on air!”
“Ugh, this is so awkward…”
The princess’s complaints could be ignored.
You only wore dresses when you were young, didn’t you? How did you manage back then?
Humans are creatures of adaptation.
It would get better with each passing day.
We traveled to City C via a gate.
In about an hour, we had saved a fortnight’s worth of time.
Now it was time to buy supplies for our journey and rent a carriage…
“Alright. I’ll show you what I can do!”
As if her moment had come, Esterize stepped forward confidently.
With seasoned eloquence, she skillfully dealt with the merchants.
“This lantern shows signs of having been used a few times.”
“Ah, but it’s practically brand new!”
“Forget it. Just give me this sleeping bag for half price.”
“Such a ruthless young lady!”
The owner of the general store.
The squirrel beastkin grumbled in displeasure.
“I'm thinking of buying a large quantity of jerky.”
“Looks like you're off on a long journey, eh? I'll have to throw in some extras.”
“The price is a bit steep. How about you give it all to me for eighty percent of the asking price.”
“Goodness! I won't make any profit then!”
“You expect me to believe that? Well, fine. I can just shop around…”
“W-wait a minute! What I meant was…”
The owner of the grocery store.
The alligator beastkin woman was so exasperated she looked like she might shed her scales.
“…”
And so, the girl cleaned out the shops.
Her negotiation skills were so outstanding that nine out of ten deals went her way.
Every time she scored a deal, the princess would look at me.
*So, what do you think? Totally amazing, right? Just trust me!*
She would show off her pride with that kind of look.
“I have to admit, her life skills are impressive.”
“Wow! Amazing! I don't really get it, but she crushed them all!”
Unlike the other girls who knew nothing.
I knew Esterize’s true identity, and it was driving me crazy.
A princess? Haggling?
And she was so relentless at it she’d put a master homemaker to shame.
Normally, she should have made clean, no-fuss purchases like a princess…
No, she might have just bought the entire shop.
But reality was cruel.
A girl in the prime of her life was displaying the pinnacle of pettiness.
Even the battle-hardened shopkeepers found her ruthless.
Not that it was a bad thing.
And she herself didn't seem to mind.
The problem was that my heart ached for her.
*Yes, live strong.*
*I can cheer you on all you want!*
“Truly admirable…”
“Huh? Your tone is a little strange. Do you perhaps dislike haggling?”
She cautiously studied my expression.
*Oh, right, Jace is the heir to a great family, isn't he?*
*Then maybe my actions seemed petty to him?*
With such thoughts, the girl's eyes darted about frantically.
“…”
This felt like a hopeless case.
She seemed to have completely forgotten her original station.
With the frugality she mastered during this period.
After becoming queen, she would go on to wonderfully improve the nation's finances.
That future was not something I should interfere with.
I ought to have ignored the princess’s miserly plight, but my sensibilities just couldn't let it be.
Her haggling had reached a level where she genuinely enjoyed it, so I couldn't stop her, but I decided I should at least take care of the small things for her.
“Keep it up.”
“Huh? All of a sudden?”
“Don't overexert yourself on your own.”
“…I don't get what you mean.”
“Don't forget that we're your comrades.”
“—??”
The second mission.
Curing the princess's scrappy survival instincts.
It was already a severe case, so it would be very difficult, but I would try to do what I could.
We headed to a car rental…
No, a place that rented out carriages.
“This is the best one we have.”
“Hmm, the body is stable and the wheels are sturdy.”
“You have a good eye.”
“We'll take it.”
The princess said.
A comfortable journey required a good carriage, so she didn't spare any expense this time.
She also volunteered to be the driver.
Anyone who saw this would think she was a slave.
How could I let a princess work like a coachman?
When I told her to hand over the reins, she just stared at me blankly.
“You don't know the way, do you?”
“…”
“And you probably have no experience driving a carriage. Just get inside.”
*I'll take the wheel.*
*If you don't have a license, just keep quiet.*
That was the gist of it, and I couldn't really argue.
A strange world without GPS.
It was wise to drop any pointless stubbornness.
By the time I sat down next to Ceria.
Aruru was rolling around excitedly on the seat across from us.
“My heart's pounding… a carriage trip! I'm so excited!”
Our little cutie.
I get how you feel, but try to be calm.
Perhaps because my wish was granted.
Not even five minutes had passed before she was sound asleep.
Hmm, so she's the type to get sleepy in a moving vehicle.
As if she had been waiting for that exact moment.
Ceria swiftly pulled the defenseless girl into her arms.
*Whoa, I didn't think she'd be snatched away so soon.*
As if she had no intention of sharing, her hold was completely flawless.
*She may be my lovely fiancée, but a monopoly is not allowed!*
“You can just pet me.”
“—??”
My mind went blank.
What did I just hear?
Pet her? Where?
She came at me so suddenly I didn't know how to react.
And our dear Ceria…
As always, took it a step further.
She leaned her head on her lover's shoulder.
Then, as if that wasn't enough, she snuggled in even deeper.
“…”
A position where she was using my lap as a pillow.
And she was still hugging Aruru.
The sensation of being pressed down by the weight of two girls was driving me wild.
*W-wait! This is too stimulating!*
It felt like blood was rushing to my lower abdomen.
The faint scent of the girl rising from her was also impossible to ignore.
I tried to calm down.
But this body, like a fish back in water, was being incredibly disobedient.
*I know how you feel. But just hold it in for now!*
Just as I was struggling to maintain control, Ceria, to make matters worse, shifted her head.
“…”
“…”
Our eyes met.
She stared up at me, asking with her gaze.
*Why aren't you petting me?*
*I've laid out the whole spread for you, haven't I?*
It might be a little different, but that was the general feeling.
To that irresistible command.
My hand began to move on its own.
I stroked the girl's arm as if massaging it.
I left distinct traces of my touch on her shoulder and the nape of her neck.
Her breathing gradually quieted.
She seemed so tense she was holding her breath.
Her already pale skin was flushed red.
“…”
I had somehow managed to endure it this far.
If this body had suddenly acted up, the atmosphere would have become awkward.
Ceria's hair was truly beautiful.
I gently stroked her hair.
Because I'd been petting Aruru whenever I was bored.
My petting skill had more than reached its max level.
My hand movements had reached a state of mastery.
Their meticulousness was likely unrivaled.
After some time had passed.
The girl's body, which had been trembling slightly, became still.
*Is she asleep? She must be asleep, right?*
I called out to her softly, but there was no response.
“…”
Now what?
Do I have to keep stroking her hair until she wakes up?
If it had just been the two of us, I would have had many options.
With Ceria's tacit consent, I might have even crossed the line…
Well, this isn't so bad either.
With parts of our bodies touching, I could feel her completely.
*Clatter.*
Perhaps because of the poor road conditions, the carriage shook violently.
Due to the impact, Aruru was freed from Ceria's embrace.
Our little cutie.
*Come here, quickly. You missed me too, right?*
The fox beastkin with her voluminous, curly hair.
It had a strong feel of dog fur, making it exceptionally satisfying to pet.
*Sorry, Ceria…*
*I think I prefer this one more.*
The peaceful and leisurely flow of time continued.
Satisfied with the warmth of the moment, I gently closed my eyes.
* * *
Around the time the sun was setting.
The princess asked for our opinion.
“Do you want to sleep at an inn, or should we camp out?”
“What's the difference?”
“To stop at a city, we'd have to go a bit off course. Personally, I recommend camping.”
“Why?”
“Because it's fun.”
Gathering around a campfire, chatting amicably with comrades.
With my modern sensibilities, I wanted to experience that atmosphere at least once.
First, I needed to gather everyone's opinion.
Our little cutie shot her hand up.
“I vote for camping!”
Beastkin are skilled at outdoor activities.
Camping wouldn't be uncomfortable for them; in fact, it would be rather comfortable.
What about Ceria?
For a young lady of a great family, she wasn't picky.
But wouldn't she generally prefer a place with a roof over her head?
“It will get cold at night, won't it?”
As expected, she didn't seem too keen on the idea.
But she soon agreed to camp, with a condition.
“Hmm, I suppose I can just sleep while hugging Aruru.”
Our little cutie accepted the condition.
Because stopping in a city would delay them that much longer.
“Good choice. I'll do my best to make sure you don't regret it.”
The princess exclaimed cheerfully.
*Huh? What more is she planning to do?*
The things I'd never expected happened one after another.
As soon as she found a good spot for a campsite.
She cut down a suitably sized tree into perfectly sized pieces.
In just one minute, there was enough firewood for a campfire.
While immediately preparing dinner.
She simultaneously cared for the two horses.
“—??”
Why is she so natural at this?
She was so quick there was no time to help.
It went beyond feeling sorry; I was starting to feel guilty.
Aruru was at least some help.
She summoned a spirit to light the fire and supply water.
Is this really okay?
Is it alright to work a princess like this?
She seemed to be enjoying herself, so I just watched for the time being.
Well, I'll do the dishes later or something.
As time passed, an appetizing smell filled the air.
“Ooh, I have a feeling this is going to be super delicious!”
I knew it without even tasting.
Our little cutie's nose could never be fooled.
No way… she's good at cooking too?
There was truly nothing she couldn't do. At this point, she was practically an all-rounder.
“Alright, I present my special stew.”
A stew with thoroughly cooked meat and vegetables.
It was a common dish, but…
“One more bowl!”
“You cleaned your bowl. Was it that good?”
“Yes!”
“There's plenty, so you can eat slowly.”
The princess's stew was top-notch.
It was so delicious that it actually felt strange.
She must have wandered from place to place, living a lonely life.
Through that experience, she had reached a state where she could handle anything with ease.
“I'd like another bowl, too.”
At Ceria's request, the princess smiled brightly.
As if relieved that it suited her taste, she served up a generous portion.
I was beginning to understand her a little.
She seemed to cherish this moment with her friends dearly.
“Do you want another bowl, too?”
I hurriedly finished my bowl.
And with that, the princess's smile deepened.
I wasn't confident I could make her happy, but I could at least keep her from being lonely.
* * *
The quiet night.
We each prepared our own sleeping arrangements.
Esterize lay reclined in the driver's seat.
Ceria and Aruru slept together inside the carriage.
“…”
I kept a lonely watch over the campfire.
I wasn't alone; three or four mid-level spirits were milling about nearby.
They were standing guard on Aruru's orders.
Thanks to them, the princess could also sleep peacefully.
For some reason, I couldn't sleep.
Was it because of the change in sleeping environment?
No, it was because the sleeping bag was uncomfortable.
The army, training, the dead of winter…
*Aah, my PTSD is kicking in!*
Just as I was suddenly suffering from this anguish, the presence of a girl came to my rescue.
“You're still awake, right?”
I slowly sat up.
The princess spread her cloak on the ground and sat down.
“Looks like you can't sleep either.”
“Actually, I'm a little excited…”
The conversation came to a halt.
We just stared at the burning campfire.
She seemed to have something to say, so I waited quietly.
Was it because of the firelight?
Her face was flushed red, and I watched her absentmindedly.
“You know…”
The girl quietly began to speak.
There was a moment of hesitation, but she soon completed her sentence.
“There shouldn't be any secrets between comrades, right?”
“…”
I couldn't help but understand what she meant.
*You're going to reveal it already? This is a bit difficult right now. I'm not mentally prepared!*
“There's something I'm a little worried about.”
I knew what she was worried about, too.
The secret was so absurd that she would be hesitant to bring it up.
*What if they don't believe me?*
*They might think I'm strange, right?*
She seemed unable to shake off her anxiety, as if thinking such thoughts.
“You're worrying for nothing.”
“Huh?”
“Accepting everything about a person. That's what it means to be a true comrade.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I trust you completely.”
“…”
“As long as you don't turn into a man, I can understand anything.”
“—??”
She looked bewildered for a moment.
Then she burst out laughing, as if asking what on earth I was talking about.
“Of course that's not going to happen. Anyway… can you wait just a little longer?”
I nodded silently, and she immediately stood up energetically.
“Alright. I've got to do my best tomorrow, too! Well, sweet dreams.”
She looked much more refreshed.
*This is the right way, isn't it? If she reveals her secret…*
I’ll have to give her a proper scolding for letting herself get into such a state.