C2
“It's around here, right, the carriage with the princess in it is attacked by d'emons, ............ who's that guy?'
I spotted a suspicious man lurking in the grass nearby.
I know he is probably some kind of adventurer because he has a sword hanging from his waist,.......
He was peeking from a blind spot, so the other side didn't notice him.
Is he hunting something?
But if I look closely, that guy looks familiar. ......
Who is he? ...... Yes, he is the original protagonist of the game, the future hero Alfred!
At that moment, I hear a rustling sound, and Alfred turns to look at me.
I quickly duck into the grass.
After a few moments, Alfred takes his gaze away from me, perhaps deciding that it was the wind or some other animal.
Why is Alfred waiting for me in this place like an ambush?
The hero should have heard the princess's screams while he was defeating the demons in the forest, and the event was that he happened to run to her.
That's when the sound is heard.
Rattle... rattle... cutthroat... cutthroat...
It was the sound of a carriage.
Alfred turned his eyes toward the sound and saw a fine-looking carriage approaching, which was probably the carriage in which the princess was riding.
I could see that Alfred had leaned forward and braced himself.
I don't know why he is here, but do we share the same goal?
Then it's a race. I'll save the princess first!
The carriage is getting closer.
We wait for an opportunity for the demons to appear.
“Hee-hee-oon!!!!”
The horses let out a loud whinny and the carriage came to a sudden stop.
The goblins who had jumped out stand in front of the carriage.
'Caaaaahhh!!!'
The screams of what must have been the princess echoed through the forest.
“Hey ......!”
from behind, sensing the voice and presence of Altred jumping out of the woods. I'm not going to let him do that!
I jump out in front of Alfredo as if to cover him.
“Wait a second!“
I jump out and immediately stand in front of the carriage and the goblins.
“Oh, are you ......?”
I look back and see a beautiful princess in the carriage.
She must be 16 years old, the same age as me.
Her long blonde hair was softly wavy and shining in the light.
Her clear black eyes were surprisingly strong and dignified.
Her skin is translucent white with a hint of blush on her cheeks.
She was dressed in a white shirt, dark green leather jacket, slim black trousers, and knee-length boots.
Although she was dressed simply and with an emphasis on ease of movement, there was an air of elegance about her that could not be concealed.
“I am just passing by. Leave these demons to me!
‘I'll take good care of them!”
Without waiting for the princess's response, the goblins attacked.
But their movements - slow. They look slow.
The appropriate level of goblins should be 3 to 5, which was out of proportion to my level 7 self.
She pulled out the sword at her waist and cut down the goblins one after another.
'Bugaaaaaah!!!'
As the last one's desperate cry echoes, I shake off the blood stain on my sword and sheathe it.
I looked to the side and saw a stunned Alfred standing behind me.
“Amazingly, you are very strong, aren't you? My name is Elise, the second princess of the Kingdom of Aldea. What is your name?”
I immediately got down on one knee and hung my head.
“Oh, my God, please don't be so formal”.
“It is not possible to do such a thing in the presence of royalty. I myself am Grace Caiman, the third son of the Duke of Caiman“.
“Grace Caiman............ are you that Grace Caiman?"
Elise's face clouded over as she heard my name.
The bad reputation of the company has spread to the royal family.
“Yes, I am Grace Caiman herself.‘
'...... well, I thank you for your help. Then you can leave.“
Elise said coldly.
The difference between her attitude and the one she had just displayed was almost heaven and earth.
I understand.
‘Please wait a moment. Miss, why don't you let Master Grace take care of this business?“
“You know his reputation, Grandpa.“
This is definitely about the request to escort the princess.
I was afraid that Grace's bad reputation would prevent me from accomplishing my original goal, but good for me, old butler. Good luck!
“Yes, my lady,” he said, ”I am sure. But no matter how much of a womanizer he is, he can't do anything bad to the royal family, can he? If he tries to touch you, he'll lose his head immediately. As you can see, he is a skilled man and would be a good choice to accompany us to investigate the Caiman territory, wouldn't you agree?“
“ Grandpa, this Grace is going to betray your expectations and try to rough up Elise,” he said.
Well, I wouldn't do that, of course.
Elise puts her hand over her mouth and thinks for a moment.
'............ fine. Grace, may I ask you to escort me when I come to Caiman territory?”
“May I ask you one question first?“
“What is it?‘
Why is this carriage without an escort?
As far as I can see, the carriage only has a driver, a steward, and the princess.
It is usually unthinkable for royalty to be out and about.
“I am currently on a secret inspection tour, and because of that, I cannot have an escort.‘
“I see, that secret inspection is ......‘
“I'm sorry, but I can't expose that. My apologies, but I can't give you a very good reward for that either.“
I know that her goal is to meet and embrace the powerful merchants in Caiman territory in person.
She is increasing her supporters now in case there is a power struggle in the future.
“I don't need a reward. If I can do my part to protect the beautiful Elise, I would be happy to do so! I hope you don't mind.”
The beautiful ...... is that how you approach the women and girls in your territory, too, sweet-talking them?”
Elise is alarmed.
No way! Elise is special (after all, she is in the grip of my future destiny)! Even if it costs me my life, I will protect Elise-sama, who is said to be the jewel of the kingdom!”
I've never been called the jewel of the kingdom, but ...... you're a very good talker, I see. I understand, this time I'll be heading home, and I'll be looking forward to working with you then.”
Elise blushed a little and bowed her head.
I see, it will be a little while before Elise is honored as the jewel of the kingdom.
“By the way, is the man in the back someone you know?”
Before I knew it, Alfredo was right behind me.
For some reason, he seemed to be staring at me.
'No, I don't know him at all. Maybe he just happened to be passing by?“
I whispered in a low voice.
‘Yes. I just happened to be passing by here.‘
His face scrunched up, Alfred replied.
“I'm sorry, but it's not nice to be in the back and eavesdrop on people without their knowledge. What kind of education do you have?‘
I'm sorry, I'm a commoner. I'm a commoner. Outsiders are dismissed.
Alfred bowed his head, smiled amiably at the princess, and left.
He turned his sharp gaze on me for a moment as he left.
He seemed to have a streak of blue on his forehead.
'Well then, that's what I've asked you to do.“
'At your will. I will protect Elise-sama at the risk of my own life, so please rest assured!“
“I look forward to working with you. Thank you very much.“
The coach started to leave for home after Elise looked away from me with her face reddening.
Her reaction was rather cute.
If I were to say that Elise gave the impression of being rather cold, I would say that she also has this side of her .......
The impression of her winning, yet dignified beauty is gradually changing.
She was my favorite heroine in the game, so I was hoping that I could make her my heroine of choice.
“......, this is getting interesting.”
I muttered to myself as I watched the carriages departing