It’s a good morning, with the chirping of small birds reaching even my bed.
It would be nice to be woken up with a kiss, by someone saying, “You slep in,” wouldn’t it? It’s better than a slap to the face.
A slap to the face to wake up is more effective than any alarm clock. Before I knew it, it turned into a rapid barrage of hooks on both sides, knocking me out with a hit to the right, and bringing me back to consciousness with a hit to the left, until my face was swollen.
“You’re not even in bed when you wake up at night! Die! Just die!”
I could tell Priscilla’s anger had reached its peak by the force of her grip on my neck. …This is bad. Mikael Sin will achieve eternal sleep. Goodnight…
“Hah!”
Was it a dream? It was a terrible dream. A dream where I died from a Dempsey Roll delivered by Priscilla, who had me in a mount. I remember falling asleep after replenishing my bodily fluids with three Iris and holding one in each hand and one against my chest. Where did Iris go?
As I sat up and looked around, I saw the three Iris sleeping on the floor, having left me lonely in bed. One looked like she was about to destroy the table, another seemed to have dived into the closet, and the third was upside down, leaning against the wall with her legs spread wide, exposing her most private parts.
Thinking that was definitely not good, I got out of bed. As I stepped forward to cover her, my legs wouldn’t support me, and I fell to my knees.
It seems I overdid it with three Iris. And my face hurts, and my neck is stinging. What did we do yesterday that was so intense? I think we slept together…
“That’s quite a sleeping position. Doesn’t sleeping upside down make it hard to breathe?”
I said, closing the legs of the Iris who was sleeping upside down. I got a good look, but she seemed to be still asleep, not quite awake yet.
Since she was asleep, I carried her to the bed, but my own eyes weren’t quite clear yet. My usually bright eyes weren’t opening as wide as usual. My legs were wobbly too, sleep deprivation is bad.
The Iris who destroyed the table was also sleeping like the dead, but only the one who dived into the closet woke up.
“…G-good…”
“Good morning, Iris. It’s a pleasant morning, isn’t it? Wasn’t the closet too small?”
I greeted her cheerfully. I tried my best to smile, but my face felt sort of swollen. What could it be? Did I catch a cold?
“I’m glad you’re safe…”
She said that much and decided to go back to sleep. I carried the Iris from the closet to the bed. Looking closely at the three naked Iris, I noticed bruises all over their bodies.
The shadow work must be tough. I need to be gentler next time. I gave them all a “goodnight kiss” and left the room. Rest well now.
When I returned to the brigade, I drew the attention of those around me. As the brigade captain, the gazes of respect from everyone were painful. My face hurts too.
“Good morning, Christine.”
I greeted Christine, the first person I saw, cheerfully. She looked at my face, taken aback. I know it’s only been a day, but she doesn’t need to stare like that.
“…Good morning, Captain. What happened to your face?”
Did something happen to this handsome face? Maybe it’s swollen from lack of sleep. My left eye isn’t opening well.
“Perhaps it’s due to lack of sleep. Where is everyone?”
“…Everyone is… here…”
“Good morning, Baron Shin. It’s a pleasant morning.”
Turning around, Duke Flüge approached me, wearing white full armor. It was a rugged armor, but Lady Annelyse seemed to suit anything.
“What’s with your face? I’ll heal it for you.”
It’s just morning puffiness, why the fuss? But I’m surprised Lady Annelyse can use healing magic. I knew she wasn’t just any duchess. It would be nice to deepen our acquaintance in bed over this.
“Ugh…”
“What’s wrong? Does something hurt?”
The puffiness on my face felt cool and soothing with Lady Annelyse’s healing magic. Only my heart ached.
“I’m fine… Thank you. Thanks to you, I can see with my left eye now.”
Lady Annelyse smiled with satisfaction, then suddenly her expression turned serious. A dignified look. I want to deepen our acquaintance. In bed…
“Baron Shin, I have a request. Please take me to Schreiaschwald.”
No. I don’t want to. Why go back when I’ve managed to escape safely? The enemy must be busy preparing to attack this place right now. It’s better not to interfere with their work.
“Lady Annelyse, Schreiaschwald has already fallen into enemy hands. It would be better to focus on defending the Royal Capital.”
Although their numbers have decreased, the deserted city of Schreias is now in enemy possession. Moreover, if they have requested reinforcements to attack the Royal Capital, going to Schreias would be suicidal.
“I know. I know, but… I’ve never seen the enemy before. I hear there are Goblins, Orcs, and Trolls. I haven’t seen any of them, Baron Shin.”
Goblins and Orcs, these are creatures that wouldn’t normally be involved with a duke. If they were dragged into a war and told to “fight,” they wouldn’t be able to do anything if they knew nothing.
But to want to go see them… Is this just a sightseeing trip disguised as a local politician’s inspection? I’ll get angry if it’s a waste of tax money.
“What do Herr Lembrook and Herr Yuma Bashar say?”
Lady Annelyse averted her eyes from me and said with her head lowered.
“I’ve told them… but they refused.”
That’s understandable. They wouldn’t allow the commander himself to go reconnoiter, would they? So she asked me. This is truly unlucky.
“I don’t want to put Lady Annelyse in danger any more than you do. You are to command the entire army.”
“That’s why!”
Both I and Christine were surprised by Lady Annelyse’s strong words. I never thought she could speak like this.
“I have to command the Flüge army. I might have to send our allies to their deaths with my orders. I can’t do that without knowing the enemy…”
At least she seems to understand her position. She probably hates war. I also hate having incompetent superiors.
“I have no choice…”
I really don’t want to. Honestly, I’d rather be drinking, or being lovey-dovey, or flirting until the enemy arrives.
“Christine, please call Priscilla and Alana.”
Those two are sufficient as guards. They can both ride horses at high speed for long distances, and more importantly, they are strong.
“…I don’t think Priscilla will be able to. She’s already passed out drunk. Alana is on a supply run due to a mix-up, so she’s there.”
Alana is one thing, but Priscilla is already drinking? She’s drinking too much at a time like this. But this is troubling. Christine can ride for a while at high speed, but she’s not suited for long-distance reconnaissance.
“What about the other three?”
“…They still haven’t returned. There was a sign on a civilian house saying ‘If you enter, we’ll kill you,’ so they’re probably there.”
“Kill you” is a bit excessive. They should have just put up a “no trespassing” sign. But what are those three up to?
“…When I tried to let one of them into a house, she was impaled and killed with a giant, rotten greatsword. …It seems if you enter, you die.”
Don’t try it! Rufina is unforgiving. And she didn’t have to kill them. And you didn’t have to try it either.
“…I’ve disposed of the dead trash. Don’t worry…”
I *am* worried about your command ability! Christine is also unforgiving. When she sees a man, she sees nothing more than trash. But I like that cold gaze of hers.
“Please treat the soldiers with care.”
I asked, though I knew it was futile. I could ask someone else from another brigade, but if it comes down to it, I won’t be able to pick up Lady Annelyse and escape at Godspeed.
“Lady Annelyse, as you’ve heard, my skilled members cannot accompany you. I will be your only guard. Are you sure you want to go?”
A guard for a duke wouldn’t be out of the question for an entire brigade to mobilize. There’s no way I should accept just one guard.
“I’m going!”
Immediate answer, damn it. Read the room. I understand your feelings, but I feel like going will just create a mountain of problems.
“Lady Annelyse, can you use a sword? What about horses? We can’t avoid sleeping outdoors, even now.”
“I’m fine. I am a duke, after all.”
Being a duke doesn’t make sleeping outdoors easy. What about toilets? You have to take care of yourself, and at night, it will be just the two of us.
“We’ll go and come back. Christine, prepare two horses…”
“I have them ready.”
I heard Fleet Helm’s clear voice from behind me. There are quite a few people who can get behind me, but with wide-area Mind’s Eye, I’m fine even if someone gets behind me.
“When did you get here, Fleet Helm?”
If he had given off a killing intent, I might have noticed. He’s one of the most unfathomable individuals. The killing intent he displayed back then to protect Lady Annelyse inside the tent is now being directed towards sending her into danger.
“All preparations are complete. Horses, water, food, and a Tent are all ready.”
While he was making preparations, I hoped Lembrook or Yuma Bashar would find out and stop us, but it couldn’t be helped.
“Lady Annelyse, let’s go.”
“Yes! I won’t hold you back!”
“…What about Fleet Helm? It seems there are only two horses.”
“I have things I must do…”
You should come with us. No, you go by yourself. I want to deepen my acquaintance with Lady Annelyse.
