Black Summoner – Chapter 130

Pars City – Venue

“Shrine Maiden, you seem unwell. Shall we take our leave soon?”

“No, I am fine. You all may go.”

“Y-yes…”

Delamis’s guards came to express their concern for Colette, but she immediately refused them. While they were friendly towards us, she still carried an air of authority when interacting with her subordinates. Even though she had been drinking, she truly embodied the Shrine Maiden of Delamis.

However, Colette’s behavior was strange nonetheless. Contrary to her pale face earlier in the day, her face was now flushed red. Melfina warned me to be careful, but I couldn’t help but worry. Silvia had also returned to her meal mode.

“Um… Kelvin-san, I think I’ve had a bit too much to drink. Would you perhaps like to get some fresh air?”

“Yes, I don’t mind. You did overdo it with the drinks, didn’t you? Let’s rest a bit. What about you, Silvia?”

“I’m returning to Emma’s place. That was fun, invite me again.”

She had been so focused on eating that she hadn’t participated in the conversation at all. Still, if Silvia enjoyed herself, then it was fine. I suppose we’ve become close enough to share a meal, as they say? After parting ways with Silvia, I headed to the terrace with Colette.

“Your Highness, with all due respect, it would be better to turn back… You can still make it in time.”

“Even if she smelled something, that’s not evidence. Besides, she looks so unwell. It’s just a bit of fresh air.”

“What I’m worried about is different. As I said before, Colette is somewhat ill, and, well—”

“If she’s sickly, then even more so.”

“Sigh, I wash my hands of what happens now.”

On our way to the terrace, I noticed Gerard and his companions in my line of sight. They were watching us from a distance. Those three guys have become quite friendly. They’re even slinging arms around each other.

“Hmm, how unexpected. So you’re taking Lord Colette home. Let’s hope it doesn’t become an international incident.”

“Hmm. I thought you were aiming for Silvia, though…”

“I told you! Silvia wouldn’t do anything so promiscuous! And anyway, you were looking at her that way, weren’t you!”

They seemed to be getting heated, but I had no idea what they were talking about.

***

When we stepped out onto the terrace, a sky full of stars greeted us. The terrace, which extended from our private room, was larger than I had imagined, with ample table seating. Ah, there’s Sera and Pritia in the very back. They seem to be having a very serious conversation. I should probably keep my distance so as not to disturb them.

“Colette-san, let’s go to that table over there.”

“Yes.”

I pulled out a chair for her to sit. There was a pleasant breeze outside, making it quite comfortable. Perhaps Colette would feel a little better if she stayed here for a while— Huh? Colette’s eyes, the way she’s looking at me, feel different from before…

“Colette-san, are you really alright?”

“Just Colette is fine.”

“Eh?”

“Please call me Colette.”

“R-right… Then, Colette.”

The moment I called her name, Colette trembled, embracing herself with both arms. Her eyes were colored with something else. Is she… is she okay?!

“Thank you. Um, it’s a rather indiscreet request, but if you wouldn’t mind, could I call you… Kelvin-sama in your stead!”

“Huh? W-Colette!?”

Colette suddenly confessed and hugged me. Moreover, she was sniffing my chest with incredible intensity. Even with parallel thought, I couldn’t keep up with the situation.

“As expected, this fragrant, noble, and supremely heavenly scent belongs to Melfina-sama! Ah, when I close my eyes, I can see her radiant form, embodying splendor and magnificence, like white snow!”

More importantly, my mind was a blank.

“It has been over ten years since I received the divine mandate of the Shrine Maiden from Melfina-sama. My sharpened sense of smell, honed to at least receive Melfina-sama’s scent, cannot be mistaken at this close distance! Judging by the lingering aroma, you have been in contact with Melfina-sama within these past few days… Kelvin-sama, who carries Melfina-sama’s fragrance—you are an angel from heaven, a messenger of God!”

Not only that, but her words were disturbingly accurate. And her face was close. Her eyes were scary.

“Didn’t I tell you? Colette is ‘sick’.”

“Don’t be misleading! This just makes her sound like a fanatic!”

“…I suppose there’s no choice, then. From this distance, even I can deliver an oracle.”

Oh, so she’s going to directly communicate?

“Colette, can you hear me?”

Melfina delivered an oracle in a wavelength that only I and Colette could hear, as if speaking directly into our brains.

“This voice… Melfina-sama!”

“Your voice is too loud. Unlike the Grand Cathedral, the soundproofing here isn’t very good, you know?”

“M-my apologies. I got too excited. *Pant pant*”

Even her apologetic demeanor felt strangely sensual. Danger Perception skill, I wish you had reacted a little sooner. I’ll upgrade your rank later.

“I’m telling you this because it’s you, but he’s acting separately from Kanzaki Touya. Even if you return to Delamis, pretend you don’t know and let him pass. I strictly command you not to let anyone know and never to interfere with him. However, Colette alone may offer assistance with your powers, provided you meet those conditions.”

She even included a convenient pretext for me to gather information. Melfina, nice work!

“Yes! I understand perfectly. Um, forgive me for asking, but what is Kelvin-sama’s relationship with Melfina-sama…?”

“…He is my husband. ♪”

“Bluuugh!”

I couldn’t help but blurt out a laugh.

“What are you surprised about? You were so passionate last night…”

That was just you tossing and turning in your sleep.

“Ah, ah… Kelvin-sama, I… I’ve done something terribly rude…”

Colette collapsed onto the ground from her hugging position. No, before apologizing, that’s not true.

“Colette, it’s not like that. Melfi and I—”

“A relationship intimate enough to be called by a nickname, there’s no room for doubt anymore… Kelvin-sama, please step on me. You may trample my body as you wish. In fact, please do! Please, please!”

“W-wait! Uwa, is that nosebleed!?”

And so I found myself trying to pacify Colette, who was clinging to my legs.

“L-like this?”

“That’s right! Sera-chan, you’re so good! I’m mesmerized!”

Fortunately or unfortunately, Sera was so focused on something that she didn’t notice us.

***

The moment Kelvin and Colette went out to the terrace from the private room, the trio of men also moved to the window, unnoticed. It seemed they sat at a table on the opposite side from Sera and the others.

“Ho… a good atmosphere, isn’t it? Two people conversing under the starry sky. My master is indeed quick.”

“Those eyes of the Shrine Maiden, she’s clearly smitten.”

“Hah, so he really is just a lecherous old man.”

They each had their own opinions, but their actions were the same: staring intently.

“Ooooh! The Shrine Maiden has hugged him. He’s more gutsy than he looks.”

“And she’s rubbing her face against his chest. She’s completely fallen for him.”

“Hah, is that the number two of Delamis? So pathetic.”

“I wish Nagua were as proactive as that… always acting indirectly.”

“Wh-what!? It has nothing to do with me!”

Their actions were the same: staring intently.

“My, my! Hey, hey, is this the place for that!? Lord Colette is on the King’s lower body…!”

“Youth is a wonderful thing. They do such unexpected things sometimes.”

“Hey! You old geezers are too big! Don’t lean forward so much! We can’t see!”

Staring intently.

“Nagua and the others, what are they doing?”

“Silvia, you don’t need to worry about it, so don’t let it distract you. Oh, Efil-san. Do you know how to make this dish as well?”

“Mm, that’s my favorite.”

“Yes, I can. I’ll teach you tomorrow.”

“Um, in that case, I’d like to learn too…”

“Haha, Ariel, you need to get your beloved to notice you sooner~”

“R-Rion-san, ssh!”

The girls’ gathering here was peaceful.