chapter 19
19. My Knight (1)
Shione Cianella’s death is by no means light.
From a myopic point of view, it’s like the death of the second princess of a prestigious count who just started to rehabilitate.
If you want to look at it bigger, it is like this world will walk the path of destruction as it was originally destined.
Shione’s death is something that threatens not only my return to Earth, but even my own life.
Even if it was just the text that the quest was visible, I didn’t feel very pleasant.
“Devils and fanatics…”
These guys are perfect for destroying the world.
Out of the countless worlds I conquered, not a few started out as demon worshipers and perished due to an unruly demonic invasion.
Perhaps this is one of those worlds that have perished.
Certainly, this future where I lost my life was like a hell filled with demons.
I brought the sword I had released far away and stroked the hilt.
I guess you shouldn’t relax recklessly.
This was the world of an S-class dungeon, so you shouldn’t be careless.
Even the villains of the S-class dungeons were vicious and vicious, even one of their henchmen.
Even at this point in time when it seems so peaceful, it is obvious that it would be better not to do anything that could easily be seen as a fanatic who is not a devil.
Before I knew it, I exhaled lightly and looked at Shione, who fell into a sound sleep.
“A truly blessed bastard.”
You should know that you met me by luck.
The deeper I thought about it, the more I felt disgusted by the sight of Shione sleeping peacefully without knowing anything.
She’s not really my fiancé, and I don’t know what kind of trouble I’m going through to get him to meet his fiancé.
“…Still.”
Fortunately, there was a point left.
The first thing is that Dioria, a sword expert knight who has reached an advanced level, will accompany Shione as an escort.
No matter how crazy the fanatics are, they won’t be able to attack Shione easily on the roadside in broad daylight.
If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to get out of town quietly without any incident.
After stroking the hilt several times and organizing my thoughts, I finally saw a fairly large-scale village outside the window.
Apparently Sione said she was going to arrive in a small town.
Apparently, Shione had heard Dioria say that it was smaller than Cianella’s estate, and she seemed to have told me that.
Yes, you can wake me up at this point.
I shook Shione’s shoulders.
“Shione-sama, wake up. We have arrived at the entrance of the village.”
“Haam…Thank you for waking me up.”
Shione stretched out with a small smile.
After tidying up her messy hair, she tidied up her blanket and blanket and sat down in her chair.
She held the scenery of the village in her eyes as if she were having fun like a child who came to an amusement park for the first time.
“Sir Dioria must have said it was a small village. She seems to have a rather large village than she thought.”
“Anyway, Dioria-nim seems to have said that compared to the city of Countess Cianella.”
“Ah, now that I think about it, it seems Dioria said what you said.”
As expected, the standard of being small that Dioria said seemed appropriate when comparing the count’s family.
Shione, who had been quietly looking outside, took her eyes off the outside.
“I’m really looking forward to it because this is the first time I’ve left the Count’s family and come to another town or city.”
“You mean you’ve never left the Count’s house?”
“Yes.”
Shione nodded slowly.
“When I was young, I swung a sword in the manor, and I held a spear and a book for a while… But after that, I hid in my room. In fact, I don’t even remember going outside the lord’s castle to play.”
Well, being compared to others, my self-esteem fell into self-loathing because it wasn’t enough.
Even that wasn’t enough, it’s not just months, it’s been years since I’ve been shutting myself up in my room and raising thorns out of fear of others.
I felt a little sorry for Shione, who calmly said those facts.
Shione even smiled flawlessly.
“That’s why I’m looking forward to this place. Aren’t you like that too?”
“…Since Sione said that, I’m looking forward to it too.”
“Yes, it is.”
After that, Shione quietly closed her eyes with the corner of her mouth raised.
Her expression was as serene as the smile of the day she cut off her long past.
* *
At the entrance of the village, her carriage was stopped and unloaded. It was because the road was not well-maintained in order to ride a wagon into the depths of the village.
We promised to meet the coachman in front of the entrance the next day during the day, and the coachman left first to do his own thing.
“I know of a good inn here, so let’s go there.”
How many times have you been here?
Thanks to Dioria, I was able to quickly find an inn to stay overnight.
The room inside the inn was clean and didn’t smell too bad, so it was enough for a night’s stay.
She didn’t seem particularly dissatisfied with her inn, even though Shione, who was used to lying on a luxurious bed with a blanket wrapped around her every day.
Sione and Diolia each have their own room. And Ian and I ended up sharing the same room.
During the day Ian said he would go to church, so I could decide which bed he would sleep in.
After being assigned a room, around the time I unpacked all my belongings next to the bed by the window, Sione and Diolia came to the room.
Even if I stay still, I will go on my own feet first when the work is over.
Why did Shione and Diolia come to me first?
While wondering, Shione opened her mouth.
“Have you unpacked your luggage?”
“Yes, I have unpacked everything I brought with me.”
“If you do, let’s go to the market together.”
You came to play together.
Well, it’s not a bad offer, but I couldn’t accept it.
Up until now, everyone had been eating my food without fail, so I needed to replenish the ingredients again.
Because I need to go shopping with Shione’s snacks and other daily necessities.
“I’m sorry, but from now on I’m going to have to buy preserved food and things for Sione-sama to eat separately…”
“That’s enough. Sir Dioria said he would take care of supplies.”
“Yes?”
“That means you can leave today’s work to Dioria and take a day off.”
I barely stopped what I was trying to harden at Shione’s words.
“Leave my work to Dioria, and I move with Sione. Wouldn’t it be dangerous to go around without an escort?”
The reason why I was able to feel at ease even after accepting such an uneasy quest was because of the assumption that Dioria was protecting Shione by her side.
It’s difficult for Dioria to be away from Sione.
I looked at Diolia, who was standing quietly behind Sione.
“Today, I will do your job, so do as Sione says.”
“…I’m really glad you said that, but don’t Dioria-sama have to be escorted by Sione-sama?”
“Shione-nim has already promised to walk around the crowded market streets with weapons for self-defense, and isn’t the sun already low?”
Dioria’s gaze at me deepened. As if trying to see through me.
“Furthermore, I’ve seen your swordsmanship skills little by little, and even though you’re a man, you seem to be able to subdue at least a small group of men, so I don’t think it’s a problem.”
“But…”
“Also, Sione-nim said there was something she wanted to say to you.”
“…I understand.”
… Yes, as Dioria said, what can happen in broad daylight like this?
Moreover, even though Shione despaired of her former talent, she had reached the level of a sword user.
She will be stronger than I am now, if only she came forward with her sincerity.
But no matter how bad it is, there is also a saying that it is one in ten thousand.
I’d rather be armed with something simple.
“Can I change my clothes for a minute?”
“Yes, let it be.”
“I’ll change quickly.”
After confirming the quest, I put on the leather armor I brought from the wagon.
I felt the cold leather feel coolly overlaid on my skin.
After confirming that he was wearing it carefully, he even wore a sword around his waist.
I didn’t bring my bow.
It’s obvious that Shione won’t allow her to follow her around with her quiver on her back and even her bow.
My head went cold.
Quests don’t happen without reason.
At least once.
Within this village there will be a point where Sionega devil worshipers will cross.
Unless you keep your senses straight, it’s obvious that you’ll get involved in more trouble, so I can’t let my guard down.
When I finished getting ready and left the room, Shione took a quick look at me and said.
“You even wore leather armor. Aren’t you worried too much?”
“Didn’t you say you would protect me by my side? All of this was done for Shione-sama, so I hope you will be kind to me.”
“…Thank you.”
To my words, Shione answered in a quiet whisper while avoiding her gaze.
She asked her one of the things she had heard from Dioria.
“Dioria-sama said that Sione-nim had something to say to me…what are you talking about?”
“Oh, that, that.”
Shione hesitated without answering easily.
Instead of answering my question, she said, pulling the sleeve of her dress near my wrist.
“Let’s go out and talk later…!”
Saying that, she led me with a slight smile on her face.