Chapter 53

"…Hm? I was wondering who it was so early in the morning… Oh, it’s you, Flatche."

"Good morning."

Clarise, freshly woken, was a mess. Her usually elegant golden hair was puffed up wildly, and she rubbed her sleepy eyes with a dazed look.

"You heard from Mino, right?"

"Fuaah… Yes, we’re heading to the northern fort together, are we not? Give me a moment to get ready."

"Yeah."

Early morning, at Clarise’s estate. I’d gotten myself ready quickly and came by first thing to meet up with her.

When the front door opened, Clarise stood there in her pajamas. Apparently, she wasn’t much of a morning person.

"Hmm? Flatche-san? Good morning."

"Oh, Mei’s here too?"

"Yes. Good morning."

Her little sister, also still in sleepwear, peeked out from the back room. Looks like Mei had returned home for the time being.

Well, Rex and I were out beyond the walls, and Karin’s staying overnight at the church.

No point in leaving Mei-chan alone at the inn.

"Clarise, still only recently reunited with her head, isn’t quite back to normal. She wanted a hand with chores and such."

"I see."

So that’s part of it too.

"Besides, since Sis is going to be away starting today, I figured I’d take the chance to relax at home and finish a few magic tomes."

"Sounds nice."

"Ah, and don’t touch the locked cabinet. I mean it. It’s genuinely dangerous."

"Of course. I wouldn’t dream of it. Don’t worry."

As I sipped the tea Mei-chan had made, watching the two of them banter like that warmed my heart.

A locked cabinet, huh. She must mean that one cabinet wrapped in chains and occasionally rattling and twitching in the corner.

Whatever that is, it’s disgusting. I never want to go near it.

—

“…Why I follow Mino?”

By now the sun was well up. Clarise and I had set off together for the northern fort, sent off by Mei.

We had no escort. …Which you might think is ridiculous, but according to Mino, “half-assed bodyguards just make it easier for enemies to track you down.”

Still though, is it really okay to just send someone who’s been officially decorated off on their own like this?

Yeah, no way Mino actually sees me as some kind of VIP.

"Clarise, do you really accept what that woman does?"

"────No. I hate her. To death, even."

"Then why go along with her orders so quietly?"

Mino was cold as ice and downright ruthless. And yet Clarise, of all people, followed her instructions without protest.

To someone like Clarise—a girl with a heart, someone who genuinely loves people (I think)—Mino should be utterly incompatible.

"…The biggest reason is that Penny and Emma asked me to. They warned me, in no uncertain terms, not to oppose her."

"Those two did?"

"Indeed. And I trust them."

…Well. I guess those two are trustworthy.

"And the other reason is… well, it’s a little embarrassing, but I’m not good at thinking things through. I have a tendency to act on impulse and cause trouble for others. I’ve done it countless times."

"You? Seriously?"

"Yes. The worst of it was… I almost killed an innocent child, all because of a misunderstanding."

Her voice trembled a little. Regret clear in her eyes, Clarise confessed her past.

"I used to believe that the love I felt was all that mattered. Looking back, how narrow-minded that was."

"You tried to kill someone…?"

"I thought it was love. Some awful man deceived me and used me as he pleased. I ended up casting a massive fireball at a child, convinced I was doing the right thing. If it had hit, she would’ve been charred to ashes."

She shut her eyes tight. A single tear rolled down her cheek.

"Sadly, I’m not very bright. If I try to think for myself, I’ll just get fooled again. So I’ve decided to leave the sharp end of my magic to someone smarter than me."

"…But still, Mino?"

"She rarely makes mistakes. She’s cruel, yes, but precise. When people act on good intentions and end up hurting others, even their own goodwill turns into pain. But Mino? She factors everything in. She uses me with full awareness of the risks."

…Even someone as powerful as her struggles, huh. If she misuses that strength, it could spell disaster.

"Also… I placed a curse on myself. If anyone, including her, ever tries to use me for something evil, it’ll harm everyone involved."

"You what?"

"I worked hard on it."

"Please, I’m begging you—don’t let that curse get passed down to future generations."

No wonder Mino made that face. Makes sense now—there’s no way she can recklessly use Clarise if that curse is real.

"So, what happened to that innocent child?"

"────Fortunately, there was a hero standing right beside her. He jumped in and saved her, then left as swiftly as he came."

"A hero?"

"Oh yes, the man was a true gallant who loved children. That little girl still walks the path of life beside him, to this day."

…A cheerful, carefree smile flashed through my mind—one belonging to a certain lolicon and a certain little girl.

Wait—don’t tell me that ‘child’ she almost killed was Emma?

"Penny’s an incredible man. There’s this sense of security with him—like no matter what, he’ll make it work."

"…So he’s not just a lolicon, huh."

"Of course not. That’s why, even when I heard he went missing last week, I’m sure it’s because he’s off doing something good."

"He what!?"

Wait—what!? Penny disappeared!? And during all this chaos, the Supreme Commander’s just… gone!?

"Just before he vanished, Penny bowed his head to me and asked me to follow Mino and protect the kingdom in his place. So until I can believe in Penny—I will."

"...Seriously? I mean, yeah. Makes sense."

Penny disappearing at a time like this… Wouldn't the military fall into disarray and suffer serious damage? That creeping worry surfaced in my head, but I shook it away.

Emma-chan’s with Penny. She might be small, but she’s a full-fledged tactician.

I'm sure they’ve got something planned. A strategy so high-level even someone as smart as me wouldn’t come up with it.

"Then I shall follow Meeno and defend this land. That is the task Penny expects of me."

"...Hearing it like that actually gives me some motivation. While Emma-chan and Mino match wits, I’ll just focus on protecting the people."

"Exactly. Simple, right?"

I’m a swordsman. Thinking too much isn’t part of the job.

My job is to cut down the enemy in front of me. That’s all.

"Well, our job’s simple compared to Penny’s. Hold the fortress, wipe out the enemy with large-scale magic—nothing more, nothing less."

"…Didn’t Mino say the Demon King might show up?"

"I do hope he does. ...Though I doubt things will go so smoothly."

No, it would not be good at all if he showed up.

"The enemy's commander—this Demon King—has yet to show his face. A true warrior would stand at the front lines and rally his troops. If he’s skulking in the shadows, he’ll likely appear from a place we’d never expect."

"Huh. Yeah, that tracks. If the Demon King really is that strong and unbeatable, you'd think he’d charge in leading the attack."

"Exactly. Which is why, unfortunately, the odds of him suddenly launching a surprise attack on the fortress are low. If anyone’s coming, it’ll be that demon said to be Flatche’s master..."

Clarise trailed off and gave me a bold, challenging smile.

"If the enemy’s that demon, we’ve got nothing to fear as long as Flatche is with us. So this time, we’ll work behind the scenes. Let’s believe in Rex to take down the Demon King."

"Yeah. I trust Rex too."

"As you should. Then let’s stay sharp and carry out the roles we’ve been given. Alongside the soldiers gathered at the Northeastern Fortress, we’ll become the key to striking at the Demon King’s rear."

"...Leave it to me."

At the Northeastern Fortress, my role is Clarise’s escort. According to her, the Demon King likely won’t show up here. But there’s still a very real chance another demon might attack to take her out.

This time, I’m going to take down that strange demon that looked just like me. That’s my goal for this battle.

"We’re almost there. The fortress where I once made a complete fool of myself."

"...Well, hand-to-hand combat was never your strong suit, Clarise. Can’t blame you."

"No, I won’t lose this time. …Stay sharp, Flatche. It’s we who are playing support that carry the burden of humanity’s survival."

Soon, the worn, familiar fortress I once charged into alone came into view.

Back then, Rex brought me here in a flash, so I didn’t realize—but this place is quite a distance from the capital. And it sits high enough to command a view over the plains in front of it.

It really is the perfect fortress for a long-range magic specialist like Clarise.

"O soldiers of the fortress! The embodiment of love, the symbol of compassion and grace, your court mage Clarise has returned! Come and greet me!"

With that bold declaration, she raised both arms triumphantly, beaming from ear to ear—

---

In that instant—fwump. Clarise’s jet-black robe suddenly flipped up, revealing skin as pale as white silk, and her pure white panties for all to see.

“…!?”

────A perfect "tea-wrapping" knot.

Whether it was some kind of supernatural phenomenon or not, her robe, which had abruptly flown up, twisted midair and tightly bound itself around her upper body like a makeshift straitjacket.

“Muh? Muh!? Mmmmmm!?”

Caught completely off guard, Clarise let out a flustered cry and writhed desperately in an attempt to fix her clothes.

Meanwhile, the blonde little girl who just burst into the scene laughing like a maniac had transformed into a walking pair of panties. I blinked rapidly, unable to process the sheer absurdity of it all—and failed to notice the creeping presence of a pervert approaching silently from behind.

“Heeheehee…”

A disgusting chuckle rang out behind me. I finally turned, just in time to catch the withered hand of an old man at the edge of my vision. The moment that lecherous face of his reached out and grabbed the cloth at my waist, I realized—too late—that an intruder had crept up on me without a sound.

“Gimme them panties, won’tcha─────”

…In that moment, the world turned blue.

---

“…Clarise. What do we do with this pervert?”

“Hit him.”

“Got it. Do as you like.”

Face bright red and eyes unusually sharp, Clarise gave a curt nod. To my astonishment, it seemed she did have a sense of shame after all.

‘Possessing’ me, I instantly flung the old man off me with a sharp motion. He hadn’t expected any resistance and went tumbling to the ground, eyes wide in shock.

“You filthy degenerate.”

“Hyup!”

I took a step toward the fallen man. Drawing my sword from its sheath, I lowered my center of gravity in silence.

“…Mmm.”

The old man narrowed his eyes in a sharp, fleeting movement. That was the look of someone who had just decided to flee.

This perverted geezer—he actually knew when to retreat.

“Quite the fighter, little lady. No wonder you were able to take down the head of the demon kin… Well then, pardon me!”

As expected, the old man scrambled to his feet and turned tail. But to me, his escape was painfully slow.

From lying down to running away, the process was full of holes: hands to the ground, lift the hips, shift posture, step forward, accelerate.

For an old man with such weak knees to think he could run from me—bold of him, really.

“…Hyuh?”

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Just as the old man took his first step, trying to bolt, I twisted my torso in sync with his shifting weight and slammed him head-first into the ground.

“…Gah!?”

“Justice served.”

And so, Clarise and I successfully apprehended a sex offender right after our departure. We were headed to a national army fortress, and we figured he could do some hard labor there as a prisoner.

Only after the little girl finished whacking the old man’s head with her puffy cheeks all puffed up in righteous fury, of course.

---

“Lord Laurel!! What happened to you!?”

“Abused, I was… Hunted down like prey, I was…”

But when we hauled him to the fortress, we were met with utter disbelief.

This pervert… was a general.

“My minions, seize these two! And snatch their panties while you’re at it!”

“…We deeply apologize for our general’s behavior.”

“Why are you apologizing!?”

His subordinates seemed very familiar with this old man’s depravity. They gave him a cold, disapproving glare the moment they entered the room. I felt bad for them—must’ve been tough fighting under a guy like that.

“Ahem.”

The little girl cleared her throat, her voice echoing through the fortress halls.

“I am Clarise, court magician newly reappointed by Mino to oversee the defense of this fortress!!”

“We’ve been informed of your return, Lady Clarise. Congratulations on your recovery.”

“She is my guard, Flatche.”

“Indeed! So you’re the legendary ‘Divine Blade’—an honor to meet you!”

“I’ll be counting on you.”

Thank goodness. The subordinates at least seemed to be decent people. Honestly, anyone who appoints a sex offender like that as fortress commander has to be bad news. Mino’s clearly not on the level.

Come to think of it, that old man was the same vagrant who tried to grope people in the castle town before. Hey—give me back my waistcloth. And Karin’s panties while you’re at it.

“The command of this fortress lies with me now.”

“As it should, Lady Clarise.”

“Then seize that depraved old man.”

“At once.”

“Hyohyo!?”

Clarise, still with that slightly vacant look in her eyes, immediately ordered her subordinates to capture the pervert. A solid decision. She might actually be suited to command.

“Wait! I—I am the former General and current Supreme Commander—!”

“You’re just a damn sex offender.”

And thus, Laurel was instantly demoted from fortress commander to jail cell occupant.

It was exactly what he deserved.