--In the downtown area, below the castle of the royal capital.

　In the midst of the crowds wandering disorderly along the main street where many stores are gathered.

　Futa and Corona walked through the noisy streets, where the echoes of the crowd, thoughtful conversations, and the voices of shopkeepers diffused randomly.

"Rumpappa-umpappa!
"What's that song?
"It's a song to welcome Futa-sama as he walks through the royal capital for the first time!
It sounds like a curse is being placed on me. ......

　Corona was right, it was Futa's first time in the capital.

　It is very difficult to avoid the people coming and going.
　It would have been easier if he could have played with his sword, but unfortunately his dominant hand was blocked.

I think it's time for you to let go.
What are you talking about?　You'll get lost.
I've never gotten lost in my life.　I've never been lost. ...... No, I've been wandering a lot, so you might think that.
"Huh?

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

If you get lost, you and your maids will be lost, won't you?
"Oh, I'm holding you because you'll get lost!
That's what you're saying!　Keep an eye out for the maid so she can get home alive.
Why do I have to worry about the locals? ......

　It's a lifeline," said Corona, laughing as she grabbed Huta's right hand and shook it vigorously.

　It was a rough treatment for a lifeline.

　Futa grabbed her hand and said, "I can't help it.
　He then proceeded through the crowded streets, occasionally pulling lightly to avoid bumping into people.

"Oh, oh?　Oh! Master Futa, you're so handy with a maid!
"Can I call this a maidservant?
"You're almost ready to be a first-class maid. Woohoo!
It's going to be pretty easy to become one. ......

　The two of them walked along while saying something carefree.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you can do it.

I'm not sure what to say.

　Futa was puzzled by this question, but...

　If this is not in the category of 'life is fun', then Futa really does not know what to do anymore.

"Mr. Futa, Mr. Futa, Mr. Futa, Mr. Futa.
"Yes, yes, what's wrong?
What's wrong? Is there a big difference between where Futa-sama was and the capital?
Yes, it is. ......

　Futa was in a pleasure city in a faraway land.

　The Colosseum in the center of the city is the main attraction of the city, and it can be said that the income from the Colosseum was used to run the economy.

　Although it was one of the provincial cities, it was such a bustling city that if you were to ask me to name three famous cities in the country, it would definitely be on the list.


　If you were to ask me to name three famous cities in the country, the Royal Capital would definitely be one of them.


"Calm, I guess you could say. This city is...
"Oh. To the maids, it looks like it's pretty lively.
I don't know, it was more noisy, more lively. There was at least one person in every store waving a wad of cash around to buy stuff. ......
"That sounds fun. I want to be a maid.
I want to be a maid. I couldn't keep up with all that tension.

　What Futa remembered was the so-called Colosseum merchandise section.
　The Colosseum's merchandise section reminded Futa of the Colosseum, where many of the weapons, armor, and replicas used by popular fencers were sold - or where expensive items such as their autographs and paintings were sold.

　Many fans spent a lot of money in pursuit of their goods.


"Well, it seems that almost none of my stuff was sold.

　I muttered to myself. I don't really care about that now.

　The number of goods sold proves that there was no need for them.

　But now he has Lilac, who has accepted him so well.

　That was all that mattered to Futa.

　A moment later, he looked back at the past.
　The warmth had disappeared from his right hand.

"Oh, Corona!

　He hurriedly looked around.
　Immediately you see the bustle. A girl waving a wad of cash in front of one of the many street stalls selling food.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!　I don't know what it is, but I want a lot of it!
What are you doing ！！！！?

　It was fortunate that there was a gap around her, as if a wave had receded. Hurriedly, Huta jumped into the gap and caught Corona.

I don't mind if you buy ...... from me.

　The shopkeeper, with a troubled look on his face, said and handed her a lot of fruit.
　Two baskets full of fruit.

"Maid. Just three of those bills will be enough.


Really? But it seems to be the Tohkoku way to buy something.

　Futa intervened and apologized.

You don't have to do that!　I'm sorry, I'm sorry, that's three tickets--three tickets!　I'm not sure.　It's a very expensive fruit!
Yeah, yeah, ......, that's what we sell.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry!　I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! - No, I'd be more than happy to buy it for you.
...... Thank you, thank you.

　Huta paid 30,000 yen and got two baskets full of fruit.

"Hmm.
"...... What's up, Corona?
Waving wads of cash around isn't much fun, is it?
That's true. It's a scene created by people desperately fighting for what they really want to buy. ......
Too soon!
You're early. ....... What should I do with this?

　A basket full of fruit and a sigh of relief.
　I'm glad you're a kind shopkeeper, Futa thought to himself.

"The maids will eat them in your room. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
...... Just so you know, who owns the money you were waving around earlier?
It's my maid's salary.
Let's use our money more carefully. ......?

　I look up to the sky at the fact that I was waving a wad of money around with my own money.
　I'm not sure what he would have done if he had taken all the money with him.

"If 30,000 is enough to see Futa-sama's frustrated face, it's a wise use of money. The shopkeeper's face was also interesting.
"Can't you do something more?
I don't think so. I'm a maid, I don't have any hobbies that require a lot of money.
You're so transient. ......

　A pile of fruit. It's too much for one person to eat without damaging it.
　I was looking at the fruit and wondering what to do.
　While I was looking at the fruit and wondering what to do, Corona suddenly appeared next to me and asked.

"Mr. Futa, Mr. Futa, have you changed your occupation to baggage handler?
"No, I haven't.
No, I don't. "Then give me one.　Your hands are not for baskets.

　He beckoned to her as if to provoke her.

It's okay, it's heavy.
The maids are allowed to wander off at any time.
What kind of threat is that?

　I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

"Whew, I almost ended up like Futa-sama, hanging out on the side of the road!
"Shut up.
"Princess, will you pick up my maid too?
Don't ask me. ......

　I'm sure you're not listening to me.

　However, I was relieved to see that he was in a very good mood.

　Futa himself does not think that he is an interesting person.

　As I had thought when I first met Corona, a girl of her age would be bored in the company of Futa.

　I'm relieved that I've managed to put that concern to rest.

　And what's more...

　He felt that his mouth was much better than it had been a few days ago.

　She was undeniably a good remedy for Futa, who rarely talked to people.

　And then--

"Futa-sama, Futa-sama, if you devour that huge melon in the basket right now, you'll feel a lot lighter!
You're acting strange if you start eating here!
Don't worry, all passersby are potatoes.
It's not like I'm nervous!　I'm not nervous, and I don't know if I can finish it.
Don't worry. If there's any left over, we'll just put it back.
"Then you're still carrying the same amount of baggage. ...... You're only losing money if you do something strange. ......
Teehee.

　--It was a relief that he seemed to be enjoying himself and staying with us to a certain extent.




　So.







"Corona!
Hmm?

　I took her in my arms and ran into the alley.

　A throwing knife just missed him. Huta saw the slime on the blade.
　He knew it was definitely poison.

　Protecting Korona behind him, Futa took a stance.


"Who's there? Come out.





　Six or seven masked men appeared in front of Futa who muttered.



"I don't know what you think you're doing. --I don't know what you think you're doing, but I'm not going to let you touch him.