After consulting with Eltria, it was decided to use five warships owned by Zenobia to exterminate the Sea Serpent.
　About 500 sailors will also be mobilized.

　These warships are also the most advanced, and they are all loaded with cannons exported from "Ivalice".

　In short, the elite of Zenobia's regular army was to be gathered to deal with it.
　I let out a word of "that's reassuring" when I heard that, but Eltria didn't smile.
　'Well, I'm not so sure about that,' he said sarcastically.

'I haven't told you yet, but the last time we took on the Sea Serpent in the Trade Federation's combined fleet, ten ships were sunk and turned into seaweed.

''........I see, was that why Lord Hans was covered in scars?

Yeah, Hans is a lucky man. The ones that aren't are just scraps in the ocean.

　Eltria said jokingly, but quickly regained her serious expression and gave me an apologetic look.

''I'm sorry that I've relied on you so many times. I guess this is the third time I've had to rely on you to help me.

I don't remember helping you. I can remember helping you.

''........It would be great to hear you say that. If you have the Sea Serpent exterminated, I'll help you with anything 'within my power'.

　She said so, and then offered to shake my hand.
　I squeezed that hand back.
　It was a strong handshake, but it was still a woman's hand. It was somehow soft and delicate to the touch.



　After a light military discussion in the guest room, Eltria said, "It will take three days to arrange a ship and a sailor. I would like you to stay in my mansion until then," he said.

　I didn't have any other acquaintances in Zenobia, and I had no reason to refuse, but I felt a little uneasy.
　Or rather, it seems like a miracle that I haven't run into 'her' until now.
　As I was thinking like that, sure enough, she came over.

　I opened the big door in the guest room, as if trying to gauge the end of an important conversation.

Master Ike!

　And then she comes running towards me and hugs me.

　The daughter of this man.
　The daughter of Eltria, the girl who is supposed to be my "fiancée".
　She buries her face in my chest.

"Ike-sama, Ike-sama, Ike-sama, Ike-sama, Ike-sama, Ike-sama, Ike-sama,

　He called my name so many times that I couldn't discern how many times he said, and expressed his affection with his whole body.
　The gazes of the women around me hurt.


　Lilith was twitching at her temples, not sure whether to reach for the sword at her waist or not, and
　Anemone said, "It's not fair! And he issued a statement condemning the
　Sati was smiling at me.


　For some reason, the sight gave me a sense of deja vu, so I was about to let her go, as is set in stone, but when Eltria came up to me, she whispered

'My son-in-law. Please keep it up. Julia had been crying out the other day. She had spent her days sleepless with the fear that she might be sacrificed. After you came, she suddenly regained her energy. Let me stay like this for a little while longer.

Yes, sir.　　

　If Eltria said so, there was no way to reject her.
　It's a good thing that you're not the only one.
　I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get my food down my throat.
　I'm sure you'll find that the hands that hold me in a slightly trembling manner.

　She looks like a girl who has nothing to do with her problems, but she may not be able to maintain a sense of normalcy when she might be 'sacrificed' to a stone.

　I'm not sure how to reassure a woman, but what should I do in a situation like this?
　If it's around Cephiro, he'd say, "Hug it out, you worthless bastard.
　Hearing that voice, I gently hug Julia.
　It's only for a few dozen seconds.
　I hug the woman in public view.

　When Julia's trembling stops, I lightly hug her shoulders, and as I move away slightly, I look into her eyes and say, "Please don't worry.

''Please don't worry. I won't let you sacrifice Miss Yulia now that this Ike has arrived.

　She smiled with a big smile and replied

''Does that mean you will exterminate the Sea Serpent?　Or does it mean something else?

　Julia replied, but I couldn't gauge the intent of the second question.

　Perhaps because I had a difficult expression on my face, she whispers in my ear, with the face of a mischievous girl.

''It's the 'maiden' that must be sacrificed. If Ike-sama and I are united tonight, I will inevitably be removed from the list of candidates for sacrifice.

　If you whispered such a thing to me, I would be at a loss for a response.
　As if enjoying my confusion, Yulia laughed with a 'chuckle' and concluded with this.

''I was just joking, Ike-sama. If I was no longer a candidate for the sacrifice, then another daughter would just be a candidate. I don't think that would be a fundamental solution.

　She said that.

'I would sacrifice as much as I could if I were the sacrifice and the Sea Serpent would quieten down.

　Julia says, but her legs are shaking slightly.

　She is joking, but I guess she is still fighting her fear.
　I can't be her husband for various reasons, but I can be her knight.

　I crouched down on my knees like a knight of the princess's Kingsguard to reassure her.

'I'll show you how to beat the Sea Serpent with flying colors and relieve Mistress Julia of her troubles.

　He hung his head.　

　I don't think I'm a little overdone, I have to agree, but if this is how the girl can get a good night's sleep, then it's a small price to pay.

　We must remain in this mansion until we are ready to defeat the Sea Serpent.
　In the meantime, it will be part of my job to keep my fiancée happy.

　--I'm not going to be the only one who's been there.

　While thinking about this, I was accompanied by Julia's talk for the rest of the day.