Me, Magnus and Chocolat left the town of Mont River, where we lived for a while.
　Our sights are set on the next town, Crow Hill.
　We're going to try to beat the bosses in the area, raise their levels, and obtain drop items.
　In addition, in order to bring back Sherith, who was under my protection, the four of us would be traveling together on the road.
　It will take us three days to get to Crow Hill even if we use the Narsai.
　It would certainly be awkward if Magnus' attitude towards Sherith remained cold during that time.
　That's why I decided to take off my clothes and come up with a plan to get them to get along with each other.


　The first part of my plan.

"Hey, guys. Let's play cards.

　I started out with a smile.
　On the first day of the move, we were going to spend the night in a small inn town, and this was after we'd had dinner.
　Fortunately, there were only rooms available for four people, so I hurriedly bought cards for the game.

It's a good idea, let's play!

　I knew Chocolat would bite on it!　Thank you so much!
　Her cheerfulness and spontaneity make her an indispensable mood-maker at parties, and this time we had a lot of help from Chocolat's innocence. And once again, Chocolat's innocence was a big help to me.
　In fact, from the very beginning, Chocolat has been very accommodating to Cheryse.

'You do it too, don't you, Mr. Sherris?
Yeah, I'm a very strong guy. I'm very strong in these things.
''Just because I'm a maid doesn't mean I'm going to shy away from the game!
"Uh-huh. Sounds interesting.
'Yes, of course. Would you like to play Magnus too?
No, I'm not.

　With a curt attitude, Magnus quickly retreated to his own bed and began to read something like his own memoir.

　........No, it's okay.
　This is still part of the plan.
　I bothered to get a desk and chair out in the middle of the bedroom and the three of us start playing a card game.
　Lighten up!　Fun!　Be well!

Okay, I'm gonna win again.
''Guguu........Sheris-sama, you are really strong.......''
All right, let's move on. Next time. We can't lose this time!
"Master Ray is right!　I can't lose!
Hey. Next time. Next time.

　And I glanced at Magnus after each game.
　Normally, I'd be curious if everyone was having fun playing beside me, right?
　And if it's more like a heated game, you can't help but be curious, right?
　I'd rather mingle, wouldn't you?
　And when I'm playing with Sherris, I'm sure she'll open up to Magnus.
　You know what? It's a good idea.

I'm sorry, but I think I'm going to go ahead and take a break.

　I thought it was a good idea!

'Yeah, you don't have to shy away from me. I can sleep through all the noise around me and carry on having fun.

　When I saw Magnus, who quickly covered his head with the sheet, I realized the failure of my strategy.


　Strategy number two.

'Hey, guys. Isn't it about time we had lunch?

　I started off with a smile.
　On the second day of the trip, we were on the Narsai as we were traveling along the highway.

It's going to be a while before the next stop, okay?
'No, no, Magnus. You don't have to go into the store, but we'll have your lunch ready for you.
"Law.

　Magnus dodged the Narsai into a field by the side of the road and brought it to a halt.
　Then it was time for lunch.
　I reach into my backpack and pull out a basket.

Ta-da!
'This is a delicious-looking sandwich!
Actually, it's made by Mr. Sherris!
"Ah, so that's why you and Mr. Ray were sneaking out early in the morning.
Yes, I borrowed the inn's kitchen. I helped out a bit.

　Actually, Mr. Sherice, he's a terrible cook, and I did most of the work!

"If you'd asked me to join you, I'd have waved my arms around.
Let me look forward to that another time.
'Yes, Master Ray. I'll make your tongue quiver.
I'm looking forward to that, but for now, let's have a 'sincere' bento from Mr. Sherris.

　I fidget with the basket and place it in the middle of everyone else.
　I steal a glance at Magnus.

　Girls my age in the village where I'm from used to say.
They used to say, "A man should grab his stomach first.
　Actually, I think men have a weakness for women's cooking. I think they're also very interested in good food.
　Even Magnus would be relieved to eat this delicious sandwich made by Mr. Sherice.

'Come on, come on, let's eat!　I'm starving. Let's eat!
"Thank you, Lord Cherris.
Yes, here you go. I hope you like it.
'It's delicious, Mr. Sherris!　Wow, you're a great cook!

　I'm really itching to be proud of myself!

'See, you have to eat Magnus, too.
I'm sorry. I think I've had too much breakfast.
What?
Don't be afraid to share it with me.
Eh. Huh.
'That's a pity, Master Magnus. It's so delicious. But don't be discouraged. Tomorrow, Chocolat will prepare a lunch for you.

　But don't stop eating it from one end to the other, Chocolat!
　There won't be enough for Magnus!　It's really gone!

Then I'll ask Chocolat to make an appointment for tomorrow.
"You can count on me, master!

　Moreover, Chocolat is casually destroying tomorrow's chance to get the stomach without a second thought.
　I thought it was a good idea.


　Strategy #3.

"Hey, Magnus. What kind of boss monsters are in the vicinity of Crow Hill?

　I asked with a smile.
　On the third day of the move, we were in a field on the side of the road, eating a lunch made by Chocolat.

I'm sure you're aware of the fact that there's a cat-like monster called Lungus, for example. This guy is a monster whose clairvoyant ability is troublesome--

　Magnus rambles on.

　I've been partying with him for a while now, and I've recently learned something.
　I've been partying with him for a while now, and I've learned that Magnus loves to talk about poop.
　Yes, like a scholar or a wizard!

　He's happy to tell me everything I ask, and I enjoy his stories so much that I listen to them with a twinkle in my eye.
　Then Magnus seems to be a little happy inside, too.

　So this is the last thing I need to do.
　I'll have Magnus tell his favorite poop story, and I'll have Mr. Sherris listen with me, even though he'll be bored inside.
　So I'll start with a "we're all having a chat" format. That's a good place to start, and then we'll make a steady transition to real banter. That's the plan.
　We'll be at Crow Hill tomorrow, and I can't afford to be a means to an end!

　I gave Mr. Sheris a look as I listened to Magnus' lunks narrative.
　That made Mr. Sherith pretend to be interested in the story.

'Oh!　That's so tricky to be clairvoyant about!　Even if you go hunting for a demon that has such a thing, they'll probably find it before you do. Worst-case scenario, they'd probably escape before you could even get close.
Yeah, it's about--

　Magnus quickly tried to share his knowledge with Sheris.
　I clenched my fists inwardly.

"Well, that's not much fun for a lady to hear. That's enough for now.

　I got you!
　I thought it was a good idea!

'Ray. I think we should sit down and have another strategy meeting after we get Mr. Sheris home safely, what do you think?
' ... yes. ...You're absolutely right.

　I had to answer that.

　　　　◇◆◆◆◆.

　The evening of the third day of travel came and we decided to spend the night in the inn town.
　Now it was time for us to go to bed.
　In the end I wasn't able to get between Magnus and Mr. Sherris.

'I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help,'
It's okay, Ray. I saw how hard you worked for it, and I know that you did.

　Mr. Sherris gave a wry smile.
　To me, it looked like a very attractive expression.
　It's not that she's beautiful, so a bitter smile is appropriate.... I noticed. At the same time, she was also full of affection for me, which is why I found her so attractive.

'Since you're such a person, I'll give you one piece of serious advice from your sister as a reward.

　Mr. Sherris said in a strangely revised tone.

'You've got a very exploitable personality, you'd better be more careful, wouldn't you?　I'm glad it's your sister, but if it's someone who's planning something worse, I'm going to hurt you, okay?
'What?　Huh?　What do you mean?
I hate smart guys the most. They're boring. But a man as penetrating and good as you are, you're a lot less boring. That's just it.

　Sherris-san said, and suddenly placed a light kiss on my forehead.

''Mmm~~~!

　I'm startled and turn upside down.
　I turn bright red.
　The area where Mr. Sherice's lips touched mine is so hot it's like I'm on fire, and I hold it down with both hands.
　I'm already panicking about the panic, as well as the unfamiliar dialogue I just heard.

'Thank you, Ray. You've taken care of me for the short time I've been here. I hope you get a good night's sleep early and soundly tonight, okay?
'What?　Quickly?　Sleeping?
I don't care if you stay awake and listen to me, it burns. Just pretend to be asleep, okay?

　Mr. Sherris said enigmatically to the end and returned to his room for the inn.
　The private conversation is over.
　I had no choice but to return to my room with Magnus.

　Magnus was lost in his bed, reading a thick book.
　It's his favorite book, bound in blue.
　........Come to think of it, I never opened it in front of Sheris-san.

'What does Magnus have to be wary of in Mr. Shellis?

　I asked, getting into the bed next to him.　
　I couldn't help but ask.

'You don't trust a stranger lightly, do you?'

　Magnus looked up from his book and answered frankly.

'Well you have a point. But then, would you have trusted me right away?
'Because you're a good man who stood up to Earthdrake for the sake of the unknown villagers.
Isn't that the same for Rudd?
But he left you in the lurch.
'I'm just a dumbass, but if it was the other way around, wouldn't you think I would have abandoned you and run away too?
'The fact is, you were not in the opposite position. You bravely served in the vanguard and never thought from the beginning that your friends would abandon you. That in itself is proof of your goodness. If you were a wiser man, you wouldn't be in such a dangerous position. I'd have more insurance.
........is that right?
You could do with a little more self-esteem, couldn't you?

　Magnus said, putting the book away as if it were important.

We leave early again tomorrow. Let's go to bed.
Yeah, let's do that.

　We squirmed in bed.

　　　　◇◆◆◆◆◆.

　However, I couldn't sleep for some reason.
　I felt like I had a lot of things to think about.
　It was like I couldn't think straight.
　Hours passed as I lay in bed in a daze.

　So I was able to notice.
　The doorway opened softly from the outside.

"It's Magnus' fault for always being a jerk to me, isn't it?

　The way Ms. Sherris giggled in a hushed voice, a mischievous smile.
　The way she creeps to Magnus' bed.

　I couldn't help but open my dim eyes to check.
　Then it pops into my vision.

　The sight of Mr. Sherris in a skimpy nightgown, more disgusting than naked!

　Then she boldly straddles Magnus, who is sleeping on the bed.

　Is this what you call one night crawling!