That night. I was in King's Landing, near the dormitories.



　The thin moon shone, in the night.
　A figure in black was moving across the roof of the building.
　The place is near the nobleman's town.
It was an area owned by the "Magic Guild", where the lodgings for the guild members were lined up.

''........So you are certain that His Highness Iris was riding in the carriage just now?''

　One of the black-robed ones whispered.
　Another one nodded.

I have received information from ────sama. She has requested that I find out what His Highness Prince Iris and the daughter of the Duke of Surrey's daughter have to say about them. If possible, to find out their weaknesses.
...the daughter of a rising baroness is with you.
I'm afraid another nobleman is inquiring about it.
Does this sudden ascendancy make the nobility suspicious?

"Squeak," "Kiki," "Kiki.

...the bats are so loud.
Let's get rid of him. It's impossible to hear the sound inside.
...No, wait!

　The black-clad leader raised his hand.

''It was in the information from ────sama. The bastard of the upstart baron's family is using bats as their errand boy. If that's what they're gathering around........

　The men in black stand up.
　The leader waves to them and they begin a quick retreat (tête-à-tête).

　Their feet stepped on the rope that had fallen on the roof.

''.........Why is there a rope here?
...

　A bat passed by the leader of the black-robed men.
　The bat was holding a rope in its mouth.
　A rope so thick that a normal bat could not lift it.

'Not good!　These guys are going to capture us...
Yeah!

　The moment I screamed, the rope was wrapped around the black-clad leader's body.
　He strains his limbs - but he can't move.
　The bat has the end of the rope wrapped around the house's entree. The other side is held by another bat. It's just a little bat. And yet...

This is the power of bats?　Ugh, I can't move.
.........leader........what is it with these guys.......

　Two of his friends were in the same state.
　The bats were flying around in the darkness, each with a rope in their mouths.
　The bats flew around the black-robed men with the quickness of trained soldiers, wrapping the ropes around their bodies. They are now wrapped from their shoulders to their feet.

'How did you not notice the bats?　I thought I borrowed a messenger from the sorcerer...

　The leader murmured in a daze.
I'm going to keep an eye on the lodgings of the young lady who belongs to the "Magic Guild". Naturally, we've taken measures to counteract the errand boy.
　My client borrowed a dog messenger from a sorcerer friend of mine.
　That dog is supposed to be on the ground. When other messengers approach, they should be able to bark to let you know........

"That's surprisingly heavy. This guy.

　With a voice, a dog was placed in front of the black-clad leader.
　It was the errand boy they had brought with them.
　It was a white dog, but it had blood around its head. But it didn't seem to be injured.
　He's just sleeping with his eyes closed. I don't know what happened.

You know, I'm going to turn you in to the guards.

　A dark-haired boy stood beside the dog.
　There was no sound of footsteps. Not even a sign.
　As if he had been there from the beginning, the boy looked down at the captive black men.

“The owner of the innkeeper called it in. He should be here soon. If possible, it would be helpful if you could tell us what they want and who hired them.
...the baronet bastard Yuki-Grossaria.
The other two groups just kept their quarters a long way away and withdrew when they saw the bats. You guys got too close.

　At the boy's words, the black-robed men begin to tremble.
　They had come here to seize on the weakness of the duchess and Princess Iris, who had come as a snitch.
　And yet, they were caught before they could get any information.
　On the contrary──.

Well, as far as your clients are concerned I could hear them whispering to each other. I know they use messenger demons, so I knew they were worth their salt.

　The boy has information about the men in black.
　Maybe he knows where they came from.

"The guards are coming. We'll leave you in charge.

　The boy lowers the men on a rope to the ground.
　He seemed to have no power, yet he did so lightly, holding two men at a time.

　It was enough force to rob the men of their will to resist.

　Eventually, the guards come in.
　The men are dressed all in black. They have masks on their faces. The place is near the aristocratic district.
　There was no way the guards would let such a suspicious group of people go unnoticed.

''...What are you doing here?
You are in deep shit if you attempt to peek into the lodgings of the Lady of the Duchess of Surrey.
"...just walk and listen to what they have to say in the filling station.

　This is how the men in black are pulled in by the guards.



　The view point of Yuki.



"Eliminate HRH Salvia's men. This is the third group of people you've come to ask about? Surprisingly many.

　I wrote down their style and lines on a piece of parchment.

'The first two groups came from a nobleman's house. You can tell Odette where they are, and she'll know who's behind it.

　The two groups that came before me were a 'boosted' bat army and left after scaring me.
　I didn't show them my face.
Odette wanted to keep things as quiet as possible.

　The only reason I showed up to the black-clad guys was because they had a demon with them.
　I'm not that powerful a messenger, so I sneaked up on them and neutralized them by 'hacking' them.
　There should be a sorcerer or someone related to a sorcerer behind them, so I decided to restrain them and turn them in to the guards.

''Goshujin.''
What is it, Dick?
"I've learned how to get rid of bad things. It's just Dick and his friends.

　An army of bats fly around the quarters, as if to agree.
　The ropes are still in place.
　As long as we reapply 'Boosted' to Dick and the others, we'll be fine for a while.

"Goshujin, please take your time...
"I just want to make sure that Odette and the others are comfortable.
"Leave it to the bats to handle it.

Okay. Okay, Neil, let's get a head start.

"This is the place.

　Neil takes off and heads to the back of the quarters.

　I've told Iris and the others that I'll be tapping on the bedroom window when I need to be there.
　Iris would know what Neil would say, so she would tell Odette or Martha.
　When Neil comes back, I can use my 'Kehayshadan' skill to get rid of his presence and tap on the window of the quarters.

　Well, I can't stay for a long time, though.
　A man can't visit the duchess's quarters in the middle of the night.
　Odette's quarters have a maid and a tutor.
　So let's get out of their minds to avoid detection and have a quick chat.







'Go ahead, sir. Yuki.

　A few moments later, the upstairs window opens.
　In the faint light, Odette was peeking out.

　I activated my "Flying" and "Kehayshadan" skills.
　You can also use the "Hishou" and "Keshi-Shadan" skills.

I'm sorry for the night, Odette.
'Don't worry about it. You have a report to make, don't you?

　Odette, in her loungewear, is laughing.
　Iris is sitting on the bed.
　They both seem to have just been in the bedroom.

'I've seen the note. Judging by the destinations of the escapees, the first couple is the Count's and the second is the Viscount's. The name of the house I'll let you know when I've checked it out.
As a middle-class citizen, you're going to my place.

　I said, and Odette nodded.

'I'm sure. Perhaps she saw Miss Lumia enter the quarters and came to explore. To find out about the Barons of Glossalia.
'General Barnes also said that there might be some noblemen who might try to probe the barons.
It's not uncommon for people to complain that you're moving up too fast.

　Odette shrugged.

'So, the third group of people, but...'
'I heard them say 'Princess Salvia's request' in person. I don't know if I'll tell the guards that, though.
They are intelligence contractors. I don't think they're going to tell us anything, but they do have a user.
I'm sure you'll find out who had the client.

　Once it was discovered that they had a messenger, the "Magic Guild" would be set into motion.
　It's natural that an agent was trying to find the duchess's lodgings.
　Probably, the sorceress who was behind it would also come to light.

''Since the client is Princess Salvia, the objective is Iris?
I have an idea about that.

　Iris stepped forward.
　She's wearing matching loungewear with Odette. You're good friends.

''As a matter of fact, His Majesty the King spoke to us when we returned to the remote palace just now. He said he would send a number of princes and princesses to the north of his domain.
The prince and the princess in the North?

　Speaking of which, Mr. Barnes said something similar.
　I'm going on patrol to the lands close to the Empire. He said that a request for help might go to the 'Magic Guild' sooner or later.

''And Iris has been chosen for that?''
Yes, sir. They'll give preference to those who belong to the 'Magic Guild'.
We have heard that the people in the northern territories are upset because of the Empire's actions. They've decided to send their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess, to placate them.

　Odette took over Iris' words.

'It is an honor to receive direct orders from His Majesty. Therefore...
The jealous Princess Salvia sent a spy to find Iris's fault....
Yes.

　It's not easy being royalty.
　But, well, they're easier to deal with if they're easy to understand.
　I'll talk to His Highness Cain via Dr. Demeter later.

"...My Lord. I'd like to discuss the matter of the territory inspection.
Are you going to go after your father's knighthood?
'Yes. I'll be there for the ceremony.
Okay. I'll come with you on the tour.

　When I said that, Iris sighed with a sigh of relief.

'I'm Iris's 'guard knight', you know. It's only natural that I should follow you, right?
'Guardian Knight'........is that why?
And I wouldn't want you to go on your own.
'Thank you. My Lord.

　Because Iris you don't know what Alice will do if you leave her alone.
　Even during Brother Xelloss's exam, she came with Mr. Barnes to inspect the exam room. You shouldn't have let your men do this?
　If it was an inspection of the territory, the soldiers would probably go with them but I'm still worried about them.

Well, I guess I'll be heading home now.

　If the maids of the Duke of Surrey's house find out, Odette will be in trouble.
　Let's pull up early today.

''Speaking of which, how is Lumiere doing?　Are you bothering me?
He's a worrier, isn't he?
It's my sister.
Don't worry about it. We were just having a nice cup of tea together.
'He's sleeping in the bedroom with Martha now. Miss Remy is back to being a fox and being held.
Okay.
I've heard a lot of "I love you, brother, I love you...

　Iris is smiling happily.
　Then she looks at me and opens her arms to me.

''You have time with My Lord that I don't know about........'' I was a little jealous.
"Uh, Your Highness Iris?
Shh.

　Me and Iris put our fingers to our lips.
　Odette hurriedly held her mouth.... and turned her back.

　I approached Iris with my arms outstretched.
　As if she couldn't wait for me to get in time, Iris hugged my body.

'Hmmm. So this is My Lord's current body temperature.''
I don't think he's much different from his previous life.
'My height is different. In my previous life, I could only stick my head to My Lord's belly... and now your face is so close to mine.
It's close.
If we stretch ourselves, our foreheads will stick together.
They'll stick together.
Do you mind if I stand tall?
If it's only your forehead that sticks to it.
"...so please stop reading my mind.

　Mmmm, Iris looks up at me, her cheeks puffed out.
　Her lips are puckered up. The position is right below my lips. I can tell at a glance where she's pointing it.

　I've done something similar in a previous life. Alice.
　It was when Lyle was building that folding step stool for her Iris, and she's got her hands behind her back, trying to figure out what she's doing. If you look for it, you won't find Lyle's step stool in this world.

Well, as you can imagine, kissing him in my quarters is not something I'd appreciate.

　Odette whispered in a shaky voice.
　She seemed to be glancing at me.

'....Yes.

　Reluctantly, as if reluctantly, Iris let go of my body.
　But her mouth is smiling.
　I wonder if she's going to go after it again while we're together on a territory inspection..............................

''Well then, it's Odette's turn now.
"...what?
I told you. A place where your best friends can get to know each other better without being seen.

　Actually, that's why I was on guard.
　A princess and a duchess - two people of different social status can embrace each other without hesitation.
　Since I did the job, I have to get them to hug each other properly.

Well.........now that I think of it, that was the story.
...Wha...I'm going to embrace His Highness?
I'm a little embarrassed myself, but I'm afraid it's going to be a rude awakening for me today.
I mean, sure, this is the least I could do for two best friends, but...

　Iris and Odette are slowly approaching.
　Shyly they are getting closer.
　But it seems that hugging each other was impossible. Especially Odette.

　Iris and Odette get close enough to touch each other's foreheads and laugh at each other.
　Like they're not princesses or duchesses, they're just best friends.
　Okay. Well, we've seen some good things, let's go home.

　I activated my "Flying" and "Kehayshadan" again and flew away from the window of the dormitory.





　In the bedroom after Yuki left




By the way, Your Highness...
Yes, Odette?
I can smell Yuki.
We just hugged.
It's as if... it's like... it's like I'm in touch with Yuki.
What's so special about it?
I'm not sure I'd be happy about that.
''Odette took the escort knight selection test on My Lord's back and stayed in a room with My Lord during the trip. That Odette could share My Lord's body heat with her.
So, Your Highness?
You can call me Iris today.
Mr. Iris.
'Yes. Now, best friends, let's talk about My Lord together.
Oh, take it easy...
Dame.

　As it was, Iris and Odette changed out of their loungewear and into their pajamas...
　He continued to talk about Yuki until he fell asleep.