August 8, in the Western Continent, August 8, 2812 [to the Peninsula], Part 4:

'Utterly... did you have to be so welcoming?

　Count Salzberg took a sip of his tea and let out a few words of dissatisfaction to his wife who was sitting in front of him.

　The good-natured smile that had been on his face until the time he shared breakfast with her and saw Ryoma off to the front door of the mansion had already disappeared from the count's face.
　The only thing on his face right now was arrogance towards the blood of the nobility and contempt for the commoners.



　Count Salzberg glares bitterly at his wife, who smiles at him as she says this.

'I don't like that in the first place!　I was the one who looked out for her.　To address it to an upstart like that!

　The Count's dissatisfaction was natural since he addressed the maid girl he was aiming for to a stranger.

''Isn't it fine?　There are plenty of maids out there and you're going to get bored and throw them away within a month anyway, right?

'That's not the same thing as this!　Even if I got tired of it and threw it away, I wouldn't stand for it to be given to someone else!　And more importantly, a girl I haven't even touched.　....Oh, my God!　That was a hard woman to find!

　The Count's anger is unlikely to subside.
　Julia is inwardly dumbfounded, but she turns to soothe the Count.
(Utterly........why is this man so misogynistic......he says he will provide you with any number of slaves and professional women, but he only deals with amateur raw girls. ...you'll sell him to a slaver when you've had enough of him in your arms a dozen or two times...
　Her eyes turn cold as she looks at her husband, who is only obsessed with his virgin amateur daughter.
　But she can't let that get in her face.
　In order to protect her life, she desperately needs Count Salzberg.

　I'm sure that Count Salzberg's resentment has been relieved after all the complaining and complaining.
　He took a deep breath and sank deep into the sofa.

It is a good thing I'm not interested in the leftover food of the common man, but why did you have to tell him about the mine?　Wouldn't that just grab your interest?

　The Count's eyes, clouded with lust for color, glowed sharply.
　Although he was the lowest human being, he had excellent abilities as a ruler and commander.
　Of course, if it weren't for that, the territory of this border area, where the invasion of the Zaruda Kingdom is in danger, would not be able to be maintained.

''Well that certainly doesn't mean it's necessary but it's the same thing either way that man doesn't take our word for it. .... instead of denying it and never believing it. Either way, if you're curious about salt, you're going to try to find out for yourself. So what's the point in hiding it there?　Maybe if we're honest, we'll just stop looking into it?

'Hm ... I don't think you're that mad ... how do you know that, in general?　You're an upstart who was hired as a mercenary and got a little bit of credit for the last civil war, right?　How do you know where the salt is coming from?　I've heard that the vassals were knighted by the filthy mercenaries they worked with during the civil war. What use are such people other than in warfare?

　In Count Salzberg's eyes, Ryoma looked like a young man of good physique.
　At the advice of his wife, he offered her the highest level of hospitality, but inwardly, he underestimated Ryojin.
(That physique...that face. He doesn't look like a wise man.......)
　I could see the good-naturedness and serenity, but I didn't see any of the sharpness in the air.
　Good-naturedness indicates a weakness of heart, and calmness equals a lack of dominance.
　At least I conclude that Count Salzberg's reputation is completely unpalatable except for his physique.

''He certainly doesn't look like he has much wisdom.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that the rumors are indeed coming in, but hey I don't know how much of it is true. I think it's not just a matter of getting into Elena Steiner's arms?

　As if his wife's words were too dissatisfying, the Count clucked his tongue loudly and shared his fantasies with her.

''I don't think that Lady Elena would do such a thing...''

'Humph ... well, I guess that's no use saying that here ... so?　I hope you got enough information to address the girl?

　His wife shook her head at the Count's words, and he spat evasively at his wife's words.

Well, from what I've heard of the girl, she seems to be a good-natured person, and I don't think he'll say no.

　Yulia has already received a report from the maid who made Ryouma hold her, regarding last night's exchange.

　She turns her sarcastic gaze to her own husband.

.....

"Stupid Queen," not "Stupid Princess"?　You were recently crowned as Roselia's new queen.

　It seems to be confirmed that Lupis will be stupid in his assessment.
　It was too fearless a word for the new king, but that was the common understanding of the couple.





　The count's indignation didn't subside and the lady lightly flattered him.
　Apparently, the lady is the one who has the real power in this couple.

''Well ... and worst of all ...''

What do you think?　The monsters on the peninsula are just happy to see you.

　The Count nodded with a cold smile at her husband's words.



'Young man!　They were having fun last night.

　A middle-aged man sitting on the gyoja-dai raised his voice to Ryojin.
　The mercenaries of the [Red Lion], perhaps following Boltz's example, called Ryouma a young man.
　It's a good idea to have a good time with the people who have survived the civil war in Roselia, so they have already opened up to each other.

''An?　How does Mike know that?

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time in the city.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as soon as you get out of the Count's mansion.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

Did Bolz send you?

Well I've been ordered to talk to the servants and get the information out of them if you're staying at the Count's house.

　Mike answered Ryoma's question by stroking his beard.

That's the way it is with the Volts it's all very clever.

Absolutely. It's a good thing that she's good at fighting, but she's not very good at arming people.

　Mike is a mid-ranked mercenary among the mercenary group [Red Lion] led by Rionne.
　He has the dexterity to handle most jobs without a hitch.
　This time, it seems that while being entrusted with the role of Ryojin's bodyguard and guru who was to visit the Count's mansion, he was also given the task of espionage.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find a way to get a job at the Count's mansion, just like your husband said.

'Well I was treated so well it made me sick too...'

Drinking and cooking are not the kind of things served to servants........and the bedrooms are clean.

You too...

Well I have to admit, it's a little bit creepy.

　Ryoma nodded lightly back at Mike's words, then closed his eyes and thought about it.
　Everyone felt the same way.


'Why do you think he went to that extent?'

　Ryoma, who had fallen silent, questioned Mike.

''Well, I don't have a head as big as Waka or Bolz's husband, so...''

　When I interrupted him with a word, Mike said exactly what he felt.

'I thought you simply wanted to ask the young man for something, or else you'd want to feel good and get rid of him from the land.

You want me to leave, but you don't want to antagonize me... that's possible.

　In that case, the possibility that the one pulling the strings behind the scenes is Lupis is strong.
　I'm sure Lupis will be anxious until Ryoma and the others enter the peninsula.
　It is quite possible that he ordered Count Salzberg to see that Ryoma and the others entered the Waltenia Peninsula.
(Either way, there are few options I can take........? I won't be able to make a decision until I hear what Bolz and Gen Ou's results are.......)

I don't know if you'd be willing to extend such hospitality to him...

You're gonna have a dark side...

Hey.... maybe.

　Mike nodded cautiously at Ryoma's words.


'By the way, Mike!　Don't tell Laura and the others about last night, will you?

　Liang Shin changed the topic. Since he didn't know what the Count and the others' true intentions were, he should do what he could here and now. And the most important thing right now is to stop talking to Mike........

　Hearing Ryoma's words, Mike, who hadn't lost his strong expression, smiled.

　The girls are going to be so mad, aren't they?

　In this undeveloped world of the Earth, where civilization is underdeveloped, s*xual intercourse is one of the few forms of entertainment.
　Needless to say, Ryoma had also gone out to the entertainment district several times with the mercenaries.

''Oi!　Are you sure you don't want to do that?　I don't know why they're doing this, but they get really angry!

　Ryoma couldn't help but shout at Mike's words.

'Well, it can't be helped, can it?　Of course, you're aware of how young ladies feel, right?

　Mike speaks to Ryoma, who could be his own son, not surprisingly, as an elder.

''Well ... nah ...''

　Liangma gave a crisp reply.
　I don't need Mike to tell me that. Ryoma fully understands how the sisters feel.

''Then you know what I mean.　You girls want to be held by a young man, don't you?　And that's what those two are really hoping for.

　It was soon after Ryoma was summoned to this world that he and the two of them were rescued from the slavers. More than eight months have already passed since then.
　All through that time, the three of them had been working together. It's no wonder that they had feelings for each other.
　Ryoma himself is aware of them as women.

"I know that, but........

Do you ever cease to have feelings for the underworld, Riaas?

　As for Liang Shin's situation, he had already explained it to the Red Lion mercenaries.
　This is because he was questioned about the term "people of the sun" that was talked about when he made Gen Ou his companion.

''Well.......I know in my head, but I can't get over it.......''

　Unusually, Ryoma slurred his words at Mike's words.
　His rational mind already understood that he had no choice but to remain in this world. But his mind was not so easily divided. He had left his friends and family behind in Japan.
　Ryoma has a caustic personality that doesn't show the slightest mercy to enemies with bad intentions toward him, but he is human. He is human, and it's only natural that he's troubled.

　If you're a businesswoman, you don't have to worry so much about it. Everything was settled by money.
　But the Malfist sisters have shown their uncalculated affection for Ryoma.
　Can he return to Japan on his own with such a woman in his arms?
　No, Liangzhen wasn't such a thin-skinned man.

''Well the young man chose to knight Assi and the others and turn the peninsula into a territory, so you've already made your decision.

Oh I can't just leave when I've got everyone else involved...

　The wheels of fate are starting to turn. What would happen to the remaining Rionne and the others if Ryoma were to return to Earth?
Even if I had the means to get home I wouldn't...
　The conclusion had already been reached. And Ryoma's own resolve........

'Well, I'll keep my mouth shut about last night's incident to you ladies instead!　Can you buy me a drink next time?

　Mike laughed at that, his bearded wigged face contorted into a smile.

'Oh I'll let you drink as much as you want!

　Mike changed the subject because he was thinking of Ryoma.
　That concern makes Ryoma's heart warm.
(Everything depends on me........or is it.......)