The Chronicles of a Lost Man in His Forties Founding a Nation ~Commonsense is Hindering Me From Becoming TUEE~ Chapter 75

Elizabel had said that she “wanted to know her father’s true intentions.”

Is the Duke of Filsand targeting her life? If so, that’s a pretty serious problem in light of our goals.

But well, it’s not like I can just abandon her now.

“I wish to confirm one thing first. Have you committed any crime that merits the attempt on your life?”

“Aside from being born, no.”

For a 14 or 15 year old girl to say that line not as a joke nor as an affectation, there is something wrong with this world.

“Elizabel Roni Filsandia. As of this moment, I, Wizard Gio Margils, am your ally.”

♥♦♣♠

“Well then……”

There is a whole mountain of things that I want to ask and discuss about, but……

“I see her!”

“Hurry!!”

There’s no point in hiding the light of our staves. The knights are almost upon us.

“Margils-sama? What shall we do?”

“...... I’m sorry, but I don’t have a plan. I can help us both escape, and I can also capture them all. If you have a better idea, I’ll be glad to go along with it.”

She is the one who understands the situation best. Therefore, she might be able to come up with an idea that could smoothly allow us to get over this situation.

She spends several seconds deep in thought, then nods decisively.

“Thank you very much. I think we should put on an act…… please play along.”

So saying, she waits to greet the knights with a dazzling smile on her face.

♥♦♣♠

“Elizabel-sama…… we have been looking for you.”

“You can’t get awa-...... EH?!”

After having made quite good time despite the journey being at night, the first one to jump off his horse is of course Adahd.

The other knights who are dismounting one by one and spreading out as if to encircle us already have their swords drawn. But upon realizing that I am with Elizabel, all of their faces freeze up.

“Ma-...... Margils……-dono?”

“That’s impossible, how did you…… no, why, are you here?”

It seems they are indeed surprised at the fact that I had managed to get here first, but I see a lot more fear than surprise. Let me guess, they probably saw me commanding the Dig Dug Worm in the afternoon.

“...... Why do you think?”

Though Elizabel had mentioned an act, I have no idea how she intends to talk her way out of this one.

Thinking to just focus on giving off the aura of someone important, I smile leisurely (as least, that’s my intention) while evading their question.

“Hime…… it is too rash to go outside alone.”

Adahd waves a hand to have all the knights sheath their swords, then gets on one knee before Elizabel. Though his words are proper, there is undisguised irritation in his tone and his eyes.

But with that said, it seems he still retains enough reason to not throw all caution to the wind and go after her in front of my eyes.

“Come, please get on my horse. Let us return with haste.”

“....

.. Don’t want to.”

“Eh?”

The girl’s words cleanly slice right through the knight’s strong voice. Despite having expected some degree of resistance, his mouth involuntarily falls open upon being denied so decisively.

“I am indeed thankful for your concern. Furthermore, I am sorry for having caused you trouble. But……”

She is treating Adahd like a ‘loyal knight.’

With me present, the knights are unable to take more forceful measures, and have no choice but to play along. However, I doubt this act this keep those knights far away for any significant period of time……

“I do not want to be separated from this person.”

“......?!?”

While I was mulling over Elizabel’s ‘act,’ she suddenly clasps my arm with strength.

She doesn’t just link arms or grab my arm, she glues herself so tightly to me that I can feel her significant b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressing against my arm. For a second, I almost reflexively shake free and jump backwards, but I grit my teeth and stand my ground.

I think I’ve gotten the gist of her scenario, but…… oi, am I possibly in way over my head?

As can be expected, the knights are looking astonished, even more so than what I’m feeling. Adahd stands back up, unconsciously leaving a hand on the pommel of his sword.

“E-, Elizabel-sama! That’s…… what does that mean?! When did you s-......”

Muu.

‘S’, huh.

Not ‘f’ as in ‘fall in love,’ but ‘s’ as in ‘seduce’? If that was truly what he was about to say, then Adadh must also have a relatively thorough grasp of her and her situation, and is able to make conjectures quickly.

…… But unfortunately for him, I am even more of a softie than he could imagine.

“Come on, be not boorish, Adahd. Time is of no consequence when a girl falls in love, you know?”

“Ma-, Margils-dono! What exactly is your intention?!”

“......”

Adahd directs his censure towards me.

I know that I’ve gotten quite bold lately in my role as a Great Wizard, but honestly speaking, I would really like to opt out of the role of being a ladykiller who would even go after a little girl.

But I can’t contradict her claim out loud, as that’s the only excuse I can make use of to detain her. Seriously, I’m terrible at ad-lib, alright?

“Be silent, Adahd! Margils-sama and I have already exchanged vows of engagement! From now on, we will return to Filsand together to seek permission from my Father!”

“?!”

“ “......?!” ”

I can see how this can be pa.s.sed off as the selfishness of a girl blinded by love. If the knights truly had nothing on their conscience, then they could just scold her and forcefully bring her back, but they can’t do that because I’m involved. In the slim chance that they actually try to kill me together with her, then that’d actually be a great opportunity for me.

The thing about the engagement is purely as an excuse to justify me going along with her…… is what she explained at a later date.

But for now, I really want someone to praise me for not having spit out in shock the way all the knights did.