Chapter 182.1

Chapter 182.1 \n<h1>Chapter 182 Escort ③ </h1>\n\n“Seriously, I’m utterly dumbfounded by you, Yowaningen, desu! What the hell are you thinking, desu! Stop always bothering Lucia-san, desu!” (Kruz)

“Sorry, sorry……” (Cry)

　I firmly hug the rebellious carpet that has become just a carpet due to a lack of magical power and apologize.　This time, it was completely my fault. Even though it was only natural for those who use a self-propelled Relic to take care of its recharging… If Martis-san knew about me forgetting to do this, he would probably turn red and lecture me about it.

“Even though I was accompanying you because you looked so desperate…… You just dropped your carpet! I look like an idiot now, desu!” (Kruz)

“It’s all my fault.” (Cry)

“Don’t say that with a smile, desu! What if something happens to the escort while we were doing this, desu!” (Kruz)

　No well, it couldn’t be helped as I found my carpet. If I couldn’t find it, it would be my loss, but since I achieved my goal and found it, it was worth going back. I am very sorry, but I will probably go back again if I find myself in the same situation.　Because I’m not going to be of any use as an escort anyway if I’m there…… But I am sorry that I made Kruz go with me.

“It’s alright, nothing’s going to happen……” (Cry)

　I also properly told Sytry not to send Dragon towards us, so without external causes, it would be impossible for a Dragon to attack us with pinpoint accuracy.　If something like that were to happen again and again, the Emperor would surely be cursed.　The Iron Horse, who seems to have grown quite attached to Kruz, chases the carriage at a tremendous speed. Even with two people on board, it was as fast as the carpet. If it is like this we will catch up with the carriage in no time.

　――And then, when we returned in high spirits, what came in front of us was the carriages surrounded by countless corpses of Monsters.

　Franz-san noticed us and glared at us like a demon. Apparently, something did happened.　I wonder if I am safe because they didn’t notice me being gone or if I should look at reality and see that I am completely out.\n

　Apologizing is my specialty, but from my client’s point of view, this was the worst.　Not only we separated from the escort target without saying a word but during that time, the escort target was also attacked. This was a huge loss of credibility that would lower our rank even if this was an ordinary request. They probably wouldn’t forgive us even if I did a Dogeza.

　As expected, even Kruz’s expression was tense.　I left the other Members of the team behind, but if the Leader of the team disappeared, it would be hard to find an excuse. If I were to honestly say that I dropped my carpet and had to go back for it, I would be cut down and killed.

　Term frowned and looked over here. Kechakchakka was as usual, but I can see that his expression seemed to be a bit cloudy.

　Calm down, you have to calm down, Cry Andrich.

　In times like these, you can’t rush ahead. You have to handle it calmly and with composure. You have been able to overcome various battlefields in the past, so you should be able to do it this time too.

　As soon as I dismounted from my horse after lightly patting on the back of Cruz, who was stiffening with tension, I started by checking things with Franz-san.

“Any casualties?” (Cry)

“Tsk…… Look who’s asking………… There wasn’t any.” (Franz)

　Franz-san’s head was bleeding and his face was bright red, but he took a few rough deep breaths and answered briefly.

　Franz-san, for a nobleman, you are surprisingly calm. If he was an ordinary nobleman, he would be yelling at me.

　However, there were no casualties, heh.

　If you looked at it closely, the traces of destruction were overwhelming. Well, that’s of course, as there is the Magi who can annihilate that huge swarm of Chilldra with one single Magic, so a swarm of ordinary Monsters would be no big deal.

　Everything wasn’t perfect, but thank god. If there had been casualties, it would have been the worst of the worst. If it is like this, I could still be forgiven…… That is the kind of feeling I have. Or is it impossible?　I won’t leave the escorting area anymore so please forgive me already.

　Franz-san stepped out in front of me with a rough gait. A *piripiri* tingling, reproachful stare was concentrated on me. \n　As if he was threatening me, Franz-san said in a strong tone, one word after another.

“I would like to interrogate you right now, but! Unfortunately, now, I, can’t, as we will be stopping in the middle of the road like this! His Majesty’s safety is our top priority! But, after we arrive in the city, you will carefully tell me the whole story! Anything else you have to say for yourself?” (Franz)

“No.” (Cry)

　Apparently, he was giving me some time to think of an excuse. I don’t think I will be able to come up with an excuse in such a short time, but…… It was really totally my fault.　Looking around him, Franz-san gave instructions in a loud voice.

“Tsk…… We are leaving. All hands, stay alert!” (Franz)

Well then, what do I do……

 

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　There was a tense feeling in the air, maybe because they had just been attacked by Monsters.　Kruz, who I somehow succeeded in convincing her to let me get on her horse, was still mad.

“What are you going to do, Yowaningen, desu. I have no interest in the authority or in the escort, but as a proud Spirit People, I will not allow myself to be fired from the escort, desu.” (Kruz)

“Uuuuun……” (Cry)

　There’s nothing I can do. I am sure I won’t be imprisoned as I was the one who brought Term in the team and thanks to that they were able to eradicate the swarm of Chill Dragons, but my honor will be severely tarnished.　Well, to be truthful, I don’t really care about honor (And no one in 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 really cared about their honor too), and it will be unavoidable that my Level will go down, rather I will welcome this, but on the contrary, what I am really worried about is whether they will take away my carpet or not.\n　Term touched its skin and frowned. Franz-san said.

“If a Hunters defeated it, it is unnatural that they left the corpse here. If it was done by another Monster, then we need to be even more vigilant.” (Franz)

“It hasn’t been that long since it had been killed. This was………… Probably caused by Ice-type Magic. Moreover, it had been done while it was flying.” (Term)