Published: September 9, 2025
Satou here. The term "crisis" originally refers to emotional entanglements, like scenes of tragic love. Fortunately, I've never been caught up in that kind of crisis, but dealing with the aftermath of a fiery project crisis is an everyday affair for me. I wonder which is better...
â—‡
I had noticed it on the radar's marker display, but I kept it a secret from those around me as a surprise.
"Hey, look at that."
"No way!"
"Oh... gods..."
I get their feelings, but the last one is a bit over the top.
"How beautiful..."
"Oh! My beautiful goddess! Have you forgotten—"
Beyond the murmuring crowd, I saw Great Shield Jel being cut off mid-conversation.
"Satou!"
She appeared before us, flying through the air from beyond the crowd.
Since the Explorer's Guild lobby has a high ceiling, she didn't collide with it, but I wonder if flying around in a dress is really a good idea.
While thinking that, my gaze remained captivated by the two miracles swaying before me.
"I'm here!"
With a bright red face, she shyly declared this, folding her arms arrogantly.
Why does this person always get the direction of her performance so wrong?
"Karina~?"
"Now, let’s have a fair fight!"
Wait.
With a whoosh, Pochi dashed out, and Tama used the ceiling to perform a triple jump and suddenly attacked Lady Karina.
Pochi easily broke through the barrier created by the magical creature Laka, crashing through the wall behind Lady Karina.
Tama stopped just in time, but Pochi and Lady Karina ended up on the other side of the wall.
"Boobs down. Rest in peace~"
"Pochi is so good."
Arisa and Mia were casually cruel.
"Lady Karina should be fine. She often played with Pochi and Tama even at Muno Castle."
"True, she looked like she was having fun playing in the Duke’s Capital too, but she doesn’t look very okay..."
"If it were a normal lifeform, I’d say death is certain."
Liza didn’t seem worried, but Lulu was anxiously peeking beyond the wall.
Of course, as Nana guessed, if Lady Karina had taken Pochi’s full-strength strike earlier, even with Laka’s protection, she would have died instantly.
Pochi had held back without using instant movement, and I had quickly followed up with my always-active "magic hand," so it seemed she only fainted.
Usually, I control myself properly, but she must have been really happy to see Karina again. Still, this needed to be properly scolded.
While nursing Lady Karina, Liza and I reprimanded Pochi.
Three days of meat withdrawal punishment.
â—‡
"Lady Karina~ where are you~?"
From beyond the crowd, a voice searching for Lady Karina reached my ears, and looking that way, I saw Elina, the combat maid serving the Baron Muno’s Domain.
"Elina, over here."
"Ah! Sir Noble!"
Behind her was a female soldier I hadn’t seen before. I had a vague memory but couldn't recall fully. She wasn’t one of the baron's maids or soldiers from the domain—
—then I remembered.
She was the girl who got run over by the carriage that Tolma was riding in at Muno City.
Still, considering what she went through, it’s surprising she chose to serve Baron Muno.
Since she probably didn’t know me, I greeted her with a "Nice to meet you."
"Is Pina not here?"
"No, Pina got promoted, so there are only the two of us this time—me and the newbie. Talna wanted to come too, but she was assigned to escort the students studying abroad in the Duke’s Capital."
While we were catching up, Lady Karina seemed to have recovered and opened her eyes.
"How are you feeling?"
"I-I’m f-fine, Sa-to-u."
Even though I was nursing her with my lap as a pillow, Lady Karina awkwardly stood up and moved away from me.
Pochi looked disappointed and apologized to Lady Karina with a "I'm sorry."
Then a new intruder appeared.
â—‡
"Sir Noble! Congratulations on this occasion..."
"Thank you, Lady Mary Ann."
Lady Mary Ann, the baronet Dukeri’s young lady, appeared from beyond the crowd to offer her congratulations, but her words trailed off into a question.
I felt her gaze focus on Lady Karina—or rather, her chest.
Following Lady Mary Ann, Princess Meteor arrived with her exclusive maid. Of course, her stern-looking guards came along as well.