Published: September 9, 2025
This is Satou. Speaking of nobles, one can’t help but think of extravagant balls. For young nobles, these events are important occasions to meet wonderful partners and expand their social networks.
However, in the Shiga Kingdom, since there are no participation fees, hosting such an event seems to be a costly burden for the organizers.
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After a while, a pink silhouette appeared beyond the balcony of the venue.
Ninja Tama, who appeared in a “shuta” pose, signaled with hand signs reporting “mission accomplished.”
It seemed that the bandits who had been outside were successfully captured.
I sent back a finger signal saying, “Good job, return to base.”
After Tama made a sharp “shupitsu” pose, she disappeared into the darkness as if melting away.
Since acquiring the “Ninjutsu” skill from leveling up during the last sakura mochi demon battle, Tama’s ninja skills seem to have reached a new peak.
She’s quite handy, so when I have some free time, I’ll have her teach me Ninjutsu.
“I'm home~?”
“Good work. You did well.”
“Welcome back.”
Liza and Pochi, who had been enjoying a whole roasted cow, held out plates piled high with meat for Tama.
I wanted to try the whole roasted cow too, but ever since some older ladies caught me earlier, I’d been struggling with their pushy matchmaking attempts for their daughters and granddaughters.
Even if I intended to refuse, I wished they would at least set me up with adult women.
Going after girls in their early single digits was just way too soon.
By the way, due to the earlier commotion, Marquess Lloyd and Count Hohen were summoned away by Duke Oyugok, so the tempura gathering was disbanded.
The other high-ranking nobles still seemed eager to eat, but Lloyd and Hohen, unwilling to be left out, declared the event over.
Though a bit narrow-minded, I had no complaints since I was finally freed from tempura duty.
Suddenly, behind the ladies, I spotted a girl pacing nervously, seeming to want to call out to me.
I couldn’t remember her name but recognized her face, so I checked her name with AR display before approaching.
“Excuse me, a friend has just arrived, so I’ll greet them first. We can talk about the tea party later—”
Slipping through the disappointed ladies, I headed toward Viscount Emrin’s daughter.
Her father, Viscount Emrin, manages Lulu’s real orchard on the outskirts of the Duke’s Capital. Recently, he also established a new orchard near Muno City.
“Good evening, Lina-sama. Is Viscount Emrin not here tonight?”
“V-Viscount Pendragon! Y-you remembered my name?!”
No need to be that surprised—I actually forgot.
When we met before, she seemed more childish, but having left home and been working as a maid trainee in Muno Castle, she looked more mature than her thirteen years.
“Have you gotten used to working as a maid?”
“Y-yes. I still make many mistakes, but Solna-sama and senior Pina have been teaching me various things, and I’m gradually improving.”
I wanted to pat her shy head, but it felt rude to touch another young lady’s head so casually, so I held back.
“U-um, Viscount-sama, I—”
“Satou-sama~!!”
Before Emrin’s daughter could say anything, a lively voice drowned her out.
Turning toward the voice, I saw a young lady wildly waving her hand.
Noticing that I’d recognized her, she smiled broadly, lifted her dress’s hem, and ran toward me.
“Lirina-sama, that’s improper!”
“Wait, Lirina.”
“You’ll get scolded by the mothers again.”
Behind the energetic young lady—Gruillian Prefect’s daughter Lirina—a group of boys and girls followed, complaining as they chased after her.
“Satou-sama!”
Just as a lively voice, unfit for a calm evening gathering, rang out, a soft sensation crashed between my arms.
“Long time no see, Lirina-sama.”
“Good evening, Viscount-sama. It’s been quite a while since you came to the Royal Capital, yet you never came to see me. I couldn’t wait, so I came to you.”
She squinted her eyes like a kitten and rubbed her cheek against my chest.