Chapter 58
That afternoon we took off in Buitor and enjoyed the flight to the royal capital in close contact with Anna. It was the last time we could forget our identities, so we savoured the view from the sky.
Incidentally, the Elf Queen gave Anna an ornament called a fairy hair ornament just before we left. With this, Anna will also be able to go through the lost forest by herself.
She'll probably never use it, though.
This is the item that Amy was originally supposed to get, but I guess it doesn't matter. The elves village will not accept Amy and the others because there are no monsters, and if Amy and the others go to the Lost Forest, the Crown Prince and the others will be lost.
Huh? Doesn't that seem like it would solve a lot of problems all at once?
Well, whatever.
Uh… Oh, yeah. That pervert changed her behaviour just like a cat for a long time, probably because Anna was able to see him. But when he said in my ear, 'Did you feel better after what you did?' I almost yelled but managed to hold it back.
As usual, that pervert will remain a pervert. But I'm grateful for that…….
(TL:- Probably referring to the advice.)
Also, since the holy blessing that was supposed to be given to Amy in the game was given to Anna, the route for Amy to become a saint must have been lost. If that's the case, I think it's no longer possible for Amy, a mere baroness who is not a saint, to reach the goal of reverse-harem in this world where monogamy is the rule.
To put it bluntly, Amy is already stuck in the water. And I'm not the only one who thinks so.
Well. The next day after I sent Anna back to the Duke's residence, I was summoned by the Duke as expected.
"Now, Allen. You know why you're here, don't you?"
"Yes"
"Then explain it. What's with the ring? Why is my daughter wearing that ring on her left ring finger?"
"That is my gift to her."
The moment I said that a look of anger appeared on Duke's face.
"You fool! Have you forgotten that I gave you my backing during the duel and protected you from the royal family?!"
But this reaction was within my expectations.
"Isn't that a mutual thing? Or would you rather that Anastasia-sama had been defeated in such an atrocious manner and the honour of the Duke had been disgraced?"
"Shut up! You're a commoner! And my daughter is a noble, moreover the daughter of the Duke of Ramslett! not the daughter of some noble!"
"Yes. That's why I gave her that ring."
At that moment, the Duke looked confused as if he had been caught off guard, and then became angry again.
Good, good. This is one of the dozens of patterns I've envisioned.
"Don't say stupid things! A Duke's daughter wears a ring given to her by a commoner, you say! And on her left ring finger, no less!"
This reaction is also as expected. Now, it's time to cool it down.
"Duke, that ring is not just a ring. It's the 『Substitute ring』, an ornament of epic grade. It is a special ornament that, if the wearer of the ring is killed, the ring will take her place and save her life for once. Besides, I may not always be able to protect Anastasia-sama. That is why I gave her the ring on her left ring finger as a token of my feelings for Anastasia-sama."
"What? Epic grade, you say!? How on earth did you get such a thing? "
Duke digresses himself when he hears that the ring I gave him is an epic grade ornament that should have been worn by the king.
This pattern is also assumed. If it's like this, I can do it.
"I'm an adventurer. So, I've dived into the famous dungeon of the Wind Mountain and found it myself."
"What? The Dungeon of Wind Mountain? Isn't that the most difficult dungeon, with only eight levels yet to be conquered!"
"I got it from a hidden room in the gimmick floor of the floating islet on the 28th floor of the Wind Mountain Dungeon."
"The 28th layer!?"
"Yes. The Wind Mountain Dungeon consists of 30 levels, and the boss of the final level is a blizzard phoenix!"
"Blizzard Phoenix? Don't tell me you actually defeated it!"
"Yes. As I said before, I was the one who succeeded in defeating it alone."
"What? No, that's ridiculous."
Duke seemed to be completely taken in by my words, but he still doubt my words themselves.
So, as a last resort, I took out the Blizzard Phoenix's magic stone, tail feathers, and wing feathers from my bag and presented them to the Duke.
"This is?"
"This is the proof. This is Blizzard Phoenix's magic stone, tail feather, and wind feather. For me, they are abundant, so please accept them!"
Then Duke fell silent for a moment.
Then, after a long, long silence, he slowly opened his mouth.
"What do you want?"
"I would like to have a place where I can earn enough military honours to earn a title. And if I am successful enough, I would like the right to stand next to Anastasia-sama and protect her with everything I have for the rest of my life."
Duke wrinkled his brow and then, after another long silence, replied as if spitting.
"Three years. I'll wait that long. But I will not allow this relationship to go any further."
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
I bowed my head and thanked him. Duke glared at me and then spat at me again.
"You better be ready. I'm going to send you into a battlefield so harsh you'll wish you were dead."
"…… That's what I want. If you want, I'll ride into the enemy's stronghold, even if it's just me."
"Fine."
I dared him to do so and left the Duke's residence.
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