Under the moonlight.
I am taking a stroll with Ariel in the forest.
Just the two of us.
Sylphy, the two servants, and Luke aren’t here.
Ariel was holding the torch, she led the way.
If we go too far, we’ll end up going to the place where I just met Orsted a while ago.
"Rudeus-sama, I've been meaning to have a talk in private for a long time now."
Kleene and Sylphy didn’t follow us.
Ariel stopped.
She says she has something important to tell me, so she has brought me into the forest.
A midnight tryst.
I wonder what she needs to talk about.
It doesn’t seem like she’s making me into her attendant for going to the toilet.
I won’t be surprised if you’re going to show something to me that you usually didn’t show to others, but I don’t know why you’re taking me along.
Ariel and I walked for about five minutes away from the campfire.
Making sure we were far enough away, she looked back.
"Rudeus-sama, I want to keep the contents of this conversation a secret, that’s why I’m doing all this."
Let’s stop the jokes for now.
Ariel wanted to talk about a serious matter.
"......What did you want to discuss?”
Although I’ve already expected this, but to be safe, I asked her.
Showing a fearless smile, Ariel caressed my chin.
Hey, touching is NG! [1]
"Well, we can take our time since the night is still long."
"Even if the night is long, the time for us to sleep is short."
"Don't be that way, I just want to be able to talk to you freely, Rudeus-sama."
After she says that, Ariel let go and sat down by the nearest tree root.
For the time being, I should fully activate my demon eye.
It’s not that I’m wary of Ariel.
It’s just in case if something were to happen to Ariel.
"That reminds me, about Sylphy and Eris-sama. They get along surprisingly well."
Is this what we’re going to talk about?
No, it’s just a conversation starter.
"Well .... originally I thought they would be quarreling a lot, but it seems to me that they’re getting along really well."
To be honest, I always wondered if taking Eris as a wife might lead to conflict and chaos in my family.
I was wondering if Roxy and Sylphy ought to be quarreling more.
But you shouldn’t quarrel with family.
“The other day, while Rudeus-sama was out patrolling, I met those two and talked about this and that."
"Such as?"
“She said, [You’ll be fine if you leave it to Rudeus.] For Eris-sama, staying silent and hearing all you say is important. Rudi also make mistakes, and, I'm no good unless I'm following Sylphy's guidance."
Being relied on is nice, but honestly Eris, you really are overestimating me too much.
It’s nice of you that you’re trying to help me behind Sylphy’s back.
I think those two are still anxious about me becoming Orsted’s underling.
Without making a complaint or disagreement, you two are willing to follow me.
"Those two are exact opposites. Eris-sama will fight and stand in front of Rudeus-sama. Sylphy will support Rudeus-sama from the back....."
"Doing all they can to cover for me, I can only offer them my gratitude...."
My love and gratitude for those two.
It’s something that I won’t forget even until my death.
"What’s interesting is seeing Sylphy scold Eris-sama like a little sister that has done something wrong."
“A bad little sister?”
“Yes. Eris-sama has taken the lecture to heart, even though Sylphy was reluctant.”
I wonder.
I didn’t notice until she said that.
I mean, now that I think about it, I haven’t spoken much with those two recently.
I’m being too narrow minded.
I thought that I was familiar with how Eris thought, and so I ignored it.
...... I have not seen Sylphy looking after Eris with half baked feelings.
"It's interesting how Sylphy is looking after her junior."
"Ariel-sama even notices these sorts of things huh?"
"Unlike Rudeus-sama who misses small details like that."
While saying that, Ariel sends me an alluring glance.
She’s bewitching.
Stop blatantly showing such temptation.
"Well, I know that Rudeus is busy every day, gazing here and there and thinking about everything from what can be seen to what can't be seen."
Ariel looks at my eyes, playing with the topic.
Perhaps this is what she wanted to talk about?
“One thing I would like to ask Rudeus sama ....what do you think about Luke?"
Luke.
What do I think about Luke?
So it's not about Orsted.
"Even if you ask me now."
Well, Ariel, what sort of answer are you hoping for?
"Rudeus-sama, your bad habit is showing."
"What?"
“Answer me honestly. I’m a master at the art of conversation. Such a skill is a staple for someone in my position "
Habit.
Do I have such a habit?
Although I feel that we’ve been talking and thinking about just such a thing these days.
About Orsted, about Hitogami.
That’s not all.
My family also.
"I think that ―― Luke is betraying us."