Eris has also bought clothes and accessories since coming here, but she hasn’t shown them to Rudeus yet. So far, the opportunity to wear them wasn't there…….
Somehow they did not feel suitable, not once were they put on.
What was shown was only a negligee for night use.
Furthermore, at night the period of time to show it to Rudeus was short, as a matter of fact it was soon taken off.
"About etiquette, until we arrive at Asura Kingdom it is fine to learn from Sylphy."
"……Well, I’m not reluctant to teach."
Eris took a deep breath.
Become a wife.
Become a woman suitable for Rudeus.
While thinking she had persevered well, after all just training the sword was not good.
"All right, let’s go."
Following Sylphy’s words, Eris and Ghyslaine nodded deeply.
Sylphy knocked at the door in front of them and raised her voice.
"Ariel-sama. Eris Greyrat and Ghyslaine Dedorudia-sama have come for introduction!"
"Please enter."
Sylphy opened the door and entered inside.
Due to packing, the inside of the room was more messy than usual.
Ariel was seated in the middle of the room.[1]
Sylphy moved to stand next to Ariel.
Rudeus stood in the middle between Ariel and Eris.
Rudeus first placed his hand to his chest and bowed, then gestured with his hand towards Eris.
"Ariel-sama. This person is Eris, Eris Greyrat. I’m sure Ariel-sama already knows, she is the swordswoman with the alias Mad Sword King. For this journey, she will accompany me, Rudeus Greyrat, as an escort."
Rudeus said so far, then called her out in a low voice with [Hey, Eris].
Eris noticed her arms being folded, placed her hand to her chest and bowed.
It is an imitation of Rudeus.
"Eris Greyrat."
It was an attitude that could be considered poor, but Ariel smiled gently.
"I am delighted to make your acquaintance Eris-sama. I am Asura Kingdom’s second princess, Ariel Anemoi Asura. I have heard many things about you since a tender age."
"Hmpf, anyway, surely they weren't good rumors."
Hearing those words, Ariel laughed slightly.
"Indeed, the rumors reaching the royal palace were certainly not good rumors. However, I do not intend to judge a person based on rumors. Rumors are, after all, just rumors."
"……"
"Above all, standing next to Rudeus-sama is evidence enough. People who gather near Rudeus-sama tend to have one or two peculiar traits, but they are not bad people."
Nodding in satisfaction, Eris crossed her arms.
Spreading her legs to about shoulder width, it’s her usual pose.
The greeting of a noble’s young daughter was already forgotten.
"That’s it. Rudeus is amazing. It seems you do understand."
"Yes…… Regardless, it may be for a short time, please be at ease."[2]
While being seated, Ariel expressed her thanks.
Seeing this, Eris breathed out with [Hmpf] in a single breath and bowed once again.
[Cough]
Scratching the back of her ear after seeing Eris's attitude, Sylphy cleared her throat.
Before the cough, Eris made a small [Ah] and opened her arms.
Then, making a troubled face, retreated to the back.
Seeing this, with a wry smile, Rudeus indicated to Ghyslaine.
"This person is Ghyslaine, Ghyslaine Dedorudia. The famous Black Wolf Ghyslaine. I’d like to introduce her as Ariel-sama’s escort."
Ghyslaine came one step forward and kneeled down on one knee.
Facing Ariel with one eye, sending a sharp glance.
"Ghyslaine."[3]
"I am delighted to make your acquaintance Ghyslaine. I am Asura Kingdom’s second princess, Ariel Anemoi Asura. Ever since you came to Fedoa region—"
"I want to ask one thing."
Interrupting Ariel’s words, Ghyslaine asked,
"I heard by working under you, I would be able to fight against Sauros-sama’s enemies. Is it the truth?"
"It is the truth."
Ariel replied immediately to this insolent question.
She has already heard from Sylphy why this person would want to become her guard.
Ghyslaine will take revenge for Sauros.
In name, Eris is Rudeus’s escort, but she seems to join for a similar reason and aim.
"If you follow me to Asura’s royal palace, the perpetrators responsible for tricking Sauros-sama……will surely be found. No, I will find them. At that time, please swing your sword until your heart is content."
Ariel seems to know things regarding Sauros Boreas Greyrat’s death.
To take responsibility for Fedoa region’s disappearance, he was executed.
One of the four feudal lords, in order to weaken the power of Boreas, it is the result of a scheme to weaken the forces of the first prince.
Of course, Ariel does not have any memory of issuing such an order.
However, Ariel thought that there was the possibility that a person in her own faction had a hand in this.
In that case it would become a difficult situation…….
Even so, the neck of that noble will be presented without hesitation.
To save Rudeus’s face who introduced Ghyslaine.
"I entrust it to you."
Ghyslaine said so with a single word and quickly stood up.
Moving her tail and sending a gaze to Sylphy.
"Then, what should I do?"
"Ehm. From tomorrow on, Ghyslaine-san will become Ariel-sama’s escort. Today’s meeting is intended to make introductions, once the preparations for the journey are complete, please come to my place again."
"Got it…… and Ghyslaine is fine."
Ghyslaine said so in a short amount of time and retreated to the back with one step.
"……"
Once again, Ariel took a look at the three figures in front of her.
Mad Sword King Eris, Black Wolf Ghyslaine.
The one who summoned those two was the most powerful magician among Ariel’s acquaintances, Quagmire Rudeus.
Powerful they may be, but these three people have not sworn fealty to her.
And, the one standing behind Rudeus was Dragon God Orsted.
While Rudeus himself denied this, it seems it was on the instructions of Orsted for him to contact her.
To be honest, it is not known exactly what Orsted is plotting.
Ariel has only once seen Orsted.
With just one glance, inexplicable fear was experienced.
Based on the conversation with Nanahoshi, without knowing the reason for cooperation, a sense of anxiety exists.[4]
Even so, Ariel remembered feeling a mysterious sense of security.
Is it because a great amount of forces were assembled before her eyes?
Despite knowing that an unmanageable force could very well ruin herself?
Wrong.
"Then, everyone, I leave it up to you."
Ariel stood up and expressed her thanks to the three people.
Replying in kind, Rudeus.
Seeing Rudeus, hurriedly returning the expression of gratitude, then Eris.
Lastly lowering her head and returning with a bow, Ghyslaine.
"……"
With the expressions of gratitude ending, Ariel glanced at Sylphy.
The reason she didn’t feel uneasiness was because they had a connection with her.
It is unknown what Orsted was plotting.
However, Rudeus followed Orsted to protect his family.
Hence, Rudeus will not hurt Sylphiette.
And, Sylphiette will not hurt Ariel.
This fact gives Ariel a sense of security.
(Special thanks to you, Sylphy.)
In her heart, Ariel lowered her head to the peerless best friend standing besides her.