「…..you are the first person to say such a thing」
That was the first time she had heard that since she was born….
After hearing the words of Kazuya, the girl produced a smile and she blushed slightly. For a different reason than the one before.
「By the way, what is your name?」
「Forgive my impoliteness. I am Kazuya Nagato, I’m serving as the leader of the adventuring party known as Parabellum」
「Nagato…..Kazuya? That’s an unusual name」
「Really? I don’t know much about that…. By the way, is it ok for you to be gone this long? I’m not certain, but if you have a maid or a servant looking after you, won’t they be worried?」
Since Phyllis said that she was escorting a noble, Kazuya made an educated guess that she would be accompanied by a maid.
「Huh? I —」
The girl tried to say something, but she closed her mouth suddenly.
「Oh? Did you say something?」
「I want to stay here. Besides, that guy in the carriage, once he falls asleep it’s extremely difficult to wake him up. So isn’t it ok if i stay out a little longer?」
「Umm」
…..this girl must have spent a long time inside of the carriage, she probably wants a change of pace.
Kazuya thought so and decided to allow the girl to stay outside.
Kazuya moved himself and the girl to the banks of a small lake, away from their previous position.
The full moon shone beams of light that are reflected off of the surface of the water.
「…..Beautiful….」
The girl was sitting with her eyes shining across the lake. It looked almost like a painting.
「It should be okay here」
「Yes」
There were 2 tree stumps on the edge of the lake, Kazuya sat down on one whilst the girl sat down on the other.
「…..now that I think about it. I never got your name, what should I call you?」
「Well…..it’s….uh…it’s…」
「Is something wrong?」
When Kazuya asks the girl for her name, she begins to panic for some reason.
「My name……..Iris. Please call me Iris.」
「Ok, Iris」
When Kazuya called the girl by her name, a vibrant smile appeared on the girls face as she seemed to be overcome with emotion.
「Well then, would you like to hear some stories?」
「Please」
Then, Kazuya began to read classic fairy tales from his previous world. Iris seemed completely engrossed in the stories.
「The stories onii-san tells me are interesting」
Seeing Iris’ smiling face made Kazuya happy, as he was the one who made her smile.
「……shall we go back soon?」
「Can’t I stay a little more, don’t you want me here?」
「Isn’t your body getting cold?」
「….then…..if I do this, it’s ok…」
Saying so, Iris descended from her tree stump. Walked over to Kazuya and sat on his knees embracing him.
…..this child is far too defenseless.