The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat - Volume 6 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 | The Assassin Embraces His Girl

We left Mina’s estate. The snake demon and Naoise were seeing us off. They asked if we wanted to have the snake carry us back, but I politely refused. If anyone witnessed me riding that giant snake, I would be ruined.

I wanted to talk to Naoise alone before we left, but I guess that’s not going to happen. Now that I thought about it, though, that would have been pointless. Even if I got him by himself, unattended, he would just tell his mistress everything I said.

Knowing that, I came to a decision. I would speak my mind, even if it meant Mina learned of it.

“Naoise, tell me something. Why are you here?”

I wanted to know if Naoise was still himself. If he claimed he was here for Mina, then I’d know that the true Naoise was gone and that only a puppet remained.

Naoise opened his mouth robotically.

He’s gone, isn’t he…? Actually, wait.

The young man’s face twisted into the expression of one who was working desperately to protect all that was important to him. It was a very human look. He spoke as if forcing the words out. “I’m here to…become stronger. When I am, I’ll…” The rest of what he said was drowned out by the wind, but that was enough. I knew Naoise was okay.

“I see. Until next time, Naoise.”

Despite the danger, I’d been considering tearing him away from Mina had he lost himself. Trying to force him away from her now would likely cause him to perceive me as an enemy and attack. Even if I did manage to force him to come home, he’d immediately return to the demon. A plan like that threatened to break Naoise for good. In such a scenario, I’d have no recourse but to attempt a heavy-handed method with a slim chance of success to restore my lost friend’s humanity.

Fortunately, though, he was still himself. There was no need to take the gamble. I could leave him here.

“Until next time, Lugh. We’ll most likely see each other next at the academy,” Naoise responded.

I looked at Mina. She smiled and said nothing. The academy’s reconstruction was going well, and students would be called back before long. Did Mina intend to send Naoise in his present state?

“Got it. See you at the academy, then.”

That was fine by me. I didn’t know what the demon had planned, but if she was going to give me time with Naoise away from her, I would use it to heal him, even if it was a trap.

I relied on my memory of the path to Mina’s estate to fly to the nearest town, and then rented a room at an inn. Alvan was a relatively safe country, but this town was an exception; it was straight up dangerous.

I chose the best lodgings available out of safety concerns. The cost per room here was determined by comfort, sanitation, and safety. To stay at a cheap inn was to risk your life. You were lucky if all that happened was someone drugging your food with sleep medicine and stealing your possessions. People were bought and sold as commodities in this town.

I collapsed on the bed as soon as I entered the room. Dia followed suit and lay down next to me.

“Today was exhausting,” I said.

Dia nodded. “Yeah, I’m pooped.”

“It is rare for you to show such open fatigue, my lord,” Tarte observed.

“What about me?” Dia asked defensively.

“Um, this is nothing out of the ordinary for you,” Tarte answered honestly, though she averted her eyes.

“I had to work all the time to keep up appearances when I lived as a high-born girl in Viekone. Trying to act so tough all the time just started to feel really stupid when I began living with Lugh.”

Dia was still able to hide all weakness flawlessly when she needed to conduct herself as a noble. However, she allowed her true personality to emerge around me, Tarte, and others she trusted.

“I’m exhausted, too. I have recovered physically, but not mentally,” Tarte confessed.

“Yeah, Rapid Recovery is super useful. You can push yourself as hard as you like, and get your stamina back immediately… My mind is still fried,” Dia remarked.

That was the biggest weakness of Rapid Recovery—it only aided the body. Even my mind was in tatters after the close-call battle with the earth dragon and meeting with Mina for negotiations. That’s why I decided to rest in a nearby town rather than push myself to return to Tuatha Dé immediately.

“Oh yeah, are you back to normal yet, Tarte?” Dia questioned. “You always end up causing trouble after using Beastification for an extended amount of time.”

Tarte blushed. She was very sensitive about how lustful the side effects of Beastification made her. “I’ve been transforming for a little bit every day to get used to it as Lord Lugh instructed, so I’m able to restrain myself now.”

She said “restrain.” That meant the impulse was likely still there. Her eyes did look slightly impassioned.

“Okay, so you can hold out,” Dia said.

“Um, is something wrong?” Tarte asked.

Shaking her head, Dia replied, “Nope, it’s nothing. Anyway, let’s eat. I’m starving.”

“Me too. I wonder if Rapid Recovery causes you to get hungry faster, in addition to the speedy recuperation. Carrying around my heavy spear all day hasn’t helped, either.”

Tarte glanced at the magic spear that was propped against the wall. I usually stored it in the Leather Crane Bag, but I didn’t know how the Fruit of Life might affect it. Carrying it while hang gliding must have been difficult, and Tarte had garnered odd looks in town for lugging a giant mechanical weapon on her back.

Not being able to use my Leather Crane Bag was a huge inconvenience. I would need to free it up again when I returned to Tuatha Dé.

Dinner was okay.

“Ugh, the bread and alcohol aren’t great,” groaned Dia.

“They are very…plain,” Tarte agreed.

This town’s food couldn’t match the luxury of the royal capital, the worldwide variety of Milteu, or the freshness of Tuatha Dé. We had all developed discriminating palates, and weren’t entirely satisfied by the food we were served. It didn’t help that the prices were about the same as were found at inns in the royal capital. We were paying for safety more than anything else here.

“At least they make up for the taste with quantity. If I had to guess, I’d say this is a pub aimed at blue-collar workers,” I stated. Certain exceptions aside, upper-class people would never come to this town.

The day’s massive main dish of fried pork arrived. Judging it by appearances alone, I’d say it looked incredible. They used all parts of the pig—I saw boneless rib, sirloin, liver, heart, small intestine, and more—and everything was thoroughly cooked and lathered in salty-sweet sauce.

The meat had been fried for too long, likely to make up for the lack of freshness. There was a stench that the sauce was unable to completely mask, but the meat was edible, if only just.

Surprisingly, the taste was acceptable. There was a fair variety to the selections, and the relatively strong flavoring went well with alcohol.

“Well, it’s easier to get down than I’d anticipated,” I said.

“This is more than satisfactory for me,” Tarte claimed.

“Meals like this are good every now and then, too,” added Dia.

We always ate home cooking in Tuatha Dé, but Mom and I both liked to prepare elegant meals. Without this kind of establishment, we probably would never have gotten to eat such rustic food.

I was back in my room taking care of a tedious task when Dia peeked over my shoulder. We’d rented two bedchambers, one for me and one for the girls, but they were hanging out in mine in their pajamas. Their nightwear was thin and alluring.

Dia had been noticeably growing lately and was looking more like a woman each day. I thought she might end up bigger than my mother.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m writing today’s report. I need to make sure I send it… I want to leave out the fact that we killed another demon, but unfortunately, that’s not an option,” I answered.

The news of our triumph over another demon was going to cause great excitement in the kingdom. We’d now killed half of them. The whole country would believe we’d triumph over all the demons, and they’d worship us for it. I wanted to avoid that, but the earth dragon’s statue in the Sanctuary had surely broken by now, so hiding our deed was impossible.

“Why? I’m sure you’ll receive another medal and more money. You might even receive new territory and gain a higher title.”

“I don’t want a higher title. If my territory gets any larger, I won’t be able to keep track of it all, and I’d probably get roped into the politics of the central government. Being a baron suits me best.”

Nobles acquired greater authority and wealth as they rose higher in the ranks. However, with each advancement came more duties. Barons were mostly fine to focus on their own domain. If I moved up in society, I’d be forced to participate in politics whether I wanted to or not, and I would also need to watch over lower-ranking nobles. It’d be way too much of a pain.

Lesser aristocrats did have to deal with occasional outrageous commands from superiors, but even then, a promotion wasn’t worth it.

“You really have no ambition,” Dia commented.

“I do. I will obtain everything I desire, everything I need to bring happiness to myself and the people I love. None of that necessitates a higher rank, though.”

There were few things I couldn’t already acquire in my current position. Conversely, a higher title would only bring me troubles I wanted no part of.

“Heh, you’re right. I’d much rather spend time with you as I please than see you rise in society. Father was always crazy busy, and we rarely had time to eat together.”

“He’s a count, so that’s not surprising… It might be best for me to make my intentions clear to the rest of the aristocracy. Maybe that will prevent any more nobles from trying to bring me down out of envy like Marquis Carnalie.”

“You mean you’re going to publicly declare that you don’t want a higher rank?”

“That would be the fastest method, but it would also bring its own host of annoying characters.”

Human hearts were irrational and complicated. Understanding one or two people was one thing, but any more than that was hopeless.

“All right, I’m done with the letter. All that remains is to send it first thing in the morning. I’m going to sleep early. I’m studying the Fruit of Life tomorrow, so I need to rest up.”

“…Oh, that’s disappointing,” Dia said before embracing me from behind. Her body temperature felt hotter than usual. Her intentions were clear.

“Aren’t you tired?” I asked.

“I’m exhausted, but I’m in the mood. My switch gets flipped on whenever I think I might lose you. You put yourself in such danger during the fight with the demon earlier, and you felt so distant when you talked to Mina. You were like an entirely different person. I’ve felt this way all day. I checked to see if Tarte was in the mood for sex earlier because I decided I would have to give you up if she couldn’t endure her side effects. I’m being weird, aren’t I?”

“I don’t think so. I know how you feel,” I answered, hoping to clear Dia’s anxiety. I wanted to set her mind at ease through our mutual touch. I wanted to feel her as well. Dia also simply looked too adorable as she abashedly confessed her feelings, and I was unable to resist.

“Eek!”

Like magic, I freed myself from Dia’s embrace, picked her up, and then carried her to the bed. Dia peered at me with moist eyes, and spread her arms wide to invite me in.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I assured her.

“Yeah, I trust you,” she responded.

I smiled and kissed her.

I was here, and I would never leave Dia’s side. I was going to ensure she knew that.