Visiting the Sia Family

We went to Sia in a cheap wagon that rocked and jolted constantly.

Showing the invitation to the people at the gate, we were able to head through the gate especially quickly.

The toll was free even including Meat, how nice. As expected of the lords invitation.

Passing through the gate, we immediately went to the lords mansionor not. We first headed to the stalls. I came here to refuse them, so its best not to expect any warm welcomes from here on. Quickly going and quickly coming back, I decided to intrude on them during that marvelous time in the early afternoon.

Oh, its that meat skewer stall. Smells great.

Yeah. Lets buy a lot.

Heyaooh, long time no see, An-chan!

Hmm? Who was he again oh, right. Hes that old guy we delivered the rabbit meat to way back.

Youre not selling rabbit meat today?

Yeah, Im D-Rank already so Ive graduated from rabbits. Im not troubled by money anymore either.

Unfortunate, but congratulations on that. If you ever feel like bringing me any rabbits again, Ill buy them from you.

Thanks for the offer. Well, Ill buy five of them.

Coming right up. Ah, want to try a new flavor? I stocked up on some sauce from a peddler recently. I bought a few different kinds, but this one goes good with rabbit meat. Its delicious.

Sure, Ill try it. Kuro, is that alright?

Yes.

Is it our dungeons sauce? Now that I think of it, we were giving out some in the dungeon to use in the inn as well I think? For it to spread over here lets just say its as expected.

When I paid him the twenty-five copper, he gave us six meat skewers, one of them as a freebie.

Oh, thanks.

Thanks for your help back then.

Meat downed the whole skewer immediately yep, her tails wagging. Guess it tastes great.

I ate one too. It has sauce, so its like yakitori.

Goshujin-sama

Ah, yeah. Ill have one more, you can eat the rest.

Her tail flapped back and forth.

Meat immediately dug into the rest and nommed them up theres sauce all around her mouth. So cute.

I pat her on the head.

You two are the same as ever why not release her from being a slave?

Thats a line that I cant cross. Taking the one in a thousand chance into consideration

Its not like I dont trust her, but theres always the chance of her leaking information about the dungeon if she was tortured after being released from slavery. Thatd be bad. And since itd be bad, no can do.

I definitely dont think shed attack me after being released or anything like that.

Its complicated.

Hmm. Well, I wont poke into it but take care of her, yeah?

Yeah.

I bought ten more skewers and put them into my [Storage] to give to Rokuko and the rest as souvenirs.

Now that weve ate, I guess its time to get going?

Its time to head out by the way, any clue where the lord lives?

No idea.

*

I headed back to the gate.

As expected, Sias gatekeepers were civil servants and memorized the citys streets.

One of them even guided me there. It was probably due to the invitation.

I recorded it on the map, so I can get here myself next time!

The lords manor was a pretty big house even compared to the houses in this luxurious area in the northeast part of Sia. It was a three-floored, white European-styled building that felt like it was perfectly maintained even despite the spacious garden that could be seen from the gate.

Then, giving the invitation to the mansions gatekeeper, I was brought into what looked like a reception area.

The gatekeeper didnt say [This lowly adventurer is!] or anything like that. He was thoroughly polite in his responses and was trained well.

The sofa was so soft that it made me think about the ones we use at our place. After sitting next to Meat for a while doing nothing, there was a knock at the door.

Ah, come in.

Reflexively responding to it with a welcome, a solidly build gentleman that was wearing clean clothes came in.

Did I keep you waiting? Im Von ODoll Sia. I take it you know that Im the lord?

I am Kehma. Pleased to meet you, Lord-sama. I wasnt waiting too long.

That so?

Introducing myself to him and shaking his hand, I sat back down.

Now that, if you dont mind, could you tell me a bit about it? About that village, I mean.

Thats fine, but, well Concerning the matter of why Im here

I have heard some stories about Golen Village, but how many iron golems are there to secure?

How many, is it its not as though I have a detailed understanding of the matter either. We were able to capture around thirty last winter, though. But really, concerning the matter of why Im here

Hoh, thirty? Thats a decent amount. Thatd be enough to forge two hundred complete sets of armor. Or maybe if we just forged swords, ten thousand of them? Of those thirty, how many did you capture, Kehma-dono?

Its not like I did it alone, but six of them

Wait, is he probing around for how much I earn? Annual income is important, I guess.

Umm. Its about the reason Im here, but

Ah, one moment please. Ooi, Mai, come on in!

Alright, sorry for intruding.

Saying that, a girlshe has blue hair!?

With the hair on the sides of her face in ringlets and wearing white and neat clothes, a just barely ten year old girl walked in.

Yep. Its one of those.

I am Mai Odoll Sia. Are you Kehma-sama, the one who is my fiance?

A N O T H E R L O L I.

The heck? Is the suspicion of me being a lolicon so concrete?

Err.

Hey now, Mai. Thats not it. Hes not your fiance yet. Right, Kehma-dono?

Eh? Uh, yeahno, I dont intend to be her fiance at all.

Hoh. So quick to jump to spouse-hood? How lively, Kehma-dono. Ha ha ha!

How hasty, Kehma-sama fufu.

No, I just refused you. Why does it seem like they just took a step forward?

Mai Odoll hopped up onto the sofa next to Von Odoll with a quick heave-ho.

Seeing that, Meat raised her hand.

May I?

Is something wrong, Kuroinu-dono?

This matter, he refuses.

She said iiiiiiit!! Meat just blew apart their flow in just a few words!!

Well done Meat, how reliable! I love it when youre like this!

Sorry, I dont believe I heard you correctly. Could you say that again?

He. Refuses.

She totally just said it even shorter than last tiiiiiime!! Her reliability makes me look timid I was supposed to have more courage now, but compared to Meat, my courage is trash. Trash, I say!

When she said that again, the conversations flow got so blown up that they were at a loss!

Kehma-dono? Is that your intention?

He scowled at me, but it wasnt too scary. Compared to Haku-sans bloodlust-filled eyes, his is more like a spring breeze.

Yeah, I dont intend to get married

Great! Isnt that nice? How about we simply respect Kehma-donos esteemed opinion on the matter?

Otou-sama, your view clearly seeped into your words Kehma-sama, youre so dreamy!

H-huh?

Was refusing them the correct answer from the start?

Right! Itd be different if you were born a noble, but Kehma-sama, you came from a commoner. This is my first marriage interview, and for the person who offered to have such a childish body as mine the result should be obvious.

Mai Odoll kept nodding is she on my side here?

Which is why I decided to make you a fiance candidate and that it would be better for us to move forward with the engagement when I know your disposition better.

Ooh, I see. How wise of you, Mai. Kehma-dono, is that alright?

Eh? No, I

Id definitely like to be friends with you, Kehma-sama. The stories of your adventures Id really, really, really love to hear about them!

Mai Odoll was leaning forward toward me with her whole body Von Odoll was holding her back.

Mai, isnt it around time for you to study?

Oh, excuse me, then. Kehma-sama, see you again.

Mai Odoll hopped off the sofa and left the room. She bowed toward me and smiled, waving on her way out the door.

How should I put it it feels like my opinions have been mostly ignored since the moment I entered the room. Should I just run away?

Now, Kehma-dono. I have something to talk with you about, so hear me out.

Von Odolls face was smiling, but not his eyes. It definitely feels like its about something troublesome.