Forced Escort

On Monster Bunko-samas homepage, under the activities page, there are two cover illustrations available now .

Well then, enjoy .

[Master . . ?]

While my thought process was at a standstill from the abrupt development, the human version of Rurune anxiously looks at me with upturned eyes .

Even though shes a donkey, shes wearing a ponytail, laughable right? Eh? Thats not where the problem lies? Im escaping from reality, notice you idiot!

I wanted to stay frozen as I was, but Rurune is naked and above all, there were some very dangerous stares coming from the surroundings . No, I dont have the leisure to look around scared .

[Hey uh Ruruneright?]

[Huh? Thats right, butHm?]

Rurune was puzzled by my question, but I guess she noticed something felt out of place, because she looked down at her own body .

[]

She slowly turned her eyes to me, and then with great force asked,

[A-aaah, Master?! W-w-w-why have I turned into a human?!]

[Uhh Calm down? Ill explain properly, so . Rather, more importantly]

While Rurune was panicking, I who had instead calmed down, draped my robe over Rurune in order to hide her nakedness .

[Ah]

[As one would expectbeing naked is a bit]

Rurune, having finally noticed that she was naked, wrapped herself in my robe while blushing .

Sheesh with that sort of reaction, Ill get embarrassed too, you know . Actually, wasnt Rurune naked as a donkey? Why this shyness now? With Saria, its the exact opposite .

However In order to hide Rurunes nakedness, I have finally taken off my robe .

Well, right now I dont have the leisure to worry about the Hero stuff . Rather, at the moment, hugging a naked girl in public is a much bigger issue .

Worst case, Im from the eastern country, because of my black hair I was an unwanted child, if I make up some suitable excuse, it should be fine I dont care anymore!

Well, even if Im an unwanted child or whatever, the people of this town probably wont care . After all, even with Als curse, they were that kind to her .

With that, even though I took off my robe, I didnt feel that reluctant .

Now then, more importantly What do I do after this

I breathed a deep sigh while stroking the head of Rurune, who had her face buried in the robe trying to hide her embarrassment . Right then,

[ Seiichi! ]

[ Woah, whats with this crowd]

Saria and Al both came towards me .

If it was the usual me, this wouldnt have been a big deal .

But my current circumstances are bad, very bad .

As the two came into view, I broke into a sweat of unusual quantity with a pale face .

Im begging you, dont come over right now, please . Really, seriously!

However, my hopes were in vain, as the two reached us .

When we, with Rurune naked in a robe, were seen, the twos eyes opened wide and they stiffened .

This seems to be commonly known as a scene of carnage? I ,who had lived life at the pinnacle of unpopularity, didnt think I would experience this . I guess its true you never know whatll happen in life (TLC Note: scene of carnage as in a relationship fight . It seems to usually be when a guy is caught in a bad situation . In Japanese its pronounced shuraba, you may have come across it in manga/anime/novels before . )

[Y-you]

Al looks at me as I try to escape reality, gradually tears begin to fill her eyes .

Wait! This is really bad!

As I try to explain myself, my mouth only flaps open and closed uselessly and no words come out .

Ah, Im doomed .

I sensed my life coming to an end, but Als words were not what I expected at all .

[The robeyou finally took it off!]

[Im really sorry!! Eh?]

I unconsciously did a double take on Al .

Eh? This is strange . Our conversation is not matching up at all .

As I tilt my head in confusion, likewise, Al makes a mystified expression .

[Ah? Why are you making that face? You havent taken off your robe up until now . For you to take it off now, and expose your face, isnt it because you trust this town from the bottom of your heart? I was happy about that]

[]

Im dumbfounded by Als words .

In other words, Al hasnt noticed Rurune who has been clinging to me in the nude, and instead seemed to be deeply moved by me having taken off my robe .

That was so unexpected that Im dumbfounded, but it seems my neck is safe for now .

[Seiichi, whos this young woman thats clinging to you?]

Yes, there goes my neck!

I began to sweat again as I turned to face Saria, but looking at her, the curious look on her face seemed to say that she asked the question out of pure curiosity .

Thats right, only Saria is .

[Seiichi . ]

[Uh, Yes . ]

[Lend me your ear . ]

[]

I looked at Al who was calmly smiling, and thought everything was over .

[So in other words, youre saying that woman is Rurune the donkey?]

[Yes . ]

After that we returned to the inn, and I was made to sit straight(seiza) in front of Al in the room Saria and I share .

When we got back to the inn, fortunately only Lyle-san was there in the dining room . He had a surprised look for a moment after seeing my real face, but after that he looked at me with lukewarm eyes . What should I do, I want to disappear .

But, I was given a chance to explain myself to Al, and I had just about finished desperately explaining everything .

After Al had heard my explanation she sighed once, and looked at me with reproachful eyes .

[Cant you make up a better excuse?]

[It is the truth! Please believe me!]

No, it is certainly unbelievable that a donkey turned into a girl! But it cant be helped, can it? It really happened!

Well, my explanation was also heard by Rurune, who is also half in doubt about it .

As I desperately ask her to believe me, Al has a fed up expression .

[Then, show me some evidence . If you do that, Ill believe you . ]

[Ev-evidence?]

[Yes, evidence . If there isnt any, theres no way I could believe you, right?]

Quite so .

However, how should I show her evidence? Should I ask Rurune to turn into a donkey temporarily?

While I was thinking of that, Saria who had kept silent up to now began to speak .

[Al, what Seiichis saying is true you know?]

[Huh?]

[What Im saying is, this girl is Rurune-chan . ]

When Saria said this, she turned a smile to Rurune who was huddled up next to me .

[Even so Ahh, Rurune-chan also ate a fruit of evolution, huh . ]

[Wa-wait just a minute! Saria, are you honestly believing such lies?]

[Yes . Cause, Im like that too . ]

[Huh?]

While Al was questioning Sarias impossible to understand statement with a difficult expression; Saria smiled, and transformed into the Kaiser Kong gorilla .

[I, originally, monster . But, ate evolution fruit, became human . Now, will you believe?]

[]

Once again returning to human form, she grinned at Al and said [See!] .

Al, who witnessed an incredible phenomenon not seen by ordinary people, froze for a while . Before long she seemed to come to a conclusion .

(Part 2)

[Alright . Ill stop thinking . Nothing makes sense anyways . ]

She escaped from reality?! But she looks like she was able to completely assent to it . . !

But well, if impossible things keep happening in front of you one after the other, theres not much you can do but give up trying to reason it out in your mind .

Having experienced something similar in the Forest of Endless love and Sorrow, I really sympathize with her .

[Haa But, to think this girl really is Rurune the donkey]

While sighing, Al turned her eyes towards Rurune, who was wrapped up in my robe next to me .

[I-, I also didnt think something like turning into a human would happen to me]

After seeing Sarias transformation, Rurune also seems to have accepted having turned into a human because of the Fruit of Evolution .

[But still A-all the same, clinging to someone while naked, is a bit Th-that type of thing is for after you marry, right?]

Al said so, her face flushing red .

Seeing Al like that, both Rurune and I remembered our previous situation and blushed .

[Wi-will I too, somedayd-do things like that . . ?]

[Eh?]

[-! No-nothing at all!]

Al was murmuring something silently, so I asked what she said, but for some reason she got mad at me . How unreasonable .

While we were having such exchanges, as if she suddenly noticed something, Saria asked,

[That reminds me, why did you put your robe on her?]

[Wha? But, if I didnt, Rurune would have remained naked, right?]

[Then, it would have been fine if she put on my clothes . The clothes we got from Hitsuji-san, you still have them, right Seiichi?]

[Ah . ]

Told that by Saria, I noticed for the first time .

Thats right! The ones we got from the bastard Hitsuji, I still had those clothes made specially for Saria, didnt I? Whats more, theyre even the type that can change size to fit the wearer!

I can only be dumbfounded at the fact that I forgot those .

Th-then, what was the point of taking off my robe in front of everyone? And the time I spent coming up with the unwanted child setting?

Eh, it was all in vain? Seriously?

[Aaaaaaaaaa]

[Well, dont let it get to you?]

Al said nice words to me while I was at my wits end . Yet why is it that the sweat wont stop pouring from my eyes? Tell me, Ojii-san! (TLC Note: The tell me, ojii-san part is probably a reference to a song from the anime Heidi, Girl of the Alps . )

Well, theres no point in worrying about things past, so I pulled myself together and passed 2 gold coins to Al .

The reason was because I intended for her to buy clothes for Rurune .

Saria is wearing a one piece dress for now, but since shes originally a gorilla, its not like she knows much about human clothes . Thats why I decided to rely on Al for this .

Rurune has become able to turn into a human, after all . Clothes are definitely necessary .

[Al . Could you use that money to buy some suitable clothes for Rurune? As expected, I really dont feel like having her wear Sarias clothes at this late hour]

[Ah? I dont mind but I cant tell Rurunes size, you know?]

[There are clothes with automatic size adjustment magic, right? If possible, Id like to get several of those . If you could get shoes and underwear too, thatd be great . ]

[Well, sure . Just wait a bit . ]

Saying that, Al left to purchase Rurunes clothes .

About 20 minutes later, when Al came back with the clothes, we immediately got Rurune to change into them .

During that, I was thoroughly blindfolded by Al, but thats another story .

Finished changing, she wore a black shirt and a brown leather jacket over it, with a pair of pants of the same brown color . Something like a black colored belt is strapped around her thigh, and with the short black boots she had on coupled with the dignified air she carried herself with, she looked very cool .

[I more or less randomly picked some clothes, but is it fine with this? Well, clothes with size adjustment magic are all expensive, so theres no change left, but]

This kind of fashion sense, is randomly pickedyou say?!

I was surprised at how good Als fashion sense was . In my case, my appearance isnt what youd call smartly dressed Even though Im thin now, I dont think Id fit in adventurer gear . Even what Im wearing now is just a white shirt and black pants, a very simple style .

While I was thinking that, Rurune came to ask, embarrassed .

[Um Master . Im not very confident, but does this fit me?]

[No, it really suits you super well . Al too, your fashion sense is too good . ]

[I-is that so?]

[Thats the first time Ive ever been told that]

Rurunes cheeks were dyed red, and she had a happy smile on her face, while Al with a similar expression averted her eyes while scratching the back of her head .

While watching the two of them like that, I put on the robe I got back from them, and once again pulled the hood over my head .

When I did so, Al had a disappointed look on her face .

[Hey, Seiichi . Youre putting the hood back on?]

[Hm? Well, since Ive had the hood on for so long, I feel more relaxed this way]

Those words were what I truly thought, as life wearing the hood was unexpectedly pleasant . It also acts as a sunshade .

Thinking that far, I suddenly remembered something .

It was, the thing regarding my hair .

My hair is black, but I wanted to know if that held special meaning in this world .

Thinking so, I tried asking Al .

[Speaking of which, is my black hair rare?]

[Eh? Ah, lets see Youre from the Eastern Country, right?

[Um Something similar . ]

[Huh? Oh well . Ive never been to the Eastern Country, so I dont know, but Ive heard there are lots of people there with close to black hair . Though its true that in this continent it may be rare . Ah, speaking of which, Ive think I heard something along the lines of that the Heroes summoned in Kaiser Empire mostly had black hair]

[I-I see . ]

I was relieved by Als words .

It seems like the Eastern Country is a more convenient place for me than I thought . The fact that its in the east is also similar to Japan .

Just as I was sighing in relief, the disappointed look returned to Als face .

[But you know, I really think its a waste?]

[Eh? What is?]

[Well, if you took off that hood youd be popuAh!!]

Stopping mid-sentence as though she just realized something, Al suddenly grasped my shoulders with a really upset look .

[Yo-you cant-!]

[You absolutely cannot take off your hood! Especially in front of women!]

[Isnt that different from what you just said?]

[A-anyway, you just cant! Understand?! Definitely dont take it off!!]

[E-ehh? We-well, I dont think Id take it off on my own accord, but]

When I said that, Al looked relieved .

[Ah, that was dangerous If he were to take off his hood, hed get super popular with girls I really dont want that]

She quietly murmured something, but I couldnt quite catch what she said .

Various things have happened, but since Rurune is a human now, there was a need to rent out a room for her .

Or well, theres no need to do so if Rurune returns to being a donkey, but she seems to like the human form, so I decided to rent a room .

Actually, if Im going to spend an extended period of time in this country, it might be easier to just buy a house Luckily, Ive got too much money on my hands . I dont think I could spend it all during my lifetime .

Its just, if Im to join up with Shouta and the others, Ill be leaving, so it might be better to leave buying a house till after I decide what I want to do from now on .

While thinking a bit about what to do from now on, I went to the receptionists desk . Fina and the others werent there yet, so I explained the situation to Lyle and rented a new room .

Though I call it explaining the situation, I didnt tell him that Rurune is a donkey . Rather, if I did say that, he would doubt my sanity, you know?

Unexpectedly, Rurune was quite stubborn about sleeping in the same room as me . Well, she does call herself a knight, so its probably because of the protect-the-master-mindset that shes stubborn about that . Even so, when it comes to food, her improper behavior for a knight really stands out .

In the end, it was decided that a single room would be rented for Rurune . She seemed really disappointed, though .

And so, since we already rented a room, we were about to head back to our rooms to rest, when

[Excuuse mee!]

[Were not exactly trying to conquer a dojo here, so whats with that way of entering?] (TLC Note: The so-called dojo yaburi . The tanomo- she said while entering is traditionally said when coming to challenge a dojo . )

[What are you saying, Clau-chan! The war has already begun-! With that attitude, youll be the first to go you know?!

[What in the world are you fighting, Lorna?]

[How should I know that . ]

[Of course . ]

[Eh? Why are you looking at me like youre looking at something pitiful?]

Suddenly, the inns door was flung open and two noisy people came in .

One was a short girl with medium length orange hair .

The other was a tall girl with short indigo hair .

The two of them had completely different personalities and height, but both had one thing in common .

It was the armor they wore .

It looked similar to the silver colored armor Terveil soldiers like Claude wears, but the armor these two wore was a bright silver, not having the unrefined image like Claudes armor, but rather gave off a feeling of gorgeousness . They even had swords hanging from their belts .

You could tell they were knights at a glance .

Just when they entered, they suddenly started quarreling, making us all dumbfounded .

It doesnt really matter, but the both of them have excellent appearances . Doesnt this town have an abnormal amount of beautiful girls and handsome guys? Proportionally to that, theres also an extraordinary amount of perverts, though .

And then, Lyle, being the first to regain his senses, called out to them, confused .

[Um Who might the two of you be?]

[Hm? Ah, my apologies . Because my partner is like this, it seems I forgot to introduce myself . ]

[Hey, Clau-chan . What do you mean by like this?]

[Hahaha . ]

[Could you not try to deceive me with that forced laugh?]

Once again they started with their two-person comedy act, while we only got more and more confused .

As if noticing the situation, the girl with short indigo hair coughed, then began to introduce herself .

[Ahhh Ahem . I am Claudia Asterio, affiliated to this countrys Master Swordswoman Warmaiden Valkyrie . ]

[Of the same Valkyrie affiliation, Lorna Kirizasu-! I was the announcer for the Royal Cup, did you notice?]

[I see]

After hearing their self-introduction, we were still confused . Actually, we might be even more confused than before .

I mean, why would this countrys knights come to this inn? Rather, Lorna-san was the person who was the announcer in the Royal Cup, huh . Shes as energetic and enthusiastic as you would expect .

In contrast, the girl with short indigo hair Claudia-san was as cool as the actresses playing male roles in the Takarazuka . (TLC Note: Takarazuka Revue is a musical theater troupe thats female only, so male roles are also played by women . )

While I was thinking of such things while observing the two, Lyle-san spoke up .

[Um Ladies of Valkyrie, what business might you have here?]

[Ah, I almost forgot about that . ]

[Eh! Clau-chan, doing stuff like forgetting about your work, isnt that no good? Pfft-]

[Leaving her aside, we came because we have business with a certain person . ]

[A certain personis it?]

To Lyle-san who asked while tilting his head, Claudia-san nodded .

[Thats right . Except, Ive already found that person . ]

Saying that, Claudia-san turned her gaze to me for some reason .

[Youre, Seiichi-kun right?]

[Eh? Ye-yes . But, why do you know my name?]

[Fufufu You won the Royal Cup riding a donkey . Besides, that robe stands out . I immediately recognized you . ]

[Um, and so, do you have some business with me?]

When I asked that with a confused expression, Claudia-san answered .

[Yeah, Ill put it simply . Come to the Royal Palace for a bit?]

[Eh?]

[Sorry, but you have no right to refuse . ]

[Why not?!]

No, really why?! Did I do something wrong?!

Actually, saying to the Royal Palace for a bit Its as if a police officer asked you to go down to the station with him, that type of feeling, right?!

Furthermore, I have no right to refuse Why are the human rights in this world so insignificant?!

Claudia-sans words shocked not just me but Saria and the others too .

But, without paying any attention to us being like that, Claudia-san and Lorna-san each grabbed one of my arms and started dragging me away .

[Now then, innkeeper, Seiichis companions . Well borrow Seiichi-kun for a bit . ]

[Give up-! Your evil deeds end here-!]

[Lorna . Its not really like Seiichi-kun did something bad, you know?]

[Buut, I think things like these are important, you know . ]

While being pulled along, I was at least relieved to hear from their conversation that Claudia-san said I hadnt done anything wrong .

Its just that, right before being dragged out of the inn, though Im not Lorna-san, I thought I just had to say this .

[I-Im innoceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeent!]

This phrase cant be left out .