On the way back to Volton, inside the carriage pulled by Tsubaki, we were having a discussion regarding how to treat Akane-san.

We would have teleported back if it weren't for a request, but we still wanted to avoid suspicion by returning too soon after an escort request.

「If we were to consider the security between taking shelter at Margrave Volton's castle and my house, it would definitely be the latter.」

「Indeed, the performance of the security golems has greatly improved thanks to t.i.tan, and when Kaede is at the mansion. intruders and the like can't slip through.」

「No one can escape because of Kaede's threads!」

「Also, given that Marnie-san and I are beastkin, we have good ears and noses.」

「That's right, the Rabbitkin are primarily a timid race, so we wouldn't miss trespa.s.sers because of our large ears.」

Furthermore, when Laeva and Marnie are at the mansion, they could detect intruders with their sharp senses, characteristic of Beastkins.

「Living in Margrave Volton's castle would likely be stressful, too.」

Living in a castle is a high hurdle for a j.a.panese person. Although Margrave Volton is a friendly person, even then it would cause mental tension.

「The current Akane-san can't protect herself, can she?」

「It would be desirable for her current level to at least double.」

It's the same for the two other heroes, but their levels were low and it didn't seem like their status growth was being boosted by divine protection. Going by levels, their current strength is around the same as those of a full fledged adventurer, but that's it. It's probably at the level where one could or couldn't reach C rank.

When I said that to everyone, Sophia and the girls denied it.

「Tak.u.mi-sama, that's different. Tak.u.mi-sama is extraordinary, but the people you acknowledge as companions and your familiars level up and gain skills easier. Furthermore, even the growth rate isn't normal.

All in all, I believe that that effect of the divine protection is also allowed because of G.o.ddess Norn-sama's favor.」

「That's right, Master, even a Rabbitkin like myself who is looked down on by other Beastkin had grown to a level where I can pa.s.s as a full-fledged adventurer.」

Marnie's growth is not normal either. Marnie is a beautiful woman in the eyes of any race and she has a dynamite body, so I thought it would be useful for self-defense, but her abilities have grown to be those of a full-fledged adventurer. But that doesn't mean she wants to fight proactively. It seems she wants to be my personal guard like Sophia.

「Lulu-chan is there too, after all.」

「Lulu-chan, huh……」

Yes, the 10 year old Catkin girl, Lulu-chan, was a slave since her parent's generation in Sydnia. To Sydnia, if the parents are slaves, their children automatically become slaves too.

「A way to protect her from the zealots is necessary.」

Still a child, Lulu-can who hasn't received any sort of combat training had become a traitor to the Light G.o.d Faith. She'd be helpless if she was attacked.

「To be protected by his Majesty is another way.」

「Indeed, his Majesty would likely protect Akane-san and Lulu-chan. But that would be no different from being confined in a castle.」

Inside the carriage comfortably pulled by Tsubaki, a definite answer couldn't be found in our discussion.

「Tak.u.mi-sama, let's make Overcoats of Existence Concealment for two first.」

「You're right. We also have to help them learn the Stealth skill.」

I think it's the simplest countermeasure.

Before long, the town of Volton came into view in the distance.