“What’s wrong? Come and get me. If you’re ready to steal, then you’re also fine with being robbed, right?”
“E-Eeek, what are you saying we’ve even done!?”
‘I don’t want to hear that from you’ would likely have been an appropriate response at that point in time.
The leader of the bandits finally slipped out from under the large man, and shrank back while holding his butt.
“I wonder. Isn’t it just because you’re an eyesore? You guys are also doing the exact same thing, right?”
“HIGYAAAAAAAAAH!” Letting out a shriek, the bandit was erased while he opened his eyes wide in fear... Zagan thought there was an unpleasant scent in the air, and it turned out the bandit had pitifully shit himself.
The other bandits also surrendered and threw down their weapons upon seeing their leader’s state.
Making certain that there was no longer anyone standing against him, Zagan turned around to face Nephy.
He intended to open up a safe path, but Nephy was completely stiff in place with her eyes wide open.
Hm? Did I make some kind of mistake again? Zagan broke into a cold sweat, but he cleared out his throat and calmly tried to explain the facts as he saw them.
“You hear me, Nephy? Just as you saw, bandits are simple rubbish who are harmless to both man and beast. They have no hope of causing you harm, and if they are an eyesore, then after being lightly brushed aside they become docile.”
“They attacked a carriage though, so are they really harmless...?”
“Erk...” Having that pointed out to him by Nephy was harsh, especially when she still had that blank look on her face.
This girl... When’s she’s in a daze, she really can retort harshly huh...?
He was astonished, but realizing that point was also a happy discovery for him.
However, looking at the two of them, someone spat out words as if they couldn’t stand it anymore. And as if bursting out, a booming voice erupted.
“That’s amazing, Mr. Sorcerer!” Along with that voice, the passengers gathered around Zagan.
“Hey, you’re that passenger who didn’t get on earlier right?”
“Thanks, you saved us.”
“There’s nice people even among the sorcerers, huh?” Being called out like that from all around him, Zagan’s eyes darted about.
This wasn’t the first time that he kicked around bandits. He also happened to coincidentally save people he passed by before too, but this was the first time he’d ever heard words of gratitude.
And the one being crammed in by the circle wasn’t just Zagan.
“Hey, are you Mr. Sorcerer’s companion?”
“What a beautiful child.”
“He’s a good master, huh?”
“Um...” Nephy was also being jostled about.
And Zagan was convinced.
It may be because Nephy is with me, right? Surely, if he was alone, then they would have run away in fear just as always.
He didn’t know what changed just from Nephy’s presence, but it seemed that she was the primary factor that brought about feelings other than fear.
Up until moments ago, Zagan was seriously considering taking all their money and gold, but now he was left with a complex and uncomfortable ticklish sensation.
And then, the coachman took out a small pouch.
“Hey, you. If it’s alright with you, could you ride along with us as an escort? Naturally, I’ll pay you... Though I don’t have all that much money.”
“S-Sure, sounds good.” Having the small pouch forced into his hand, Zagan accepted it without any questions. From the feeling of its weight, he could tell that there were dozens of gold coins in it.
Previously, that amount would have been loose change to him, but now he was most thankful for it. It was plenty to buy ingredients as well as clothing for Nephy.
What’s this? Is gold something that pops up so easily? In other words, it seemed like if he just went around obliterating villains as he saw fit, then money would just come his way.
Just as he began harboring that slight hope, he came to a startling realization. In the eyes of an average person, he was foremost on any list of villains.
That thought made him think his knees would go out, and while Zagan was writhing in anguish, he and Nephy were pushed into the carriage.
While sitting down next to each other, the two of them exchanged glances.
“Master.”
“...What?”
“Why... did you save these people?”
“Eh? Ah... I see. I ended up saving them, huh?” All Zagan wanted to do was show Nephy that there was no need to be afraid of bandits. He had no awareness that he was saving the carriage’s passengers or anything.
But isn’t this a good chance to attract her attention? Ulterior motives began swelling up within Zagan.
Yes, he simply needed to utter some motivating words that would get Nephy to open her heart to him.
While praying for advice to come down to him from Barbatos for just this moment in time, Zagan replied as if it were perfectly natural.
“All I did was teach those conceited pieces of trash their place.”
Why do I always mess this up! Was it his self-respect getting in the way? There was no way he could say sweet words like it was to protect Nephy, or that he couldn’t abandon the weak or anything like that.
And yet, the only thing that came out of his mouth was a bluff that wasn’t worth any more than dog shit. After throwing his long-awaited chance into the garbage all on his own, Zagan was once more in in the throes of anguish.
That was why he didn’t notice that contrary to expectations, Nephy was looking up at him with eyes full of interest.
◇
“See you later, buddy. You can ride again with me any time. Actually, if it’s you, then hop on for free.” Having gotten a ride on the carriage, Zagan ended up going to Kianoides. As the carriage came to a halt, the cat-faced coachman said that before departing.
As usual, the town was noisy. Looking to one side, a noble lady was enjoying some shopping. Looking the other way, a filthy hoodlum was selling narcotics. Although it was a chaotic town, it had the advantage that everything was at one’s disposal.
Now then, where should we go?
For the time being, his objective was to gather ingredients, but the castle did not have any of Nephy’s daily necessities.
To begin with, what does she even need on a day-to-day basis? Zagan was completely ignorant of that point.
After clearing out his throat with a cough, he shifted his focus over to Nephy.
“Hear me, Nephy. Most everything is available in this town. It is fine for you to select whatever you so desire.”
“Even if you were to give me rags, I would be satisfied.” Hearing that reply, which held no hints of dreams or hope, Zagan felt like crying.
Let’s see here... Even tomorrow, I don’t think this girl will wish for something all of a sudden.
However, in that case, what was he supposed to buy for her?
While agonizing over such thoughts, Zagan shifted his focus over to the people walking around the city.
It wasn’t like there weren’t any nobles wearing dazzling dresses, but most were wearing clothing that was relatively easy to move around in. When it came to shoes, the majority of them were wore boots or sandals or the like that were easy to run in.
The long dress where the hems seemed like they had to be lifted up and the shoes with tapered heels that Nephy was wearing truly did look hard to walk in. Especially for a shopping trip.
“...Hmm. For now, shall we pick up some clothes?”
“Clothes... is it?”
“Yeah. That outfit... is hard to move in, right?” Yesterday she staggered while climbing the stairs, and today when she had to walk she had been lifting up the hems of her skirt.
Nephy blinked like she couldn’t believe what was being said, but mysteriously didn’t show any signs of dislik
ing the situation.
While walking along and regretting that he hadn’t at least asked the coachman where they sold women’s clothing, after a little while, they were able to find a store that seemed to fit the bill.
It appeared that they specialized in outfits targeted toward travelers, but they had complete sets of equipment for women on display on wooden stands. They looked to at least have some casual wear.
As Zagan opened the door to the shop, the interior suddenly fell silent.
It appeared that they were on guard upon seeing the attire of a sorcerer.
What looked like a young female clerk immediately came over. She was an avian with green wings on her back, and she was stylishly wearing the clothes lined up in the shop in an exemplary manner. Upon her well rounded chest was a name plate with “Manuela” written on it.
The clerk, Manuela, addressed Zagan with a cramped smile.
“W-Welcome. What sort of clothing do you desire?” It was a bluntly unwelcoming atmosphere, but Zagan was honestly thankful that the clerk came over.
He then pointed out to Nephy, who was standing behind him.
“I’d like you to pick out appropriate clothing for this girl.” Manuela looked over at Nephy and had her mouth wide open.
“Wow, what a beautiful child...” It seemed that even members of the same sex felt that way. Even though it wasn’t about himself, for some reason, Zagan felt proud.
However, Manuela’s expression instantly clouded over. And her gaze was pointed at the collar.
As I thought, I should remove that collar for her huh?
If she got such weird looks just from being in a shop, then she wouldn’t be able to walk outside. He didn’t give a damn about how he was told that she might run away if he took off the collar.
Zagan truly wished to save Nephy. Naturally, he had an ulterior motive, since he was in love with her, but there was no meaning even if the collar signified she belonged to him. With it, surely, she would always look at him as a sorcerer in the same way with that frightened face.
Nephy was led by the clerk deeper into the shop and vanished.
Zagan didn’t really know where to stand, so for the time being he stepped out of the entrance and stood along a wall.
And as he did, Manuela immediately returned.
“How about this sort of style?”
“Hm... Huh, what!?” Looking at Nephy as she came out from further inside the shop, Zagan’s eyelids peeled back.
On top of her naked body, Nephy had nothing but leather belts wreathed around her.
It more or less had the shape of clothing, or so it seemed. Her nipples and groin were superbly concealed. However, everything other than that was laid bare, and her large breasts were not being hidden at all.
He thought that even the collar seemed to blend in as part of the set in a somewhat artistic manner, but it wasn’t like he made that kind of request. If there were any male clerks or customers around, then he would have had to go around gouging out their eyeballs.
Nephy was red all the way to the tips of her white ears, and she was writhing around trying to hide her body.
It was a reaction he hadn’t seen even when she calmly rolled up her skirt the previous night.
Even someone who really wanted to die couldn’t bear the shame. In that sense, she at least had some will to live in her, and that made Zagan somewhat happy, but right now wasn’t the time for that.
White hair hid the trembling girl’s body.
“U-Um, please... don’t look...” As Zagan was brought back to his sense by Nephy’s wavering voice, for some reason, Manuela then thrust her chest out in pride.
“How is it? I do believe that it is the perfect combination if I do say so myself.”
“How is this perfect!? All I said was to pick out appropriate clothing, so how’d it end up like this!?”
“Huh...? I meant to match your tastes, though...” What exactly did she think of him?
Well, I’m a villainous sorcerer going around with a cute girl in a collar, I guess...
The title of sorcerer was basically a synonym for evil. Thinking about it carefully, the clerk’s reaction seemed reasonable enough.
...No, even so, this kind of clothing was still out of the question.
Scratching his head, Zagan spoke up.
“I’m looking for casual, everyday clothes.”
“Eeeh... Even though you have such nice material to work with?” While the clerk was blatantly making an unsatisfied expression, she took Nephy deeper into the shop again.
“Wait, leave what you’re holding in your hand there behind.” Incorrigibly, Manuela was holding onto lascivious clothing that seemed to be underwear.
Having noticed that, even Nephy had tears forming in her eyes.
After scowling at Zagan, as one would expect, the clerk raised both her hands and gave up.
“C-Come on. I’m just kidding, okay?” It didn’t look like that at all, and Zagan pointed a suspicious gaze at her. After the clerk put down that piece of clothing, Nephy placed her hands on her chest as if she was relieved from the depths of her heart.
Before long, after changing clothes a second time, Nephy returned.
“Well now, how is it?”
“Hoo...” This time, Zagan let out an honest sigh of admiration.
She was wearing a bright blue dress with an apron on top of it, which was decorated with showy lace, and boots that looked easy to walk in protected her feet.
They were clothes for a servant, but he honestly thought that she looked adorable.
Manuela then began explaining in a somehow dejected manner.
“It’s an orthodox maid uniform, but the dress and apron are both made of silk, so it can even be used as a uniform for a lady-in-waiting. The boots also have healing properties, so it abates the fatigue for any work performed standing.” They didn’t look bad and also seemed to be quite functional.
Gazing at it once more, Zagan felt that they were fine articles.
“How is it, Nephy?”
“If it is something you’re giving me, Master, then I will use it.”
“...Look, if you keep saying that, I’ll make you wear those clothes from before again.” The eyes of the avian clerk next to her dubiously sparkled, and she dragged out the clothing made from leather belts once more.
At that, Nephy quickly shook her head in a fluster. Zagan felt like this was the first time she made such an amusing reaction.
“I-I think this one is good Master!”
“I see. Then this will do.” Manuela clicked her tongue with a smack. She was a clerk with quite the bad manners.
After handling the bill, the clerk whispered something into Nephy’s ear.
(Thank goodness that your master cherishes you so.) Zagan couldn’t hear what was said at all, but Nephy’s eyes suddenly shot wide open.
And after that, she hesitated and nodded seriously.
“...Yes.” Her expression looked somehow happy.
Leaving the shop behind, Zagan then asked her about it.
“What did the clerk tell you?”
“Oh... That I have a good Master.”
“Is that so?” It was likely just lip service, but he couldn’t really understand the meaning in going out of the way to say that.
Next to Zagan, who was now tilting his head, Nephy gently brushed her new clothes as if she was satisfied with them.
(Am I... being cherished... I wonder?) That trembling voice that didn’t know if she could truly believe it, didn’t reach anyone’s ears as it vanished into the wind.
◇
Now then, where to next?
Having changed into new clothing, Nephy seemed to be able to walk much more easily. With this, it would likely be fine to walk around here and there.
While thinking that, Zagan felt something pulling back on him. As he turned around, he could see that Nephy was timidly grasping the hem of his robe.
The person in question seemed to be unaware of it,
and tilted her head to the side blankly.
I see... After being teased by the clerk, she may have gotten scared.
Comparing her gloomy figure from yesterday to her charming self today made Zagan feel happy.
Zagan carefully kept walking while making sure not to shake off her hand, but also tried to ensure that Nephy didn’t realize what he was doing. And as they walked along, next they heard the boisterous sound of metal clanging.
Looking over to the source of the noise, it seemed that there was a blacksmith nearby. Alongside swords and armor used by Angelic Knights and soldiers, there was a mountain of metal trinkets piled together.
And within that, there were also slave collars.
“We’re entering that shop.”
“Yes.” As Zagan walked toward the blacksmith, Nephy followed after him.
The interior looked just like any old workshop. The walls had a large amount of merchandise lined up on shelves, and deeper within there were several men striking heated metal.
After calling out to the men, one among them jumped up, clearly startled.
However, that reaction was only natural when a sorcerer suddenly called out to you.
While looking completely terrified, the man turned over toward Zagan.
“C-Can I help you?”
“Look, there’s just something I want your input on.” The one who came over was a male dwarf. He didn’t have a beard, and because of that it was difficult to tell his age. He looked to be a young man, but he may also have been middle aged.
Dwarves were nimble with their hands, and it was said that they prided themselves when it came to delicate ornaments and contraptions.
Zagan then stood Nephy before him.
“I want you to have a look at this girl’s collar... Do you know how to remove it?” Nephy’s body trembled with a twitch.
And then, she looked at Zagan like she couldn’t believe it.
Hm? Now that I think of it, did I tell Nephy that I would remove her collar? He felt like he’d never said anything.
Even if it couldn’t be removed right away, if she knew he was intent on doing so, then she would probably be more at ease, so Zagan was discouraged at the low level of his conversational abilities.
An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride - Volume 01 Page 6