It’s Convenient That Danna-Sama Isn’t Interested in Me. I’ll Make a Name for Myself as an Adventurer! – Chapter 31

Chapter 31: The Unexpected Duchess
ㅤ”……Huh!?”
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ㅤAh! That face, that face! It’s somehow becoming addictive.
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ㅤChristina-sama, who was in front of me, was speechless, looking at me kneeling like a knight instead of bowing like a noble lady would. To say she was dumbfounded might be closer to the truth.
ㅤThere’s no way my love rival, the Duchess, would be in a place like this. But, this beautiful black-haired, black-eyed female adventurer’s face…… it looks familiar. But, there’s no way that could be……? It seems like her thoughts are swirling in her head.
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◇◇◇
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ㅤIt was a sudden request.
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ㅤ”Escort to the national border!? What!? Who!?”
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ㅤIt’s been a while since I’ve had an escort request. And a long-distance one to the border with the neighboring country, no less. There’s no way I wouldn’t be excited. It seems the client is someone from the royal capital, perhaps a wealthy merchant?
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ㅤ”That’s something we don’t know either~”
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ㅤHeine, the usual laid-back receptionist at the Adventurer’s Guild, continues our conversation as if my excitement is irrelevant.
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ㅤ”Eh!? So, you mean it’s someone with a high status that you can’t say!?”
ㅤ”That’s right~. We’re looking for a female adventurer with combat ability…… but around here, that’s either Milia or Tempest.”
ㅤ”Then, there’s a high chance the client is a woman, huh?”
ㅤ”Probably~”
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ㅤApparently, Milia had already declined the request. She’s decided to return to her family home. Something about her brother’s wedding. So, I was called as a backup.
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ㅤ’I guess that’s the kind of evaluation I get, considering my rank and how well I get along with people~’
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ㅤBut, I’m polite to my clients! I’m not just a former Ojou-sama, but the current Duchess! I admit I’m harsh with fellow adventurers, but that’s because female adventurers attract unnecessary trouble if they’re underestimated, so it’s unavoidable……!
ㅤSuch words race through my head, but this is the current reality. I mustn’t look away.
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ㅤ”Tempest, you don’t usually take requests that take you away from this town for a long time~ So, I thought……”
ㅤ”Ah, that’s……!?”
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ㅤNo, no. I was being a bit self-deprecating. Maybe it’s because I’ve had a series of events lately where I’ve been flustered by things I can’t handle on my own.
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ㅤThe reason I haven’t taken requests that take me away from the town for a long time, despite the fact that Danna-sama knows I’m an adventurer, is firstly because there haven’t been many opportunities, and secondly because my pampered body always craves a good night’s sleep.
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ㅤ’But, this is a rare chance to rank up……!’
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ㅤSpending a few days in the dungeon is manageable. I bought a really good sleeping bag. It made me realize how important adventurer’s tools are. But, from the royal capital in the center of the country to some national border, it could take anywhere from a few weeks to a month.
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ㅤ’Noble people don’t travel at bullet speed~’
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ㅤTaking leisurely breaks is the basic style of travel.
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ㅤ”Um, by when do I need to be in the royal capital?”
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ㅤSurely they can tell me the departure date.
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ㅤ”Ah. I worded that poorly. The request is for an escort from Neville to the national border.”
ㅤ”Eh!? Neville!?”
ㅤ”Apparently, the client has some personal business there. And my superiors said they probably want to strengthen their forces in this territory, which is famous for its adventurer town.”
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ㅤAh. I think I know the answer. It’s her! That her!
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ㅤ’Christina-sama’s marriage!’
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ㅤIf I remember correctly, it’s around this time. Or rather, Victor was grumbling about it.
ㅤNeville is perfect. I was planning to inform Danna-sama anyway if I was going to be away from the mansion for a long time.
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ㅤ’That’s common sense…… or rather, I don’t want him to think I ran away!’
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ㅤFrom both a social standpoint and for my pride, it’s better to tell him if I’m going to be away from Blood Territory for a long time.
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◇◇◇
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ㅤ”So, Danna-sama, I won’t be at the mansion for a while!”
ㅤ”Ah…… Ah, I see. Please be careful……”
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ㅤI’m sorry for making him happy for nothing by suddenly appearing in Neville, thinking I came to see him! But, in exchange, I brought some good information…… or rather, useful information, so please be grateful.
ㅤWhen I told him about the possibility of Christina-sama coming back like a storm, his beautiful face, which had bloomed with joy, suddenly wrinkled up as if it were wilting.
ㅤBut, there’s no need to worry too much. After all, he’s my Danna-sama. A narcissist who loves me blindly. His recovery speed and positive thinking are first-class.
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ㅤ”Christina-sama, who will marry for the sake of our country, and my beautiful wife, who will protect the future Empress……!”
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ㅤHe’s lost in his own world again, either drunk on himself or on me, I don’t know which. Even though I’m taken aback, he’s surrendering himself to his emotions.
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ㅤ”But still, I’m really glad you came. Because I can say goodbye to you.”
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ㅤIt’s unfair to say that with such a shy smile! It’s cowardly to make such an expression with that beautiful face and say such things!
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ㅤChristina-sama, the daughter of the King’s younger brother, suddenly changed her plans on her way to marry into the neighboring Adneria Empire and came to the town of Neville in Blood Territory. Under the pretense of visiting the town she had supported…… she abruptly changed her route.
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ㅤ’Bringing only a part of the bridal procession…… she must have really wanted to come to Neville.’
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ㅤShe has a considerable number of attendants accompanying her to the Adneria Empire. From that, only a small group branched off and came here.
ㅤOf course, the people of Blood Territory were overjoyed by Christina-sama’s sudden visit. Although Christina-sama didn’t have the best reputation, she’s practically a lifesaver to Blood Territory. She provided national treasure-level magic stones free of charge and even dispatched specialized scholars. Without asking for anything in return.
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ㅤ”I think it’s fine for you to be there as well…….You are my wife, after all.”
ㅤ”It’s a warrior’s mercy. Since it’s finally time for her last farewell with the man she passionately loved, it’s better if I’m not there.”
ㅤ”Bushi……? I, I see……”
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ㅤDanna-sama had an indescribable expression. I don’t know if he was lonely because I accepted it so readily without getting jealous, or if he was comparing himself to Christina-sama.
ㅤSurprisingly, Christina-sama, true to her word of ‘visiting,’ walked around the dusty town full of buildings still under repair, talked amiably with the people of Blood Territory, and didn’t show any signs of clinging to Danna-sama this time. She only asked for a handshake at the end.
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ㅤ’Let’s both do our best.’
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ㅤI later learned that they had exchanged those words.
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ㅤDuring that time, I was listening to the details of the request and my role from the captain of Christina-sama’s escort. It was a so-called orientation.
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ㅤ”You’re Tempest, I presume. I’ve heard about you. You’re quite skilled in magic, I hear.”
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ㅤAccording to the captain of the guard, who exuded a tense atmosphere, Christina-sama is being targeted by someone. Apparently, they decided to take an unplanned route to throw them off.
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ㅤ’Well, she’s probably made enemies everywhere~’
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ㅤShe’s a princess who’s unfortunately not surprising.
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ㅤ”Do you have any idea who the enemy is?”
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ㅤA female adventurer with a very short haircut asks. Her name is Edra. Adventurer Rank B. A dagger user specializing in close combat. She has a small scar under her eye, but her face is slender and well-defined. She and I were the two adventurers hired as escorts this time.
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ㅤ”Whoever the enemy is, it’s our and your duty to protect her.”
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ㅤ’Well, that’s true.’
ㅤThere are probably too many possibilities. Considering her position and her past actions.
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ㅤUnfortunately, there aren’t many skilled female soldiers, so I was instructed to always be by her side. The maids in waiting are responsible for taking care of Christina-sama’s personal needs, but they have no combat ability.
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ㅤ”Because she’s not yet married, the other country doesn’t want a man by her side…… I really don’t understand what they’re thinking.”
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ㅤThe story of Christina-sama’s infatuation with her husband is quite famous, so maybe the groom’s side is concerned, but even so, she’s the future Empress, so they should be allowed to have her heavily guarded, regardless of gender. The captain of the guard told me with a bitter expression that when hiring anyone other than the soldiers pre-approved by the other side, there were arrogant instructions to only hire women.
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ㅤ’That’s a strange thing to say.’
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ㅤApparently, they’re subtly harassing us because they’re not on good terms with our country. The captain of the guard’s complaints continued.
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ㅤEdra was dressed in neat makeup and clothes and placed right next to Christina-sama, who was riding in a luxurious carriage. I borrowed a guard’s equipment and was positioned right next to the carriage as a female soldier.
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ㅤ’As expected of a bridal procession, the soldiers’ outfits are quite extravagant~’
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ㅤGold embroidery and even small jewel decorations. I’m blending in with the soldiers quite well. I’m pretty cool, even if I do say so myself!
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ㅤ”……I wish I was on that side too.”
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ㅤEdra is dressed like a maid. She’s even wearing a wig.
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ㅤ”It’s so uncomfortable to move in.”
ㅤ”Now, now. People would be surprised to see an adventurer escort so obviously.”
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ㅤIt’s tough being royalty, having to be considerate of everyone.
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ㅤ”Wouldn’t an obvious adventurer be more of a deterrent to assassins?”
ㅤ”I think assassins would see through us right away.”
ㅤ”I see……”
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ㅤEdra is straightforward. She didn’t seem to expect that she would be escorting the famous Christina-sama, but after being briefed by the captain, she was only slightly surprised before quickly regaining her composure. She’s not the type to overthink things, she said she’s good at facing whatever comes her way, so maybe that’s her personality.
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ㅤI thought Christina-sama would at least greet the adventurers who would be escorting her before she left Neville, but she didn’t……
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ㅤ’She’s royalty. The future Empress of a neighboring country. Of course, such a person wouldn’t bother greeting a mere adventurer, right? It’s so obvious~’
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ㅤThat’s the problem!
ㅤWell, I just wanted to see Christina-sama’s surprised face when she saw me.
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ㅤI could see Edra politely greeting Christina-sama inside the carriage window, just as I had taught her. Christina-sama is also smiling back gently. It seems she’s mellowed out a bit.
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ㅤAnd so, I started my duty of escorting the princess I admired, seen off by Danna-sama’s wistful and proud gaze.