[I Don’t Want to Work]
I felt incredibly tired, my body heavy, and was so sleepy.
This was the price I had to pay for using ‘Sloth’ against that fly—it drained me both physically and mentally.
“L-Lord Lu! Please don’t move.”
I was currently resting, using Nora’s lap as a pillow.
Lately, Nora had been spending a lot of time reading books near me.
This was because I had advised her to study to grow stronger since she was already strong both physically and magically, with her level having reached the cap.
I had her read books containing the insights of future experts and established masters. Every now and then, she would unwind with some romance novels alongside Syrup.
“You have such a nice scent, Nora. I really like it.”
Unlike Big Sister’s strong fragrance, Nora smelled like incense. It was calming.
Now that I had let her stay by my side, she had softened up, giving off the alluring charm of a courtesan.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay still, Lord Lu? I’m getting to the good parts. I’d appreciate it if you could keep still for a second.”
Nora’s thighs felt so comfortable.
The sensation was different from Syrup’s and Karin’s. Despite being slender, they unexpectedly had a firmness and just the right amount of elasticity.
“Sister Elina. He’s at it again.”
“Again? Hmph, I told him he could use my lap, but he keeps choosing Miss Nora’s.”
For the past three days, I had been taking it easy at the fortress where Cecilia Coleman Cyliss was based.
Ah, although I was calling it a fortress, it was basically a walled city, complete with a town, ramparts, and a castle.
We were just hanging out in that castle.
The three beastkin girls were off hunting to reach their level cap.
In their absence, for some reason, Anna volunteered to take care of me and Nora.
“Anna. Tea.”
“Yes, Lord Luc!”
“Help me drink.”
“Yes, Lord Luc!”
I had no idea why she listened to my words, but I appreciated it because it let me laze around.
Not as good as Karin’s, but the food Anna cooked was pretty delicious, too.
“Phew~, this ‘Tragic Female Knight’ is really suspenseful and interesting.”
“It has strategy and adventure elements too. The female knight keeps finding herself in these dangerous situations, and you can’t stop feeling nervous for her.”
“I know, right! The female knight willingly faces hardships and goes to battle for the sake of the people. She fights desperately even in the direst circumstances and manages to make it out alive. The travelers she meets from time to time are interesting too. On the contrary, though, her fellow knight, the one she entrusts her back with, should think a little more before acting.”
I was glad Nora and I could share our thoughts about books now. I had finished most of the books I gave her, twice even. If I didn’t get new ones soon, I might end up having to read them for the third time.
“‘Tragic Female Knight series is one of my favorites, but I’m afraid we’re running out of stock soon.”
“That’s a big problem! Where can we get more books?” Nora’s face turned sad, hearing what I said. Without any other choice, I lifted my face and looked at Cecilia.
“Lady Cecilia. Do you have books you could lend us?”
“No! If I had spare money to spend on such things, I would either use it to strengthen our military or distribute food to the people!”
Made sense. Both Marshall Duchy and Cyliss Marquisate were close to high-rank dungeons, so they were constantly forced to fight, leaving their lands barren and their people suffering from starvation.
“I see. What do we do, now?”
My body felt slugging, making me not want to move.
But the stock of books to stave off my boredom was running out.
This was a serious situation.
If Karin were around, I could enjoy her delicious food. If Akali were here, she’d show me her interesting experiments.
Knowing I was slothful, my wives would never forget to provide me comfort and entertainment to keep me from getting bored, but they weren’t here.
“Haah~ guess it’s about time to go back to Caribbean County. You’ve had enough fighting, right, Nora?”
“Will there be more books if we go back?”
“A lot, if we go back to my mansion, but not at the palace. Though knowing Karin, she may have already collected some books for me there.”
“In that case, let’s go back. I’ve become able to better control my power, too.”
Nora’s struggle with controlling her powers stemmed from her passion for battles.
Because she always sought out battles, she always exuded a sense of intimidation.
But now that she had taken a liking to reading, her intimidating aura was subdued while reading—at least, until she got excited.
“Please wait!”
Even though we both had reached a consensus, it was now Cecilia who stopped us.
“Hm? What is it? We already eliminated the threats, right?”
I really had prepared to die when the Demon King, the master of the Demon King’s Abode, had shown up while I had been dealing with the fly, the master of the Lost Forest.
But the Demon King had spared us in the end, taking the fly with him. With that, I believed my role here had ended.
“Not yet! While it’s true the number of monsters has decreased temporarily, there’s still a substantial amount overflowing from Marshall Duchy! I ask of you as adventurers, please go to Marshall Duchy and help subjugate the monsters rampaging in its lands!”
As Eushun’s fiancée, Cecilia was slated to become the next queen. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to make her owe me, but…
“Sounds like a pain.”
Not to mention, my body felt so heavy. I just wanted to go back and sleep.
“Please, I’m begging you!”
No rewards. No books, either.
Cecilia just stated what she wanted. I couldn’t help but get a little irritated.
“You–“Pardon my intrusion.””
Just before I could respond, the door swung open and a familiar face entered.
“Oh? If it isn’t Tashte. What brings you here?”
“It has been a long time, Lord Luc. I have come as a messenger to convey my father’s request for you.”
“Count Nezul’s? Now that’s a first. Well, you’ve always helped me. Let’s hear it.”
“It is my duty to fulfill your wish, Lord Luc, so please, don’t trouble your mind over me. Ah, but first, please take these.”
That said, Taste pulled out stacks of books from his magic bag. I could see many stories and titles I hadn’t read.
“Whoa~ you really know me well, Tashte.”
“You overpraise me.”
Nora’s eyes sparkled, seeming like she would have dove into the books if I wasn’t laying on her lap.
I sat up and met Tashte’s eyes.
Now free, Nora leaped towards the books Tashte had pulled out.
For some reason, Elina sat down beside me.
“So, the request?”
“He wanted you to suppress the monster march in Marshall Duchy while taking care not to provoke the Demon King.”
“Why would Count Nezul make that request of me?”
“Apparently, the Noble Faction is currently busy making… certain preparations and have no one available to dispatch as reinforcement.”
Tashte explained, choosing his words carefully so as not to lie to me. But it was enough for me to get the gist of the situation.
“I see. Well, I’ll take it… I have to pay you back for the books, too.”
“I’m most grateful!”
Count Nezul had likely sent Tashte expecting I wouldn’t turn him down. I decided to just play along.
“Okay, let’s set off once Syrup and the others come back.”
Getting out of the bed, I turned my gaze to Marshall Duchy visible from the castle.
In that territory surrounded by snowy mountains, there were Lyncean and Ruby’s parents.
I guess I would have to spend the rest of my winter vacation in the cold.
When I turned around, I noticed Elina staring at me with puffed up cheeks.
Why?
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