Prologue – The assassin returns

 At the present, parents were making a fuss about how they couldn’t entrust their children to such a place.

Fighting monsters was the duty of noblemen.

However, forcing their children to be sent to a collapsed fortress that was not only the target of a massive monster outbreak, but also a deadly place where they couldn’t fight properly would’ve been absolutely illogical.

As expected, even the royal family couldn’t force them to gather at the academy until the barrier was fully repaired.

Which was why all the students were scattered, which hastened our two months of summer vacation.

[As I thought, it’s good to be in Tuatha Dé.] (Tarte)

[You said it. The artistic and well-organized townscape over there was pretty nice, but I prefer Tuatha Dé for its proximity with nature.] (Lugh)

As usual, the soybeans fields were spreading all over.

Because they were used as ingredients for milky lotions, soybeans sold like crazy.

I did receive regular reports from Maha, but business was going as smoothly as ever.

Orna, the cosmetic brand I created, was still growing.

The reason why the makeup sales hadn’t dropped even as monsters started to appear was probably because there was no serious damage done to the city.

Still, the future was uncertain.

One fort had already fallen.

If the number of monsters increased and the distribution network between the cities was lost sooner or later, then the economy would deteriorate and demand for luxury items would decrease all at once.

…In fact, of all the goods out there, the prices of medicines and weapons began to rise.

Orna couldn’t remain the way it was either. For the moment, I wanted to talk to Maha about it in person.

The matters that could be dealt with if we took measures early would become impossible to solve if we took too much time.

[You’re wearing a grim expression again. You seem to be busy all the time, Lugh.] (Dia)

[True. But that’s because I’ve got a lot of work on my hands.] (Lugh)

Because I had my status as an aristocrat, the strength worthy of an assassin, and the financial and informational powers of the Balor Company, I could keep Tarte and Dia close to me, and we could have a comfortable livelihood.

…Maha and I were also prepared in case the royal family decided to cut ties with Tuatha Dé.

And without the assets I mentioned just now, I wouldn’t be able to kill the hero in case of emergency, and I would lose everything I have.

When you think about the price you would have to pay for that, being busy isn’t much of a hassle.

[You’re way too reliable. As far as I’m concerned, I would feel more at ease if you said you were investing yourself so much to make me happy, though.] (Dia)

[Lugh-sama seems like he would still be doing fine regardless of how many brides he has…] (Tarte)

[If there were girls in trouble, he’d save them one after another. Then before he knows it, he could find himself with a huge number of them.] (Dia)

[Ah, this does seem likely to happen.] (Tarte)

[You two, just what in the world do you take me for…?] (Lugh)

It’s true that me meeting Tarte, Maha and Dia was too good to be true.

However, from here on out, I didn’t intend to save anyone else in the same way to make them my companions.

I wished for teammates and supporters because there was only so much I could do alone.

But that doesn’t mean that the more teammates you have, the better.

As the number of people increases, the more turbulent your team becomes, and the harder it is to reach a mutual understanding.

I had Tarte and Dia as my assistants, and Maha to provide me support.

That was enough for me.

[Oh well, I believe in you. …I’m okay with Tarte and the girl you introduced me to back then, but I’ll get mad if you make a move on anybody else.] (Dia)

[Ah! Um…! Maha and I don’t have that sort of relationship or anything with Lugh-sama…] (Tarte)

[But you wish you did, right?] (Dia)

Tarte repeatedly glanced at my face.

[W-Well… that’s… not wrong, but…] (Tarte)

[Then you should be more assertive, don’t you think? I already said so earlier, but I really don’t mind if it’s you, Tarte.] (Dia)

Why exactly did Dia actively encourage unfaithfulness?

Even though I said I had no intention to flirt with any woman other than her.

Perhaps it was because aristocracy was at the root of her way of thinking.

To noblemen, leaving behind descendants was the most important task to accomplish. This had an even deeper meaning in this world than back in my former world.

Because the number of mages was directly linked to military power.

Therefore, having multiples wives was also an aristocrat’s duty.

…It was even common practice for higher nobles who could never have children to pay for the seeds and bellies of lower nobles.

Tarte, who didn’t have a good understanding of those circumstances, had turned bright red and was casting her eyes downward.

Still, taking Tarte as my second wife, huh… Maybe I should consider that possibility. In the event that I had to take someone as a second wife no matter what, it would also save me a lot of trouble if she was that someone.

Nonetheless, it was still too soon for that.

[We should save that topic for when we’ve graduated from the academy.] (Lugh)

[Yeah, good point.] (Dia)

[Augh… Me… And Lugh-sama… Getting married…? Uuh…!] (Tarte)

In the meantime, we had passed through the territory and arrived at the mansion, then I took the hand of Tarte, who had turned all stiff and red as a tomato, and we got off the carriage.

I opened the door of the mansion.

The next moment, a silver-haired woman jumped at me.

[Lugh-chan, welcome back! I was so worried when I heard that a demon had appeared! Thank God you’re safe!] (Esri)

[I’m home. It’s true that a demon showed up, but I didn’t do anything dangerous. The hero defeated him in no time.] (Lugh)

[Stop lying! Because I know what you really did. You sneaked deep into the enemy lines on your own and informed the hero of the demon’s location.] (Esri)

…She knew because I had written and sent home a report devoid of lies.

Regarding the accomplishments in intercepting the demon, the first position went to Epona with overwhelming recognition, and I was the runner-up.

If I hadn’t been able to pinpoint the location of the demon, the academy side would’ve fallen from exhaustion.

If you shot a flare gun up into the air in the process of single-handedly infiltrating the horde of monsters to inform the hero of the demon’s position, you would end up giving away your own position to the enemy as well.

After that, with the monsters having found out about my existence, I had to keep monitoring the demon until the hero’s arrival.

There were very few people who could’ve pulled a stunt like that.

[Recently, we received a letter saying that a medal would be handed to you in the royal capital.] (Esri)

[Isn’t that a bit excessive?] (Lugh)

On that day when I was called to see the headmaster, I did hear that I was highly regarded, but I didn’t hear anything about receiving a medal.

[Geez…! You and Cian are probably the only ones who would make such a face like you don’t want any medal. You truly are starting to look like your father.] (Esri)

The Tuatha Dé clan was one that lived in the shadows, so not showing ourselves to the outside was preferable.

If there was no need for my power during that demon’s attack, then I wouldn’t have gotten myself involved like I did.

…And more than anything, it wasn’t my style. Same for my dad.

Perhaps it was because she was happy that I resembled him, but mom hugged me even tighter, pressing my face against her chest.

Since she didn’t have much volume there, it didn’t feel very comfortable.

No doubt about it, mom and Dia really did look alike. Maybe it was in their blood.

Mom looked younger than her actual age, and she had a cute and modest bosom.

My fiancé, Dia, also looked very young and thin for her age. I was convinced that no matter how much time passed, she would remain young and pretty, although at the cost of keeping her adorable chest.

[Lugh, I see you’ve returned.] (Cian)

Dad also came in.

[Yes, I have.] (Lugh)

When I pulled away from my mother, she grumbled in a whisper, and harbored a reproachful expression.

Normally, dad entering the room wouldn’t convince her to release me, but whenever he conducted himself as the head of the noble assassins of Tuatha Dé, she always behaved herself.

She was a lovely and self-paced woman, but also the lady of Tuatha Dé.

[First of all, let me congratulate you for your efforts. You did an excellent job getting close to the hero and earning her trust. And apparently, you magnificently played an active role in the first showdown against the demon.] (Cian)

[I apologize for acting in such a meddlesome manner.] (Lugh)

I bowed my head and apologized for standing out more than necessary.

[No, it’s all right. The situation had changed. It was also convenient for our household.] (Cian)

I, an aristocratic assassin who shouldn’t stand out, actually stood out, and it was convenient for us?

…In other words, it’s about that, huh.

[Finally, the demons have shown themselves, and that battle was only the first round. Hence, the kingdom of Alvan will likely want to highlight this victory and use it to raise the fighting spirits of its people. Naturally, the hero will play an active role in it, but that alone will lack impact. Which is why they will applaud the achievements of a promising youth who isn’t a hero. The awarding of that medal will be more impressive than during peaceful times. Make sure you behave appropriately on that day.] (Cian)

[All right.] (Lugh)

The fact that the fortress where noble children from all over the country were gathered was taken down by a single demon was a loss and a desperate situation depending on how you looked at it. So the purpose was also to divert the people’s attention from that.

To that end, they had no choice but to highlight the good results further.

The hero and I, the meritorious runner-up, would be the force of argument.

To some extent, this was a predictable scenario.

[Following that, that person will want to talk to you during the party held after the medal award ceremony at the royal capital. The purpose will be to make a favorable impression to the public by showing that he and you are acquainted and share a friendship.] (Cian)

[Is that alright?] (Lugh)

[This is also because the circumstances have changed] (Cian)

“That person” was a Duke who knew everything about Tuatha Dé.

Tuatha Dé’s blade was meant to be wielded only for the sake of the kingdom.

We acted only at the command of the royal family, but that didn’t mean we accepted all of their orders as they were.

Although the royals were excellent, there were many things they couldn’t see from their point of view. So first, they contacted the Duke’s household, the one they trusted the most, then once that household was done investigating, they sent their request to Tuatha Dé.

Otherwise, they would’ve probably sent us ridiculous or meaningless requests.

Lately, the number of assassinations requests had been increasing. But all of them were worth soliciting Tuatha Dé’s blade.

That was thanks to the competence and sincerity of the Duke’s household.

[Understood. I just need to connect with him in public, is that right?] (Lugh)

[Exactly. Instead of hiding our connection with him as we’ve been doing until now, you will make a public connection with him while hiding our affiliation behind the scenes. …That way, we’ll stay in close contact.] (Cian)

Until now, the Duke’s family and Tuatha Dé had never gotten involved with each other in public so that our relation wouldn’t be brought to light.

In fact, the Duke’s daughter attended the academy, but I was careful not to have any contact with her.

[That’s all for the matter of making connections.] (Cian)

My father took a deep breath.

His face changed from that of the head of the noble assassins of Tuatha Dé to that of a doting parent.

Once he was done switching faces completely, he opened his mouth.

[…Lugh, I’m glad you’re back. Esri is preparing you a feast. I’d like to hear everything about your life at the academy.] (Cian)

[Fufufu…! Your mom made a lot of your favorite dishes, Lugh-chan. I followed a special recipe for the roast duck, and I baked you a berry pie for the first time in a while.] (Esri)

[I look forward to them. Tarte, Dia, let’s do today’s training after we’ve finished our meal.] (Lugh)

[Yes, Lugh-sama!] (Tarte)

[Uuh, Lugh, let’s just rest for today. If we train today, I won’t be able to drink alcohol.] (Dia)

Tarte and Dia couldn’t wait either.

There seemed to be a bunch of nasty businesses going on at the present, but now that I was home, I was just going to enjoy the warmth of this family.

Enjoying myself when it was time to have fun and resting my mind were also essential. That was something I learned in this world.