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Chapter 117

The Importance of Security

“Saintesses, I’m very sorry about this . But after tonight’s events, we must reconsider the security of this place . And it would be very helpful if you could at least explain to us what happened tonight . ”

The tall Saintess did not try to hide her annoyance . The small one must have been sleepy, as she had a vague expression . Hou changed his strategy .

“Well, if Aeris or Aaron fully understand the situation, that is fine too . The Saintesses are leaving tomorrow with the princesses, yes? We want to make plans tonight . It’s for their safety . ”

“Still…”

“Still what? Aeris?”

The commander and Aeris seemed close .

“I will be separated from Maki and Chiharu starting tomorrow . And so I want to spend as much time with them as possible . ”

“Are you stupid! Besides, this ‘separation’ is just a few days . ”

Hou was quite exasperated .

“Look here . If you’re leaving, that means security will be even more important . ”

“I will go then . I think that I know the most about the situation anyway . Aeris and Aaron can escort Maki and Chiharu to their room . ”

Edwy interrupted . Then he signaled for the others to take the tired Saintesses away . They watched them walk away, and then Edwy invited Hou to his room . And in spite of not even inviting them, Toul and the two other princesses followed them .

So there were three royals who were just there to watch . However, Edwy was competent enough to order drinks for all of them .

“It’s hard to believe he’s so much younger than them . ”

This Midland prince was really just a child in comparison . Hou had always expected that being in charge of security in the elf lands was back-breaking work . Seeing as how people like Aeris and the royals just did as they pleased without much sense of danger over anything . And he became sure of it after seeing Edwy .

As he was the Midland prince, Edwy had been given a large room, and they were all able to sit in it comfortably .

“So, about the Saintesses . This business about turning monsters into magic stones, as you saw today, we’ve already reported it to the king . ”

“Hmm . I have heard it as well . However, this has not been discussed with anyone else yet . ”

“Yes, we didn’t know either . ”

Toul nodded and the first princess agreed with him . However, Hou was not satisfied .

“Still, it is quite troublesome if us guards are not aware of such things . I heard that the Saintesses like to sneak around in disguises . And so I thought that a small team of guards should be the minimum . Of course, I intend to go as well . ”

“You’re already worth several soldiers by yourself . That should be enough . ”

“But if what happened earlier were to happen every night or during the day? No, we must have several teams take turns watching the area . ”

Edwy shook his head .

“Perhaps that looked like a lot of gazers to you, but I’ve seen Maki and Chiharu surrounded by more of them . And several times . The monsters only come out at night . And they never harm the Saintesses . And so there is no need to fear the monsters . If anything…”

Edwy’s blue eyes moved towards Hou .

“Fearing or avoiding the Saintesses because they can turn monsters into stones…that is what will hurt them . And so…”

“So?”

“What you should be careful of, is the malice of others . ”

“That’s…”

It wasn’t his job . That’s what Hou wanted to say .

“Sometimes you end up hurting those you are supposed to protect . People ask why the Saintesses don’t purify all of the monsters . They forget that they were summoned here by god, and they see them as nothing but tools to be used . ”

Edwy continued .

“Of course, that includes soldiers and ordinary people as well . ”

Silence fell over the room .

“Indeed, they turned those monsters into stone as if it were nothing . Some people will start to think that it’s foolish to send Adventurers and soldiers to the dungeons . ”

“Sister, what are you talking about? There are some people who are good with bows, but that doesn’t mean they should be forced into making archery their profession . It’s all up to them . ”

Oh? Edwy thought . The princesses were surprisingly capable of having decent thoughts .

Edwy nodded at them and then turned to Hou .

“So you should protect Maki and Chiharu to a degree that it doesn’t bother them . However, the soldiers should know that monsters tend to gather around them, and while the Saintesses do have the ability to purify them, it causes a great strain on their body and mind . ”

“They seemed rather cheerful for being so tired . ”

Hou couldn’t help but mutter . They didn’t look that exhausted .

“I said body and mind . To the Saintesses, the monsters are just living creatures . It hurts them to have to end the lives of creatures with emotions . ”

This was all very difficult for Hou to understand . He didn’t even see the monsters as living creatures .

“After all, they wouldn’t allow anyone to step on the Mandragoras . They even returned that fluff to the air . ”

The fifth princess said as she recalled the scene .

“Perhaps this is difficult for a soldier like you to understand . And so we will try our hardest to protect them from the malice of others . Won’t we, sister?”

“Of course . While we may be rivals, they are Saintesses who God invited so that they could purify this world . Yes, we shall treat them well . ”

So they’re still rivals then . Edwy thought with amusement . Then the fifth princess turned to Hou .

“We were going to make plans about the sightseeing, but that’s when the Mandragoras started to go mad . And so we haven’t really decided on anything yet . However, if they like to eat, I think I will take them to the honey workshop in the royal forest . And if they are interested in clothes, I will take them to the fabric workshop, where they can see the silkworms and weavers . ”

She said .

“Hmm . Well, I suppose you won’t need much protection if you’re going to the honey workshop . But there are many more people at the fabric workshop… Even if we don’t take monsters into account…”

Hou thought about it for a moment, and then he said to the princesses,

“If you do end up going to the fabric workshop, we will have to send more guards, but I will make sure that they do not draw too much attention . ”

“Very well . We will also watch the Saintesses carefully . ”

The first princess said with a nod . And then Hou stood up from his seat .

“Well then, see you tomorrow . ”

He bowed to Edwy and then turned to the royals .

“Your Highness, how long do you intend to stay here? I am sure Prince Edwy is very tired . ”

“But this is such a rare visit, I don’t see the problem . ”

“There is a problem . Now please leave . ”

“Edwy . Let’s have a drink together when things settle . ”

“So that’s what you were after from the beginning . Now, let’s go . ”

The three left soｍberly as Hou drove them out of the room .

“Well, well . They are a little similar to Aeris and Van . ”

Edwy sighed . He would have liked to spend time with Maki and Chiharu as well, but it couldn’t be helped . Still, Aaron and the fifth princess would take care of things here while they were gone . He had to fulfill his duty first . He told himself this as he prepared for bed .