“WHY did you accept that ridiculous offer?” I storm up to Julius the second after everyone else leaves the room to see the messenger off.
The perverted ratface came here to say, “We will make Elle Village tax-exempt if you succeed in assassinating the witch and the third prince.”
He switched out their names for witch and third prince, but he’s talking about Aela and Guido. In other words, this is a direct threat against our friends!
The moment I heard it, I stepped forward to truly roast, toast, ghost, and post the messenger this time around but was prevented once again by Julius. What’s more, Julius took it a step further and gave the order to accept the deal.
“They will only go in search of another method to destroy Guido and Aela if we turn them down. In which case, accepting is for the better.”
“Maybe it is, but I wanted to roast, toast, ghost, and post that damn nasty messenger!” I glare with contempt at Julius, who keeps his composed smile in spite of my anger and puffed-out cheeks.
I wanted to make him pay by roasting, toasting, ghosting, then posting him! That said, Julius makes a fair point. It’s extremely likely the messenger would have hired someone else to assassinate Aela if we said no.
“Don’t be angry. The time will come when you can roast, toast, ghost, then post him. Besides, we should be partially grateful to that messenger. He just gave us a good reason to back Guido and Aela.”
“A good reason…?” I repeat, blinking.
“Elle Village wants Guido, a fair and just lord, to continue on as seigneur. As residents of this village, it’s only natural for us to lend our lord a hand, don’t you think?”
That’s true. I know Aela and Guido are in a pretty tight pinch right now, but they turned down our offer of assistance, saying it’s their problem. But under these new circumstances, we have more than enough of a justification to help them out.
After all, it is no longer just their problem, but a fight to protect the peace in Elle Village!
“Hmm. When you put it like that, I have to agree. This is the optimal opportunity to roast, toast, ghost, and then post the forces opposing Aela and Guido once and for all. Mwahaha,” I cackle and proudly plant my hands on my hips. “Grand Sorceress Elle shall slap-didi-dap those ill-natured noble boneheads around until they’re on the floor begging! For I love Elle Village the most, and Elle Village loves me—” I stop in the middle of my trademark saying because something concerning edges into my thoughts. “But…is it all right for me to go visit Aela, too?”
The messenger wants us to attack Guido and Aela during the next ball. In other words, we will be infiltrating the royal capital, also known as the center of enemy territory. It will be dangerous.
“Are you capable of patiently waiting at home, Elle?”
“…If I try hard enough,” I mumble with my head down.
I’ve had problems using magic since the mass resurrection spell I cast with Aela. It’s not that I can’t use it, but I’ve lost the ability to launch off my favorite wide-area spells. I won’t be super useful in a battle.
My desire to roast, toast, ghost, then post the wicked nobles can’t be beat, but I lack the power to do it, and honestly, that makes me a deadweight.
I hate admitting it, too…
Suddenly, I hear Julius’s soft laughter above me. Then his hand pats me on the head.
“You don’t have to hold back. Let’s go together.”
His kind words give me hope. I look up at his face.
“I can go with you? Me? …I…um…can’t fight like I used to…so are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I don’t want to be apart from you, either, Elle.”
He’s okay with it?! Woo-hoo! Now I can go help Aela, too!
“Thank you, Julius! I love you!” I exclaim and hug him. He returns my hug with a squeeze.
Sensing he’s in a mood where he might say yes to anything, I decide to bring up my other hope.
“Then, then, let me have the best moment in the spotlight! I’m gonna say my trademark phrase right before we punish the bad guys! Okay?!”
I’ll have Julius corner them and take the best part for myself!
Julius bursts out laughing after I express my ultimate wish. “You’re greedy.”
“Naturally! After all, I love Elle Village the most! And Elle Village loves me the most, for I am the grand sorceress mayor Elle! Every scene in the spotlight belongs to me!”
Julius watches me getting fired up with an adoring smile. Then he brings his face close to mine. Heat blazes in his ice-blue eyes. My breath catches in my throat. I mean, when he looks at me with those eyes…I just…
“This has been bothering me for a while, but I believe your trademark phrase has a critical error. You don’t only love Elle Village and it’s not only Elle Village that loves you the most, right?” he says and covers my mouth with a kiss.
I close my eyes and enjoy the soft touch of his lips.