Huh?
Why am I just watching the girl being attacked?
It’s because we can’t move and I’m bored.
Well… first of all, this world is poor.
What happens specifically when a world is poor?
There are many terrible aspects, but one key element is that the roads are not maintained.
For us living in modern society, in a developed country, roads are made of asphalt. Even in developing countries, there are at least some passable roads.
But this world isn’t like that.
The roads here, even the major highways, are considered good if two carriages can pass each other. Most roads are barely wide enough for a single carriage.
The road we are currently traveling on is like that, with only enough width for one carriage.
So, if the carriage stops and a battle takes place in the middle of the road, we can’t proceed. There’s not enough width to pass by.
If we veer off the road, we’ll end up in a grassy field, making it impossible to move.
The grasslands are full of bumps, swamps, rocks, and poisonous insects, with a risk of the carriage overturning. We’d prefer not to venture there.
So, I’m just waiting here.
…Is it natural to help someone being attacked?
I have no such obligation.
I set up a table and chairs and started a coffee break…
“Damn it…! Carol, fall back!”
“My Lady! But…!”
“That’s an order, Carol!”
“Y-yes…!”
The woman wielding a rapier—whether she’s a guard, attendant, or maid, I’m not sure—retreated at the command of the red-haired twin-tailed girl called “My Lady.”
It seems there are about ten guards, but human soldiers are meaningless against a horde of orcs.
In fact, the soldiers are more of a hindrance.
“Hey, you guys over there… can’t you do something to help?!”
The red twin-tail yelled at me.
Oh, she noticed us.
“Well, then I’ll cheer you on. Good luck!”
“Uh… good luck!”
Ada and I sipped our milk cocoa while offering words of encouragement.
Coffee? Well, I’m still a kid, so I should probably avoid caffeine.
I do like coffee, though.
But with a child’s taste buds, I don’t find it very delicious.
And since I haven’t researched coffee beans, it probably doesn’t taste very good anyway.
Maybe it’s time to start drinking café lattes? I need to get my body used to caffeine…
“…Pop ‘Metal Shield’ output, front! …Hey, seriously help out! Your girl there is a mage, right? I’ll pay you!”
Oh, she’s calling for Ada.
“Me? You mean?”
“Yes! That boy… huh? Why doesn’t he have any magic power?!… No, never mind, just help!”
Hmm…
Well, this could take a while at this rate.
Guess I have to step in.
I snapped my fingers and cast “Delete Magic.”
Suddenly, the orcs’ heads vanished, and their bodies collapsed like puppets with their strings cut.
“Huh…? What?”
The red twin-tail looked confused.
“I helped you.”
“…Huh?”
“No, I helped you. What will you give me in return?”
The red twin-tail inspected the headless orc corpses.
The fact that she could closely examine the corpses showed her nerves were steely. As expected of a warrior family.
“Umm, did you… do this?”
I snapped my fingers again.
This time, half of an orc disappeared.
“…I see.”
Seeing that, the red twin-tail’s face turned pale.
But she didn’t scream or flee, showing she was mentally tougher than my teacher, Margaret.
“Ahem! Excuse me. I am Francis Klein, daughter of the Marquis Alzar von Klein of the House of Klein.”
Saying that, she proudly puffed out her flat chest… Francis.
Hmm…
Francis is a name that can be both male and female, with different spellings in English but pronounced the same.
Well, it doesn’t make sense for a world that feels like France to have Japanese as the official language, so thinking about it is pointless.
So, Francis.
As a noble, she’s reasonably well-groomed.
But compared to me and Ada, who bathe every day, she looks a bit dirty.
Her hair is red… a vibrant, anime-like red. She has it in twin-tails with black frilly ribbons.
Her chest… oh, my condolences…
Ada’s breasts have been growing, and she’s already had her first period, but Francis still looks childlike.
It’s sad.
Her face? Her face is extremely cute.
A bit sharp-featured, but her friendly demeanor makes up for it.
For a noble’s child and a mage to protect the common soldiers around her, she must have a good personality.
Her skin is tanned. It’s the sun-kissed wheat color, but she is of the white race. It seems this country is exclusively white.
Well, that makes sense. In a country where race equates to nationality, there would be no multicultural states.
Even on a village level, there’s so much discrimination. Forcing a multicultural state would be catastrophic.
…Though, living as an Asian in America, there was plenty of racial discrimination.
Multicultural states just don’t work!
If I were to create a multicultural state, I’d balance the racial population and give them a non-racial ethnic identity.
I wouldn’t start with adults with established identities, but with children without firm nationalism, using education to make them the first generation.
Anyway, let’s respond to her greeting.
“I see. I am Exus Rayvan, son of a rural knight. I’m headed to the academy in the royal capital.”
“I am Ada. I’m a commoner, but as Exus-sama’s disciple and subordinate, I’m going to the academy with him.”
Hearing that, Francis’ eyebrows twitched.
“You there, mind your manners. I outrank you.”
“Is that so? I don’t feel the need to respect someone I can erase in an instant.”
“…Really? As a noble, you fail, but personally, I like that attitude.”
Hmm?
“In reality, you were struggling against the orc horde, but you dealt with them instantly. I recognize your strength. Speak as you please. …But be careful when speaking to other nobles.”
“No way.”
“No way… haha! You’re funny! …Carol! It’s a good time, so let’s take a break!”
“Yes!”
With Francis’ command, the soldiers quickly began setting up camp.
“Exus, Ada. You’re interesting! Tell me something fun!”
