Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Nirua tried out a disguise as a test.
Nirua's special makeup ability, which allowed him to create any color or texture he wanted with just a dough made from specific ingredients, was truly a cheat in a different sense than his elemental abilities.
He disguised Rick and his troops to look like completely different people.
Anyone who saw them would think they were a mercenary group that had been scraping by on the streets for about 20 years.
To change Rick's sharp impression into that of a drunken middle-aged man at a glance.
"...It's even more amazing to see it in person."
As I muttered, Nirua lowered his head.
"You flatter me."
But there was one thing he couldn't hide.
"It's like you've become a new person. Artifacts that change appearances have a strange Magical Power flowing through them, making it difficult to fight, but this..."
Rick, who was admiring the disguise while clenching and unclenching his fist, had a—.
"...If you didn't smile, Lord Rick, the disguise would be perfect."
...A bright smile on his face.
Well, you can't hide a smile with makeup.
I saw Pielle lower his head at my words.
I'm sure he was smiling a moment ago, wasn't he?
And behind Rick, the mercenary middle-aged man corps, no, his subordinates who were informants and executors, were seen holding back their laughter.
At that moment, Rick turned around to look at them, his smile disappearing as if by magic.
"Are you laughing in the presence of the Lord and Lady?"
At his quietly dropped voice, the executors, who had quickly regained their discipline, stared straight ahead with stiff expressions.
And Rick became a cheerful middle-aged man again.
The Lord, Dielo, whom he had mentioned, was simply looking at them with curiosity, without saying anything in particular.
Of course, I was the same.
"...The disguise is complete. If you lightly bake it over a fire, it will last a long time, but you can get burned with too strong heat, so use dying embers—"
It was when Nirua was continuing his explanation.
Rick raised his hand.
—Whoosh!
A very brief flame flickered on and off on Rick's face.
"About this much?"
To light his face on fire while smiling cheerfully.
It was only for a moment, but I grabbed Dielo's hand tightly without realizing it.
"Krua?"
Dielo, who looked back at me with a puzzled expression, seemed unfazed.
...This person is bold in strange ways. Is it because he's used to it?
"...I was a little surprised."
At my words, Dielo took a step in front of me. As if to protect me from Rick.
"It's okay, Dielo."
"I don't want Krua to be uncomfortable."
After whispering that, Dielo turned to look at Rick.
"...!"
But Rick, who met his gaze, paused.
Like a herbivore meeting a predator.
Before I could even wonder, Rick bowed neatly.
"I will be careful in the future, Lady."
His attitude changed so suddenly that it was unfamiliar.
"...Dielo?"
I took a step forward and looked back at Dielo. He had his usual gentle expression.
"Yes, Krua?"
I didn't think he would have stiffened up with that expression.
"Did you make a scary face just now?"
At my words, Dielo blinked. Then he narrowed his eyes and looked at me.
"Are you perhaps talking about this expression?"
"..."
That's the expression he had when he was dissatisfied with the meal last time.
"No."
I waved my hand. What's important now isn't how Dielo scared Rick.
"Everyone, heat-treat the makeup to make it last as long as possible, and be careful not to let it come off on the day of."
At my words, Rick lowered his head.
"I will keep that in mind."
And those behind him all at once—.
—Whoosh!
...Lit their faces on fire.
I couldn't help but flinch again.
I clearly saw Dielo's eyes narrow at that moment.
That was the expression, the one Rick saw.
It certainly looked like he was angry, but...
...Still, it's Dielo.
"...I told you, I was just a little surprised. Calm down."
It seems like I'm the only one surprised here. Then I'm the one being fussy, it's not like they did anything wrong.
At my words, Dielo smiled gently.
"I'm worried that there will be those who take Krua lightly if you are this merciful."
I couldn't possibly retort in front of the servants.
Shouldn't Dielo be the one who's worried about that?
Then someone muttered next to me.
"...They're lighting their faces on fire."
I wondered who was surprised besides me, and it was Nirua.
He had a dumbfounded look on his face.
It must have been a rare sight even for an assassin who had been through thick and thin.
"Oh, it seems to be getting harder as I bake it?"
In front of him, Rick kept lighting his face on fire, saying he was going to test the limits.
Perhaps conscious of Dielo, he turned away from me. But I could clearly see his hands whooshing.
"..."
So that's why he got the nickname 'cheerful madman'.
While I was gaining enlightenment, there was someone else who was trying to gain a similar enlightenment.
"...Are all the swords of Argenta like that?"
It was Nirua. And next to him, Pielle said.
"No, they are not."
She seemed to hate being lumped together with the same group, and said in a very firm voice.
"Rick is the unusual one."
As she said that, Pielle glanced at me.
As if asking me to believe her.
* * *
The Keen Merchant Guild, which secretly handles Argenta's supplies.
They quickly carried out the orders from Argenta.
The new supplies they prepared were truly massive on the surface.
The number of wagons mobilized was incomparable to the last time.
And among them, several of Rick's executors, disguised as mercenaries, joined.
They prepared a tempting bait to entice those who would try to interfere with our supplies.
And in addition to that.
"Prepare the supplies in advance so that you can replenish them as soon as you deal with the enemies."
I sent them a separate order for the supply of herbs.
"Understood."
This way, even if the supply is slower than usual, we can prevent the problem of the supply being excessively delayed.
That's what I thought, but a few days later, a problem arose.
"It seems that there is a problem because it is the change of seasons when spring is coming."
One of the informants reported with a troubled face.
"There is a person who has been using medicine continuously because the inflammation does not subside, but the medicine has been delayed due to this supply problem, and the inflammation has worsened."
I frowned at those words.
"He needs stronger herbs, but it seems that they happen to be in the blocked supply..."
He trailed off with a troubled expression.
Nias, who had gone to see him in person on Dielo's orders, also had a bad look on his face.
"It seems that the recent weather has been too much for the patient due to the large daily temperature range."
He said with a troubled face.
"If he doesn't use the medicine in time, the inflammation will spread to other places."
He said that because it was an inflammation caused by the Magical Power of a monster, it tormented people terribly.
"Then..."
Nias said in a calm but heavy voice.
"He could die."
"..."
I looked back at Dielo. Dielo also had a serious expression.
"Of course, Argenta, who is receiving the supplies, also understands the situation. They said they would humbly accept the situation."
The informant said at that time.
In short, he won't complain even if he dies.
I frowned at those words.
Saying it like that makes me even more concerned.
It was Argenta who was loyal enough to take charge of the defense of District 7 in the northwest even with a sick body.
Moreover, he even sent a message saying that he was fine so that the Lord and Lady would not worry.
According to Nias, it would be so painful that it would be difficult to even open his mouth properly.
"Krua."
At that time, Dielo grabbed my hand.
"...Ah."
Only then did I realize that I was clenching my fist tightly. He grabbed my hand, which had turned white as my fingernails dug in.
His somewhat cold hand was enveloped in warmth.
"I think there's a way."
At those words, I looked back at Dielo. Dielo was looking at me with sparkling eyes.
"Since Krua taught me, I should use it well."
...Me, what?
While I was slightly opening my mouth, Dielo got up.
And he brought a map and spread it out in front of me.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the map.
"I heard that the carriage that was supposed to come after defeating the enemies contains the necessary herbs. If we can supply only those herbs separately, the urgent problem will be solved."
He pointed to the supply route.
But it was impossible to deliver the herbs on time without crossing the large swamp in question.
That being said, we couldn't change the plan to melt the swamp and wipe out the enemies all at once now.
"...If we can freeze the swamp again."
I suddenly widened my eyes. Dielo smiled gently.
"That's right, Krua."
His eyes sparkled.
"We can take the enemy's artifact and use this swamp."
The Alloze who could firmly freeze the wide swamp with that artifact was none other than me.
"Dielo!"
I couldn't help but hug him, who had presented the perfect answer.
"Did I learn well enough?"
Dielo laughed in a low voice and asked.
"Of course."
The question of whether I had even taught him this went away in a moment.
What was important was that nothing heartbreaking had to happen.
That I didn't have to watch someone who had pledged allegiance die helplessly.
Dielo smiled proudly as he looked at me. Then he kissed the back of my hand briefly.
"I'm glad Krua is here."
Really.
He whispered in a soft voice. A short kiss landed again.
Warm and sweet.
"..."
I could see people trying hard to look elsewhere.
...Only then did I realize that I had become accustomed to Dielo's skinship.
I also realized at that time that my cheeks were already flushed.
Oh my gosh.
I shouldn't get used to it. I covered my cheeks with both hands.
Dielo burst out laughing.
