The next day, around 10am.
I knock on the door of the chairman's office.
I heard a reply from inside, so I opened the door and went inside, then closed it, and found Croana writing some documents at her desk.
When Croana looked up and saw me, she smiled happily and pointed to the sofa.
As I move to the sofa, I apologize to Croana.
"Sorry to bother you at this busy time."
"There's no need to apologize, I have a tendency to concentrate too much so this is just right. Besides... I wouldn't be rude to my lover if he came to visit."
Croana said with a smile, to which I returned a smile and sat down on the sofa.
After waiting for a while, Croana finished writing the paperwork and came over to me with a smile.
She sits between my legs with her back to me and leans her weight onto me.
When I hugged the cute Croana from behind, I heard her giggle with joy.
"So, what's going on today?"
"...Have you heard about the three of them from Erika?"
"Yes, I have received reports. It's sad, but I feel like the quality of the nobility is declining year by year."
"That's going to keep me busy for a bit, so I came to refill my Croana."
"...Your reaction really tickles my maternal instinct."
Croana stood up and turned to face me, then straddled me, put her arms around my neck and kissed me.
I hugged her back and kissed her again and again.
After kissing for a while, Croana pulls away, her cheeks flushed red, and she smiles with moist eyes as she speaks.
"I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, but... please come back safely."
"...I won't do anything dangerous like that."
"I don't know, you tend to sacrifice yourself for the people you care about."
"I'll be careful."
Croana nodded at my words, smiled, and kissed me again.
They stay in that position for a while, talking about what's happened recently and getting cozy before leaving the president's office.
It was around 3pm.
While the students are training in the training ground, I call out to Roy.
Lucy, who was with Roy, joined along and came trotting over to me.
Roy straightened up and looked up at me, so I briefly explained the situation and told him I would be leaving the school for a while.
I told them that Felica, an instructor for the upper grades, would be teaching them while I was away.
"...I understand, be careful."
"Be careful."
"Thank you, sorry."
Roy shook his head at my apology and smiled as if nothing had happened.
I tell him about the event that will occur while I'm away.
I put one hand on Roy's shoulder and said with a serious expression.
"Listen, Roy. If you can't choose both... then just choose both. Right now, Roy can do it."
"...? Yes, I understand."
Roy tilted his head in confusion as he replied, and I nodded with a wry smile.
Lucy also didn't understand what I was saying, and tilted her head just like Roy.
Just saying this word should turn your two choices into three.
There were only two options in the game, but Roy in his current state should be able to win the answer that the research team came up with through speculation.
You should now be able to grasp the third answer, which can only be found in reality.
With a final smile, he tapped Roy lightly on the shoulder twice and sent them back to training.
Around 5pm in the evening.
As I headed towards the main gate to leave the school, Felica was leaning against it, arms crossed, waiting for me.
From a distance, it exudes an atmosphere that draws no one in.
She certainly deserves to be called the Empress, I thought to myself as I approached.
Then, she noticed me, smiled happily, looked around to check something, and came running over to me.
Then she hugged me and pressed her large breasts against my arm.
...Ah, did you check to see if there were any people around?
It's so cute, seriously. My lovers have so many differences, don't they?
"Felica, you're tired. What happened?"
"No... I won't be able to see you for a while..."
When I heard her whisper, "I want to be by your side," I couldn't help but kiss her.
After being kissed, Felica blushes and protests, saying that they are on school grounds.
So I apologize briefly and give her one more quick kiss.
Hearing her cute voice of protest, I told Felica that we were heading to Suzuya together today and we started walking.
Apparently he had something to talk about with Erica.
Also, Nimi and Felica are very concerned about Elicia.
Recently, his health has improved considerably, and the three of them have been having tea together in the afternoon.
"How long is it going to take?"
"I wonder... First, I need to hear what he has to say and make sure he's okay..."
"I'm not saying this to Croana, but the nobles I've heard of recently... are there a few?"
"It's easier to talk about nobles with bad reputations than decent nobles."
Yes, there are many proper nobles.
It's not that the nobles as a whole have a bad reputation, it's just that the nobles I happen to be associated with are of poor quality.
If you say that, Felica is also a noble.
It's not that Felica has a bad reputation; in fact, she's well-liked by commoners and subordinates.
I said with a wry smile, looking Felica in the eye.
"Once the recent troubles are over, the quality of the nobles will improve. After all, they'll be gone... physically."
"…With the kingdom in motion, that's bound to happen. As a fellow noble, I find it deplorable."
I smiles wryly at Felica's frown and kisses her cheek.
A beautiful face shouldn't have that kind of expression, right?
Felica was surprised by the kiss, but then she smiled happily and rested her head on my shoulder.
We chatted a little about everyday things, our grades, and the church, and before we knew it, time had passed and we had arrived at Suzuya.
Felica said she was heading to Erika's house, kissed her on the lips as she left, and ran off.
...She's too cute, I'm starting to feel like my rationality is being tested.
I enter the bar and start helping out, while informing the adventurers that I will be leaving the royal capital for a while.
I told them it would probably take more than 10 days, and when I bowed my head and asked them to ask Suzuya, they got angry.
A male adventurer who looked like a thief told me to raise my head.
"Hey instructor, do we look like the kind of people who would repay kindness with ingratitude?"
"Well, about this incident..."
"Nothing's changed, it's the same. As an instructor, all you have to do is tell us to take care of Suzuya, there's no need to bow your head."
"You know adventurers are loyal, right?"
"It's too late now, ha."
"I was wondering what you'd say after bowing your head, but it's not an instructor."
If you have such a conversation with a male adventurer, people around you will get angry at you.
Before I knew it, she started pointing out my good and bad points, which made me feel embarrassed.
They are really good guys.
If I actually bowed, I would be scolded, so I bowed in my mind to the adventurers who were having fun and making noise.
Nimi came out of the kitchen and watched the situation with a warm, motherly smile.