On the fifth day since the party was canceled, I'm out and about without permission again.
Once I got over that first day, I got used to it, and now I make sure to decide where I'm going the day before.
With the goal of showing the Holy Empress and Kokkoro, who was summoned here not too long ago, around, we were unexpectedly enjoying a fulfilling summer vacation.
The Holy Empress has also gotten completely used to these secret outings, and when we show up, she's already fully prepared. It's gotten to the point where we might as well just meet up at the destination.
We were with La Folia and the others on the first day, but of course, we haven't been with them since the second day. They apparently have their own business to attend to. They are royalty, after all.
And so, as originally planned, my sole protectee is the Holy Empress. I feel a bit guilty getting credit and money for this.
Yukina and Kokkoro have gotten completely comfortable with the Holy Empress and are now close friends.
Their personalities must match, because they get along at least as well as she does with Lainess. Kokkoro can get along with anyone, so there's no need to worry.
"That's a pretty carefree bodyguard detail you've got there. You don't look like someone who's asked for information to be looked into."
"That's true. It's a lot of work to make sure I don't let my guard down because of it."
I stepped away for a bit and was on the phone with Jeanne.
"So, what's the situation like?"
"Ah, well..."
I wasn't inviting her out for anything, I was just asking for some intel.
"It seems that the unknown monster, the one from before, is appearing all over the island."
"So it seems..."
The monster he's referring to is the trash Yummy that appeared at the party venue.
The images she sent me showed trash Yummies attacking people, and管理局員 (Kanri Kyoku-in- Administration Bureau Members) and武偵 (Butei-Armed Detectives) fighting them.
There were not only trash types, but also proper Yummies.
"There's no commonality in the places where they're attacking, is there? It's not like they're targeting any specific person."
"That's what it looks like to me, too. But the frequency of their appearances is increasing day by day."
"...Is that because desires are building up?"
"Hmm? What did you say?"
"Nah, it's nothing. Are these stronger individuals (the normal Yummies, not the trash ones) increasing as well?"
"They are. Once they reach this level, normal firearms are completely useless. Though I suppose they're no problem for you."
The number of Yummies is also increasing... I want to act and solve this before things get worse. If I wait until the Holy Empress's bodyguard duty is over, the situation might become irreversible.
"Thanks. I'll drop by your shop sometime."
"Hey, stop it."
"I'll bring the Holy Empress with me. I'm pretty sure you've been working every day lately, right?"
"No, that'll just... Oh, yes! I'm on my way back now! Anyway, don't come! Got it?!"
After those words, the call was disconnected. I decided to go back to my seat.
We were taking a break at a shop along the coast. Compared to the noisy city center, it was a little quieter here.
Yukina, Kokkoro, and the Holy Empress were sitting at the table, chatting happily.
"Master, what were you doing?"
"Just on the phone for a bit."
"With whom?"
"Jeanne. I was having her investigate what happened the other day."
I sat down.
"That incident... I see... I haven't received any information about it..."
The Holy Empress said apologetically.
"No, it's just a precaution. I figured it was best to be prepared in case something happened."
According to Jeanne, it seems no ringleader has been found. The Yummies just seem to appear out of nowhere.
"Hmm?"
A message came in on my device.
"Hm... ah..."
"Sho-san? Is something wrong?"
"Nah, one of Kuro's friends is competing in the Intermiddle. Have you even heard of the Intermiddle?"
"Yes. I've never seen a match, but... isn't it already in the block finals period?"
She seems to have the schedule down pat.
"Yeah. The results of that match just came in."
"How did it go? At this time, it must be Vivio-chan's match, right?"
"I believe Vivio-sama's opponent was... Master's boss's..."
Yukina and Kokkoro also took out their devices.
"That's right, Miura Rinaldi, from Commander Yagami's dojo. The result was a loss, unfortunately. It seems it was a close match that could have gone either way."
"That's too bad..."
"But I'm sure Vivio-sama will turn this loss into strength."
The Holy Empress said quietly.
"I wish we could have gone to see it."
"Are you interested?"
"I don't know any famous athletes, but I'd like to see a match in person at least once."
If you say so.
"How about we change our plans and go see a match? There are more matches later today."
I don't think they'll lose, but the block finals aren't easy enough to win every time. The number of competitors might be significantly reduced today.
"That sounds good. Let's go."
The client's word is law, after all. I guess we'll go watch a match today.
Once the decision was made, we moved quickly.
We left the shop and headed for the venue. We were about to head there, when...
"I hear something."
"Yeah. It's noisy."
"Is there some kind of trouble...?"
"Ah! Everyone, it's over there!"
We were able to find the source of the commotion right away.
A young girl and three men in suits were in a scuffle. The girl in particular was wearing an incredibly unique outfit...!
Huh? Huh?!
"Senior, you're looking at her again. Do you know who that is? Is she a friend of yours? ...Again?"
"She's not a friend, but I know who she is."
I held back the dangerously-toned Yukina.
"Does the Holy Empress know her too?"
"Y-yes. I've never spoken to her directly since she doesn't appear in public often, but..."
I see. I knew she existed, but she wasn't at the party.
Even so, what exactly do you call that outfit? I don't think my vocabulary can describe it. At the very least, no one would wear that as their everyday clothes. If they did, they'd be cosplaying every day.
And most of all, even with that outrageous outfit, it looks familiar. That swaying "tail" too.
"That person is Lala Satalin Deviluke, the first princess of the Deviluke Kingdom...!"
"!!"
"...I knew it."
Yukina and Kokkoro's expressions changed.
The princess was in a scuffle with several men in black suits. The situation, no matter how you look at it, is that.
"Yes, she has a very distinctive outfit. But this is!"
Yukina took out her weapon from her guitar case.
"Yukikagerou!!"
It transformed, reflecting the light.
"Yes! Yukina-sama, let's go!"
Kokkoro also took out her spear.
"Ah, wait..."
The two of them charged forward.
"Let! Me! Go!!"
"Just stop...!"
Yukina cut in between the men in black suits who were pulling on Lala's arm.
"Wh-who are you?!"
"You won't get past me!"
Yukina held her spear warily.
"Huh? Huh?"
"Princess, this way."
Behind her, Kokkoro was leading the bewildered Lala toward us.
"Yozuki-san!"
"...It is what it is."
I muttered this while looking at the Holy Empress, who was shouting right next to me, and at Yukina, who was taking out the men in black suits in front of me.
---------
"Ehh?! Those people... were her bodyguards?!"
"Yeah. That's right? They're my bodyguards."
Yukina's voice echoed through the shop.
We were supposed to go to the Intermiddle venue but ended up back at a different shop. With the addition of a new member, Lala, it became even more lively.
Lala was the main source of the noise, though.
"If those people are Lala-san's bodyguards, why were you running away?"
The Holy Empress asked the most reasonable question.
Looking at the scene, it was easy to mistake it for a kidnapping. A kidnapping with clumsily executed methods.
"I just got tired of all the arranged dates! So I just ran away from home!"
"Eeeh...?"
A princess running away from home with the same nonchalance as a kid who's been told to study too much.
But, well, this was pretty much what I expected. Besides, Lala could probably fend off a few opponents by herself.
"My dad's been so mean! Ever since the start of the year, it's been arranged date after arranged date. I thought I could have fun when I got to this island, but it's still just arranged dates. I'm so fed up."
"Th-that's a bit irresponsible, isn't it? Your father and mother must be worried..."
"I don't like my dad lately. He only talks about that whenever I see him."
"King Deviluke is a wise man. I'm sure he's always worried about the future of his country. Though I agree that forcing it isn't a good idea."
"Wise?"
"It means he's smart."
"Ehh? My dad? You think so?"
The serious Holy Empress was having an argument with Lala. It was then that...
"S-Senior. What should we do...!"
Yukina looked at me with a pale face. She thought she was helping someone who was being attacked, but it turns out she was the one doing the kidnapping.
And the one who took out the most bodyguards was Yukina.
"I-It's okay! I'll put in a good word for you!"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll tell them it's okay, too. That kind of thing happens all the time."
"I-Is that so? Thank you so much!"
Yukina bowed her head over and over again.
While they were talking, I noticed something.
"Huh?"
What is this?
I thought Lala's outfit was a very avant-garde design, but was there a slit there?
No, there wasn't!! And wait, there are more and more holes appearing in her clothes?!
"Huh?"
"La-Lala-san?!"
"Wh-what's happening...?"
"The clothes are getting more and more holes in them..."
The Holy Empress, Yukina, Kokkoro, and Lala also noticed the change.
"M-My apologies, Lala-sama. My battery is out..."
The Peke, which was sitting on Lala's head like a hat, said. This is Lala's invention, the all-purpose costume robot. Lala's clothes are formed by the nanomachine it generates, but...
"Ah, now that you mention it, did I forget to charge it yesterday?"
"Yes... Yesterday, you changed costumes five times for five different arranged dates..."
"Oh, that's right."
Even though the fabric was disappearing, she was completely carefree. She laughed cheerfully and drank her juice.
"W-Wait! Wh-why are you so calm?! Aah, you can see...!"
"La-Lala-san! Can't you do something?"
"Ehh? What do you want me to do? I can't charge Peke anywhere but the hotel..."
"Senior, can't you do something?! Ah, please do something without looking too much!"
"Do something... I guess I could wrap you in Black Shadow Dark Shadow?"
That would at least make her invisible, and in the meantime, I could go buy a change of clothes. If I wrapped this beautiful girl in a black shadow, I'd probably get a call from the Administration Bureau before the clothes even arrived.
But it would be better than letting the Princess of the Deviluke Kingdom strip in public.
"Y-Yes, let's do that for now! Aah! There's almost no fabric left! W-Wait, even her underwear is disappearing!"
"Peke makes all of it, you know."
"She's so carefree."
"Master, hurry! The people around us are starting to stare!"
The Holy Empress and Kokkoro urged me on with voices that were almost screams.
"Black Shadow Dark Shadow."
(I guess this is my job again...)
It's not my fault you're so useful. You're always a big help.
"Whoa! Hey, is this your ability?"
A bird-shaped shadow wrapped around Lala. This made her invisible, at least. But it didn't change the fact that we were still attracting attention.
"Okay, next up is clothes."
"You don't have to worry about it, you know? It's totally fine if I just go back to the hotel right away."
"I do worry about it!"
No matter what, please have a little more shame!
"The closest one is... here."
"Let's go! Lala-san!"
"Okay! Clothes, huh... It's been a while since I've picked out my own."
"Wait, are you going to take her like that? We'll get questioned by the police."
Even though the Black Shadow Dark Shadow was covering her private parts, she was conspicuous in a different way.
"Someone will just have to go buy them."
That inevitably excludes the Holy Empress and Lala. I can't move because I have to maintain the Black Shadow Dark Shadow. Kokkoro isn't familiar with this island, so it would take too long.
"Understood. Then I'll..."
"Then you can just use this!"
Lala took out a bracelet that was adorned with a design similar to the outfit she was wearing earlier.
I had a bad feeling about this.
"What is that?"
"This is the 'Piyon-Piyon Warp-kun Kai'. You can warp to a place you want to go to with this! Before, you couldn't set a destination, but I improved it the other day~"
My bad feeling came true.
"You can warp here using that?!"
"I heard that Princess Lala of the Deviluke Kingdom is also an inventor with her genius mind..."
"Yup! I invented this too~"
It seems Lala's genius mind is still alive and well in this world. But it's not well-known. If a small device like this can enable a human to warp, it should be a huge invention.
Which means, there's a serious flaw.
"...Okay, the destination is set. Grab on to me!"
"No, you absolutely should not..."
I tried to stop them, but my words didn't reach the panicking girls.
"Senior, let's go!"
"No, don't...!"
"Okay, let's go!"
I hesitated, but Lala ignored my protests and activated the Piyon-Piyon Warp-kun Kai. The only one who warped with Lala was Yukina, who was already holding onto her...
"Oh, well..."
With a flash of light, the two of them disappeared from the spot.
"Huh, why...?"
"Master, what does this mean...?"
It was true that both of them were gone from the spot.
All that was left behind was theButei-chu - Armed Detective High School uniform. The uniform that Yukina had been wearing just moments ago.
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