It Seems That the Slave Girl Is Actually a Count's Daughter. - Episode 16: That Day, That Time

Episode 16: That Day, That Time 

“It’s surprising that El-sama has something he’s not good at. I thought you could do anything.” 

“Everyone has things they’re not good at. Even you, Pamela, right?” 

As we ate together, we started a reflection session about this morning’s events. Of course, I was the only one who needed to reflect. Just apologizing with words wasn’t enough—I had to take proper measures. Or I’d end up making the same mistake again. 

At least I was wearing clothes this time, so it wasn’t too bad. But if I hadn’t been… I might have ruined Pamela’s future as a bride while still half-asleep. Just thinking about it was terrifying. Maybe we should start sleeping in separate beds. 

“Hmm, if I had to say…….. I’m not good with spiders. No, I think it’s anything with too many legs.” 

Pamela seemed to take my question seriously. She was placing a hand on her chin as she thought. So earnest! I felt like I shouldn’t taint such a pure and honest girl with my filthy hands… even if that was what she wanted. 

“I see. A lot of people dislike multi-legged creatures. I’ll try to choose workplaces where you won’t run into them.” 

Pamela made a disgusted face. She was probably picturing them. Whoops, I ruined her meal. 

— 

“I’ve been thinking………… Maybe we should still sleep in separate beds. If something happened, it would be a problem for you, right?” 

Pamela’s eyes widened, and tears welled up in them. Uh-oh. 

“Pa-Pamela!?” 

“Why…? It wouldn’t be a problem for me at all…” 

Tears started spilling down her cheeks. Was there something in that conversation worth crying over!? A maiden’s heart is more complicated than I thought. Panicking, I rubbed her back. 

“Oh dear, Master made Pamela cry. You should just give in already. You won’t find another girl as wonderful as her.” 

Shiro, who had suddenly started persuading me, was now being cradled on Pamela’s lap like a treasure. She seemed to feel like she’d gained a reliable ally. Why, though? Shouldn’t my own familiar be siding with me? 

Wait… could it be? Maybe Shiro received a message from my mother. And maybe the message was something like, “No matter what, secure Pamela.” If that were the case, it would all make sense. 

But I couldn’t back down here. 

I lost the “bath together or not” battle. But if I won the “sleep together or not” battle, I could at least break even. 

“Shiro’s right. Pamela is far too good for me. And that’s exactly why I want her to take care of herself. I don’t want her to become a lady who lets just any man hold her.” 

“Oh? So Master actually thinks things through sometimes.” 

See, Shiro? No complaints now, right? 

“It’s not just any man. I only want to be held by you, El-sama.” 

A piercing gaze silently fixed on me. Those eyes… she was serious. Dead serious. 

How did it come to this? Pamela and I had only met once before. And even then, we’d only exchanged a brief glance. 

—

That day, Pamela had been on her way home to the Count’s estate in a carriage. It must have been later than expected, as the sun was already beginning to set. 

Unfortunately, that was when they were attacked by a group of monsters. I had no idea why a pack of Orcs was in that area. But my magic detection had picked something up, so I rushed over—only to find the carriage already surrounded. 

Her guards had been fighting desperately. But they were badly outnumbered. And with the sun setting, darkness was creeping in. In that situation, they wouldn’t even have time to create light, making things even worse. 

“I’ll back you up!” 

With that, I activated my magic sword. The glow from the blade faintly illuminated the area. It revealed the Orcs’ dark, rough forms. That should have at least given us a slight advantage.

The magic sword I activated was of the light attribute. Its sharpness was exceptional. 

Through the carriage window, I caught a glimpse of the princess inside. If she saw the battlefield littered with corpses and spilled entrails, it would surely traumatize her. But there was no other choice if she wanted to survive. 

Orcs weren’t particularly intelligent monsters. But one of them seemed to realize that my presence was turning the tide of battle. The largest of the group leaped at me. 

A High Orc. Most likely the leader of this pack. It was armed with a sword, a shield, and armor—equipment it had probably scavenged from somewhere. The dull gleam of its wide-bladed sword flashed as it swung at me. 

I sliced through that sword in one clean motion. And with the same momentum, I severed its head from its body. 

With a heavy clang, the High Orc collapsed. Seeing their leader fall, the remaining Orcs froze. Without their commander, their coordination crumbled—a common trait among creatures that operated in packs. 

Now, they had two choices: flee or be annihilated. It seemed they chose the former. The Orcs scattered, retreating in defeat. Relief washed over the faces of the guards. 

I deactivated my magic sword and was about to leave as if nothing had happened. It was when a man clad in fine armor stopped me. He was likely the commander. 

“I am deeply grateful for your assistance. My name is Scott, a retainer of the House of Reinach. Please, allow us to properly thank you for saving our lady.” 

“No need for thanks. Still… isn’t the protection around the count’s daughter a bit lacking?” 

I shot Scott a glare. Even if they were outnumbered, struggling against mere Orcs was disgraceful for guards. 

“My deepest apologies………” 

He lowered his head in shame. 

It was then that I realized something—this was simply the level of strength the humans of this continent possessed. I couldn’t judge them by the standards of my homeland. Where I came from, Orcs weren’t a significant threat. But that didn’t necessarily apply here. 

“Fine. I’ll cast a protective spell on you. Make sure you get her safely back to the count’s estate.” 

“Would you please reconsider coming with us?” 

“Sorry, but I’m just an adventurer. I’m not the type to be summoned by noble houses.” 

“Then at least, may I have your name?” 

The commander was persistent. My name, huh…? If I planned to settle on this continent, it wouldn’t be wise to offend the count’s house. Making unnecessary enemies was never a good idea. 

I glanced at the carriage. My eyes met a pair of tear-filled, deep blue ones. 

“Ernest.” 

I gave the name to the commander and turned toward the direction that had been bothering me for a while. 

My detection magic had picked up another group nearby. It was separate from the count’s entourage. They had been close enough to hear the battle, yet they never came to help. 

Suspicious. Could they be connected to the Orcs somehow? 

As I moved toward them, I suddenly heard the neigh of a horse. As if that were a signal, the unknown group began to depart. 

It seemed they had noticed my approach. That meant they had a mage capable of detection magic. 

In that case, why hadn’t they come to help? 

It bothered me, but there was no need to get involved. This wasn’t my concern. 

At least, that’s what I thought at the time. 

If I had known what was coming, I would have tracked them down and figured out who they were. 

They were undoubtedly nothing but trouble.