The Villainous Aristocrat's Efforts Led to a Genuine Harem - Episode 20

Episode 20

(Inaesia’s Perspective) 

“Inaesia-oneechan! Let’s play!”

Saying that, the one who grabbed my arm was Erin. She was one of the children at the orphanage where I grew up.

She looked at me with sparkling eyes full of excitement.

“Sorry, I have work today.”

“Eh… Onee-chan, you’re going outside again today?”

Erin asked with a sad look. I then gave her a wry smile.

“Just a bit. When I come back, I’ll play with you as much as you want. So listen to the teachers and wait for me, okay?”

I crouched down to meet Erin’s eyes and patted her head. Though she looked disappointed, she gave a small nod.

After watching Erin’s small back as she left the room, I turned my gaze to the window.

It was morning. Outside the orphanage, I could see children playing freely.

As I listened to the sound of their cheerful voices being carried on the wind under the soft sunlight, I began putting on my gear as an adventurer.

Under my ordinary clothes, I wore leather armor pieces to protect my vital areas.

And finally— I gripped my spear, which had been leaning against the wall. And I headed toward the teleportation stone in the city, transferring to Vale.

“You’re here.”

When I arrived at the teleportation stone in Vale, I saw a group of people who had just transferred in as well.

I glanced around and quickly found the person I was looking for.

A man wearing a black cloak and a mask — Ryō. Lately, we’ve been going on more and more quests together.

He was sitting on a nearby bench. When he noticed me, he stood up.

“Huh? Did I keep you waiting?”

“No, not really. Shall we get going?”

After Ryō said that, he immediately activated his magic.

Spatial magic. I had heard about it before. But it’s said to consume a lot of mana and isn’t very practical.

Adventurers who don’t know much might find his magic suspicious. But I had seen him fight a High Wolf before. I fully understood how capable he was.

“So, what are we doing today?”

“I thought we could just take a random request. Inaesia, do you have anything you want to do?”

“Not really. As long as I can earn some money, I’m good.”

“Now that I think about it, you were focused on money when we first met too.”

Ryō muttered that as he began to walk. …Did he think I was just a greedy woman?

The reason I care about money is because I want to repay the orphanage that raised me.

I don’t care how people view me. But once we teleported to the guild, I told him:

“I grew up in an orphanage. I need money because I want to donate to them. So jobs with good pay are always welcome.”

“I see. If it’s about pay… how about this request?”

Ryō pointed to one of the quest flyers posted on the board.

It was a request to accompany rookie adventurers.

Simply put, it was a chaperone job — usually easy and simple.

Still… Since I already look after kids at the orphanage, I sometimes just want to stretch out and relax.

Not that I hate it or anything.

Maybe that inner conflict showed on my face because Ryō tilted his head.

“You don’t want to?”

“No, it’s fine. Let’s go with that today.”

…Well, the pay *is* good. Among many dangerous jobs adventurers do, escorting newbies is relatively safe.

But since most adventurers aren’t very nurturing, these kinds of requests are usually unpopular.

Ryō quickly went to accept the request. We then joined up with the rookie adventurers and headed for a nearby dungeon.

—

“Th-this teleportation magic… it’s amazing!”

One of the new adventurers, Shizuku, said in awe. Her eyes were shining.

She’s thirteen, apparently. I was around the same age when I became an adventurer. So I felt a sense of familiarity with her.

The other rookies were all around that age too.

“Thanks. From here on out, we’re in the dungeon. Don’t let your guard down.”

Ryō said that sharply. And the rookies immediately tensed up.

“Well, don’t stress out too much either. Just breathe and relax a little.”

I said with a wry smile. The rookies then all took deep breaths in response.

…Though if they get *too* relaxed, that’s also a problem. I thought so as I laughed again and noticed Ryō exhale softly.

“Alright, go ahead and move freely through the dungeon today. If anything dangerous comes up, we’ll step in.”

“Understood! Thank you very much!”

They bowed energetically in response to Ryō’s words.

…Adventurers usually aren’t very formal. But these kids are pretty well-mannered.

Lately, even commoners are attending school more. So that might be part of the reason.

Thinking vaguely about that, I walked behind them with Ryō. We were following Shizuku and the others in the lead.

Well, all we have to do is trail behind like this. So unless something unusual happens, it’s a really easy job.

Honestly, it was almost boring enough to make me yawn.

This request came from the guild. Lately, there have been more injuries among rookie adventurers. So the guild wants them to train in safer conditions.

From behind, I watched as Shizuku and the others sliced through the monsters that appeared without hesitation.

“Looks like they’re doing fine.”

“Yeah.”

“…So, what are *you* doing?”

I could sense a strong flow of mana from Ryō beside me.

“Training my mana control.”

“You’re just a bundle of ambition, huh?”

“Not really.”

…And the fact that he doesn’t brag about it — that’s impressive.

Most adventurers love to boast about their achievements and strength.

But Ryō doesn’t do that. Even when he saved the village from the High Wolves, he didn’t brag to anyone.

…Yes. Ryō really is— the ideal big brother.

Without realizing it, I found myself staring at Ryō’s back.

Becoming an adventurer wasn’t just about donating to the orphanage for me.

…There’s another reason.

And that is… to find someone who could become… my big brother.