kscans

Chapter 170 - Episode 7: Part 2, Consultation

Having finished our historical research, we again split up to return the books. Holding the last book, I turned the corner of the innermost bookshelf. A piece of cloth appeared before my eyes. It must have gotten dislodged when something was taken down from the bookshelf. I instinctively brushed it away.

"Kya! Ri, Ricardo-kun!"

"Oh no! Th, th, that's not what it looks like!"

It was too late when I realized I had accidentally flipped up Alfina's skirt, which was on the ladder leaning against the bookshelf. Her white calves flashed into my involuntarily raised eyes. Alfina lost her balance on the ladder.

I frantically reached out to support her back. However, a real piece of cloth, which fell from above, covered my face. My flailing hands somehow managed to catch Alfina. The arm I had wrapped around her touched something soft.

"Hyah!"

The next moment, after hearing a cute scream, I felt an impact on my forehead.

"Are you alright, Ricardo-kun?"

"I, I, I'm alright."

Alfina worried about me as I held my forehead. Yes, it is fine, because I couldn't see anything deeper. I felt like I saw a color that reflected light the most, but with just the faint light from the window, it was very, very difficult to make out. Besides, underwear here goes down almost to the knees. In other words, it's fine.

The problem was what my right hand had touched. I couldn't help but think it was softer than expected. My gaze instinctively dropped, and Alfina covered her chest with her hand.

"Something similar happened before, didn't it?"

She was referring to the first time Alfina came to help at Vinder Company. That time, I hugged Alfina around the waist when she was about to fall from a stool. The stool was not even knee-height, so objectively speaking, it was a completely unnecessary action.

"I apologize profusely, again and again."

Accused of a past offense, I profusely apologized. This time, it would have been dangerous if I hadn't supported her, but she was suddenly subjected to a skirt-flip on an unstable footing. It was my fault she lost her balance.

"Oh, no, what I meant was, you helped me just like last time."

Alfina lowered the hand she had been using to protect her chest. It was probably her way of indicating she didn't suspect anything. How incredibly kind she is.

"In, in fact, with anyone else, it might be different, but with Ricardo-kun, it's alright."

"Huh?"

"N, never mind."

Safe? Having finished returning all the books, Alfina and I returned to the table. The silence was agonizing.

"Speaking of which, this was also the first place we properly spoke, wasn't it, Ricardo-kun?"

Alfina said, trying to smooth things over. When we went back that far, the past was a beautiful, untainted memory.

"In just two years, both I and those around me have truly changed. It's all thanks to Ricardo-kun."

"Am I not also being helped by Alfina-sama in the same way?"

"I, I hope that's true. But I don't think my abilities are nearly enough to balance it out."

At my words, Alfina looked at me with a gaze that, for some reason, seemed to see something painful.

"I don't intend to do anything that isn't for my own benefit, though."

Objectively speaking, aren't I doing quite a lot of whatever I please? Especially with this new city, I might even be overdoing it to the point where my own safety is at risk. Reflecting on that meeting, I definitely talked too much.

Most of what I've done, for the most part, has been dealing with monsters or imperial invasions, situations where I myself could become a victim. One could say I was protecting myself. One might even say I was protected by Alfina's prophecy. In the first place, I couldn't have done any of it without the help of the current members.

"In that case, I want you to tell me Ricardo-kun's benefit, what you wish for."

Alfina clasped her hands in front of her chest. In a different sense than the "reward" that Euphillia and Craig spoke of, I was cornered. The vector of pressure was reversed this time.

"As the Crystal Miko, there isn't much I can do. But I want you to wish for anything within my power."

"A, anything at all?"

I involuntarily gulped. What came to mind was the earlier sight and sensation. What was cornering me now was not Alfina, but myself. No, calm down, Alfina said there were restrictions as a Miko. No, in the first place, isn't the direction of that thought dangerous? My head spun.

That's right, what I should remember in this place is that resolve from back then, isn't it? Remember the mental setting that she is my niece. No, it's no good, after what just happened, the sense of impropriety is eroding my reason even more.

"Yes, please wish for anything. I don't want Ricardo-kun to go unrewarded."

Alfina looked directly at me. The unwavering gaze that captured me was not the real me. The moment I thought that, I managed to calm my head.

To Alfina, my achievements must seem incredibly vast. However, my true abilities are not that great.

The reason I was able to be at the center of the prophetic disaster and the war with the Empire was because I had modern knowledge. Knowledge that anyone on Earth could access if they wished. But here, I monopolize it.

No, it's not about being fair anymore. I didn't reincarnate by "cheating" with the intention of doing so. I just found myself with memories of my previous life.

Protecting myself is paramount, and I have no intention of hesitating to use modern knowledge for that purpose. It's not a question of right or wrong. If it's to protect someone important to me, I'll do it, even if it's considered cheating.

I don't hesitate much to use knowledge to change society either. In the sense of releasing monopolized knowledge, it might even be fair.

However, I feel resistant to wishing for any personal reward for it. Especially from an individual. And moreover...

Alfina's eyes shone brightly at me. She overestimates me. If I allow myself to be conceited, she might even hold deeper feelings for me. But the source of my power that she knows is a cheat. She's an attractive girl, no matter how anyone looks at it. Is it permissible to gain the heart of such a girl in such a way? More than anything, for her sake.

No, be calm. I wouldn't know a woman's feelings anyway, and there's a high probability I'm thinking something incredibly conceited.

"My greatest wish is to change the commerce of the Kingdom and the Empire, centered around the new city. I will continue to rely on Alfina-sama as Vinder Company's partner as much as possible."

I said.

"Oh, is that so? I understand."

Alfina placed her clasped hands from her chest onto the table.

"Speaking of which, you didn't attend the Commercial Guild meeting, did you?"

According to Euphillia, Alfina had apparently prioritized an appointment with another woman. Oh no, no. While telling myself I'm cheating, how possessive am I?

"I'm sorry. On that day, I suddenly received an invitation from Princess Lisabet. Originally, I was the one who had asked to speak with her, so I couldn't refuse."

"Princess Lisabet?"

I'd only seen her once, at the reception for Princess Lisabet. She was the duchess who fairly evaluated Alfina in her competition with Princess Doriustia, wasn't she?

"Yes, about Princess Maytyl."

Alfina said. That's right, Princess Maytyl was being kept at the ducal mansion. But why?

"So, you wanted to hear about Princess Maytyl's usual state?"

"Yes, I wasn't able to be of much use at the research institute. I wanted to find some kind of an opening to interact with her, even a little."

Ah, I see. I had asked Alfina to help with Princess Maytyl, didn't I? No problems arose while we were progressing with the joint research, so I, who had asked for help, had mostly forgotten about it. What did this girl say just now, "not nearly enough to balance it out"? Isn't that what I should be saying?

"But instead, I ended up receiving advice."

Princess Maytyl was apparently quiet at the ducal mansion. She hardly spoke even to the single maid she brought from the Empire, and spent most of her time at her desk.

And the Duchess's biggest worry was that Princess Maytyl had a small appetite.

"Then that anemia was? I hadn't noticed. Alfina-sama, Alfina-sama truly helps me in ways I cannot."

"I'm happy to hear you say that, but I just thought about what I could do."

And that's precisely what I can't do. To discern Princess Maytyl's poor health, and then, because approaching her directly is difficult, to go as far as inquiring about her situation from her host family.

My role now, as someone who cannot handle magic, is project management.

In the first place, my conviction is that body and mind are one. This is especially evident in intellectual work. Although the other side also had its own agenda, I was the one who brought Princess Maytyl to the Kingdom. I have a responsibility for Princess Maytyl's well-being.

"In any case, I will make sure to pay attention to Princess Maytyl's condition. Come to think of it, several things come to mind."

Even though I knew it, cold sweat ran down my back at my own carelessness.

"Since Ricardo-kun entrusted me with this role, I must do my best."

"No, you're already doing enough. Yes, that's right. As long as I've entrusted it to you, indeed."

Come to think of it, health matters are inevitably delicate. There are many things that are better handled by women.

"Anyway, please tell me more details."

"Understood."

I listened to Alfina talk about Princess Maytyl until Clau-chan and the others came to call for us.