"No way. Besides, why are you so knowledgeable about maid titles?"
"Eh? Don't be shocked. It's common knowledge."
As usual, I talkd with Saffron while remaining on my guard against her."Saffron recently showed signs of monitoring me, possibly on someone else's orders.
I thought it was too convenient for someone like her, a skilled assassin and wielder of a saintly sword, to suddenly become my ally. Indeed, it's still unclear whether she's really on my side.
"You don't want to do maid work, but you hate being idle… What exactly do you want to do?"
"I want to be involved in trouble and dangerous situations."
"What kind of thought process is that!?"
"You see, ever since I became aware, I've always been walking on the edge of life and death. It's only in the midst of extreme life-or-death situations that I truly feel alive."
"…You sound like someone with a tragic past trying to be cool, but frankly, that's just twisted."
"Crow, you're such a boring guy to be with."
"…That's surprisingly hurtful, you know."
"I thought being with a self-proclaimed troublemaker like you would lead to exciting incidents, but nothing ever happens."
"I'd prefer it that way… So, you mean you'd find it fun if I were about to be killed?"
"No… Well, I've taken care of a few guys in black who tried to enter your bedroom and some archers and crossbowmen who tried to snipe you in the corridor, but that's not fun at all."
"This is the first time I'm hearing about this!? Why didn't you report it!?"
"Nobody asked me."
What a situation.
I knew Holly was removing poison from my food and drink and preventing it from being added in the first place, but I had no idea there were people physically trying to kill me.
Well, Saffron is the foremost among them.
"You noticed these people easily…"
"If someone nearby is emitting killing intent, even if they're in a blind spot, it's noticeable."
"Noticeable!?"
"Huh? Are you going to start that argument again about not wanting me to kill people?"
"No… I'm not going to interfere with self-defense, but…"
Still, it feels wrong.
It's disturbing to think that a girl like her is killing others to ensure my survival.
But telling her not to kill assassins who are trying to kill me seems like it would be a death sentence.
"…"
But what does Saffron really want to do?"While she actively protects my life, Saffron doesn't seem to have any intention of stopping her surveillance.
"Crow, you played a big role in rescuing Iris, didn't you?"
"No, I think the credit goes to you and Instructor Cattleya..."
"I thought the incident with Iris would bring you and her closer, but it didn’t happen at all."
"That's because I didn't really do much..."
"I was actually looking forward to seeing you caught in a love triangle with Iris and Shion, but it never went in that direction."
"…Is that the kind of conflict you want to see?"
I muttered while covering my face with my hand.
Well, it's more normal-girl-like than feeling alive only in the midst of killing.
"I've been wondering, why don't you have any luck with women, Crow?"
"Who knows! Leave me alone!"
"Normally, a guy with your status and power would have a lover or two. And from what I've seen of your interactions with Shion, you're not a lolicon."
"Of course not."
"If you're not a lolicon, why don't you show any interest in young women? Are you gay?"
"…"
I was genuinely irritated, frowning deeply.
Why does not being a lolicon automatically make me gay?
There are plenty of young men who are simply interested in girls but don't have a partner.
"Ah, also, there's something I've been curious about."
"What?"
"Shion can't read or write at all, can she?"
"Yeah, she never had the chance to be educated."
"Shouldn't someone teach her? It might not be necessary for a world-saving hero, but it'd be sad if she grew up completely illiterate."
"…"
Saffron's remark at that moment was quite reasonable.
However, the conversation seemed a bit abrupt.
It was as if she was using this irrelevant small talk to segue into her main point, making it seem like a natural conversation.
Though the execution wasn't very smooth.
Could this topic of teaching Shion be a clue to identify the motives of the person using Saffron to monitor me?"Indeed, thinking about the future, it might be good for Shion to learn basic reading, writing, and arithmetic."
"Right."
I continued the conversation with Saffron while hiding my suspicion and playing dumb.
"Who could be a teacher for her?"
"Why not you, Crow? Shion would be happy."
"No, I'm not smart enough to teach anyone..."
"Hmm, I'm not that bright either."
"Maybe Iris would be a safe choice since she graduated top of her class from the Officer Academy?"
"Oh, you might want to avoid that."
"Why?"
"Shion seems to dislike older women."
"…"
I stared at Saffron in silence.
Indeed, Shion has a trauma from being abandoned by her mother and has an extreme avershion to older women of the same gender.
It seems that Holly, the spirit residing in the divine sword, has been exacerbating this trait lately.
"Eh? Shion dislikes Iris too? But Iris is only eighteen, isn't she?"
"Actually, it seems like she dislikes all the women around you, Crow, including me."
"What? Why? Instructor Cattleya is such a nice person…"
"…That's something a child would understand..."
Saffron glanced outside the room, narrowed her eyes for a moment, and then said,
"Well, I'm going back to my room. Maybe it's better to get a professhional to teach Shion. Ask someone from the castle."
With that, Saffron jumped out of the window.
I thought she could have just used the door, but then Shion and Holly entered the room without knocking, having sensed her approach.
It seemed that Saffron left in a hurry to avoid letting Shion know she had been alone with me in the room.
"Big brother, I'm done with training."
"Uh... good job."
And as usual, I washed and scrubbed Shion's feet in a bucket of water.
If others knew I did this every day, they might think I'm a pervert with a strange obsesshion with young girls. To be clear, I don't find any joy in washing someone else's feet – I don't have such sophisticated tastes."But who can say it?
To the hero who can single-handedly defeat the Demon Lord with the power to destroy the world,
'I'm tired of washing your feet, so please spare me.'
What words can one use?
Anyway, if such a simple action pleases her, I think it's a small price to pay.
'Hey, Shion.'
'What?'
'You can't read or write, right?'
'Yeah.'
'How about hiring a tutor to teach you?'
'Why?'
'Well, why...'
How do you explain the reason for teaching a child? It's not clear what to say.
Partial knowledge won’t help with advancement. Only top-level academic prowess can lead to careers like bureaucrat or scholar.
But those who can't read, write, or do basic math are often taken advantage of in business or agriculture, unaware of unfair deals, leading to frequent exploitation.
So, education is beneficial for everyone, undoubtedly.
But...
I looked at Shion, who was carelessly entrusting her feet to me.
At this moment, she is the strongest fighter in the world, a heroic girl.
If she wanted, she could easily conquer the world.
Is there any benefit for such a girl in pursuing education?
Even if she studied to the limit, filled her head with knowledge, and became extremely wise, I doubt she'd reach the position she holds now.
Besides, Shion has Holly, who seems to have lived for eons, by her side.
Even considering her condescending attitude towards me, Holly is an excellent source of wisdom.
Stronger and more trustworthy than anyone else, Shion is fortunate to have such an advisor. Is there any point in teaching her?
Then, I turned my gaze to Holly, floating behind Shion.
'Hey, Holly. Do you think Shion should be taught to study?'
Actually, thinking calmly, Holly seems the most suitable for the role of a tutor.
With other people, there's always the fear they might shrink back or try to exploit the hero.