Probably, even if she didn't gamble, Saito would have become penniless, Louise thought. If that town girl knew he had money, no one would know just what she would do. And that stupid familiar... would be rolled up and sun-dried in no time.
She thought of Siesta's face.
She thought of Jessica's face.
She thought of Saito's face as he looked at the two's cleavages.
Like I'll lose. Louise firmly squeezed her fist... puffed up her flat chest, and triumphantly rose up on her feet.
While the girls were competing for the number of tips like that...
The feather door opened, and a new group of customers appeared. At the head was a middle-aged man who was wearing a mantle that meant he was a noble. He seemed to be growing fat, and thinning hair was stuck on his smooth forehead. The ones with him seemed to be lower class nobles. They had rapier-like wands hung on their hips, and there were some nobles wearing military uniforms mixed in.
When the noble entered, everything in the store fell silent. Scarron quickly rushed over to the new guest while rubbing his hands together.
“If it isn't Chulenne-sama. Welcome to the 'Charming Faeries' Inn.”
The noble called Chulenne twisted his catfish-like mustache and bent it backwards.
“Hmm. Cough. The store seems to be flourishing, huh, shop manager?”
“No, no. Not at all. It's just a coincidence today. Usually, the only thing that happens is the cuckoo sounding. I was soon going to consult with my daughter about visiting the temple tomorrow to get permission to save my neck. Yes.”
“What, it isn't a job today. You don't have to make such excuses.”
Sorrily, Scarron continued his words.
“It's just my words, Chulenne-sama, but as you can see, the store is fully occupied today...”
“I do not see such a thing though?”
When Chulenne exaggerated like that, the nobles that followed him pulled out their wands. The customers, afraid of the nobles' shining wands, woke from their drunkenness, stood up, and disappeared out of the entrance at full speed. The store became empty at once.
“It seems that speaking of a cuckoo was true after all.”
His belly quivering, Chulenne's party reached the seat in the middle.
When Saito realized it, Jessica was beside him, looking frustratingly at Chulenne.
“Who is that guy?”
When Saito asked that, Jessica explained angrily.
“Chulenne, the tax collector around here. Just like that, he comes to the stores under his jurisdiction and swarms around us. A horrible person! He won't even pay a single copper coin.”
“Is that how it is...”
“Swaggering like that just because he's a noble. If you displease him, he'll place an outrageous tax on you and bankrupt your store, so everyone is listening to what he says.”
It seemed that in any world, there are people who abuse their power and extort off the common people. No one came to serve him, so Chulenne became irritated. In time, he started complaining.
“Oh! This store is seems to be making quite the profit! Isn't this wine a well-cured sake from Gronyu? The clothes that girl is wearing are tailored by Gallia! I guess I have to look over this year's tax rates.”
The surrounding nobles went “That's right!” or nodded in agreement to Chulenne.
“Is there not a girl who will pour alcohol for Her Majesty the Queen's tax collector?! This store at least sells that, right?!”
Chulenne shouted. But, none of the store's girls approached him.
“Who would pour for you, when you won't hand over a single tip no matter how much you touch us?”
When Jessica muttered that detestably......
A small shadow wearing a white camisole approached him while carrying a tray with wine placed on it.
It was Louise.
She had many faults... one of them was “not being able to read the mood”. Her head was so full of “working hard as a waitress” that she didn't bother to understand the atmosphere around the customers and the store.
“What? Who are you?”
Chulenne looked suspiciously at Louise. Smiling, Louise left the wine in front of Chulenne.
“Th-that idiot...” Saito murmured in shock while looking at her worriedly
“Mister... you're so dreamy.”
Acting as if following a manual, Louise, unable to read the mood, complimented him. But, it seemed Chulenne didn't find Louise to his tastes.
“What's this?! The store is using children?!”
Without moving, Louise held her camisole and bowed. That was all she could do.
“Now, go away, go away. I have no need for children. Off with you.”
Saito saw Louise's temple twitch. It seemed she was angry. Saito prayed. Louise, don't snap! That guy's too dangerous!
“Oh, looking closer, you're not a kid... just a girl with small breasts.”
Louise's face went pale. Her legs started to tremble slowly. Chulenne's face twisted with lust.
And then... extended his hands out towards Louise's small breasts.
“Now, how about this Chulenne-sama checks and see just how big they are.”
At that moment...
The sole of a foot exploded onto Chulenne's face.
Toppling the chair, Chulenne rolled backwards.
“Wha, why you!”
The surrounding nobles pulled out their wands all at once.
In the front... was the silhouette of a boy who's shoulders were shaking with anger.
“Saito...”
Louise looked at the back of Saito, who had stood up to protect her. While looking at that back.... something hot filled her chest that had been shaking with anger.
As expected, Saito couldn't endure it anymore. Louise is trying her best, isn't she? My master doesn't have breasts, but she's cute, right? That Louise tried hard to compliment you, and what do you do? Just complain!
Well, complaining is fine. I say some at times too. It's Louise, so there's no helping that.
But... But...
There is one thing I can't forgive.
“Hey, old man, cut it out already.”
“Da-damn you... To a noble's face, you...”
“Whether they're a noble, a prince, or a god... I definitely won't allow them to do it. It's my own special privilege. Who cares about nobles?! The only one that can touch Louise is me!”
Saito shouted.
Without thinking, Louise blushed. Even though you're just a familiar, what kind of conceited things are you saying?! You don't have that right either! She tried to say, but... for some reason, those words did not come out. Her brain was growing blank, as if being boiled. Even with the situation around her like it was, Louise ended up spacing out.
“Seize those people! I'll have them hanged!”
Chulenne's subordinates surrounded Saito.
Saito slowly looked around him.
“Who's going to catch who? Unfortunately for you, I...”
“Unfortunately, what?”
“Fortunately or unfortunately, I received this thing called a legendary power...”
Muttering that, he turned his hand to his back. And... realized that Derflinger, who was supposed to be there, wasn't there.
“Eh?”
Troubled, Saito scratched his head.
“That's right... I left the legend in the attic... After all, it would be only a bother while washing dishes.”
“Seize him and that washboard girl!”
The nobles brandished their wands.
“Ti-time out!”
But there was no time out. The enraged nobles chanted their spells. A small rope appeared like a tornado, and the moment it tried to wrap around Saito...