Honey Trap! ~The Honey Trap Encirclement to Ensnare the Summoned Hero~ - Chapter 157 & 158 & 159

Chapter 157: Clara’s Homecoming (3)

“Haah…”

Clara, now mounted in the carriage as her homecoming journey began, let out a melancholy sigh.

In her breast pocket rested a letter of disownment addressed to her biological father. She’d packed only the bare essentials for the trip to her birthplace, the domain of Earl Navarre… or at least, that had been the plan…

“Clara, you look worried—are you okay? If you get motion sickness, it’ll be awful, so tell us right away!”

“At this point, it’d be easier to just float the whole carriage with Levitation. We’d speed up too—two birds with one stone!”

“I could always return to my original size and carry the carriage myself.”

Somehow, a whole bunch of people tagged along.

A Brief Rewind

The story turns back slightly. Clara had come to the coach station intending to hire a public carriage for her homecoming, but then a very familiar voice called out, “Hey there!”

She’d heard from Princess Lunaria that Yuri would be accompanying her. Knowing she was cared for that much warmed her heart.

“Ah… Yuusha-sama…?”

But her happy smile clouded over immediately.

“Ah, you poor dear… leaving us behind to go home alone—how cold! Besides, a woman traveling by herself is dangerous, you know?”

Striking a dramatic pose, Lily Klein spun in place and offered a rose while whispering with absolute confidence. As usual, she was drawing an embarrassing amount of attention—the kind that made you desperately want to pretend you didn’t know her.

“Well, Lunaria asked us to come along too… so we’re gonna produce the safest homecoming ever! Just sit back and relax like you’re on a luxury cruise!”

“We’ve got even more firepower than when we blasted that evil god!”

“Indeed. The hag is a terrifying archmage who once shook the Dark Continent to its core… an Apostle of the Evil God would be nothing in a one-on-one fight.”

“And if worst comes to worst, no one can catch me when I run away! The age of flight is upon us…!”

A homecoming is not an evil god extermination.

While Clara stood there dumbfounded, Luwi brought over a rental carriage, and before she knew it, she was mounted and on her way.

She understood it now—she was loved, she was treasured. She understood that, but…

What replayed in her mind was a conversation with Reza.

“Try not to worry that boy too much, okay? I made him worry just a little bit, and he called the Undead Queen on me…”

The Hero’s Advisory Consultant had spoken with distant eyes. Her words carried the weight only an experienced survivor could muster.

“Go ahead and worry him to your heart’s content. You’ll realize just how much you’re treasured, I guarantee it.”

“D-don’t say such ominous things! Honestly…”

Why had she brushed it off as a joke back then? That ominous prophecy was now coming true in a form far beyond what she’d imagined…!

The position of Hero’s Advisory Consultant really was important after all. She shouldn’t have dwelt on things alone—she should have consulted someone sooner. For once, Clara found herself regretting her choices, but it was already too late.

Her homecoming with this noisy entourage had already begun.

The Earl’s Domain

Meanwhile, at their destination in the earldom, Clara’s father—Earl Navarre—sat in his study, tilting a wine glass.

“Hmph… she should be departing right about now. Let’s see how this plays out.”

He was a sharp-featured man in his late forties. His movements carried refinement, and his clothing was first-rate. But his piercing gaze and the sword calluses on his fists declared that he was no mere “pampered noble.”

“Father. As I’ve told you, meddling with the current royal palace is a poor move. All I see is a future where we step on a dragon’s tail and get incinerated.”

“What’s this, Lenoa? It’s rare for you to worry.”

“I’m not worried. I’m assessing risk accurately.”

The girl called Lenoa was a beauty with cold, detached eyes. Her pale violet hair was tied in a ponytail, and her white blouse and long skirt—paired with the ledger she carried—gave her the appearance of a capable bureaucrat.

“From what I hear, Yuusha-sama is quite the smooth operator. Noblewomen and maids are one thing, but he even got his hands on a holy maiden of the Mutras Temple. He’s clearly not someone swayed by status or fame alone—he must be quite the playboy.”

“My, my, you’re surprisingly hung up on this. I actually have a high opinion of that Hero, you know. When I saw him before, he seemed like an ordinary man… but in the short time since the evil god’s defeat, he’s built quite the network around himself.”

Navarre laughed cheerfully as he sipped his wine and read through correspondence.

“The royal family, influential nobles… and he’s even gotten involved with General Mikel’s daughter. That secures the military. I hear he’s close with a merchant’s daughter too, and on top of that, a holy maiden from the Mutras Temple. Look at this—politics, military, commerce, and religion. Do you think that’s a coincidence? He must be an exceptionally sharp man.”

But Navarre’s intentions were transparent. He planned to ride this wave and use it to expand his own influence. Little did he know that everything had happened completely haphazardly, driven entirely by Yuri’s lower half…!

“Haah… half-sister though she may be, Clara certainly caught the eye of quite the character.”

“Means she had an eye for men, I suppose. Hmph, galls me to admit it, but I acted too hastily in casting her out.”

“Precisely. Which is why you’re calling her back now, isn’t it? To decide once and for all—which of us will inherit the earldom. Me, or Clara.”

The Hero’s Party

Meanwhile, the Hero’s party—completely oblivious to the serious conversation happening in the earldom—was playing cards in the carriage and, coincidentally, having a similar discussion.

“Still, Clara’s father’s face is going to be quite the spectacle!”

“Indeed… his daughter finally comes home, and the one she brings with her is Playboy Lord himself… as a demon sovereign, I can only imagine his feelings…”

“Grngh…! L-look, I’m serious about Clara! It’s a sincere, committed relationship…!”

“Right, right. You only just added another mate the other day, after all. Do your best explaining that one!”

It was a similar conversation, but on a far more rock-bottom level. The collision between misunderstanding and reality was just around the corner.

Chapter 158: Clara’s Homecoming (4)

The ancient capital of Langrea, centerpiece of the earldom, was a fortress city. According to legend, long ago the city had been encased in high, sturdy walls to repel the magical beasts that once attacked this land. On the road leading to such a storied ancient capital, Clara’s party was being assaulted by—quite literally—a magical beast.

“Whoa, isn’t that a Wyvern? That’s pretty rare. Didn’t know they lived around here.”

“Indeed. They’re a pain since you can’t reason with them…”

A wyvern with a body length of at least ten meters circled above the carriage. Unlike dragons, it was a mindless monster. This is my chance to look cool…! Yuri stood up, but Luwi stopped him.

“Now, now, sit down, Yuri-bōzu. This is where I get to shine and shock those city folk! Look, Clara’s father is the lord of that city, right? In any negotiation, the first strike is crucial!”

The Dark Continent sage’s negotiation tactics. Not much different from what thugs would do.

“Geh, the hag’s getting fired up! Everyone, cover your ears!”

“Clara, get behind me.”

“Eh…?”

Sheltered by Yuri, Clara found herself puzzled. Protecting her from the wyvern—sure, that made sense. Protecting her from an ally’s magic—wait, that doesn’t make sense at all.

“Kukuku, this is the perfect time to unveil my new spell…! O Death, thou art flame! Divine wrath, human folly, hellfire that scorches the soul! Come forth, Asshur Flame!”

“GYAOOO!?”

A little girl stood atop the covered wagon, thrusting her hand skyward as she chanted. The visual was adorable, but the phenomenon she unleashed could only be described as a nightmare.

A mushroom cloud of fire erupted toward the heavens, easily swallowing the wyvern and reducing it to charcoal. Not satisfied with that alone, the flames that surged upward with enough force to scorch the clouds began moving through magical power, drawing pictures in the sky.

“Ooh, it’s like an air show!”

Yuri’s carefree comment aside, the people watching from the city had their blood run cold. What the flames and smoke painted across the sky was the pattern of a skull—a herald of death and calamity.

“Hahaha! How’s that, my new magic! It burns enemies to ash and then intimidates the next batch!”

“I see. That’s informative… just beating them up lacks artistry—I need to intimidate them too. I’ve been missing that element.”

“Oi, Eremia, nothing good will come from further perfecting your thug ways— guooh!”

“Call it the path of supremacy, the path of supremacy.”

“Don’t put me in an Iron Claw! Ow ow, it’s gonna split, it’s gonna split!”

Freed from the dreaded Iron Claw, Lucius collapsed with a thud. Watching this, Agamemnon looked off in a completely different direction, playing dumb. It was like being in a cage full of wild beasts.

“Hahaha, everyone’s so energetic and fun!”

“…Lily-san? Um… are you being serious?”

“Yep! I’ve always wanted to go on a trip like this! It feels like a dream come true!”

Clara let out a deep sigh. She’d thought the girl was a bit odd, but she really was one of them after all…!

At the Fortress

“…Haha. I screwed up. I really screwed up. Oi, Lenoa, I’ll admit it. This was my mistake. We stepped on the tail, and a dragon came out.”

“I told you so… well, we have no choice but to steel ourselves now.”

At the fortress watchtower, Navarre had been organizing troops upon receiving reports of the wyvern’s appearance, but upon witnessing that terrifying spectacle, he let out a dry laugh.

Given the timing, Clara must have brought something absolutely outrageous with her. He could make that much of a guess.

“Tell them to open the city gates. They’ll be here soon. What in the world has Clara brought… even if a demon shows up, I won’t be surprised.”

With the face of a man who’d made his resolve, Navarre muttered those words.

The Lord’s Manor

“Welcome back, Clara. And… ah…”

In the great hall of the lord’s manor, Navarre greeted the troublesome party, but upon seeing who had actually shown up, he nearly collapsed.

Why are you here, savior Hero…! Navarre had said he wouldn’t be surprised even if a demon appeared, but this was way beyond his expectations.

“Ah, hello there. Um, I’m…”

“I know. I know very well indeed… the savior, Yuusha-sama.”

Navarre looked up at the heavens while Lenoa, standing beside him, let out a sigh. But now that things had come to this, it was already too late. Having steeled himself, Navarre called out to Clara, who stood beside the Hero. If anything, he looked extremely uncomfortable.

“Clara, welcome home… and, ah… I’d rather not ask, but everyone with you is… um…”

They’re definitely trouble, right? His eyes conveyed that message without words, and Clara subtly averted her gaze. This was awkward. Extremely awkward. How could she introduce them in a way that caused the least offense…? The Hero’s identity was already exposed, but saying his whole crew came along as a set was hard to articulate…!

But then, as if responding to the request, Lily stepped forward with a dramatic pose.

“Ah, sorry about that! We may have startled you a bit, but we’re just an adventurer party that escorted this dear girl here! Allow me to introduce myself—I’m Lily Klein. Heh, just a passing resident of the night…!”

Lily introduced herself with a dramatic flourish. Naturally, the Dark Continent’s resident chuunibyou patient, Lucius, couldn’t let that challenge go unanswered.

“Heh, I too am a passerby… Lily, do you have any good titles I could use?”

“Let’s see. Since you’re the Demon King, Lucius… how about ‘a nameless dweller of eternal darkness’?”

“Nngh, that spine-tingling title…! Yes, I am a nameless dweller of eternal darkness…!”

But you just announced yourself completely. You said ‘I’ with that royal pronoun. You’re the Demon King. Navarre was utterly appalled. Bringing this crew here—Yuusha-dono must be seriously pissed, he realized all too well.

“Mmm, then I too shall be…! Right now, I am a nameless sovereign of the skies…!”

Not even trying to hide it anymore. A “nameless sovereign of the skies”—there’s only one of those!

“Heh. I’m a nameless king of the dead… yes, a passing—”

“A passing thug queen, huh. That sounds about right.”

“Oh? That’s quite something to say, you playboy!”

“Gueee!”

Yuri, who’d accidentally spoken his true thoughts, became prey to the Iron Claw. Having mostly figured out this group’s identities, Navarre felt increasingly like his life was draining away.

“Honestly, everyone, take this seriously. I’m a mature lady, so I’ll introduce myself properly. I’m Luwi, sage of the Dark Continent! That awesome explosion magic was my invention! Pretty cool, right?”

That was the final blow. In this short span of time, Navarre seemed to have aged considerably. He called out to Clara in a strained voice.

“…Clara. Do whatever you want. If you want the earldom, take it.”

“Eh, ehhh…?”

Clara’s eyes widened at the sudden offer. Sure, he’d been a terrible father… but now he looked so small, so frail. She’d only known his overbearing, dignified side, so she’d never imagined seeing him like this.

“I’m stepping down. Boil me or roast me, do as you please. Hmph, I’ve grown old and dull…”

With those words, Navarre left the great hall. An indescribably awkward atmosphere settled over the surroundings.

“Huh, um… is Clara’s dad feeling sick or something?”

“It’s because the hag intimidated him. We should check on him later…”

“What did you say! How dare you speak to a pretty, cute young girl like me that way! That was clearly because he witnessed violent acts like Iron Claws right in front of him!”

“Hey, don’t pin it on me. Listen, put yourself in that man’s shoes. His daughter came home and brought a playboy with her! That’s definitely mental anguish…”

Navarre was starting to receive concern, but being worried about by the very people who caused the problem probably wouldn’t make him happy. At that point, a sharp-featured beauty who’d been standing by the whole time stepped forward.

“Well done, Clara. You’ve secured the earldom without lifting a finger.”

“Lenoa-san… I didn’t mean to…”

(Huh…? They seem to know each other. An acquaintance of Clara’s?)

Yuri tilted his head in confusion, but nearly jumped at the words that followed.

“Even if we’re half-siblings, you’re awfully formal with your younger sister. Given your current position, you could call me without honorifics.”

“Eh… y-younger sister? Clara’s!?”

“Yes. A pleasure to meet you, savior Yuusha-sama. I am the daughter born between my father, Navarre, and his third wife. I am Lenoa. Please remember me.”

Chapter 159: The Old Capital’s Slums and a Cool Girl’s Stirred‑Up Heart (1)

A half-sister.

Faced with this complicated bit of family structure, Yuri had no idea how he was supposed to react.

“Uh, r-right, I’m Yuri. Nice to meet you! Clara‑oneesan has really taken care of me and, um… I’m, well… dating her…!”

He started with a basic self‑introduction, only to be met with an extremely cold stare, and the Hero panicked.

So this is… jealousy because some random guy suddenly showed up and “stole” her big sister, right? Or maybe this is that “there’s no way I’m handing Onee‑chan to a guy like you!” kind of family screening…?

Yuri swallowed hard and braced himself against the threat in front of him.

Clara’s father had for some reason exited the stage in a hurry, but he at least had to get this younger sister to acknowledge their relationship.

“Um, of course, I’m not playing around or anything. I’m serious about her… it’s a real relationship…!”

Sensing the mood, he deployed the “sincere relationship” appeal.

Yuri knew very well this was a double‑edged sword. When he’d done a “we’re seriously dating” appeal with Sonia in front of Guildmaster Argos, he’d been glared at with a demon’s face. He’d nearly pissed himself.

But Lenoa’s reaction was not anger or blessing, just simple surprise.

Her eyes opened a fraction wider as she stared intently at Yuri’s face, as if trying to read some hidden “truth” written there.

“…You don’t seem to be lying. Skirt‑chasing Yuusha‑sama.”

“S‑skirt‑chasing…! I’m not, I mean, I’m not that… um, well…”

“I’ve heard the rumors. Starting with Her Highness the Princess, you captured the young lady of the Dominina ducal house, and then took General Mikel’s daughter into your harem at the palace. There are even rumors you’re involved with a merchant’s daughter as well. Politics, commerce, the military—you’ve laid hands on all three, and Father praised you for it. I, for one, am appalled.”

Yuri blanched as his list of alleged crimes was read out line by line.

“Seriously? You really are the worst, a total yarichin.”

“Heh. A stud horse’s reputation cannot be hidden. One must take responsibility for what one has done…”

“A yarichin who doesn’t take responsibility is just a plain old yarichin, no moreなのじゃ。”

“S‑shut up, all of you! I am taking responsibility… o‑once I marry Lunaria I’m going to take responsibility for everyone in turn…! Even Goddess Mutras told me to take responsibility…”

It was hard to tell whether the Hero’s scale was huge or just pathetic.

Watching him, Lenoa tilted her head, looking even more puzzled, and voiced her doubt.

“Yuusha‑sama, you’re a strange one. I thought for sure you just cycled through women, one after another.”

“O‑okay, I won’t deny I’m a bit fickle…! But I really do cherish the girls I’m dating!”

Seeing Yuri shout that, half out of desperation, Lenoa finally opened her eyes wide. Now she was looking at him like some kind of rare animal on display.

“I truly don’t understand you. You’re so incomprehensible, I find myself almost… intrigued.”

“That’s just your imagination, Lenoa! If you say things that sound that suggestive to this yarichin, you’ll find you’ve been gobbled up before you even notice!”

“What! So that’s how it is! Then I shall imitate you… hey, Yuri‑bōzu, the truth is, I’ve always been just a little interested in you…”

Things were starting to go in a weird direction when Lily cleared her throat with a crisp little cough.

After drawing everyone’s attention, she spread her arms and proclaimed like a stage actor:

“Now, now, in any case—we’ve gotten to know each other like this! Ah, you cold yet beautiful woman, to mark this lovely encounter, how about a drink together tonight? There are things only the power of alcohol can help us understand, you know!”

It sounded exactly like a pickup line from some barfly womanizer, but Lenoa, overwhelmed by the momentum, nodded before she could stop herself.

And so, for some reason, this group who had just met ended up going out drinking together.

In the lower town of the ancient capital Langrea, there was a rough‑and‑tumble district where taverns and inns lined the streets.

The group that arrived there scanned the storefronts one by one, looking for a promising place.

“Look at that place—apparently they’ve got Langrea’s famous ale.”

“Hold, you. That place over there supposedly serves the local specialty wines.”

“According to my unclouded eyes, the meat dishes at that shop there are masterpieces, no doubt about itのじゃ……！」

They mobilized every bit of instinct and experience honed through countless adventures to locate the best possible tavern—the savior heroes’ party, seriously hunting for good booze and food.

Lily and Luwi, practically radiating “tourist energy,” were wandering around going “Heeey” and “Ohooo” in admiration as they took in the city.

Clara stayed close to Yuri’s side, quietly in her usual spot.

Today, however, a heavy pressure weighed on her: she had to keep watch and make sure this group didn’t cause some kind of incident. Clara resolved that once this was over, she would go have a drink with Reza.

And the one most at a loss was Lenoa.

“…You all seem oddly comfortable here.”

As Earl Navarre’s daughter and potential heir, she had been raised under strict discipline.

She had, of course, never once had the chance to come to a downtown slum like this, and had no idea how she was supposed to behave.

Yet the four who should be standing near the very top of the world’s hierarchy were already completely blended in.

They were chatting amicably with the touting barkers on the street and using them to sniff out good establishments—seasoned veterans, every one of them.

“Hmm! That place looks promising!”

“I heard they’ve just gotten a new batch of ale in!”

“Alright! Then let’s go with this one!”

It seemed they had chosen a tavern.

Dragging along the still‑perplexed Lenoa, the four stepped inside—and were greeted by—

“Ahahaha, welcome, customers! Fufufu, a big group, I see… oh?”

“Huh? Izabel? What are you doing here?”

The strange anomaly in the Saints Brewery ale incident.

The one who’d been the root cause of the whole mess when they’d run around solving it back then—Lust Goddess Izabel—was, for some reason, working here as a tavern waitress.