Vol 4 Chapter 43: The Queen’s Request and Alice’s Shopping Trip

After the various happenings in the bath, we all enjoyed the luxurious dinner delivered to our rooms. Exhausted from the journey, we promptly fell asleep. There were enough beds for everyone, but Lena stubbornly insisted on sharing mine, turning me into a makeshift body pillow all night. While it was cozy, I didn’t get much sleep.

Morning came. After breakfast, Rin-san, the queen’s envoy, arrived to escort us back to her private chambers.

“—Well then, Your Majesty, may I hear the continuation of yesterday’s discussion?”

“Certainly. I would like to request something from you all in exchange for recommending your party to SS Rank.”

As soon as we took our seats on the sofa, Fana-san asked this, and the queen nodded graciously in response.

“…And what is your request?”

“—The first thing I’d like is for you to investigate the Elf village.”

“The Elf village?”

“Yes. It appears that there’s a situation developing there—”

The exchange between Fana-san and Queen Ramielle continued. There were a few unfamiliar terms, but to summarize, the Elves—who rarely interact with other races—are currently selecting a new leader for the first time in centuries.

The queen’s concern seemed to center around the candidates for succession.

“The current leader is a neutral party who maintains minimal interaction with outsiders. However, the two candidates vying for the position have opposing stances.”

The two contenders for the role of leader were Edgar, a man, and Shirley, a woman. Their ideologies were starkly different.

Edgar, to put it bluntly, was an Elf supremacist. He believed in the inherent superiority of Elves and was even willing to use force to preserve their way of life.

Shirley, on the other hand, advocated for peaceful relations, even being open to interaction with other races when necessary.

The outcome of this leadership contest could significantly impact the human nation’s dealings with the Elves. It was undoubtedly a critical mission, but…

“Are you sure it’s okay—uh, I mean, is it wise to entrust such an important task to us?”

Nina quickly corrected her casual tone when addressing the queen. However, Queen Ramielle seemed unbothered, responding candidly.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have any adventurers under my direct employ, nor do I have anyone else I can rely on. Sending the military or knight order would unnecessarily provoke Edgar’s faction. And sending those without sufficient strength would render them ineffective in a crisis.”

“So, we’re a convenient choice—adventurers who are nominally independent but capable enough to follow your orders.”

“Indeed. Your bluntness is refreshing for a sage. I appreciate how quickly you grasp the situation. Naturally, I wouldn’t send you without support. I’ll provide you with a letter of introduction and financial aid. What do you think?”

While I’m not well-versed in the affairs of nobles or royalty, it seemed questionable that the queen had no other adventurers to rely on. Still, pressing the matter further wouldn’t change anything. Fana-san seemed to understand this as well, shifting to a different question.

“…May I ask one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“Earlier, you said, ‘the first thing I’d like.’ Does that mean this alone isn’t enough for an SS Rank recommendation?”

“That depends on the results. SS Rank is a heavy responsibility. In my ten years on the throne, I haven’t recommended anyone to that rank.”

A chill ran down my spine. The exchange between the queen and Fana-san carried a certain tension, like swords pressed against each other’s throats. I wasn’t sure whether to admire the queen’s commanding presence or Fana-san’s unyielding resolve in the face of royalty.

“—Understood. However, I’ll say this in advance.”

“Yes, go on.”

Fana-san’s narrowed blue eyes gleamed with determination.

“…Even the most obedient dog will bite its master if pushed too far. —Chomp♪”

“Fufu… Very well. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Even I could tell—Fana-san had just issued a veiled threat to the queen, a symbol of this nation, warning her against breaking their agreement.

“Wise Fana, I look forward to our partnership.”

“Ufufu. The pleasure is mine.”

“The rest of the details will be explained by Rin. She’ll also assist with any preparations you need. Now, you may take your leave.”

“Understood. Excuse us.”

With that, we left the room. Despite the tense atmosphere—no, because of it—we now had a clear next objective.

Our destination was the Elf village, embroiled in a succession dispute.

However, the village was far from the human realm, and we had to prepare for the journey. While everyone else went to procure supplies, I found myself accompanying Alice on a shopping trip—thanks to Kaguya-san’s suggestion.

“—Shin-sama, I apologize, but could you please accompany Lady Alice to purchase some undergarments?”

“U-undergarments!? Me?”

My confusion was evident, but Kaguya-san, ever the efficient maid, calmly explained.

“Yes. Lady Alice has never shopped alone and may feel uneasy. Unfortunately, the rest of us are occupied with preparations for the journey.”

It made sense. Nobles like Alice likely rarely shopped for themselves, and it was reasonable for her attendants to worry.

“But… doesn’t she already have enough—”

Before I could finish my thoughtless remark, Kaguya-san’s expression shifted dramatically.

“Unacceptable!”

“Y-yes ma’am!”

Her sudden outburst startled me into a bizarrely formal reply.

Clearing her throat, Kaguya-san continued, her tone firm.

“Undergarments that don’t fit properly can strain the body and harm Lady Alice’s delicate physique. She’s still growing, so it’s vital to choose appropriate ones for her age.”

Her passion on the subject was almost overwhelming, leaving me no choice but to relent.

And so, Alice and I stood in front of a lingerie shop reputed to be the best in the royal capital, Harmonia.

The sign was a bit old-fashioned, but the shop’s exterior had a certain charm, blending the old with the new. The name of the store was Mermaid’s Scales, a boutique specializing in women’s undergarments.

“Wow! Shin, look! There are so many cute ones!” 

The store’s glass facade allowed the interior to be visible from outside, and as expected of a lingerie boutique, it showcased an array of undergarments. Colorful fabrics hung neatly or adorned mannequins, arranged in an orderly and appealing manner.

Alice, brimming with excitement like a child—or rather, appropriately for her age—was completely engrossed by the sight. For me, however, as a man, entering such a store felt incredibly awkward.

“Come on, let’s go! Hurry up!”

“Y-yeah, I’m coming—wait, stop pulling me, I’m coming already!”

Humming a cheerful tune, Alice tugged me along into the store. Her enthusiasm reminded me of the village children back home begging me to play with them, which brought a slight smile to my face.

The door’s bell jingled with a metallic ding as we entered, welcoming us with its soft chime. The store’s interior was even more packed with lingerie than it had appeared from outside. Yet, instead of feeling cluttered, everything was carefully displayed, even to my untrained eye.

“Welcome!”

“…Welcome,” came a quieter echo.

Two employees stood inside: a kind-looking man who seemed slightly older than me and a quiet maid-like girl.

The girl had a reserved demeanor, but her outfit was anything but modest—if anything, it was excessively revealing. Her attire resembled Kaguya-san’s ninja maid uniform but with exaggerated frills and decorations that caught the eye.

The skirt was short, and her shoulders and upper chest were completely bare. Without the headband, one might not have guessed she was a maid.

Her exposed chest, practically glowing under the lights, was as large as her head. The smoothness of her skin reflected the light, giving it an alluring sheen. It rivaled—even surpassed—Alice’s… No, stop. I’m here to help pick out lingerie, not dwell on these thoughts.

“This is amazing… Oh, uh, pardon me,” Alice exclaimed in awe, then quickly adjusted her tone and addressed the staff politely, as befitting a noblewoman.

…Thankfully, it seemed she hadn’t noticed me momentarily glancing at the maid. Trying not to arouse suspicion, I shifted my gaze to the male employee, only to find him blushing slightly while looking at Alice.

“—Master!”

“Eek! I-I mean, please, feel free to browse! The fitting rooms are in the back! Let us know if you need assistance!”

Considering he worked in a lingerie shop, I assumed he’d be used to beautiful customers like Alice, but apparently not. He’d been openly admiring her, which earned him a stern side-eye from the maid. I couldn’t help but feel a bit of kinship with him.

“Thank you. I’ll have a look, then. —Oh! Hey, Shin, look at this! Isn’t it cute?”

Just seconds after gracefully curtsying like a proper lady, Alice turned into an excited child, tugging on my arm as she showed off her find. …P-please don’t press your chest against me.

Nodding to the two employees, I followed Alice deeper into the store, preparing for the daunting task of lingerie shopping.

“—Hmm… Everything’s so lovely, I can’t decide,” Alice mused, her eyes sparkling like stars as she held up one piece after another to compare. As expected, all of them were… well, large.

“What do you think, Shin? I want your opinion!”

She twirled around, holding two pieces in her hands—a pure white, elegant design with intricate embroidery, and a sky-blue piece adorned with frills that matched her hair.

“Uh, well… um, yeah, they’re both…”

It was hard to look directly at them without feeling embarrassed, and worse, seeing her holding them made me unintentionally picture Alice wearing them. My mind went blank, leaving me stammering.

“Hah… you’re so indecisive. Fine, I’ll try them on. —Excuse me, may I use the fitting room?”

“Of course. Please take your time.”

A bit exasperated with my lack of clarity, Alice asked the maid for directions and headed toward the fitting rooms at the back of the store.

“…Huh? What are you doing? Come along!”

“Eh?! Oh, uh, sure…”

As I stood there, intending to wait, Alice called me to follow her. It felt strange for a man to linger alone in a lingerie shop, so I reluctantly complied.

The fitting rooms were at the store’s far end, in a secluded area away from the employees’ view. Alice casually pulled aside the curtain and stepped into one of the rooms. I stood awkwardly outside, my ears catching the faint rustle of fabric.

Even though I couldn’t see anything, the sound alone—shh, clink, shh—made my heart race. My imagination ran wild despite my attempts to suppress it.

“Hmm. Just as the rumors said, this fits wonderfully,” Alice remarked, her tone light and pleased.

It seemed she liked the first piece. I felt a small sense of relief.

“—Hey, Shin, what do you think?!”

Suddenly, Alice flung aside the curtain and revealed herself wearing only the white bra.

The pure white fabric contrasted beautifully with her translucent skin, giving off an almost sacred aura. The bra gently but firmly supported her ample chest, accentuating her curves. It looked like an angel’s touch… Wait, no, why is she showing me this?!

“D-don’t show me! It’s fine, just close the curtain already!”

“What are you talking about? How can you decide without seeing? Come on, give me your thoughts.”

Completely unfazed, Alice stood there, waiting for my opinion as if this was the most natural thing in the world. Was this normal in lingerie shops?! Or was it just her?

“Look here, isn’t this embroidery beautiful? It’s so elegant, perfect for someone like me.”

Alice traced the embroidery with her finger, inadvertently drawing my eyes to her chest. It felt like she was unintentionally guiding me to stare, which only made me feel more flustered.

“You’re so weird. You’ve seen me completely naked before, so why get so embarrassed now? Anyway, hurry up and tell me what you think!”

Alice shifted her posture, her chest swaying slightly with the motion. My gaze was helplessly drawn to it, leaving me unable to form coherent thoughts.

I had no choice but to muster my courage and say something.

“—It… it fits you perfectly. The size is just right.”

“That’s it?”

Crap. That wasn’t enough. I scrambled to find more words.

“—A-Alice’s beautiful skin is complemented perfectly by the white fabric! And the embroidery adds an elegant touch, making you look every bit the noblewoman you are! A-also, the way it lifts and enhances your curves gives you a mature, sophisticated allure!”

Alice blinked, momentarily surprised by my sudden verbosity.

“…Well, I suppose you’re right. This does suit a stunning, grown-up woman like me. I think I’ll buy it. Thanks for the input.”

Satisfied, she closed the curtain, finally disappearing from view. I let out a long sigh of relief. I had no idea what I’d just said, but at least it seemed to have worked.

“Let’s try this one next♪ It’s more playful and a bit childish, but what do you think?”

I hadn’t realized then that shopping with a woman could feel like an endless ordeal.

“—Thank you for your patronage!”

The employees bid us farewell as we left the shop.

Alice had tried on dozens of pieces, purchasing most of them, while I was left utterly drained—both physically and emotionally. Carrying bags stuffed with lingerie, I trudged behind her like a weary butler.

“Hehe♪ I’m so glad I bought so much! And having you carry it all makes it so much easier!”

“Y-yeah… I’m glad you’re happy.”

Alice skipped lightly down the street, radiating joy. Her cheerful smile was enough to make my exhaustion—and the expense—completely worth it. Truly, she was a bewitching young lady.

“…Just don’t tell Lena or Nina anything weird, okay?”

“I know, I know. I’m a grown-up, you know. I can keep it to myself♪”

Laughing together, we made our way back to the others. Though that night, Lena pouted and clung to me all night after hearing about our “date,” but that’s another story.

The next day, with our preparations complete, we embarked on our journey.

“—This is a letter of introduction. With it, you won’t be turned away. Please, I entrust this to you.”

After finishing our audience with the queen, we, White Lightning, boarded a carriage and set off.

Our destination—The Elf Village!