Diary of Guarding Monster Girls

"Ah—"

A faint cry leaked out from inside the door, causing the Mushroom Merchant, who had originally planned to burst in and demand an explanation from Herbert, to pause in her tracks.

Huh?

She could tell it was Sofia’s voice, but unlike her usual indifferent tone, she seemed quite agitated, unable to control her volume.

"Strange, are they arguing? Why are they suddenly shouting so loudly that even those outside can hear... What on earth did Herbert say to make her so angry?"

Miser tilted her head curiously, then pretended to know nothing.

Whether their master and servant argued or not, it had nothing to do with her anyway.

As the Mushroom Merchant debated whether to return to her own tasks and wait for their quarrel to end, the door in front of her opened by itself.

Creak—

"Ah, Sofia, what a coincidence... I just happened to be passing by, hmm."

Miser awkwardly greeted the flushed Centaur Heroic Spirit, whose cheeks were red from arguing.

Huh, that seems odd, do Heroic Spirits blush when they’re angry?

"... Come in, my lord is already waiting for you."

Sofia, noticing Miser’s suspicious look, blushed even more but maintained her usual indifference on the surface. After nodding, she brushed past her.

Miss Centaur’s four hooves moved lightly, but as soon as she took a step, she stumbled a bit, quickly regaining her balance and swiftly glancing at Miser—then met the confused eyes of the Mushroom Merchant directly.

Huh?

No, really, you’re looking!

Aren’t you usually quite worldly for a mushroom?

How can you be so discourteous at a time like this!?

"... Hmph."

Sofia pursed her lips, suppressing the urge to trouble Miser considering the inappropriate setting.

The Centaur lifted her chin proudly, obstinately turning her head as if nothing had happened, and soon disappeared from Miser’s sight with a clip-clop sound.

Having watched Sofia leave, Miser, who had been glared at, nodded to herself, thinking indifferently, "Sofia didn’t even say goodbye this time; she must really be furious."

Though she was a mushroom person, she had traveled far and wide and had seen quite a lot, not as ignorant as it might seem, but genuinely not thinking much of it.

After all, in general perception, Heroic Spirits are also a kind of soul entity that can’t really do much.

"Miser, why are you standing outside so long?"

"Oh, coming."

Miser returned to her senses and walked into the most lavish building currently in Elda, feeling reassured that she detected no strange scents.

Initially, it was planned to be established according to the specifications of the Elda Lord’s Mansion but was halted midway by Herbert.

No other reason, but it was unnecessary.

In Herbert’s revised construction plan, it could only serve as the administrative center of the harbor, deemed too extravagant to build an opulent mansion when resources and finances were not abundant.

Of course, as the original Lord’s Mansion, it was also suited for normal living needs.

For example, in the original bedroom, there was an indispensable and sturdy large bed, enough to accommodate a crowd.

But Miss Centaur wasn’t your ordinary Monster Girl, and so her coordinated riding didn’t require such a thing.

As for the out-of-body experience, where could it be used?

"Miser, were you in a hurry?"

At this moment, Herbert, whose soul had just returned to his body, was leisurely laid on a rocking chair, enjoying the horseback riding experience while smilingly asking the Mushroom Merchant, "I am not going anywhere, why are you in such a rush?"

You see, in a hurry again.

"Hah, you say it so easily, but who knows when you’ll return next time?"

Miser was quite aware of Herbert being a hands-off lord in Elda, well aware of his absenteeism and not believing he could return reliably.

You’re fooling the Undead!

"I’m not lying to you. I’ve acquired a new method, so it’ll be easier to get in touch with me afterward. If you have something urgent, just contact Sofia directly."

Herbert wasn’t simply enjoying training horses earlier; he also took care of business.

Firstly, he returned to the Disciplinary Hall to retrieve the promised Mirror Fragment from Miss Mirror Demon after she had recovered, and then returned to Elda to hand the mirror over to the number one responsible, Sofia.

However, the method of handing it over was quite unique, easily leading to misunderstandings if explained too much, so he opted not to elaborate to others.

"Is that so? Then I’ll ask her later."

Miser was half-believing, not truly convinced that such a wondrous and convenient thing existed in the world.

But Herbert had experienced too many miracles, and in her eyes, he was a mysterious Epic Strongman, so she chose to trust him.

After prolonging her contact with Herbert, she gradually understood his personality wasn’t as serious as she initially thought, making their conversation less reverent.

"Lord Herbert, honestly, you’re the most peculiar strongman I’ve ever met."

This world is cruel, where not every strongman is willing to offer protection to the weak.

Even the morally exemplary Paladins could be faced with hard choices in times of crisis, whether to abandon others to save themselves or to sacrifice themselves to save others.

Not all Paladins possess the rare quality of self-sacrifice.

Yet Herbert repeatedly, and unconditionally, extended help to those weak and vulnerable, offering them a place of refuge.