The picturesque rice cakes are delicious today

I don't need that much money. That's fine if you have the money to the point where you don't bother others.

And then, maybe, I don't need another job. You don't have to work at painting to paint. You can paint.

... so I don't really feel like becoming a 'painter'.

I don't hate painting what Faye asked me to do, and I'll paint as many as I can if he asks.... but that's probably not 'work' for me.

Yes. To me, 'painting' is not 'work'.

So maybe I can't be a 'painter'.

... too easily think about it, what is it?

Simply, are you just anxious about what lies ahead?

Come on, Tenma sent me down. And I eat with Laocles. [M] (The one with the cheese pinched in the bread. The ham wasn't just eaten by a black haunt. I was just looking forward to it!

"Hey, Laocles"

"What?"

"I, Faye, have asked me to be the Redgard family painter."

Raocles looked like, "Why make that story your own," but I don't mind continuing.

"What do you think?

... Though Laocles will finally look like 'even if you ask me that'... Still, thought about it, answered me.

"If you don't feel bad about that nobleman, you should take it"

Oh well.

"Why is that?

I wanted to ask you why, so I'll have Laocles talk to me a little more. He doesn't seem to be very good at talking either, but let's get him to work there.

'Cause I thought you'd need protection.

...... yeah?

"As for money... you don't need protection. You are."

"Yeah."

"But you, uh... you don't seem to be good with people"

"Yeah."

You're right, I nod with the thought. Right. I'm not very good with people. [M] You're not good at talking. Then again, I'm somewhat bad at identifying the good and evil of those approaching me. Maybe.

"If you're going to continue to paint, there's going to be trouble. Sometimes you get caught up in someone, like you got caught up in me this time. And more than that, it's going to be more coming to get you from the other side."

"Hmmm......"

From the other side, to get involved.

... I don't like that, that. I feel like I can't avoid it.

"In that case, you'd better have a back shield. If you're alone, you're just a worldless kid, but if the Redgards are behind you, you can't do that."

"That kind of thing?

"At least it gets harder to insult you as just ignorant of the world. If you know your connection to a particular nobleman, you should be able to take a variety of measures with that handover. Even if you're not doing anything."

Yeah. Really. Even if you didn't do anything.

Sure, Faye is from the lord's house. No one will want to turn the lord against the enemy... even if I'm just blurry painting unchanged, do you mean you can keep the Redgard family alert and out of your hands?

"Oh well. Hmmm......"

"... on the contrary, what can you get lost in?

When I'm worried, Laocles looks strange.

Yeah, you're right. I think that kind of reaction is normal.

... Me too, I don't know why I hesitate so much.

The Redgards are good people. I'm so sorry I'm there. [M]

So it's not that I'm dissatisfied with them... and then I'm going to be able to paint, so I'm going to be a painter, because it shouldn't be a bad story, and I'm going to be able to be a further shield, and financial aid... I don't think I need this, but I can support different worlds of life that I don't know a lot about.

Yeah. Nothing bad.

Nothing, but... when I try to think, behind my head, one piece of paper flickers.

My hand stretches out trying to get me back to that side.

"... if you don't have an answer, you can make me wait a little longer"

"Yeah......"

That's what Laocles tells me. Yeah. Originally, we're not talking about hugging painters in such a hurry. Anyway, I haven't been able to control my magic yet.

As yet, I can't paint without wearing the strongest seal. Then you won't be able to do it as a painter yet...

"It just looks like you need protection"

"Yeah."

But maybe I want protection now. [M]

I... I don't care for myself, but I might annoy Laocles, Faye, the horses and the birds, and I just have to be creative enough not to get caught up in crime. At least like this one, there's nothing like getting killed the minute you walk into a store. And I'm glad you're not even coming like a poacher.

That's why I was wondering if we should get to talk about your holding painter right now.

"... give me a shield"

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Laocles says that.

Surprised, staring at his face... Laocles said.

"With swords and shields, we can fight for one thing. If it's any trouble, I can handle it."

I was surprised at Laocles' offer.

Well, he said... he could fight, though he did.

"That's... you mean you'll give me an escort?

"Oh."

"Not just the model, but also the escort?

"... I'm more of an escort than a model originally"

I didn't expect you to escort me. Oh, shit. You're gonna do it.

"Except it could be a shackle for you to do well with the nobles. Solving things by force, not power."

"Yeah, fine. Wow. Nice to meet you."

I'm happy, I'm happy... I'll get the picture material soon.

"Wait. Shield, I'll get it out."

"Wait."

And when I put a pencil on the drawing paper.

"Go to sleep already today"

... Yes, I was told.

Yeah......

"Good night."

"Good night."

I'm going to bed because I've been told.

It's morning, so I'll be up soon. Good morning.

As soon as I woke up, I went to take a bath.

"Morning."

The birds are with us today. The birds, as usual, bathe in water with our faces. Speaking of which, it's been a while since I've seen this bird. I've been interrupting Faye's house a lot lately, and I've simply lost my magic and stayed asleep.

... I'll take a bath and just leave the lake.

Today is the day to draw the shield of Laocles. I want to get in the mood.

"Morning!"

So I quickly headed to Laocles' house with all the paintings. Laocles was waving his sword in front of the house. That figure is in the hall, very good looking.

"... you're early today"

It's early, 'cause I draw shields. Because I slept early yesterday.

"Shield, I wanted to draw..."

"Right."

Laocles lay down his sword and approached me.... and he's tilting his neck as he sees that I can't put my pencil down on painting paper.

"... aren't you going to draw"

"Yeah. Draw. I want to draw..."

I... for the first time since I've been here, I'm facing a difficult situation.

"What does a shield mean? I don't think I've ever seen a shield."

Oh, my God, I didn't understand the structure of the shield.

So we went out of town.

You've never been out of town without riding Faye's subpoena.

I know the way. Because Heavenly Horse will fly.... Yeah, I had a hard time choosing Tenma this time too. Everyone will stop by...

"Pegasus is fast..."

Laocles is also riding a horse.... to Laocles yet, the unicorn beast does not lean on. But Tenma seems to be getting used to it. Though Laocles is more confused, he's also approached me like, 'You can give him a ride,' and I'm on my way to town with him.

Fly through the woods, between the trees, and fly all the way to town over the plains. I'm hardly shaking because I'm not running on the ground. Very comfortable.

"... can I stay on it?

"Yeah."

It's a little funny because it's how Laocles butted against Tenma. I checked with Heavenly Horse and he rang after all. Maybe, definitely.

... so we arrived in town.

"Have you finally come out of the woods on your own!

In the meantime, I visited Faye. Somehow. Because I wanted to tell him, 'I came this way on my own'.

"Oh, Pegasus. It's fast, these guys. Did Laocles come on board, too?

"Oh."

"Good for you. I haven't given you a ride yet."

When Faye said so and followed around Tenma's nose, Tenma looked like, 'Well, I can give you a ride.' He likes Laocles better than Faye.

"So, what's going on? Suddenly. Oh, no way."

"I'm sorry about that story. I want you to put some more on hold."

"I don't mind that. So, what's up?

"Shield, I'm here to buy"

When I said that, Faye looked at Laocles while saying "ho"... then laughed.

"Oh well. Finally, Raocles is bought a sword and a shield, and from being just a chore help and model, you mean he's promoted to the Knight of the Guard! Good for you!

That's what Faye says, and he looks as happy as he is about himself.

But......

"No, the shield you buy is for materials"

"... hmm?

I can't go wrong there.

"Looking at the shield I bought, shield, I decided to draw"

Because I knew I wanted Laocles to be equipped with the best shield.

I do not compromise.