The Reincarnated Vampire Wants an Afternoon Nap 179

Sakura no Miya, Again

"Ginji…I mean, Arge, I knew that you sleep a lot. But I didn't think you would fall into such a deep sleep while riding on a horse."

"Being able to sleep anywhere is a skill of mine."

Half-closed eyes and a deeply exasperated voice were directed towards me, but it was just business as usual for me.

This journey with Aoba was surprisingly comfortable.

The Alraune special ability was almost shockingly useful. You could hide from the rain under a giant leaf as they do in the movies. And at night, you could make a house-like structure with woven vines, allowing you a relaxing s.p.a.ce to rest and sleep in.

The sleeping s.p.a.ces she made with the vines were practically houses, and it was very convenient to not have to keep a fire up to scare monsters or animals, which meant that no one had to stay awake and tend to it.

While we spent several days traveling, I was able to tell Neguseo about where we were going, report to Oswald about the promise with the king, and talk about old times with Aoba, and so it was hardly boring for me.

Still, being under the warm sun just makes you sleepy. And so I would often end up taking a nap while riding the horse…

"After all, I don't feel great unless I've slept for 30 hours a day."

"I think I pointed this out in the past life, but isn't that impossible according to the laws of the world…?"

I ignored the question back then, and I'll ignore it now.

Squinting eyes are directed towards me, but I don't mind. I was drowsy, and that could not be helped.

"Now…it's been a while since I've been to Sakura no Miya."

In fact, it was only 1 or 2 months. But so much had happened from the beginning, that it felt like it was much longer.

It almost felt nostalgic lining up for inspection before entering the capital.

I was sleeping in a carriage during that time, so I don't even know what kind of inspection is required before entering. It's probably just to check to make sure you don't have any dangerous objects or poached items.

"It would be so much easier to pa.s.s these inspections if you had a certificate from the king…you know, like a general's emblem. Like, 'get out of my way.'"

"Well, position-wise, we're not supposed to have anything to do with the kingdom."

We were not able to accept any great support from the kingdom so that we could act like we didn't know anything if something were to happen.

Even if we weren't going to commit murder, what we were doing was the same thing as an a.s.sa.s.sin. Externally, it didn't give a good impression. Politics can be difficult.

"Queen of Sherwood or not, they have not even accepted it as a country, and so we will look suspicious… So, we should just take it slow, as if we were waiting for a flower to blossom."

So saying, Aoba folded her arms as if waiting patiently.

Each of her movements was beautiful, and they also spread out a sweet smell, making it difficult for her to not draw attention. Especially from men, their gazes were all turning in her direction.

…Aoba is a beautiful woman, and I am a beautiful girl.

In terms of appearances, it could not be helped that we drew attention. Especially since Aoba exuded a sweet smell, as if she had come out of a field of flowers. It was like she was trying to attract the wrong kind of people.

"…Sniff, sniff….sniff… Hey, lady. That smells nice!"

"Oh, you are praising my smell? How kind. Who are you?"

I had thought such things, but what she ended up attracting was a dog.

No, it wasn't a dog, it was a wolf. The twitching ears were unmistakable as that of a beastkin.

There was something familiar about the cute, easy-going way she moved her hair and frills.

"Kuro…!?"

"Wuff? Ah, it's Arge!"

Kuro Inui, the werewolf.

She was one of the employees at Cafe May, that helped me while I was here.

As always, her movements were closer to a dog than a wolf, and she pointed her nose at me and sniffed without restraint.

It was a little embarra.s.sing, but I could see that there was no malice behind it, and so it was hard to refuse her.

And even though we were traveling, my body was kept clean through magic, so I didn't think I smelled bad.

"Hmm, you smell good as always!"

"Oh, thanks."

"That lady over there also smells like nice flowers. Her head must be full of nothing but flowers!!"

"…Well, I guess she does in a way, but doesn't it sound a little rude when you put it like that?"

I say just to see how she reacts, but she doesn't seem to notice. Aoba must have looked very interesting to her because she continued to circle her and sniff. Really, this behavior was closer to a dog than a wolf…?

"…Uh, Arge. Is she a friend of yours…this uh…energetic doggy."

Ohh, even Aoba saw her as a dog.

"Ah…well, she helped me out in the past."

"Yes, yes. We were both thrown into jail together."

"That's quite an explanation…But Arge, you found yourself in prison again?"

It wasn't exactly wrong, so I couldn't deny it. However, I do remember it being mostly Kuro's fault that we were put in there.

In any case, she was an acquaintance, and Aoba seemed to have at least realized that there was no need to be cautious. Her troubled expression returned to normal, and she sighed in relief.

"It is good that you were able to meet a friend. Because it looks like it will take a while for this inspection line to move."

"Exactly. I'm so bored that I could die… I could probably climb the walls if I tried hard enough, but I won't, because I'll get in trouble again. I don't want them to take my snacks again."

"I'm surprised that that's all they do to you…"

That was just how kind Satsuki was, and how May operated.

Though, I guess it was also true that missing your snack was a huge problem for Kuro.

"…By the way, what are you doing here, Kuro? Shopping for supplies?"

"Nope. I was going on a walk, and I got so excited that I jumped over the wall. But I thought I should at least return in the normal way, for good manners."

"…Arge. Is this doggy, um, a little 'you-know-what?'"

I thought it would be better to keep silent on this one, and so I did.