Preparations for the parade progressed steadily.

Since most of the knight order's equipment had to be crafted in this world, I'd scaled back the online auction side of things a bit. I was mostly just listing items I already had on hand, without putting up many new products.

The biggest reason was simply that I didn't have the time.

Most of the knight order's equipment was entrusted to Oyakata, while the decorative parts were handled by Bill-shi.

Also, since I was planning to open a high-end fabric shop anyway, I had some of the equipment made using luxury cloth. The lace insignias for every member were finished, and it felt like we were almost perfectly ready for the big day.

"Listen, everyone. There's one very important thing we need to take care of before the parade starts."

I brought it up during lunch.

For this parade, everyone except me and Aurica would be participating.

Naturally, Diana, Marina, and Rebecca-san would be there—but so would Elepipi, Etowa, Ion, and Shamash-san. We were also planning to have Shello-san join as an advisor, someone whose presence alone could lend credibility.

Aurica couldn't ride a horse and didn't exactly give off a knightly vibe, so she was out. As for me, being a knight wasn't really my thing either—I was just the owner and patron, after all—so I'd be sitting this one out too.

The true stars of this parade were the female knights.

But to make this work, there was one hurdle I had to clear.

The lunch group that day consisted of me, Diana, Marina, Ion, Aurica, Shamash-san, plus Rebecca-san and Shello-san. It was our usual post-training meal.

"What is it, de-arimasu? Are we finally going to put decorations on the horses too?"

"I've been thinking the horses need decorations as well, nodesu. It's not fair that only the dragon gets all the attention, nodesu."

"Now that you mention it, I was scheduled to ride a horse, but there's always the option of me riding a Golem. Yes, a Golem would be quite the sight."

"No, it's not about the mounts," I interrupted.

To be fair, riding a golem wasn't a bad idea, and we'd also considered armoring the horses. But schedule-wise, we prioritized decorating the dragon, and those ideas fell through.

"It is related to the parade, though. I've felt like this is something we absolutely have to do before we step out there."

Everyone tilted their heads in confusion. They weren't getting it.

"I'm talking about canceling the slave contracts. We're doing this parade to show these women as independent, high-ranking professionals. If half of you are wearing slave marks, it kind of ruins the message."

Marina's expression went stiff.

"Is that... an order, Aruji-dono...?"

Ah. Marina's identity was heavily tied to her status as a slave.

But that's exactly why this had to happen. I know it's a bit rich coming from the guy who bought her, but we've moved past that stage.

"It is an order, Marina. This parade has to succeed. It might sound dramatic, but it could help dispel at least some of the prejudice against the Turk people in this city... That's the kind of opportunity it is. I want to do everything we can."

"I... I see... de-arimasu..."

She looked unhappy, but she seemed to accept the logic.

This parade was special.

Elves, Humans, Demons, Tarks, and Canaanites—all riding together as a single squad under the banner of an Imperial City. The significance of that was massive. It might be a small step, but it felt like a grand one. Even Milkpearl-san, who knew the highs and lows of this country, told me this would have a huge impact on the citizens.

"It's alright, Marina. We can just sign the contracts again once the parade is over."

Diana suggested this, noticing how dejected Marina looked.

"Oh! That's true, de-arimasu!"

Marina's face lit up instantly.

Well, she's technically right, but as for re-signing...

"Yeah, exactly. It's just for the duration of the parade."

I decided to play along for now. Whether we actually re-sign is something we can decide when the time comes. Honestly, for both Diana and Marina, the slave contract is a mere formality at this point. The same goes for Shamash-san.

Once you reach a certain level of mutual trust, you don't need a contract to hold people together. Those contracts are for people who want to treat slaves like slaves.

It turns out I'm just not cut out for that.

* * *

The day after I dissolved the slave contracts with Diana, Marina, and Shamash-san.

"I'm anxious, de-arimasu. I'm so anxious. I've never felt this vulnerable in my life!"

Having lost her official status as a slave, Marina was clinging to me more than ever, refusing to leave my side for even a second.

"It's fine, really. Nothing has actually changed just because the contract is gone."

"B-but... you say that, but I don't feel the 'connection' to you anymore, Aruji-dono! I want that connection back! Even if it's in a different form, I need some kind of... legal bond!"

She gripped my arm as she wailed.

I'd never felt a mystical "connection" through the slave contract myself, but maybe she had actually felt something tangible. Or maybe it's just the difference between someone from this world and someone from Earth.

"A connection, huh... Wait, we already have one. Look."

I showed Marina my glowing orange ring. A similar, slightly simpler ring was shining on her own finger—the Proof of Clan Membership.

"...And also—if the parade goes off without a hitch, I'll buy you a necklace or a ring, Marina. I used up your first spirit stone back when we fought the bear, remember? This will be to make up for that."

"R-Really!?"

"Really."

Marina let out a low purr of delight and rubbed her cheek happily against my arm. I didn't mention that I'd actually planned to get her something much sooner and had simply forgotten in all the chaos. Some information is better left unsaid.

Maybe an amethyst ring or necklace? I'm pretty sure I have some amethysts back home that I received during my Black Company days. I can ask Bill to set them into a ring.

Rebecca-san still treasures the ring I gave her, so I'm sure Marina would be thrilled. Diana might get jealous, though...

Yeah, I'd better make one for Diana too.

* * *

That evening.

I was sitting on the sofa, sipping tea and thinking about our next moves, when Diana came in after her bath and sat down beside me. We shared a quiet moment of relaxation as she sipped the tea Aurica had brewed.

"It's rare to see you at the mansion this late, Danna-sama."

"The parade is coming up, and I've got a mountain of things to think about for the shop."

"You've seemed quite busy lately. You aren't overworking yourself, are you?"

Busy was one way to put it. There was a lot to do. Regardless of whether the parade succeeded or failed, I needed to plan my next move. Since I'd already rented the storefront, the preparations were in full swing. Fortunately, Etowa was so capable that I could basically leave most of it to her.

"No, I'm having fun. It's a sense of fulfillment I never felt back in Japan."

"If you say so..."

And once again, we sipped our tea in silence.

The snack was rice crackers. You could buy similar ones in Erishe, but soy-sauce–flavored ones were only available from Japan.

"...Goshujin-sama, please wait a moment."

Diana stood up and left the room, returning shortly after with something in her hand.

"This is for you. A charm to give you energy."

She handed me the bangle she usually wore on her left arm. Ever since I met her, Diana had been wearing various pieces of jewelry made from spirit stones—a red coral necklace and bangles on both arms. The right one was green turquoise, and the left one was blue.

"This bracelet has been passed down in my family for generations nodesu. It's an amulet said to protect the health of the wearer."

"Are you sure? If it's a family heirloom, it must be incredibly valuable."

"You've looked tired lately, Goshujin-sama, so I want you to have it. Oh, but you mustn't 'Appraise' it! If you do, the blessing will vanish."

"You sound like a grandma..."

A charm, huh? It's made of spirit stones, so I'm sure it actually has some kind of enchantment. Having something that keeps me healthy just by wearing it is a huge plus. I don't know the specifics, but Diana has worn it forever, so it's definitely something good.

"Then I'll accept it gladly. Does it look good on me?"

"Ufufu. It suits you perfectly. See? Now we're matching."

"Whoa, you trapped me! We're doing the 'couple look' thing!"

Jokes aside, it really was a cool-looking bracelet. I'll make good use of it.

* * *

The next day.

The clearing in front of Shello-san's house is a beautiful meadow, provided you ignore the occasional monster spawn. Because of that, it's our go-to training ground.

Since the parade was right around the corner, everyone was in the middle of a full-scale mounted rehearsal.

Essentially, they just had to follow Rebecca-san on the dragon and reach the destination, but we needed to practice. I'd considered having them throw candy or ceremonial mochi to the crowds, but I ultimately decided against it.

Suddenly, a single horse came galloping toward us at full speed.

We're off the main road here, so we rarely get visitors—usually just people with business for Shello-san or Rebecca-san. My mansion is closer to the city, and I almost never have guests out here.

The rider was dressed in traveling clothes, with a hood pulled low over her face and a sword at her hip. She skidded to a stop in front of us, and tension shot through the group.

"Thank goodness! It looks like I made it in time."

"That voice... Hetty-san!"

The rider threw back her hood, revealing shining silver hair. It was Hetty-san—the eldest daughter of the Solo family and a former mercenary commander. To me, she's the kind yet powerful woman who usually wears a maid uniform, though she was in regular gear now.

"What's wrong, Hetty? Why are you in such a rush...?"

Rebecca-san asked.

Hetty-san was uncharacteristically sweaty and looked a bit disheveled from the road.

"I hurried here from the Imperial Capital. But I'm relieved; it seems Uncle Dida hasn't arrived yet."

"Dida?"

Dida was the uncle of Efta and Hetty-san. He was also the merchant I'd sold that velvet to for a hefty sum a while back—a chubby, ostentatious man who reeked of heavy perfume, used spirit stones to stay young, and traveled with a small army of powerful slave warriors.

"Yes. Rumors of the Knight Order's parade have actually reached the Capital."

"Really? Information travels faster than I thought."

"It reached the Capital via my family's network. My home is... unique. It's a place where information tends to gather."

"I see..."

"I went to investigate why Uncle Dida suddenly insisted on taking over the 'support' for Diana-sama's guidance... and it seems he caught wind of the parade and plans to do 'something' there."

"Something? Like what?"

"I apologize; with my limited information-gathering abilities, that's all I could find out. I'm essentially estranged from my family, so I couldn't move too openly. I decided the best thing was to return. If I'm here, I can at least block some of his interference."

Something...?

Is that guy planning to pull something?

Wasn't he supposed to be vacationing in that lakeside city or whatever? Originally, he was supposed to support Diana's Guidance in Efta's stead—but he'd taken his slave warriors along and gone off on a holiday.

It's been months since then, so he could have returned home, but it sounds like he's actually back in the Capital.

"That chubby merchant, huh..."

When I sold him that velvet, I thought I'd charged a premium, but it turned out to be an ultra-luxury fabric even in this world, so technically I "lost" on the deal. Well, he got a bargain and I made a profit, but that was just business.

Aside from a bit of friction during our first meeting, I'd only spoken to him three or four times. I wasn't even sure if he'd remember me.

Then again, I am the Master of a High Elf like Diana. He'd have to be pretty forgetful to blank on that. But he might not know I'm the one behind the Knights.

"You think he's going to sabotage us? What would he gain from that?"

It felt unlikely that he'd go for direct sabotage, but I couldn't think of anything else. If he's as shrewd as they say, maybe he's trying to muscle his way in—either push us out or take us over. Since the Solo family was supposed to support Diana's guidance, he might think he has a right to a piece of anything she's involved in.

"I don't know. But he is certainly up to no good. That is his specialty."

"Man... and here I was looking forward to a fun parade."

Maybe I shouldn't have made it such a big production?

No, that would have defeated the purpose. If there's interference, we'll just have to push through it.

In a way, this is a moment of truth. I want to live a quiet, low-profile life, but things have reached a point where I can't just hide. Sometimes, you just have to fight.

"Dida...? Dida Barbacro...? That man... is coming?"

A tiny whisper.

I turned to see Ion, her face as pale as a ghost.

This is bad...