Charlotte and Ricardo exchanged warm smiles.

There wasn’t a hint of tension between them. Ricardo showed no hostility, and the smile on his face was gentle.

It looked just like two acquaintances who happened to bump into each other and were politely exchanging greetings.

(What... the hell is going on here?)

This was clearly beyond the point of tossing a combat spell.

Allen blinked rapidly, carefully choosing his words.

"Oh, hey, Charlotte."

"Yes?"

"Is this gentleman...someone you know?"

"Fu...an acquaintance, huh?"

Ricardo chuckled and looked at Allen with a stern look.

A bitter look appeared in his eyes.

"I'm sure we've met before."

"Oh, so you know him too, Allen-san?"

"Huh...?! N-no, I have no idea..."

Allen frantically searched his memory.

However, he had no recollection of ever meeting a demi-human named Ricardo, not even in this town, not even when he was teaching at the magic academy.

Allen nodded, but Charlotte spoke with a smile.

"You see, I met Ricardo when I came to town by myself some time ago. You see, I received my first paycheck, right?"

"Hmm...? Ah, yeah. That time!”

Just a little while ago. With the first paycheck Allen had given Charlotte, she went out to buy presents for the people who had looked after her.

Allen followed behind her and supported her outing behind the scenes. It was a heroic act.

Allen had secretly followed her, supporting her behind the scenes, fighting off thugs and cleaning up the area so she could safely enjoy her outing.

“There were a lot of people collapsed on the streets that day for some reason… So I went around handing out the healing potions you gave me. I gave one to Ricardo at the time!"

"......I see."

"I'm glad you remembered."

As Allen pondered the matter with a serious look on his face, Ricardo shrugged his shoulders with a straight face.

Now that he said it, it seemed like there was a black figure among the people he had beaten up all at once...

"I can't thank you enough, young lady. I was suddenly attacked by a vicious thug and was completely exhausted."

"Is that so... there are scary people in this town too huh."

"Hahaha..."

Allen couldn't stop the cold sweat dripping down his face as Charlotte frowned and looked anxious. What would she think if she found out that the thug was Allen?

(But... it seems like he doesn't really have any ill will, does he?)

Ricardo was acting natural. He didn't seem to be lying, and his gratitude towards Charlotte was genuine.

However, in that case, a big mystery remained.

As Allen stared at him, Ricardo squint his eyes and smiled.

"I have something to discuss with you later. After the meal...can I have a little time?"

"...I don't mind."

Allen responded generously.

All the food at the restaurant was delicious, and the two of them enjoyed it slowly.

Charlotte especially was overjoyed by the nostalgic flavors of her homeland. Allen thought to himself how glad he was to have brought her here.

And thus, on the surface, their first date came to an uneventful end.

Afterwards, Allen went to a bar close to the restaurant. Ricardo was already waiting at the counter.

After Allen sat down next to him, he waited until the drinks he had ordered had been brought out, and slowly began to speak.

"I've been hiding in this town for a long time. My purpose is... I'm sure you know it without me having to tell you."

"...Charlotte, right?"

"Exactly."

Nodding gravely, he took out a wanted poster from his pocket. Of course, it was for Charlotte.

Ricardo then told him his original plan.

After learning that Charlotte had disappeared near this town, he conducted a steady search and found a girl who looked like her... everything seemed fine up until that point.

The plan went awry that day. The day Charlotte went out alone and Allen continued his successful advance.

"That day, you took us all down together... and when that young lady reached out to me, I realized."

Ricardo sarcastically raised the corner of his mouth and tilted his glass slightly.

“She’s not someone I could defeat… nor someone I should be targeting.”

“Hold on. Then why did you attack today? That was a serious nuisance!”

“...Everything that happened today is entirely my failure.”

He sighed heavily, shaking his head.

"I gathered my subordinates and told them that we were giving up on this target. But they weren't convinced. Against my orders, they started investigating Lady Charlotte on their own..."

He paused, then held his head in his hands.

“And before I knew it, they’d formed a Charlotte Surveillance Squad. Instead of stalking her, they started protecting her from the shadows.”

“Ah… so that’s why.”

Allen groaned, turning to look over his shoulder.

The bar was now filled with beastfolk.

All in black, bruised and battered, yet smiling brightly. They were crowded around Charlotte.

“It’s an honor to meet you!”

“Thanks for helping our leader the other day!”

“Want some juice? We’ve got snacks too!”

“O-Oh, thank you…”

They bowed respectfully and offered her juice, busily taking care of her.

No matter how you look at it, they are not the faces of thugs who are after a poor girl... Of course, they were all members that Allen, Luu, and Gosetsu had defeated.

“So what? They attacked today because…”

“Because they were jealous you got to Charlotte first and lost control.”

『Why does Mama only attract weirdos…? 』

『She was just born under that kind of star, I suppose.』

Luu muttered beside him with a deadpan stare.

Gosetsu had also returned to his usual hell capybara form and replied curtly while munching on fruit. She had completely ignored the rampage the other day. As expected, she has a thick skin.

Ricardo then turned to Allen again and bowed deeply.

“I truly apologize. I knew today was your first date… but I couldn’t stop them. I had no choice but to observe. Sorry for the trouble.”

“No, it’s fine… whatever…”

Allen slumped his shoulders. He was exhausted.

Just when he thought that a horde of bad guys had come after Charlotte... in reality, all their murderous intent was directed at Allen. It was all for nothing.

(But well... as long as Charlotte is safe, it's fine.)

When he turned around again, the demi-humans were pointing at Allen and whispering to Charlotte.

“So, um… what’s the deal with that mage?”

“You mean Allen-san?”

“Yeah. Is he treating you weird or anything?”

“Guys like that always look quiet but are secretly pervs…”

“P-Per…vs…?”

Charlotte tilted her head, confused.

Allen, indignant at the accusation, readied a spell to shut them up but――

“U-Um… I don’t really know, but… Allen-san is a good person.”

“...I see.”

Charlotte said this with a shy smile, and Allen felt a lot better.

The demi-humans seemed to be convinced by this, as they nodded with a sigh. Some of them were quietly shedding tears of regret.

Seeing this, Ricardo shrugged his shoulders.

“She’s quite the unusual talent. A natural charmer…I guess. I know I shouldn't say this, but please be careful."

"... I am well aware of that."

Allen lowered his eyes and sipped his drink.

There had been the Fenrir family incident, Gousetsu’s rampage, and now this. Charlotte was clearly attracting people in bizarre ways.

(Maybe it’s just in her bloodline…)

He’d have to investigate further eventually.

Downing the rest of his drink, Allen let out a bitter chuckle.

“Well, I guess I can rest easy now. No more idiots in this town trying to come after Charlotte, right?”

“…………Yeah.”

“Hey, what’s with the hesitant answer?”

Ricardo suddenly made a sour face. Allen frowned.

The beastman avoided his gaze and drank with a defeated expression.

“Truth is… if it were just my men, I could’ve stopped them. But, uh… there were too many.”

"There are a lot of them...?"

When he heard that, Allen suddenly noticed something strange.

It had become strangely noisy outside the store.

Though he was reluctant, he dragged his heavy feet over there and quietly opened the door that led outside.

When he did, he saw that an army had gathered there, filling the main street.

All of them were armed, and their eyes were bloodshot with murderous intent. They were adventurers of this town...probably people that Allen had beaten up before, like Ricardo, and whom Charlotte had reached out to. There were some familiar faces among them.

Vogel of the Puppet Family, Ralph of the Wolves Stan, Dominic of the Footprints of Dusk...and so on.

As soon as each and every one of them saw Allen, they raised their eyebrows and began to roar.

“You damn demon king! You stole our idol!!”

“Let me land one punch before I give you my blessing!”

“If you ever make her cry, I swear I’ll destroy you!!”

Everywhere were howls of jealousy.

Just as he was starting to feel weary, Ricardo, who had arrived later, added something.

“As you can see, the ‘Surveillance Squad’ has spread far beyond just my subordinates. It’s become a city-wide phenomenon.”

“With this kind of loyalty, she could be a queen…”

Allen had to hold his head in his hands. With this, it wouldn't be that difficult to rule the world.

At that moment, Charlotte suddenly appeared from behind.

“Wow, everyone’s here! Is something going on?”

“Yeah. Apparently, they all want a word with me. You stay inside with Luu and the others, okay?”

“Um… okay?”

『Mamaa~ Forget those idiots and pat me! Luu worked really hard today!』

Luu tugged on Charlotte’s sleeve and led her back inside.

Allen sent her off with a smile――lammed the door shut and set up a soundproof barrier. It was the one used to protect Charlotte at the magic tool shop. This time it was for the whole store. With this, the commotion outside would not reach inside at all.

“Heh… I see how it is. In that case… bring it on.”

Allen smiled faintly and flipped his coat.

Then shouted with all his might.

“Anyone who has a problem with me dating Charlotte, STEP FORWARD! I’LL TAKE YOU ALL ON! GET READY!!”

“YEEEEAAAAAHHHH!!!”

Thus began a battle that would gain him absolutely nothing.