I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

51. Two Lemon People

After Neru, who seemed a bit off, caught up, there were no more sudden exclamations of “There seems to be a treasure here” or “There seems to be a secret passage there.” Could it be that I’ve blocked all of Neru’s “adventures” today?

As I pondered this, I didn’t have the chance to ask why Neru had become quieter afterward. After all, it was Kefir, burdened with two dead weights, who had started to “get into the swing of things”—entering the main storyline.

Kefir encountered a series of lifeless stone figures, which, listen to this, were clearly the so-called “minions”! Encountering monsters meant we were on the right track, so for safety, we returned to camp at dusk and decided to continue exploring the next day.

However, Miss Neru, who had been a bit strange since the morning, finally showed it the next day.

At this moment, in the camp. Kefir was already spiritedly prepared to set off, and I was fully ready to cling to their coattails. But Neru, who always maintained high standards as a maid, wasn’t following as usual today, instead…

“Miss, Lord Ogelid.”

At the moment we were about to depart, Neru, who had been lagging behind, finally spoke up.

“I won’t be following you today.”

The hesitation and distress in her voice made it clear to me that Neru’s smile was a bitter one. Meanwhile, Kefir, puzzled, ran to Neru’s side and, as if “understanding” something, turned to me with a face full of alertness and glared.

“Charlatan, don’t tell me you took advantage of Neru while I was clearing out the monsters yesterday!?”

“Of course not!”

I might have the guts to take advantage of someone, even to cling to your big white legs when necessary, Kefir, but… taking advantage of Miss Neru? I wouldn’t dare extend my sinful hands even if you gave me dozens of bear hearts and leopard guts, for the consequences of offending Neru are too severe.

Rather, I was puzzled as to why Neru wasn’t coming along at this time.

“Neru, don’t be afraid, if this charlatan really did something to you yesterday, I’ll skewer him and roast him right now!”

Kefir still emitted a citrusy scent between them and Neru, but the next moment, Neru quickly stepped back, dodging Kefir’s hands that reached out to comfort her.

Then, as if realizing something, she forced a cheerful laugh and explained, “Lord Ogelid didn’t do anything to me. It’s just that I feel, if I keep following you, I might be a bit of a nuisance, so…”

“How could you possibly be a nuisance, Neru!?”

Not only Kefir but even I was confused by Neru’s words. As for Kefir, they grasped Neru’s hands, “Since I brought you here, I wouldn’t think you’re a nuisance. Rather, it’s a certain fool who gets spooked by every little thing and tries to throw themselves at me that’s a bit of a nuisance.”

With that, Kefir frowned and stared at me.

Don’t look at me like that, boss, am I not just scared of dying? Otherwise, why would I bother to make sure I stay by your side?

While Kefir’s sidelong glance made me the “scapegoat,” I clearly saw something unusual in Neru’s expression. At this point, I really couldn’t ignore it.

After confirming several times that I’m not some “protagonist” but a villain, and thus wouldn’t cause any “Shura field” type of trouble, I looked at Neru’s script.

[Neru feels she’s not very useful, so she decides not to trouble Kefir and Ogelid.]

Accompanying the script was Neru’s subsequent explanation, which indeed matched her mood in the script. Looking at Kefir’s smiling face, though somewhat lonely, it didn’t seem like the “yandere” I knew.

“But Miss, you actually think it would be better to explore with Mr. Ogelid, right?”

“But…”

“I’ll just wait at the camp outside for the good news from you two. The two of you acting together will surely be more efficient. So… Miss, don’t mind me…”

Kefir still seemed a bit hesitant.

Indeed, due to Nell’s arrival, yesterday was mostly spent in a script of “I’m trying to prevent Nell from finding treasures and adventures everywhere, constantly explaining and concealing.” Perhaps in Nell’s view, she feels that she has delayed our progress?

In fact, the reality is quite the opposite, but the script, especially Nell’s script, I cannot speak out loud. I hope Nell won’t hold this against me, and by the way, I can’t let the girl be too sad, so I’ll find an excuse to cover it up…

However, I haven’t had the chance to speak yet.

“I understand.”

Kefir, who has always been supportive of Nell, surprisingly agreed with Nell’s reasoning this time.

After giving me a very suspicious quick glance, Kefir turned away, “So Nell, you wait for our news at the camp of the Great Ying Empire outside the warning line. Since it’s not too far from here, I’ll escort you back, then continue the exploration with Ogelid. Hey, charlatan!?”

“Eh?”

“What ‘eh’…”

Taking advantage of the moment Nell turned to pack her luggage because of Kefir’s agreement, Kefir quietly approached me.

“Since Nell thinks so, we should send her back to the camp. That way, we can explore faster.”

“But isn’t this a bit of neglecting her…”

On the way here, I stopped all of Nell’s ‘adventures,’ and now Nell won’t encounter any ‘Dragon-slaying Swords’ alone at the camp, but I still feel an indescribable tension.

Although, Kefir didn’t give me a chance to explain with “metaphysics.”

“Alright, just listen to me! You’ve been all about Nell this whole way, now that she’s going to a safe place, you can finally be quiet, right!?”

“And… And later, I have something to say to you alone… cough cough! Never mind, just wait here for me!”

【Kefir also plans to send Nell back to the camp.】

Hmm, could it be that my ‘big leg’… is jealous?