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“I refuse.”

I was quite surprised, or caught off guard more like, but my answer was already decided.
Honestly, having Samakah-san support me didn’t sound so bad. He was gentlemanly and kind to women. He employed plenty of maids, and it seemed likely he’d support me with three meals, naps, and snacks included.
Even so, I turned down his offer.

…It’s just slightly off.

What I want is “a life where someone supports me with three meals, naps, and snacks.” It’s not a woman’s happiness that I’m seeking. To begin with, mentally I still consider myself male.
What he wants from me and what I want from the person supporting me don’t match. I want to be supported by someone who accepts me, and someone whose personality I can accept in return.
From a purely practical standpoint, if I accepted his proposal here, my life goal would be achieved. But a relationship where the feelings only go one way will inevitably collapse somewhere along the line. And if it collapses, that would be a problem. I’d have to find a new host to parasitize.
For those reasons, my conclusion was that I couldn’t accept the proposal.

“I see… that’s unfortunate. In that case, I will have no choice but to report you.”
“I don’t mind. That’s your duty, isn’t it?”
“Won’t you resent me for it?”
“You didn’t forcefully take me captive after I rejected your proposal, and all you do is make a report… That alone shows that you truly are kind to women. And that you know when not to cross a line.”
“…I see. No wonder they call you Saintess.”

I’m not sure why, but Samakah-san seemed satisfied.

…He’s more reasonable than I expected. In a way, he’s quite manly.

It makes sense that he has thirty-six wives. I imagine several of them must have received a proposal like the one he gave me—a serious one, filled with his promise to protect them for life.
Felnoute-san seemed to feel disgust toward him, but… he lives according to his own convictions, getting along with his thirty-six wives. That’s probably just the kind of man he is.
His hairstyle looks like a mushroom, his fashion sense is terrible, and his mannerisms are a bit uncomfortable to watch…but I don’t think he’s a bad person.

“Well, at least stay for tea. It’s not often I get to enjoy tea time with such a beauty.”
“Even though you have thirty-six wives?”
“I don’t use expressions like ‘beauty,’ the kind used to admire a flower, for my wives. I call them my beloved ones, my dear family. It means they are not only beautiful, but also fair and precious.”
“I see.”

He managed to continue flirting with me while also bragging about his wives. This man truly loves women.
Even though I used to be a man, being praised like this doesn’t feel bad. Thinking I could stay a little longer, I took another sip of tea.

“—R-REPORT!!”

At the same moment I set my cup down, the door burst open with a loud crash.
The one who entered was another armored soldier like Samakah-san’s guards. He stomped across the expensive carpet straight toward Samakah-san, looking obviously panicked. Something must have happened.

“How raucous of you during my tea time, Manen-kun. What’s the matter?”
“…An Abysscall has appeared.”
“…!”

The moment the word “Abysscall” was spoken, Samakah-san’s expression changed.
Abysscall. “Abyss” means deep sea, and “call” means summon, right? Just from the name it sounds dangerous. Is it a monster?

“Forgive me, Argento. Our tea time ends here.”
“Samakah-san, what’s a Machinedoll?”
“Abysscall. It is a monster. And a big one at that.”
“Ah, I thought so… Is it dangerous?”
“They’re not exactly the safest, but we’re used to dealing with them. The Imperial army doesn’t reach all the way to Alrescha…but the sea is monster territory.”

Samakah-san downed the rest of his tea in one gulp and began issuing orders to the armored men.
His expression was serious, and his commands came without hesitation. He seemed very experienced. As expected, he must be competent.

“Argento. You should take advantage of this chaos and leave the town. I’ll be busy calculating damages afterward. I’ll make my report about you later, properly.”

Leaving those words, clearly meant as consideration for me, Samakah-san left the room with his attendants.
The black-haired female and the twin-tailed maid also followed him, leaving me alone in the room.

“…Leave the town, huh.”

Just as he suggested, I probably should.
If I stayed in this town, eventually the king would likely order Samakah-san to capture me.
If that happens, I won’t be able to sleep peacefully anymore, and Samakah-san will be forced into work he doesn’t want to do.
It’s even possible Felnoute-san might receive that order too. And if that happens, someone as serious as her would suffer—caught between the country she once served and the person she owes a debt to.
Remaining in this town will only bring trouble to everyone here.

…Though that was true from the start.

I’m lazy, completely unmotivated, the embodiment of sloth. I was never beneficial to anyone to begin with.
Loli Grampa said my soul didn’t match my previous world, so she reincarnated over. That meant if someone’s soul matched their world, they’d gain motivation.
But as you can see, the result is the same. I’m no different from before I reincarnated—still completely lazy.
The only things that changed are my race, my gender… and my numerous ridiculous skills.
But at my core, I haven’t changed. Not at all.
I’m still lazy, still completely unmotivated, still the embodiment of sloth.
If someone like me receives kindness, it’ll only trouble me. If people keep giving me kindness, I’ll feel too guilty to even take a proper nap.
I’ve already received too much kindness from Zeno-kun. Any more would be too heavy for me.
What I want isn’t a single act of kindness. I want eternal affection. The kind that allows me to keep sleeping without ever working.

“…Time to go.”

If I’m leaving town, I should properly return what needs to be returned first, so there are no lingering concerns.
I tossed a cookie into my mouth and left Samakah-san’s mansion.
All for the sake of enjoying tomorrow’s nap.
The burdens I never wanted to carry—I’ll just leave them here.