I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

59. The Man in Black in Every Book

During this rare, “officially sanctioned vacation,” Zerola had no intention of wasting the golden opportunity of unbridled time with Flora solely on “tilling the same old field.”

To devolve into a pair of simpletons fixated on base desires so soon after acknowledging their feelings would be too… base. Thus, Zerola planned to use this precious opportunity, after a bit of light disguising, they would venture together into the heart of the Great Ying Empire’s Royal City, and he would introduce Flora to an “important figure.”

This wasn’t just a date; it was a testament to Zerola’s unwavering determination. Since directly reclaiming Flora’s power from that elf was currently out of reach, he needed to consult with some “big shots,” searching for alternative avenues.

Here and now, in the Great Ying Empire’s Royal City.

After allowing Flora a brief taste of the “couples experience,” Zerola, still preoccupied with the question of “how to retrieve Flora’s powers,” proposed “visiting someone.”

Flora, clad in plain clothes, her long hair tucked beneath a hat, appeared somewhat wistful. It was hard to tell whether this stemmed from her experience of the Great Ying Empire’s Royal City, or from the chance of a “casual date” that it brought.

“Actually, at this point, we don’t need to fuss so much… you’ve been going on and on about helping me get it back, but wasn’t that all for… yesterday? We’ve clearly ‘achieved our goal’…”

However, the dense Zerola completely missed Filora’s bashfulness. Once those lewd thoughts cleared from his head, his mind was consumed with how to make up for what he owed her.

“If there’s a way, we have to try, plus it’s not just about getting the power back, heh heh…”

Zerola scratched his head, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Truth is, I also kind of want to introduce you to my… guardian.”

“Your family!?”

Filora’s eyes lit up, but Zerola’s expression turned troubled.

“Not really, not even a guardian, exactly. He just helped me build a solid foundation and then somehow got me into the Empire’s academy. I don’t actually know what his deal is. Uh… Filora, come on, you’ll see when we get there.”

So saying, Zerola took the initiative, grasping Filora’s hand and leading her towards a certain part of the Grand English Empire’s royal capital, to meet the “mysterious figure” he’d just mentioned.

Calling him “mysterious” didn’t even scratch the surface, because the guy’s identity, actions, and even his attitude left Zerola completely baffled.

First, Zerola felt he owed his successful development, his enrollment in the most prestigious academy in the Grand English Empire, and even his courtship of the goddess at its pinnacle to “him” and his support. And yet, even though calling him “Dad” wouldn’t be out of place, “he” always refused to act as his guardian, stating: *I’m just a moneybags. Don’t come crawling back to me no matter what you become.*

Second, the foundation of his strength was all thanks to “his” teachings. Though “teaching” wasn’t quite the right word. “He” did nothing more than casually remind him to practice, before disappearing who knows where.

Finally, Zerola had no clue about anything regarding “his” identity or whereabouts. “He” never spoke of it, leaving Zerola to wonder if “he” even existed in this world.

Regardless, Zerola was incredibly grateful for the help this “mysterious figure” had given him in achieving his current “success.” And with the usual methods of restoring Filora’s power proving difficult, “he” was the first person Zerola thought of.

Shaking off the wild thoughts, Zerola, with Filora, stopped before a mansion in the Grand English Empire’s royal capital, in the noble district where the aristocracy resided. The “mysterious figure” Zerola spoke of was currently living here.

As for how “he” had acquired a noble title, Zerola was past caring.

Even before he could explain anything to Filora, a maid was already standing outside the mansion’s courtyard.

Black hair, red eyes, a cold demeanor, and yet, Zerola vaguely sensed something… dangerous.

More importantly, her next words sounded as though she’d been waiting for them.

“Lord Zerola, Lady Filora, please come in. The ‘Master’ has been expecting you.”

Good grief, now there were maids calling him “Master”!

Zerola glanced at Filora. “See? ‘He’s’ a weirdo. But maybe he really knows how to get your powers back.”

Despite his words, Filora found it hard to completely trust Zerola this time.

Until they were led inside to wait, and the expressionless maid served them tea, with the comment “The Master will be with you shortly,” before departing…

Filora finally couldn’t hold back.

After all, the final step to confirming her suspicions was right in front of her.

“Zerola, what is your… benefactor’s name?”

She slapped the back of Zerola’s hand to stop the idiot from drinking the suspiciously prepared tea so quickly. Filora frowned, looking around.

“Name? Ah… I’ve never actually asked. And he’s never told me.”

“…Zerola, do you realize that while there are many nobles in the Grand English Empire… at least becoming a noble *within the royal capital* is not easy.”

Her gaze swept over the mansion. The furnishings seemed aged, many pieces weren’t newly purchased, not to mention the maid’s attire, which was definitely not standard for maids in the Grand English Empire…

Even though she didn’t usually concern herself with the affairs inside the Royal City, this time Phirora was certain without even needing to confirm with her elder sister, the Queen: there was absolutely no one like *this* in the Empire’s nobility. Then, who *was* this “he” that Zerora spoke of, and how did he manage to acquire an estate in such a heavily guarded place like the Royal City, even within the noble district?

That thought led to…

“So…Zerora, you haven’t been tricked into some dangerous organization, have you?”

“Never mind me, let’s just leave quickly. I’ll have the Queen investigate this place properly later…”

Phirora said, already reaching to pull Zerora away, but then…

The action she was about to take froze, or rather…she couldn’t move!?

At the same time, a voice echoed, and just as Zerora had said, a literal “shadow” appeared!

Accompanied by words that were far from guardian-like, sounding strange, indeed!

“Zerora, you bring your lover to ask for my help without even explaining my situation properly.”

“Do you have to throw your teammates under the bus like that?”