The plan Allen proposed was terribly simple.

First, take Charlotte and wander around the city.

Along the way, he’d intentionally head to less crowded places or pretend to take his eyes off Charlotte.

If the bandits took the bait and attacked, he’d strike them down and continue the date. Repeat as needed.

In essence, it was like fishing.

Of course, there was no guarantee that the bandits would attack, and he had Luu and Gosetsu as insurance.

Allen decided to focus all his energy on the date, but his plan quickly went awry.

The city was bustling as always.

Parents and children, families, adventurers... and couples like Allen's. Amid the throng of people, Allen spoke up once again.

"Alright, let’s go then… Huh? What’s wrong?"

"Uuuu…"

Charlotte pulled her hat down over her eyes and looked around restlessly.

She wore the same outfit as the day they went for a picnic in the flower fields, a white dress and that familiar hat.

And her hair was… its usual golden color.

Charlotte looked at Allen nervously.

"Are you sure...I don't need to dye my hair...?"

"Yes. It won't be any problem."

Allen said calmly.

The reason she dyed her hair when she went out was to disguise herself.

But Allen had decided that it was no longer necessary.

"Your wanted poster’s no longer posted in this city. It’s been quite a while since then, so it shouldn't be a problem."

"B-but..."

"Hm?"

Charlotte still seemed uneasy and shrank in on herself.

At that moment, a voice called out to them. A woman with a peddler-like appearance and a large backpack. 

"Oh, are you the shopkeeper from the other day?"

"It's been a long time, Great Demon Lord."

Allen raised one hand, and the woman nodded slightly.

The last time he went to town, he bought a hair clip for Charlotte from a street stall. It was the shopkeeper from that time.

"And the young missy too… Oh?"

"…!"

She turned her eyes to Charlotte and tilted her head slightly.

Charlotte flinched at her reaction, but the shopkeeper smiled.

"You dyed your hair, huh? Change of mood?"

"Huh?"

"Yeah, it suits you better, missy. Looks like that hair clip I sold you is happy too."

The shopkeeper narrowed her eyes fondly at the golden hair adorned with the clip.

She bowed her head, ignoring Charlotte who looked dumbfounded.

"Well, I’ll be going now. I’m usually set up in the same spot, so come by again sometime."

"Of course. we’ll stop by later if there's a chance."

After parting ways, Allen turned to Charlotte with a smug smile.

"See? Just as I said. People in this city remember you with black hair. So now, even if you walk around with your natural color, they’ll just think you changed your look."

"I-I see…"

Charlotte nodded quickly.

Allen chuckled at her honesty and gently patted her head.

"You never did anything wrong to begin with. It was strange that you couldn't walk around outside with your head held high."

"…You think so?"

"Of course I do."

"Fufu… Thank you."

Charlotte smiled faintly and lifted the brim of her hat.

She seemed to have let go of her anxiety.

Allen let out a breath of relief.

"Okay then, let's go, but before that..."

"Wh, what is it?"

Allen held out his right hand, and Charlotte blinked in surprise.

...It seemed he hadn’t said it clearly.

Allen swallowed hard again and stuttered.

"Well...let's hold hands so we don't get separated."

"…Y-Yes."

They’d been to this city many times before. They had never once gotten separated. And even if they did, they could just return home.

Charlotte surely understood this was just an excuse.

Still, she didn’t say anything.

"Ehehe... we can't get separated, right?"

"Yes. So we won't get separated."

Allen returned an awkward smile.

And so, hand in hand, the two of them began walking slowly together.

(Hahh… My girlfriend’s so earnest and cute. Her hands are tiny, she’s nervous and sweating a little...god, she’s too cute....these waves of killing intent even more annoying than usual!)

Allen was furious inside.

The trouble had started the moment they entered the city.

A murderous intent like tiny thorns pierced them from all sides.

This wasn’t the petty jealousy aimed at couples. This was the kind of pressure only found on a battlefield, a subtle, skin-prickling threat.

Worse, the aura was so sparse yet numerous, he couldn’t gauge the full scope of it.

It was likely… the group led by Ricardo.

(Heh… Fine. If they want to make a move, I won’t hold back. I’ll crush them with everything I’ve got!)

Allen tried to put on a fearless smile――

"Ehehe, this is fun, isn’t it, Allen-san?"

"Yeah… it really is."

Charlotte’s bashful words to instantly melt his expression into a big, goofy smile.