CH 41

While waiting for the report from the informant, I will train Ares. Since I don’t have time to train him slowly, should I go with some Spartan approach?

Well, first of all, I have to find out how far Ares can go.

Come to think of it, can heroes use magic? If they can use magic, I have to teach him, but if it’s some kind of inherent magic, I can’t help but wonder…

When I arrived at the inn and opened the door, the innkeeper father was sitting at the counter with his chin resting on his hand and looking as bored as ever.

“Oh, you’re late. That boy was worried that you might have abandoned him….he’s been waiting for you in your room, so get going.”

“I’m not going to abandon him now after being involved for this long…. I’m just running a little late on a personal errand.”

Don’t be too negative… Maybe it can’t be helped because of the situation Ares has been in so far.

“Ah, Gray-san, how are you today?”

Rina came out from the room next to where Ares is staying and cheerfully greeted me. She is holding a cleaning tool in her hand, so she is probably in the middle of cleaning her spare room.

…Shouldn’t the innkeeper’s father also help out if he’s not busy?

“I’m here to pick up Ares.”

“Ares?”

“He’s staying in that room.”

“So that customer is an acquaintance of Gray-san.”

“Oh… kind of.”

The innkeeper’s father apparently didn’t even tell her that it was me who brought Ares here. I don’t know what he said, but he is a trustworthy guy.

“Hmm… hey, is that guy going to live with you too?”

“Just for now. What’s it about Ares that bothers you?”

“Huh? Not at all. I don’t think he’s a bad person, but I wonder if he’s a little too quiet.”

…You just restated something.

“Oh, I have to continue…sorry I kept you.”

“Oh”

With that, Rina hurriedly went into another room.

I then knocked and waited for a response before entering Ares’ room. There I found Ares sitting in a chair, looking a little depressed.

…I guess I gave him the wrong impression that I had abandoned him, so I apologize in advance.

“Um… Gray-san.”

“What’s wrong?”

But before I can say anything, Ares speaks to me.

“I’m …… dark… right?”

“Uh…”

That way.

Sorry…I just asked Rina something I shouldn’t have.

After that, I lightly followed up with him and bought all the necessary things for daily life. Ares was apologetic to me about the money, but seemed to be enjoying himself.

In Storia, he spent most of his days just going back and forth between the room he was assigned to and the training center, and he said it had been a long time since he had gone shopping in the city like this.

On the way there, he looked blankly at the fruit vendor. I asked him if he wanted to eat.

“At the orphanage I was in, we were served small fruits for dessert on special occasions. To me, the small apples we ate together felt more luxurious than any of the extravagant meals I ate in Storia. …Weird, isn’t it?”

Ares looks a little sad as he speaks, looking somewhere in the distance.

“…No”

“That’s right, the food you eat with your family is delicious. didn’t you know? 』

I remembered the words of the innkeeper’s father.

Ever since I met my children, I have been looking forward to my meals every day. I am so happy now that I can say that I would do anything to preserve this life.

I will do what I can for Ares who has lost such happiness… I thought so.

“Welcome back, Gray-san. Is that Ares-san you were talking about this morning?”

“Umm…sorry to bother you.”

After shopping, Ariamel greets me and Ares as we return home with our bags in both hands.

When Ares awkwardly greeted her, Ariamel smiled kindly and said, “Yes, please.”

“I’m home, Ariamel. Yes, I’d like us all to get acquainted, so can you gather everyone in the living room, please?”

“Yes, I understand. Can I help you with some of your bags?”

“No, it’s fine”

“Okay, then please wait in the living room first. I’ll prepare some tea.”

Saying that, Ariamel runs to the back of the room in a hurry. I don’t mind if she takes it easy…

“…perhaps that was…”

Ares mutters.

“Ah, that’s Ariamel, whom Storia had taken the liberty of calling ‘the saint’…She is my precious family.”

“…”

“What’s wrong? Let’s go.”

“…okay”

Ares must be feeling guilty for being a part of those who tried to take Ariamel away.. …I should follow up on this later.

With this in mind, I led Ares into the living room.