My favorability rating had risen significantly. However, I walked towards the entrance door without any hesitation.
"Good luck."
With this, all the debts I owed him were settled.
'I need to get back to my room and start marking Xs on the paper.'
Just as I was about to open the door, it slammed shut again.
'...Huh?'
As I tried to turn the doorknob again, I was startled by an arm that suddenly stretched out above my head.
A man who had approached from behind was blocking the entrance door with his hand.
I turned around hastily to find a rabbit mask right in front of my face.
I was now trapped under his large frame.
"...Lady."
A low, deep voice echoed from above.
Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, I was visibly flustered.
"What, what is it? Do you still have something to say?"
Bunter paused for a moment before speaking.
"...I want to thank you for taking care of the children today."
"It's fine. I entered a place I shouldn't have, so..."
"I can't live with debts."
As he said this, he slowly lowered his head towards me. The distance between our masks grew closer.
'Is he trying to threaten me to keep quiet?'
My throat was dry. Even without such pressure, I intended to keep quiet to avoid further entanglement with him.
I pressed my body against the door to avoid him and tried to act nonchalant by shrugging my shoulders.
"I don't really need anything?"
What thanks? Once I leave here, you won't even look back, just X.
Bunter fell silent for a moment before saying something unexpected.
"I am a magician."
"..."
"I have the ability to do things that ordinary people cannot."
I was confused and couldn't grasp his true intentions.
'So, ordinary people can't kill me, but you can?'
As I struggled to respond to this new form of intimidation, Bunter continued.
"If you need help, come back here anytime."
At that moment, a white square window appeared behind Bunter's head.
〈SYSTEM〉 Hidden Quest [Reveal the Magician's Secret!] Mission Completed!
〈SYSTEM〉 You have successfully obtained the magician's secret in his hidden room. As a reward, you receive [One-time Assistance from the Magician].
〈SYSTEM〉 Do you want to accept the reward?
[Yes. / No.]
"Huh."
I burst out laughing at the absurdity of the reward.
Considering the fear, intense deliberation, and decisions I had to make due to this unexpected quest, the reward seemed utterly ridiculous for someone who was planning to never see him again and was fleeing in a hurry.
"...This is really too much."
"Huh?"
Bunter, who had heard my muttered words, asked in confusion.
I shook my head and gently pushed his chest, which was blocking me.
It was a weak gesture, but surprisingly, he stepped back without resistance.
I pretended to push him away and pressed [Yes].
"If you need anything, come back."
I had no choice but to accept this incredible reward.
Given my precarious situation, I didn't know where or how I might use it.
"There's no way that will happen."
Of course, I hoped it wouldn't.
〈SYSTEM〉 You have obtained [One-time Assistance from the Magician].
To use it, shout [Help].
After confirming the final system message, I turned and opened the entrance door wide.
When I finally escaped from Bunter's guild, the alley was bathed in the setting sun, and the long shadows of dusk had fallen.
"Damn..."
As I stumbled down the steps in front of the entrance, I was overwhelmed by a deep sense of self-loathing.
"What if I forget to call for a carriage, you idiot..."
I had completely forgotten, in the chaos, that I couldn't use the teleportation function to return.
'Should I go back and ask for help?'
I hesitated for a moment, looking back at the closed door.
But I quickly dismissed the idea.
After boldly declaring that I didn't need his help and leaving, how absurd would it be to go back and ask for a carriage?
I had already used up all my dignity for the day and couldn't bear any more embarrassment.
'...When can I go back? The Duke must still be at work.'
I looked down the straight alley.
Fortunately, the end of the alley led directly to a main street, which was brightly lit.
The festival was still in full swing, and the noise was loud.
'I'll go to the main street first. There should be a place to catch a carriage.'
Grateful that the alley wasn't as twisted and maze-like as when I saved Eclis, I hurried along.
I quickly crossed the short alley and, as expected, reached the main street.
The street was filled with a scene similar to the one I had seen with the Duke's son during the festival.
I needed to catch a carriage, but the street was crowded with people, and no carriages were in sight.
I frowned and looked around.
At that moment, I noticed a familiar emblem on a suit of armor.
"Show me your identity badge."
Not far away, two silver-armored knights were questioning a man with a bad expression.
"Why do you want to see my identity badge?"
"We have orders to thoroughly crack down on criminals who have infiltrated the capital during the festival. Show it now."
"That, that's..."
A small scuffle broke out between the knights and the man.
'That armor looks familiar.'
As I watched, I suddenly realized.
'Wow! That's the Ecart emblem!'
Looking around again, I saw that the Duke's knights were stationed at regular intervals.
'Why are the knights here? Could they have already noticed my absence and are looking for me...?'
I felt my pupils dilate in panic.
This was bad. Derek, who was currently in charge of the family's knights, might be nearby.
'If I'm caught sneaking out, I'm dead.'
I had said I would stay in, but the official order to do so hadn't been revoked.
I quickly looked around, determined to get home without being seen by Derek.
Just then, a familiar voice came from the direction of the scuffle.
"What's going on?"
"Commander, sir!"
The knights saluted someone.
I looked over, hoping it wasn't who I thought it was.
Jet-black hair. A suit of armor with the Ecart emblem engraved in silver, and a flowing black cloak.
It was Derek.
He was already nearby, and my heart raced at the thought of being discovered.
Fortunately, I was completely hidden by my robe hood and mask.
'He can't possibly recognize the mask, can he?'
It had been a week since the incident.
Derek, who despised me, wasn't the type to remember the mask I had bought.
The crowd around me prevented him from noticing me.
I tried to make myself as small as possible, planning to hide in the crowd and move when the time was right.
'Good, that group!'
A group of people, similarly masked, was approaching.
Just as I was about to make my move, Derek suddenly lifted his head.
He was staring directly at me.
I took a step back in shock.
Our eyes met.
His face, which had been filled with curiosity, slowly twisted.
"You..."
'Oh no.'
I turned and ran into the alley before he could fully recognize me.
But the alley ended at a dead end, with buildings including Bunter's guild.
If Derek chased me, I would be caught for sure.
With no other choice, I climbed the stairs, tears welling in my eyes. And then.