Chapter 49

Chapter 49 \nVol 2: Chapter 49\n

「It’s been a very long time.」

「I am sorry I didn’t get in touch with you all sooner.」

Only Non-san was at the Silver Citrus Inn. The room they were lodging in already seemed cramped with just the beds and luggages, so Non-san and I shifted to a nearby cafe. It was a small cafe with wooden interior and wooden tables and chairs, so you could feel the warmth of the wood.

I ordered juice, and Non-san ordered milk tea.

「There are a lot of things to talk about, but to start with, Dad and Mimino-san went to the Adventurer’s Guild.」

「To the guild?」

「Yes, due to yesterday’s dispute over the shares of the giant snake.」

The local adventurers seem to be arguing that outside adventurers – Silver Balance – stole a march on them even though citizen evacuation was the top priority. The unfortunate part is that most other adventurers didn’t witness the fight with Ouroboros, so they thought that Silver Balance stole the kill.

On the other hand, the Knights Order insists that they should retain the corpse, confirm the salvageable parts, exchange it for a large amount of money, and give the appropriate amount to the guild. From the Adventurer’s guild’s point of view, it’s almost like they are being swindled out of their money.

As a result, the corpse remained untouched.

「I stayed behind in the inn just in case Reiji-kun showed up today.」

「I see. Well, I don’t really care what happens to that corpse.」

「Ufufu, you shouldn’t be like that, Reiji-kun. You have to be careful about money. My dad set out triumphantly saying, ”Those guys look down on us and run their mouth cause we’re outsiders. So we have to show them exactly who we are.”」

「Ha-Haha…」\n

Dante-san somehow sounds scary.

「Mimino-san was even more enthusiastic. She said, “We should squeeze out every penny since it all belongs to Reiji-kun.” She even tried to bring out a deadly, sealed poison, but I was able to stop her somehow 」

An even scarier person!

「…By the way, what are you all doing in the Holy City?」

「We had been in the Lev Magic Empire until recently. There, we were employed for an escort quest and came to the Holy City. The Church still considers me as being on a journey to find a treatment for my dad, but I am pretty much working as a full-time adventurer now. So, what about you, Reiji-kun?」

「I–」

I talked roughly about the last four years.

Leaving Achenbach Dukedom under the guidance of Zerry-san, who was in the same mercenary group as Raikira-san, working as a cleaner of the Knights Order, saving Earl Sillys from an assassination attempt, and being hired by the Earl’s House.

Although I couldn’t talk in relation to the award ceremony.

「It seems that Reiji-kun has also gone through various experiences.」

「Yes. I am sorry for leaving so suddenly at that time.」

「I know you had your own circumstances, so I won’t blame you. But, of course, I know you healed my dad, so I really wanted to thank you.」

「Uh…」

Oh, right. I used Mithril for that treatment. So I really can’t speak about that.

「Uhh, it was a special elixir. No, it was more like a drug that I accidentally made. Uh…」\n「Please be assured that I am not asking you how you made it, but thank you. I’m sure it was something you can’t buy with money.」Non-san said, leaning her chest forward firmly on the table.

Hey, that’s a strong stimulus to the body of a 14-year-old boy!

「N-No, it’s okay.」

「Hmm? Why are you looking away?」

「A-Anyway, how about you let me join Silver Balance as thanks?」

「Of course! Though I don’t think that’s enough reward for–」Non-san said, her facial expression becoming brighter.

「I think it is natural to help each other if you are from the same party.」

「Reiji-san…」

The corners of her eyes became wet as she seemed deeply moved, and she linked her hands in front of her chest.

「It is I who should be thanking you. All of you took care of me in the woods when we first met.」

At that time, if Mimino-san, Dante-san, Non-san, and Raikira-san weren’t there, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Even if I had survived, I think I would be on edge at every moment, looking out for danger at every corner.

「I was a mine slave who worked at the Sixth Mine. Fortunately, I was able to escape when the contract magic became undone. I was being pursued in the Achenbach Dukedom capital, and my appearance was identified by the guards during the dragon’s attack.」

「So that is why you had to hurry and escape? Is that the truth of what happened 4 years ago?」

「I didn’t want to bother Silver Balance by getting involved with me.」

The 6-star skill orb that Lark obtained was the number one cause, but I didn’t want to bother Silver Balance either.\n\n「Haa… Even though Reiji-kun went through so much hardship, both the Adventurer’s Guild and the Knights Order only care about their own interests.」

「…I’m sorry, Non-san. I told you something you don’t need to know.」

「That’s not the case. As a member of the church, I’m glad to hear that. Leaving that aside, Reiji-kun…」

「Yes?」

「This is not a profitable move.」

「…?」

You’re so bad, Non-san. Your words penetrate straight into my heart.

In terms of advantages and disadvantages, “escaping” would be the better move, right? But — all things cannot be judged from the advantages and disadvantages alone.

「You did your very best. Why do you have to run away? You should go see the Holy King with your head held high. There is no reason for you to run away. And Reiji-kun, the Earl’s daughter is a very important person to you, no? This kind of farewell is absolutely the worst.」

「…Yes.」

That’s what I thought too. When I think of the young lady, I realize “escape” isn’t even a real choice. The Earl didn’t mention the young lady when we talked, but I think it’s just the Earl being objective instead of kindness. So that I can make a flat decision.

And I and Non-san had experienced that “this kind of farewell” was a terrible thing four years ago.

「But what if I am forced into a contract magic?」

That was the factor I feared the most. Contract magic is more scary than any kind of fighting or war. I experienced it first-hand at the mine.

「There is actually one workaround for contract magic.」Non-san said, raising her index finger.「It’s a little-known method even for people in the church. Ufufufu…」

Yeap… hearing Non-san laugh, she is a little scary, after all.