I take a deep breath and resume the breathing I had unconsciously stopped.
Erasing the expression off my face, I pretended as if this would be just like usual.
Fortunately, I know Lilyās affinity values without having to confirm them.
While pretending to do the calculations, I think about what Iām going to do from here on out.
Unlike Status, the Affinities of a person doesnāt change.
If this is the case, thereās a high possibility that Lily will only attend this Affinity Appraisal this one time.
āāāāāāI canāt let her go at this moment!
I quickly write down the numbers and letters as I remember them, trying not to let out the impatience welling up inside me.
Then, just as I was about to hand it to Lily, who had come near meā¦ā¦
[ā¦ā¦Ahh.]
The paper slipped out of my hand, fluttering in front of Lilyās eyes.
After a momentās delay, the face of Lily, who reflexively bent down to pick up the paper, and my face, who hurriedly chased after the paper, came close to each otherā¦ā¦
[āāāāāI know your āsecretā.]
āā-and I whispered as such into Lilyās ear.
ā»ćā»ćā»
Without any unexpected events happening, I was able to finish my Affinity Appraisal job.
Then, I persuaded a reluctant Resilia to āleave me alone to verify an eventā, and came to the front of a fine dining restaurant on the outskirts of Frelia.
Convincing Resilia took an unexpectedly long time, but thanks to my hasty arrival, there was still some time before the appointed time I wrote on the Affinity Appraisal paper.
As I was feeling relieved to see that the other party hadnāt arrived yetā¦ā¦
[ā¦ā¦Rex-san, right?]
I heard a voice echo from the shadows of a building.
I should have known it was indeed her, but the sight of her secretly made me breathless.
[ā¦ā¦Lily Harmonix.]
There stood the character, who for better or worse, had moved my heart the most in B&B.
ā»ćā»ćā»
ćLily Harmonixć
Initial Level: 5
Class: Bard
Age: 19 years old
Birthplace: Citadel Linesta
And her specialty isā¦ā¦
[Ummmā¦ā¦ Isnāt it about time you told me? What do you mean by you know my secret?]
[Hmm? Ahh, my bad.]
As I was once again recalling her data from my gaming days, Lily, who was sitting opposite me, complained to me anxiously, and I came to my senses.
Iām not sure if thatās something she could consciously do or notā¦ā¦
However, even when I was being careful about it, when I saw the way she clenched her fists in a frightened manner, I naturally felt a desire āto protect herā.
Even me, who knows āherā true nature feel that way, so I think B&Bās development of Lily was quite well done.
[ā¦ā¦First off, thanks for going out of your way to come here.]
After meeting up with Lily, I told her that āitās not something we should talk about hereā and we moved to a private room in the restaurant.
When a young woman is invited to a private room by a man she has almost never met before, their natural reaction would have been to become wary.
I thought Lily would be reluctant to accept my invitation, but surprisingly, she readily agreed and went inside the restaurant.
(No, butā¦ā¦ I guess it may just be the way it goes.)
There may have been a unique system in place in this world, where committing a crime isnāt worth the risk, or it could be that thereās a certain amount of trust in this restaurant, which was often used for meeting events by reputable people even in B&B.
Or perhapsā¦ā¦
Shaking my head, I shook off these thoughts and looked at Lily.
(Indeed, I know Lilyās ābest-keptā secret.)
However, as to how I could make use of this secret in the most effective way, I scrutinized this cautiously.
[Ummmā¦ā¦?]
Hearing Lily anxiously asked me again, I stopped thinking.
The one with the overwhelming advantage in the current situation is me.
There shouldnāt be a problem if I play through this by the ear to some extent.
[I can indeed see other peopleās Affinities with my <Inspect>, but in fact, I can see more than just that. I can also see other things.]
[What do you mean?]
Lily asked in a slightly hoarse voice.
[Those words mean exactly what it means. I can see a lot of things with my <Inspect>. I can see a personās name, their Class, and techniques and magics theyāre good at.]
I didnāt miss the slight tremor in Lilyās shoulders when I said the word āmagicā.
[T- That isā¦ā¦ Is that true?]
Of course, Iām lying.
However, it was true that I knew what Lily was capable of.
[Iām not going to lie about this. To prove it, I guess Iāll say what youāre good at.]
[Ehā¦ā¦]
Pretending not to notice Lily stiffening, I continued with a nonchalant expression on my face.
[Lily Harmonix. Class: Bard. Your specialties are <Musical Instrument Performances> and <Singing>. And alsoā¦ā¦ <Dark Magic>.]
As soon as I spoke those last few words, I could clearly see Lilyās face stiffening.
After a few moments of silence, Lily spoke with her trembling voice.
[A- Are you going to turn me in to the townās guards then?]
Lilyās trembling voice sounded like she was really scared of me.
(If this was an act, she really is quite remarkableā¦ā¦)
I spread my hands out in a deliberate attempt to reassure her and intentionally spoke in a laid-back manner.
Concealing my true motives in mindā¦ā¦
[Ahh, donāt get me wrong. Iām not trying to persecute you for it. Besides, although Dark Magic is frowned upon, itās not a crime to learn it. Well, I donāt think itās a good idea to use Sleep Magic or Confusion Magic on people though.]
In this world where committing a crime isnāt worth it, it can be said that if itās just limited to the crimes between humans, you can say that this world is a lot safer compared to Japan.
But even if that were the case, there were still drunks who canāt be helped with, and when youāre tangled up with such people, you could get away with casting light Sleep or Confusion Magic.
This is what āLilyā herself said in the game.
[I- I know itās not a good thing to do. However, for a woman traveling all on her own, there are some things you canāt just get away with peacefully, so ummmā¦ā¦]
Lily was trying to desperately talk her way out of it, but I soothed her down.
[Like I said, you donāt have to worry about it. Iām not trying to persecute you for it, but rather, the opposite.]
[The opposite?]
Lily looked puzzled.
[Iām not doing Affinity Appraisal just for the sake of others. By doing these appraisals, I could gather information on talented people. In other wordsā¦ā¦]
[Youāre scouting me?]
She should have been quite dumbfounded by my earlier words, but as I had expected, she really is quite quick-witted.
[H- However, Iām not that good as an Adventurer, and even when it comes to fightingā¦ā¦]
I know that. What I need now is someone who can collect information in town. For that reason, what I need isnāt combat power. Itās a personās sociability skills. Their quick-wittedness. It would be even better if they have one of the ātricksā to lighten the mouth of the informant when needed.]
She seems surprised by my unexpected suggestion, but her responses seem to be more positive than I had imagined.
Here, I gave her a little bit more push.
[I know this is bad, but I did some research beforehand. With a personality that canāt leave troubled people alone, everyone has a good reputation of you. This too is a rare talent.]
Of course, Iām just bluffing here.
[That isā¦ā¦ I- Iām just being normal. The people Iāve met have all been very niceā¦ā¦.]
However, my words seemed to be more effective than I thought, as Lily pressed her hands on her cheeks.
[Thatās exactly why I want to ask Lili for this. For the sake of saving the world, will you lend me your strength?]
[I- Iā¦ā¦]
Lily showed signs of hesitation.
Well, I guess thatās to be expected.
Lily, who is a āthoroughly good personā, shouldnāt be able to refuse this invitation without a reason.
However, I slowed down my assault here.
[Sorry. I didnāt mean to trouble you. It isnāt as if you need to make a decision here today.]
[Ehā¦ā¦]
[You would need time to think and understand each otherās intentions. ā¦ā¦I was being too hasty. In any case, since weāre in a very expensive restaurant, letās have some good food and alcohol.]
I tried to say that, but I knew without even asking that putting aside the meals, she would probably refuse the alcohol.
In worldviews with medieval settings, itās often the case that people can drink alcohol at a young age, but perhaps because the devs wanted to be seen as a company that endorses underage drinking, this world was just like Japan, as āyou have to be 20 years old to drink alcoholā.
So, Lily would surely be apologetically declining my invitation for that, citing her age
Well, thatās what I thoughtā¦ā¦
[Ummm, I usually refuse to drink alcohol because Iām not old enough yet. However, the truth is I turned 20 a little while ago. Thatās why, if itās just a little bitā¦ā¦]
After some hesitation, Lily responded as such.
[This would be your first drink then? Well, itās an honor then.]
I grinned at her words, but Iām inwardly seething with anger.
""
(You f*cking liar! I know youāre still nineteen!)
In the first place, her event begins in which Lily brushes away a persistent male Adventurer who was making her drink, insisting that āsheās only 19 years oldā.
I heard that this random event will stop generating in the fourth month of in-gameās second year, so my knowledge of the game proves that Lily is still 19 until then.
I knew I shouldnāt let this woman bother me, so I just ordered some of the dishes and alcohol Iād seen in the game.
As for the name of the dishes, they are all stuff that I have heard of in modern Japan, so I donāt think these meals arenāt much different from those.
After finishing the order, I asked casually.
[Youāre from Linesta, right, Lily? Do you have a family there?]
[Yes. I heard that my parents used to travel around, but after I was born, they already have a store set up in Linesta. Iām also thinking of going back home sometimes, but I enjoy traveling.]
[I see. What about siblings? Do you have any?]
[I donāt have any. ā¦ā¦Fufu. I wanted a kind older brother though.]
The sidelong glance she made as she spoke words that seemed to insinuate something almost took my consciousness away.
So that she wouldnāt notice my thoughts though, I kept my sanity in check by clenching my fists and poking my fingernails into my palm.
Lily isnāt a very flashy-looking girl.
Although she has a face that could be described as beautiful, most characters in fiction are beautiful.
Compared to the most beautiful women, such as the <Goddess of Salvation>, she even looks somewhat plain.
Her clothes are neatly covered even around her neck, and together with her long skirt that reaches almost to her ankles, giving her a chaste atmosphere around her.
Despite this, the reason why she is so eye-catching is probably because of her perfect manners.
Her elegant and graceful mannerisms are somehow soft, inviting motherly and protective feelings at the same time.
Her movements are calculated not to attract womenās emotions though, but menās.
Regrettable it may be, but I must also say that her breasts, which are so large and full that they would be unnatural for a game character, are also effective in attracting my gaze.
If I let my guard down even a little bit, I would be lured into a deep rabbit hole from which I wouldnāt be able to escape.
As if to intensify her attacks, Lily leaned forward.
[Even so, this indeed feels like a dream come true. Rex-sanās name resounds even in other cities after all.]
[Please stop with that. Iām sick and tired of the fame that isnāt suited for me.
[Fufu. Isnāt that fine? The fame makes you look even cooler. <The Founder of the New Path of Swordsmanship, Rex Toren>. I could even write a great poem with such a subject.]
Wait a moment!
Seriously, thatās the first time Iāve heard all that!
[Please give me a break. That name is too heavy for me.]
[I suppose thatās something I can relate to a bit. I was teased a lot about my name when I was a kid. ā¦ā¦However, I wouldnāt have become the person I am today without this name, so I guess it was all for the best.]
Those were just empty chatter, like playing into a charade.
Though I say that, I couldnāt deny that I was enjoying this exchange.
(However, this is a good sign.)
Lily is more eloquent than Iāve ever seen in the game, and her demeanor shows that she was in a good mood.
Perhaps, the emotions I could feel from her currently were just āactingā, but I didnāt care.
Just now, she spilled out a āpiece of truthā that āsheā normally would never say.
She must have thought I wouldnāt be a problem if she just dropped this information, didnāt she?
She must have thought I wouldnāt understand if she put it that way, didnāt she?
(With her like that, she had at least ālet her guard downā.)
Lily must be distracted.
She must have felt relieved that what I was holding was just āher learning Dark Magicā, something that couldnāt be fatal against her, and not āa secret she really wanted to hideā that could potentially threaten her.
What happens when you combine that situation with a bout of alcohol with someone who probably hasnāt had drank it before?
[Since weāre at it, how about we have a toast?]
Picking up a glass of wine that had just been served to us, I smiled towards Lily.
Fortunately, Iām a rather good drinker.
Of course, Iām not on the level that can be described as a heavy drinker, but I do know my limits as a member of society.
If I can glimpse behind Lilyās āmaskā even a little while being careful not to show any openingsā¦ā¦
(Perhaps, it wonāt be long before the decisive moment comes.)
Covering up my innermost plans, I raised my glass to Lily.
[To our future.]
[C- Cheers.]
Modestly extending her own glass towards the glass I held out to her, we lightly clinked our glasses.
[Ah, itās deliciousā¦ā¦]
Looking at Lily as she drank from her glass and her cheeks blushed red, I moved my wine glass towards my mouth, covering up the smile that was about to warp my face.
ā»ćā»ćā»
Itās scorching hot.
Something stinging hot swirls about, rushing around like a whirlwind.
Gorororo. Gorororo. The rumbling of the earth echoed around, curiously coming out from my ears and soaring to the heavens.
My consciousness was caught in the air, flying in weightlessness, fleeting up to the empty skies.
In the midst of all this, my mouth was the only one that asserted its presence.
[Liiiiiiike I shaiiiid! Iām a nwormal pershon! Not someshwing shtupid like a Hewo! Heeeey, you lishening, Lily! Lily-chaaaaaaaan!]
Life feels so good.
After all, the world is in space, and the space isā¦ā¦ space?
[R- Rex-san? Are you alright?]
Ah, thatās right.
There exists within that space is a fairy.
[Lily shuwe is cuuuuute! Youāre the cucheeeest in the woooorld! Jyapanās nyumbah one!!!]
At my words, the nearby fairy whispers.
[I- I understand. I understand already. That aside, can you walk, Rex-san?]
[Can I walk? Cyyyaaaan I waā- worāā wekkā¦ā¦]
I tried to step forward.
Howeverā¦ā¦
āāāā-Thereās a trap!!!
""
The floor suddenly turned slushy like mud, making me slip off my foot.
Iām Rex, so of course, Rex knows all about traps.
Thatās why, responding to it with the most obvious answer, I evaded the trapā¦ā¦
[Boing?]
My foot slipped and my legs swung to the side, but my falling head was caught by something soft.
āāāāāA slime?
As my head flickered with the answer to my question, I reached out my hand and grasped the truth of the world.
I should have grasped a very wonderful feeling just now, but it turned into a pink elephant and fluttering its ears, it flew awayā¦ā¦
[Rex-san! Your inn! Whereās the inn where youāre staying?]
Inn?
The elephant disappeared into the rainbow, and in its place came a beautiful fairy asking me something.
In response to it, Iā¦ā¦ uhhā¦ā¦ I shouldā¦ā¦ uhhhā¦ā¦ What am I doing againā¦ā¦
There should be somethingā¦ā¦
ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.
ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦..
ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦
ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.
ā¦ā¦ā¦
[Rex-san? Rex-san?]
[Nhuah?]
[Weāre here. Can you properly lay yourself down by yourself?]
[I can stillā¦ā¦ Talk more with Lilyā¦ā¦]
[Yes, yes. Iāll lower your body now, okay?]
Bomf, I felt myself sinking into softness.
Sinking and sinkingā¦ā¦
The cold lake feels very comfortable~~
[ā¦ā¦Geez. What a helpless person.]
At that moment, I felt something warm touch my cheekā¦ā¦
[āāāāāGood night, Rex-san.]
Before I could ascertain what that is, my consciousnessā¦ā¦
ā»ćā»ćā»
Shuko, shuko.
Shuko, shuko.
Shuko, shuko.
I was awakened by a strange sound echoing in a steady rhythm.
[āāāā!]
As soon as I woke up, I felt a dull pain in my head and frowned at the stink of alcohol coming up from my body.
(I see, I ended up getting smashed yesterday huhā¦ā¦)
As the memory of yesterday comes back to me, I cover my face with my hands.
(I freaking blundered!)
I was supposed to be looking for an opening, but I ended up exposing one.
Still, I didnāt say anything fatalā¦ā¦ I think. I shouldnāt have said anything like that, so it should be okay.
Besides, just a few words.
At a moment like this, I just want to say a few words.
(You freaking Rex! Why the heck are you so weak to alcohol!!!?)
Acting like a cool character, but seriously? Youāre weak to alcohol?
Just after the first drink, I could already feel my consciousness turning dodgy.
As I groaned at this unexpected blunderā¦ā¦
Shuko, shuko.
Shuko, shuko.
Shuko, shuā¦ā¦
The steady rhythm that I had been hearing all these time stopped.
And thenā¦ā¦
[Hyihh!]
My voice reflexively leaked out.
She was there.
In the midst of this dark room with no lights on for a long time, she had been sitting in the corner.
[Resiliaā¦ā¦?]
Within the dim room, Resiliaās beautiful, too beautiful face turns around and catches me within her vision.
And there, I noticed it.
And at that moment, I realized something.
The true identity of that sound that had been resounding in the room.
That was the sound of Resiliaā¦ā¦ sharpening a knife.
[ā¦ā¦Ahh. Youāre awake.]
Her body swaying a bit, as if gliding through the darkness, Resilia rises to her feet.
Incidentally, at that moment, the knife she was holding glints dully in the faint light.
[R- Resilia? Y- Youāre mistaken. This isnāt what it looks likeā¦ā¦]
Even though I said that, I donāt really know what sheās mistaken about or what exactly is the situation in her eyes.
However, I feel like I must say something here.
Well, thatās what I was thinking, but I couldnāt get the words out of my mouth.
[Hey, Nii-sanā¦ā¦]
She drew closer.
With a face devoid of emotion, her eyes not reflecting light, she approached with the ominous silver-colored knife, and one step at a time, she drew closerā¦ā¦
[āāāāāLast night must have been fun huh.]
Letting out a scream, I instinctively leaped back and tumbled down the bed.