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Chapter 335 – That Person’s Name
Because of Patricia’s demonstration, troops of every country had started putting much more effort in their training. Lawrence and Gerhardt’s regimens, in particular, were grueling, but designed to boost one’s abilities. As such, many capable warriors underwent training with them, even those from other countries.
With the campsites next to each other, knights and soldiers came and went. Despite the chill of winter getting harsher, the energy seemed to just be getting higher.
「Hi, Luka.」Lavia greeted as she spotted Luka in the lobby.「What are you reading?」
「Hey, Lavia.」
「Is that a letter? Oh, from him?」
「Yes, it’s a letter from Claude. He still thinks I’m in Einbeast. He tried to send a letter through the Adventurers Guild.」
Luka had already registered as an adventurer. Considering the possibility of Claude sending a letter to her, she asked the receptionist to hide the fact that she was in Ville Zentra, and requested for any letter to be given to her directly. This only worked because one couldn’t give false names during registration.
「But he’s with the Einbeast army. Why wouldn’t he use the military’s comms?」
「Others would know his message and that would be too embarrassing. He said so in the letter.」
「So what did he say?」
「Do you want to read it?」
「Can I?」
「Yes. It’s nothing important, really.」
With a strained smile, Luka handed the letter to Lavia. The contents gave a glimpse of Claude’s troubles and concerns. First, he explained the current situation, and then next year’s outlook. He said he didn’t know when he’d be back, but he promised he would return.
He added a rather patronizing message to Luka: “Please spend your days in moderation”. Not a word that reaffirmed his love for his wife.
「Here.」Lavia returned the letter, speechless.
Luka gave a strained laugh.「I think it’s just him trying his best to put on a brave front. He tends to write in a patronizing manner when he’s lonely.」
「Really?」
「Yes…」Luka said as she turned her gaze outside the window, at the direction of the campgrounds.
Lavia realized something as she watched her face. She felt lonely as well. She wanted to see Claude again. They might just be perfect for each other.
Around the same time, Hikaru and Paula were at the Adventurers Guild. The whole town was restless as tomorrow was the last day of the year—New Years’ Eve as it was called on Earth—when the Flower Festival would be held.
While no adventurers took jobs around this time, the diligent soldiers of Dream Maker still picked up commissions. That didn’t mean the guild was deserted, however.
「What’s with all these people?」
「There’s so many of them…」
Adventurers crowded the guild, all the way outside.
「Did you see?!」
「I sure did! Such intensity. Rank A adventurers are on a whole other level.」
「Did you see his sword?! And those muscles! Damn, so cool! Who cares about rank? I wish they’d let me into their party.」
「They’ll probably turn you down.」
「Oh, I get it now.」Hikaru said.「It’s because the Master Swordsman and the Beastman King suggested gathering more adventurers.」
「What do you mean?」Paula asked.
「They’re recruiting adventurers on a grand scale for the expedition to Grand Dream. I guess the big names are coming in droves.」
Up until now, recruitment was done only in Ville Zentra’s guild, and it was only for an escort job so the Adventurers Guild could open up a branch in Grand Dream. But it was different now. Adventurers from all over the land were drawn in by the sweet smell of treasure.
「Let’s just come back some other time.」
Hikaru came to the guild for the commission he put up. Lavia wanted to purchase grimoires with unique fire or healing magic. He received word yesterday that someone wanted to sell a book of healing magic, which brought him here today. Then again, they weren’t really in a hurry, and he had no energy to wedge his way in through the crowd.
「Let’s head back, then.」
「Yeah, let’s go—」
『If it isn’t Hikaru! Fancy seeing you here!』
Hikaru felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see a familiar face.
『Long time no see.』
『Oh, it’s just you, Selica.』Hikaru said.
『Is that how you greet a business partner?』
There were a few Pond Hotdog stores in Ville Zentra as well. Every time Lavia spotted one, she’d be drawn to it like moth to a flame. As always ten percent of sales were from the extremely spicy ones.
「Hey, look!」
「The Four Stars of the East?! This is my first time seeing them!」
「Why are they talking to that kid?」
「Maybe they’re asking for directions.」
「I haven’t heard of the language before, though.」
Selyse was standing behind Selica, wearing a radiant smile. What went on inside her mind, however, was a mystery. Sarah seemed careless, yet she watched her surroundings warily. Sophie gazed at Hikaru with cold eyes, and cast glances as warm as the sun at Paula.
Speaking in Japanese drew attention from the people.
「It’s cold out here. How about we talk inside?」Selyse said, pointing at the Adventurers Guild.
News of the Four Stars arriving had already spread. Adventurers streamed from the building, trying to catch a glimpse of the ladies.
「I humbly decline the offer.」Hikaru said.
「Come on, now. You have business with the guild, right?」Selyse insisted, still wearing the same bright smile.
「No, I just happened to pass by.」
「It looked like you were at a loss because the guild was crowded.」
「A lady trusted by the Church’s top brass stealing glances? I’m appalled.」
「We’ll go in with you and ask them to get whatever you want done quick.」
Man, she’s a pain in the ass! Hikaru thought about turning her down once more.
「What’s with that brat? He’s turning her down.」
「Who is he?」
「Let me look him up.」
Hikaru was beginning to leave an impression on the adventurers.
「Wanna go inside? Uh, I believe your name was…」
Selyse placed her index finger on her chin, pretending to recall Hikaru’s name, as if threatening to disclose it. When Hikaru opened King Allegro’s Treasure Chest, he specifically requested for his face to not be revealed. He couldn’t do anything about the name, however. It would be terrible if people found out that the name of the black-haired boy was Hikaru.
「Okay. I just want to confirm if the purchase commission I put up was accepted. It shouldn’t take long.」Hikaru deliberately emphasized his intentions. He wanted everyone to know that he wasn’t an adventurer.
Selyse’s eyes widened, not expecting his answer.「Let’s head inside, then.」
Better end this quick, Hikaru thought as he started walking.
Selica hurried to his side.『By the way, we’re getting good profit from the business. I was thinking of depositing the money to your account.』
『I wish you told me that sooner.』
Hikaru became flat broke after spending his every last cent for the people of Dream Maker. He was lucky to find about King Allegro’s Treasure Chest. If it weren’t for that, they would be suffering right about now.
『Did something happen?』she asked.
『Nah, it’s fine. How many stores have you opened anyway?』
『We’re almost at the hundred mark.』
『That’s a lot more than I expected. You have good business sense.』
『That’s right! I’ll have you know, my dad is an entrepreneur. I’ve heard a lot of things related to his job, and I always wanted to try my hand at something interesting. Unfortunately, I couldn’t achieve that back in Japan. I really wanted to get my friend Hazuki on it too.』
Hikaru suddenly stopped.
『What’s wrong, young man?』
『Wh-What did you just say?』
『You mean my dad? He’s a cool—』
『Not that!』Hikaru drew close to Selica and grabbed her shoulders.
『Wh-What’s gotten into you?』
『Is Hazuki a family name?』
Hikaru’s heart was racing. He never thought he’d hear that name now.
Life will be rough for you. You may be clever, but you’re also reckless. Someday, somewhere, you might just die unexpectedly.
If he had any lingering attachment to his previous life, it would be her. Hikaru had not seen her after graduation, but her silhouette stayed in a corner of his mind, emitting a dim light.
『Y-Yeah… Did I not tell you about my best friend before? We’ve known each other since I started high school. Her full name is—』
Hikaru was speechless. No doubt about it. Her friend was Hazuki-senpai.