286-258 Return to the throne (3)

After confirming the policy of the party members, we took a break and waited for the Viscount and the others to come back, drinking tea that had cooled down a bit.

Perhaps taking into consideration the troublesome situation, there was a knock on the door of the room some time after we had finished our conversation.

When I answered the knock, Viscount Nenus and Ms. Biesel came into the room.

It seemed that Master Ilias and Mr. Arlin had not returned.

"Have we reached an agreement?

"Yes. I have a few requests that I'd like to make, if you don't have any problems with them.

Oh. Yeah?

I'm relieved to see that Viscount Nenus doesn't seem particularly offended by my words, and I'll list the conditions we discussed earlier.

"I see, Diora. I accept. I want this to be resolved quickly, but I understand the importance of our relationship as adventurers.

Despite the fact that it was a rather delicate request to go pick some fruit, it was granted more easily than I expected.

Perhaps Diora's name had an effect.

The ale was also approved. I've recently acquired a good brewery. I'll have some good ones for you.

Thank you, sir.

I'm sure it won't be a problem since we've met, but I'll talk to the guards. If you need information, go ask. Also, you are free to use the room now. Take care of it.

"Yes, sir.

After we stood up and bowed together, Viscount Nenus and Mr. Biesel left the room quickly.

I'm sure you're a little busy, but I'm sure you have a lot of work to do with all the problems that have been occurring.

Well, it was approved more easily than I expected. ......

That's my bargaining power.

I didn't negotiate with them, I just told them.

Yeah, that wasn't so bad.

Yeah, it was an excellent negotiation, Nao.

"Yeah, good job. That's Nao!

I was honestly praised.

"...... Are you killing me with praise?　You saw I wasn't negotiating, right?

I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.　It's the basis of education. It's the basis of education.

You're treating me like a child!

You're treating me like a child!" Haruka patted my head and then slapped my hand away.

In response to my response, Haruka laughed and quickly changed the subject.

I'm going back to Rafan first thing in the morning. Natsuki and the others, can you proceed with the investigation as long as you don't overdo it?

"Yes, sir. We'll be careful not to go too far.

I'll be careful not to overstep. We don't know what we're up against, but considering this escort mission, we can't be too careful.

I don't want to think that the Yup'iklis'a Empire will reach this far, but it was so close.

All of us frowned, remembering that time.

The only ones who don't feel it are Mary and Mitya, who didn't face it directly.

I'm not sure what to make of this.　That bandit?

When the bandits attacked, Ilias-sama and the two who were riding in the carriage stayed in the carriage until the matter was settled.

Unfortunately, in the current situation, it would have slowed them down even if they had come forward, so it was the right thing to do.

The guy that Nao and I dealt with was clearly better than me, right?

Yeah. Yeah. If they had come to kill us, we would have been in trouble. Maybe, from what Arlin told me, they didn't want to wear out their manpower too much.

Soldiers who can penetrate deep into enemy territory in small numbers.

This case was not strategically valuable enough to dispose of such soldiers.

Aim for nobles who can be killed without sacrifice, and pull back if it seems impossible.

Looking at the way they attacked, it seemed more likely.

If that's the case, then the fact that they lost a man's leg might be unexpected.

In addition, if you think about it, you've successfully retreated with a badly injured soldier, and you've done it very quickly.

...... You didn't dispose of him on the way, but you kept him alive?

Yeah. At the very least, they were all alive in my search range.

I'm afraid it's possible to dispose of them or something, but the spotters were still alive, and they fled at a speed that you wouldn't expect with a person in their arms.

In addition, he even retrieved the leg he blew off, so he was quite calm.

"With that injury, ...... could any of them have been able to use healing magic?

"Well, the attack was fire magic. Maybe if we burned the wound a little more, the bleeding would have stopped?

"Ugh. ......

That looks really painful.

Thank goodness we have Haruka and Natsuki.

I'm glad we have Haruka and Natsuki. We don't use them often.

We can make our own.

But they're not free. If you heal it with magic, it's free.

I have it as an insurance policy, but I've only actually used it when I was experimenting.

I always have Haruka or Natsuki with me, so there's no need for it.

"Well, at least we're working under the assumption that the enemy is stronger than us. Nao and I will finish our work on the other side and join you as soon as possible.

"Oh! Haruka and the others should be careful, too.　I don't think you'll be hit by a vipu bear anymore.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

"Yeah, well, last year was a close one, wasn't it Toya?

Yeah, we almost died, didn't we, Toya?

Yeah, I did!　I was the one who got hit!　d*mn it, I was worried about you.

Toya bends her head when Haruka and I make fun of her in the same breath.

Seeing Toya, Haruka and I laugh lightly.

"I appreciate the sentiment. But a vipu bear should be fine. They're less than orcs.

"We've grown, haven't we? We've grown in the past year.

Yeah, I know. It's been a year. ......

This time last year, we were picking magic mushrooms.

But I don't think I'll need to do that this year.

My savings are a little low, but I don't feel bad about taking away the rookie's food supply.

Dildos?　I'll take this one because it's good.

That's our priority.

All right!　This is the first time we've been split up for an extended period of time, but let's be careful and keep each other on our toes!

"Yes, sir!

The next day, early in the morning, I was pinning.

The next day, early in the morning, Haruka and I left Pining and were running towards Laffan.

I'm not sure if you've ever heard of jogging with a man and a woman, but the speed is faster than a world-class marathon, so it's not at all like a fun sport with your girlfriend.

And since we were standing in a vertical line, I couldn't even see Haruka's face.

But if I went to the side, I'd be asked to play the role of pacemaker.

It seems that "slipstreaming" is important.

I didn't know that the windbreak was called a slipstream. I've never heard of it.

Well, with Toya out of the way, I'm forced to stand in front.

After a couple of not-so-fun hours with only the sound of Haruka's breathing right behind me, we arrived at Kerg.

It was a little early for lunch, but we decided to stop by Yasue's restaurant.

Because of the time of day, it was not as crowded as when I had come here before, but I guessed it was doing well, because there were still customers.

I walked in, sat down at an empty seat, and the waitress came to ask my order.

It's nice to be able to order without worrying about missing anything.

As we waited for a while, Yasue came in, as if she had noticed our presence.

What's wrong with just the two of you today?　A date?

"Unfortunately, work. Unfortunately, I'm working. We'll be with Rafan and Natsuki will be with Pining.

Haruka shrugged her shoulders as she asked Yasue with a smirk on her face.

I'm sure you're right.　I'm a little jealous that the two of you can move around town so easily.

I'm sure Yasue will have no problem with this neighborhood.　Didn't you learn swordsmanship from Toya?

At least, yeah. He also told me that goblins would be fine, but ...... it's still hard to kill a living thing.

Well, yes, it is. We also had a tough time with dismantling at first.

I'm used to it now.

You can get used to anything, really.

We couldn't live without it, though.

Right?　I'm also a diner, so I'm more used to it than I used to be, but I'm still alive. ......

It's not sliced neatly, here.

If it's the amount of food we eat at home, it's a block of meat that we buy at the butcher shop, but at the diner level, it's a complete carcass. That's what we supply to Mr. Aera's restaurant.

If it's been processed well, it's not that raw, but if you're not used to it, it's still a little unpleasant to have the skin removed.

The ribs look like an animal.

But ......, yes. I think I'm more appreciative of the fact that I'm eating a living thing than before. It's not as real as packaged meat.

I agree with you a little. But in my case, gratitude is a little different. It's a demon that's dying.

"...... Oh, I see. It's a little bit different from taking the life of a normal animal, isn't it?

It's not like we're raising them for meat, they're harmful if left unchecked, demons.

It's not like we're raising them for meat.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

...... Yeah, that's right. I'm not sure what to make of it.

Oh, that's right. Easy to understand.

How's Yasue's doing?　Your restaurant seems to be doing well.

Thanks to you. I can cook now too. Kerg's recovery is going well, so I guess you could say it's smooth sailing.　(Besides, there hasn't been any lately, has there?)

In the end, Yasue glanced at me and murmured something into Haruka's ear.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. I'm sure you'll be glad you did, Fuxiang.

Thank you. I'm a little nervous, but it's necessary. How's Haruka doing?

...... Well, it's going well.

Haruka also glanced at me and said something like that.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

It may be because of the close proximity of the original, but even after that, it's always too much. .......

You're always eating homemade ...... food.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one.

Holding hands is ...... normal.

We've been spending a lot of time together since before .......

There is no place to go on a date, and we always go shopping.

Oh, once again, I think we're .......

No, but...!　It's just the two of us for the time being.

I'm not sure we can do anything differently .......

I've got work to do, and I've got to get home as fast as I can.

In the event that you're not sure what to do, you can always ask for help.