CH 106

[Foster Parents]

After I entered the director’s office and waited for the two to return while chatting with Noelia for a while, the director and his wife return.

“Iya~, sorry. It seems that I’ve kept you waiting. The children were asking to see that wyvern, see~.” (Dolton)

“But still, what’s with that wyvern? I’ve never heard one get along with people, though?” (Philia)

Outside the window of the director’s office, we could see Dimol, resting his wings, and the others at the entrance of the village.

I explain about Dimol to the two people sitting on the sofa for reception.

“That wyvern is called Dimol, and he is my dear companion. I’ve been traveling with him ever since I met him at the south of Youg Hannotes. Unless I tell him to, he will not attack anyone, so please be at ease.” (Frick)

“Hou, meaning Finn-kun tamed that wyvern, huh…” (Dolton)

“Come to think of it, when you were in the village, you were very happy taking care of animals whenever you were on break from practicing Alfine’s sword technique. I’m not sure if wyvern can be called an animal though… Well, since you said it won’t cause harm, I’d like you to let the children to touch it. There’s a saying that you can live longer if you touch the long-lived dragon species after all.” (Philia)

“Yes, it’s okay. I want to wipe Dimol’s body with hot water after the talk is over, so it would be great if the children could help me then.” (Frick)

I immediately accept Philia’s request.

“Thanks, the children will be delighted. So, since you said that woman together with you is the daughter Henestrosa family, that means she is Florina’s daughter – Noelia, right?” (Philia)

Philia’s gaze is directed at Noelia, sitting next to me.

Danton also seems to be wondering why the daughter of Frontier Count is with me, as he keeps as glancing at her.

“I just came accompanying Frick-sama— I mean, Finn-sama, so—” (Noelia)

The gazes of the two, asking for explanation, is turned toward me.

“Ah, errm. Where should I start——” (Frick)

“Isn’t it better to explain from Alfine-sama’s matter? Ahh, but that would make it difficult to understand the reason why Finn-sama’s appearance changed, isn’t it? It may be better to explain from the beginning.” (Noelia)

When I’m wondering from where I should talk about the reason why I came to the village, Noelia offers me a rescue boat.

It pains me to tell the two who I think of as my foster parents about my matter with Alfine, but if I don’t tell them, the talk won’t proceed.

The two should be thinking that I’m still doing adventurer’s works together with Alfine even now.

After resolving myself, I decide to tell them about our situation.

“Actually, I now have parted from Alfine and am working as an adventurer at Youg Hannotes under the name of Frick… I’m in the middle of carrying out a request together with Frontier Count-sama’s daughter – Noelia…” (Frick)

“Frick? Why did you go to the extent of parting from Alfine, changing your name, and even changing your appearance to be an adventurer at Youg Hannotes? The last time you came back, I thought you said that together with Alfine, who was appointed as a Sword Master and became a noble, you were going to do your best working as an adventurer, though.” (Philia)

“About that… Afterward, the difference between me and Alfine grew big, so I broke up with her, changed my name and appearance, and made a fresh start as an adventurer.” (Frick)

“Finn-kun broke up with Alfine!? Really?” (Philia)

The two are astonished hearing that I broke up with Alfine.

Certainly, the last time I came, I told them that I lived together with Alfine in the mansion she bought when she became a noble.

Yet, we broke up, hearing that of course they would be surprised, huh.

“Yes, well, it’s true.” (Frick)

“From your expression, it seems that the problem was with Alfine, eh? I have always told her to pay attention to the people around her, however… I see, even Finn-kun…” (Danton)

The director – Danton had always been worried about Alfine’s personality and always gave her various advices since she was a child, but I remember that the person herself ignored him without showing a concern.

“She never listened to what people said ever since she was a child after all…… So, she used up the affection from even her childhood friend Finn-kun.” (Philia)

Perhaps Philia remember that she also had been at a loss as to what to do with Alfine ever since she was a child, she sighs hearing that I broke up with her.

“Uh, uhm… Could it be, you two haven’t heard anything about Alfine?” (Frick)

The attitude of the two, who seems to find it a pity hearing my story, raises me a suspicion that they may not know what happened to Alfine.

“Hm? This is the first time we heard about Finn-kun breaking up with her, but did she do anything else?” (Dolton)

“Though that child often got into quarrels with others, I thought that she would become a bit settled after becoming a Sword Saint, however…” (Philia)

This reaction……

It feels like the two doesn’t know that she was charged with the attempted assassination of the commander of the Royal Guard Knight and is on the run, though another person was executed instead.

Or perhaps, they know and is pretending not to?

I don’t think they are good at lying, though.

“Could it be you don’t know that Alfine was stripped of her status as a Sword Master and executed for an attempted assassination of the commander of the Royal Guard Kni——” (Frick)

“Haah!? Alfine was executed!? That’s ridiculous!?” (Danton)

“W-what are you talking about!? She certainly has many shortcomings, but she’s not a child who would do something that would make her be executed!?” (Philia)

As expected, from the reaction of the two…

It seems that they don’t know about what happened to Alfine.

Meaning, it’s unlikely that Alfine is in this village, and she may not have stopped by.

I decide to share the information I have collected so far in order to calm the agitated two.

“The one executed actually wasn’t Alfine, but a substitute. Since her whereabout is completely unknown, we came to the village thinking that she might be here, however… from your reaction…” (Frick)

“Such a thing, that Alfine is… missing… is she safe?” (Dolton)

“I thought she was filling her duty as a Sword Master well in the royal capital…” (Philia)

Even after listening to my explanation, the dismayed look of the two doesn’t disappear.

“I’m asking just for confirmation, but Alfine hasn’t come to this village, yes?” (Frick)

“She hasn’t show up since she came with you last year.” (Danton)

“Yes, it is as Danton says.” (Philia)

“I… see…” (Frick)

Really, where did Alfine escape to…

If she didn’t show up here either, I really don’t know where else she might go to.

“According to the information I got, it’s highly likely that she has escaped and survived safely for now, so if she come here, please contact me through the Henestrosa family.” (Frick)

“Well, since she has escaped, I don’t think Alfine will easily get herself caught… Okay, we’ll immediately get in touch with you through the Henestrosa family if she shows up here.” (Danton)

“If it’s true that she’s alive and is on the run, she is probably managing somehow; we’re talking about that Alfine here. She’s the girl who escape the orphanage and bustle about in the steep mountains for days after all.” (Philia)

Danton and Philia were astonished hearing that she was executed, but hearing that she has escaped and is alive, they look relieved.

Certainly, to catch Alfine who runs away with all her might is probably difficult, even for me.

If she recalls her adventurer days, gets into the wilderness and erases her presence with survival as her top priority, it sure feels like she’s not going to be found.

Noelia, who has been silently listening to my exchanges with the director and his wife, pulls my sleeve and whispers,

[It looks like Alfine-sama doesn’t come here either. Does Frick-sama have any other place in mind?] (Noelia)

[No, I can’t think of any other place…] (Frick)

Looking at our interaction, Philia looks at me and Noelia alternately, as though she has perceived something.

“Could it be, Finn-kun is in such relationship with Noelia-sama? Because of that, you broke up with Alfine and——” (Philia)

“Eh? No, no, no you’re wro—— not wrong, but it’s not like what you think it is——. I met Noelia after I parted from Alfine and——” (Frick)

“Hyah!? Y-y-you got it wrong—— That’s not the case, you see——. Frick-sama and I are——” (Noelia)

At Philia’s question, both of us get flustered and reply incoherently.

Hope Noelia gets along with her parents-in-law-to-be