CH 11

We head towards the Guild House in preparation for the dungeon exploration. Whenever we take on a request, it’s necessary to pass through the Guild House.

“Goblin Nest, the den of little demons, huh… Those guys make such annoying screeching noises.”

I have no motivation. I feel like turning back and diving into my futon.

Plus, being sandwiched between two beautiful girls, Alma and Rafia, is attracting too much attention from the people around us. My stomach even hurts…

“I’m not a fan of Goblins either…”

“Seems like we’re on the same page, Rafia.”

For girls, Goblins seem to be like natural enemies, so it’s not surprising that many people dislike them.

“Hey, you two! We can’t afford to have such low spirits even before entering the dungeon!”

While Rafia and I are feeling down because of the goblins, somehow Alma is the only one with high spirits.

“Why are you so motivated, Alma?”

“W-Well…! That’s, um…”

(I can’t say I’m happy to be able to be with Kuro-kun~)

Alma’s eyes are wandering around, and her cheeks are oddly red. Could it be…

“Could it be…”

“Wha-!?”

(D-D-Did I get caught!? Kuro-kun knows that I’m happy to be able to be with him…)

“Alma, do you enjoy hunting Goblins? Do you like tormenting and bullying them?”

“Uh, well?”

Alma unexpectedly has a sadistic side, enjoying tormenting Goblins and such. In that case, maybe we can leave it all to Alma alone…

“K-Kuro-kun’s…”

“Hm?”

“Kuro-kun, you i-i-i-idiot!!”

She shouted, her shoulders trembling, and then ran off.

“I wonder what’s wrong with Alma?”

“That… I think it was Kuro-san’s fault, don’t you?”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

If Rafia says so, then it must have been my fault. I should apologize later.

***

“Hmph.”

“Are you still sulking?”

Alma was standing at the entrance of the guild house, still appearing angry.

“Alma? Alma-san?”

“Hmph.”

I was given the cold shoulder.

If I continued like this, Alma would probably be angry even in the dungeon, so I decided to apologize sincerely.

“Alma, I was in the wrong. Please forgive me.”

“…”

She glanced briefly, her eyes turning towards me.

I wonder why she’s angry. Even when I asked Rafia, she only replied, “You’re dense.”

“…Hand.”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, a hand was extended toward me.

Without understanding the reason, I stayed there, and Alma, blushing slightly, spoke.

“If you hold my hand, I’ll forgive you…”

So, by simply holding hands, she’ll forgive me. Such an easy condition.

“Alright.”

I reached out and clasped the offered hand.

“Ah!”

A sound of surprise escaped her lips.

Just by holding her hand, Alma’s face turns red. It’s like a boiled octopus. Oh, I haven’t had Takoyaki in a while. I feel like eating some.

(TL/N:- Takoyaki is a popular Japanese street food. It consists of small, round batter balls filled with diced octopus, tempura scraps, green onions, and other ingredients. The batter is typically made from wheat flour and dashi (a Japanese cooking stock), which gives the takoyaki its distinctive texture. The balls are cooked on a special takoyaki grill, which has half-spherical molds. They are rotated and flipped using skewers until they become golden brown and crispy on the outside. Takoyaki is often topped with takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce), mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and seaweed flakes. It is enjoyed as a delicious snack or appetizer in Japan.)

“Mu, Alma-chan, that’s not fair.”

While I was thinking such things, Rafia was staring at us with envy from the side.

“Well then, Rafia, do you want me to hold your hand too?”

“Huh?”

“Huh? Humans have two hands, so we can hold both, right?”

“Well then, if you insist…”

I held Rafia’s hand as well, creating a situation where I was being flanked by both of them. It feels more like being escorted by guardians than being surrounded by flowers.

In that state, we headed towards the reception.

“Hehe. You two always get along so well.”

The beautiful receptionist, or rather, Miss Nasia, looked at us with a gentle smile.

“Does it look that way?”

“It certainly does. Or should I say, you look like newlyweds?”

“N-N-Newlyweds!?”

“Newlyweds…!”

Alma and Rafia blushed at Nasia’s words.

“Just by holding hands, we’re being compared to newlyweds? What kind of standard for marriage is this in this world? It’s not normal, right?”

“Hehe, the two of you are as lively as ever. And Kuro-san, you’re still as dense as ever.”

“Huh? Am I really that dense?”

“Yes, surprisingly so.”

I feel like I’ve been told that for the first time… No, I hear it quite often. I was told that just a little while ago too.

So being “dense” means being slow, right? Does that imply I’m weak? Even though I consider myself to be strong.

“Well, let’s stop teasing you now. So, what can I help you with today?”

Just how far were they teasing me?

“I’m requesting the Goblin Nest, the den of little demons.”

“I’m truly grateful. With a strong guild like yours, dealing with troublesome dungeons like this will be resolved swiftly.”

“Do you think so?”

I believe that even guilds other than ours can easily defeat goblins.

After that, as there was a bit of explanation, I listened carefully and replied,

I think other guilds could easily defeat goblins, but…

After that, there was a brief explanation, and we listened to the details.

“Well then, please take care,” Nasia-san said as she saw us off.

We were sent off by Nasia-san and headed towards the Goblin Nest, the lair of the goblins.