CH 47

Chapter title: More Misunderstandings

「So this is the castle’s guest room…. It’s more humble and cramped than I thought.」

After completing our investigation, we arrived at the castle town and received our reward.

Most of the adventurers who had participated in the mission had completed their work and returned to their respective towns.

But Serena and I, as well as Russell-san, we still needed to the castle like this without being released.

「I heard that this is where the soldiers stay.」

I’m convinced by Serena’s words.

There is only an old bed, a desk and a closet in the room. It’s enough to be a place for the soldiers who work at the castle to take a nap.

「Anyway, we need to spend a few more days here? I want to go back to the city soon.」

「It can’t be helped. You can’t blame them. We are the ones who defeated the Arc Demon, and they said there are a lot of things they want to know.」

They are currently compiling the results of their investigation and there is nothing we can do about it.

In addition, the knight asked me to use the magic tool to determine the truth and ask various questions about Kuzmigo.

「It would have been nice if we could have at least had a tour of the castle town…….」

Since I am being paid a commission for my current wait, waiting like this is part of my job.

「It’s okay. You’re still being treated better than Kuzmigo」

He might be right. While we were waiting, we would be fed and could rest in our bed.

Kuzmigo was currently in jail for false reports and for allegedly running away before the enemy.

I don’t even feel sorry for him because he completely deserved it.

「We’ll take our time to explore the castle town once this matter is settled.」

Serena smiles at me as she pulls herself up from the bed. And…….

「What’s up?」

She looks at me as if she’s in a daze, and her face turns red…….

「You know, when we did the survey?」

「Yeah, what is it?」

Sluggishly, Serena glanced at me with her eyes.

「When the investigation was over, you said you wanted to… make out with me….」

My heart shook at the gesture. Wouldn’t it be tasteless to do it in the castle?

In spite of my thoughts, Serena approached me and hugged me.

「Ehehehehehe, this much is okay, right?」

Serena’s face turned so red that it was embarrassing to watch, and she leaned back against me with a happy expression on her face.

★

「Alice-sama. Do you hear what I’m saying?」

「….Eh? What?」

Ever since she came back to the castle, Alice-sama has been acting strange.

When she returned with the knight in tow, she was answered that there was nothing special about it.

「It’s about waiting for the report of the investigation results.」

It seems that there was a serious problem with this investigation, and a meeting is currently being held in the Erivan Kingdom.

We were put on standby in the guest room and were to be informed of the report at a later date.

「Oh, you mean that?」

When I saw Alice’s distracted look, I couldn’t help but…….

「Um, Alice-sama. Did something happen at the springs?」

I asked her. She replied….

「Actually, I fought a man who I thought was an adventurer from this country.」

「I, isn’t that important?」

An adventurer of this country, even if he were to be called an adventurer, they peeped when the princess was bathing and then challenged her to a fight. This is an incident that should be charged with disrespect.

「No, it not a big deal because it was a mutual misunderstanding. That’s why I lied to you on the spur of the moment when you came back.」

That would have been a wise decision. If a knight from our country had witnessed the scene, it would have become a national problem.

「So that’s why you were acting strangely?」

I was finally convinced.

「Even so, to think that there are some amazing guys who can slash at Alice-sama.」

I know about Alice-sama’s abilities because I have seen her on the road.

She was training with the knights during the break, but she was stronger than them.

I chuckled at the incomprehensible fact that the target I was guarding was the strongest.

It seems that the other party is quite skillful to have slashed at Alice-sama.

「Alice-sama?」

However, Alice-sama had a sullen expression on her face.

「And you know, I was no match for him.」

Disgruntled, Alice sama hugged the cushion and made a face. It’s a childish gesture that she doesn’t show when other people are around.

「Eh? You lost, Alice-sama?」

I couldn’t believe it, so I asked her frankly, and she glared at me.

「That’s right! It was really overwhelming and I had no way to win! And you know what, Alicia? The more swords I used, the harder it was for my defense to keep up, and he still wasn’t at full strength!」

She seemed to be excited. It was more of an admiration than hatred.

It seems that the reason why Alice is acting strangely is because she was thinking about the person who defeated her.

「Hey Alicia. Do you have any idea who it may be?」

Since Alice was in this state, I listened to her talk about the exchange with the Erivan Kingdom.

I remembered a name I had heard in the course of all this.

「I heard that the adventurer who took on the role of the overall leader in this investigation will be promoted to a soldier. I believe his name is…… Russell.」

「That’s it! He was so strong, the Erivan Kingdom must have seen his ability and wanted to incorporate him into their country.」

That may be so. It must be a pretty good career path to be promoted from an adventurer to a soldier in the kingdom. It’s a rare occurrence, so I’m pretty sure that the adventurer who defeated Alice is the one who did it.

「As I recall, a few people, including Russell, are going to be questioned using the Orb of Truth in a few days.」

I pass on the information I’ve heard to Alice….

「I’m going to see if I can negotiate a deal with them to let me participate in the questioning!」

Alice walked out of the room with a bang.

「Haaa… Elt. I wonder when I’ll see you again.」

When I saw off Alice, who seemed to have found someone she was interested in, I thought of my childhood friend from whom I had been separated.