Volume 2 - CH 8

‘Alina looked very tired…’ Rururi Ashford commented with concern as she entered the office after seeing Alina rush back to Ifühl Counter. She struck an adorable impression with her bob-cut hair, a frame shorter than the wand she held in her hand, and a strikingly young face, but despite appearances she was a full-fledged member of the Silver Blades and a skilled healer. During Alina’s visit, she and Loewe stood guard at the entrance to prevent anyone from entering the office—there’d be trouble if a mysterious figure dressed like the Executioner were seen openly speaking to the Guildmaster.

‘As I thought, the rumour’s giving her a tough time,’ Loewe Rozbrenda said with a shrug of his shoulders. From his robes to his boots to his wand, he was dressed entirely in black. The only thing that stood out was his fiery crimson hair. ‘Poor girl.’

‘Hmm, I’d like to help her with her overtime if I could, but it looks like there are still plenty other receptionists left at Ifühl Counter. It’d probably be better if I didn’t go today.’

‘Eh? How can you tell?’ Loewe asked quizzically. Jade pointed his finger in the air with an air of conceit and replied, ‘Smell, of course.’

‘Smell?’’ Rururi and Loewe said in unison. They may not have meant it, but there was a gleam of scorn in their eyes.

‘I could smell their perfume from miss Alina. She’s not the type to wear fancy stuff like that, so—eh? Why are you giving me those looks?’

‘I know your eyes and nose are unusually sensitive, but I feel like you’re abusing it. You’re not a dog, chief.’

‘Jade. Someone’s going to sue you if you keep behaving like this.’

‘What did I do wrong!?’

‘It’s not a question of right or wrong, it’s a question of feeling.’

Why am I being accused of all this when all I did was analyse her scent? Jade grumbled to himself. Just then, as he looked at Rururi’s face, he was reminded of the incongruity he had felt during their mock fight. ‘That reminds me, Rururi. When we were practising, I noticed you were more hesitant than usual to cast heal. Is something the matter?’

‘Eh?’

Jade’s question was meant to be innocuous, but the reaction he received was somewhat unexpected, as Rururi gave him a look as if she’d been caught red-handed.

‘I—it’s probably because we haven’t teamed up with a longswordsman before.’

Her face grew slightly pale, and she spoke quickly as if trying to conceal something. There’s something she’s not telling me, Jade thought, but the speed with which she had told him such a poor lie suggested that she didn’t want to talk about it.

‘…. I see.’ Jade decided not to press the issue further.

‘Ruru, we’ve finished earlier than planned. How about we go out for a bite? Rock, paper, scissors, loser pays the bill!’ Loewe said cheerfully, putting her arm around her shoulder.

Her only reply was a wand to his face.