CH 23

Chapter 23 – Invitation from the Military Oneisan (1)

TN: Yeah, it’s oneisan. Not misspelled.

At a play I went to last week, I met Laura Slayra-san, a former army member from the royal capital and currently a researcher here.

That was the first time I’ve ever met a researcher at the opera house.

I also saw her at the play I watched yesterday.

Maybe she likes play a lot too.

And today, she’s sitting near me.

What a coincidence.

Maybe she’s a play lover too.

Still, it’s amazing that we met three times in a row at the same opera house……by coincidence.

Coincidence…..

Is this really a coincidence?

I should look at Slayra-san’s eyes.

「What a c.o.i.n.c.i.d.e.n.c.e., Schenker.」

After the play, she spoke to me in the lobby of the opera house.

Slayra-san was wearing pants that flaunted her well-proportioned body and she had her honorably discharged saber on her waist.

Her usual gentle eyes and long golden hair that ‘s curled inward gives her an extra gentle expression.

The atmosphere that Slayra-san gives on her day off is completely different from her usual atmosphere, isn’t it?

「Yeah, what a c.o.i.n.c.i.d.e.n.c.e. Did you like play too, Slayra-san?」

「When I was in the army, I didn’t have time for it but to be honest, I’ve had a lot of free time since I came here so I was just trying to broaden my horizons.」

As she was saying those, she kept coming closer and closer to me.

She was 21 years old, eight years older than me, and 20 cm taller than me.

「I have a lot of free time.」

「I-is that so…..」

「I have a lot of free time.」

「Y-yeah….」

「……….」

The silence and her stare were so painful that I couldn’t help but open my mouth.

「If it’s alright with you, how about I show you around the city?」

「That would be great.」

She nodded and patted me lightly on the back.

Then, the straps on her waist hit the sheath of her saber making a dull thud sound.

Honestly, I’m puzzled.

There was only one reason I could think of for her to approach me, a student.

Yeah, it’s my magic crystal factory project.

However, if she’s investigating my evil activities, she wouldn’t approach me directly like this.

In the first place, there is usually no such thing as investigation.

No one would raise a voice of protest if she blew up the house of a commoner mage.

In addition, why would an investigator go to a clothing store with the suspect?

「What do you think?」

「I think it goes well with your beautiful blonde hair.」

「Do you like it?」

「You mean personally?」

「Yes.」

「I like it.」

「Then, make it using this cloth.」

「As you wish.」

Now, I’m choosing cloth for Slayra-san’s coat.

We had to hit three stores just for one coat.

What kind of torture is this?

If you’re going to kill me, can you just kill me now?

I came to the knights' training institute with Slayra-san, who said she wanted to see this city’s capability.

However, I regretted it to the bottom of my heart. I should have made an excuse to avoid this place.

「Who is that red-scaled dragon rider? He’s got a terrible skill.」

「I think he’s “Heat Ray” Kushis. He’s the 4th son of Count Tatreno.」

「With that kind of skill, if he were to go to the royal capital, he’ll be made to ride a donkey.」

「That’s terrible.」

「How about the rider of the white pterosaur? She’s not so bad.」

「She’s “Stardust” Arcelica. She’s the eldest daughter of Baron Tezion.」

「 Yawn-inducing stardust.」

Slayra-san has been complaining while watching the knights train for the past two hours.

Her long blonde hair tickles my nose from time to time.

It smells good, the wind is cold, the sun is already setting, and the occasional explosion sends pebbles flying.

I’m having mixed emotions!

This is torture…..

Please, end it already!

「So, I told them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy. Fear will weaken you and there’s still a way to survive.”.」

「I see.」

「I kicked the platoon commander’s ass and launched an offensive on the enemy’s battleship. As fire poured down, I scraped through the enemy, reached the belly of the enemy ship, and fired my best scorching hot blast beam at it. What do you think happened?」

「Amazing.」

「The enemy seems to have accumulated dragon stones in the bottom of their ship and it was cut in half by repeated explosions.」

「I see.」

「It was like a firework display. We all had a good laugh as we fired our fire bows to the enemy soldiers.」

「Amazing.」

「That’s when I got the Order of Dog Eagle Medal. In the army, not even a hundred men had received it in the past.」

「I see.」

At the coffee shop near the school where we moved after watching the training, I became an answering machine that only knows how to say “I see” and “Amazing”.

While drinking coffee and smoking with joy, Slayra-san continues to talk happily.

This isn’t different from a man telling how “bad ass” he was, isn’t it?

No matter how many stories I’ve listened to, I can’t seem to fill up the list of medals Slayra-san has received.

I bet her pension alone exceeds Professor Marino’s annual income.

I wonder how many enemies this lady has killed…..

「You like….plays, don’t you?」

「I see.」

「What genre do you prefer these days?」

「Eh!? Ah, you mean plays that are trending these days….」

Suddenly, it was my time to tell a story so my reaction was delayed.

Recent trends….I mean, I have to start with the “banishment” genre.

Okay, I’ll try to make it as simple as possible.

「There is a screenwriter named Mesias and he created the genre called “banishment” and it’s very popular these days. This genre started with his masterpiece “The Man On the 2nd Basement Level” in which, a young boy who is banished from a big dyeing store actually held the key to the store’s management. The “banishment” stories that are being made today ranges from banishment from a noble family, banishment from a school, and even banishment from an adventurer party….」

「Mesias…..」

Slayra-san smoked a cigarette and looked at me with her uncovered left eye.

「Is something wrong with Mesias-shi?」

「Is he the guy from Count Warren's family?」

「That’s right, that’s right! He’s a tragic man who was accused of being crazy about plays and was banished from Count Warren’s house.」

「I met him once when I attended a party at Count Warren’s house.」

「Eehhh!? Really!? What was he like? I’m a big fan!」

Slayra-san did not answer my question but slowly extinguished her cigarette.

After crushing the empty cigarette box, she pointed to the window.

It was completely dark outside and a golden moon was already floating in the sky.

「How about talking about Mesias next week or so? Of course, after we watched a banishment play.」

「Ehhhhh!? But…..I understand. I’ll make reservations.」

「Please.」

Slayra-san handed a silver coin to the waiter and stood up quickly.

She moved her mouth near my ear and whispered, “I had fun today,” and left.

I want to hear her story about Mesias but it looks like I won’t be able to hear anything for a week…..

How much torture do you want me to undergo!

I can’t wait to leave and get some rest.

AN: Continued in part 2.

TN: Part 2 will be cut in 2.