CH 17

「The staff… ?」

「Lars-san! Why don’t we go back to the village so that I can explain later?」

She looked at Helmine for a moment, then interrupted me and made a suggestion.

I guess she didn’t want anyone to know about it.

As Sophie pointed out, there is still the possibility of monsters coming out. I guess I’ll just go along with it for now.

「All right. I’ll lead the way, so can you walk with Helmine in your arms?」

「No problem.」

There was no staff in Sophie’s hand as she replied.

It’s not like she left it lying around. It must have disappeared from this place.

Since the staff is so magical, it would be strange to have one or two special effects.

It’s a very convenient feature to be able to move it in and out at will.

「Now, please put your arm around my shoulder. Let’s go back to the village.」

「Thank you, Sophie.」

While I was picking up the magical stone left behind by the skeleton knight, Helmine slowly stood up, with Sophie supporting her.

It looks like a good girl friend who supports each other, but how long will this relationship last?

「I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go…」

「walk slowly. Be careful not to get too far away.」

I walk down the street with my sword in my hands.

I don’t feel the presence of monsters. We shouldn’t be careless, but we can assume that the danger is over.

「Why were the two of you in the woods?」

We had been walking in silence for a while, but there was no change, so I was bored.

And since I was curious about something, I decided to have a little talk with them.

「I was the one who suggested we go looking for medicinal herbs.」

「You thought it was safe because all you had was an eyewitness account?」

「Yes. …… In retrospect, it was a shallow idea.」

「I’m not blaming you. It seems that other people have been in the forest too, so it’s not only Sophie’s fault. Besides, even if you were attacked, you were confident that you could protect yourself, right?」

Helmine responded to the topic I raised, instead of Sophie.

「Sophie,-chan you were so strong! You were so cool!」

She looked up at me with a twinkle in her eye.

「Where did all those sparkling stick go?」

It’s a natural question. But she can’t just be careless and tell you.

Sophie seemed at a loss for an answer and her eyes swimming.

Should I help here?

「I’ve heard about the monsters in the forest, so I lent her a weapon that she can summon to use them. The light that she used to kill it was also from that weapon.」

Sophie looked at me with a surprised expression.

Instead of answering, I gave her a light wink.

「I didn’t know there was such a weapon. It looks very expensive.」

Helmine, with a serious expression on her face, nodded her head repeatedly.

If the newcomer has something expensive, jealousy from the people around him is inevitable.

「So, can you pretend that I rescued the two who were about to be attacked?」

「Sure! In exchange, you can have dinner at my restaurant tonight.」

「As expected from a businessman’s daughter! The deal is closed.」

Now we’ll be okay for a while. The rumor won’t spread any time soon.

I’ll have to listen to Sophie carefully and think about the rest.