CH 141

The next day, Kalin took Ahri with her as they left early in the morning.

Apparently she wants to report yesterday’s attack to all places concerned with maintaining security in the capital.

Kalin kept saying she was going to put pressure all over about the fact that the hero who saved the country was attacked after meeting with one of its rulers. She looked happy about having another card to use in her negotiations.

Roa and I are staying here in the inn. We’re talking about how Kalin probably just had fun fighting for the first time in a while.

“A lot is piling on top of Lady Kalin’s shoulders.”

She says while looking at me like she’s telling me to come up with opportunities for her to release stress.

We keep talking until it’s past noon and Kalin and Ahri return, and we all have a late lunch in the inn’s dining hall.

This inn is one of the best even here in the capital, and the only one to reopen right away after everything that happened with the mushrooms. Their ability to deal with something like this is really what one would expect from a first-class inn.

They also said the hero who saved the country could stay here for free, but I said that while I appreciate the sentiment, I want to pay just like everyone else. I’m sure it wasn’t cheap for them to recover so fast.

I provide monster meat that was stored in my backpack to the inn. Meat rich in magic elements is tasty to humans anyway, but it turns into a great delicacy if it goes through the hands of first-class chefs.

I hear there’s a food shortage in the capital. Apparently Rihalzam ate a lot, but then again, I can see that considering how big he was the last time I saw him. Last night Kalin negotiated to have Habbafulton supply monster meat to the capital, making a profit and gaining some favor.

After we silently enjoy the expertly prepared meat, Kalin starts speaking.

“We don’t have any clues regarding last night’s attack, but I want to use it as much as I can. People in the capital are angry about what happened with the mushrooms, from the top to the bottom, but the culprit is already dead, so it would be good to focus that resentment on the shaman.”

Kalin then wipes her mouth.

“Oh right, this came in for you, Rust.”

Says Kalin while throwing me something, and I catch it as it comes close to my face.

“D-don’t throw it. This looks pretty elegant.”

It’s an envelope, sealed with a lily pattern that was stamped with a stamp depicting two swords.

The envelope itself could be said to be very tasteful, and my name really is written near the address.

But there’s no sender.

“I’m sure it’s from Princess Lily.”

Kalin sees me looking for the sender, so she tells me. For some reason she’s holding back laughter.

“Looks like you left quite an impression. Maybe she was trying to get your attention with the magic crystal, and is inviting you for an evening party or something.”

“…I have to open this don’t I?”

“Yes.”

That magic crystal that I think could be a key really has been on my mind. A battle starts in my mind between my curiosity and thinking this is all tiresome, but in the end, my curiosity comes out on top.

I open the letter and read its contents.”

“…It’s an invitation to go for a long ride. And today no less.”

I hand the letter to Kalin, while being amazed by a level of hastiness one wouldn’t expect from a noble.

I look to my side, and see Roa still eating meat. She eats so much, it makes me wonder how she has room for it all. She looks at me with a serious expression, and a mouthful of meat, and nods, before turning to her food again.

I guess she’s giving me a sign of approval.

“All right. Is there anything I should keep in mind?”

“Tell me if anything funny happens.”

Says my boss with a cheerful tone, and after glaring at her for a moment, I start thinking about making preparations.