CH 234

“Ha-ha-ha, aren’t you all sloppy? Another round, proprietress.”

“Okay, as expected of the Guildmaster.”

“I’ll have another.”

“You’re too naive. I’ll have a beer, too.”

“Ahahahaha! I’ll have another too.”

“Basleigh-chan, this snack is delicious.”

“Oh, really? Well, let’s have some.”

“That’s my finger!?”

Me and Makina. And, Basleigh-sensei, Himmel-san, and Bourne-san sat around the table and asked the proprietress of the diner for a refill.

“Guh …… H-How can you look so calm …… Uph ……”

“Damn …… I can’t believe that I’ll lose to Basleigh. ……”

“Next time, I’ll definitely ……”

Roy opens his mouth to look up at us from the floor where he is lying with a red face. Other adventurers were also lying on the floor, dead or unconscious, in various states. In Gust’s territory, we’ve never had a celebration with this many people, so it was refreshing to see such a large group of adventurers.

Then Bourne-san spoke to me smilingly.

“By the way, I’ve heard about Lars-kun from the king, but you don’t look like a nobleman. Your clothes are not flashy, and it’s unusual for you to become an adventurer.”

“So you’ve heard about me?”

“Well, I’m still the Guildmaster! Nevertheless, I’ve only heard that you were recently summoned and that you’ll be showing up here soon.”

“I see. It’s true that I’ve promised that I’ll be going to the Royal Capital after I graduate from the academy, but I didn’t realize that he saw through me to become an adventurer …… I think the reason I don’t look like a nobleman is because I was born a poor commoner. I’ve never really felt like a nobleman because I have a brother who is the heir and I’m free to do as I please, I guess? Well, I do use the title when I can.”

“I’ve also heard about how your father became a lord again. And how you worked hard to reclaim it, even as a child.”

I replied to Bourne-san, who smiled at me.

“…… That was not to compliment about. It just put the king and the prince in danger. I’m just relieved that it didn’t cause any trouble for my family.”

“Hahaha, well, you’re right. But I respect you for taking action for your family, you know? Making a plan at the age of ten and putting it into action. It’s not something that others can copy …… And, even though you didn’t know it, you defeated a member of “The Gospel’s Descent”.”

“……”

“Ehe~ …… Lars is amazing♪”

I’m grateful to you for saying so, but it’s a delicate subject for me, I said while carrying Makina on my back.

“Makina is nearing her limit, so we’re going to go home now. What about you, Basleigh-sensei?”

“If you’re going home, I’m going home, too. Miss Proprietress! Please wrap this up!”

“Yes, yes. You never change, do you ……”

Basleigh-sensei grabbed a bottle of wine, demanded that the table be given to her for a snack, then turned to Himmel-san and asked.

“‘What are going to do, big brother?”

“I’m going to have a few more drinks. Lars-kun, take care of my sister!”

“I’m the one who has to be taken care of!? Seriously …… Give my regards to my mother and father.”

“Of course. If you don’t marry me soon, they’ll make you go on another marriage meeting.”

“I don’t want either, which is why I’m staying with Lars-kun!?”

“See you later, Himmel-san.”

I bailed and he smiled at me and sent us off. At this rate, will Makina stay asleep until morning?

◆ 　 ◇ 　 ◆

After Lars and the others left–

“Hahaha, I wonder if he hates me?”

“It didn’t seem to be a good memory for Lars-kun. Well, I don’t think he cares that much.”

The remaining Bourne and Himmel talked about this as they clinked their glasses as a toast again.

“(I knew he wasn’t just a little boy …… Oeh ……)”

“(It looks like he’s been through some tough times …… Eppu ……)”

“(From now on, he’ll be part of this guild, so let’s not …… Uph …… treat them strangers ……)”

(T/N: The Oeh/Eppu/Uph here is like they feel sick after drinking so much alcohol.”)

“It’s wise not to mess with him since he’s the king’s favorite. Well, he’s got a lot of power, and that’s exactly what he’s hiding, more than what he had against Roy. “

“…… It seems that he is definitely the one who defeated the man named Retzel, a member of the “The Gospel’s Descent”. It seems that Basleigh-chan didn’t know much about it, but she heard about it during a Treant fiasco in the town of Oriola.”

“……”

We hear rumors of a dark organization called “The Gospel’s Descent” that they have never been directly involved with.

The adventurers, prostrate but conscious on the floor, are astonished at what he says, and Doun stumbles to his feet and opens his mouth.

“A mysterious organization, huh …… But the commotion in the Gust and Oriola territories is over. They are no longer in this country, are they?”

“…… Who knows. Lars-kun, he may be the trigger or he may be working for another country. We don’t know that for sure.”

“……”

“That’s why I’m asking you adventurers to get along with each other so that we can stick together in case something happens, Roy? In exchange for this party’s bill that will be paid by the guild, okay?”

“So you knew about that …… What an unbelievable guy …… Ueh ……”

The adventurers laughed and kept their determination in their hearts, saying that they would stand with their friends no matter what.

◆ 　 ◇ 　 ◆

“Here, drink the water, Makina.”

“Nku …… nku …… fuh~ …… Thank you Lars …… I’m sorry, I was heavy, wasn’t I?”

“You’re like a feather compared to a Red Elk.”

“Fufu.”

She smiles at my light-hearted comment and rests her back against the living room chair. Then Basleigh-sensei came back from the bathroom and smiled.

“Oh, Makina-chan, you’re awake?”

“Yes, I woke up because the night breeze felt so good! ……Are you still going to drink?”

“Ha-ha-ha! I’m afraid of tomorrow, so I’m going to sleep today …… Yesterday I slept on the floor and my body was sore. ……”

“Ah, yeah ……”

Even Basleigh-sensei must have thought that two days in a row was not good, so she left the bottle with me and went back to her room. In spite of her absurdity, she might have been able to find the edge of the line.

“Let’s go to sleep too.”

“Yes …… but first …….”

Makina approached me and looked me straight in the face.

“…… That thing about Fath-san in the afternoon. What does Lars think?”

“You’re talking about inheritance. I’m happy to do what Makina wants …… To be honest, it’s also my fault that you gave up being a knight.”

“That is–“

“I know. I know you don’t mean that too. But I want you to do what you want to do, not just what I want to do. What do you want to do about Fath-san’s story, Makina?”

When I asked, Makina slowly moved her mouth without looking away.

“…… I want Fath-san to teach me. So I can stand next to Lars, who is getting stronger and stronger!”

“Ok, If that’s what Makina decides, I’ll support you!”

“Yes! …… but I might not be able to see you when I start my training.”

“Why?”

“Eh? Because while I’m in training, Lars will be taking requests, right?

“No …… It’s not like I have a problem with money, I’ll stay with you ……”

“Ehhhhh!? W-What, maybe I’ve been by worrying for nothing ……? But then, if that’s the case, I can do my best! …… Besides, if you’re acting alone, Lars will probably get popular ……”

Makina was relieved to have me by her side, as she had been expecting to go her separate ways. I couldn’t hear the last part, but I’m glad she was motivated.

“Let’s go tomorrow then.”

“Right. Oh, by the way, you just said you want me to do what I want, right?”

“Hmm? Yeah, I guess I did. Makina is not selfish, and I’m not very good at guessing, so it would be great if you could say it out loud.”

“Hmm …… Then ……”

“!?”

Then she squinted her eyes and brought her face closer to mine.

“Ma-Makina ……!?”

“Fufu, we don’t do this kind of thing very often, so maybe once in a while♪. I can do whatever I want, right?”

I blushed and shrugged my shoulders at Makina’s sly smile. 

…… I ignored Basleigh-sensei, whose ghostly face was peeking through the doorway behind. 

I’m going to keep going without the master!

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“Kukuku, I can imagine what her face looks like ……!”

How can you say that when you’re alike ……

“We’re not. I’ll curse you to death if you say that again, okay?”

You’re just like her ……