Episode 125: You’re One to Talk
After that, we searched the area around the pond, but couldn’t find any worthwhile clues. As the sun began to set, we left the forest and started on the road back to the Royal Capital. After getting into the carriage that had been waiting for us, someone sighed, seemingly without thinking.
“This request seems to have been a rather dark case. I hope you’re alright, but I’m sorry for getting you involved.”
“No, don’t worry about it.”
…If anything, the Adventurers Guild might be the ones who got dragged into this.
If someone had scattered chemicals into the pond to turn the forest animals into Monsters, what was their purpose? The Monsters attacked us in the forest and also rushed into the spectator seats outside the forest. A big commotion occurred, and Lecty was kidnapped in the confusion.
The Monster incident was created to provide an opportunity to kidnap Lecty. It would be reasonable to assume that. If so, it seems better to assume that the culprit who created the Monsters is the School Nurse who kidnapped Lecty, or one of her accomplices.
If the series of disturbances following the Duke Lecherie’s Mansion incident is deeply involved in this matter, then the Adventurers Guild and Ryugu and the others have been caught up in it this time. Ryugu and the others suspect the water in the pond, so there’s a chance they’ll eventually find that chemical.
I should consult with Alissa-san when I get back to the Royal Academy…
The carriage carrying us passed through the walls of the Royal Capital and arrived at the Royal Academy, instead of the Adventurers Guild. Ryugu had been thoughtful enough to drop us off.
“Sorry for having you worry about so many things.”
After getting out of the carriage in front of the school gate, I thanked Ryugu and Tina, who had come out to see us off, once again.
“No, it’s thanks to Hugh-san and Idiot-san that we were able to successfully complete the request. All that’s left for us to do is create the report, so I’ll give you your reward now.”
Ryugu said that and took out two pouches containing the reward, which he had prepared at some point, and handed them to me and Idiot.
“Is that okay…? We hardly did anything…”
There were no battles with Monsters in the forest, we just walked around with Ryugu and the others. Judging from the size of the pouches, it really does seem like they contain about the same amount as the reward for completing a D-rank request. It doesn’t seem to have been reduced based on our work.
“Of course. We got more information than we could have hoped for from the two of you, and you did enough work to fully justify the reward. Besides, we can’t do something stingy like reducing the contract fee later. Our father has always taught us to live a healthy and honest life.”
“Healthy and honest?”
I never expected to hear the same words as my motto. Between the sneezing incident and this, I feel a strange sense of kinship with Ryugu and the others’ father.
“Oh, so you were raised by a wonderful father.”
“Yes, I’m proud of my father.”
“I don’t think there’s anything healthy or honest about having three wives~”
Tina interjected with a grin. Apparently, Ryugu and Tina have three mothers, and the two are half-siblings. I didn’t want to feel that much kinship…
As we were chatting for a while like that, Ryugu and Tina suddenly stopped talking. The two of them choked up almost involuntarily, and when I followed their gaze and turned around, Lily and Lecty were approaching us from the school building.
“…Well, we should get going now.”
“See you again at the off-campus training, Hugh-san, Idiot-san!”
“Yes. Let us meet again.”
“Thanks, you two.”
Ryugu and Tina hurriedly returned to the carriage, which started moving. What’s wrong? Why are they in such a hurry? It’s almost as if they were trying to escape from Lily and Lecty… Or is it my imagination?
“Welcome back, Hugh, Idiot.”
“Are you two alright?”
As we watched the carriage leave, Lily and Lecty called out to us. Maybe they were waiting for us to come back.
“No need to worry, Lady Lecty. I’m perfectly fine, as you can see. Monsters are no match for this Idiot Hautness!”
“No, you didn’t encounter any Monsters this time…”
“Hehe. I’m glad you’re both safe. It seems like things went well.”
“Yeah…. Huh? Come to think of it, isn’t Rouge with you?”
When I asked, Lily choked up and said, “Uh…”
“R, Rouge went back to her room first…. We were together until just now, but she said she was going to prepare to welcome Hugh…”
“Prepare…?”
What in the world is Rouge planning to prepare to welcome me? I can’t even begin to imagine, and it’s a little scary…
“Also, um…”
Lily hesitated, her eyes wandering, and then she placed her hand on my shoulder.
“It’s going to be tough from now on, but stay strong. I’m sure you can overcome it.”
“Wait a minute. What in the world is Rouge preparing while waiting for me!?”
I’ve become incredibly afraid of going back to my room. I’m seriously considering asking Idiot to let me stay over for the night, but it seems like not going back would lead to an even worse outcome…
Lily shook her head with a knowing look, saying, “I can’t say anything more.” I turned my gaze to Lecty with a glimmer of hope, but she just said, “Good luck, Hugh-san…” and quickly averted her eyes.
Ehhh…
First of all, I have to return the sword I borrowed to Alissa-san before going back to my room.
I parted ways with Lily and the others in front of the Women’s Dormitory and headed to the faculty housing with Idiot. I returned the sword to Alissa-san, who was swinging it in the usual vacant lot behind the dormitory, and reported what happened today.
“Understood. I’ll report it to Prince Lucas over here.”
Alissa-san’s reaction to hearing about the pond that Ryugu and the others discovered was less than I expected. Maybe the Knights Order already knew about that pond…
I parted ways with Idiot, who was going to train with Alissa-san until dinner, and returned to the Men’s Dormitory alone. I’m filled with anxiety about Rouge, who seems to be preparing something and waiting for me, but I also want to go home quickly and spend time with her.
“I’m home.”
I unlocked the door and entered my room, and from down the hallway, I heard Rouge’s voice saying, “Welcome home.” It sounded a little higher than usual…? Or is it just my imagination…?
I walked down the hallway and cautiously opened the door to my room. Beyond it was…
–A girl with golden hair (Lucretia).
I forgot to breathe at the sight of her beauty. Her glossy, golden hair sparkled under the light of the magic tool’s illumination. Her large, sapphire-blue eyes curved happily as she looked at me.
She was sitting on my bed wearing the Royal Academy uniform, but the only difference from usual was that the uniform was the women’s uniform, not the men’s.
“Why are you in that form…?”
There are many things I should say, but the first question that came to my mind slipped out. Why is she in Lucretia’s form now, after spending all this time with me as Rouge?
Lucretia gave a troubled smile and said,
“I just thought it might be okay now that it’s just the two of us.”
Ah, yeah.
That’s true.