Chapter 105: The Impoverished Viscount’s Second Son Pursues Those Eyes 6
*
“So, what’s the plan?”
The one asking was Yuunou-san Maricia, who had been summoned to the Guild along with me but had barely spoken.
“I’d like to say we leave right now, but even I’m not foolish enough to give chase after sunset.”
Maricia muttered, “Good,” in response to my answer.
Catching my gaze, Maricia shrugged.
“Oh, it’s nothing. We were just discussing how we’d stop the Masked Man if he insisted on chasing them immediately.”
I see. It seems my actions were perfectly predicted.
Behind Maricia, Digris was collecting money from Holan and Drim, declaring, “Yep, my prediction was right!” I ignored them.
“Well then,”
I searched for the words for a moment.
“Thanks for everything. It was fun.”
Thinking I should at least offer a proper farewell, I moved to take off my Mask, but Maricia stopped me.
“It’s fine just like that, Masked Man. The Flower drawing suits you, too.”
She was teasing me about the Flower drawing.
“Likewise, well, it was infuriating, but I had fun playing the fool.”
“Next time, try picking an opponent who won’t tear your pants, Masked Man.”
“I’ll save up my Guts and eyebrows until we meet again.”
Farewells were exchanged in the styles of the three.
Though whether the last one counts as a farewell is debatable.
“I’ll do my best to be able to produce an Azure Flame like the Masked Man by next time, too. Take care, Masked Man.”
Ah, so other people could see that, huh?
It wasn’t just a hallucination then.
“Yeah, Beardy, I’m sure you can do it.”
I have no idea how to produce it, but well, saying I don’t know how here would just be tactless, right?
Yuunou-san was frowning, probably thinking I was spouting nonsense again.
Well then.
Though we said it was fun, and that we were glad to have fought together, we quickly finished our farewells.
What we want to be remembered is fighting together.
What we want to be remembered is struggling to survive, and when that wasn’t enough, the moment of death.
That’s why adventurers (we) don’t dwell on farewells, nor do we make a big deal out of them.
We just convey that we hope to meet again next time.
As I watched the four backs receding into the distance, I heard Drim’s voice.
“Ah, come to think of it, I forgot to ask the Masked Man’s name.”
Every single one of them let out an “Eh?”
*
I slept!
I woke up!
And Elza was there!
The end!
Having made it back to the inn where I’d woken up after passing out, I fell asleep the moment I lay down on the bed.
When I woke up, Elza was in the room, and I almost let out a genuine scream.
I knew she had followed me back to the room, but since Elza’s luggage was also there, I hadn’t thought much of it.
I figured she’d collect her things and go back to her own inn.
So, when I woke up in the morning and saw Elza curled up asleep at the foot of my bed, I was genuinely surprised.
Incidentally, the reason Elza was in the same room was exceedingly simple: this room I was sleeping in was originally the one Elza had rented.
Yes, in other words, I was the one who messed up.
Elza said it wasn’t a problem when I apologized, but I’ll properly repay this debt someday.
“Well then, I’m heading off.”
I bid farewell to Elza in front of the inn.
I don’t know what business brought her all the way here to Noel Jeun, but I ended up taking a lot of her time for my sake.
Repaying the debt of her saving my life… the liability is getting a bit too large.
In the darkness of Noel Jeun, where night still lingered due to the city walls, I couldn’t tell if Elza, staring at me with an unreadable expression, shared any such thoughts.
Well, I’m sure I can repay her somehow.
See ya.
With those parting words, I started running, clutching the Magic Tool entrusted to me by Guild Master Calbanus.