Episode 7: Side Assort Pack ①
[The Case of the Three Seeker Daughters]
At a large table, five girls were seated.
“And then! There was this loud ‘VooOOO!’ sound! When we looked up in surprise, there was a hyper great oak that must have been at least three and a half meters tall!”
The one who spoke was Riru, the smallest among the gathering of Seekers. She had a charming appearance that could easily pass for a middle school student back in Japan.
“No, it was at least four meters tall. When such a giant suddenly appeared, I thought it was the end for us,” replied Tooru, the tallest girl in the group. She spoke with the most polite language among them and had the most voluptuous figure.
“Exactly! When the drool from the orc splattered on my face, I thought, ‘Ah, I’m dead,'” added Midi, a slender beauty with a short haircut, who stood at a height between the two.
“That was the moment, right?” Riru exclaimed, as if signaling that the real story was about to unfold.
“Indeed, I can’t forget it. His gallant face and brave actions,” Tooru chimed in, her expression somewhat dreamy.
“‘You all run! Leave this to me! It’s alright, I won’t lose to anyone if it’s to protect you!'”
Midi spread her arms wide, mimicking the figure in question.
“As we hesitated whether to escape or not—”
This was the climax of the tale.
“‘—It wouldn’t matter if I defeated him, right?'”
She struck a dramatic pose, looking at everyone with a confident expression.
“That’s unfair! Riru was about to say that!”
“Oh, Kuro-sama, where are you and what are you doing now?”
One of the two who had been quietly listening waved her hand in front of the still dreamy Tooru.
“Hey, come back!”
“By the way, I’ve heard this story a hundred times already…” one of the listeners muttered.
“What even is Kuro-sama?” “I wonder.” “Hey.” “What?” “How long will this go on?” “I think a month won’t be enough.”
The night that someone saved them continued to grow lively.
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[The Case of Milan and Her Daughter]
“Mom, you have the day off today, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Isn’t it strange how you’ve been dressing up even on your days off lately?”
“W-What are you talking about?”
“Well, you know, Mom, recently…”
“Come on, what is it? More importantly, Milan…”
“What is it?”
“Ah, how’s work going? You’re not overdoing it, are you?”
“You asked that yesterday, didn’t you? How many times do I have to say it?”
“Ahaha, right, what am I even saying? Oh, more importantly, Milan…”
“What now? I have to get to work soon.”
“Recently, you know, something’s up, right?”
“Mom, if you don’t stop, I’m going to get angry!”
“N-No, there’s no reason to be angry!”
“Mom, you’ve been acting strange lately!”
“I’m not strange at all! Look, I’m perfectly healthy! Thanks to Row-san!”
“Mom, that just makes you sound more suspicious.”
“Exactly, we should thank Row-san next time. Haven’t you seen him lately?”
“Well, sometimes I run into him in town. He said, ‘Since there are two big eaters, I’ll try to show my face in town more often.'”
“Did he say anything about me?”
“When I told him you were grateful, he said, ‘It’s nothing to worry about. More importantly, tell Maro-san not to overdo it.'”
“Oh, Row-san…”
“Are you feeling alright, Mom? Do you have a fever or something?”
“I don’t have a fever! Ugh! More importantly, when are you going to see Row-san? When you do, bring him home!”
“Why are you so desperate?”
“This isn’t about being desperate! When you see Row-san next time, you must bring him home, okay?”
“Got it! If we’re done here, I’m off to work! You take it easy like Row-san said!”
“Understood. Milan, be careful. Don’t follow any strange people!”
“Okay!”
◇◇◇
“Row-san───”
“Mom! I forgot my hat! What are you hugging that glass bottle for? That’s an empty bottle that had a Potion in it!”
“T-This? I thought I should wash it clean before returning it.”
“Mom, how many times are you going to wash it?”
“Well, better safe than sorry! Ugh!”
The day of these women, protected by someone, passed peacefully once again.
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[The Case of the Glasses Merchant Girl]
I saw the dull light in the depths of his eyes. It was a lonely color. At the same time, I felt that I couldn’t let him remain with such a hue.
It was a strange impulse that left me bewildered, yet I had no intention of letting go of that feeling.
If I were to meet him, I wanted to hear about his past. And I wanted him to listen to my story. If two people who have endured hardships could truly share their hearts, that might be the greatest happiness in this world.
“A young man with black hair, who gives off a sense of shadow. That’s definitely him. With his skills, he must be a renowned Seeker.”
So today, I am searching for him again.
The woman, who was saved by someone, seeking that very someone, might be a testament to the step she took towards peace after enduring suffering.
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