Chapter 86

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A blond-haired boy under the age of ten and a black-haired boy of about the same age are fighting with wooden swords.

The battle is so intense that it doesn't seem like a children's fight.

When the blond-haired boy swings his sword, the impact gouges the ground, and when the wooden swords clash, a gust of wind is generated around them.

The blond-haired boy is clearly dominating the fight, and it seems like it's only a matter of time before the battle is decided, but the black-haired boy is holding on by a thread.

"Indeed, you are a hero. Even a prodigy can no longer stand against you."

"Yeah, I used to be impressed by the prodigy's growth rate, but now he's at the level of an ordinary person. It seems that the one to fulfill our long-held wish is the hero Oliver."

"Yeah, but even a prodigy can be a shield for the hero."

A little away from the battle, a few adults are watching and talking when the two finally reach a conclusion.

The black-haired boy falls on his back, and the blond-haired boy, panting heavily, points the tip of his sword at the black-haired boy.

"Haa... haa... haa..."

"Well, I lost. I can't beat Oliver anymore. Haha..."

"――What! Why don't you get serious, Orun! Your skills are better than this! The you from before was much stronger!!"

"...You're overestimating me. I was giving it my all. Maybe I was stronger before, but Oliver has grown and surpassed me. There's no way I can beat a genius like you."

"I don't believe that! I don't think I've been beaten by you yet! I'll beat the real you someday!!"

"That's why... this is my current best..."

"Shut up! Just wait and see. I'll definitely make you get serious!"

The blond-haired boy, called Oliver, says this and walks away, turning his back on the black-haired boy, called Orun.

"...I hope there won't be such an opportunity. I don't want to... I don't want to kill you. I absolutely don't want you to die because of me..."

Orun, looking at Oliver's back, whispers this so quietly that Oliver can't hear.

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"Shion-sama, it's time to go home."

A maid-like person calls out to a silver-haired girl who was watching the two boys' battle from a different spot.

"Okay, I understand. I'll go say goodbye to Orun."

"As you wish. We will prepare the carriage."

The silver-haired girl, called Shion, heads towards Orun, who is still lying on the ground.

"Good job, Orun. It's a shame."

"Shion? You were here. I showed you a pretty embarrassing side, huh?"

Orun gets up with an uncomfortable expression.

"Not at all. You looked cool, okay? Besides, I know your true strength."

"There's no such thing as true strength. This is my current strength."

"But, that's because—"

"Yeah. It's because my heart is weak, and I couldn't bear the awe in people's eyes. As a result, I burdened Oliver. So, I have to make up for Oliver's part—"

"I won't let you do this alone, Orun!"

"Shion?"

"I'll become strong enough to stand by your side! Strong enough to defeat ■■ together! I'm the same as you, Orun. I'll always be with you! Even if you go far away, I'll definitely catch up! So, don't carry the burden alone..."

Orun is taken aback by Shion's words, but his face gradually turns red, and his eyes start to moisten.

"Shion, it's time for you to go, right? I'll walk you to the carriage."

Orun turns his back to Shion and walks towards the carriage, speaking quickly.

"Wait! ...Hey, Orun? Are you crying because you're happy?"

"There's no way. Wait until you catch up to the real me before you tease me."

"Hmm? Wasn't that battle your real strength? If so, I've already surpassed you, haven't I?"

"Ugh... You're nitpicking."

"Ahaha!"

The two walk towards the carriage, chatting happily.

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When they reach the carriage, Shion turns around and looks at Orun's face.

"Even though it sounded like a joke earlier, I'm serious. I'll really catch up to you. So, for now, be my guide. I'll show you that we can walk side by side someday!"

"...Okay. Don't get lost, okay?"

"I won't get lost. I'm not directionally challenged. ...See you later, Orun."

"See you. Shion."

Shion finishes her goodbye and turns her back to Orun, getting into the carriage.

"Then, Orun-sama, we will take our leave."

"Yes, have a safe trip."

The maid bows to Orun and gets into the carriage, which then starts moving.

"Bye-bye, Orun~!"

"Shion-sama! That's not proper!"

Shion ignores the maid's reprimand, sticks her head out of the carriage, and waves at Orun.

Orun waves back at her, sending her off.

A few hours later, the place where they fought is left as a barren field, with only the traces of a fierce battle remaining.

And everyone who was there—.

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Waking up to the sunlight streaming through the window, I stretch and sit up.

"---I slept well. It's almost noon, hasn't it? I haven't slept this much in a long time..."

Today is the first day of the Thanksgiving Festival.

Since the work I was doing until yesterday has come to a temporary end and I have the whole day free today, I ended up sleeping in.

I don't have anything particular to do, but since I have the chance, I decide to go out for a meal. After tidying up, I leave the room.

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"Ah, Orun-san, good afternoon."

I'm greeted at the entrance of the building.

Turning to the voice, I see Sophie.

"Sophie, good afternoon. Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes, I'm heading to the Nekgetsutei to help out today."

Nekgetsutei is the restaurant run by the "Silver Hare of the Night Sky."

During the Thanksgiving Festival, the restaurant gets busier than usual, so relatively free explorers are asked to help out.

Incidentally, the Nekgetsutei is where I had my first meal with Sophie when we first met.

"Got it. I don't have any plans, so I'll take you there."

"Such a thing! To be escorted—"

"There are a lot of people around these days, so to avoid unnecessary trouble, right?"

In the past few days, several child abductions have occurred in this town.

All the victims are under ten years old, so I think Sophie is safe, but even if that weren't the case, she's cute, so there's a chance she might be approached by strange men.

I can't always protect her, but when I have the time, I want to at least be a deterrent.

"...Well, can I ask you, then?"

"Sure, let's go."

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"Indeed, the number of people is overwhelming during this period..."

"Yeah, I've never seen it this crowded. Looking at so many people at once makes me feel a bit queasy... I think I'll need to take frequent breaks while walking around the town."

"Is this your first time?"

Sophie looks at me with a puzzled expression.

"Yeah, when I was in the hero party, we never walked around the town during the day. I've heard about it, but this is my first time seeing it. I didn't expect it to be this crowded..."

"I see. I thought you were used to it since it happens every year."

I've been in this town for almost ten years, so it's natural to think that.

If I were in Sophie's position, I would think the same.

"People are drinking even in the afternoon, it's really peaceful..."

Even though it's peaceful, with so many people gathered, there will inevitably be some trouble.

However, the military has increased its presence, and some of the major clan explorers are also contributing to maintaining order.

Will and Ansem from our clan are supposed to be patrolling right now.

"...Is alcohol delicious?"

"Hmm, I like drinking while talking to someone, but I don't find alcohol itself particularly tasty, so I rarely drink alone. Are you interested in alcohol?"

"Yes, I think I have a normal level of interest. I wonder what it tastes like..."

In this country, you are considered an adult and can drink alcohol from the age of fifteen.

Incidentally, in other countries, you don't age until your birthday, but in this country, you age the moment your birth month arrives.

For example, if someone's birthday is April 15th, they would age on April 1st in this country.

Sophie is currently fourteen years old.

So, she will be able to drink alcohol in six months, as her birth month is December.

"Ask Selma to take you to a bar when it's December. She apparently goes to bars alone sometimes, so she should know a lot about it."

"......You remember my birth month?"

Sophie's eyes widen, and she looks very surprised.

"Well, since you're my disciple, I have a basic understanding of your profile."

"Is that so... I'm sorry, I don't know your birth month..."

She looks down, looking apologetic.

I don't think she needs to worry about it...

"I just remembered it on my own. There's no rule that you have to know each other's profiles just because we have a master-disciple relationship, so don't worry about it."

"Yes... Hey! Can you tell me your birth month!?"

She leans in with a serious expression.

She's a bit too close... She doesn't seem to notice her serious expression.

"My birth month is June."

"---June, you say?"

When I tell her my birth month, Sophie seems to be a bit flustered.

"Yeah, is something wrong?"

"N-no! It's nothing!"

She seems to be hiding something, but she doesn't seem too anxious, so it doesn't seem worth pressing her for details.

We eventually arrive at the back entrance of the Nekgetsutei.

"Thank you for escorting me, Orun-san!"

She was flustered when I told her my birth month, but now she's back to her usual self.

What was that all about?

"You're welcome. Good luck with your work at the restaurant."

"Yes! See you later!"

Sophie waves energetically and goes inside the restaurant.

---Well, I'll take a walk around the town and have lunch as planned.

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Wandering through the town, I end up on a street lined with stalls.

The delicious smells are wafting from everywhere.

Deciding to eat something, I look around and spot a stall selling grilled chicken skewers.

(Come to think of it, the old man said something like, 'During the Thanksgiving Festival, it's best to walk around the town with skewers and beer in hand.' I don't plan to drink, but I might want to eat some skewers.)

Deciding to buy some skewers, I push through the crowd and head towards the stall.

As I get closer, the smell of the grilled skewer sauce gets stronger, making my stomach growl even more.

When I reach a spot where I can see the stall owner, I notice a black-haired girl in foreign clothing standing at the counter.

She seems to be having a conversation.

"I'll bring the money right away. Please let me have one skewer first."

"I'm not saying I don't trust you, but we only do cash on delivery. Sorry, but can you bring the money first?"

The girl, who has been rejected, looks down with a dejected expression and her stomach growls.

...Her expression is still mostly blank, though.

(To exude such a melancholy atmosphere without changing her expression is impressive... What is she doing?)

The stall owner looks uncomfortable in front of the girl.

There are other people who want to buy skewers, but with her there, it's hard to buy anything...

As I approach the stall owner, the girl recognizes me and says, "...Orun?"

"Sir, I'll have two skewers."

"O-okay. That'll be three large copper coins."

Ignoring the girl's voice, I order two skewers from the stall owner, who tells me the price.

I hand over the three large copper coins and receive the skewers.

"Thank you. ---Here, let's get out of here for now."

I thank the stall owner and hand one of the skewers to the black-haired girl, Fuuka Shinonome, who is standing next to me, telling her to leave.

Thank you for reading to the end.

I would be happy if you could read the next chapter as well.