Ch 160.2
Translator: Jimi Editor: Ryunakama
「Coming.」
A man’s voice came from within the room, and the door was opened.
Before us, a tall and slender man appeared, with blonde hair and dressed in something like a white suit. He was about as tall as me but slightly lanky. As the people in town described, he was quite the looker.
When the man saw us, he stiffened up as if wary of us.
「…Who are you people?」
「We’re from the Magician’s Society. We would like to speak with you with regards to the black monster. Do you mind if we come in?」
「The Society’s…!」
The man tensed up upon hearing what I said. It appears that the name of the Magician’s Society was great and far-reaching.
Be that as it may, since we had no evidence of our identities, we would immediately get exposed if he decided to press us about it. Let’s quickly move on so that he doesn’t have time to doubt.
Seeing the man stiffen up with caution, I smiled broadly.
「…I heard that you protected Nanami Town. For that, I would first like to extend my gratitude to you, Sir Holy Knight. The townsfolk were saying that you did a great job.」
「A-ah, I see! It’s about that, huh? Ha ha ha, if that’s the case then please come in.」
After I buttered him up, the man lowered his guard and welcomed us into his room.
All according to plan. Sweet talking is the way to go at times like this.
I stifled a grin by twisting my mouth so that the man wouldn’t see it. Silverie and I then entered the room together.
「I am Oaks, a Holy Knight.」
「I see. Then, first, can you tell me about the time when you encountered the black monster?」
「That… Right, that was probably some time after I arrived at this town. The Dark Zell suddenly turned up outside this town.」
According to Oaks, the Dark Zell had attacked the livestock. So, he used his dazzlingly-white sword to chop up the Zell with his beautiful swordplay and defeated it splendidly.
「Just like that, I drove away the Dark Zell which attacked the livestock. …Then, I was honored as a hero, and I ended up staying in this town. I was told to stay in this town for as long as I liked… When they put it that way, even I was not able to refuse them.」
「…I see.」
Since there were still many Dark Zells around the area, I guess the whole town was taking care of him in exchange for him acting as a guard for the town? That’s also the reason why Oaks is staying in town while letting the people provide for him.
「Have the Dark Zells attacked again recently?」
「Hmm? That reminds me, they haven’t appeared… I think…」
Hmm, no matter how I see it, he’s being evasive. Is he hiding something…? Guess I’ll pry a little deeper.
「The fact that the livestock was attacked could mean that the outer perimeter of the protection barrier around this town is currently damaged. Since there are still a fair number of Dark Zells around the town, it’s a little hard to believe that they have not attacked again after that.」
「S-Surely it’s because they were afraid of me, right? …Now, our conversation ends here. Please leave.」
「Wait… We still have more to ask…」
「If you continue to bother me, I will call for the guards! I’m a busy man!」
「…Tch.」
There’s no helping it. If the guards came and realized that we had sneaked in, it will be troublesome. Guess we’ll have to pull back for now?
Although I was still a little suspicious of him, we covered ourselves with Black Coat again and exited the hotel.
「Ah, welcome back, Zeph! Did you meet the Holy Knight?」
「Mm, his name is Oaks.」
「By the way, we met Elise-san earlier.」
「She had obtained some information regarding the Holy Knight and came here following it. However, she said that since we were already here, she would investigate from another direction.」
「…Oh well, she has such a troublesome personality as usual.」
I’ve been thinking from way before that Elise’s actions were inefficient. Her overly prideful nature is also something of concern.
「Hey, Zeph-cchi. If we’re done here, can I return to Beruta Town? I’m concerned about the town, but I’m also slightly worried about my Dad.」
「I suppose so.」
That father of hers didn’t seem like he would die even if you killed him, but I guess Lydia would still be worried.
「…I’ll send you there. I’ve always wanted to meet Lydia’s father once anyway.」
「Thank you, Sil-cchin! Ahh~ What everyone needs is a friend, don’t you think~」
「…Don’t cling on to me, Lydia.」
Lydia hugged her joyfully, while a bewildered look overshadowed Silverie’s face.
「Alright then, stay safe, both of you.」
「We’ll probably be back in a few days, but if you get lonely, feel free to contact me through Telepathy anytime ♪ I will fly back to you.」
「You’re finally going back home after a long time, aren’t you? You should take your time there.」
We sent off the two ladies, then headed back home.
「We’re home, Mom.」
「Welcome back, Zeph, Milly-chan and… Erm, as I thought, this morning’s events weren’t a dream…」
Mom held her head with her hands in distress.
「Leaving that aside… Zeph? I have something to say to you, can you come with me?」
「Uh, mm.」
I couldn’t decline when faced with that intense pressure. That forced smile of hers is kind of scary.
Mom seized me by the collar and dragged me towards the kitchen.
On the way, Mother turned to face Milly and Shirushu who were dumbfounded, and smiled at them elegantly.
「Please wait just a li~ttle while, Milly-chan and…」
「It’s Shirushu, Mother.」
「Shirushu-chan, I see, I see. Sorry about that. I have something to say to my stupid son here ♪」
Mom pressed me against the kitchen wall and placed her hands on both sides to block off my escape routes. She then glared at me with a frightful look.
「…So, you tell me, what is this all about? I believe there were already two other girls, right?」
「Calm down, Mom. Milly and Shirushu, and the two girls you met this morning, are all my companions from the same guild.」
「Hmm~… Guild-mates, I see~…」
Mom glared at me with disgust. Apparently, she didn’t trust me at all.
It’s the truth though… Hmm, how should I explain it?
「Well, whatever. Let’s just leave it at that. Everyone will be staying over today, correct? Since you are companions?」
「…Ah, um, if you would allow us to…」
It was really not a good time to suggest staying together in an inn.
Mom hurried over to Milly and Shirushu, and welcomed them into the house.
「Sorry for the wait~♪ Both of you, please stay over at my house today.」
「Erm… that…」
「Okaay, Mother ♪」
In contrast with the reserved Shirushu, Milly replied enthusiastically. Perhaps because Milly had come to stay over a few times before, hence she didn’t show much resistance to the idea.
During our meal, Mom asked the two girls about our travels thus far, happily prying information from them.
From time to time, she would glare at me intensely.
Good grief, I really can’t tell what she will say later…
Then, we spent a night at my place.
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