Vol 2: Chapter 49

Its been a very long time.

I am sorry I didnt get in touch with you all sooner.

Only Non-san was at the Silver Citrus Inn. The room they were lodging in already seemed cramped with just the beds and luggages, so Non-san and I shifted to a nearby cafe. It was a small cafe with wooden interior and wooden tables and chairs, so you could feel the warmth of the wood.

I ordered juice, and Non-san ordered milk tea.

There are a lot of things to talk about, but to start with, Dad and Mimino-san went to the Adventurers Guild.

To the guild?

Yes, due to yesterdays dispute over the shares of the giant snake.

The local adventurers seem to be arguing that outside adventurers Silver Balance stole a march on them even though citizen evacuation was the top priority. The unfortunate part is that most other adventurers didnt witness the fight with Ouroboros, so they thought that Silver Balance stole the kill.

On the other hand, the Knights Order insists that they should retain the corpse, confirm the salvageable parts, exchange it for a large amount of money, and give the appropriate amount to the guild. From the Adventurers guilds point of view, its almost like they are being swindled out of their money.

As a result, the corpse remained untouched.

I stayed behind in the inn just in case Reiji-kun showed up today.

I see. Well, I dont really care what happens to that corpse.

Ufufu, you shouldnt be like that, Reiji-kun. You have to be careful about money. My dad set out triumphantly saying, Those guys look down on us and run their mouth cause were outsiders. So we have to show them exactly who we are.

Ha-Haha

Dante-san somehow sounds scary.

Mimino-san was even more enthusiastic. She said, We should squeeze out every penny since it all belongs to Reiji-kun. She even tried to bring out a deadly, sealed poison, but I was able to stop her somehow

An even scarier person!

By the way, what are you all doing in the Holy City?

We had been in the Lev Magic Empire until recently. There, we were employed for an escort quest and came to the Holy City. The Church still considers me as being on a journey to find a treatment for my dad, but I am pretty much working as a full-time adventurer now. So, what about you, Reiji-kun?

I

I talked roughly about the last four years.

Leaving Achenbach Dukedom under the guidance of Zerry-san, who was in the same mercenary group as Raikira-san, working as a cleaner of the Knights Order, saving Earl Sillys from an assassination attempt, and being hired by the Earls House.

Although I couldnt talk in relation to the award ceremony.

It seems that Reiji-kun has also gone through various experiences.

Yes. I am sorry for leaving so suddenly at that time.

I know you had your own circumstances, so I wont blame you. But, of course, I know you healed my dad, so I really wanted to thank you.

Uh

Oh, right. I used Mithril for that treatment. So I really cant speak about that.

Uhh, it was a special elixir. No, it was more like a drug that I accidentally made. Uh

Please be assured that I am not asking you how you made it, but thank you. Im sure it was something you cant buy with money.Non-san said, leaning her chest forward firmly on the table.

Hey, thats a strong stimulus to the body of a 14-year-old boy!

N-No, its okay.

Hmm? Why are you looking away?

A-Anyway, how about you let me join Silver Balance as thanks?

Of course! Though I dont think thats enough reward forNon-san said, her facial expression becoming brighter.

I think it is natural to help each other if you are from the same party.

Reiji-san

The corners of her eyes became wet as she seemed deeply moved, and she linked her hands in front of her chest.

It is I who should be thanking you. All of you took care of me in the woods when we first met.

At that time, if Mimino-san, Dante-san, Non-san, and Raikira-san werent there, I wouldnt be where I am today. Even if I had survived, I think I would be on edge at every moment, looking out for danger at every corner.

I was a mine slave who worked at the Sixth Mine. Fortunately, I was able to escape when the contract magic became undone. I was being pursued in the Achenbach Dukedom capital, and my appearance was identified by the guards during the dragons attack.

So that is why you had to hurry and escape? Is that the truth of what happened 4 years ago?

I didnt want to bother Silver Balance by getting involved with me.

The 6-star skill orb that Lark obtained was the number one cause, but I didnt want to bother Silver Balance either.

After listening to my story, Non-san gently closed her eyes and seemed to be thinking about something. She looked like a really devout nun when she did this. No, wait. She is an actual nun.

We want to help Reiji-kun.

You helped me more than enough four years ago.

Thats not enough. You not only healed my dads body, but also his heart. Even if he had been healed by a high-ranking priest, my dads heart would not have been healed. Because of you, my dad can still stand on the front line and fight. Can you imagine? Since you left, there hasnt been a day where I dont pray for your safety. I wake up every morning and pray to God.

Non-san

Non-san extended her hands and grabbed my hands on the table. Her hand was warm it was an adult womans hand, unlike that of the young lady.

Non-san had been praying for me every single day. When that fact sank in, I was almost about to cry. I always felt strengthened by the power ofWorld Ruler. I thought it was all due to my own power. But, Im sure that was not true. I believe that Non-sans prayer must have also influenced me. Absolutely so. I believe even if no one else believes just as Non-san believed that her prayers would reach me.

Non-san I have something else to tell you.

While trying not to break down crying, and with a trembling voice, I told Non-san about everything. About what happened at the award ceremony. That the Holy King summoned me. That I have to run away. Again.

I also told Non-san about things that would be high-level confidential topics. I just couldnt hold back. At the end of it, I was so emotionally exhausted. Non-san kept holding my hand all the while.

When I was feeling a little embarrassed and let go of her hand, Non-san looked a little disappointed Or is that just how I want her to feel?

Reiji-kun, you did your best. Im proud of you.

Thank you.

Non-san. If you tell me that, I would seriously start crying.

Haa Even though Reiji-kun went through so much hardship, both the Adventurers Guild and the Knights Order only care about their own interests.

Im sorry, Non-san. I told you something you dont need to know.

Thats not the case. As a member of the church, Im glad to hear that. Leaving that aside, Reiji-kun

Yes?

This is not a profitable move.

?

Youre so bad, Non-san. Your words penetrate straight into my heart.

In terms of advantages and disadvantages, escaping would be the better move, right? But all things cannot be judged from the advantages and disadvantages alone.

You did your very best. Why do you have to run away? You should go see the Holy King with your head held high. There is no reason for you to run away. And Reiji-kun, the Earls daughter is a very important person to you, no? This kind of farewell is absolutely the worst.

Yes.

Thats what I thought too. When I think of the young lady, I realize escape isnt even a real choice. The Earl didnt mention the young lady when we talked, but I think its just the Earl being objective instead of kindness. So that I can make a flat decision.

And I and Non-san had experienced that this kind of farewell was a terrible thing four years ago.

But what if I am forced into a contract magic?

That was the factor I feared the most. Contract magic is more scary than any kind of fighting or war. I experienced it first-hand at the mine.

There is actually one workaround for contract magic.Non-san said, raising her index finger.Its a little-known method even for people in the church. Ufufufu

Yeap hearing Non-san laugh, she is a little scary, after all.