n

n

nWith the dissection done, Hikaru, carrying the innards, headed to Pasta Magic with Lavia. As expected, the bear-like manager was overjoyed.

n「I can’t give you food for free like last time, but I’ll give you some good discount!」he said.

nThey were led to the same table as before. Customers who were already there looked at them with great interest. It wasn’t exactly a place for two boys to hang out in. But the manager’s attitude made it so that no one really talked to them.

n「I’m so happy I get to eat in a restaurant with you.」Lavia said.

nCome to think of it, every meal we had I bought from food stands. He was worried about nutritional balance at first, but there were surprisingly many kinds of food stands – from seafood to meat, vegetables to fruits. It didn’t feel like the food they had were lacking in nutrition, but eating in a proper diner would be great for the mind and spirit as well.

n「Impressive.」

n「What?」

nHikaru was watching Lavia eat the cold appetizer. Her back was straight and the way she handled the knife and fork was a thing of beauty.

n「I haven’t learned any etiquette at all. I only have the knowledge.」

nRoland’s knowledge, to be specific. But that was all it was – knowledge; not actually ingrained in his body.

n「…I don’t look like an actual adventurer, do I?」

n「Kinda.」

n「Should I tone it down a bit?」

n「No, just stay like that.」

nIt’s fine to have an adventurer whose every little gesture was lovely. Hikaru thought the way she ate was quite pleasant.

n「I’ll give it a try as well.」he said.

n「You have the knowledge, so I’m sure it’ll take no time at all for you to learn.」

n「I don’t think it’s something you can learn quickly, though.」

nThey had dinner while talking. Their topic was different than usual, perhaps because the mood changes when in a different place. They mostly talked about fun stuff – Lavia’s favourite food, favorite fruits, and even the adventure novels she read.

n「Welcome. Oh, long time no see.」

nUnfortunately their fun conversation had come to an end. Hikaru cast a glance at the entrance where the voice of the manager was coming from and groaned.

n「Good evening, Hikaru-san.」

nGloria was there.

n「Hikaru-sama!」

n「Uh… Good evening.」

n「Here we are again.」

nPaula, Pia, and Priscilla were with her too.

n「What are you up to?」

nTwo more seats were added to their table. Beside Hikaru was Gloria and then Priscilla, and beside Lavia was Paula and then Pia.

n「They said you saved their lives, so I brought them here so they could thank you.」Gloria said, wearing her usual smile.

n「For heaven’s sake…」Hikaru said in a surprisingly cold tone.「I told you not to tell others, didn’t I?」

nThe moment he realized that they told Gloria, he couldn’t contain himself. Abruptly, the atmosphere seemed to freeze.

n「We’re sorry!」Paula exclaimed, bowing deeply with both hands on the table.「Pia told Gloria while I went to the bathroom.」

n「I-I’m sorry! But there’s no way us three can take down a Forest Barbarian. I couldn’t really find a way out when asked about it. Besides, I thought guild staff would keep it secret.」

n「She’s right. I won’t tell anyone. But why do you want it secret? You’re strong enough to save others. I didn’t think you were strong enough to take down a Forest Barbarian, though. It’s not a bad thing so I don’t get why you need to keep it secret.」

n「Exactly!」Pia agreed.

nHikaru glared at Pia, causing her to pull Priscilla so she could hide herself.

n「I don’t think you’re fit to be an adventurer. You should just quit.」Hikaru said.

n「Wh-Why…」

n「There might be quests where you have to keep certain things confidential. Just because someone’s staff doesn’t necessarily mean you can tell them either. Did you think it was okay to tell her because in my case, it wasn’t a bad thing? Or perhaps because I’m just a kid so it should be fine?」

n「Th-That wasn’t… my intention.」

n「Hikaru-sama, we’re really sorry about this! I’ll give her a good talking-to as well.」Paula intervened.

n「Sorry, Hikaru. It was a stupid thing to do.」Priscilla added.

nPia was as pale as a sheet, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes. But Hikaru couldn’t let the matter slide. He believed those who told a secret once would do it again and again. If that happened, he wouldn’t be the only one at risk, but Lavia as well. Lavia wore her cap low over her eyes, sipping her cup of tea.

n「Hikaru-san.」Gloria said, still with that smile on her face. She was one of the people he really didn’t want having info on him.「She’s really sorry about what she did. Can you just forgive her? Besides, you’re planning to raise your rank as an adventurer anyway, right? In that case, other adventurers will find out about your abilities, whether you like it or not. They would, no doubt, wonder how a Civilian could complete requests, though.」

nI knew it. She’s trying to fish for information.

nHikaru heaved a sigh deep in his mind.

nGloria’s probably thinking I have some sort of unique job class and that I killed the Forest Barbarian with using its blessing.

n「These girls are quite something. After assessing the value of the materials they brought, they said they were going to give all the money to you.」

n「I don’t need the money. It’s just loose change to me.」

n「…Really?」

n「If I didn’t have a lot of money, I wouldn’t be able to buy a weapon powerful enough to kill a Forest Barbarian.」

n「………」

nFor just a moment, Gloria’s eyes narrowed. Hikaru lied, of course. He wanted her to think that it wasn’t his job class that helped him kill the monster, but a high-grade weapon. Technically it was the Soul Board’s power, not his job class. Though that’s one thing he never wanted anyone to know about.

n「I’m sure you girls are not satisfied, so how about this? You will pay for my food here tonight.」

n「W-We’d be glad to!」

nPia immediately obliged.

n「After this, I don’t want any further trouble. I would feel awful if you kept apologizing and thanking me over and over again.」

n「Y-You got it! Manager, menu please!」

nThe tense atmosphere turned lax. Pia thought she’d be forgiven after this. Priscilla was relieved. Paula, on the other hand…

n「………」

n…was trying her best to look cheerful though still feeling a bit uneasy. Hikaru didn’t want to say any more, however. He could’ve given them the cold shoulder and left, but he didn’t want to sow unnecessary discord. There was also the guilt from the off-chance that the Forest Barbarian was actually the partner of the one he killed before, so he contained his anger. He thought it’d be best if this was the last time he ever got involved in their mess.

nDinner went on. Pia, who was particularly cheerful, brought up a subject, and Paula joined. Priscilla looked the same as always. Gloria was good at controlling the flow of the conversation. The only topic they could all talk about was about adventuring and Gloria had extensive knowledge about the subject.

nHikaru and Lavia joined the conversation from time to time, but they were neither too engaged nor distant. The food was great so if they ran out of things to talk about, they could talk about the dishes instead. They didn’t have too much trouble at all in that regard.

n「That reminds me…」

nGloria clapped her hands softly.

n「Some C-ranked adventurers were in town the other day.」

n「C?! Wow!」

n「Incredible, isn’t it? Sadly there’s no rank C adventurers in Pond.」

n「What kind of people were they?」Pia asked enthusiastically.

nGloria answered her question. There were three of them, they took a request to escort a certain noble’s daughter, and they failed.

n「The girl vanished into thin air? Was she some sort of a mage, then?」

n「Teleportation magic is being studied at the moment, but there hadn’t been a successful attempt. What do you think, Hikaru-san?」

n「About what?」

n「About the girl.」

n「That’s easy.」

nThe girls looked at him with great interest. Gloria’s eyes lit up. Lavia was staring at him as well. You’re staring too much, Lavia. Just act normal, Hikaru thought.

n「The adventurers kidnapped her. They probably took a different request from some other noble.」

n「But their modus is too sloppy. Apparently they went straight to the royal capital to report that the girl “just vanished into thin air”.」

n「Maybe that was their plan along. They’re rank C adventurers. No one would think that they would admit to making such an immature mistake. 」

n「I see…」

n「The truth is usually simple.」

n「Then what do you think about the knight that got attacked?」

nGloria told them about East getting ambushed. It happened on the same day and not far from where the girl disappeared. Paula was shocked.

n「A bandit defeated a knight in a one-on-one? He must be really strong.」

n「Yes.」Gloria nodded in agreement.

n「How strong are knights anyway?」Hikaru asked.

n「My, do you want to fight a knight, Hikaru-san?」

n「No, I’m just genuinely curious if they’re stronger than adventurers.」

n「Let’s see… Knights in training are as skilled as rank E adventurers. At least, in terms of combat strength. When it comes to teamwork with multiple people and clearing dungeons, adventurers are superior.」

n「So if trainees are equivalent to rank E adventurers, does that mean the ordinary knight are the same as D ranks?」

n「That is correct. Then again, not all adventurers are skilled and that goes the same for knights.」

n「Hmm…」

nHikaru was deep in thought. If we go by Weapon Mastery, knight trainees and E-ranked adventurers would have 1 or 2 points. Ordinary knights and D-ranked adventurers would have three points.

n「So is their captain the strongest one?」

n「They’re called Master Fencer or Master Swordsman, so yes they’re incredibly strong. I heard that they can defeat rank B or A adventurers in mock battles. Under the captain, there’s the commanding officers, then the ordinary knights, and then the trainees.」

nCommanding officers and rank C adventurers would have four points – as was the case for Nogusa. I guess the captain would then have five points which would be equivalent to a rank B adventurer. Unken had six points in his Short Sword…

n「How strong is Unken-san?」Hikaru asked.

n「Unken-san? Is he strong?」

n「It’s fine if you don’t know.」

n「Come on, Hikaru-san! Please tell me!」Gloria said, grabbing his arm and pressing her breasts on him.

nThose are some nice, firm pair of jugs… Hikaru tried his best to appear calm. He felt a chill coming from across him, but he couldn’t bring himself to look.

nI’m not cheating! I swear! Calm down, Lavia!)

nHis prayers were answered, and the chill subsided.

n「W-Well… The way he carries himself is unusual. Plus he’s the guildmaster, right? If we assume he was an adventurer who became a guild staff for some reason, then promoted to a guildmaster, it makes sense that he’s powerful.」

n「Wow… I never knew Unken-san was strong.」

nHer face says she really wasn’t aware.

n「Oh, and get this! East-sama said it was a kid that beat him.」

nEveryone went silent. As soon as Pia, Paula, and Priscilla heard it was a kid that beat the knight, only one person came to their minds.

n「There’s a kid that strong around, huh? I’d like to meet him.」Hikaru managed to say without batting an eye. He had already expected something like this.

n「Do you have an idea who it might be, Hikaru-san?」

n「Nope. A kid that strong would draw attention, wouldn’t they?」

n「Yes, a lot of attention.」

n「Yet guild staff has no idea who it could be. I think that means he really is a bandit, or perhaps just a short person.」

n「I suppose… Unken-san said that’s most likely the case.」

n「Any particular races that are relatively short?」

n「There’s the Hobbits and Man Gnomes, but their numbers are few.」

n「I see. In any case, with bandits around, we have to be careful out on the road.」

n「I agree… I feel sorry for the knight, though.」

nFeel sorry? That’s a strange thing to say. He lost so that simply means he has a lot to learn.

n「Is there something more to the story? Besides the fact that a kid beat him.」

n「Yes. The kid spared him. He said he won’t take his life. He probably didn’t know anything about knights.」

n「What do you mean? Please explain. I’m not the only one who knows nothing about them. These girls don’t know anything either.」

nThey all nodded.

n「Losing to a thief is a disgrace to a knight. It’s the death penalty for him.」

n「What?」

n「The kid spared his life, but he’s still going to die. Isn’t that just sad?」

nFor a while, Hikaru couldn’t say a word.

nThe subject changed after that, and the girls went back to talking about random things. Soon they finished eating. As promised, Pia paid for the food.

n「See you around.」Hikaru said.

n「Thank you.」

nHikaru and Lavia bowed. They all parted ways in front of the restaurant; the three girls heading in one direction and Gloria in another.

nAfter walking down the road a bit and turning a corner, Hikaru grabbed Lavia’s hand and activated Group Obfuscation.

n「Hikaru?」

n「We’re gonna follow Gloria.」

n「Does she suspect you?」

n「So you noticed, huh. She could be considering the possibility that the kid was me, or she just wants to use it as an excuse to find out about my secrets. Either way, she’s a nuisance.」

n「Why are we following her?」

n「I want to know who she’s working for behind the scenes. After gathering intel she should send the information immediately to someone, or perhaps write a report.」

n「Maybe they have a schedule on when to get in touch.」

n「Still she should write some kind of a note. If she does nothing, then that means she’s investigating me out of her own interest.」

n「That’s just creepy.」

nI’m probably more creepy with the Stealth skill, though.

nGloria had a bit to drink, but she walked steadily. Actually, her steps were a bit light. She seemed to be in high spirits. Ten minutes of walking from Pasta Magic and she arrived at a three-story apartment complex that had only one common entrance with stairs inside to get to each room. There were only windows on the side facing the main street and no place to hang the laundry. There are probably balconies at the back.

nHumming a tune, Gloria opened the entrance and closed the door behind her. Hikaru couldn’t find an opportunity to sneak in. She quickly locked it as well and climbed up the stairs.

nHikaru pressed his ears on the door. The sound of her footsteps lasted long. The third floor.

n「Let’s head to the back.」

nAt the back of the building was an open space where a huge tree grew, and a well with a bench installed around it for idle chatting. There was a common furnace too. The place was made so the neighbors could relax as well. It was completely quiet come nine in the evening, though.

n「Over there.」

nAs expected, there were balconies at the back. A magic lamp emitted a faint light in a room on the third floor. The shutters weren’t lowered; only curtains hung on the glass sliding door.

n「Stay here.」

n「Where are you going?」

n「I’m climbing up.」

nHikaru ran up to the building, directly under the room with the lights on, then jumped to the second floor. His fingers managed to latch on and pull himself up thanks to the one point he put on Power Burst and Strength, respectively. Next he jumped from the railing on a second-floor balcony to the third floor.

nHikaru was breathing heavily. He somehow made it up, but without any points in Stamina, he was out of breath. His Soul Rank went up this afternoon so he had one point available. He wanted to put it on Natural Recovery or Stamina, but he resisted the urge. It could come in handy later on, and Hikaru also wanted to use the points for his ideal skillset.

nEven with ragged breath, no one should notice him with his Stealth and Stealth God: Darkness Wanderer on. Crouching down on the balcony, he took a peek inside.

n「What the?!」

nHikaru couldn’t believe his eyes. The scene unfolding before him was something he didn’t expect. Gloria wasn’t writing down a secret message to someone, nor was anyone in the room waiting for her report.

nNo one else was in the room besides Gloria. And she was naked.

nHer bare ample bosoms, slender waist, and curvy hips were in full view. A couch prevented him from seeing anything from the navel below. He could catch a glimpse if he stood up, but before he could, she strode to the next room. Her breasts jiggled and her long hair swayed with every step. Slowly her shapely buns moved farther and farther from sight. Hikaru heard a thud – most likely from her crashing onto the bed.

n「……..」

nI saw… What do I do now…

nHikaru had no idea that Gloria slept naked. His heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest. Calm down! Just calm down! He couldn’t keep cool from the shock.

nIt was most likely then, that Gloria was asking him questions, probing him, out of her own interest. In that case, Hikaru watched her naked for nothing. He felt awfully guilty.

nMaybe I should check if there’s some kind of a note or letter…

nThe place was locked from the inside. If he somehow got inside, he’d see Gloria’s full naked body.

nTime to go back. I have other matters to attend to.

nHe was out of options. If he broke the windows, it would become apparent that someone snuck in. He didn’t have Skills to unlock the front door either.

nEven if I excelled in Stealth, if I can’t even open locks, I don’t think I can bring out the full potential of my abilities… I should think of something…

n「Hikaru.」

nLavia ran over to him as soon as he got down.

n「What did you find?」

n「Gloria went to bed right away. For now, she’s only doing things out of her own interest…」

n「That’s it?」

n「Hmm? What do you mean?」

n「It’s fine if that’s all.」

nHikaru panicked for a moment. He thought he didn’t need to tell her anything unnecessary so he kept quiet about what he saw. Still he felt guilty.

n「Let’s go back to the hotel.」Lavia said.

n「Okay, but you can go to bed before me. I’ll see you to our room.」

n「What…? Why?」

nHikaru took a breath.

n「I’m curious about this whole death penalty thing. I want to see how East is doing.」

n