episode_0028

The attackers did not show up until they went down the mountain. Those bugs never appeared again.

“Hmm.”

If we do nothing when we are most vulnerable to attack, is it not someone’s fault, but just unlucky?

The bites might have been caused by insects introduced from another area or by someone carelessly releasing them. There is a possibility that bugs were not the cause in the first place.

The idea that it was most likely an intentional maneuver has not changed. It would have been better if everyone was asleep or horny, but dividing them into half groups was too artificial.

But what… Whatever the reason, I’m glad that everyone is safe. Although there was a slight accident, I took comfort in the fact that I was able to return safely.

When I came down from the mountain, the carriage was just about to leave, so I was able to get on it right away.

He handed over the robber’s room to Quien’s Adventurer’s Guild and received a reward. It turned out that they were bitches with criminal records, so the guild took good care of them.

“You take my share.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“… … .”

Catherine gave up her share, so she accepted it quickly. Katrin looked a little nervous for some reason, but she soon smiled and shook her head.

Remuneration was also given to Lena and Sena, who refused.

After roughly finishing our work, Catherine and I parted ways with the sisters.

“You didn’t forget what I told you, right? Pride and carelessness are always prohibited. It’s the most dangerous when you think you’re used to it.”

“I will never forget the things Catherine taught me. I was really thankful today! I will definitely repay this favor someday.”

“… I was grateful in many ways. We will try our best to become people who can repay your kindness.”

I could feel the fresh sincerity in Lena and Sena’s words, and I smiled without realizing it. Although they were clumsy, they were good sisters. There is no law that says new adventurers are necessarily pure and kind, but these two were not one of them.

I felt like I wanted to survive to the end without being infected by anything bad. There are already enough cruel and cunning people in the world.

“I hope to see you again later.”

We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways.

“What are you going to do now?”

“I’m going to go in and rest. What about your sister?”

“What am I… I should go back and have a drink.”

“Alcohol again?”

“Tto. If anyone hears it, they will think that I drink it every day.”

“… Would you please move your hands away?”

Catherine subtly placed her hand on my butt. It was itchy to be gently stroked. Even if there aren’t many people passing by, why would you do such a bold thing when you don’t know who will see?

“I don’t like it.”

The hand that was only gently touching suddenly grabbed my buttocks.

“… Tsk.”

Katrin looked at my face and giggled. Honestly, I wanted to hit him.

“You too are a man.”

“Oh, shut up and put your hands down.”

I tried to speak strongly in my own way, but it didn’t have any effect on Catherine. Instead, he raised the corners of his mouth as if he thought it was cute. Her attitude felt like she was saying that we were not equal.

“If you don’t get off, I’ll really hit you.”

“Okay, okay.”

Catherine spoke as if soothing a sulky child, patted the buttocks a few times and took her hand away. It seemed like she had picked up a bad habit.

“If you touch a man’s body carelessly, you will be caught.”

As I said that, Catherine suddenly turned her face towards me. They were so close that they could feel each other’s breath.

I couldn’t even pull my body back and became frozen like a statue. Catherine smiled and whispered in my ear.

“So are you going to report me?”

The soft low-pitched voice gave me goosebumps. The unexpected power of ASMR was amazing.

“Ah… No, that’s not it… .”

For some reason, the words didn’t come out properly. On the subject of Catherine, on the subject of an older yet immature married woman… .

Catherine’s face moved away. The hand that was groping my butt went up to my head.

Pat pat.

“Cute, so cute.”

When I first met him today, he seemed like an unsophisticated person, but why does he suddenly seem more mature? I only mixed my body once.

Catherine exuded something of the so-called composure of an older woman. To be honest, I thought it was a bit negative, but… I couldn’t deny that it suited him quite well.

I feel like I’m finally acting more like I look.

“This is what it looks like, but it has a surprisingly cute side.”

Wow-

“Ugh-!”

“You earn a lot of money.”

“My forehead!”

Catherine was, after all, Catherine. After all, there is no way people can change that easily.

“What did I do wrong? .”

I ignored Catherine, who was rubbing her forehead and making fun of herself. Just looking at it, it was like this at home.

“A bowl that leaks on the inside can also leak on the outside… .”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“It’s no big deal.”

We walked together, making small talk.

“I heard that merchants from the East recently brought unusual alcohol. Let’s drink together sometime.”

“Oh, but there’s nothing else besides alcohol?”

“Um… Well.”

“Tsk.”

“… What is that attitude?”

“Tsk tsk.”

“Huh? It comes out like this, right?”

Thump.

“Oh, I told you not to grab my butt.”

Tribute.

“Oh really.”

Katrin smiled and massaged my ass like a real pervert.

Just looking at his facial expression makes me feel guilty. She wasn’t some kind of erotic woman, and the way she was grinning was disgusting.

“If you don’t want to become Catherine, the one-armed adventurer, put your hands away.”

“Your brother speaks harshly.”

I felt the hand that was massaging my butt fall. It should have been like this a long time ago. Anyway, I am not mature enough.

“No, but.”

“Huh? Why?”

I stopped and turned to Catherine.

“How long are you going to follow me?”

My destination was an inn, but there was no reason for Catherine to continue following me.

Catherine said casually.

“I was going to have a drink at the inn where you were… is a joke. There’s no need to look at me like that. I just had somewhere to stop by.”

“It’s true, right? I heard you were going in after drinking.”

“That’s just what I said. What do you think of me? I’m a busy person too.”

Well, Katrin was a fairly skilled adventurer, and looking like a cool girl wasn’t everything about her.

“I know you’re busy drinking.”

“… … .”

Catherine avoided my gaze without saying a word.

… This human?

“Oh.”

Tingling.

She grumbled, as if she didn’t like the way her eyes looked at something pitiful.

“Why are you trying to buy me a bottle of the Oriental liquor I mentioned earlier?”

I’ll be honest a long time ago.

“Isn’t that expensive? Just looking at it, it seemed like there wouldn’t be a lot of it.”

“There is a way to save them all.”

Although I was confident in speaking, I somehow felt uneasy.

“What… Don’t get scammed.”

As the saying goes, all people’s lives are the same, and there were all kinds of counterfeit products in this world.

It felt like I was trying to buy it from someone who resells it, but it would be better if it was really resold, but it could have been a scammer selling fake alcohol.

Catherine said as if she knew what I was worried about.

“It’s not like that, so don’t worry.”

Tsk tsk. It takes a big hit like that to come to your senses.

“I’ll try one and if it’s okay, let’s drink together.”

“Well, that’s right.”

We walked together a little longer and then split up.

“Today was good. See you later.”

“What is good? … Go home early.”

Catherine left to get the alcohol I mentioned earlier, and I headed straight to the inn.

I refreshed my sweaty body and went into my room.

I was shocked when I changed into comfortable clothes and lay down on the bed. After all, home is the best.

As I lay on the only drug allowed by the empire and looked at the ceiling, I thought of Karen. It was a thought I had tried my best to avoid, but now I had to face it.

“Karen… .”

Just calling her name felt like I was committing a sin. I don’t know if I dare call Karen by her name, or if I have the right to do so.

“Phew… .”

Maybe it would be better to break up. Karen was a woman worthy of meeting a better man than a man like me.

First of all, I don’t plan on having any more relationships with Catherine… .

I didn’t know what kind of face I would have to face Karen.

“… I guess we should break up.”

I don’t think I have the right to be around her since I’ve already committed infidelity.

but.

but.

“… … .”

I didn’t want to break up with Karen. I thought I would let her go because I loved her, but at the same time, I didn’t want to let her go because of that love.

I know he’s a trash man, but this wasn’t how I wanted to feel. I would feel more at ease if my mind leaned towards one side.

“Starting now. From now on, I really won’t date any women other than Karen. All you have to do is not betray Karen anymore… .”

No matter how hard I tried to say this, it was difficult to make a decision. I couldn’t possibly choose. My mind wandered uncertainly between the two options.

“Ha… .”

Growling.

Unaware of the owner’s deep distress, his stomach was crying out for food.

“… Should I eat something?”

Since it wasn’t a matter that needed to be decided right away anyway, it didn’t seem like a bad idea to appease the hunger first.

After you fill your stomach, you may come up with thoughts that will help you solve your problems.

I had a quick meal on the first floor of the inn and returned to my room. Although hunger was solved, there was no clue to solving more important problems.

Tangled threads were still tangled and rolling around in my head.

The worries continued until nightfall.

***

Early morning.

The weather was sunny, but my mind was cloudy. I fell asleep unable to decide what to do with my relationship with Karen.

“Haaa… .”

Either way, a decision had to be made as soon as possible.

It would have been wrong for her to meet Karen without having made up her mind.

I’ve already done something bad… I didn’t want to deceive Karen anymore.

I ran my hand through my hair. Actually, I knew it. This worry will not end easily.

Perhaps I will continue to meet Karen, date her, and make love. But deep inside, I will continue to be conflicted and agonized over whether this is really for Karen.

“Let’s eat first… .”

If it’s a problem that won’t end, it’s better to do what needs to be done now.

… In the end, it may just be avoidance.

I got up from the bed.

“Huh?”

I didn’t realize it when I was lying down, but there was an envelope stuck under the door.

“Did you send it to me?”

I picked up the envelope, took out the letter inside, and read it.

“… … !”

It was written like this:

I know what you did yesterday.