episode_0043

*****

The Adventurer’s Guild Turkan Branch has a history of nearly 300 years. Therefore, there are clearly written regulations for important parts of guild operation, but on the contrary, detailed parts are often handled by implicit rules called ‘tradition’.

The adventurer’s guild’s accommodation classification was also one of those unspoken rules. Men stay in the east wing, women stay in the west wing. Therefore, mixed parties usually met in the central lobby of the hotel.

The reason Spitz moved to the lobby was to join the party members. For a moment, I twitched my fox ears in excitement at the sight of the lovely boy who came one step ahead. She immediately noticed that the mood of the party members had calmed down.

“Good morning~. But, why is everyone’s expression like that? What’s going on?”

“Ah… Wow, you’re Spitz. No, I’m just a little tired. I had trouble sleeping.”

“Hmm. There was a bit of a problem in Dongguan last night. Of course, it is not a problem that will interfere with the battle.”

Ranian and Paul both answered Spitz’s question as if it was no big deal. However, unlike Paul, who was always blunt, Ranian’s expression showed embarrassment and a little shame.

If nothing else, Ranian’s shyness was something that bothered Spitz as well. Knock, knock. The fox ears moved slightly toward the direction where the other men were gathered.

‘… Turn it off. Also, they must have brought a prostitute from somewhere.’

‘But last night was really no joke. Why would you rather die while crying? ‘Isn’t she embarrassed?’

‘Isn’t it nature to think the opposite way? It’s a nuisance here. Just take a break today and go to a bar──’

Tuk. Spitz, who understood the situation, immediately covered his ears. Men are not immune, but they are not immune to hearing dirty talk.

“… I roughly understood it. Looks like it’s him again. What on earth is the guild doing?”

“Ahaha… . There may be various circumstances there as well. Probably.”

“Where is that? I’m just observing. No matter how connected you are to the nobility, isn’t this a bit harsh in a public place?”

Women are not allowed in the east building. As if ridiculing such an unwritten rule, Schneizer invited women into his lodgings several times. It was already the third time Spitz had figured it out, and he didn’t know how many it would be if he added up the ones he missed.

The fact that he always brought in different women and did it to him is an object of disgust, and he even made the boy he likes hear about other women’s struggles. Spitz couldn’t come out with anything good.

“The same goes for women. You know you shouldn’t come to places like this, right? It’s hard to believe that she’s a real woman──”

“Spitz.”

Paul stopped Spitz, who was about to complain. I wasn’t saying in principle that gossiping behind someone else’s back is not good. This is because Schneizer was coming out of the room closest to the lobby in the east wing.

Breathe. Spitz unconsciously covered his mouth with both hands, but the distance was such that he couldn’t have been heard unless he was a prisoner in the first place. Without even paying attention to the Lanian party, Schneizer sat down at the table right next to him.

“──So, I told you several times to refrain from bringing women here. Are you listening, Mr. Schneizer!?”

“Uh, yes. I’m listening.”

“Why didn’t you use the noise blocking magic tool? Because of the complaints, the guild leader even spent his own money to make it!”

“Uh, yes. I forgot.”

One of the guild employees who came right up complained about this and that, but Schneizer half-ignored it and answered half-heartedly. The impression of those around him worsened as he did not even reflect on his actions. Of course, it was already at the bottom.

At the same time, there were people who had doubts. It is difficult to sit in the lodging lobby unless you are part of a mixed party. There are plenty of other good places to rest here. Usually, they leave right away.

The fact that Schneizer was sitting there even while the guild staff was nagging him meant that he was waiting for someone. There were quite a few people who were curious as to what kind of woman became the partner of that scoundrel.

“… Let’s go.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Sure.”

However, Ranian was not included in that case. The other two people nodded to Ranian’s suggestion with a firm expression. It was a known fact that Ranian hated Schneizer, who was flirting with Geomhee.

But just before the three got up from their seats. A small girl ran into the lobby.

“Hey, if you leave me like that, what are you asking me to do!”

“You can just leave it alone. Because there is someone to clean up the inside separately.”

“Then tell me about that first! … Doing it, doing it… .”

The red-haired girl—TS approached Schweitzer with great vigor. He seemed to be angry about something, with his double wick raised high.

However, when I realized that the atmosphere in the lobby was strange, I felt a little discouraged. It’s only natural that everyone around them is looking at them with shocked eyes.

“Uh, what is it? What have I done? Why is everyone… .”

Sigh. Sigh. With the dumbfounded expression typical of someone who doesn’t understand the situation, TS looked around blankly at the people looking at him.

***

The morning started with a deep sigh. After getting out of bed, the first thing I did was put on my clothes. To chase after Schweitzer, and to get out of this room.

In particular, the bed was very bad. My body was clean, as if the tentacles had taken care of it, but the terrible traces of last night remained on the bed.

I hurriedly changed my clothes and went out of the room, keeping them out of my sight as much as possible.

“What, here. lodging… ?”

I thought it was Schweitzer’s private home or something. As I opened the door and came out, what caught my eye was the hallway of the guild dormitory that I had been in charge of not long ago. The only difference is that it is the east building.

This guy was also staying in a place like this. That was the only emotion I felt at this time.

What was more important was the fact that Schweitzer was visible in the lobby. You left someone in that bed and got out by yourself. I felt like my stomach would be relieved only if I cleared up my complaints.

… The result is the current situation.

“Uh, what is it? What have I done? Why is everyone… .”

The lobby was quite noisy, but as soon as I came out, it became completely quiet and everyone looked at me. The feeling of having done something is a joke. I don’t know what I did.

Schweitzer… , won’t help. At that moment, Ranian was next to me and I was about to ask him with his eyes what was going on. Ranian approached me one step ahead. With a very desperate look.

“Mr. TS. J-Where are you coming from now?”

“Huh? Where are you? .”

It would have been easy to just point to the door in the back, but for some reason it didn’t seem like that was being asked. So what should I answer? hmm. … Schweitzer’s room? But what does that mean──

──Ah.

“Wait a minute. no. Oh my! Could you please stop thinking strange things!?”

“Yeah, right? I’m sorry, I’m so embarrassed… .”

A woman coming out of a man’s room early in the morning. If you look at it from the side, it’s exactly that. Right after it was done. I should have moved a little more carefully when I realized it was a dorm… !

No, that is just a result theory. There’s no way I would know things like ‘what to pay attention to when sleeping in a man’s room for one night’. Since I had no awareness of having to be careful about this in the first place, it would have been the same no matter how careful I was.

Rather, the most urgent priority is to resolve misunderstandings. … Although it is true that I did it. I don’t want to be thought of as having that kind of relationship with that guy. Especially when I think about it after the situation has been resolved.

“But then how did you come out of that room? Sister, you hated that person so much. Isn’t it?”

“Of course. There’s no way you could like a guy like that. I just… , I have some business to do for a moment──”

‘Sister, here, here.’

Anyway, since I showed everyone what I came out of there, I needed to come up with a reason for entering the room. If you just say it’s a misunderstanding, no one will believe you.

However, in an urgent situation, I was somehow trying to come up with an excuse. Spitz tried to tell me something by moving his mouth. While poking a strand of hair with one ear.

At first, I wondered what this place was like. It was only when I put my hand on my head that I realized that my hair was sticking out a lot. This is something I didn’t notice at all because I was in such a hurry.

Anyone can see that it looks like it just woke up. I can’t believe I almost said, ‘I stopped by to take care of something for a moment.’ Just imagining it makes me feel like I’m breaking into a cold sweat.

“──I stopped by last night and the conversation got longer. I’m indebted to you for a moment.”

“Yes… ? Then last night, in that person’s room… ?”

“That… , that’s right! Because I only talked about the request. Nothing really strange happened!”

Thanks to Spitz, the worst mistake was avoided, but Ranian’s reaction was strange. He was half-fazed, his eyes shaking so much as if an earthquake had occurred.

… Did I say something strange? It may certainly be a little less persuasive, but I don’t think it’s enough to elicit this kind of reaction.

“Ho, is there anyone else in that room besides TS──”

“A silver rank request must have been a very big deal, sister! Were there any other adventurers?”

“Not really. But look, even if that guy attacks me, he will never be able to beat me one-on-one. Rather, it’s safer that way──Ranian!?”

“Ah… , sorry. My foot slipped for a moment.”

While I was appealing that nothing really happened. I was startled when Ranian suddenly fell down.

Although he got up again quickly, Ranian’s condition looked serious. Her ears are covered as if she is tired, and if you look closely, her fingertips are also trembling. The complexion is bluish without any trace of blood.

In particular, the most serious thing was the eyes. Instead of the shaking stopping, Ranian’s eyes showed no life at all, as if his soul had escaped. So much so that the undead look healthier.

“It’s okay, I was just a little dizzy… .”

“No, there’s no way you’ll be okay in that situation! Eat this, you’ll feel better. Take care of your body too.”

The kid looked so sick that I unconsciously took out a stamina potion and gave it to him, but I was shocked. You just received help from Spitz and then you do something like this again.

But for some reason, unlike usual, Spitz was just smiling. Not a smile that feels pressured, but a smile that seems blissfully happy.

“Are we finished talking? Then let’s go quickly. Because we have some things we need to discuss.”

“Just wait a moment. Not yet──hee!?♡”

I was going to take a closer look at Ranian’s condition. Schweitzer approached from behind and suddenly grabbed his chest. I wondered why he was being so quiet, but it seems he eventually got tired of waiting.

“ugh… ♡ People misunderstand you when you play pranks like this!”

“What do you think? If you don’t believe it anyway, you won’t believe it no matter what you say. Let’s ignore it and talk more about ‘requests’.”

“What a fool… ♡”

In the meantime, Schweitzer was usinglessly and accurately touching pleasant spots. Because it was an unexpected surprise attack, the time it took to shake off my hand was slightly longer than usual.

“Sorry, Ranian. I’m in pain, but I made this weird misunderstanding for no reason. I’ll go first.”

“No, it’s okay. … really. It’s okay now.”

“Do I have to go to the doctor? Got it?”

“Yes… .”

No matter how I looked at Ranian nodding blankly with dead eyes, he didn’t look good. Even though I am like that, I can’t say anything about it. Even as friends, there are lines that should not be crossed.

I bowed my head slightly to Spitz, who was waving as if asking me to leave this to him, and I left the guild quarters with Schweitzer.

*****