episode_0047

After listening to endless nonsense from the fortune-telling witch, the schedule that followed was mostly uneventful.

While it had its fair share of amusement, the lack of a profound connection was due to…

Perhaps because having lunch with that guy and visiting the fortune-telling witch left such a strong impact.

Nevertheless, I had a more enjoyable time with him than I had anticipated, and before I knew it, evening had arrived.

As I noticed people suddenly flocking to the bustling street, I grabbed any passerby and threw a question at them.

“Hey, I have something to ask.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Why are people gathering here all of a sudden? Is something happening?”

“Oh, are you from out of town? You might not know then. Today is the day when the monthly night market opens, just once a month. Came here to have a good time with your lover, huh?”

The bearded passerby chuckled heartily, then pointed towards the lively street looking brighter than during the day.

“There might be dishes you’d rarely get to taste in your lifetime, so enjoy yourself. Oh? Is it this late already? I’m busy, gotta go! Well then!”

“Thanks, have a great time.”

Watching the hurried departure of the passerby as if being chased by something, I turned my gaze towards that guy.

“Shall we go eat soon too?”

“Sure, I’m hungry, so it works out well.”

“There must be plenty of delicious food, right? Just heard there are some quite rare dishes around.”

“Well, don’t get your hopes up too much. It might not be as exciting as you think.”

“Hmm…”

Whether what that guy said was true or not, after exploring the entire night market, there weren’t many appetizing foods compared to what I had expected.

Of course, the passerby’s words were indeed true.

Like the giant scorpion front leg roast.

Or the big cockroach skewers.

Or the grand spider stew…

There were dishes that I had never tasted in my life, or rather, didn’t even want to taste once, so I couldn’t blame the passerby.

Still, feeling quite disappointed compared to my expectations, I felt quite regretful.

No, how can the only options be vegetable tempura and grilled chicken legs?

Shouldn’t a night market offer a wide variety of food to be considered normal?

‘What should I eat?’ isn’t the question; shouldn’t it be ‘which one would be more delicious?’

This… This isn’t a night market!

Grumble.

As I nibbled on the chicken leg with a bitter smile, that guy quietly approached me and comforted me.

“Listen… You get betrayed because you have expectations in the first place.”

“…Are you calling that comforting?”

“I told you, right? Not to expect too much. I said it because I thought it would turn out like this.”

“Annoying.”

Bluntly saying, I tossed the remaining chicken leg bones into a nearby trash bin.

Then, roughly dusting off my clothes, I stood up from my seat.

“It’s getting late, shall we head back to our lodging now?”

“There’s nothing more to do anyway. Alright, let’s go back.”

Although he seemed slightly disappointed, he nodded and tidied up what we had eaten without lingering over it.

And then, we started slowly making our way back to the lodging together.

On the way back to the lodging.

Once we left the bustling street, the commotion quickly faded away, leading to an uncomfortable silence that awkwardly enveloped that guy and me.

…What should I say?

‘Date’ felt a bit awkward, but still, it was enjoyable to hang out with a ‘friend’ after a long time.

It would be right to say it was fun, wouldn’t it?

While observing that guy who was still silent, I slowly opened my mouth, but fate played a trick as my timing overlapped with his.

“Um…”

“That…”

Another round of awkward atmosphere.

However, as he yielded the floor to me, the awkwardness swiftly dissipated.

Fortunately or unfortunately, I’m not sure, but that’s how it is.

Anyway, seizing the opportunity to speak, I said to the guy with a hesitant voice.

“Oh, today, right? It was… fun, but I don’t want to do it again, you know.”

“Sigh… It’s fun, so isn’t it strange that you don’t want to do it again?”

“Playing as friends is what makes it fun! It’s not about playing with a guy or girl in a romantic way!”

“I don’t know what you mean by ‘playing with a guy or girl,’ but whatever it is, I’m glad if you had fun. I was quite worried about what would happen if you didn’t enjoy it.”

Casually chuckling, Cal let out a deep sigh.

“After going through today, I can see clearly now. Starting as lovers with you seems like it would be difficult.”

“…You don’t have any intention of becoming lovers?”

“Yeah, with you reacting so vehemently, what can I do? So, I changed my mind.”

He stopped walking and continued in a calm voice.

“Let’s start as comrades for now. Honestly, calling us comrades feels a bit ambiguous, isn’t it?”

“…”

Quietly nodding at Cal’s words, I agreed.

His and my relationship was more like, ‘Well, we can’t help it, this time it’s just a temporary alliance!’

Chased by a common enemy called ‘Elves,’ we ended up battling followers of evil in the western part of the continent.

With nowhere else to go, we eventually traveled together to the north… It’s a relationship a bit distant to call each other closer and comrades rather than outsiders, isn’t it?

Considering the proposal to become comrades for a moment, I nodded my head.

Although it seemed odd not to become comrades after facing life and death together.

Not liking the pressuring gaze urging for an answer, I rejected his proposal with an authoritative tone.

“Try asking a bit more earnestly. Maybe then I’ll listen?”

“…”

Having his proposal rejected, Cal fell silent, deep in thought.

Wondering what action he would take, even having some concerns.

After pondering, he suddenly raised the corners of his mouth.

Then…

Snap!

He enclosed me in his arms and whispered playfully in my ear.

“Will you be my comrade, witch?”

An unbearable display of affection in an instant.

My only response was a shy giggle.

—–

“You’re back? Was the date okay?”

“…No comment.”

“Oh, come on ~ please say something. I prepared so diligently…”

“I said no comment!”

Returning to the room after the date, the priestess asked with a meaningful expression about the outcome.

Despite my troubled state, I refused to answer, yet she persisted in her curiosity about someone else’s date.

Eventually, after hitting her with a sweet night and even casting a charm spell, I could finally welcome peace, and I began to reflect on today’s events while flipping the blanket.

“It was fun.”

It was enjoyable.

Contrary to expectations of many mischievous activities being prepared, it felt more like hanging out with a close friend.

After hearing nonsense from the fortune teller witch, most of the time was spent relaxing and having fun.

Yes, saying it wasn’t enjoyable would be a lie, but…

“Ahhhhhhhh…”

Recalling all the actions I had taken, I started kicking the innocent blanket.

What? Did I make things awkward?

Just seduce and ask to be devoured, right?

Ask a bit more earnestly?

Confess your feelings, really!

“Huah, oof, ugh, heh…”

Ironically, there were more mischievous actions I unknowingly did than the mischievous actions he did.

And having done such a thing, saying that I would never become the lover of someone like you made me feel ashamed.

I kicked the blanket more than ten times and eventually exhausted myself, so I decided to change the subject first.

“If I dwell a little more on the date here, I felt like I would rather stick my head in a plate and commit suicide.”

“…The fortune teller said that she is definitely facing a difficult journey ahead.”

The witch, as previously mentioned, is like a walking atomic bomb for each individual.

The meaning of this statement is that unless it’s an unbelievable enemy like a disciple of evil spirits, most enemies can be easily dealt with.

If someone who knows well about the powerlessness possessed by the witch says that the remaining journey will be difficult, how challenging must it be?

“For now… it’s certain that something will happen to Ark Lich.”

Originally, the villain who would have been dealt with first.

Even though he hasn’t fully recovered his strength, he was the ultimate boss who almost wiped out the protagonist and his party.

If such Ark Lich appears even stronger after not fully recovering his strength…

“I hope he comes out just like in the original work, but it’s unlikely.”

Based on the current trend, the difficulty of the next episode has increased proportionally to the peaceful days spent.

But now, having enjoyed peace for almost over a week, it might appear with an endlessly horrific level of difficulty.

Thinking again, the future seems too bleak, so I sighed while looking at the ceiling.

How much stronger will the enemies in the original work become?

And how will the party deal with it through what kind of insane antics?

Of course, most of the insane solutions proposed were from me, but that was because the party members were unable to exert their full power.

“This time, it will be a bit different.”

No, I really hope it will be different.

Hoping desperately, I quietly concluded the dizzying day.