Volume 3 Chapter 18 Invitation
The next morning, while I was half asleep brushing my teeth, the doorbell rang.
"Hello."
It was still the time when the other members were sound asleep. I yawned and opened the door, where a butler I felt like I had seen somewhere before was standing.
"...You."
"Long time no see. I am Windy, the butler accompanying Miss Ridge of the Karditsa family."
Windy smiled gently and bowed quietly. This boldness was probably an action based on the assumption that we had grasped the situation.
I returned the smile and greeted him.
"Long time no see. I remember you. The unmotivated butler who didn't even reprimand your young lady."
"Well, that's harsh. However, educating the young lady is not my job."
"I see. So, what brings you here today?"
"This."
Windy handed me a letter. The wax seal bore a crest that looked truly noble.
"Today, Miss Ridge has invited Wade-sama and the daughter, Moruru-sama, to her residence. It will be around noon. Please make sure to attend."
"Hmm. What happens if I don't go?"
"Refusing a noble's request is considered disrespectful in this dungeon city. I advise you not to speak of such things."
"My apologies. I'm not well-versed in such manners due to my upbringing. Please forgive me."
"Despite that, your vocabulary seems quite educated."
"It's the influence of those around me. Everyone else has had a better upbringing."
"I see. Then, I'll take my leave."
With that, Windy swiftly turned and left. I watched their retreating figure before returning inside the house, thinking, "As Alex said, negotiations must have begun."
Alex's response upon receiving the report was this:
"Haah... That's quite a bold surrender declaration."
And then, I tilted my head.
"Surrender declaration? ... Not a declaration of war, right?"
"Yeah. They've been coming to snatch her without even stating their purpose until now, but now they've come to talk calmly once. In other words, it's surrender. Let's settle it with money."
It was a conversation in the living room during breakfast.
It was Clay's turn to cook breakfast today. While he couldn't match Ice or Toxy, Clay was good at making delicious food.
So, I stuffed my mouth with scrambled eggs, sausages, and various toppings roughly put together as hot dogs, while pondering Alex's words.
"I somehow understood that Alex's idea of surrender isn't the same as my idea of 'I give up, I lose.' I read through it too, but it's not like 'I'll pay compensation, so please forgive me,' right?"
"That's a complete surrender. When I say surrender, it basically means 'you guys were stronger than we thought, so let's resolve this not with force but with money.' Nobles rarely do this with commoners."
"I was disturbed during my peaceful sleep yesterday. It must be dealt with."
Sandra, who rubs her eyes looking displeased, says that. She tends to say flashy things. With half-closed eyes, she munches on a hot dog.
"But depending on whether someone is behind that young lady or if it's an independent action, the nuance changes. If it's an adult behind her, surrendering is not a problem, but if it's a negotiation set up by a child, there might still be room for conflict."
"What do you mean by conflict?"
"Quite literally, it means things will get rough. It's better to be prepared for combat."
"Things will really get rough, huh?"
"So, the butler who delivered the letter today was named Windy, right?"
I nodded in confirmation to Clay's question, and Clay continued further.
"They're quite skilled, that's the information we got yesterday. It's better to avoid a last-minute battle with them. Or, prepare before challenging them."
"I'd like to fight if possible."
When I grinned, Clay gave a wry smile and shrugged his shoulders.
"I'll leave that to you. Also, about Moruru-chan."
Moruru, who was called, tilted her head on Ice's lap and said, "Hmm?"
I replied,
"I won't take her with me. Moruru will stay with everyone at home."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, that's right. Everyone will play with her."
I stroked Moruru's head as she happily devoured a chunk of raw meat on Ice's lap. Moruru seemed to be enjoying it, humming happily.
"In that case, leave the house to us... We'll protect Moruru together."
"Alright, I'll leave it to you. Considering the possibility of things getting rough, should everyone stay here?"
"Hey, yeah~. If Clay is busy with negotiations as usual, and Sandra is out for a walk, we'll be short of someone who can handle close combat."
Thinking about Toxy's analysis, I agree. Both Ice and Toxy aren't skilled in close combat. On the other hand, Clay has high defense, and Sandra won't take much damage unless something serious happens.
Looking at Clay, he made a smile and said, "I'm fine with it, of course."
"Thanks, Clay. Sandra, will you be staying home today?"
"Hmm, if Wade says so, then there's no helping it. I was planning to wander into the depths of the dungeon today, but instead, I'll think about 'salty responses ha hi hu he ho.'"
"What's 'salty responses ha hifu he ho'?"
"Well, 'ha' is like 'huh?', 'hu' is like 'hmm,' 'he' is like 'oh,' and 'ho' is like 'aha.'"
"Those are some salty responses indeed."
"I haven't come up with something for 'hi' yet, so I'll think about that today."
"You seem bored, Sandra..."
"Okay then. 'Hi' is like 'I'm bored.' Done. Boast."
Sandra puts on a smug face. I responded like this.
"Oh, I see. Well, please take care."
"You're giving me the cold shoulder right away."
"Anyway, anyone else have something they want to say?"
"It's really sad to be treated so coldly. It makes me want to cry."
With a sad expression, Sandra clings to my stomach. I resigned myself and patted Sandra's blonde hair.
"Alright, I get it, my bad. Has Sandra said everything she wanted to say?"
"Then, let's add more about Windy."
Sandra raises her finger. With her unique background, Sandra seems to know quite a bit about adventurers.
"When I was a newbie, I heard some rumors. Like going solo to hunt dragons, or wiping out a skilled thief group barehanded. They were a renowned adventurer."
"Were they famous from before?"
"Yes. The important thing is the level of strength you can sense from their anecdotes."
Sandra said,
"Do you know anyone who hunts dragons alone or takes down corrupt organizations bare-handed?"
I thought for a moment and replied,
"That would be me."
"Right. Windy was a few years ago, and Wade just recently. So, stay vigilant."
Being told that, it's worth being cautious. I start thinking about facing someone as strong as my future self, and the other members look tense too.
"Got it. I'm feeling more alert now. Thanks, Sandra."
"It's nothing. Let's go on a date next time."
"Sure, I'll make time."
Unlike before, no one interfered with my date plans with Sandra. It makes me happy to see everyone getting along.
"Well then, take care, everyone. I'll be cautious too, waiting for the invitation."
I said as I stuffed a hotdog into my mouth.
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