Chapter 46 May I Come In?
――The rumored "Extreme Sword" might've been me.
I realized the shocking truth from Io's words while quickly glancing at Lady Eva and spinning my thoughts.
The Judas' who'd faked the name "Extreme Sword" seemed to be the "one who defeated the monster that was the 'core' at last year's Stampede."
And the "core" monster was Ignitor the Imperial Flame Dragon.
In other words, the one who defeated Ignitor at last year's Stampede was the true identity of "Extreme Sword."
If that story's true... does that make the rumored "Extreme Sword" me?
All these new truths came out at once, and I don't know what to think. I didn't even know that Ignitor was a "core" in the first place.
Even though a Stampede's "core" is mentioned, there's no special defining characteristic for that monster to be a "core." It's just the monster that, in the middle of a big Stampede, becomes the biggest force pushing the monsters up to the surface, so it's convenient to call it the "core."
Usually, the strongest monster among them has that role, so I had a vague idea that Ignitor might've been the "core." But I didn't have any proof.
If Ignitor had held up a wooden sign saying "I'm the Core," I wouldn't have to worry, but unfortunately, "core" monsters never say what they are, so I was never sure if any monster I defeated was a "core."
After all, there were stronger monsters than Ignitor in last year's Stampede. It'd have been possible for a monster that strong to show up somewhere else outside the dungeon level where Ignitor showed up.
Well, I didn't even know about the existence of the so-called "Extreme Sword" in the first place, so even if I had known that Ignitor was the "core," I wouldn't have realized that I was the "Extreme Sword."
Actually, since the Stampede, I haven't been to the guild much, so I wouldn't have had many opportunities to hear rumors. The only explorer I've had any contact with was Fiona, who came to my house to surprise me.
However, the problem isn't that I was the "Extreme Sword"... or anything like that.
Honestly, I don't care if I'm called the "Extreme Sword," or the "Master of the Century," or the "Genius Wooden Sword Craftsman." It doesn't matter to me. It's the kind of thing where it's like, "so what?"
(Hmm...)
Sending furtive glances toward Lady Eva and Io, I groan in my mind.
The problem is... whether or not I should come out of the closet that I might be the "Extreme Sword."
I just denied being the "Extreme Sword." Wouldn't it be a bit... strange? Like, what would you call it? It's kind of embarrassing to say it myself at this point.
Mostly, from what Lady Eva said, it seems like she thinks "Extreme Sword" is a group of people, and she seems to have high expectations for their strength.
Can I really say, "Actually, 'Extreme Sword' is just me. I don't have any teammates. I know you were expecting more strength, but I'm already in a clan, so there won't be any more members for 'Extreme Sword'――"?
It's as clear as day that Lady Eva would be disappointed.
Well then... I'll just keep quiet.
It's not always the case that the only good thing is to know the truth. Sometimes, it's kindness to tell a gentle lie. No, I won't lie. I'll just choose not to say the unimportant truth.
"――So, Mr. Aaron, please stay at my house today as well. The response measures for the 'great outbreak' will be finalized by tomorrow."
"Huh? Oh, um, okay."
I was suddenly snapped back to reality and nodded before I knew what she said.
I hastily reconsidered what Lady Eva had said and tried to confirm.
"So, you want me to stay here? ...Is there something to do?"
"No, you must be tired since you just got back. Please relax."
"I see.... In that case, I'll take you up on your offer."
"Good."
――So, I ended up staying in Kirke's house that day.
* * *
――Knock knock knock.
After being treated to a luxurious dinner at Kirke's house and sweating it out in the incredibly large bath, I was about to go to sleep in the room I was assigned when there was a knock on the door and a voice came from the other side.
"Aaron, I need to talk to you for a bit... Is it okay?"
"......"
For a moment, I didn't recognize the voice and glared at the door suspiciously.
Then, the voice finally matched the person in my memory.
"...Fiona?"
"Yes."
That's rare. This girl never calls me by my name.
That alone made me think it was something serious.
I hoped it wasn't anything troublesome and opened the door.
Standing in the hallway was Fiona with a solemn face. She wasn't wearing the clothes I was used to seeing, probably because she had just taken a bath. She was wearing a thin negligee covered by a gown, and her hair was in braids instead of her usual ponytail. Maybe she wears her hair like that when she sleeps?
"What's up?"
"Can I come in your room?"
She didn't answer my question and instead asked me with a stern expression.
I'm pretty perceptive. By this point, I was almost certain what Fiona wanted to talk about.
"...Yeah, sure?"
"Thanks."
"......"
She was acting much more submissively than usual. That confirmed it.
I invited Fiona into my room and closed the door securely. In the Kirke household, servants work even at night. ...Fiona would be embarrassed if they heard her.
"Anyway, sit down."
I had Fiona sit on a chair provided in the guest room.
Is all of these rooms really necessary in this mansion? It's filled with so many guest rooms that it makes me wonder. But each room is quite spacious, and the furniture and furnishings are well-placed. Inside, there is a table by the window with 2 chairs, so I had Fiona sit on one side and I sat across from her.
"......"
Fiona remained silent, hesitating as if she still hadn't made up her mind. The moonlight streaming in from the window cast the shadow of Fiona's long eyelashes onto her fair skin.
Perhaps it was the bright moonlight or her oddly serene demeanor, but she seemed more refined and demure than usual.
Considering Fiona's purpose for coming here, I can understand why she might find it difficult to bring it up herself. With a sigh of resignation, I decided to ask her myself.
"So, Fiona..."
"Yeah."
Fiona nodded like a child, so I tried to use the gentlest tone possible as I asked.
"――How much do you want to borrow...?"
Normally, someone who is usually loud and cheeky wouldn't suddenly come with such a serious expression.
I've experienced this same situation many times before, with Lion and the others from "Sword of Glory". They would occasionally come to me to borrow money, despite earning quite a lot. Back then, they were a bunch of idiots who didn't know the concept of saving money, so whenever their equipment needed updating or their explorations failed, they would easily find themselves broke.
At the time, I would get annoyed and we would even get into fights, but now it's just a fond memory.
As I reminisced about the past, I turned a warm gaze towards Fiona.
"...That's not it."
However, Fiona glared at me with narrowed eyes.
"What do you think I am to you?"
"Huh? Aren't you here to borrow money?"
I was absolutely convinced that was the case.
That's why I made sure to close the door. I didn't want others to hear her begging for money. It was just my consideration, you know...
"Really? That's not it? Then why did you come here?"
Fiona let out a deep sigh, looking at me with wide eyes. Then, she raised her face and spoke with a serious expression.
"I have a favor to ask you."
"...Is it still about money?"
"I said it's not!"
Hmm, she doesn't want to borrow money or anything, huh?
"Then what is it?"
Fiona, looking slightly embarrassed, tilted her head down as I asked. The moonlight illuminated her cheeks, making them blush.
Despite that, she gazed at me with a determined look in her eyes.
"...I want you to do something for me."
"Huh?"
Her voice was so quiet that I couldn't hear it well.
As I instinctively asked again, she continued, "I said..."
Fiona stood up from her chair, leaned forward with her hands on the table, and blurted out assertively.
"I want you to make me strong!!"
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