Volume 7 Chapter 5 Missed Opportunity
"Ugh... I got tricked."
Scar stormed into the headquarters of the 'Premiere Knights,' ready to cause chaos.
He punched and kicked the members, turning them into piles of meat, and confidently moved deeper into the hideout to take down the S-rank bounty, the leader of the knights. But when he got there──there was no one around.
Only the lowest-ranking members were present.
The main group and the higher-ups had all disappeared.
Looking closely, Scar noticed that the hideout was neatly organized.
He lifted one of the members he was holding with one hand and asked.
"Hey, where's the boss?"
"I-I don't know... We didn't expect it to be so empty either."
"Hmm."
He crushed the guy's head.
Throwing the body aside, he rubbed his chin with his bloody hand.
"Did I fall for fake information? Did they move the headquarters somewhere else, or do they have another plan? Either way, this is a hassle."
He sighed.
Then, Scar's subordinates arrived, running in late.
Before they could say anything, Scar spoke up.
"Let's clean this up. After that, we'll investigate this place just in case. Those Premiere Knights... making me do unnecessary work."
His subordinates began to clean up the bodies.
Scar took a bottle of alcohol from his pocket and drank it all in one go.
* * *
In the commerce department, preparations for the 'presentation' were underway.
This event had nothing to do with the Skill Department, which aimed to become adventurers. Elk thought that the commerce department must have felt like this when the martial arts tournament or team battles were approaching.
Right now, it's during Shakariki's class. He is passionately talking about the "Characteristics and Strategies of Desert-Type Dungeons." Elk is listening seriously and taking notes.
Then, the bell rings, signaling the end of class.
"Well, that's it for today. This will be on the test, so make sure to review it well. This afternoon, we have gym class... Ah, today we will change into our combat uniforms for 'Athletic Practice.' Hehe, Mister Jacob's athletics are really fun, you know?"
As usual, the teacher was going on and on about unnecessary things.
Now, it's lunchtime.
When Elk looks at Yato next to him, Yato doesn't even glance his way.
"Yato, it's lunchtime... What are you going to eat?"
"Dango."
"Okay. Then, let's go to the shopping mall."
The two of them happily went off together.
Ever since Elk was found out, Yato hasn't talked to him much.
They act normally in the dorm, but then, Sylphid popped out of Elk's bag.
"Elk, I promised Fine, so see you later!"
"Okay."
"Fine──!"
Sylphid went to Fine.
She dove into Fine's chest and then left with her and their classmates. Sylphid had really blended in with the class.
Elk was thinking about inviting Gambo for lunch, but then...
"Elk, can I talk to you for a second?"
"Huh?"
Elwood tapped Elk on the shoulder.
He had a feeling this would be a bit annoying. But Elk nodded.
"Sure, but let's eat while we talk."
"Haha, of course... I have a lot I want to discuss."
"Uh, okay..."
Gambo was not invited, and Elk went to the shopping mall with Elwood.
* * *
Unexpectedly, Elwood entered a small café in the back streets of the shopping mall.
It had a similar atmosphere to the café where Elk and Emma had gone, but this one was run by a chubby older man.
Today's recommended lunch was tomato pasta.
Since Elwood was treating, he ordered 2 servings.
"I really like this place."
"Oh? Yeah... it definitely has a nice vibe."
The tomato pasta they ordered was excellent.
There were many such places in the back streets──thinking about that made Elk feel happier. It was okay to have a favorite place that he found himself, not just ones that Elk or Emma liked.
While sipping his café au lait after the meal, Elwood started to speak.
"I met Rosho..."
"Huh?"
"I ran into Rosho in the academy dungeon."
"..."
Wait, is that the reason? ── Elk thought.
For Elk, Rosho was no longer a problem. He had already reported Rosho's betrayal to Duke Kinesis, and he also informed the academy that "Rosho and Sarissa joined the Goddess Holy Church of their own will." Even if they were captured, the punishment waiting for them was as terrorists.
They could face imprisonment and forced labor, or in the worst case, execution... if the son and daughter were executed, the Duke Kinesis family would be finished.
Elk took a sip of his café au lait.
"Rosho and Sarissa joined the Goddess Holy Church of their own will."
"Yeah, no doubt about it. He tried to recruit me... of course, I refused."
"......"
"Something's off. Rosho's level is different from before. I can't tell how much it has increased in such a short time. Maybe... no, it can't be... there's someone on the enemy's side with a skill to raise levels... no, I don't think such a skill exists..."
Elwood was confused.
He finished his café au lait and Elk said,
"Don't worry. No matter how much Rosho's level goes up, he's not my enemy."
"...Are you going to kill him?"
"If necessary. But I'd prefer to capture him."
He thought it would be more effective to turn the criminal over to the Duke Kinesis family for judgment... but he didn't say that.
Elwood looked at Elk seriously, trying to understand.
"I want to help Rosho. And Sarissa too..."
"......"
"I want to set them on the right path."
Elk understood.
Elwood──he realized they couldn't understand each other.
Elk stood up.
"Thanks for the meal. Do what you want with Rosho and Sarissa."
"Yeah... by the way, what about the Duke Kinesis family?"
"I wrote a letter saying they've fallen into crime. I haven't heard anything since."
"I see. But I'm pretty sure the Duke Kinesis family was listed among the nobles attending the commerce department's presentation."
"...Oh really?"
Elk tried to remember the face of his father, which he could only vaguely recall.
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