Volume 1 Chapter 53 We Who Live in the Now
Two months after that battle.
As summer was drawing to a close, a grand festival was being held in Sartzstadt.
"Big Bro Ryuuji! Squid! I want grilled squid!"
"Alright, alright."
Minori, who had just turned 16, still seemed very much like a child as she eagerly reached for the grilled fish, prompting a wry smile.
"I'm glad the harbor was restored earlier than planned."
"Not at all."
Minori, chomping down on grilled squid, and Suzu, gnawing on a crab stick, both looked content as I rested my big hand on Suzu's head.
Just as Lene had said, the harbor of Sartzstadt was restored 17 days ahead of schedule, which is why this commemorative festival was being held.
It turns out that thanks to the festival, the merchant guild was treating everyone to all-you-can-eat grilled fish.
How generous.
"Hey, Ryuuji and Ms. Lene, looks like you're enjoying yourselves."
As we were leisurely sitting on a bench, Lord Reichner appeared.
I had seen him greeting people before the festival started, and the thunderous applause he received from the crowd was quite impressive.
"Lord Reichner, it's been a while."
"Hello, it has been a while."
"Hello. And... are these your sisters, or your daughters?"
"Eep, no way!"
"Haha, just teasing."
Lene, who had been teased, turned bright red for the first time in a while.
After all, since Lene is an elf, it wouldn't be strange for her to have a large child.
"Gulp... Ahem, Lord, nice to meet you. I'm Minori, a Second Rank adventurer and swordsman!"
"Suzu, a Second Rank adventurer and magician, here."
They offered me grilled squid and dried sardines on a nice, convenient platter and stood up, bowing their heads to Lord Reichner.
You could tell Lord Reichner was trying hard to hold back a laugh because both of them had food smeared around their mouths.
"Well then, hello there both of you. I'm Walter von Reichner. Pleased to meet you. You're both Second Rank adventurers at such a young age? That's impressive!"
"Thank you! I've been fortunate to have a great teacher and brother!"
"My brother has nothing to do with this!"
Minori was trying to suck up to him.
Please stop praising him so much.
It's embarrassing for me.
"Is that so? I heard just 2 months ago you were only Sixth Rank. I'm a little worried that requests aren't being spread out evenly. It's wonderful that more high-ranking adventurers are coming here though."
"There are already some who have transferred in, at least up to Fourth Rank."
Lord Reichner seemed unaware of this, so Suzu, using her awkward formal speech, explained it to him.
Apparently, a Fourth Rank adventurer party had recently moved here, feeling drawn to the town's potential.
Lord Reichner, unable to hide his joy,clapped his hands and exclaimed, "That's wonderful!"
For a lord, having new residents, even adventurers, is always a happy thing.
"Ah, speaking of which"
With a *plop*, Lord Reichner clapped his hands again and leaned in.
What is it now?
"Come to my manor after the festival. There are some interesting things to see, wouldn't you agree?"
"...What?You want us to visit your manor after the festival...?"
Reichner is smiling gleefully, but I can't help but feel a knot of apprehension in my stomach.
What exactly awaits me?
I blink rapidly, unsure.
We watched Reichner leave, a hint of mystery lingering in his words, and met each other's gazes.
* * *
Well, the festival is over, now it's evening.
We came to the lord's mansion as Reichner had instructed.
Apparently, he had warned them about our arrival.
The gatekeeper let us through without hesitation.
He seemed to remember us, probably because of the big guy and the elf.
"I wonder what it's all about..."
"I don't know. From the way he talked, I don't think it's anything bad."
I sipped the tea offered to us in the reception room, offering a vague response to Minori's inquisitive words.
I had no real answers.
After all, why did something so interesting have to happen on this day of all days?
I still have no idea.
"Excuse me,"
As a woman's voice rang out, the door to the reception room was knocked on.
Wait a minute.
That voice...
"...Your Highness the Princess"
"Call me Cecil?"
"...Lady Cecil"
The door opened, and a familiar knight accompanied the person who entered, a charming smile on her face as she corrected my rather stiff form of address.
Oh, here we go again with this exchange.
"Long time no see. It's been about 2 months, hasn't it?"
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