Chapter 24

The day after hearing the news of Funayama's death was a day of rest, but Amanda's shop was closed on the day of darkness, so it seemed to be open as usual today.

I decided to go to the training ground in the Demon Forest, pretending to meet a friend.

On the way, I peeked at the forest from the shadow of the city wall and saw that the guards were busy disposing of the Rock Ogres' corpses.

Thinking about it, we had left the bodies after extracting the magic stones.

Even though they were monsters, if the bodies were left, other monsters would come, and if they rotted, a terrible smell and flies would appear, so it seemed they were digging holes in the forest to bury them.

"Reinhardt, should we help too?"

"Sir Kent, to be honest, if the bodies are not burned, goblins and kobolds will eventually dig them up and devour them, so burying them is not very effective."

"Is that so? But isn't it better to bury them?"

"Well, it might be a bit of a comfort."

Goblins and kobolds are the weakest of the monsters that live in the Demon Forest.

For them, the dead flesh is an indispensable food source.

"Sir Kent, the reason Mr. Claus said that after a large number of monsters appear, the activity of the monsters in the Demon Forest increases, is because of this."

"Oh, right, the activity increases because there is more food."

"Yes, and when there is more food, the breeding activity also increases, so the number of monsters themselves increases."

"I see, so will there be a large number of goblins and kobolds next time?"

"No, the number will increase, but not to the extent of a large number."

"Huh, is that so? Then why did the Rock Ogres appear in large numbers?"

"I don't know. Even though we have become monsters now, we still don't know why the monsters in the Demon Forest appear in large numbers."

"That's true... But I felt that the Rock Ogres were increasing little by little."

"Yes, even when you were training at night, they occasionally appeared in groups, but they don't usually appear so frequently."

"Speaking of which, Mr. Claus said that the number of Rock Ogres was not large."

The guards' work was far from over, so we moved to the training ground.

There were a few kobolds wandering around the training ground, but as soon as Reinhardt appeared from the shadows, they scattered like spiders.

"Hey, Reinhardt, can you try to pull a kobold into the shadow world?"

"Hmm, it seems you have some purpose in mind. Alright, let's give it a try."

Reinhardt and I tracked the kobolds that had fled earlier and tried to catch and pull them into the shadows.

However, the attempt ended in failure.

We even tried with a bird perched on a tree branch, but when we tried to pull it into the shadow world, it felt like we hit a wall and couldn't cross the boundary between the real world and the shadow world.

"Sir Kent, it seems that living beings cannot be pulled into the shadow world."

"Yeah, I kind of had a feeling. If we could pull in living beings, it would be easier to rescue our classmates."

Probably, only those with an affinity for darkness can enter the shadow world.

Reinhardt and the others can move freely because I summoned them with dark magic and there is a link of magic.

I thought it was a cheat attribute that could do anything, but there are still limitations.

"Hey, but if you use the Dark Shield in close combat instead of magic, what would happen?"

"Yes, since weapons have no life, they can enter the shadow world, but the user would be repelled... something like that."

"Still, can it defend against attacks?"

"Perhaps, it depends on the strength of the shield, but we can't test it because we would enter it."

"I see... Well, I'll try it when a monster appears."

Today, I spent the morning practicing the Dark Shield.

I want to be able to raise it reflexively as soon as I think I've been hit by magic.

Even if I can dodge attacks by diving into the shadow world, there's a possibility that I can't avoid attacks from a weak knight.

If I can raise the shield freely, I should be able to protect others as well.

"Indeed, Sir Kent, to be able to activate it so quickly..."

"No, it's still limited to a certain place and size, so I need to improve my flexibility."

"Indeed, your dedication is truly admirable. At this stage, an ordinary mage would faint from the speed."

"That might be true, but I won't be able to gain the strength of a knight in time for the rescue mission, so I want to improve as much as possible as a mage."

"Understood. If you become stronger, we have no objections. Sir Kent, shall we have lunch now?"

"Yeah, it's already that time. For lunch... I think I'll go to the restaurant I went to with Mr. Claus..."

"I remember you said it wasn't very good..."

"Yeah, but I want to thank Mr. Claus."

To repay Mr. Claus, I want to contribute to the restaurant's sales.

I returned to the back alleys of Volzard and headed for Merine's restaurant.

The last time I came was on a day of rest, so it should be open, but Mr. Claus might not be here because he's dealing with the Rock Ogres' corpses.

There was a "Open" sign on the door, so I grabbed the handle and heard a loud voice from inside.

"It's impossible for me!"

"It's not, if you try..."

"I've tried! How can I try any harder? I don't understand anymore!"

"Nicolas!"

Feeling the tense atmosphere, I froze in front of the door, but it was opened forcefully, and I was knocked over.

"Ouch... ouch... ouch..."

"Oh... I'm sorry... Are you okay?"

"Nicolas, what are you doing? Quickly, get a wet towel! I'm sorry, are you okay?"

Merine hurried Nicolas back to the kitchen.

"It's okay... I just hit my forehead..."

"I'm really sorry... Oh, you..."

"Yes, I'm Kent, I came here with Mr. Claus before. Is the restaurant...?"

"Of course it's open, everything's fine, please order anything you like."

Nicolas returned with a wet towel.

"Nicolas, we have a customer, get ready!"

"Sis, but..."

"You can't keep the customer waiting!"

"Alright..."

This time, Nicolas returned to the kitchen reluctantly.

"Please, take a seat. Put this on your forehead to cool it down..."

"Thank you."

"What would you like to order?"

Merine brought the menu, but more than half of the items were crossed out.

Most of the expensive and time-consuming items were crossed out.

"Um... I'll have the recommended lunch, please."

"One recommended lunch! Thank you!"

There's no need to say it, but I'm the only customer in the restaurant.

It's a bit late, but it's still lunchtime, and at Amanda's restaurant, people would be waiting outside because there's no room.

Looking around, Merine approached me.

"Did you hear the conversation just now?"

"Um... Yes, a little..."

"Can you keep it a secret from Mr. Claus? I don't want to worry him again..."

"Sure... Is the restaurant closing?"

"I don't want to, but..."

According to Merine, her father, who ran the restaurant, passed away suddenly two years ago, and her brother Nicolas took over the business by imitation, but it's not going well.

"Today, you were the first customer, Kent..."

"Is that so..."

"Sis, it's ready..."

Nicolas called from the kitchen, and Merine went to get the tray.

"Here you go, Kent, enjoy your meal."

"Thank you!"

The recommended lunch consists of bread, soup, salad, and two types of sausages and a fried egg.

First, I tried the soup... Hmm, it's a bit bland.

The sausages are how?

Hmm, one is very salty, and the other has too much herbs.

The bread is a bit crumbly.

Oh, the fried egg is delicious... but it's the taste of the ingredients.

"Hey, Kent, how does it taste? Can you give me an honest opinion?"

"Um... It's quite bland."

Since Mr. Claus isn't here, I gave my honest opinion.

"I see... I thought so... Mr. Claus and the customers who came with him say it's delicious, but if there aren't many customers, it's obvious..."

Yes, Mr. Claus's "delicious" is a compliment for Merine.

Of course, the people who came with him would notice Mr. Claus's obvious attitude and wouldn't give honest opinions.

"Sis, I just can't do it..."

Nicolas joined our conversation, having come out of the kitchen.

"Nicolas, but you're the one who said you wanted to take over the restaurant."

"Yes, but if it's impossible, it's impossible..."

Perhaps because I was giving honest opinions, Nicolas started talking about the restaurant's future in front of me.

I had a question, so I asked Merine.

"Um... Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Has Nicolas ever apprenticed or worked at another restaurant?"

"No, why do you ask?"

Nicolas looked puzzled.

"Um... Why don't you apprentice?"

"Well, I watched my father work, so I know how to do it..."

Ah, I see, a typical overconfident guy.

Merine shook her head.

"Um, why are half the menu items crossed out?"

"Well, with so few customers, it's a waste to buy expensive ingredients."

"Is the seasoning for the sausages the same as your father's?"

"Well, of course it's different. Since I took over, I've been trying to create my own blend."

"Why aren't there more customers?"

"Well, my taste isn't understood, the times haven't caught up with me... something like that?"

Ah, this is completely hopeless. He doesn't try, thinks he can do it, but when he actually does it, he can't, and then he blames others... Ah, Funayama was like that.

He would come out and fail, then blame others and resort to violence... I never thought he would die so easily.

"Kent? Is something wrong?"

"Huh? No, I was just thinking."

"Really? You look like you're about to cry."

"Uh... I'm sorry, I'm fine."

I was worried about Merine's restaurant, but if I looked worried, it wouldn't do.

"Sis, the restaurant is closing today... No, it's already closed... Can you tell Mr. Claus?"

"Wait, Nicolas, where are you going?"

"Anywhere... It's just to clear my head, to clear my head..."

"Nicolas! Wait, Nicolas!"

Nicolas pushed Merine aside and left the restaurant.

Wow, I came at a really bad time.

"I'm sorry, I showed you a bad side."

"It's okay... I'm sorry..."

"He's not a bad person, but he's always been spoiled... I don't know what to do..."

Merine sat across from me, put her elbows on the table, and held her head.

"Um... Is it bad for Merine to run the restaurant?"

"Me? But I haven't apprenticed either..."

"Then, why don't you apprentice?"

Merine originally didn't plan to take over the restaurant and worked as a tailor.

But when Nicolas suddenly decided to take over, she started helping out.

"Either close the restaurant or Merine should run it, I think..."

"Yes... Honestly, I don't have the confidence to run the restaurant, but I want to continue because it's the restaurant my father left behind."

"Then, you should consult with Mr. Claus and others before making a decision."

"Yes... But I don't want to worry Mr. Claus..."

"But if he hears about it later and can't help during the hardest time, he'll be sad. You should consult him."

There are things I can't do and don't know, but Mr. Claus might be able to help. It might seem like taking advantage of his weakness, but it's an opportunity for him.

Merine thought for a moment and nodded.

"Okay... You're right. I'll consult with Mr. Claus."

"Yes, I think he'll be happy."

"Um... What were you thinking about, Kent?"

"Huh? No, it's not related to the restaurant..."

"But you looked really serious. Talking about it might make you feel better."

"Uh... It's..."

It's a very kind offer, but I can't talk about Funayama, so I'm at a loss for words.

"I'm sorry... I can't talk about it... I'm sorry..."

"No, I'm sorry for trying to force you to talk about something you can't."

I have secrets from Amanda, Maisa, Manon, and Merine.

I could feel better if I told them everything, but I can't involve them in the troubles with Reisenburg, and I can't let Volzard be dragged into a war because of it.

Various thoughts were swirling in my head, and I didn't even notice Merine getting up from her seat.

"It's okay... Kent is a kind person, everything will be fine..."

Merine came around the table and gave me a gentle hug.

"You're in an unfamiliar city with few friends, but you can rely on Kent when you're having a hard time."

"Uh... Uh... Yes... I'm sorry I can't talk about it... I'm sorry..."

"Yes, yes, it's okay. It's fine even if you can't talk about it."

"Yes... Yes... Uh..."

The direct cause of Funayama's death is the people of Reisenburg, led by Camilla, but before I get angry at them, there were things I could have done.

I should have had the power to do it.

But because of my lack of foresight, I let Funayama die.

I felt ashamed and pitiful, and tears started to fall.

Wrapped in Merine's warmth, I wished time could stop, but I can't stay a failure.

To break free from my hesitation, I took a deep breath and thanked Merine.

"Thank you, I feel better."

"Are you okay...?"

"Yes, I can't stop. I'll move forward, even if I have to crawl."

"You're strong, Kent... But don't