Chapter 72

It wasn't supposed to be like this...

“...sigh”

She took a deep breath and resumed the breathing she had unconsciously stopped. She put on her usual expression, trying to act as if nothing was wrong.

Fortunately, I already knew Lily's aptitude values without needing to check them. While pretending to do some calculations, I thought about what to do next.

Aptitude, unlike status, never changes. Therefore, it's highly likely that this would be the only time Lily would come for an aptitude assessment.

—I can't let her get away here!

I tried to suppress the rising anxiety and quickly wrote down the numbers and text I remembered. Then, just as I was about to hand it to Lily, who was approaching,

“...ah”

I dropped the paper I had lifted from my palm.

In front of Lily, who opened her eyes wide, the paper fluttered down. A moment later, Lily, who had reflexively bent down to pick up the paper, and I, who chased after it in a hurry, got closer...

“I know your ‘secret.’”

I whispered this into Lily's ear.

* * *

After that, nothing unexpected happened, and I finished the aptitude assessment without any issues.

Then, I persuaded the reluctant Rechel, saying, “I want to verify the event, so let me be alone,” and we came to a high-end restaurant outside of Freelea.

It took longer than expected to persuade Rechel, but thanks to hurrying, there was still time before the appointment I had written on the aptitude assessment paper. Since the other party hadn't arrived yet, I sighed in relief.

“...Mr. Rex, right?”

A voice echoed from the shadow of the building. Even though I knew it would be her, I secretly held my breath at the sight.

“...Lily Harmonics”

There stood the character who, for better or worse, had moved me the most in the game.

* * *

【Lily Harmonics】

Initial Level: 5

Class: Bard

Age: 19

Hometown: Fortress City Linsta

And her specialties are...

“Um... Can you tell me now? What do you mean by knowing my secret?”

“Huh? Oh, sorry.”

As I recalled the game data, Lily, sitting across from me, asked anxiously, and I snapped back to reality.

Whether consciously or not, I noticed her clenching her fists in fear, and a natural urge to protect her arose.

Even knowing her true nature, I thought the developers of the game did a great job with Lily's design.

“First, thank you for coming this far.”

After reuniting with Lily, I said, “We shouldn't talk here,” and we moved to a private room in the restaurant.

It's natural for a young woman to be wary when a man she barely knows invites her to a private room. I thought Lily would hesitate, but surprisingly, she readily agreed and entered the restaurant.

(But... is that how it works?)

In this world, where crime doesn't pay, and this restaurant is often used for important meetings in the game, there might be a certain level of trust. Or...

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and looked at Lily.

(Indeed, I know Lily's 'special secret.')

But I carefully considered how to use this information most effectively.

“Um...?”

When Lily asked again, I stopped thinking.

Right now, I have the upper hand. It should be fine to play it by ear to some extent.

“I can see people's aptitudes with ‘Insight,’ but actually, I can see more than that. I can see other things too.”

“What do you mean?”

Lily asked, her voice slightly trembling.

“Exactly what I said. I can learn a lot with ‘Insight.’ A person's name, class, and even their skills and magic.”

The moment I mentioned “magic,” I noticed Lily's shoulders slightly tremble.

“S-Such... Is that true?”

Of course, it's a lie. But it's true that I know Lily's abilities.

“What would be the point of lying about this? As proof, I can tell you your specialties.”

“Eh...”

Pretending not to notice Lily's stiffened expression, I continued with a nonchalant face.

“Lily Harmonics. Profession: Bard. Specialties: ‘Instrument Performance’ and ‘Singing.’ And... ‘Dark Magic.’”

The moment I said the last word, I could see Lily's face clearly stiffen. After a brief silence, she spoke with a trembling voice.

“D-Do you intend to turn me over to the city guards?”

Lily, speaking with a trembling voice, seemed genuinely afraid of me.

(If this is an act, it's impressive...)

I spread my hands as if to reassure her and spoke deliberately slowly, hiding my true feelings.

“No, don't misunderstand. I'm not blaming you. Besides, while dark magic is disliked, just knowing it isn't a crime. I mean, using sleep or confusion spells on people is questionable, but...”

In this world, where crime doesn't pay, the security is better than in Japan, at least for crimes between people. However, there are still some unavoidable drunkards, and I've used light sleep or confusion spells to get through such situations, as Lily herself mentioned in the game.

“I know it's not good. But when traveling alone, sometimes things can't be resolved peacefully...”

I calmly reassured the desperate Lily.

“So, don't worry. I'm not blaming you. In fact, it's the opposite.”

“The opposite?”

Surprised, Lily looked at me.

“I'm not doing aptitude assessments just for others. I'm gathering information on capable individuals through these assessments. In other words...”

“Scouting? Me?”

She seemed dazed, but her quick thinking was evident.

“Well, I'm still a beginner as an adventurer and not very good at fighting...”

“I know. What I need now is someone to gather information in the city. What's required isn't combat ability, but good interpersonal skills, quick thinking, and a ‘trick’ to loosen the tongues of informants in a pinch.”

She seemed surprised by the unexpected proposal but more positively than I imagined. I decided to push further.

“I know this might seem rude, but I did some research beforehand. You have a kind heart and are well-liked by everyone. That's a rare talent.”

Of course, this was a lie.

“N-No... I'm just normal. The people I've met have all been nice...”

But Lily pressed her cheek, not entirely disagreeing.

“Because of that, I want to ask you. Can you lend me your strength to save the world?”

“I...”

Lily showed signs of hesitation.

That's understandable. As a “thoroughly good person,” Lily couldn't refuse this invitation without a reason.

But I eased my approach.

“Sorry. I didn't mean to put you in a difficult position. You don't have to decide today.”

“Eh...”

“You need time to think and understand each other. ...I rushed it. Since we're in a fancy restaurant, let's enjoy good food and drinks.”

I said this, but I knew she would refuse the drinks, regardless of the food.

In this medieval setting, it's common for people to start drinking young, but the developers avoided underage drinking, so in this world, “alcohol is for those over twenty.”

So, I thought Lily would politely decline, citing her age.

“Um. I usually refuse because I'm not old enough to drink, but I actually turned twenty a little while ago. So, a little bit...”

After some hesitation, Lily gave this unexpected response.

“Your first drink, huh? That's an honor.”

I smiled, but inside, I felt a boiling rage.

(Liar! I know you're still nineteen.)

In the game, events start with a male adventurer persistently hitting on Lily, who says she can't drink because she's still nineteen.

It seems she has a birthday in April of the second year, after which this event disappears. My game knowledge confirms she is nineteen until then.

I strongly reminded myself not to let my guard down and ordered some dishes and drinks I had seen in the game. The dish names are all modern Japanese, so they shouldn't be too far off.

After placing the order, I casually asked,

“Lily, you're from Linsta, right? Is your family still there?”

“Yes. My parents used to travel, but they opened a shop in Linsta after I was born. I sometimes think about going back, but traveling is fun.”

“I see. Do you have any siblings? None?”

“No... Haha. I always wanted a kind older brother.”

Her suggestive words and the glance she gave almost drew me in. I discreetly dug my nails into my palm to stay focused.

Lily isn't particularly flashy in appearance. While she's pretty, most fictional characters are.

Compared to a top-tier beauty like the “Goddess of Salvation,” she might even seem a bit plain. Her attire, with a high collar and a long skirt reaching her ankles, exudes a virtuous aura.

Yet, what draws attention is her perfect mannerisms.

Her soft, gentle, and nurturing movements evoke a sense of maternal care and protection. They are calculated to attract men, not to be charming to women.

Unfortunately, her unnaturally large chest, as seen in game characters, is also effective in drawing my gaze.

If I let my guard down even a little, I felt I would be drawn into a deep hole and unable to escape. Lily leaned in, intensifying her approach.

“But it feels like a dream. I've heard of your name in other cities too.”

“Stop it. I'm tired of undeserved fame.”

“Haha. It's fine to be cool. ‘The Founder of New Sword Techniques, Rex Toren.’ I even want to write a poem about it.”

No, wait!

I've never heard that before.

“Spare me. That name is too heavy for me.”

“I can understand that a little. I was teased a lot about my name when I was a child. ...But without this name, I might not have become who I am today, so maybe it was for the best.”

Our conversation felt hollow, like a charade, yet I couldn't deny that I found it enjoyable.

(But it's a good sign.)

Lily's words were smoother and her attitude more cheerful than I've ever seen in the game. She might be acting, but it didn't matter.

In fact, she let slip a fragment of the truth, something she wouldn't normally say.

Did you think this information was safe to drop?

Did you think I wouldn't understand this way of speaking?

(Just keep being ‘careless’ like this.)

Lily must be letting her guard down, feeling safe because the information I held—“knowing dark magic”—wasn't fatal, and because she believed she had nothing truly hidden to fear.

Combined with the alcohol, which she probably isn't used to, what would happen?

“Since we're here, let's toast.”

I picked up the wine glass that had just arrived and smiled at Lily across the table.

Fortunately, I'm relatively good with alcohol. While I'm not a heavy drinker, I know my limits as a social drinker.

If I can avoid showing any weakness and peek behind Lily's “mask”...

(Maybe the decisive moment is near.)

Hiding my true intentions, I clinked glasses with Lily.

“To our future”

“T-To our future”

Our glasses touched with a cool sound.

“It's delicious...”

As I watched Lily's cheeks flush, I subtly twisted my lips behind the wine glass.

* * *

It was scorching.

Something hot and swirling, spinning around and around.

Goo, goo, a rumbling like an earthquake, rising through my ears to the sky.

My consciousness was drawn up, flying through the air in zero gravity, reaching the universe.

My mouth, amidst all this, was the only thing with a clear presence, asserting its existence.

“T-That's why, I'm just a normal person! Not like Eyu or anything! Hey, are you listening, Lily! Lily-chan!”

I felt very good.

After all, the world was the universe, and the universe was... uchu?

“R-Rex-san? Are you okay?”

Right.

There are fairies in the universe.

“Lily is so cute! The cutest in the world! The cutest in Japan!”

My fairy whispered beside me.

“I understand. I understand. Can you walk, Rex-san?”

“Can I walk? I can't not walk, not...”

I tried to take a step.

But,

—It's a trap!!

The ground suddenly turned to mud, trying to make me slip! I, being Rex, of course, knew all about traps.

So, of course, I avoided the trap,

“Huh?”

My foot slipped, wobbled, and my head was caught by something soft.

—Slime?

A mysterious word flashed in my head, and I touched the truth of the world. I was supposed to have a great realization, but it turned into a pink elephant and burst...

“Rex-san! Inn! Where are you staying?”

Where, what?

The elephant turned into a rainbow and disappeared, replaced by a beautiful fairy asking something.

In response, I, I, probably said something, something... something...

...

...

...

...

...

“Rex-san? Rex-san?”

“Huh, ah?”

“We're here. Can you sleep on your own?”

“M-Maybe... I need to talk...”

“Okay. I'll put you down.”

My body was sucked in, sinking.

The cold mud felt good.

“...You're hopeless.”

At that moment, I felt something warm touch my cheek...

“—Good night, Rex-san”

Before I could confirm what it was, my consciousness...

* *