Chapter 98

The Hero and [Still Refused]

“… A bout with Rokuko-san on the line, Narikin-san!”

“I’ll decline . ”

Even if he says it a second time, something useless is still useless .

“Why!?”

“There’s no merit to go along with it is there? Going along with your story earlier, this is just for your own broken heart and I can’t see it as being anything else other than an [Inconvenience to Others] you know?”

“Uguh—! Even so!”

“Iiit’s fiiine, this bout, you should accept it . ”

Rokuko, why are you so eager about it?

“Still though, there needs to be some merit for us if we win right, Hero-sama?”

“Eh, ah, ummm, yeah… Well, if Narikin-san wins I’ll keep the thing about him being Japanese a secret? How about that?”

“… … Hey, didn’t it just sound like you said I’m Japanese?”

“Am I wrong?”

No, you’re right . Although you’re right, I won’t admit to it . Even if I said otherwise, there are lie detecting magic tools and magic, so it wouldn’t be any different from a confession . All I can do is avoid that from happening .

“For argument’s sake, let’s assume that I’m Japanese . Why would I be troubled if you spoke about it?”

“You’d clearly be troubled by it, aren’t you hiding your face? If not, show me that your face isn’t a fellow Japanese’s . ”

“I just have an ugly wound that I don’t want people to see, it’s nothing like that… Aren’t you prying into it a little to far?”

“I-I was being impolite! I didn’t realize!”

And so, Wataru apologized and bowed obediently . This guy really is honest .

“Well, this inn definitely was built by Narikin-san, and even your name being [Narikin (Upstart)] matched coming to prominence as an adventurer… . I thought for sure that was it . ”

Almost, but that’s not it . It has to do with the shogi piece . My real name is [Keima (Knight)], so I flipped the piece over to become [Narikin (Promoted Knight)] . Obviously I didn’t say any of that though . [1]

“So it was something like that huh? My name is… well, that’s just by chance . Looking at it with Hero-sama’s point of it, it is likely a strange name . And for this inn, I built it while referring to an inn a Hero-sama has built in the old days . And then, I decided to place it here at this dungeon [Cave of Desires] that produces unusual and rare magic tools . Like that [Massage Chair] . ”

“Hahaha, so that was it… Is it fine if I dismantle it? I could purchase it…”

“I gave our spare one to Haku-san, so please abandon your wish . ”

“Mumumu, I’ll find one in the cave…”

Well whether or not you find one depends on luck . Not . It depends on whether or not I make one . For now .

I

“… Well, right . If we win, I want a magic tool—one that can see through lies . With that I will consider accepting the match . ”

I can get the 50,000 DP if I just turn the fifty gold coins into DP . The suite is twenty-five gold coins per night, and he’s saying two nights . I’ll get it soon, I want to see what kind of thing it really it .

If I can confirm whether or not he can get it easily—well, that’s enough of a result .

“Ah, t-that’s, umm, even though I’ve heard about magic tools like that… sorry . I don’t have one . Magic tools like that are compulsorily bought by the country you know?”

“Even if Hero-sama is an S-Rank?”

“… Ah—! Right, there might be a chance now that I’m S-Rank…! Ah no, wouldn’t I need Haku-sama’s permission… ah, ah, but then it might sound like getting permission for Rokuko-san… umm, is there anything else you want if I can’t?”

Well, there’s no problem with me getting anything since I’m a dungeon master .

But that guy’s really honest .

“What’ll you do? Accept?

“By the way, what would you do if we lost?”

“… Umm, please forgive my approach to Rokuko-san . ”

Ah, he’s modest . I definitely thought he’d say something like, ‘I’m taking Rokuko-san!’

“Well, so long as you respect Rokuko’s will . ”

“Yeah, I will… Rokuko-san is still small, but I feel like she’s already a lady . ”

Hero Wataru took a fleeting glance at Rokuko . She was blushing like before… yep, she’s all excited over being called a lady . But really? Are you sure?

“Well, I won’t accept the bout . After all, I still have no reason to accept it . ”

“Really? Disappointing…”

He said that, but he didn’t seem that disappointed… He’s probably planning something .

I had a few suspicions, but the day ended without incident .

… For now, let’s pretend that Narikin left to go and stock up on things . For about a week . That way I won’t have to have any more confusing conversations .