Chapter 14

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"Hey, Nest, it's time to wake up."

"U-Uh, I'm tired today, so I'm going to sleep..."

I feel bad for Aura, who came to wake me up, but I'm still exhausted from yesterday and want to keep sleeping.

"No way. You have work today, and everyone in the extermination team is waiting for you."

"I-I'll take a day off from work."

"That's not an option. Come on, get up already!"

With that, Aura took away my blanket. I had no choice but to get up and go to work today.

---

Yesterday, I fought a large group of goblins. I thought it would be enough to just hold them off, but it turned out the goblins were so weak that I ended up wiping them all out (or so I think).

I had my hood up, so I don't think my face was revealed.

However, there's something that's been bothering me in the voices I've been hearing around me.

"Hey, did you hear? Someone wiped out a large group of monsters all by themselves!"

"Yeah, I know! It's the 'Sable Savior,' right!"

Who the heck is that!? If I had to guess, the 'Sable Savior' must be me... but seriously, that's way too lame!! What's with 'Sable Savior'!?

While I'm groaning, Aura asks me suspiciously.

"Um, not that I think it's you, but isn't the 'Sable Savior'... Nest?"

"U-Uh..."

I realize I hadn't told Aura and the others. I'd prefer to keep it a secret...

"Eh, could it be that Nest is really the 'Sable Savior'!?"

"U-Uh, well, how should I put it... I, I did go outside the city a bit..."

"Ha, it's fine if you don't want to hide it. I'm not blaming you or anything..."

I decided it wasn't a good idea to keep it a secret from Aura and the others, so I told them what happened, leaving out a few details.

The part I left out was that I used to cut my arms and legs regularly. I realized it was abnormal after coming to this town, so I haven't done it recently, but I could if I wanted to.

However, I didn't want to worry Aura and the others, so I kept it to myself.

I asked them to keep it a secret, so there's no chance it will get out.

---

To be honest, I underestimated her. Who? Asaha, of course.

When we arrived at the guild, it wasn't an injured extermination team or a housewife waiting for us, but Asaha, with a smile on her face.

"Anest, can I have a word with you?"

Oh, she's definitely angry. She called me 'Anest' so formally.

"Anest, do you know why I called you?"

The reason Asaha called me must be because I said I wouldn't help with the extermination and went home yesterday.

"Um, because I didn't help with the extermination yesterday?"

"No? That's not it."

Asaha still has that smile on her face as she denies my guess.

"Um, then... what could it be?"

Did I do anything else that would make her call me? It couldn't be because I went after the goblins alone yesterday... right...?

"Don't you know? If you don't, I'll tell you."

Asaha's smile is still plastered on her face. Honestly, it's really scary.

"Then, the 'Sable Savior' is you, Anest, right?"

Busted!! How did she know!?

"H-Huh? N-No, that's not me!"

No, I'm stuttering too much. This feels like déjà vu.

"Hmm, is that so? I'll believe you, but if you're lying... you know what will happen, right (smile)?"

"S-Sorry!! I was lying! It's me!!"

"Alright. I just wanted to confirm, so don't worry, Nest."

Asaha, you're too scary...

I made a mental note to avoid angering her.

"But how did you know it was me?"

"That's obvious. In this town, only Nest could do something like that."

"But I've never killed a monster before, right?"

"I noticed how skilled you were with a knife when I saw you cut your hand before, Anest."

I didn't realize that. Asaha is truly formidable... I didn't even notice it myself...

"I knew you were strong, Nest, but please don't take such risks! I worry about you, too..."

"Ah, yes, sorry."

"Muuu. Do you really understand?"

She glares at me with a sidelong glance. I'm surprised by this rare behavior from Asaha.

"A-Asaha can make faces like that too, huh? Honestly, I didn't expect it, but... you're cute?"

I realize I said something embarrassing halfway through, but I thought, 'Well, I might as well finish what I started!' However, the embarrassment made the last part come out as a question.

"W-What are you saying!? Don't say weird things!!"

With that, Asaha ran away. I guess it's not a good fit for her...

---

I almost forgot, but treating the extermination team was so busy, I thought I was going to die.