Chapter 48

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"Let's raise a toast to commemorate the defeat of the Ogres!!"

"「「「Cheers!!!」」」

Right now, I am participating in a banquet being held at the guild.

After finishing the battle with Weiss and returning to the guild, I was first scolded by Asaha for going to a place where I was alone with the enemy. Then, I treated the injured as 'Anest' rather than as the 'Savior of Jet Black.'

After that, I cleaned up the guild, which was stained with blood, and that's how I got to this point.

In reality, the matter with Weiss is far from truly resolved, but for now, it's time to enjoy.

"Hey, hey, guys, are you drinking to your heart's content!!"

"「「うおおぉおぉぉぉおぉおおおおッッ！！！」」

Indeed, adventurers are different when it comes to getting hyped up at times like this.

By the way, I mentioned that I am participating in the guild's banquet, but I haven't eaten or drunk anything yet.

...So what am I doing? It's 'cooking.'

Since most people other than adventurers don't know about this event, they weren't allowed to participate in the banquet.

As a result, the number of people who can cook naturally decreases...

Indeed, that's also a characteristic of adventurers, isn't it?

The ones cooking are me and Lily, and Aura and Asaha.

Asaha quickly noticed the awkward atmosphere between me and Aura and made this arrangement.

True, True isn't cooking... well, you know. This is home.

So, it turns out I am cooking with Lily...

"Ne, Nester, so happy!"

What's so happy, she keeps sticking to me whenever she gets a chance during cooking. Come to think of it, I've been busy lately and haven't played with her much.

"Lily is so cute."

I pet Lily's head as she sticks to me.

This kind of straightforwardness is different from someone I know.

"Lily doesn't stab you from behind with a knife, does she?"

"Hmm?"

She tilts her small head at my words.

Such gestures are also so cute!!

After that, I enjoyed petting Lily's head and then resumed cooking with her.

The cooking is almost done, and we finally get to eat.

"Hey, Nester!! This is what you made, right?? It's super delicious!!"

Yeah, that was made by Asaha.

Gradually, the adventurers get drunk and start lying down on the guild's floor.

Lily was also taken away by Asaha and Aura.

Finally, I am the only one still awake, and I decide to go to bed.

"Toilet before bed..."

I think I saw it somewhere in the middle of the guild's corridor.

Walking down the dark corridor, I see a room that looks like a toilet.

――――――――――――――――Clank.

"......"

I think it's coming from the room next to the toilet.

...Could it be that Weiss and the others secretly came back?

If that's the case, it's a big problem. I cautiously reach out to the door.

Inside the room is the 'Black Cloak'...

But it's too dark to see anything else.

"Here comes the Savior of Jet Black!!"

"Who are you, you guy!!??"

Who could blame me for instinctively calling them out?

"!!"

The self-proclaimed 'Savior of Jet Black' notices me and tries to hide in a panic, but it's too late now.

"Wait!"

Just to be safe, I should catch them and confirm their identity.

"......King!?"

The self-proclaimed 'Savior of Jet Black' turns out to be the king.

"Sorry!!"

I quickly bow and apologize. However, the king also seems flustered.

"N-no, this is different!! I didn't mean to become the 'Savior of Jet Black' or anything like that!!"

"......"

If you want to hide it, you should start by not using the honorific...

The king doesn't seem to think he's hiding it well either, as his face looks pale.

"...Let's go outside for a moment, shall we?"

If someone sees us talking here, it might cause trouble for the king, who is here incognito.

Fortunately, it's late at night, so talking outside shouldn't wake anyone up.

I lead the way, and we manage to get to near my house without being seen by anyone.

"...Um, first, does the king remember me? We met once before."

"Yes, I remember. You were one of the recovery mages brought to treat my daughter."

I only met the king once, so I thought he had forgotten me, but surprisingly, he remembered.

"Yes, that's correct. Also, I'm Aura's master."

I add this because Asaha told me that I was guiding the king in my absence.

"Hmm, you're Aura's master. Please tell her that I appreciate her help. And as I told Aura, you don't need to use formal language when it's just the two of us."

Well, you said it casually, but that's usually not allowed.

But I'm not good at using formal language, so I'll stop if I can.

The only reason I use it with Asaha is that it has become a habit...

"Understood. ...So, what were you doing at the guild, King!?"

As soon as I ask, the king comes up to me and grips my arm tightly.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime request!! Don't tell anyone about this!!"

With a desperate look, the king rushes at me, and I hurriedly nod.

"O-okay. Step back for a moment."

However, the king's behavior is strange. He falls silent, staring at me with wide eyes.

...No, that's not it. He is definitely looking at me, but our eyes don't meet.

Then, where is he looking...?

From the king's line of sight, it seems to be my 'ear'?

"Um, King?"

Surprised by the sudden change, I call out to the king.

"......I'm sorry, but could you hear one more once-in-a-lifetime request?"

"Um, sure...?"

The king's gaze is still fixed on my ear.

What could this second once-in-a-lifetime request be?

I don't think it will be something difficult, but I can't help feeling a bit nervous.

...After a few seconds, the king finally makes his request to me.

"Please, shake hands with me!!"

Bending deeply at the waist, he extends both hands in front of me...