Chapter 65

"……………Huh?"

At my words, Sieg let out a dazed voice.

Then, for a moment, Sieg remained frozen in that state.

I wondered if he still didn't understand the situation, and I felt worried.

"Oh, no, I'm sorry. I didn't expect you to be so determined..."

However, after a while, Sieg came to his senses.

It seemed my worry was unfounded.

He had just been momentarily stunned by surprise.

"No, it's fine. Can we continue the conversation?"

"Ah, yeah."

Understanding this, I confirmed that Sieg was fully aware and decided to continue.

"Regarding the apartment complex, I don't intend to buy one right now. ...The reason is rather embarrassing, but I can't be sure that I won't make a mistake while living in the same house as Narzenia."

I felt self-loathing as I spoke honestly to Sieg.

Of course, I have no intention of giving in to my desires and laying a hand on Narzenia.

...But if asked whether I could absolutely avoid it, I couldn't nod.

It might sound like an excuse, but Narzenia is such an attractive woman to me.

"That's why I don't intend to buy an apartment until I'm in a relationship where she allows me to lay a hand on her. Even if she might forgive me, if there's a chance she would be sad, I don't want to take any rash actions."

This was the reason I didn't intend to buy an apartment.

It was also the reason I wanted to change the fact that we stayed at the same inn.

Narzenia probably doesn't dislike me.

But as long as I can't tell whether her feelings for me are affection or love, I don't intend to lay a hand on her.

That's why I didn't intend to buy an apartment before confessing.

"O-Oh, I see..."

At my words, Sieg's face showed surprise, and he said only that.

"...But if you're that determined, why haven't you confessed yet?"

But the next moment, Sieg seemed to have a question and asked with a puzzled look.

It was a natural question.

If he knew how much Narzenia wanted an apartment, he would understand how much she desired it.

There was a reason why I hadn't confessed despite knowing this.

"...Actually, I haven't finished the preparations for confessing yet."

"Preparations?"

"Yes. Actually, the necklace I wanted to give Narzenia if she accepted my confession is still incomplete..."

"Oh!"

At my words, Sieg suddenly seemed to realize something and exclaimed.

Seeing his expression, I understood what he had realized.

The reason I was at the accessory shop just before meeting Sieg.

Yes, the item I had commissioned from the accessory craftsman Nasia was the necklace I wanted to give to Narzenia.

"If Narzenia accepts my confession, I wanted to leave something tangible. I thought she would definitely be happy with it."

I recalled the feelings I had when I commissioned the necklace from Nasia and told Sieg.

...Because I got carried away with the accessories, I made Narzenia wait too long, which was careless.

But I had commissioned the necklace because I wanted to do everything possible to make Narzenia happy.

"...I can't believe you'd go to such lengths."

When I finished speaking, Sieg's face showed unmistakable surprise.

His words were clear evidence that he had doubts about what I said.

However, I didn't feel any discomfort at his words.

Because I knew it was a natural reaction for an adventurer.

Love among adventurers is usually more dry.

Among high-ranking adventurers, there are those who treat women as objects.

Their relationships are often primarily physical.

From Sieg's perspective, my actions might seem unusual.

But no matter what others thought, it didn't matter to me.

"This is nothing. If it makes Narzenia happy, what others think is trivial to me."

To me, Narzenia is a special existence.

Memories of Narzenia flooded my mind.

The conversations we had in the carriage a few years ago.

How she was the first to join my party after I was expelled from the Lightning Sword.

The battles we fought together against the mutated hydra.

Now, Narzenia is more than just a love interest to me.

She is an irreplaceable benefactor, a unique and trusted companion, and someone I cherish more than anyone else.

That's who Narzenia is to me now.

I can only describe her as special, but the feelings behind those words are not weak.

"Even if I'm clumsy and get laughed at, I want to do my best to make Narzenia happy. I want to see her smile."

That's why I've decided to do my best to make Narzenia happy.

I might not be able to repay the great favor she's done for me.

But I've decided to try to convey my gratitude.

"...You really are different."

At my words, Sieg muttered.

His eyes were wide, showing his shock.

"But it's not bad."

But the next moment, Sieg smiled.

I also smiled at his words.

It seemed Sieg thought the same way I did.

"...Well, it might all be for nothing depending on Narzenia's feelings."

...However, I remembered a certain concern and my smile faded.

Yes, despite all the preparations, I still don't know if Narzenia will accept my confession.

I don't know if her feelings for me are affection or love.

"...You're slow."

"Huh?"

But when Sieg heard my serious concern, he showed an expression of exasperation.

"Seeing her attitude... No, I shouldn't say this."

In response to my stunned look, Sieg opened his mouth to say something but immediately shook his head and stopped.

I looked at him suspiciously, but he didn't continue.

"Well, you'll be fine."

Instead, Sieg offered an awkward encouragement.

I chuckled at his words.

Sieg had said I was unusual as an adventurer, but he was the same.

I had never seen an adventurer who would listen to love advice like this.

Thinking about this, I smiled.

"Thank you for everything."

Deciding I had said everything I needed to, I stood up from the chair and bowed.

"Yeah, good luck."

With those words from Sieg, I left the shop.

◇◆◇

My steps were light after leaving the café.

For the past few days, I had been a bit tense, thinking I would soon have to confess my feelings to Narzenia, but talking to Sieg had helped me relax.

I quickened my pace, grateful to Sieg.

I was heading to the adventurer's guild, which I had intended to visit before Sieg stopped me.

I had plenty of funds left from slaying a super-difficult monster, so I didn't need to take on quests.

But having more funds is never a bad thing, and I had other reasons to take on quests.

I wanted to try physical enhancement, which I couldn't do when I fought the War God's Great Sword.

Also, after reaffirming my feelings for Narzenia, I felt particularly energized.

When I arrived at the guild, I started looking for a quest, driven by this energy.

"……………Huh?"

But the next moment, my face drained of color as I saw a large notice posted at the adventurer's guild reception.

...The notice stated that due to unjust violence against an adventurer party, I, Laust, and my party were banned from entering the dungeon.

The next update might be a bit late...

I will inform you through activity reports if that happens.