Chapter 11

When we left the guild, Lady Gilne whispered to me along the way.

"Tim, I'm sorry. Even though becoming an adventurer was your dream, we ended up leaving the guild."

"...Yes."

"Let's try the quest another time. First, let's secure a place to stay for today."

"...Yes."

"We need to save money, so, um, would it be okay to share a room? It's not by choice, okay!"

"...Yes."

Lady Gilne was saying something, but nothing reached my ears. My brain seemed to be refusing to understand what was happening. It wasn't until we secured a room at the inn that I finally began to accept the reality. It was when Lady Gilne jumped onto the hard-looking bed and was thrashing around that my mind started to think.

(What's going on... It's as if Lady Gilne has been expelled from the guild too.)

(Why? Because of me? To keep me from being alone?)

(Lady Gilne, who had everything at the highest rank, with someone like me, a defective adventurer?)

Feelings of self-reproach began to well up in my heart. Lady Gilne shouldn't be thrashing around on the bed of such a cheap inn. She should be sitting on a lavishly adorned, resplendent chair, smiling gently.

(There's still time! Lady Gilne must have just been confused for a moment!)

(It's just a case of youthful indiscretion, and it's too late to back out now!)

(If I bow my head and beg sincerely, she'll understand!)

(Lady Gilne will surely not allow it... I'll go and apologize on my own!)

"―Lady Gilne, I'm going to get some food! Please rest in this room."

I told a lie and tried to return to the guild. Lying to Lady Gilne was the lowest thing I could do. But if it meant that her future wouldn't be ruined here, I was willing to be as low as it took.

"Then I'll go with you!"

"Perhaps news of Lady Gilne's guild withdrawal has already spread. I'll go and check the situation on my own."

"U, um... I see... If that's the case, there's no choice. I left my treasure that can make me invisible behind..."

"I won't be recognized by anyone, so please rest assured."

Feeling Lady Gilne's anxious gaze on my back—

—I left the room with determination.