Chapter 15

For the next few days, Sumuno and I lived quietly in an old bookstore.

There wasn’t much I could do, being a commoner and an ordinary person. I resigned myself to drying the old books in the shade that I hadn’t been able to take care of lately and processing the translation documents that Rikan had entrusted to me. The smell of dusty old books was nostalgic and reassuring, but it made me feel restless in the back of my mind.

From time to time, Sumuno would glare out with a tense expression on his face. He said that he thought he might be being watched, but there was nothing special going on.

“But you know, we’re not going to get anywhere with this.”

Sumuno said as he helped me dry the books in the shade. He had been flipping through the pages of several books, and his hand was becoming more and more skilled.

“If I don’t do anything more, maybe they won’t do anything more.”

Hearing my words, Sumuno made a face like a child who had just thought of a prank. He closed his book with a snap and raised the corners of his mouth.

“Then you’ll have to do something extra.”

“……?”

In essence, Sumuno’s suggestion was to mess with someone in the knights.

“Maruno-san!”

The moment he saw me, Tsuku-san rolled his eyes and opened his mouth wide.

“Hush, Tsuku-san!”

He put his hand over his mouth, nodded and sat down on the seat across from me. And next to me sits Sumuno, the man who brought Tsuku-san here.

This is one of the more humble bars in town. Rikan had told me that if you sit in the back, you won’t know who’s around, and the place is reasonably noisy, so it’s the perfect place for secret talks.

He was brought here halfway by Sumuno, who had been posted around his favorite restaurant, which he had heard about when he was chatting with Tsuku.

“I’m glad to hear that. …… I thought I’d been captured by a strange person, I didn’t feel like living. …… Please give me a break.”

Tsuku-san protests, weakening. I’m not sure what to make of it.

“Well, this guy’s name is Sumuno. He’s my …… escort.”

“Escort ……?”

He smiled and said, “Nice to meet you,” but Tsuku-san kept a disturbed look on his face.

“I’m really sorry it had to be this way, Tsuku-san. The reason I forced you to come here today is that I had something I wanted to ask you personally.”

As I bowed deeply, I heard Tsuku-san exhale slowly. I looked up and made eye contact with Tsuku-san. Tsuku-san’s eyes were like a calm sea. As he slowly opened his mouth, I gulped down my saliva

I bit my lip as I put pressure on my hand. “The fact that I was causing trouble for the Captain was heavy. And although I had expected it, the people who attacked me were really members of the Order.”

“…… Yes. I just found out about it.”

“I’m not going to tell anyone about it. I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that I’m not the only one. It’s a good thing that you’re not the only one. I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear that. But, Maruno-san, I have a duty to capture you.”

“Yes.”

“That’s it for the knights. I’m not sure what to do, but I’m sure you’ll be able to figure it out. So, Maruno-san, please explain.”

I’m not sure what to make of this. The pressure was heavy.

“I was attacked by three members of the knight on the way to evacuate on the day of the invasion from the neighboring country.”

“What?”

“The one who saved me from the crisis was the soldier sitting next to me, Sumuno from the neighboring country.”

“What? Maruno-san! I’m not sure what to do.”

Oh, he is back to his usual self. I’m not sure what to do.

“I’m fine. It’s really Sumuno who saved me. In the event that you have any questions, I don’t really know how to answer.”

“Yes, I did. Yes, I happened to be there when Maruno was about to be killed and that’s when we first met. I wanted to defect to this country, so I left the army and went on my own.”

Tsuku-san’s eyes widened when he heard Sumuno’s words.

“I’m sure you’re aware of that, but I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

That’s right. I’m not sure what to make of that. “The reason I’m coming back to this town is that I want to know who it is.”

“I see…”

“I’m not sure if you can believe me or not. You believe me, don’t you?”

“Yes,” he said. “If Maruno-san had really eloped with a soldier from a neighboring country, there would be no reason to appear in front of me right now.”

“Wait, what do you mean by eloping? Who’s eloping with whom?”

I think I just heard some incomprehensible words.

I’m not sure what to make of it. It’s the rumor inside the knight order. “I thought so as well. I’m so glad! I knew Maruno-san wasn’t that kind of person!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, ……!

It seems that the captain’s mood is crawling on the bottom of the earth, and Deputy Commander Evageny is pacing back and forth between here and the fort while holding his stomach. Haha.

I pulled a face. “I now understand why you’ve been so cautious about Sumuno, you thought he was my elopement partner. Anyway, I wonder what the captain thinks about me. I can’t say that I want him to believe me, and I feel that it’s inevitable that he’ll just throw me away in disgust. But I don’t want to be misunderstood like this.”

I just want to convey my feelings straight.

“I’m sure you’re eager to go find Maruno-san right now, Captain. But my position and circumstances don’t allow me to do that right now. In the first place, you’re too busy to do anything about it! At any rate, I’ll let the Commander know about Maruno-san via the Vice Commander, but only privately. I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear that.”

I’m not sure what to do, but I’m sure it’s a good idea.

“Oh, please, …….”

“I’ll also try to find out who the mastermind is. I have a feeling it’s that house.”

“I also have a hunch that it is that house, but I also have a hunch that they won’t leave any evidence.”

“Yes, be really careful, Maruno-san. I’m sure you’re not the only one. Are you okay?”

It’s a good idea to have a good idea of what you’re looking for. The misunderstanding was cleared up, but he did not trust him

“You’re very wary of me, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am.”

When I blurted it out, he smacked me on the head.

“Don’t worry Tsuku-san, it’s okay.”

I can’t believe that Tsuku-san’s heart is so guarded. I’m not sure what Sumuno said to Tsuku-san to bring him here.

“Eh, Tsuku-san, let’s get along!”

Tsuku-san raised his eyebrows at the frivolous Sumuno’s words.