Chapter 25

A little trouble? But the boy is laid-back!

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I hope you will continue to enjoy the laid-back boy.

That day, Yūri was walking through the streets of the capital Drahlen as usual. The difference from usual was that today's companion was not Yakk but Currel. There was no particular deep meaning to it. It was just that, being of the same age, their free time coincided, and they decided to take a walk together. They went to the shops rather than the market and did some shopping.

Not just ingredients, but also various daily necessities. Currel was mainly asked to do the shopping, but by taking Yūri along, the idea was to let him know about these things as well. This included buying magic stones for using magic tools and replenishing broken items. Of course, they also had a magic bag for shopping.

...It's a well-known secret that Yūri's school bag is even more advanced and far superior in every way.

Yūri's school bag looks out of place in this world just by its design. So, while he usually carries it for shopping, he doesn't use it. If it were known that it can hold an infinite amount, it would be troublesome. ...However, since Alie told him to carry it, he does.

Currel was carrying the bags and the wallet, and Yūri felt more like a companion. Still, visiting shops he usually doesn't go to was very enjoyable, and Yūri was in a good mood throughout.

"Hey, Currel, can we stop by that杂货店?"

"Yeah, sure. Yūri, you like those kind of trinkets, don't you?"

"Yeah. I like looking at them, and I like making them too. If I had the materials, I'd love to make something."

"Making them too... That's impressive."

Currel, who seemed both impressed and exasperated, made Yūri tilt his head in curiosity. However, when Currel urged him to go in quickly, Yūri obediently stepped into the store. It was indeed a general goods store, but it didn't sell the kind of cute trinkets that girls and children usually like. Rather, it specialized in making practical items more stylish.

While it was true that the store was a bit off Yūri's taste, he liked cute, beautiful, and cool things equally. If anything, he just didn't like the rugged things that men usually prefer. He also didn't like heavy metal or punk rock. Gothic wasn't particularly his favorite or his least favorite, but he would rather avoid anything with too many skulls swirling around.

The young man who seemed to be the shopkeeper looked puzzled at the two teenage boys, who didn't quite fit the store's clientele. However, since Yūri was looking at the items seriously and politely, and Currel was quietly giving his opinions, the shopkeeper probably decided not to mind. He occasionally glanced at the two while looking out the window.

"Yūri, are you looking for something?"

"No, not really, but it's fun to look at all this stuff."

"Is that so? ...Hey, this one looks good."

"What is it?"

Currel, who shrugged his shoulders, picked up a leather sheath for a knife with a pleased look. It had little decoration, but it was made with remarkable care. The metal part for attaching it to a belt was also simple, without unnecessary decorations, and didn't stand out at first glance.

"Currel, did you want a knife sheath?"

"No, not particularly, but I was thinking of getting a new one soon. ...But, with my earnings, it's out of reach."

"Is that so?"

"Halfway to adulthood, the earnings are low. Besides, it's not broken yet, so it's fine."

"Hmm."

As a non-adventurer, Yūri didn't understand the quality of equipment or its price. However, the store's prices were reasonable, and the craftsmanship was evident. Since it wasn't an immediate necessity, it was natural for Currel to avoid unnecessary expenses. Instead, he looked at it with enthusiasm, as if saying he would buy something like this someday.

Yūri, too, looked at the leather sheath with enthusiasm. Yūri had never worked with leather, but he had seen a craftsman at work during a school trip. Since Yūri enjoyed making things, he found it very interesting. He thought it would be great if he could make something like that. A pass case made by punching holes in leather with a favorite pattern was particularly appealing.

After spending a leisurely time, the two headed back to their hideout as dinner preparation approached. Yūri and Yakk were in charge of today's dinner. Recently, one of the apprentices would join in if they had free time. The others, besides Yakk, seemed to enjoy learning from Yūri.

"What's for dinner today?"

"Today, I'm splurging on bison meat. It's been marinating since morning, so it's ready to cook."

"Awesome! Bison meat is super delicious! If Yūri cooks it, it'll be even better, right?"

"Currel loves meat, doesn't he? Personally, I prefer leaner meat, so I like viper more...?"

"Viper is good, but isn't it a bit lacking?"

"That's a matter of preference, isn't it?"

As they chatted leisurely, they suddenly stopped. A shadow fell across their path. Currel changed his position to protect Yūri, stepping half a step in front of him and stopping him with a hand. Yūri looked curious, but Currel was glaring up at the shadow.

"Can we pass, please?"

"Hey, it's been a while, Currel."

"Sure. We're not kids to block the way, so let us through."

"Is this the new recruit? Welcoming a useless, half-baked girl like that, the 'Scarlet Lynx' must have fallen, huh?"

"......Huh?"

Currel growled low at the man's taunting words, looking up at the taller figure. No, he was glaring. Currel was only 18, just a young man. But the aura he was emitting, protecting Yūri, was unmistakably a killing intent. It was the kind of oppressive presence that only someone who had survived life-threatening situations as a treasure hunter could emit.

However, the man laughed it off, and Yūri, who was being protected by Currel, tilted his head in curiosity. ...Yūri, who always spoke in a low voice, was only puzzled by Currel's low voice and didn't notice the oppressive presence or the killing intent. Truly, the laid-back boy.

"Don't judge my comrades without knowing them."

"You're as bratty as ever, Currel."

"I've always been like this. ...And you, because of your attitude, no one takes you seriously, right?"

"...You!"

Currel's casual remark made the man angry, and his hand reached out. Before it could touch Currel, a leisurely voice said, "Sorry," and the two stopped as if their energy had been drained. Of course, the voice belonged to Yūri.

"I can't fight, and I'm a burden, so I don't want you to fight."

"Yūri, what are you saying...!"

"Huh? You admit you're a burden?"

"Yes. I just cook, clean, do laundry, and wait for everyone to come home."

Yūri smiled brightly. Currel gritted his teeth in frustration, but the man laughed with amusement. The laugh only irritated Currel more, but Yūri didn't seem to care. Or, he didn't notice.

"If that's all you wanted to say, can we pass? We need to prepare dinner."

"Hah, what a wimp. Go ahead."

"Thank you. Let's go, Currel."

Yūri pulled Currel, who was still glaring, and started walking. He didn't seem to care at all. The man laughed heartily, a truly annoying, malicious laugh, but Yūri didn't even look back. He held Currel's hand, who was gritting his teeth, and smiled.

"Currel, it's the truth, so there's no point in getting angry."

"Why? Yūri, you're not a burden or a hindrance! We've been helped a lot by you...!"

"But, if you think about it normally, I am a burden and a lodger. Besides, if we don't hurry, we won't be able to make dinner."

Everyone is waiting, Yūri said with a carefree, almost transparent smile. Currel felt deflated. He started to scold Yūri, but realized it was futile. Currel knew this was Yūri's nature. He knew that this young-looking friend lived in a place far removed from anger. Yūri's smile, as he said he would make a delicious dinner, reminded Currel of his mother's face. The face she had when she made his favorite dish after scolding him. It was no wonder he muttered, "I'm not sulking."

However, the matter didn't end there.

After dinner, once Yūri had finished cleaning up and retired to his room, Currel gathered all the members in the dining room. The members, excluding the apprentices, gathered in response to Currel's call and, after hearing about the incident on the way back, the atmosphere changed dramatically.

Everyone except Alie, who maintained a calm facade, emitted a killing intent. The look on their faces was so fierce that anyone unfortunate enough to pass by would have cried and run away.

"...Currel, did you just let that guy get away with that?"

"I didn't want to, but Yūri—"

"What about Yūri?"

Leray, with a stern look, glared at Currel with fierce eyes. After a sigh, Currel spoke.

"Everyone was waiting, so we needed to hurry back to make dinner."

"..."

Everyone collapsed on the spot. Someone groaned, "That kid is really...," and someone else muttered, "Why does it end up like this?" To them, Yūri, who had become an irreplaceable and important part of their lives, was the world's most innocent and naive boy.

Suddenly, Frau stood up slowly. The killing intent emanating from her body was not hidden. No, she had no intention of hiding it.

"Frau?"

"You've caused trouble, Currel. I'll take care of that fool properly."

"No, that's my job, Frau."

"Tiphana?"

It was Tiphana who interrupted the easily provoked Frau with a smile. Her usual beautiful smile was accompanied by a presence that could make monsters turn pale. Her calm smile as she held her favorite dagger was subtly terrifying.

"I heard that the person in question is the one I refused to recruit the other day. In that case, it's my duty to settle the score, isn't it?"

"Hey, Tiphana, you're going to do it alone? That's unfair, unfair!"

"Then, will you come with me, Leray?"

"Of course!"

"Then, as the one who was insulted, I'm coming too!"

Currel raised his hand and Tiphana smiled. "Let's go then," she said, and started walking. Leray and Currel followed, and eventually, everyone except Alie trailed behind. Of course, they were all armed and not hiding their killing intent.

"Don't kill them, okay?"

In response to Alie's casual warning, there was no reply. Instead, everyone waved their dominant hands as if to acknowledge. Alie, who seemed to say, "Oh well," had a single eye that was boiling like magma.

In the end, the boy was loved by his companions.

No matter what, Yūri is loved by everyone.

The structure of "Yūri as an enemy = 'Scarlet Lynx' as an enemy" has been established.

I look forward to your comments and feedback.