Episode 183
"Hmm."
Right now, I'm riding in a carriage heading toward the back alleys.
"...Hehe."
Lulu is quietly rubbing her cheek against my chest, giggling away.
"........."
Along with some animal-like creatures watching that sight with cold expressions.
"Sigh."
Originally, I had only planned to bring Lulu, but before I knew it, the carriage was filled with animals.
A black cat doll that had become capable of moving constantly thanks to the high-level black magic Kania used a few days ago, and an owl with its eyes wide open.
A pigeon wearing a foolish expression, and a canary crouched down and watching the mood.
The black cat had somehow ended up in my coat pocket, and these bird fellows flew in through the carriage window.
Thanks to that, the inside of the carriage had literally become a zoo.
For reference, I left the puppy at home.
The little guy tried to follow me out, but isn't a puppy supposed to be an animal that guards the house?
Actually, there's also the reason that I dislike fur flying around in a narrow space.
"Still, maybe that was a bit harsh?"
But for some reason, the puppy keeps coming to mind.
When I told him to guard the house as he hung onto my pant leg, the little guy had drooped his ears and made such a pathetic, pitiful expression.
"...Meow."
Thanks to that, I'm thinking I should bring him along next time, but the black cat doll sitting on my head suddenly starts pressing down on my head with its paw.
- Flap flap!
"Meow!"
Then suddenly, the owl's retaliation began.
And the cat desperately fighting back against it.
Canary watched that scene with a frightened expression, and the pigeon that had been sitting by the window in a relaxed posture watched their fight with a foolish look.
"...How peaceful."
Quietly stroking Lulu who had fallen asleep after rubbing her cheek against my chest, I murmured so.
"Happy."
What I want, whether in the past or now, was these kinds of small, uneventful days.
Well, this situation itself isn't ordinary either.
But at least I'm not fighting with my life on the line or racking my brain to solve impossible dilemmas, right?
"Sigh..."
I want to keep spending days like this.
Truly, desperately.
"Meow... meow..."
"Coo coo!"
The black cat that was resisting diligently eventually got caught by the owl's talons and started getting pecked in the head while being shaken around in the air.
For some reason, the owl's attacks today seem particularly filled with grudge. I wonder why?
"Kuk kuk..."
Laughing while watching that entertaining sight, I soon quietly look out the window.
"Still, I need to work hard."
Though this life I wanted will end when the break is over, I can't despair.
After giving the world a happy ending, I should seize a peaceful and boring life, shouldn't I?
- Rattle, rattle!
While having such thoughts, suddenly the carriage started shaking.
"We've arrived-!"
Soon the coachman's voice was heard.
It seems we've reached the destination.
"......"
I, who was stretching and preparing to go out, looked around at the quiet fellows.
"Don't fight and stay still."
After giving a firm warning, I leaned the sleeping Lulu against the wall and slowly got off the carriage.
"Wait here. I'll give you as much money as you want."
"...Yes."
After giving the order to the coachman, I took out my staff and slowly started heading into the guild.
"Hwah?"
Upon arriving at the counter, the female employee smoking a cigarette asked with her eyes wide round.
"You came quite quickly?"
"...Rosewin?"
"She's inside waiting for Frey-nim."
Saying that, she gave a bright smile and looked at me asking,
"Shall I guide you?"
"...No need."
Waving my hand at her and trying to go down to the basement, the female employee quietly whispered.
"Hang in there, Frey-nim."
Her expression somehow looked sad.
"...Alright."
Since she had been watching me pursue Rosewin since I was quite young, it's understandable for her to show such a reaction.
- Creak...
Entering the information guild with such thoughts, I soon murmured quietly to myself.
'Will this time be different?'
.
- Knock knock knock
"Yes- who might it be~?"
When knocking sounds echoed on the tightly closed door, Rosewin asked a question.
"It's me, Rosewin."
Then, Frey's answer came back.
"Ah."
At the same time, Rosewin who had been making a sour expression.
"Please come in~"
Soon responded with a kind, but businesslike voice.
"I've been well all this..."
Hearing Rosewin's response and opening the door to enter, Frey's expression started to harden.
"Ah..."
Because photos of a girl with ruby-colored eyes were plastered all over her room in every direction.
"Rosewin, who is that person?"
Frey, who had been blankly staring at the photo for a while, soon cautiously asked a question.
"What brings you here today~?"
However, Rosewin just smiled brightly and asked about the main point.
"No, just... I wanted to see your face a bit..."
"I'm a bit busy right now. If it's nothing important..."
"Ah, thinking about it, I had a request."
Frey, who sat down with a pitiful expression at Rosewin's indifferent response and said that.
"I want to submit a request now... would that be possible?"
He asked while glancing at her.
"Yes~ It's possible."
Only then did Rosewin, who had turned her gaze from the flower she had been tending to Frey, looked at Frey who was somehow making a darkened expression and asked.
"So, what request would you like to entrust?"
The flattery and fawning, and the gentle attitude she used to show in front of Frey did not exist.
There was only a businesslike gaze and businesslike tone.
"Uh, um... first, I need information about the Order's youngest paladin."
"Why?"
"...You didn't ask for reasons until now, did you?"
When Frey frowned and asked, Rosewin answered with a quiet smile.
"Just~ curious. I was wondering why you suddenly need such information."
"It's nothing special, just something I need to know..."
"Yes! Then, I've accepted it!"
Rosewin who cut off Frey's words and answered like that tried to get up from her seat, and Frey quickly opened his mouth.
"Ah, and... I'm requesting all information about the Order."
"Understood."
"Is, is it okay to accept that so simply? If it's about the Order, you..."
"Just trust me! It's not like this is your first or second time using our services."
Saying that, Rosewin who got up from her seat.
"Both pieces of information require additional investigation so it will take some time. So, I'll send it to you by letter when the investigation is complete."
"Uh, wouldn't it be better to come in person? For security reasons..."
"I'll put a security spell on it. So don't worry."
Answering Frey's questions faithfully, she tried to leave the room.
"Hey, Rosewin!"
"...Mm."
When Frey urgently grabbed her arm, Rosewin's expression slightly contorted.
"W-wait... there's something I want to say..."
"What is it?"
"That... I mean..."
Frey, who was looking at her with an anxious expression.
"Would you... go on a date with me?"
Took out a golden rose from his bosom and asked bashfully.
"........"
And silence began to flow.
"Just once. Can't you do it just once?"
Soon Frey began speaking to Rosewin with desperate eyes.
"I'll adjust the time to you. I'll adjust the schedule to whatever date and time you want."
"Uh, um..."
"I'll use every means I can mobilize to entertain you. So, just once. Okay?"
"....."
But Rosewin's response was indifferent.
"...I've been curious since before."
Rosewin, who had been looking at Frey with an indifferent expression for a while, soon slowly opened her mouth.
"Why have you been giving me countless flowers and asking for dates since long ago?"
"That's..."
Receiving her question and trailing off for a moment, Frey.
"I'll tell you honestly."
Clasping his hands tightly and answering with a determined expression.
"...I like you."
Frey, who said that with a reddened face.
"Since I saw you when I was young, I fell in love at first sight."
Soon began speaking in a low voice.
"Since the day I first met you, I've been constantly trying to get into your heart."
"....."
"Though I'm called a scoundrel by the world... though I'm pathetic, I wanted to look good to you at least."
Saying that much, Rosewin's eyes went wide.
"But, now... honestly, I'm at my limit."
Seeing Rosewin's reaction, Frey spoke with an even more desperate expression.
"In a few months... I might not have the capacity to treat you well anymore. I might not even be able to give you flowers properly, let alone gifts... I don't think I can face you proudly anymore..."
Swallowing hard and saying that, Frey.
"...Anyway, this seems like the last chance."
Looking at her with trembling eyes, he asked.
"Would you go on a date with me, just once? Even just once."
"Hmm..."
"If you don't like it, I'll stop. I won't keep acting like this anymore. Just once, accept my 'sincere heart'. Okay?"
"......"
When Rosewin started pondering after hearing those words, Frey.
"If I can fully convey my heart to you, I can do anything."
Took one step closer to her and said.
"I'll grant whatever you want. Just say it. Even if I have to strip my family's assets, even if I have to pour out all my remaining power, I'll make it happen."
Saying that, Frey, who held out the flower to her with a trembling hand.
"...Please."
Closing his eyes tight, he whispered so.
".........."
Rosewin, who had been in deep silence looking back and forth between him and the golden flower.
"Well..."
Slowly started reaching her hand toward the flower.
"Though the only thing I wanted in my life was already achieved not long ago."
Soon saying that while grabbing the golden flower.
"Still, since you're asking that much."
Pulling the flower from Frey's hand, she answered with a smile.
"I'll think about it for now."
"..........."
And, a long silence flowed.
"Uh..."
Frey's face, which had been filled with hope when Rosewin accepted the flower, started to contort more and more.
"W-wait... did anything come to mind or anything?"
Soon Frey, whose eyes had become hollow, asked that.
"Yes? What do you mean?"
Rosewin answered with a puzzled expression.
"......."
Hearing those words, Frey quietly lowered his head on one side.
"Hmm, but the flower's color is a bit of a deduction point. I like red, not gold."
Rosewin, who had been looking around at the golden rose he had worked so hard to obtain, answered with a regretful expression.
"Last time... you said you liked gold better than red..."
Frey, who was saying that while still keeping his head down and recalling Rosewin's statement at the ball held on her birthday.
"...No, never mind."
Soon lifted his head, gave a hollow smile, and turned his back.
"Rosewin, thank you for everything until now."
"Yes?"
When Frey said that, Rosewin tilted her head.
"You had a hard time because of me all this time, right? I'm really sorry."
"Uh... um..."
"I won't bother you anymore in the future."
When Frey said that with a sad smile, Rosewin started to show a slightly flustered expression.
"Well then, goodbye."
He, who was trying to move his footsteps forward, leaving behind lingering feelings.
"Meeting you all this time... was always fun."
After grabbing the doorknob, he slightly turned his head to show a trembling smile.
"...Goodbye."
He closed the door and left the room.
"........."
And, for a moment, silence flowed in the room.
"Milady!"
What broke that silence that had continued for quite a while was.
"What's going on!?"
The female employee whose face had gone pale.
"Frey-nim has cancelled his guild membership!"
"...What?"
"He's been such a regular customer all this time, so why on earth...?"
Listening to the female employee's urgent questions, Rosewin who had been sitting blankly.
"Wait a minute."
She stood up from her seat and answered.
"...I'll check it out."
.
"What is this, suddenly? It's not like he's a runaway puppy."
Grumbling, Rosewin who came out the guild's entrance started looking around.
"Frey-nim~? Are you here~?"
Soon, she put her hand to her mouth.
"Shall we talk for a bit~?"
She started calling out in all directions with a slightly raised voice.
"If you leave our guild, where will you go... hmm."
But that shout didn't last long.
"...Annoying."
Grabbing her throat that had gotten worse from dealing with too many customers and anxiously looking around, she soon frowned and murmured.
"Well, he'll come back before long."
Mixed in her voice was now confidence.
"Anyway, that guy only knows me, doesn't he?"
He listens to her complaints with a smile.
He somehow grants even unreasonable requests.
Even when she slightly raises the down payment, he accepts it with a laugh.
Rosewin, who had long experienced Frey who kept clinging to her with giggles even after being rejected from his confession.
For her, the fact that he would eventually come back and fill her self-esteem was a perfectly natural thing.
"Tsk, making me even raise my voice for nothing."
Still grabbing her aching throat, trying to suppress her heart that was somehow aching, she tried to go back into the guild, but.
- Flap!
At that moment, wingbeat sounds were heard from somewhere.
"What, what is it? What..."
And the next moment.
"Coo coo coo coo!!!"
"Kyah!"
Feeling intense pain on her forehead, Rosewin collapsed to the ground.
"Ugh..."
Soon, groaning while holding her forehead that felt like it would split.
"...Huh?"
She blankly fixed her gaze somewhere.
"Coo."
Beside the owl that had flown in through the window of the carriage standing far away and started quietly glaring at her.
"Uh, um Lulu? Why are you..."
Frey with a flustered expression.
"...Lick."
And Lulu, who had closed her eyes gently and was nestled in Frey's arms, licking his face - this scene entered her vision.
"Lu.....Lu?"
Since she was one of the hero party members proposed a few days ago, she naturally knew her personal information.
"What, what is it? You were definitely..."
Making an expression of disbelief and trying to get up from the ground.
"Stop it, Lulu."
Frey sighed and stroked Lulu with a gloomy expression.
"...Yes, Master."
Watching the scene of Lulu, who had glanced at herself on the ground with her demonic eye, saying that and rubbing her cheek against Frey's arm.
".....!?"
She started to make a dazed expression.
- Neigh!!
"........"
And before long, the carriage departed.
And from then on, a certain change came to Rosewin.
".......Ah?"
Though the timing was far too late.