Chapter 61

“Phew… Somehow, I’m really tired.”

Who would have thought I’d encounter the Demon King in broad daylight in the city? By the way, how did the Demon King even get to this royal capital? There’s quite a distance from Menonu City… Can he teleport like warp or something?

In this world, magic does exist as a common occurrence, but not everyone can wield it freely. To use magic, one must refine their magical power through magic circles or magic items to give it shape. However, some people can use magic without those aids. These are people who are inherently endowed with a large amount of magical power. But, according to the story told in the game, the Demon King, whether due to his own talent or the result of repeated battles, had obtained nearly invincible and omnipotent power. So sneaking into the royal capital was probably a piece of cake for him.

“Sigh… Just when I thought the Black-winged Knights’ annihilation event had fizzled out, the Demon King shows up. And the game’s main storyline has changed too much; my knowledge is almost useless…”

Well, it’s all my fault that the game’s main story has changed so much!

I shrugged and walked down the main street of the town below the castle.

After the Demon King left the shop, I drank tea brewed by the bespectacled shop assistant while comforting her. Somehow, after she regained her spirits, I left “Ingrid Perfume” and headed to the carriage stop. There are several eateries lined up on this street, looking for carriage passengers. Some of them are places I’ve visited with Gazelle and Felix.

My first purpose was to run an errand to “Ingrid Perfume,” but my second was to grab the missed lunch. Initially, I thought, “I’ll skip lunch since I have classroom learning in the afternoon; I’ll go home early.” But the sudden encounter with the Demon King had left me famished.

Even if it’s something light, I want to put something in my stomach and get my spirits back before going back to the knights.

“Welcome!”

The restaurant I chose was a two-story building near the stop. The pale pink walls were chipped in places. Tables and chairs were lined up under the eaves, filled with middle-aged men who seemed to be adventurers, likely regulars of this shop. Since the outside seats were taken, I entered the shop and sat in a seat in the back.

“Excuse me, can I order?”

“Yes, of course!”

There was no menu on the table; instead, a chalk-written menu was posted on the shop’s wall.

I ordered a chicken sandwich and lemon water, and stared blankly out the window while waiting for the food.

…Come to think of it, this might be the first time I’ve been all alone like this.

Until now, Gazelle, Felix, or sometimes Iris were always with me. Whenever I went out, either Gazelle or Felix would always come with me… Felix….

“Sigh…”

Ugh, I’m feeling even more down.

He said, “Let’s stay apart for a little while,” he said, but how long is a little while?

An hour or so? Or until tomorrow?

…Felix, you didn’t start to dislike me, did you…?

What, what if that’s the case!?

I rested my chin on the table and gazed out the window at the passing people, feeling glum.

Among them, I suddenly noticed a familiar figure. They were walking through the crowd, visiting each shop on the main street, apparently asking the shopkeepers something.

As I absentmindedly watched their actions, they walked straight towards this shop.

Stopping in front of the shop, they asked something of the adventurers sitting at the outside tables. However, judging by their faces, they didn’t seem to have learned much.

After thanking the adventurers, the two entered the shop.

“Excuse me. I have something I’d like to ask…”

“Yes! What can I do for you?”

The waitress, who was cheerfully taking orders just a moment ago, blushed and looked flustered at the beautiful person in front of her.

A beautiful young man with ice-blue eyes and hair that shines with silvery light, dressed in the uniform of the White Wing Knights, which is based on white.

It suits him well. 

The other one is a young man with hair close to orange, with a slightly bad look in his eyes, but with a well-proportioned face.

Somehow, he reminds me of a stray tabby cat from my previous world.

Yes—those who came into the shop were the captain of the White-winged Knights, Leon, and one of the members, Rei.

Even though we live in the same royal capital, meeting them two days in a row is surprising.

“We are knights from the White-winged Knights. We are looking for someone right now… Have you seen this man around here recently?”

“I’m sorry. I haven’t seen him.”

The waitress answered the two of them, stumbling over her words.

From her extremely tense demeanor, it’s doubtful whether she even properly looked at the sketch Rei was holding. I watched the scene with a wry smile, when from the kitchen, a voice rang out, “The sandwiches are ready!” The waitress bowed to the two and went to get the sandwiches as if she was shot out of a cannon, relieved to be away from the two.

“Customers, I apologize for the wait.”

“Thank you.”

I received the plate of sandwiches and a glass of lemon water. And just as I was gearing up to eat, I felt someone’s gaze on me.

“Takumi?”

“What are you doing here?”

They seem to have noticed me, looking over with puzzled faces. I raised a hand in response to the two.

“Good work, both of you. Sorry for not getting up.”

“No, it’s fine. Even so, it’s strange to meet in such odd places two days in a row.”

Leon is right. Meeting them again in this place was unexpected for me too. Rei also stared at me with a curious face.

“What are you doing here?”

“As you can see, I’m in the middle of lunch.”

“Is that so? It’s quite late for lunch…”

“I was busy with various things in the morning. …Oh, and the reason I’m here is because I had business in the town below the castle for the Knights. I’m not slacking off, okay?”

“Heh, of course, I know.”

I made sure to say that, and Leon broke into a grin.

He was beautiful even when expressionless, but when he smiled like that, his impression changed completely, as if the ice had melted and spring had come. The waitress from before was staring at Leon with a dumbfounded face.

“Even so, Leon and Rei, both of you going around questioning people… You must be tired from yesterday. That’s tough.”

“It’s not a big deal, it’s our duty as knights.”

Leon told me with a smile. But behind him, I clearly saw Rei shrugging his shoulders.

Unlike Leon, Rei seemed a bit tired.

Well, that’s to be expected. Almost killed by a Great Wolf yesterday, and now out in the town below the castle with his boss for questioning, he must be mentally exhausted.

Hmm… If they haven’t had lunch yet, maybe I should invite them to eat with me?

“Have you two had lunch yet?”

“Yes, at the Knights’ dining hall.”

“I see, that’s too bad. I thought we could eat together if you hadn’t…”

Too bad! Sorry, Rei, I couldn’t help you much… 

As I thought that, Leon seemed a bit restless and for some reason, blushed a little, staring at me with heated ice-blue eyes.

“…Is it fine with you, Takumi? Even if it means sharing the table with us?”

“Yes, of course. I didn’t get to talk to Leon or Rei much yesterday.”

When I said that, Leon’s face lit up. The waitress on the other side was staring at Leon with wide eyes. Scary.

“Then let’s have tea for a while. We were feeling a bit awkward just asking questions without ordering anything. You don’t mind, do you, Rei?”

“Yes, of course.”

Rei nodded when Leon asked him.

I smiled at Rei, trying to convey that it was good for him. Then, for some reason, Rei’s face turned bright red in an instant.