Chapter 164: It’s a “Promise”
A cool breeze faintly passed between Sharle and me.
I took a glass from my magic bag and spoke to the chair that, from the outside, looked as if no one was sitting in it.
"If you can drink alcohol, how about a little?"
"Let’s see... then, I’ll accept."
After a short pause in a voice that seemed to be thinking, a reply immediately came back.
I smiled, picked up the bottle I had set on the ground, poured about half a glass of alcohol, and held it out toward the chair.
Then the glass I was holding grew lighter, and I understood that the bottom was being supported.
This kind of casual consideration is a good point of Sharle’s, and a point I like.
I have never asked how she does it, yet someday I would like to ask about the method that even makes the handed-over glass disappear.
Turning my face forward I heard the sound of something being drunk, then a small exhalation.
"This is delicious..."
"Because white token is mixed in. It’s too expensive and I can’t make many, so it’s for drinking at home."
"...Fufu, if I tell the Chancellor he’ll be envious."
"He’s a heavy drinker, that person..."
I refrain from commenting on the fact that Sharle is casually bringing up the Chancellor and talking about him.
Thinking that, I took a sip of alcohol and held the glass up against the street lamp in front of Erika’s house.
In appearance it was the color of whiskey; no one who saw it would think white token was in it.
I only put in a small amount so the color would not change, yet it is delicious.
The stimulation that passes through the throat, followed by the scent of the barrel and the fruity flavor.
If the amount and price of white token were lower I would like to share it with the adventurers, but well, it’s impossible.
While thinking that, a happy, restrained laugh came from the side.
"Kusukusu, calling the Chancellor ’that person’?"
"It’s not as if I’m inside the royal palace or there are spies around, right?"
"I told you I serve the king, you know?"
"I don’t think of you as a rigid woman, Sharle. It’s a drinking occasion—please forgive a little slip of the tongue."
"You’re kind. You could simply say that I called the Chancellor without honorifics."
"That itself would be uncouth, wouldn’t it."
At my words Sharle laughed happily and gently stroked one of my cheeks.
Having my cheek stroked by Sharle, I had begun to vaguely understand her feelings from the way she stroked.
I cannot touch Sharle’s hand from my side because she is invisible, yet when I am touched I can feel that she is enjoying it.
When she enjoys it, I who am keeping her company for an evening drink also feel at ease.
Stories of Sharle’s comrades that I do not usually hear, and stories of Sharle’s favorite foods.
I never thought she liked vegetables... Come to think of it, when we had hot pot some time ago she was eating them looking delicious.
While chatting happily, suddenly Sharle grew quiet and spoke in a serious voice.
"Lord Raide, what do you think about other races?"
"...Other races meaning demons, elves, beastmen and the like?"
"Have you... met them before?"
"No, I haven’t. It’s knowledge I obtained from books."
A little worry, something like hesitation, was contained in Sharle’s voice.
I truly have not met them, yet in free play I have any number of times.
This continent has half its area inhabited by humans, and the other half is unexplored land.
In that unexplored land live ruins of the kind Fia and the others explored, and other races; in free play adventuring in the unexplored land is one of the pleasures.
The reason it is unexplored is simple: in the Overwald world overflowing with monsters it is not easy to thoroughly investigate.
Even without that, humans are fighting among themselves; there is no way to allocate precious personnel to unexplored land.
Occasionally other races do come over from the unexplored land to this side.
Those events become books, and only the knowledge walks alone, so to speak.
Sharle took a small deep breath and spoke to me in a voice as if she had steeled herself.
"Have you never met fairies either?"
"No..."
"Is that so. ...Is that so."
Sharle murmured in a voice that seemed a little relieved, a little reassured.
Hearing Sharle’s murmur I took a sip of alcohol and apologized to her in my heart.
Sorry... it’s a "promise." Even for Sharle I cannot say it.
The fairy race is highly cautious yet kind-hearted and duty-bound; breaking their "promise" would be an act of betrayal.
Even if it is family I cannot say it, and I will take it to the grave in silence just as the "promise" dictates.
Whatever she had been worrying about, Sharle breathed a sigh of relief and spoke.
"I’m glad you haven’t met them."
"Hmm, the way you say it makes it sound as if they really exist."
"Fufu... fufufu, true enough."
"Well, they’ve even become books. Maybe they really do exist? ...Now then, I’ll be going to sleep soon. I have to prepare for tomorrow’s punishment."
"Yes, please prepare. Good night, Lord Raide."
"Good night, Sharle."
I stood from the chair, told Sharle I would clean up tomorrow, and entered the inn.
A pleasant intoxication had set in, and it looked as though I would be able to sleep once I lay on the bed.
Therefore the words that Sharle, who had seen me off, murmured in a gentle voice did not reach me.
"You’re keeping the ’promise,’ aren’t you..."
The next day, around 10 o’clock.
I was changing into slightly nicer clothes in my own room.
By "nicer" I mean the kind of clothes for going to meet the Chancellor; it is not as if I have been invited to a party.
Rather than going in rigid formal wear like a noble, something like an adventurer dressed up a bit should be fine.
At the timing of putting on the outer garment the door was lightly knocked; when the door opened Pafa peeked her face out and spoke.
"Raide, Felica... came?"
"Ah, thanks, Pafa."
When I gently stroked Pafa’s head with one hand she smiled happily.
Going outside together with Pafa, a carriage of inconspicuous coloring was stopped on the main avenue.
Hugging Nimi who had been waiting outside and saying "I’m off," Nimi hugged my body back, smiled gently, and kissed me.
Separating our bodies and approaching the carriage, looking at the driver’s seat I saw Alumi smiling and looking this way.
The fact that Alumi is driving means there are others providing security as well.
I can feel at ease, yet... after hearing Felica’s story I end up feeling that Alumi alone would be enough.
Apparently she can put up a good fight in a mock battle with Felica who uses all sorts of skills... No, she’s definitely strong.
Opening the door and peeking inside, my eyes met Felica’s and I smiled; looking at the person beside Felica I was a little surprised.
Seeing my surprised expression as I entered, Felica laughed troubledly and spoke.
"A letter arrived yesterday. It was decided she would accompany us."
"Please take care of me today, Instructor Raide."
"Ah, likewise, please take care of me."
Roy, dressed simply so as not to stand out, smiled and bowed his head toward me who sat opposite.
...Shall I pray that the event at the royal palace does not occur.
While organizing in my head what kind of events there had been, I began conversing with the two.
The carriage slowly began to move; when I asked Felica whether there were others who had been summoned, she crossed her arms and shook her head.
"No, it wasn’t written in the letter."
"I see... I’m not very used to this, so please look after me, both of you."
When I said that the two looked at each other, laughed happily, and nodded.
...Sorry, but was there a part to laugh at?
While I tilted my head Felica waved one hand as if to say it was nothing.