I finished my work earlier than planned. Originally, it was expected to take two more days, but it seemed to have ended earlier than usual because I was immersed in not thinking about extra things.
"You can go back to Orthus like this..." I didn't feel that way anyway.
You don't have to think about why. Definitely about Meg.
I don't know when the trigger was clear. However, I felt awkward to meet Meg somehow when I went to see Meg's weapon that day. Not only me, but also Meg has been strangely concerned since then.
Age, I guess. I'm sensitive to being touched by the opposite sex. I knew it in my head, but I tried to touch it with my usual habit. I reflect that it was an act of lack of consideration.
I knew that Meg was worried that she was hurting me... "I couldn't even say," Never mind. "
"It's pathetic..." However, I was attacked by the thought that I shouldn't think any more, and after that, I packed up my work.
I heard that Meg headed to the dungeon to conquer with the twins of Annulus on the way to the dungeon.
Of course, Meg, I heard rumors about the strength of those twins, so I'm not really worried, to be honest.
Wyatt, my escort, was getting stronger these days. You won't be in danger in case.
Plus, Meg will pass the test and head to the human continent to investigate. Even though he's strong enough to be sure, Meg doesn't seem confident. That's the only downside. I don't know how great my ability is from the public viewpoint.
We can say it's our fault. If you grew up in the top class of talented people called Ortus, you can easily see that you don't feel confident. Perhaps the standards are too high.
That's why I'm hoping that we can change the perception of the area a little bit by conquering together with the twins this time.
"...... Kay"
I sigh heavily and call out the name of the person who has been following me since I entered the city.
It was fine to ignore it and go back to the inn, but he probably still calls out. It's easy to spill, but it's also troublesome to be complained about later. Then let's hear from here and get to the requirements.
Well, I guess I can guess. I've seen it before.
I can't think of a better choice than I did.
Ever since I met Meg, I've been less uncomfortable interacting with Ortus' people. Even before we met, we would have avoided this situation. Even if they complained later, they would have either heard it or disappeared before they heard it.
Even now, I still feel troublesome. I don't know what kind of mood changes I've had. However, I was certain that I was no longer willing to scorn them.
"Nh, I knew you'd notice." I think it was quite a good hiding place.
Now that I've finished my work, I'm still on edge.
"I see. Next time, I'll aim for when I'm off guard." Hmm, that's right. For example... when you're off with Meg-chan? "
When Meg's name comes up, she will react slightly. Normally unnoticed, but someone you've known for a long time would have noticed. Kay was one of them, of course.
He looked at me sideways as if he was laughing and making fun of me. I want to breathe out a big sigh again.
“Why are you here? The expedition will not be your responsibility."
"I happened to have to come here because of the job I was taking on." I came here just now. "
There seems to be no lie in the word. But it wouldn't be a coincidence that you found me. When I asked, I admitted that I had been searching lightly. I didn't feel like hiding it from the beginning.
"Hey, what did you do on purpose?" Meg put in a job the day she went to the human continent. "
That's what I'm talking about. I've been strangely probing since I was taken to the bar. I have the impression that I'm baking a broom rather than being funny.
It doesn't change the annoyance, but it's unusual that he shouldn't be the type to get into people's problems in the first place. Maybe this was Meg's fault too.
"You looked lonely, didn't you? Why did you do that?"
”... I thought I was too worried to see you off”
Reply to the expected question with the answer you prepared. However, Kaye was not convinced.
That's not all, right?
Are you still trying to find out?
From the time of the previous exchange, he must have noticed my true feelings, which I didn't even realize at that time.... no, I don't think so.
I was right to be aware of the fact that I didn't want to admit it.
"You must have noticed it yourself, Gilnandio." I really feel for Meg-chan. "
And now, it's finally bumping straight into me. Even though you didn't touch it after checking the condition, you're throwing a straight ball at me now.
You must have felt so strange about me and Meg. If that's the case, the rest of the team probably felt the same way.
"There must be another emotion, not love as a guardian. Your turn is not about your feelings as a daughter....."
"Meg is still an adult."
I know that's what you're saying because you think of us. I used to think it was depressing, but now I know that too.
That said, I'm not so gentle as to ask you at the end. He interrupted Kaye's words on the way and told her what they probably would have conveyed.
Meg is still a child.
"... what? I already admitted it."
It's a good thing you don't have to talk about a lot. But I didn't want to be sure. I couldn't deny it either.
"I know what you're trying to say, right?" It's a bit hard for an adult to reach out to a child. I was sure that there were some perverts with such preferences. But you're different, aren't you? For you, Meg-chan is a soul-seeking opponent, isn't she? I've heard that's what the number is. I don't know because I'm not here.
I know that.
"It's a miracle to be able to meet someone like that." I envy you so much.... hey, be more honest, Gilnandio. "
Kay looked slightly angry at us. A miracle where you can encounter a special being called number one. This is said to be admired by anyone who lives in the demon continent.
I thought I had nothing to do with it for life. I wish I could show up under those who want it, but the world doesn't work out.
"...... Meg is now a complicated adult." It's not good to get close to the cheap and upset your heart. "
Kay is probably really jealous. He doesn't like loneliness. That's why I always hang out and prefer places that are crowded.
That's why I may be frustrated by my uncooked attitude, but that's why I'm wrong.
"It may be true, but I think Meg's mind will be disturbed if she suddenly leaves..."
"... no, it's me."
Huh?
It's not who I am. I knew it. This kind of shaking up disturbs my mind. But I can't help but feel frustrated when I'm exposed to Meg's problems.
Don't say what you like. There's a pain over there, and there's a pain over here.
"You can't just stay there without touching me...!"
Meg is important. Much, much, much more than I do. But I'm egotistical. I didn't have the confidence to endure it, such as keeping a reasonable distance without touching it.
If that hurts Meg, I'll never forgive myself.
After hearing my words, Kaye's eyes blinked for a moment, and she muttered as if she had been taken in shock.
"... you're surprisingly impatient."
"Shut up."
Kay laughed as usual. What you've done with me has exposed you to disfigurement... "
"I get it. I won't say any more."
Sorry, Kaye switched to a crowded boulevard. There were thoughts, but I looked away silently without stopping.
It was Kay who seemed to walk away, but she threw up a dialogue with her face facing here once.
"... I'm glad to know you're just a man, too."
Such an unnecessary discard dialogue.
It's just a man, isn't it? Since when am I no longer just a man? Lower the hood to the ground.
"I'm just a pathetic man who hasn't changed, now or ever."
No matter how strong I became, no matter how recognized by the leader or the demon king, I was confident in my ability.
I've never been confident in myself. Sometimes I think I'm good at it. "But..."
Mr. Gill!
I don't want to hurt you. At least grow up, Meg.
I arrived at the inn and put up a barrier in the room. I usually use a simple tent in the nearby forest or dive into the shadows, but I had to stay at this inn due to my work. It is melancholy that I am scheduled to stay another night.
I had to return to Ortus because I had finished my work early. I usually don't hesitate to do so. But now I don't feel like leaving.
When have you ever wasted your extra time? It may be the first time since I belonged to Orthus. When I was working solo, I was free to rest and work, so I've been working since then.
"It's really pathetic. I..."
I feel weaker than I was then. I was afraid that the day would come when I'd be afraid of losing something. I'm also surprised that I think it's not a bad idea.
While deciding to keep an eye on him for the rest of his life, the monopoly greed makes his face appear when he is alarmed. How hard it is to spend time holding it back.
This could affect our work and our pledge to protect Meg if we have to. We have to avoid it at all costs.
Use last resort.
Standing in front of the mirror, he reveals his appearance that he doesn't want to see much. Then, he made eye contact with a man with black eyes who was standing across the mirror.
"Seal this' thought 'in the shadows." The key to unsealing it is...... [When you touched me from Meg] "
Meg won't touch me from herself anymore. Because of their age, embarrassment wins.
That's why if the time had come for me to touch it, it would have been when Meg was grown up or blown out.
That's it. Now we can deal with Meg as usual without worrying. Leave what you cherish, and let your true thoughts sink into the shadows.
Will the day come when it will be solved, or will it not? It's all in the future, too. Admit it, this is my weakness.
But if they solve it, I can't hold back.
I slowly closed my eyes in the mirror, smiling with gravity. When I opened my eyes again,────
"...... Hmm. Did you make a suggestion to yourself, I..."
In working behind closed doors, we may block information we learn to prevent it from being leaked. There is no problem because the keys are set at the same time, which you will definitely remember later.
No problem, I was hoping.
"The aftertaste is worse than usual..."
I didn't want to seal it off. At times like this, it's better not to remember... but I can't say that at work.
I finished my work earlier than planned. Originally, it would have taken two more days... but, well, things must have gone well.
Let's get out of the inn and head back to Ortus.