Chapter 85 : Laserna
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“Haaah….”
“Excuse me?! You! What are you trying to do by locking me, your client, in the carriage?! You want me to fire you?!”
“Huh….”
While I was sighing a breath of relief, Francesca-san came yelling at me with a very menacing look on her face.
Huh… I’m just trying to guarantee your safety but you’re getting mad at me…
“Madam! He’s doing it for Madam…”
“Shut your mouth! What? You only did that because you didn’t want to see Sigurd-sama rushing to my side to help me, right?!”
“Umm… Just how did you come to that conclusion….”
Mel-san came following behind her. He tried to back me up but Francesca-san kept on egging me on, completely ignoring anything else but her own words…
In a sense, I felt like I needed to have some of her super positivity.
‘At any rate! I’m going to fire you since you didn’t listen to what I said!”
Francesca-san pointed her finger at me. Being on the receiving end of her sudden declaration, I just stood there dumbfoundedly but then Sig-san suddenly came to my rescue. He slung his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to him.
“I see. If that’s the case then we will need to get the penalty fee from you. We took the job to protect you and so far, we’ve done our job perfectly. In spite of our perfect job, you still want to fire us because of your own displeasure. Of course, firing us is your right as our client but then, you will need to pay the penalty fee since it is our right. Though, we’re an A-rank party so the fee won’t be cheap, you know?”
Sig-san said in a condescending tone to Francesca-san. The topic about the penalty fee that Sig-san brought to the table made me thinking,”Ah, that’s right…”
“Huh? What are you talking about? I’m only going to fire this man though? Sigurd-sama and the others can still…”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Ren is the leader of Luce and we took this quest as a party. Firing Ren is the same as firing Luce.”
Francesca-san asked, she looked confused in which Sig-san immediately cut her off and replied to her in an exasperated tone.
“Ugh… Fine. I’ll overlook it this time…. Sigurd-sama, you must be tired, right? How about if we take a break together over there?”
“No thanks…. Mel, the sun is about to set soon. What are we going to do now? Are we still going to continue our trip as planned? How far along are we?”
Seemed like she finally realized that firing me meant she had to fire Sig-san as well. She looked frustrated but a moment later, she immediately went on to invite Sig-san to rest with her. Pretending all the talk about firing me never existed in the first place. Her mental strength was really incredible…
Sig-san rejected her offer immediately and asked Mel-san about our plan next.
“Well, we’re only 15 minutes away from our next destination so let’s move on. Though we may be fine with it, being so close to a pile of burnt bodies must be hard for Madam and the other servants.”
“Ah, you’re right. Then we better get moving soon.”
While it was true we were already off track from our schedule, we were staying way too close to the pile of burnt bodies… Sig-san burnt the bodies using fire from his magic sword so the fire wouldn’t spread aside from his designated target but looking at how big the fire was, it wouldn’t take long for the fire to completely burn the corpse. Even if the ladies weren’t civilians, it would be difficult trying to rest and eat with a pile of burnt corpses nearby.
“Ren, let’s go. You’re going to ride with me, right?”
“Yes!”
Sig-san had a serious expression while he was talking with Mel-san but as soon as he turned his gaze to me, his face immediately returned to his usual bright and cheery smile. Sig-san outstretched his hand to me, inviting me to walk together with him to where Oscar was.
Seeing how a smile blossomed in Sig-san’s face when he had just ignored her not too long ago, Francesca-san was flushed red in displeasure. She glared at me but I couldn’t care less. I took Sig-san’s hand and left her behind.
Francesca-san then went back to her carriage along with Mel-san.
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“Can you see it? That’s Laserna.”
Today I was riding with Viktor. We could finally see the city’s wall just before noon. We had wrapped ropes all over the bodies of the four bandits we had captured and gagged their mouths before we shoved them onto the corner of a carriage.
The weather was hot today so we still gave the bandits some water by seeping the water through the clothes on their gag but of course some of the water would spill out onto their clothes. We periodically cast [Clean] on them so they were physically clean but they must be truly humiliated with the treatment we gave them…
“We’ve finally safely arrived… What are we going to do with the bandits though?”
“That’s right… Well, first thing first, we will need to deliver them to the guild. After that, the guild will contact the mayor and if there are still some hostages left in their base, the city guard will be dispatched to rescue them.”
“I see… I hope there are some survivors left but… I guess, their life won’t be easy after being captured by the bandits…”
Right. I heard the bandits had captured the good-looking ones with them. Even if they were still alive… The bandits might had already raped them… It must be hard keeping their sanity at times like that…
“I can’t say for sure but… Since we’ve captured them now, they won’t be able to do any harm again.”
“You’re right.”
Yeah… It won’t do me any good overthinking this…
“Our job will be finished after we reach the town~ After checking our horse into the stable, we’re going to bring those guys to the guild~”
“Yeah. I’m sorry for making you guys go through all the trouble but after you guys delivered the bandits, please come visit our residence in this town. Tad knows where it is so you can bring him with you to the guild.”
“Okay~ Then please prepare the paperwork for completing the quest for us~”
After we’ve reached the city gate, Chris-san came and said that while pointing at the carriage. Mel-san then told us to visit their residence after that.
We went separate ways from Mel-san and the others to rent some room in the stable for William and the others. Then we released the binding on the bandit’s leg so they could walk on their own before we went to the guild along with Tad-san.
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“Oh my… Thank you for helping us! We will take care of the interrogation ourselves! The country had issued a formal subjugation request just yesterday. Would you like to proceed with the reward settlement process immediately?”
“Ah, yes please but… We subjugated the bandits together with another group and since we were a little short on time, we hadn’t decided on how to split the reward yet.”
“If that’s the case then we can postpone the settlement process for you. Please go and discuss splitting the reward with the other party and come back to the guild within the next five days.”
“I understand.”
Seemed like the country had issued the request right after we departed to Laserna so the amount of the reward we would receive had been decided already. We would need to talk with Mel-san and the others about this. Or maybe to Francesca-san? Since she was their employer?
“Then… We will be back soon…. Excuse us.”
Fer-san said as the representative of our party. After we had handed over the bandits to the guild, Tad-san guided us toward Francesca-san’s residence in Laserna.
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“My my my my! I’m truly indebted to you guys for taking care of my spouse on this occasion! Although, I heard you were attacked by bandits? My, I’m really glad we’ve hired you guys! Ah! That beastman over there, are you Franca’s new spouse? I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance! I hope we will get along well!!”
“Haah…”
As soon as we arrived at Francesca-san’s residence, we were greeted with great vigor by Francesca-san’s spouse, a tall man with silver hair and green eyes. This man who appeared to be 30 years old, looked very excited to see us. Francesca-san must’ve liked silver hair and green eyes since Sig-san also had the same color scheme as this man.
“I can’t believe it even here she’s…. I’ve already bought an engagement cuff for Ren in which he had accepted. He’s my fiancé and I have no intention in marrying anyone but him, you hear me? Since we’ve finished our job, can you just quickly give us the paperwork for completing the quest?”
“Sigurd-sama! You said it yourself that you’d have a meal together with me when we got to Laserna, didn’t you? I’ll hand the paperwork to you after our meal. Let’s talk more about our spousal during dinner, shall we?”
Sig-san explained for the umpteenth time that he didn’t want to marry Francesca-san and asked for the paperwork as soon as possible but Francesca-san immediately intercepted him and basically just shouted meal! Though I doubt she’d give the paperwork to us that easily.
Which reminds me… Sig-san promised her that we’d have a meal together with her… But still… Francesca-san really doesn’t know when to give up…
“Haaah…. It’s almost mealtime too… Fine! We’re going to have dinner together and nothing else! I’m going back as soon as I finish with my meal.”
“Fufu~ I will have the servants prepare the meal right away!”
Sighing heavily, Sig-san relented. On the other side, Francesca-san was smiling so sweetly, as if a flower was blooming around her. She immediately gave instructions to the maid standing beside her.
“… Sorry, Ren. You’re getting caught in so much trouble because of me…”
“No! Sig-san, you’re not at fault at all! Though if I have to say, it’s because Sig-san is just too cool, I guess?”
We were ushered to another room while we waited for the meal. Both Sig-san’s ears and tail were down as he apologized. But Sig-san hadn’t done anything wrong and he had been continuously rejecting her advances without beating a single bush.
“Umm… Is it alright if I told Francesca-san something along the line like Sig-san is my fiancé so please stop!”
“Ren, thank you for your thoughts. I’m so happy when you said that I’m cool but I think… Judging from her type, I think saying something like that would do you more harm than good. Anyway, we’re going to leave as soon as we finish our meal. I doubt we will have any other chance to meet with her, so everything should be good. Ren, I know you might feel uncomfortable eating with her but please, bear with it just a little bit more.”
“Yes…”
I asked him whether I should say that but Sig-san told me to drop it and led me to sit on the sofa with him.
“Ren-chan, to be honest, I think this kind of thing will happen again in the future. Even after we got married, I’m sure someone like her would show up and said that we should get a divorce~ So Ren-chan, you might experience more unpleasant thing in the future but at the very least, I’m determined to stay faithful to you, okay?~”
“I feel the same.”
“Of course I am too!”
“Yes, I feel the same way as you guys too.”
Umm… I don’t feel right saying this about the three of them but… They’re really top tier goods…. They’re handsome… Super strong… Their personality is also good… Fer-san is royalty and Chris-san is a noble… I also think this kind of scenario is bound to happen in the future again… But… Just like what the three of them had said.. I also want to believe in their feelings.
“Fufu… After we’re done with everything, how about we go sightseeing in Laserna? There’s a lot of tourist spots here. There’s a huge gambling house and… Hot springs? I think that’s what it’s called here? It’s a place where we can enjoy hot water so I’m sure it’s going to be fun.”
“Eh? Hot springs?! Whoa… I want to try it!”
Fer-san changed the subject by talking about going sightseeing in Laserna but hot springs he said?! Uwahhh… I really wanted to try it!! I had been wanting to go to a hot spring back in Japan so when I heard there was a hot spring in here, I just had no other choice but to go and try it out!
Also, when the gambling house Fer-san mentioned must be something like ‘casino’ from Earth? But from the way Fer-san talked about it, I guess the gambling house must be publicly managed instead of privately owned? I had never done anything like that back in Japan so I was curious about it too…
“Then you will have so much to look forward to~ I’ve been to Laserna quite a few times myself and I always visit the hot spring whenever I’m here~ Even right now, Ren-chan’s skin is already so smooth and glossy but after you visit the hot spring, your skin is going to glow even more!~”
“Fufu~ I can’t wait!”
But it was not like I was concerned about my skin. I was looking forward to going into the hot spring together with everyone.
“I’m glad to see your mood getting better, Ren. Ah, right. Ren, can you please cast [Detox] before we eat our meal later?”
“I understand!”
“That’s right… She might have slipped some drugs in Sig and our meal. Something like sleeping pills, aphrodisiac or something to hypnotize or brainwash us… I wouldn’t put it past her to slip some poison into Ren-kun’s food since she seems to view you as a nuisance.”
We had talked about this before. If I was the one casting [Detox], there would be no problem even if I only cast it once before we ate. The three of them could also cast [Detox] with high effectivity but the effect couldn’t last for long. They would need to repeatedly cast [Detox] multiple times throughout the meal and doing that was not possible to do under such circumstances so it was decided between us that I would be the one to cast [Detox] for all four of us.
I already tested my [Detox] effectiveness before. We slipped sleeping pills into the meal and my [Detox] lasted for two hours. So as long as we didn’t eat for hours, there shouldn’t be any problem. Although… Fer-san really said some dreadful things about Francesca-san… She wouldn’t actually go that far… Right?
“Francesca-sama is the daughter of a big merchant after all. There’s nothing she can’t get~ In anyway, using [Detox] is not a rude thing to do since adventurers and people of a certain status always do it without fail~ Well~ The effectiveness of [Detox] varies from person to person so if the poison is stronger than the effect of [Detox], you will still end up getting poisoned but if it’s Ren-chan, I’m sure there will be no problem~”
“I hope so…”
Although I was still a bit anxious, while the food was still being prepared, we spent the next half hour talking about going sightseeing in Laserna and the countermeasures we had to prepare to deal with Francesca-san. And so, the time passed by just like that.
Chapter 85 : Laserna
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“Haaah….”
“Excuse me?! You! What are you trying to do by locking me, your client, in the carriage?! You want me to fire you?!”
“Huh….”
While I was sighing a breath of relief, Francesca-san came yelling at me with a very menacing look on her face.
Huh… I’m just trying to guarantee your safety but you’re getting mad at me…
“Madam! He’s doing it for Madam…”
“Shut your mouth! What? You only did that because you didn’t want to see Sigurd-sama rushing to my side to help me, right?!”
“Umm… Just how did you come to that conclusion….”
Mel-san came following behind her. He tried to back me up but Francesca-san kept on egging me on, completely ignoring anything else but her own words…
In a sense, I felt like I needed to have some of her super positivity.
‘At any rate! I’m going to fire you since you didn’t listen to what I said!”
Francesca-san pointed her finger at me. Being on the receiving end of her sudden declaration, I just stood there dumbfoundedly but then Sig-san suddenly came to my rescue. He slung his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to him.
“I see. If that’s the case then we will need to get the penalty fee from you. We took the job to protect you and so far, we’ve done our job perfectly. In spite of our perfect job, you still want to fire us because of your own displeasure. Of course, firing us is your right as our client but then, you will need to pay the penalty fee since it is our right. Though, we’re an A-rank party so the fee won’t be cheap, you know?”
Sig-san said in a condescending tone to Francesca-san. The topic about the penalty fee that Sig-san brought to the table made me thinking,”Ah, that’s right…”
“Huh? What are you talking about? I’m only going to fire this man though? Sigurd-sama and the others can still…”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Ren is the leader of Luce and we took this quest as a party. Firing Ren is the same as firing Luce.”
Francesca-san asked, she looked confused in which Sig-san immediately cut her off and replied to her in an exasperated tone.
“Ugh… Fine. I’ll overlook it this time…. Sigurd-sama, you must be tired, right? How about if we take a break together over there?”
“No thanks…. Mel, the sun is about to set soon. What are we going to do now? Are we still going to continue our trip as planned? How far along are we?”
Seemed like she finally realized that firing me meant she had to fire Sig-san as well. She looked frustrated but a moment later, she immediately went on to invite Sig-san to rest with her. Pretending all the talk about firing me never existed in the first place. Her mental strength was really incredible…
Sig-san rejected her offer immediately and asked Mel-san about our plan next.
“Well, we’re only 15 minutes away from our next destination so let’s move on. Though we may be fine with it, being so close to a pile of burnt bodies must be hard for Madam and the other servants.”
“Ah, you’re right. Then we better get moving soon.”
While it was true we were already off track from our schedule, we were staying way too close to the pile of burnt bodies… Sig-san burnt the bodies using fire from his magic sword so the fire wouldn’t spread aside from his designated target but looking at how big the fire was, it wouldn’t take long for the fire to completely burn the corpse. Even if the ladies weren’t civilians, it would be difficult trying to rest and eat with a pile of burnt corpses nearby.
“Ren, let’s go. You’re going to ride with me, right?”
“Yes!”
Sig-san had a serious expression while he was talking with Mel-san but as soon as he turned his gaze to me, his face immediately returned to his usual bright and cheery smile. Sig-san outstretched his hand to me, inviting me to walk together with him to where Oscar was.
Seeing how a smile blossomed in Sig-san’s face when he had just ignored her not too long ago, Francesca-san was flushed red in displeasure. She glared at me but I couldn’t care less. I took Sig-san’s hand and left her behind.
Francesca-san then went back to her carriage along with Mel-san.
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“Can you see it? That’s Laserna.”
Today I was riding with Viktor. We could finally see the city’s wall just before noon. We had wrapped ropes all over the bodies of the four bandits we had captured and gagged their mouths before we shoved them onto the corner of a carriage.
The weather was hot today so we still gave the bandits some water by seeping the water through the clothes on their gag but of course some of the water would spill out onto their clothes. We periodically cast [Clean] on them so they were physically clean but they must be truly humiliated with the treatment we gave them…
“We’ve finally safely arrived… What are we going to do with the bandits though?”
“That’s right… Well, first thing first, we will need to deliver them to the guild. After that, the guild will contact the mayor and if there are still some hostages left in their base, the city guard will be dispatched to rescue them.”
“I see… I hope there are some survivors left but… I guess, their life won’t be easy after being captured by the bandits…”
Right. I heard the bandits had captured the good-looking ones with them. Even if they were still alive… The bandits might had already raped them… It must be hard keeping their sanity at times like that…
“I can’t say for sure but… Since we’ve captured them now, they won’t be able to do any harm again.”
“You’re right.”
Yeah… It won’t do me any good overthinking this…
“Our job will be finished after we reach the town~ After checking our horse into the stable, we’re going to bring those guys to the guild~”
“Yeah. I’m sorry for making you guys go through all the trouble but after you guys delivered the bandits, please come visit our residence in this town. Tad knows where it is so you can bring him with you to the guild.”
“Okay~ Then please prepare the paperwork for completing the quest for us~”
After we’ve reached the city gate, Chris-san came and said that while pointing at the carriage. Mel-san then told us to visit their residence after that.
We went separate ways from Mel-san and the others to rent some room in the stable for William and the others. Then we released the binding on the bandit’s leg so they could walk on their own before we went to the guild along with Tad-san.
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“Oh my… Thank you for helping us! We will take care of the interrogation ourselves! The country had issued a formal subjugation request just yesterday. Would you like to proceed with the reward settlement process immediately?”
“Ah, yes please but… We subjugated the bandits together with another group and since we were a little short on time, we hadn’t decided on how to split the reward yet.”
“If that’s the case then we can postpone the settlement process for you. Please go and discuss splitting the reward with the other party and come back to the guild within the next five days.”
“I understand.”
Seemed like the country had issued the request right after we departed to Laserna so the amount of the reward we would receive had been decided already. We would need to talk with Mel-san and the others about this. Or maybe to Francesca-san? Since she was their employer?
“Then… We will be back soon…. Excuse us.”
Fer-san said as the representative of our party. After we had handed over the bandits to the guild, Tad-san guided us toward Francesca-san’s residence in Laserna.
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“My my my my! I’m truly indebted to you guys for taking care of my spouse on this occasion! Although, I heard you were attacked by bandits? My, I’m really glad we’ve hired you guys! Ah! That beastman over there, are you Franca’s new spouse? I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance! I hope we will get along well!!”
“Haah…”
As soon as we arrived at Francesca-san’s residence, we were greeted with great vigor by Francesca-san’s spouse, a tall man with silver hair and green eyes. This man who appeared to be 30 years old, looked very excited to see us. Francesca-san must’ve liked silver hair and green eyes since Sig-san also had the same color scheme as this man.
“I can’t believe it even here she’s…. I’ve already bought an engagement cuff for Ren in which he had accepted. He’s my fiancé and I have no intention in marrying anyone but him, you hear me? Since we’ve finished our job, can you just quickly give us the paperwork for completing the quest?”
“Sigurd-sama! You said it yourself that you’d have a meal together with me when we got to Laserna, didn’t you? I’ll hand the paperwork to you after our meal. Let’s talk more about our spousal during dinner, shall we?”
Sig-san explained for the umpteenth time that he didn’t want to marry Francesca-san and asked for the paperwork as soon as possible but Francesca-san immediately intercepted him and basically just shouted meal! Though I doubt she’d give the paperwork to us that easily.
Which reminds me… Sig-san promised her that we’d have a meal together with her… But still… Francesca-san really doesn’t know when to give up…
“Haaah…. It’s almost mealtime too… Fine! We’re going to have dinner together and nothing else! I’m going back as soon as I finish with my meal.”
“Fufu~ I will have the servants prepare the meal right away!”
Sighing heavily, Sig-san relented. On the other side, Francesca-san was smiling so sweetly, as if a flower was blooming around her. She immediately gave instructions to the maid standing beside her.
“… Sorry, Ren. You’re getting caught in so much trouble because of me…”
“No! Sig-san, you’re not at fault at all! Though if I have to say, it’s because Sig-san is just too cool, I guess?”
We were ushered to another room while we waited for the meal. Both Sig-san’s ears and tail were down as he apologized. But Sig-san hadn’t done anything wrong and he had been continuously rejecting her advances without beating a single bush.
“Umm… Is it alright if I told Francesca-san something along the line like Sig-san is my fiancé so please stop!”
“Ren, thank you for your thoughts. I’m so happy when you said that I’m cool but I think… Judging from her type, I think saying something like that would do you more harm than good. Anyway, we’re going to leave as soon as we finish our meal. I doubt we will have any other chance to meet with her, so everything should be good. Ren, I know you might feel uncomfortable eating with her but please, bear with it just a little bit more.”
“Yes…”
I asked him whether I should say that but Sig-san told me to drop it and led me to sit on the sofa with him.
“Ren-chan, to be honest, I think this kind of thing will happen again in the future. Even after we got married, I’m sure someone like her would show up and said that we should get a divorce~ So Ren-chan, you might experience more unpleasant thing in the future but at the very least, I’m determined to stay faithful to you, okay?~”
“I feel the same.”
“Of course I am too!”
“Yes, I feel the same way as you guys too.”
Umm… I don’t feel right saying this about the three of them but… They’re really top tier goods…. They’re handsome… Super strong… Their personality is also good… Fer-san is royalty and Chris-san is a noble… I also think this kind of scenario is bound to happen in the future again… But… Just like what the three of them had said.. I also want to believe in their feelings.
“Fufu… After we’re done with everything, how about we go sightseeing in Laserna? There’s a lot of tourist spots here. There’s a huge gambling house and… Hot springs? I think that’s what it’s called here? It’s a place where we can enjoy hot water so I’m sure it’s going to be fun.”
“Eh? Hot springs?! Whoa… I want to try it!”
Fer-san changed the subject by talking about going sightseeing in Laserna but hot springs he said?! Uwahhh… I really wanted to try it!! I had been wanting to go to a hot spring back in Japan so when I heard there was a hot spring in here, I just had no other choice but to go and try it out!
Also, when the gambling house Fer-san mentioned must be something like ‘casino’ from Earth? But from the way Fer-san talked about it, I guess the gambling house must be publicly managed instead of privately owned? I had never done anything like that back in Japan so I was curious about it too…
“Then you will have so much to look forward to~ I’ve been to Laserna quite a few times myself and I always visit the hot spring whenever I’m here~ Even right now, Ren-chan’s skin is already so smooth and glossy but after you visit the hot spring, your skin is going to glow even more!~”
“Fufu~ I can’t wait!”
But it was not like I was concerned about my skin. I was looking forward to going into the hot spring together with everyone.
“I’m glad to see your mood getting better, Ren. Ah, right. Ren, can you please cast [Detox] before we eat our meal later?”
“I understand!”
“That’s right… She might have slipped some drugs in Sig and our meal. Something like sleeping pills, aphrodisiac or something to hypnotize or brainwash us… I wouldn’t put it past her to slip some poison into Ren-kun’s food since she seems to view you as a nuisance.”
We had talked about this before. If I was the one casting [Detox], there would be no problem even if I only cast it once before we ate. The three of them could also cast [Detox] with high effectivity but the effect couldn’t last for long. They would need to repeatedly cast [Detox] multiple times throughout the meal and doing that was not possible to do under such circumstances so it was decided between us that I would be the one to cast [Detox] for all four of us.
I already tested my [Detox] effectiveness before. We slipped sleeping pills into the meal and my [Detox] lasted for two hours. So as long as we didn’t eat for hours, there shouldn’t be any problem. Although… Fer-san really said some dreadful things about Francesca-san… She wouldn’t actually go that far… Right?
“Francesca-sama is the daughter of a big merchant after all. There’s nothing she can’t get~ In anyway, using [Detox] is not a rude thing to do since adventurers and people of a certain status always do it without fail~ Well~ The effectiveness of [Detox] varies from person to person so if the poison is stronger than the effect of [Detox], you will still end up getting poisoned but if it’s Ren-chan, I’m sure there will be no problem~”
“I hope so…”
Although I was still a bit anxious, while the food was still being prepared, we spent the next half hour talking about going sightseeing in Laserna and the countermeasures we had to prepare to deal with Francesca-san. And so, the time passed by just like that.
