Night.
We came to the tavern to celebrate the success in the defensive battle against the undead army.
Chief Bolton and the other guards came.
As well as my comrades from the 5th squad.
I was glad that no one had been left out after the battle.
The entire tavern was reserved for the guards.
Moreover, they said that they would not charge for it.
That was what the master of the tavern said.
“You guys did a great job in this battle. Thanks to you, we didn’t suffer any damage. This is the least we can do for you.”
That’s what he said.
“The only ones who actually fought the undead were these guys. We were just bystanders.”
Chief Bolton said with a wry smile.
The master of the tavern turned his head in surprise when he heard this.
“Just these guys…… only four guards!? They’re really strong, aren’t they? With you guys around, this town will be safe.”
The master wrapped around our shoulders happily.
“In comparison, those people of the knight order are…… They only want to protect royalty, nobility, and treasures. They don’t care about the people in the city.”
The master of the tavern spat out with an abhorrent expression.
“But this time, they’ve lost face to the guards. It’s truly a shame. But, it makes us city folk feel good.”
“…… Well, it’s going to get you noticed, though.”
Chief Bolton said in a cumbersome manner as he blew on his cigar.
The master turned to us.
“Drink and eat as much as you like today. Rejuvenate yourselves.”
“Yahooooo! Old man, you really have a way with words! This is what I’m talking about! The best drink in the world is when you don’t have to care about your wallet!”
The drunkard Spinoza was overjoyed.
“When I went to patrol the streets today, I was thanked by many people. They thanked me for protecting this city.”
Seira, who was sitting across me, muttered as she recalled the daytime scene.
“Yeah. You’re right.”
The people of the city all gave me their thanks.
[“You saved our lives.”]
[“Thank you for protecting this city.”]
[“It was really cool to see you protecting us.”]
“It’s the job of the guards to protect the citizens of the city. It was a fierce battle, but after hearing your words, I’m glad I did my best.”
“Seira was crying tears of joy when everyone thanked her.”
“Y-you don’t need to tell them that! I wasn’t even that active in the battle but I was so emotional.”
“No. You seemed to be working hard enough for me.”
“—-Eh?”
“It was because of Seira that we were able to defeat them in a short amount of time. I could not have done it alone.”
I told her.
“So, you should have more confidence in yourself.”
“T-thank you very much……”
Seira muttered and turned around as her cheeks blushed.
“What’s wrong? This isn’t like you.”
“N-no. I’ve never been praised this much before…… And, it was from the respectable Sieg-san.”
“Ufufu. In short, Seira is embarrassed.”
Fam peeked out from between my legs.
“Fam, where did you come out from…….”
“I’m shy, you know. I don’t like to go out under the sun, so I hide in the shadows and crevices.”
“Shy people don’t come out from between people’s legs.”
I replied calmly.
“That said, you also praise your subordinates properly. The previous squad leader was someone who didn’t mind taking credit for other people’s work.”
“It’s not like I fought alone. It was thanks to Spinoza, Seira, and Fam that we were able to annihilate the enemy.”
That was an undeniable fact.
Even if I stopped all the attacks of the undead army, if there was no one to attack them, I would have not been able to win the battle.
It doesn’t matter how strong your shield is, you can’t win with just a shield. The shield is only effective when the sword is sharp.
“Making friends first rather than focusing on your own success…… You’re such a good person that I can’t imagine that you were a former adventurer at all.”
“But”, Fam continued.
“With your personality, I’m sure some people have been disappointed in you before. For example, your old party mates might not have understood what you were doing.”
This reminded me about the [Red Lotus Fang].
None of them knew what kind of work I was doing for the party. I also dared to take on all the enemy’s attacks.
I also didn’t dare say anything for myself, because I thought it would be like showing off and it would come as tactless.
“Ufufu. That expression. I hit the bullseye, right?”
Fam said as if she could see right through me.
“I’m pretty sure your party mates will notice it after you’re gone. They would come to realize how much work you’ve been doing.
I wonder if that’s true.
Either way, it’s over.
“……Well then, I received compliments from you, but I’m a little sad that it’s only words, so I wish to be rewarded.”
“Reward?”
“That’s right. Something personally from the squad leader.”
Fam said.
…… I wonder what she’ll ask for.
“I can’t buy anything too expensive, because I haven’t been paid yet.”
“Ufufu. You don’t have to worry about that. It’s not expensive at all. All you have to do is pat me on the head and praise me.”
“……Yes?”
I asked back.
“Eh? Just a pat on the head?”
“I’ve told you before. I’m a bother, you know. I want to be recognized. That’s why I want you to pat me on the head and praise me.”
Fam said with a serious face.
“Well, if it’s just that much…”
I agreed and gently touched her silvery hair.
“……Is this enough?”
“No good. You need to make sure to praise me.”
“……. Fam, I’d like to thank you for your help. If it weren’t for your precise archery support, we’d probably be dead.”
“Ufufu. Recognition from my favorite person. This is bliss, isn’t it?”
Fam had a satisfied look on her face.
…… her thoughts might be complex, but are they this surprisingly simple? No, she might just want to observe my reaction to this embarrassment.
Night.
We came to the tavern to celebrate the success in the defensive battle against the undead army.
Chief Bolton and the other guards came.
As well as my comrades from the 5th squad.
I was glad that no one had been left out after the battle.
The entire tavern was reserved for the guards.
Moreover, they said that they would not charge for it.
That was what the master of the tavern said.
“You guys did a great job in this battle. Thanks to you, we didn’t suffer any damage. This is the least we can do for you.”
That’s what he said.
“The only ones who actually fought the undead were these guys. We were just bystanders.”
Chief Bolton said with a wry smile.
The master of the tavern turned his head in surprise when he heard this.
“Just these guys…… only four guards!? They’re really strong, aren’t they? With you guys around, this town will be safe.”
The master wrapped around our shoulders happily.
“In comparison, those people of the knight order are…… They only want to protect royalty, nobility, and treasures. They don’t care about the people in the city.”
The master of the tavern spat out with an abhorrent expression.
“But this time, they’ve lost face to the guards. It’s truly a shame. But, it makes us city folk feel good.”
“…… Well, it’s going to get you noticed, though.”
Chief Bolton said in a cumbersome manner as he blew on his cigar.
The master turned to us.
“Drink and eat as much as you like today. Rejuvenate yourselves.”
“Yahooooo! Old man, you really have a way with words! This is what I’m talking about! The best drink in the world is when you don’t have to care about your wallet!”
The drunkard Spinoza was overjoyed.
“When I went to patrol the streets today, I was thanked by many people. They thanked me for protecting this city.”
Seira, who was sitting across me, muttered as she recalled the daytime scene.
“Yeah. You’re right.”
The people of the city all gave me their thanks.
[“You saved our lives.”]
[“Thank you for protecting this city.”]
[“It was really cool to see you protecting us.”]
“It’s the job of the guards to protect the citizens of the city. It was a fierce battle, but after hearing your words, I’m glad I did my best.”
“Seira was crying tears of joy when everyone thanked her.”
“Y-you don’t need to tell them that! I wasn’t even that active in the battle but I was so emotional.”
“No. You seemed to be working hard enough for me.”
“—-Eh?”
“It was because of Seira that we were able to defeat them in a short amount of time. I could not have done it alone.”
I told her.
“So, you should have more confidence in yourself.”
“T-thank you very much……”
Seira muttered and turned around as her cheeks blushed.
“What’s wrong? This isn’t like you.”
“N-no. I’ve never been praised this much before…… And, it was from the respectable Sieg-san.”
“Ufufu. In short, Seira is embarrassed.”
Fam peeked out from between my legs.
“Fam, where did you come out from…….”
“I’m shy, you know. I don’t like to go out under the sun, so I hide in the shadows and crevices.”
“Shy people don’t come out from between people’s legs.”
I replied calmly.
“That said, you also praise your subordinates properly. The previous squad leader was someone who didn’t mind taking credit for other people’s work.”
“It’s not like I fought alone. It was thanks to Spinoza, Seira, and Fam that we were able to annihilate the enemy.”
That was an undeniable fact.
Even if I stopped all the attacks of the undead army, if there was no one to attack them, I would have not been able to win the battle.
It doesn’t matter how strong your shield is, you can’t win with just a shield. The shield is only effective when the sword is sharp.
“Making friends first rather than focusing on your own success…… You’re such a good person that I can’t imagine that you were a former adventurer at all.”
“But”, Fam continued.
“With your personality, I’m sure some people have been disappointed in you before. For example, your old party mates might not have understood what you were doing.”
This reminded me about the [Red Lotus Fang].
None of them knew what kind of work I was doing for the party. I also dared to take on all the enemy’s attacks.
I also didn’t dare say anything for myself, because I thought it would be like showing off and it would come as tactless.
“Ufufu. That expression. I hit the bullseye, right?”
Fam said as if she could see right through me.
“I’m pretty sure your party mates will notice it after you’re gone. They would come to realize how much work you’ve been doing.
I wonder if that’s true.
Either way, it’s over.
“……Well then, I received compliments from you, but I’m a little sad that it’s only words, so I wish to be rewarded.”
“Reward?”
“That’s right. Something personally from the squad leader.”
Fam said.
…… I wonder what she’ll ask for.
“I can’t buy anything too expensive, because I haven’t been paid yet.”
“Ufufu. You don’t have to worry about that. It’s not expensive at all. All you have to do is pat me on the head and praise me.”
“……Yes?”
I asked back.
“Eh? Just a pat on the head?”
“I’ve told you before. I’m a bother, you know. I want to be recognized. That’s why I want you to pat me on the head and praise me.”
Fam said with a serious face.
“Well, if it’s just that much…”
I agreed and gently touched her silvery hair.
“……Is this enough?”
“No good. You need to make sure to praise me.”
“……. Fam, I’d like to thank you for your help. If it weren’t for your precise archery support, we’d probably be dead.”
“Ufufu. Recognition from my favorite person. This is bliss, isn’t it?”
Fam had a satisfied look on her face.
…… her thoughts might be complex, but are they this surprisingly simple? No, she might just want to observe my reaction to this embarrassment.
