Chapter 194
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That day, I make an excuse about 「not feeling well」 to the voice calling from outside my door and shut myself in my room.
The next day, my mood still hasn’t improved.
However, I can’t keep worrying Sensei, who has been diligently taking care of me, or Anon and Ash who have come to visit. I need to tell them that I’m feeling better.
Besides, I also need to greet the people I fought alongside against the Fog, other than those from Berserga.
Deciding I can’t be discourteous, I resolve to walk through Boldaf, albeit with heavy steps.
As I’m preparing to leave my room, I hear a knock.
「Yes?」 I answer and open the door to find Sensei.
As usual, Sensei embraces me in a tight hug, and I’m left gasping for air, completely suffocated.
「I’m sorry, Sensei.」
「You fool, there’s no need to apologize.」
I’ve been nothing but a source of worry for Sensei.
Even though she probably wanted to join in the festivities, Sensei had been waiting for me at the guild.
「You’re stubborn in a strange way, always suffering alone. That’s your weakness. So, I’m going to forcefully make you tell me why you’ve been looking so gloomy. I won’t let you go today until you tell me everything.」
Sensei takes my hand and leads me back into the room.
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What happened with the Hero’s party girls—I had already told Sena about most of it on that day when I showed her the Wish Orb.
After that, when I rejoined Sensei at Hidden Mountain, I had already shared similar stories with her, though in fragments.
When I say fragments, it’s not that I was hiding anything.
Though she often teases me and Sena, she never does anything truly unpleasant. That’s why she hadn’t forced me to talk before—it was her consideration, worried that talking about the past might cause me pain.
So now, with kindness beyond mere consideration, she tells me she wants to hear the whole story.
About Puffy, Mika, Angie, Eris, and me.
The story of how we met, our daily lives together, and our parting.
Then about Ryūgūin and me, both being summoned.
The story of him, who took everything from me.
Time passed after parting with the Hero’s party, and we reunited in the Sealed Dungeon.
The story of Guardian Sword Refaia, who helped us in response to the true name.
The story of Puru, who suffered from being torn between two sets of memories.
The story of Eris, who crossed swords with me and once again called me 「Master.」
The story of Angelica, who apologized to me repeatedly with tears that made my chest ache just watching.
The story of Mika, who, unable to forgive herself, was planning to seclude herself in a distant monastery.
As I begin speaking bit by bit, answering Sensei’s questions, what had been late morning when we started has now become late lunchtime.
Sensei offers few but comforting words: 「You did well」 and 「That must have been hard.」 My emotions well up, catching in my throat.
These feelings might be self-pity. From my perspective, it’s uncool and pathetic. But even knowing this, it takes some time to settle down.
After listening to my story to the end, Sensei appears deep in thought. Then she gives me courage.
「Son-in-law, shall I try to do something to help ease your worries?」
You don’t need to do anything—just having you here is enough to warm my heart.
Such an embarrassingly sweet thought crosses my mind, and I actually—
「W-What! What kind of flirtatious thing are you saying!」
—end up saying it out loud.
Sensei gives an elegant 「kufufu」 laugh and repeatedly pats me on the back.
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After parting with Sensei, I head into town to look for everyone.
The previous day’s festivities were like a pre-celebration for my recovery. In other words, today was the actual start of the festival. It’s even more lively than the day before.
It’s not that the noise bothers me, but it’s a bit overwhelming. So I pull my hat low over my eyes to avoid being called out to as I venture into town.
I hear that Puru had already returned to Virtuous a few days ago.
She had insisted on staying until I woke up, but apparently the mountain of work awaiting her—various aftermath matters regarding the Sealed Dungeon and preparation for handover to her successor?—had forced her to leave Boldaf with tears in her eyes.
Angelica had gone with Puru, which puts my mind at ease. I hope they can fill in some of the empty time they’ve spent apart.
Orphe had said she would return to Seventh Blue’s headquarters and left Boldaf that same day.
She truly is a woman of swift decisions.
Though I think it’s sad she left so quickly, I have a feeling we’ll meet again soon.
After all, she is my second disciple.
Ash is still as busy as ever, though slightly less so compared to yesterday, and we manage to have a brief tea together.
We express our appreciation for each other’s efforts and discuss what happened after we got separated on the fourth floor of the Sealed Dungeon.
Ash is particularly concerned about Mika.
She tells me in detail about how Mika had appeared, how she had saved Ash from danger, and how she had thrown herself down while apologizing to me.
Our conversation is cut short when Ash is spotted by a guild staff member and dragged away.
Though I can’t help but wonder what kind of treatment this is for a Holy Knight, we promise to have a proper meal together when time allows and part ways.
Thinking about what Ash told me about Mika, an unavoidable pain throbs in my chest.
And speaking of Mika, I can’t find her at the inn.
Perhaps, like me now, the festival’s commotion is a bit too much for her.
Mika isn’t the only one I can’t find.
I’m unable to locate Eris as well.
When I ask people who might know, they say they haven’t seen her since earlier.
Right after she called me Master again, she lost consciousness. Since then, I haven’t been able to face her.
Eris, call me 「Master!」 again and show me that innocent smile. I—
That’s when I finally meet Anon.
He’s another one who has managed to slip away despite being caught up in both the aftermath of the Sealed Dungeon and various festival matters.
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