Episode 21: Don't Want to Stand Out

 

After paying 5500 jewels for one night's accommodation plus an extension option, the innkeeper immediately led us to our room.

 

"Remember, if you lose the key, you'll have to compensate for it. Please be careful," he said.

 

"Got it."

 

We received the room key and entered.

 

"It's nice in here!"

 

"Yeah. Looks like we'll be comfortable."

 

The interior was uniformly designed in wood grain, fresh and clean with meticulous cleaning. The bed, while not huge, was soft, and clean white sheets were neatly laid out.

 

Furniture was minimal—just a small round table and a chair—but that was more than enough for adventurers who only needed a place to sleep. There was nothing to complain about.

 

The accommodation fee was standard, possibly compensating for the disadvantage of being a bit away from the Adventurer's Guild.

 

"Now."

 

"Let's leave the room and grab something to eat. There should be a dining place nearby for adventurers."

 

"Yes! I'm starving..."

 

In this world, budget lodgings for adventurers typically only offered rooms. Nearby, there was a dining place targeting adventurers, so it was common to eat there.

 

We closed the door as soon as we entered the room and headed out.

 

◇

 

The adventurer's dining hall had a cafeteria-like atmosphere, similar to university dining halls. It was a bit quiet at this hour, but even during peak times, it was packed with seats lined up tightly.

 

They used meal tickets to handle large orders.

 

After securing a four-person table where Milia and I could sit facing each other, we bought meal tickets and placed our orders.

 

By the way, I ordered the pork cutlet set, and Milia ordered the grilled salmon set.

 

Though 'Sieg' also had an adventurer's dining hall as a building, I never paid much attention to it in the game since characters didn't need to eat. I was curious about what kind of food they served, and fortunately, it seemed like there was something that suited my taste.

 

"Dinner after a job well done tastes delicious."

 

"Yeah."

 

Looking back, today was quite eventful.

 

First, after being rejected for admission to 'Black Mist Blade' after graduation, my heart was shattered. Then, I met Milia at the slave shop and brought her into the party. In the afternoon, we completed Milia's trial and request at the Adventurer's Guild, and incidentally defeated the area boss. We found an inn and here we are now.

 

All of this happened in just one day.

 

There's so much information that my head feels like it's going to explode.

 

Well, I really just want to sleep peacefully tonight.

 

As I thought that, I overheard gossip from nearby tables.

 

"Hey, did you hear?"

 

"Yeah, the newbie defeated the area boss?"

 

"Yeah, that's right. It's amazing... if it's true."

 

"That's gotta be a lie. Whoever believes that must be crazy."

 

"Yeah, but don't you kinda want to believe it?"

 

"Even if it's true, there's probably some catch, like they're hiding their identity for some reason. Nothing that interesting happens in this world."

 

It seemed like they were talking about us.

 

Did someone from the Adventurer's Guild mention it? Or was it Shion and the others? Well, either way, rumors among adventurers spread fast...

 

"Hehe, looks like we're famous."

 

Milia whispered with a grin.

 

"I'd rather not stand out."

 

"Why is that?"

 

"If we stand out, we might get dragged into trouble, right? I just want to defeat the Demon King quickly and restore peace. I don't want my time wasted."

 

"Rain, you're kind after all."

 

"Why do you say that?"

 

"It's because... from my perspective, Rain probably... doesn't want to stand out, not because you're kind."

 

Milia has a sharp side to her.

 

After that, I confirmed the accuracy of my knowledge about Milia and my past.

 

Doing things like this, time flew by quickly.

 

◇

 

After finishing our meal, we returned to our room where we were staying.

 

After changing into a nightgown, all that was left was to sleep.

 

But before that...

 

"Here, 5000 jewels."

 

"What's this?"

 

"Uh, Milia's share of the reward."

 

"Y-you're giving this to me!?"

 

"Yeah."

 

Did I do something strange?

 

"If we're comrades, it's normal to split the rewards as a party, right?"

 

"It's not strange if we're comrades, but Rain is more like... a master..."

 

I see. Milia seems to still be concerned about being bought as a slave.

 

"I don't care how we met, right? To me, Milia is an important comrade. I don't think of her as a slave, and I don't want to be thought of as a master."

 

In fact, if I wanted her to obey me as I pleased, I wouldn't have taken off her collar.

 

"W-what's wrong!?"

 

After hearing my words, Milia seemed to be on the verge of tears, but then she suddenly hugged me.

 

"Rain, I love you!"

 

"O-oh..."

 

She's way too close! She smells good... I mean!

 

It's my first time being hugged by a beautiful girl, so I didn't know how to react.

 

"Ah, sorry! Did I bother you...?"

 

"N-no... it's fine..."

 

"Why are you speaking weirdly!?"

 

Sigh. I wish I could say something more clever.

 

Even with my knowledge from my previous life, it seems there's nothing I can do about this. Well, in my previous life, I wasn't very interested in girls, so it can't be helped.

 

"Well, I'll turn off the lights now."

 

"Yeah."

 

Milia pressed the switch on the wall and turned off the magical device lighting. The room became dark.

 

In this world, there are no electrical appliances. Instead, there are magical devices that use magic power as an energy source, so life isn't as inconvenient as one might think.

 

"It's quite cramped..."

 

"Y-yes! I can feel Rain's warmth!"

 

Two adults in a single bed.

 

Neither I nor Milia are large, but it's still a bit cramped.

 

However, it's not uncomfortable to be cramped. It's just that being so close makes me nervous. Milia's soft, large breasts are pressing against me, and I can hear her breath with every breath.

 

My head is going to explode.

 

Actually, Milia might be too nervous to sleep like this... I thought so.

 

Spuh, spuh.

 

I heard Milia's breathing.

 

She sleeps early, huh? Well, it's normal since she must be tired.

 

It's obvious, but I'm the only one who's concerned. Thinking that way made me feel a little less nervous.

 

After that, I have no memory... which means I must have slept well.

 

◇

 

The next day.

 

Amidst the chirping of birds, we headed to the Adventurer's Guild.

 

"The bed was really soft. Somehow, I feel like I'm more refreshed than usual."

 

"Yeah, I feel lighter too."

 

"Maybe because Rain was with me, I could sleep comfortably. Hehe, maybe it's just my imagination."

 

Even though I've been reincarnated in this world for a long time and gotten used to it, I realize it's inconvenient without emails or phones.

 

"As I said yesterday, I want to repay you properly someday. If you ever have any trouble, feel free to consult with me."

 

"Yeah, I'll count on you then."

 

After exchanging a few words with Shion, just before we went to look for a request...

 

"Hey, you there!"

 

"Huh?"

 

A silver-haired girl suddenly rushed out from the crowd.

 

I can tell by her atmosphere... She's strong. I feel the same aura as Milia. Perhaps this girl is the adventurer recruiting party members.

 

Or rather—

 

"Ah!"

 

Although I was surprised at first due to the suddenness, I remembered her when I saw her up close.

 

I know this girl. She's Leisha Gracia, a magician and former executive of 'Black Mist Blade' that I saw at the beginning of 'Sieg'. She's a noble girl who aims for the heights of an adventurer with all her might. She's now left the clan after disagreeing with the coup plan of 'Black Mist Blade'.

 

I remember that in the scenario, after this, there was a battle against 'Black Mist Blade' planning a coup, and Leisha played a major role. However, Leisha herself passed away, becoming a hero who defended the royal capital...

 

"What's wrong?"

 

Leisha came before us with tremendous momentum, and stared at me from various angles.

 

And then, what she said was—

 

"I've decided! You, join my party!"