Chapter 838: Rookie Adventurers and the Legendary Chivalrous Thief ② (1/2)
Appearing in the area, Alice…… or rather, Hapti, without even saying her greetings, ignored the absentminded Lilia-san, and quickly set off with the three of us.
On the way to the Adventurer's Guild in the royal capital, Hapti-san cheerfully spoke while walking.
[……Well then, let me introduce myself again. My name is Hapti. I've been asked by Phantasmal King-sama to be your escort this time. Well, it might only be for a short time, but I look forward to working with you. That's about it, I guess? If you want any more information about me, you'll have to pay for it from here on out.]
[H- Huhh…… Errr, I'm Miyama Kaito.]
[I'm Kusunoki Aoi. Errr, I'm in your care today.]
[I'm Yuzuki Hina. I'm in your care today.]
Upon Hapti-san's urging, we introduced ourselves while walking.
[Kaito, Aoi, and Hina, yeah? Okay~~ I'll remember it. Well, let's take it easy and not be too formal with each other. You can call me whatever you want.]
[Y- Yes…… Errr, we just departed without explaining anything to Lilia-san…… Is that alright?]
[Unnn? No, it's not like I'm getting even a single bronze coin by explaining things to her anyway. Phantasmal King-sama commissioned me to escort you three, and explaining things to that noble isn't part of my contract.]
[I- I see……]
Responding to Aoi-chan, who was concerned about the fact that Lilia-san and the others were left without any care, Hapti-san told her in a very matter-of-fact manner. From the conversation so far, I could tell that Hapti-san was very particular about money.
I thought Neun-san was being too much when she described her as a money-monger but……
As I was walking along, thinking about this and lightly chatting with the others, I heard the sound of something falling. Turning my gaze in that direction……
[……Whaa…… Ahh…… H- Hapti?]
It was a timing that was too perfect to be a coincidence, but as I turned around, I found Neun-san looking at us.
I also saw Dr. Vier next to her and a shopping bag at Neun-san's feet, which she may have dropped just now, so they must have been shopping together.
With a clearly shocked look that could be seen even through her armor, Neun-san ran up towards Hapti-san……
[Hapti! You're Hapti, right!? For us to meet here……]
[Eh? What's with this ”perverted woman in armor”? Why the heck are you suddenly talking to me? I mean, for you to wear an outfit like that on the main street, ooze out incredible suspiciousness from your appearance, I'm doubting if this woman's even sane……]
[Gahaaak!?]
[N- Neun-saaaaaan!?]
The words Hapti-san said were so sharp that Neun-san fell to her knees from the mental damage. Neun-san's outfit certainly is a bit conspicuous in the city, but she had circumstances that prevented her from showing her face, and to a certain extent, I think that it couldn't be helped.
Neun-san seemed to have suffered a lot of mental damage, but she quickly got up and started talking to Hapti-san again.
[……It's me! Errr…… Ummm……. P- Please come with me for a moment!]
[Eh? Geez, why are you suddenly……]
Neun-san tried to introduce herself as Kujou Hikari, but she realized that there were a lot of people here, so she pulled Hapti-san's hand and dragged her towards an alley.
It was quite forceful, but for Neun-san, it was the first time in a thousand years that she had seen her friend again, so I could understand why she was shaken.]
[How should I say this…… I'm sorry about Neun.]
[No, with the situation like that, it couldn't be helped.]
After we and Dr. Vier who had been left behind exchanged glanced and wryly smiled, we then followed Neun-san and Hapti-san into the alley.
As we entered the alley, Dr. Vier snapped her fingers and a magic circle appeared at our feet, which spread out before disappearing from sight.
[……Dr. Vier, that thing you did just now?]
[Ahh, it's Barrier Magic. It's just a simple one to keep people out of a certain area.]
[Is that something I can also use?]
[It's not that difficult to use…… Are you interested in Barrier Magic?]
[I was thinking that it would be useful if I could use it.]
Having met each other at my birthday party, Aoi-chan and Hina-chan also knew about Dr. Vier. As I listened to Dr. Vier's voice as she explained all sorts of things upon hearing Aoi-chan's interest in Barrier Magic, I turned my gaze forward and saw Hapti-san and Neun-san without her armor.
[See, it's me! Hikari!]
[Ahh~~ It's been a while. Bye then.]
[Eeehhh!? W- Wait, we haven't seen each other in a thousand years, so why is your reaction so weak!?]
[I'm in the middle of work right now……]
[I have a lot of questions I've been wanting to ask after meeting you!]
[Ehh~~ I have a feeling that it's going to be troublesome, so I'll pass~~]
While Neun-san looked desperate, Hapti-san seemed to be going at her own pace, trying to lightly brush away Neun-san's words as she made her way towards us…… but at that moment, Neun-san let out a deep sigh and taking out a copper coin, she handed it to Hapti-san.
Thereupon, after stuffing that copper coin into her pocket, Hapti-san turned to me and apologetically put her hands together.
[I'm sorry! Can you wait for a moment?]
[Eh? Ah, yes. It's alright.]
[Thanks…… Now then, well~~ It's been a while, Hikari! I've missed you so much!]
Just like that, after notifying us of this matter, Hapti-san approached Neun-san in a friendly manner that made me wonder where the cold reception she had earlier went.
Looking as if she's trying to endure snapping back at Hapti-san's obvious shamelessness, a vein popped out of Neun-san's forehead as she spoke.
[……Seriously, you're the same as usual. Good grief…… Well, alright. That aside, I have lots of things I wanted to ask you.]
[You did say that earlier. What is it?]
[First of all, why did you disappear without attending the Commemoration Ceremony after the Treaty of Friendship was signed? Laguna and Fors were worried about you.]