Chapter 7 (2/2)

”The new maid, Hapyneth.”

“...”

“...”

We both froze on the spot.

My first friend after reincarnating fell in love with one of my former demon underlings.

Cecilia froze without saying a word.

”...Right! Pardon me, Sophia-san, where would Hapyneth happen to be at the moment?”

I had about a million things to ask Hapyneth. Seeing how impatient I looked, Sophia-san recoiled but quickly composed herself.

”...Right now Hapyneth is scheduled to clean the mansion. The mansion is quite large, I do not know exactly where she will be.”

The Aquarain mansion was certainly large, but if I ran around the mansion for a few minutes I should find her.

”Thank you so much Sophia-san. I'll leave Cecilia in your capable hands.”

Cecilia was still frozen stiff, so I left her in Sophia-san's care and exited the servant's quarters.

After that I ran around the mansion.

I got a few warnings from the other maids about running, but I just gave them a quick apology and continued on.

I ran about the residence three times and finally found Hapyneth.

She was wearing the maid uniform, and sweeping one of the guest rooms.

I had run by here before, but we must have just missed each other.

”...Been a while.”

She gave me a small nod, then went back to her cleaning.

”Wait just a minute.”

We hadn't even talked about anything yet, so I grip her shoulder, restraining her.

I finally found her, I'm not letting her off with just a greeting.

”...What?”

”Don't you 'what' me! I'm your former captain. Where'd this att.i.tude come from?”

Aren't you the one that desperately searched for me for a month and a half?

Of course, she had never shown me an ounce of respect, even back when we were in the Demon Lord's castle together.

But that didn't matter right now, I would hold back fro the moment, but we would certainly have a good long talk about that later.

”...Problem?”

”Yeah, that's right. Just a little bit ago a good looking guy with a sword at his waist came to you. What did you say to him?”

”...Love confessed, 'Impossible' replied.”

She declared with her usual indifferent tone of voice.

Did she turn Raven down the same way?

If she did, that poor guy...

But if I remember right, Raven said she envied his voice at some point.

So that means they met somewhere before.

”You met that swordsman somewhere. Could you tell me when and where you met?”

Hapyneth looked shocked that I would ask such a thing.

But she quickly whirled around, turning her back to me.

”...Impossible.”

Refusing to answer, Hapyneth ran away, broom in hand.

I went to chase after her, but there was probably a reason she couldn't say.

It wouldn't solve anything if I caught her and forced her to tell me.

”...I'll figure something out after I go back.”

I relay to Cecilia that I'm headed out, then go back to the guild.

”...and that's what happened.”

It was already noon when I made it back to the guild, and the bar was crowded with adventurers getting food.

I make my way to my own personal private seat at Clayman's desk, only to find an armored knight sitting there.

Looks like Duke and Clayman are having a pleasant heart-to-heart.

Seems like they’re having fun.

”Ooh~, looks like you have your own set of troubles. If it were me, I'd just f' it all, too much of a ha.s.sle.”

”What're you guys talking about?”

It made me curious, so I wedged myself in on the conversation.

Clayman and Duke finally took notice of me and gave me a quick greeting.

I couldn't see Duke's expression since he was wearing a helmet, but I got the feeling he was laughing.

”Just a fun story about you, Captain.”

Of course he would have omitted any demonizing details.

But that wasn't the problem.

”Don't just gossip about someone's past like that!”

There are a mountain of memories I wish I could erase from my dark past.

I can't help but be super worried, wondering which story Duke told him.

Right now, I want to interrogate him, then reprimand him, but this isn't the time for that.

”Good thing I ran into you, Duke. There's something I wanted to ask you, so come with me real quick.”

I take him out of the guild and explain the situation.

Duke has known Hapyneth for about as long as I have, give or take a little.

He was quite adept at charming allies.

”Yeah… First, we better get Cecilia-san to help by getting Hapyneth's side of the story. If we don't,  Cecilia-san may not be able to help us even if she could.”

He's probably right.

But I can't just leave Raven in that state either.

”...Can't be helped, I'll have to go back to Cecilia's place to explain. Let's go, Duke.”

”Roger!”

With Duke in tow, I head back to the Aquarain mansion.

We tell Cecilia about Hapyneth's past in her room.

”Well, here's the thing. First, you know Harpy demons are regularly hunted by humans, right?”

Cecilia nodded in acknowledgment.

Harpies are attractive demons, and are often caught and made into slaves, and are endlessly hunted for their feathers.

By the way, I forgot to mention it before, but I didn't sell off the feathers I plucked from Hapyneth; I still had them in my possession.

”Of course Hapyneth was no exception. She was being chased by hunters to a place I just happened to be patrolling. I saved her, and she became one of the Captain's underlings.”

Cecilia had a complicated expression on her face.

She was a human just like those hunters.

It wasn't a very pleasant story.

”At first she didn't speak at all. Even now she's still not very talkative.”

At first she could only communicate by nodding or shaking her head.

The trauma was considerable.

”That's why I think even if a human said he loved her...she wouldn't have any good feelings about it...”

It makes sense, I feel the same way having known her for so long.

But still, Hapyneth shouldn’t think so badly of Raven.

”Then, why did she say she was jealous of Raven-san's voice?”

”Harpy's are originally a race that like to sing, so it could be she was charmed by his voice, but...”

But we still don't know how the two of them met.

Anything more than that, we could only guess at.

We were in a total deadlock.

”...As for how they met, it may be more prudent to ask Raven instead of Hapyneth.”

Hapyneth refused to answer earlier.

And she can be quite stubborn when she wants to.

Knowing her personality, Duke agrees.

Cecilia also nodded her approval at my idea.

”Then we're done here for today. I'll stop by Raven's place on the way home.”

Deciding on the next course of action we adjourn our little impromptu meeting, and I head for the Knight's Dormitory where Raven lives.

Arriving at the Knight's Dormitory I wonder just how many people live here.

It could probably house a few hundred knights; it's a gigantic dormitory. When I entered I saw a reception desk, and someone who looked like ae Dorm Manager there.

Upon seeing me, she asked what business I had here.

”Excuse me, I actually came here to meet with my knight friend who lives here...”

The Dorm Manager was a normal lady who looked good in gla.s.ses.

”Just to confirm, what is the name of the knight whom you are looking for? And if you could give me your name as well?”

I gave her my name, and then, when I mentioned Raven's name, she pushed up her gla.s.ses and gave me a very doubtful look.

Well, Raven is famous after all, and he's not really known to have many friends, so I understand her suspicion.

But even so, she still went to go confirm and left for the dorm interior. After a few minutes I could hear briskly walking footsteps as the Dorm Manager returned with a beautiful stride.

”I have confirmation. Please allow me to guide you to Raven-sama's room.”

I follow after the Dorm Manager until we make it to Raven's room.

The Dorm Manager left with a 'please take your time', and returned to the reception desk.

”Raven, I'm coming in.”

I knocked and opened the door.

His room was dark, dank, and dreary.

Raven was in the center of the room lying lifeless on his bed.

...He was severely depressed, that much was obvious.

It was his first love after all.

Raven finally noticed I was there and got up from the bed.

”...Youki? Sorry about before. And after you invited me out too.”

”No, it's fine. ...Actually I have something I want to ask you.”

He may not want to talk about it, but I wanted to support my friend in love.

I'll use any means to elicit an answer out of him.

”I want you to tell me exactly how you met the girl you fell for.”

”...What would it change even if you knew?”

He murmured, coming off as though it was all too bothersome.

s.h.i.+t, he's turning into Clayman, I gotta do something!

”It's too early to give up now! There might be something we can do if we work together. Please, just tell me.”

He finally gave in to my pestering.

Little by little Raven revealed the story.

Man, it wasn't surprising at all...

Apparently he first met Hapyneth on the day I was out with the rest of the Hero Party when we caused that huge commotion in town.

Raven worked as the Captain of the Knights, but he couldn't communicate with words, so he usually patrolled the imperial city by himself.

Since so many problems were occurring that day, he was patrolling around all the back alleys.

”...Hm. Nothing amiss here.”

And as he was about to patrol elsewhere, he heard some hoodlums nearby.

He immediately headed for the voices, and saw Hapyneth cornered by a small gang of thugs.

He easily wiped the floor with them, and was about to leave when,

“...”

Hapyneth had grabbed onto his sleeve, causing him to stop.

”...Thank you.”

She thanked him very quietly.

”...Just doing my job.”

Usually, when Raven was thanked he would just nod his head in acknowledgement, but he mistakenly replied instead.

Just when he thought his life was over, Hapyneth opened her eyes in surprise.

Raven thought he would be ridiculed, however,

”...Wonderful voice.”

Is what she said.

Raven had been made fun of, but never complimented.

So, feeling a little funny, he spoke further and asked a question.

”...You're not gonna make fun of my voice? My voice is really...”

He suddenly asked.

I mean, I didn't make fun of his voice, but I didn't compliment it either.

”...Jealous.”

”...Eh?”

Raven wasn't finished talking to her, but she took off in a flash.

Raven still had other places to patrol, so he couldn't afford to chase after her.

And so, unable to forget about maid uniform-clad Hapyneth, he began to investigate which household she might work for based on her uniform and finally found it.

Then, he asked me for advice, and after giving him my support, he confessed, which brings us to today.

“...Are we done now?”

After finis.h.i.+ng his story, Raven looked really tired.

Raven was, no, Hapyneth was the first to show interest in the other party, I'm sure of it.

...Couldn't they at least be friends?

But for the time being, I've got to get Raven out of here before he starts sprouting mushrooms.

I'll go to Duke's place and tell him the information I got about Hapyneth.

”Raven, let's get you out of here. I know a guy who's acquainted with your maid girl, let's go see him.”

I'm 'acquainted' with her as well, but...

Raven didn't want to go at first, but after half-dragging him along, we went looking for Duke.

Duke was at Cecilia's home when our little meeting adjourned, so I thought he'd either head to the inn or the guild. On a hunch, I took us to the guild, and there was Duke.

”Huh? Well if it isn't the Captain...is that the bloke that confessed to Hapyneth?”

Noticing Raven, Duke gave him a look over.

Duke views Hapyneth as a precious comrade after all, so he was just making sure Raven wasn't a bad guy.

Duke had always had a strong sense of duty where his comrades were concerned.

”...Youki, is this the guy that knows her? ...And what was that 'Captain' thing all about?”

Raven asked me with a whisper.

”It's kind of a nickname. But that’s not important right now...”

The Guild noticed Raven and started in on the hysterics. I don't want all h.e.l.l breaking loose on me now.

”You two, let's get out of here.”

I grab them both by the wrist, and head for my room at the inn as fast as my legs could carry me.

”Captain, you're way too fast~”

”...I agree.”

We finally arrived at the inn after jetting it out of the guild before a commotion could break out, but running at full speed left the other two exhausted.

I accidently ran too fast, but these two should be trained for that kind of thing, they shouldn't be running on empty already.

But more importantly...

”Raven, your voice...”

After Raven realized what he'd done, he clamped his mouth shut.

And with Duke nearby of all things.

Duke actually didn't seem to care about Raven's voice, but asked why we reacted that way.

And so we let him in on Raven's story.

”I don't really mind at all...So, is it you? The guy that likes Hapyneth?”

“…Yeah.”

Raven paused before he answered.

Wh-what's with the tense atmosphere?

These guys, there's no need for pretense here!

”Hapyneth was my former colleague. She has a certain trauma when it comes to dealing with men. You, would you be able to cure Hapyneth of that?”

Making it just men in general instead of humans, I suppose that’s the way it’s gotta be.

It makes sense, since she isn't afraid of Cecilia or Sophia-san at all.

”...I don't know.”

There was another pause after he answered.

I suppose it was understandable since they’d barely met.

But that's still not good enough.

”What?! That's where you're supposed say something cool like 'I will heal her fragile heart'! You are a worthless piece of s.h.i.+t. That's why your confession was rejected by Hapyneth!”

”...What's that supposed to mean?”

Duke's words were like a slap in the face, and Raven immediately put his hand to his sheathed sword, ready to draw it.

”Oh, you wanna go at it? I don't know much about that Hero Party nonsense, but I'm not gonna lose.”

Duke drew his sheathed sword, and stood at the ready.

...Are these guys idiots?

We're in my rented room at the Inn, a room that can barely squeeze six people into it!

It wouldn't be funny if they started a sword-fight here.

I'll get chased out of the inn if I don’t stop these two!

”Chill out guys! If you're gonna fight, do it somewhere else! This is not what we got together for.”

I brought Duke along to help Raven, and now they're at each other's throats.

After begging them to stop, they finally put their swords away, but they were still glaring daggers at each other.

”...Hmph, This is ridiculous. I'll comply with Captain, but next time we'll settle this.”

“…Indeed.”

They both seemed satisfied with that.

Now I don't have to worry about getting kicked out of the inn.

”Now then, back to the subject of Hapyneth. You said you didn't know if you could cure Hapyneth of her trauma. That's not good enough.”

“…I know.”

Raven agreed with Duke.

After calming down, Raven himself realized he lacked the resolve he needed.

”Why don't you start as friends first? I think it'd be a good idea for you to get to know Hapyneth a little more.”

That's my Duke!

He gave Raven some solid advice.

Raven seemed satisfied with that too, and nodded his head in agreement.

However, I felt like I'd turned completely invisible to them.

They’d laugh together, they’d arguing together; all in an unending loop.

They were off in their own little world.

I was completely left out, relegated to being a mere spectator.

After a while, their conversation finally came to an end.

”Go show me you're a man! Good luck getting your feelings across to Hapyneth.”

”...I will, I feel like I can do it now.”

They gave each other a firm handshake.

Honestly, I have no idea how things turned out like this.

Were those two always like this?

I guess love can change both humans and demons.

...What am I even thinking about?

They left for the Aquarain mansion all jazzed up after their conversation.

I was also curious how this would all play out and tagged along.

When we got to the mansion, we were in luck as Hapyneth was cleaning out in front of the gate.

Heartened by Duke, Raven approached Hapyneth.

Noticing us, Hapyneth stopped cleaning for the moment.

”...Please be my friend.”

His face was red from embarra.s.sment, and his nerves were so bad he was shaking. Even though his voice was weak, it took all he had just to get that much out.

And Hapyneth's answer,

”...Just friends.”

After that, silence lingered between them.

And then, with their faces flushed, they both sprinted off at full speed, Hapyneth to the mansion, and Raven to the main road.

All that remained was a satisfied Duke, and me completely dumbfounded.

Well, I'm sure Raven was also satisfied, now that Hapyneth could gradually become used to human men.

Afterwards I head that Cecilia indirectly urged Hapyneth in that direction.

I had thought Hapyneth agreed a little too easily, but it made sense after hearing Cecilia was giving her encouragement.

And so it seems Hapyneth herself wasn't completely against the idea, since she wasn't forced.

As I thought, I was right that Hapyneth was charmed by his voice.

I'm looking forward to seeing how things develop between them.

By the way, after this, Duke became quite attached to Raven.

TL Note:  (º﹃º) heh heh heh -Solistia  (The BL Addict)

After the whole incident, they really did duke it out.

Although Duke is a great swordsman, even he couldn't win against Raven, but it was quite a good battle I heard. Because of that, Raven used his authority as Captain of the Knights to recruit Duke.

However, this meant Sheik and I were the only ones left at the inn.

”Captain~ Let's play~”

Sheik was clinging to my body.

”'Eey, leggo! I've got a quest to do. Hapyneth, Duke, come back!”

This is the worst thing that could possibly happen. With them gone, I was the only one left to babysit Sheik!

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