Chapter 13.3: Arrow Shot From Pitch-Black Darkness VI - (3) (1/2)

「Souya, stop. Any more, and she’ll die」

I was stopped by Rana. I hesitated, but strangely, I obeyed. But just to be safe, I took a harpoon that had only the tip left, and at an angle that could not be seen by Rana, I stabbed the knight’s thigh with its tip. If the poison was effective, she would not be able to move for a while.

「Rana, are you alright? Did they do anything to you?」

「Yes, I’m alright」

She was a little bit dirty, but she didn’t seem to have been harmed in a way that would leave scars. But, just in case,

「Lemurian prince-dono. Tell me, did you do anything to her?」

I nocked an arrow and asked the prince. I’ll listen to what he has to say.

「Do you know what you’ve done? My father won’t stay silent over something like this! And all the other vassals will definitely get revenge on everyone involved, including you and that woman」

Wow, this guy is worthless.

Truthfully, it would be better to not waste my breath on him, but I’ll try to reason with him.

「By the way, I should tell you that I’m a greenhorn adventurer who has only reached the 5th floor. I came to this floor using a rescue portal, but the person who opened the portal said that he'll forget all about the fact that he had sent me here. As a matter of fact, there were no witnesses as well」

The elf who had betrayed Rana had been knocked unconscious by the Guild President, and while it was possible that we had been seen by other staff, the destination of the portal I dived into should still be a secret.

「As far as Rana is concerned, here is her application form that I stole from your party member」

I showed him the form that I had stolen from the beastkin earlier, lit it on fire with a lighter, and watched it burn to ashes.

「The members of the party that betrayed her have also been erased. Without a trace. Then, we'll just make a quick exit after I feed all of your corpses to the monsters. Where would they find anyone to get revenge on? In the first place, who’s going to believe that the son of the king of adventurers and his many strong party members lost to just one greenhorn adventurer?」

「Y, you……」

Had this idiot finally understood the position that he was in? Teaching idiots was difficult. Training cats and dogs was a hundred times easier.

「I’ll ask you just one more time. Think carefully, then answer. What did you do to her?」

「I, it’s a failed attempt. I haven’t done anything yet」

In deference to that stupid face, I’ll believe him.

「Then, next isー」

「Souya, you’re going too far. It’s already enough, really」

「Eh?」

I had thought that Rana might say something like that, and she really did.

「Rana. What this guy was going to do to you, is something that people would hesitate to speak of in public. Forgiving him in a word like this isー」

「It’s attempted only. Now that you’ve saved me, everything is alright」

「No, this cannot be compromised」

I knew quite well that she’s stubborn. But that won’t do. This kind of person would misunderstand the fact that he did not receive any punishment as a stroke of good fortune, and would do this kind of thing again.

「Hmmm, at the very least, it’s really the bare minimum, you must apologize to Rana」

「Are you telling me to apologize with my shoulder pinned to the wall like this?」

He’s really an obnoxious person. Even if we exchanged blows on a dried riverbank at sunset, this guy is the one person I would never become friends with.

『Team member Souya. Movement detected. Izora believes it to be another party』

「You can apologize at a later date. Just so you know, I can shoot a hole in you from virtually anywhere, so if you ever try to mess with Rana again, I’ll start with your balls, just as I had promised the knight-sama」

「………………」

He was silent.

I lowered the bow and quickly retrieved the arrows. I pulled out the one that had struck the magician, and dumped her on the ground somewhat unceremoniously. It was the first time that I had such a strong urge to kill such a beautiful woman.

「You, burghh」

Planting my foot on his face, I pulled out the arrow that had impaled the prince.

「This is…… My body is……」

「It’s a paralytic poison. There’s no danger of dying from it. Probably」

It appeared that the poison had spread quite well.

「Izora, there’s nothing that can be used as evidence, right?」

『Yes』

I picked up Izora and hung her at my waist. Rana’s staff was also stowed together with the arrows on my back.

「I’m sorry. Now that it's over……」

Rana's legs were trembling. That wasn’t a problem at all.

「Kyaa」

I carried the princess in my arms.* No matter what, you’ll never hear me admit that she was heavier than Ea. It was a weight that I was happy to bear.

「Let's go home」

I ran through the dungeon while avoiding people and monsters. Because the knight-sama had reduced the monsters’ numbers, we did not run into any enemies on our way back. Since we had some leeway, I praised Izora.

「That was a wonderful strategy, Izora. You can do something like that, huh?」

『Izora used a 20th century movie as reference. In fact, this capability is meant for projecting movies. The Japanese like to add unnecessary functions, but it came in useful this time. One of these days, Izora will show you all the movies that were made by Ed Wood, the person we talked about the other day』

Isn’t that the worst movie director in history? Are you doing okay?

From inside my arms, Rana spoke to Izora.

「I’m so sorry, Izora-sama. My lantern suddenly talked to me, so I thought that it had been possessed by evil spirits」

『Don’t worry about it. It’s Izora’s fault for secretly disguising myself as your lantern. It’s just that Izora could predict what team member Souya would do if you were ever in danger, so Izora wanted to be one step ahead. It doesn’t change the fact that Izora’s actions were incredibly rude. Please accept Izora’s apologies』

「I forgive you. And thank you」

Arriving at the portal, we dived in.

We had returned to the reception area.

「Souya! Otou-san has just gone in to pick both of you upー, huh?」

Evetta-san called out to me, then looked confused when she saw me with Rana in my arms.

「Evetta, come here for a second. I'll treat you lunch today, so decide what you want to eat right this instant」

「No, rather than that. This, huh? Eh? Why?」

「Forget it. Forget everything you just saw. Don't get involved~ Your work will increase~」

The Guild President drew Evetta-san’s attention away, then waved a『hurry up and go』at us. I felt bad, but I slipped away and left as I didn’t want to trouble them any further.

「Umm, I can walk on my own already」

Rana told me that once we were outside. Certainly, the city streets were coming alive with pedestrians. We were subtly eye-catching.

「There’s a place that I want to drop by for a short while, so let me carry you until we reach there」

「If that’s what you want, then I don’t particularly mind it though」

Rana put both hands around my neck. Big. Those things that were encircled by her arms were big. Also, her gaze was pointed incredibly straight at me. Her golden eyes seemed to draw a person in. When our eyes met, she smiled sweetly. Embarrassed, turned away, turned back, smiled, contagious awkward laughter. An unequalled smile.

It’s no use. She’s so darn cute. Also, the timing was right, so I asked.

「Rana, would you like to form a party with me?」

「Yes, with pleasure」

I was so happy that it felt like I was going to start skipping.

After that exchange, we reached the bar that was directly managed by the Kingdom of Lemuria’s Adventurers’ Guild. This bar has a formal name, but I couldn’t read its sign. It said,

「Raging Bull and Silver Fox bar?」

「Huh?」

「No, that’s what it says, right? On that sign」

「Yes」

I read it. I was able to read it as if it had been translated into Japanese from a foreign language. How?

Setting that aside for now, I ignored what others might think and entered the bar with Rana still in my arms. The sun was still high in the sky so there were barely any customers, but all the other members of my party were already there. They were talking cheerfully but were startled when they saw the two of us. I stopped in front of their table.

「Irvin, Shuna, Beltoriche and Zenobia-san. I’m sorry!」

I lowered my head slightly. Then turned to leave the bar.

「Eh, huhh?! Wait, hang on a minute, Onii-san! I don’t get it! I don’t understand a single thing!」

「Don't stop me! Look at this situation and deduce it! Read between the lines!」

「Even the god of knowledge can’t read between the lines in this situation! Explain!」

Bel grabbed hold of my poncho.

「Neither me, nor anyone else understands what’s going on, so explain it properly」

Even Shuna was stopping me and forcing me to take a seat. There was no helping it, so Rana sat down beside me.

「Before everything, introductions are in order. Who is she?」

For now, I answered Irvin's obvious question.

「This is Rauaryuna Raua Heures-sama. A princess from the nearby Heures Forest. Earlier, she agreed to join the party」

「A princess!」

Bel’s eyes lit up.

「Look, Shuna-chan, look. She’s super cute. It’s the first time I’ve seen a princess in the flesh. It's a princess in the flesh!」

「Eh, umm. That’s right」

Shuna was blushing and acting nervously.

「No, I’m indeed the daughter of the chief who brought together the forest clans, but I’m now an adventurer just like everyone. There’s no meaning in something like the title of princess」

「N, noble」

「P, pretty」

Bel trembled at Rana's aura. With her knock-out smile on top of it, Shuna was dazzled. Irvin was just watching calmly.

「Ohh. Is everyone finally here? You’re late…… !!!」

The barkeeper came over, then, with a loud sound, went on one knee and placed one hand on his chest.

「Please forgive my rudeness, Rauaryuna-sama. I've heard a lot about the many times that my nephew had been discourteous to you. Even at the cost of my lowly self, I’ll definitely make him pay for it someday. This is a place where fools like these gather, but please enjoy yourself eating and drinking in good health today」

『Please enjoy yourself』

Bel and Shuna imitated the barkeeper.

「Please stop that. It’s really alright. Souya, please say something as well」

「The princess can’t stand formalities. Be at ease, commoners」

「Souya!」

When I teased her, my shoulder was given a pummelling. Hahaha, it doesn't hurt at all~.

For some reason, Bel’s smile froze.

「Umm, what kind of relationship do the two of you have?」

「Even if you ask me what kind it is……」

Rana was troubled. I was also troubled. We were troubled by the two who were looking at each other.

「What do you think about this? A suspicious adult relationship?」

「I don't know. It’s getting on my nerves for some reason」

Bel asked, while Shuna grew irritated.