CH 55

The fat drips from the fish as it is scorched by the heat....

I picked up the last fish and bit into it.

"Uma!"

"The fish here are delicious.".

"It 's so yummy!"

Freshly cooked fish is juicy and moist.

Orlos seems to love it.

By the way, it looks like their troll hunt was successful.

They finished the hunt in an hour and then came back, so I guess there's no question that they are indeed S-rank.

"Hah~, I'm satisfied."

With our stomachs full, we relax in the shade of a tree.

The weather and temperature are perfect.

"This is great."

Lynn emerges from the bushes in a bathing suit.

After a while, Kaede and Frau also appeared, looking beautiful.

Kaede wore a white bikini over her translucent white skin.

Her slender and sexy body would fascinate any man...

Kaede looked at me shyly.

"My Lord! You should also look at Frau!"

"Uwa!"

She grabbed my head tightly and spun it so that I looked at her.

She is an insistent little slave.

Frau has a slender figure, but that's all I can say.

The swimsuit she was wearing was a pretty pink ruffle.

Her long pigtails were pulled back in a bun, giving her a slightly different look than usual.

"Guys, don't go falling in love with my body, nya!"

Lynn wears a black bikini to accentuate her sex appeal.

However, the members of The Flame Axe Gang looked at each other and then quickly looked back at Kaede.

"Hey! Why are you only looking at Kaede!?"

"We've been together since childhood, so we've seen you in so many different ways. At this point, a swimsuit isn't that surprising."

"But I still have a lot to show, nya! Praise me!"

There was scant applause.

Lynn's mood was getting worse.

"Let's go swimming, Lynn-San."

"It's okay, nya... Wow, you're really smooth, nya!"

Lynn was grabbed by the arm and breaks out in a cold sweat when she feels Kaede's breasts against her.

"Master, you too!"

"Uh...? Me?"

When I tried to get up, they pulled me down and forced me to sit down.

I was quickly handed a bowl that had sake in it.

"Are you seriously planning to stand in the middle of all those women and leave us alone?"

"That's right, Toru. You're staying to drink sake with us."

"That's right, men drink with men."

I was caught between Poloa and Bax, so I could not escape this incarceration.

In front of me, Orlos was smiling with a bottle of alcohol.

I have no choice, I will have to stay put.

"Ggghhh, ggghhh!"

"Stop it... You make me laugh, little fishes... Mnya."

Bax is snoring and Lynn is squirming while talking in her sleep.

If you look around, you will see that Poloa, Frau and Kaede are sleeping peacefully.

The fire was lit and only Orlos and I were awake.

"You look like you're going to fall asleep at any moment."

"I think I've had too much to drink."

"Yeah, this was a lot of fun."

Rosuke was keeping watch.

Although there's nothing dangerous nearby, the fact that Rosuke is flying around and circling the place makes me feel more at ease.

Orlos pours me another drink and I thank him.

"So, what are you going to do next?"

"What do you mean?"

"As the name of your party indicates, you are going to be traveling, so what's your next destination?"

I thought a bit before answering.

"Actually, I'm waiting for a certain hero. I heard that a round table gathering is going to be held and they are coming to Grigit. According to the calendar, it will be held the day after tomorrow."

"What are you saying? The roundtable ended yesterday."

"What?!"

I spilled the Sake due to the surprise.

This can't be, I heard that it was going to be the day after tomorrow!

Did they change the date? Why?!

"You never asked me about the Round Table, so I assumed you weren't interested."

"Never mind, it was my fault for not giving notice in advance. But why did they speed it up?"

"There was a demon attack at Northstar. I'm sure you've heard about it. We heard about it too, and that's why they decided to move up the date."

Crack

Without realizing it, I squeezed the container.

Stay calm, we still don't know for sure if Sain has left Grigit.

It's all right. Don't panic. You'll see those three again soon.

Orlos looks at me while holding a new bowl.

"Don't show that face to the girls."

“!?”

I touched my face.

It seems that my murderous intent appeared unconsciously on the face.

I didn't realize it until he pointed it out to me.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. If you want to see the hero... Man, then I don't think you should bother."

"What do you mean?"

"I know where the hero is going."

"And you shouldn't go because the dark realm...... is ruled by demons."

Something crossed my mind.

"Grayfield!"

"Yes, the heroes will end up going to Grayfield, which is next to the Dark Kingdom. Also, the road is currently blocked by a fort. It should take at least a few months to break through it."

If I don't find him at Grigit, then I'll see him at Grayfield.

I was relieved to hear that.

I had originally planned to go to Grayfield.

This would only accelerate that plan.

"As you must know, the hero is an effective card in this battle against the demon king."

"I will take full responsibility for whatever happens."

Orlos spoke no more.

But I understood what he was trying to say.

If that happens, I will have to release Kaede and Frau, and then apologize to them.

"Come on, we have to drink a lot today."

"You always do."

"Really?"

Has this guy forgotten that I've been hanging out with him a lot lately?

He poured more alcohol in my glass.

Suddenly I felt someone grab my pants.

"Mas….ter."

"Kaede?"

She must have grabbed me while she was asleep.

My heart is soothed at the sight of Kaede's sleeping face.

"Don't try to lead your slaves to death."

"I know. I'll do everything on my own, and I'll take full responsibility."

"If you can't do it, I'll take care of it."

"Do you want to make such a commitment?"

"Maybe. I hope that day never comes."

We clink our glasses.

He is a man with a big heart.

No wonder his friends trust him so much.

I wish I had had an older brother like him... Someone I could trust.

If it had been like this... None of what I am living through would be happening.

No, there is no point in regretting the past.

I just have to go ahead and face whatever comes my way.

I stroked Kaede's head.

Her tail began to wag.

Frau, who was sleeping while holding her tail, begins to growl.

"Ugh, stop... Frau won't give in to such torture."

"Kyui!"

Frau squeezes a clump of Panda's fur that was within reach.

Panda's bad-tempered mood began to emerge.

He then looks at me to stop petting Kaede and help him.

"Well, I'll leave it."

"Kyui!"

"Buhahahahaha! You guys are really interesting!"

Orlos stamps his feet on the ground while laughing loudly.

I'm not trying to make you laugh.

I stroked Kaede's head and that was enough for me.

"Glup glup!"

"What is that sound?"

I hear a familiar voice from a distance.

I can't remember because of all the alcohol I drank.

"Glup glup!"

"There it is again!"

It sounds very sad.

I seem to be forgetting something.

"Come to think of it - didn't you leave that fish-like thing out there?"

"Ah!"

I ran to the lake in a hurry.

At the water's edge. Sharkboy was scraping against the algae trying to climb ashore.

"Sorry, I forgot about you!"

"Glup glup!"

I hugged Sharkboy and apologized.

The little shark hit me as if to say; "don't just forget about me."