CH 71

The goddess cult?

That word doesn’t sound familiar. Is it a church denomination or something?

Looking at Emilia, she silently shook her head. How does that relate to this incident?

In particular, I’m worried…

When I turned my gaze toward the informant, there was an empty plate and a silver coin on the table that was already empty.

Tch…you left behind a thought-provoking line.

I’m curious, but right now my first priority is the kidnapped children.

“Hurry up, Emilia.”

“… that’s right”

Emilia was pondering something, but then she stood up in response to my words.

“If you need a horse, we’ll stop by my party house first, it should be faster than renting one.”

“Yeah. And we’ll split the informant’s fee fifty-fifty. Make sure you take it out of my commission.”

“Ugh…”

Ugu? Oh no…

“I don’t think so, but you’re not thinking of footing the bill for the informant’s commission… are you?”

Emilia suddenly starts walking fast.

“It…”

It?

“It’s barely fit…”

So, negative on expenses.

I kind of guessed it when I asked the informant…maybe if I didn’t tell her, Emilia was going to pay with her own pocket money and hand over the reward without a care in the world. I wonder if she was that worried about the missing children.

Well, I guess I can’t speak for others on this one either….

While sighing, I keep pace with Emilia and line up next to her.

“You have a difficult personality. Me and you.”

“Uh… yeah. Well… huh.”

I got a very subtle response.

―――――

(Guu… I can’t say that. I just wanted to show Gray my good side…)

Even so, Emilia was somewhat pleased to see Gray walking next to her, keeping pace with her.

She knew it wasn’t the time for her to be happy, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Meanwhile, the Philo Chamber of Commerce and its escort, the “War Maidens,” were resting by the lake.

“…”

“What’s wrong, Kasha?”

Harsalia spotted a crease between Kasha’s eyebrows as she sat on a nearby rock and drank the tea her friends had made for her.

By the way, the members of “War Maiden” basically only ate what they had prepared themselves while doing requests, assuming the unlikely event. This was a decision Emilia and Kasha made after the dissolution of “One Sword” in order to protect themselves while continuing as adventurers.

Earlier, someone from the Philo Chamber of Commerce offered her tea and sweets, but she politely declined. She had no intention of giving in on this matter, even if the other party was a noble or royalty.

Such a cautious Kasha was looking at her tea with a difficult face, so Harsalia called out to her with concern, despite her tone of voice. ……

“Emmy…”

“The leader?”

“I feel like she’s trying to look good for Gray again.”

“… Ah, that”

She didn’t really care.

―――――

“… Kushun!”

“Are you cold?”

Emilia sneezes and I call out to her just as we are leaving town after borrowing a horse from the “War Maiden” party house.

“No, it’s all right. Surely someone must have gossiped about me.”

I had planned to give Emilia a break and take care of this request on my own if she wasn’t feeling well, but it seems my fears were unfounded.

“Yes. Well, don’t overdo it.”

“…Thank you. Let’s go.”

Emilia then began to ride her horse, and I followed behind her on my horse.

From here on, it’s almost a non-stop forced march to the destination. I’m sorry to the horses, but I’m going to have them run to their limits using body strengthening magic and potions. Well, even if they can’t run anymore, I will negotiate with Emilia and the others and take care of them until the end.

I’ll go along with the situation here. B-class adventurers don’t forget aftercare.

…… kids would love them.