Back when I played the hero, I usually wore armor, so people often found me intimidating. It's not surprising since the atmosphere after coming back from the battlefield was quite tense. However, I can honestly say that I've never knocked a girl I just met.
After the guardian suddenly showed up and collapsed, I had to come up with a forceful explanation like, "This is Lisha's guardian!" Everyone bought it, and I ended up carrying the guardian back home. Tsukiko gave me a sharp look, wanting an explanation, but I was clueless myself. I'd prefer if she helped me recover mentally from knocking a girl I'd just met.
And it wasn't a good thing that Souji and the others overheard my conversation with the guardian. It was a bunch of mysterious words, and they wouldn't understand it. It didn't fit the story that we were clearly meeting for the first time.
So, I decided to describe this person as "someone who's overly obsessed with Japanese anime culture and unconsciously mimics lines." Luckily, her outfit looked like cosplay, and everyone went along with it, saying things like, "Oh, I see..." I genuinely feel bad about it.
Let me make it clear: it's not some kind of revenge for knocking out a girl I just met.
"So, can we say for sure that this person is your guardian?"
I asked Lisha while she was taking care of the girl I'd tossed onto the bed. Even though I asked, there was no doubt that this person, with the Gothic dress and the earlier display of magic power, was definitely from Asteris.
"Yes, this person is my guardian, Kanami-san."
"Kanami... Huh, never heard of that name."
"Well, she is from Asteris, after all."
"I see, I see."
Lisha gave me a curious look, and I quickly nodded. But Kanami, Kanami, huh? Even if I was considered an important hero for the God-Demon War, I should remember a name like Kanami. Either she appeared after the war, or she was a hero I didn't meet during the war, like Jillzack Luiid. Either way, she had that magic power and a fierce aura. She definitely wasn't weak.
That's why I'm curious.
"Why do you think she fainted?"
"Well, I've never seen her like this before."
Of course not; a guardian who suddenly faints isn't very useful. So, it must be because of the magic she activated with her left eye.
"Let's hope it's not some serious illness or something..."
"Yeah..."
I couldn't imagine a hero chosen for the God-Demon War falling ill so easily.
"For now, we should wait for Kanami to wake up, and we can discuss things tomorrow."
"Yes, I'd like to hear what she's been up to."
For now, let's call it a day. Kanami's appearance turned everything into a mystery, but we were just at a drinking party a while ago, and I was on the verge of passing out. Thanks to the magic power, I was mostly sober, but I was still mentally exhausted.
Alright, time for some sleep.
With that thought, I stood up to take a shower, but then I stopped.
"...I won't trouble you."
Yes, I heard a voice. Apparently, today wasn't over yet. When I raised my head, Kanami, who had sat up, was looking at me with deep navy eyes filled with an enigmatic light.
"Kanami! Good, you woke up."
"...Should we change locations?"
Ignoring Lisha, who was expressing concern, Kanami continued to gaze at me. Come on, at least react a bit if you're that worried about me. Do I really look that dangerous?
Perhaps my thoughts got through to her, as Kanami glanced at Lisha, who was about to speak, and gently placed her hand on Lisha's face. Magic power flowed in accordance with her will, and magic was activated.
Huh?
"'Lullaby (Go to sleep.)'"
"Kanami...?"
"It's time for you to sleep, Lisha."
Before my dumbfounded eyes, Kanami gently caught Lisha as she collapsed. The only sound in the now quiet room was Lisha's peaceful breathing.
What just happened was a kind of magic commonly used in Asteris. To put it in perspective, it's as potent as the magic a mother uses to lull her child to sleep at home. Even so, Lisha, who had been careless about the magic used by heroes (Eiyuu), couldn't resist it. It might have been different if she had been in her usual nun's attire.
Wait, what's going on here?
From Kanami's gentle act of laying Lisha, who had fallen asleep, on the bed, there was no hint of hostility. With that, Kanami turned and spoke with a face as if she were heading to the battlefield.
"Shall we go outside for a bit?"
Invited by the beauty, I had no choice but to nod.
...
...
As we were bathed in the lukewarm night breeze, Kanami and I headed to a 24-hour family restaurant. It was a place where Kanami, with her Gothic dress and beautiful face, didn't seem to belong, but if we were going to have a conversation at this late hour, there was no more convenient place than this.
"Two drinks from the drink bar."
When Kanami asked me that, it seemed like she was quite familiar with modern society. Quite a difference from some sheltered saint. Well, I guess I'll get the drinks at least.
"What would you like to drink?"
"No need for formalities. I'll have a hot coffee."
"Understood."
I replied with polite language, and she gave me a sharp glare. Her beautiful face can be quite intimidating.
Although she looks like someone who might drink tea, she ordered coffee. Well, it's not something I care about, really.
I'll go with warm green tea. After all the drinking, I don't feel like having juice.
With green tea and coffee in hand, I returned to see Kanami gazing out the window with a melancholic expression. Seriously, whether it's Lisha, Tsukiko, or Kanami, these women have such mundane gestures. This is a family restaurant, you know that, right?
"Yes, coffee."
"Thank you."
I brought sugar and milk just in case, but it seemed she didn't need them. Kanami drank her coffee with a composed expression and looked at me with a cold gaze.
In response, I met her gaze with determination.
Now, the goal of this negotiation should be to make her agree to cooperate. In other words, I need to earn her trust.
To achieve that, I need to carefully consider what cards to play. The other party is a seasoned hero (Eiyuu); she won't easily trust me. No matter what happens, I must remain calm and not show any signs of panic.
"First, may I ask you something?"
Once again, Kanami was the first to speak.
What is she going to ask? About my true identity, or perhaps about my relationship with Lisha?
To show my composure, I casually crossed my legs and nodded as I sipped my green tea.
I've faced countless life-or-death situations as a Hero. Don't think she can easily shake this calmness.
"Since when have you been participating in this God-Demon War, Hero-sama?"
I almost sprayed out my green tea.
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