Chapter 45 And So The Story Begins
"Oh... So Largo got taken down."
At the Bright family mansion, Maia's father, Van Bright, muttered quietly.
"In the end, he just didn't have what it takes to be the head of our family. Maia won't be coming back either."
"Is that okay? They're your kids, right?"
Responding to Van's words was a boy cloaked in black miasma.
The boy spoke to Van with a disrespectful attitude, but Van didn't seem particularly bothered and replied.
"I do not act out of personal grudges. Rather, about that man called Adel Vandale. It seems your prior report was quite different, isn't it?"
"Oh, yeah. I completely misjudged his ability. I apologize for recommending him as a suitable first mission for your daughter. Look, it turned out like this."
Van sighed as he looked coldly at the boy who respectfully thanked him.
This boy gives off an impression that is hard to grasp.
It's suspicious that he didn't know about Adel Vandale's abilities in the first place.
It's almost like he was using them as pawns to test something.
Not to mention, he seemed to be enjoying it...
Thinking that far, Van calls out to the boy.
"Alright then. Since it's no longer a worthwhile job, there's no need to be involved with that Adel Vandale anymore. What's truly important to me is your 'plan.' The plan for world domination, huh..."
"Yeah. That's progressing smoothly for now, so don't worry. Although, it's not me but the king who's actually taking action."
"I see. In that case, I'll leave it to you. Long live King Charles Vandale."
After Van says that, the boy smiles satisfactorily and prepares to leave.
"Well then, I'm heading out. If anything comes up again, I'll ask for your help."
"Yeah. See you later, Marc-dono――"
* * *
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Adel-san."
"Is everything okay now?"
"Yes. I was able to report properly."
On a hill covered in snow...
The day after repelling Largo's attack, we visited the graveyard where Maia's mother is buried.
"Now then, what should we do next..."
We were cautious due to yesterday's incident with Largo, but there were no signs of new pursuers.
While we were concerned about Maia's father's whereabouts, he hasn't interfered with us so far.
Of course, we can't let our guard down yet, but I now understand how to use my Executor job ability.
I should be able to repel anyone who tries to harm us.
"Adel-san."
"Hmm?"
Lost in thought, I was approached by Maia standing beside me.
"Why did you try so hard to help me, Adel-san?"
"...".
Yesterday's battle with Largo, right?
If I were to say that, I wonder why Maia did what she did. She's probably going to say something like, "Because I wanted to."
"Here, have this apple."
"Huh...?"
Maia muttered in surprise when she heard my response.
"Even just one apple, to me, tasted better than any feast I've had in the palace. And I was really happy that there was someone willing to help me in such a terrible state. So, that's the reason."
After saying that, Maia burst into laughter, her silver hair swaying.
"Adel-san, you're too kind."
...I didn't want to hear that from Maia.
"It's no big deal."
"Yeah, it's no big deal."
Maia said that and looked up at the clear blue sky.
Then she gazed straight into my eyes.
"All right, I've decided! I want to be with you, Adel-san!"
"Is it okay? I have nowhere to go."
"I feel the same way. Of course, as long as Adel-san is okay with it."
Maia blushed slightly and peeked at me.
――There's no reason to refuse, huh...
"Well then, please take care of me from now on, Maia."
"Ah... Yes!"
Maia took my hand that I offered.
Her face looked very happy, and she seemed a little embarrassed.
"And one more thing,"
Maia said, still holding my hand and lowering her head.
"Thank you so much for saving me. I will serve you to repay this favor for the rest of my life. So――"
"..."
"So, please take care of me too, Adel-sama."
Upon hearing those words, I reminisced a little about the past.
Many things had happened since I was exiled from the royal family.
Just living through that day was a struggle...
But in the end, I was able to save a girl.
Looking up to see Maia smiling with tears in her eyes, I felt relieved.
"Yeah, that's more than enough."
"Well then! What should we do next, Adel-sama?"
Maia said cheerfully, as if changing the subject.
"Luckily, we have plenty of money here, right?"
"You're quite cunning."
Maia handed me a sack she brought from the cave.
Originally, it was money prepared for me to escape, but when I tried to return it to Maia, she said, "Let's make it our money."
"Do you have anything you want to do, Adel-sama?"
"Well, something I want to do..."
Asked by Maia, I pondered.
And then, I recalled what I had been thinking about after being expelled from the royal family.
I dislike unreasonableness.
Me and Maia both suffered from the unreasonable behavior of others.
So, if there are people going through similar struggles, I want to support them, and if there are those spreading unreasonableness, I also want to knock some sense into them.
When I expressed these vague thoughts, Maia smiled and nodded.
"I think that's a wonderful idea. It might be nice for people in distress to rely on (revenge agency). It seems to fit Adel-sama's job ability perfectly."
"But doing it openly would be bad, right? ...I see. Maybe we could do it in a tavern. It would make gathering information easier."
"Oh, that sounds good! I want to put lots of flowers in the tavern!"
Well, I'm not so sure about that...
I chuckled as I looked at Maia, her eyes sparkling.
This must be the real Maia.
If that's the case, I didn't feel bad about it.
"If that's the case, we need to decide on a name for the tavern. Adel-sama, please decide!"
"I think it's still too early for that... But, a name, huh. Let's see――"
Maia, with her silver hair, waits for my words as it sways in the wind.
Set against the snowy scenery, I couldn't help but think it's beautiful.
And then, I speak out the name that came to mind.
"How about calling it the (Silver Apple Inn)――?"
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