Chapter 34
A few days had passed since three members of Fairy Sword, including Erika, arrived at the shrine.
During that time, no rom-com happenings occurred, and peaceful days passed by... but then, Erika suddenly made a suggestion.
"Hey, Clael. Sorry to ask, but... could you help me look for the Carbuncle?"
"Huh? What's with that all of a sudden?"
The place was the living space at the back of the shrine, the dining room.
Only Clael and Erika were there. Tina and Kitty had stepped out.
Since only an old friend was present, Clael's tone was a bit rougher.
"I found traces that suggest a Carbuncle might be in the nearby forest... but whenever we get close, it runs away. They say that since Carbuncles are sacred creatures, they'll approach if a priest gets near."
"A sacred creature, huh... If only Reina were here."
If it were Reina, the Carbuncle would probably come leaping into her chest.
What could she be doing in the royal capital right now?
They had exchanged letters a few times, and he knew she was doing well, but even so, there were times he couldn't help but worry.
"............"
"............What's with that look?"
"You know, whenever you open your mouth, it's always about the Saint."
"...Is that so? I didn't think I was doing that."
"You might not be aware of it yourself... but you're always talking about her. What she liked, what her hobbies were. Like a doting father bragging about his kid."
"............"
It wasn't like he had no idea what she meant.
Whether he was alone or the three of them were staying over, the one who always came to mind was Reina.
(I really am like a doting father... I thought I'd already moved on.)
"It might be a good change of pace... Why not go outside the town for once?"
"...Yeah, you're right."
There weren't any strong monsters in the nearby forest, so going out with a picnic mood might not be a bad idea.
Come to think of it... since being assigned to this town five years ago, he'd hardly ever left it.
"Alright. I'll help... but if we find the Carbuncle, I get a share, okay?"
"Sure, that's fine. Let's head out right away then."
"Whoa, right away?"
"It's not like you have any plans, right? Not in this peaceful town."
One of the priest's main duties was treating the injured who came seeking healing magic... but lately, that work was done by noon.
Since Reina was no longer attracting superficial fans to the shrine like before, all that was left in the afternoon was cleaning the shrine.
"Alright then... let's go."
'Kuma kuma'
"...You're bringing that too?"
A plush bear clung to Clael's back.
It raised its hand as if saying 'Yo!' and greeted them.
"Well, it's actually pretty helpful. You can trust it."
The plush bear had been assisting Clael since he started living alone, helping with cleaning, laundry, and dishwashing.
Back when someone tried to harm Reina and snuck in, it even drove the intruder away. It'd be useful as a bodyguard too.
"It might actually be more reliable than taking me along, you know? After all, Reina's power resides in this thing."
"...Whatever. Do what you want."
Erika pouted, sticking out her lips sulkily.
From Clael's perspective, her sudden irritation was incomprehensible.
(Come to think of it... she's always been hard to read.)
Back when they were both at the academy, she would constantly pester Clael and yell at him over trivial things.
If he tried to keep his distance thinking they didn't get along, for some reason Erika would come closer.
When they were together, she'd get angry, embarrassed, confused—her face constantly shifting through a hundred expressions.
A woman whose thoughts were impossible to read... that was Erika to Clael.
(Well, it's not like she's a bad person... She helped me out when I was stuck on assignments. Though she made me treat her to sweets afterward.)
"...What? Why are you staring at my face like that?"
"No reason."
Clael shrugged and returned to his room to get ready for the trip into the forest.
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