Chapter 37
With the discovery of Carbuncle, the work of 'Fairy Sword' in the town of Eggbell was complete.
They placed Carbuncle into a wooden cage and carefully transported it to the royal capital.
"It was a short time, but thanks for everything."
"Yeah, take care on your way back."
At the town gate, Clael bid farewell to Erika and the others as they departed.
It had been a short time, but he was glad to talk and reconnect with an old friend.
It was a bit disappointing that the other person was Erika, who had always disliked him, but perhaps she had matured over the past five years—she seemed softer than before.
(What a relief it is that a friend my age is also single. I'm glad I'm not the only bachelor left.)
Clael gave a wry smile, thinking of something he could never say to Erika.
It had been five years since he graduated from the academy and was assigned to Eggbell as a priest.
During that time, he had received reports that many of his old acquaintances had gotten married.
Some even asked him to attend their weddings or to officiate as the priest since it was a special occasion.
Amidst all that, having a friend who remained focused solely on work was genuinely comforting.
(Even Roywood has a girlfriend he's thinking about marrying... No, really, seeing Erika again made me feel relieved.)
"I'm glad I got to see you, Erika. Stay well in the royal capital."
"W-What's with you all of a sudden... Y-You're being creepy!"
Even though he was just being honest, Erika's face turned bright red.
It seemed he had upset her again. Maybe she figured out he had mentally labeled her as his fellow single comrade.
"No, it was a joke, just a joke... Oh, here, this is your lunch and Carbuncle's food. I prepared them, so take them with you."
"Oh, how thoughtful. I'll gladly take them."
"And... about the reward for capturing Carbuncle..."
"Don't worry, I'll transfer the payment properly. After all, it was your bear who caught it."
"I see, then that's fine."
Having said what he wanted, Clael raised his right hand.
"Well then, take care this time for real."
"Yes... Let's meet again in a year. You'd better be ready for it!"
Leaving behind those mysterious words, Erika climbed into the carriage.
Tina and Kitty, who had boarded earlier, also poked their heads out the window and waved.
"Goodbye, Priest."
"Yeah, see you."
"Yes, let's all meet again."
The carriage began to move and passed through the town gates to the outside.
It gradually disappeared into the distance... eventually vanishing beyond the hill.
"Phew..."
"What's this? Sighing like that—feeling lonely, are you?"
The one teasing him like that was Roywood, who had also come to see them off.
"It's not that. I was just thinking I'll be living alone again..."
Probably because he had lived with Reina for five years... he had gotten used to living with someone.
Even though he had finally adjusted after Reina left for the royal capital, temporarily hosting the three from 'Fairy Sword' had made him acutely aware of the loneliness again.
"Ah—by the way, did Erika say anything to you?"
"Say anything?"
"You know, about that... marriage stuff..."
"Marriage? Erika's getting married!?"
He had thought they were fellow singles... What a betrayal!
Could it be that he was the only loner left with no partner?
"No, if she didn't say anything, then it's fine. Just forget it."
"Even if you say forget it..."
"No, seriously... that tsundere girl is way more messed up and cowardly than I thought."
"............?"
Leaving behind those cryptic words, Roywood waved and walked off somewhere.
Clael watched his friend's back with a suspicious look and headed home.
"Looks like I'll be living alone with the bear plushie for a while..."
Why does he sound even lonelier than someone truly living alone?
When Clael returned to the shrine and opened the chapel doors, he saw the bear sweeping the floor with a broom.
'Kuma—'
"Hey, I'm back."
'Kuma kuma'
"Yeah, the three of them left. Sorry for always making you deal with this."
'Kuma—'
Strangely enough, living together had allowed them to communicate even without understanding words.
He could naturally understand what the bear plushie wanted to say.
"...Why is it? I'm feeling even lonelier now."
'Kuma kuma'
As if to say, "Don't be so lonely," the bear tugged at Clael's pant leg.
'Kuma—'
Then, after clapping its cotton-stuffed hands... multiple small figures appeared from the back of the chapel.
'Kuma—!'
'Gao gao'
'Bear—'
"....................................Huh?"
What appeared were differently colored bear plushies—red, blue, and yellow.
For reference, the original one was brown.
"T-There's more!? Why!?"
'Kuma—'
The original bear plushie stood proudly with hands on its hips, as if to say, "See? Now you won't be lonely."
He had no idea what logic or purpose was behind it... but apparently, bear plushies could multiply.
Clael had thought he would feel lonely again after the three from 'Fairy Sword' left the shrine, but instead, he gained three new housemates.