Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends - V 2.2 Chapter 4.3

“He was really from the Kingdom of Aluda?”

“Yes. Even when I asked, he didn’t deny it.”

“Hm… I’d heard rumors, but… so people from Aluda really are evacuating to Finaldatt.”

After flipping the shop sign to Closed, Ruri and Dan both sighed heavily, looking troubled.

As for me, my ears were twitching awkwardly.

After that man from Aluda cornered me, and the adventurers came to my rescue, I somehow managed to get through the rest of my shift.

Rouge and the others kept a close eye on the place, watching out in case any more weirdos showed up. Thanks to them, I made it to closing time.

“Summer’s always been a season when people from all over come to Finaldatt,” Ruri said. “Like I told you before, they come to see the summer festival. So it’s normal to see unfamiliar faces around this time of year.”

“But still… sounds like things are getting worse in Aluda. To think we’d start seeing their people even here in Finaldatt…”

Both of them looked genuinely concerned. They knew just how deeply traumatized I was by Aluda. And now, the damage in that country had gotten bad enough that people were starting to flee—even to this town.

Those who can afford to leave early are usually the wealthy. And in Aluda… people like that are often the most extreme human supremacists. That’s why, lately, small incidents have been popping up more frequently around town.

People from Aluda often look down on non-human races and refuse to see them as equals. But in Grantania, we don’t believe that humans are somehow superior—and I think that difference is what’s causing all this friction.

“Are you holding up okay, Kuna?” Dan asked.

Ruri gave me the same worried look.

But surprisingly, I felt calm. My chest still burned with a sharp, simmering heat—like heartburn I couldn’t shake.

I was still angry.

Angry that man had the nerve to insult everyone from the guild.

“I’m all right. I’m sorry for causing so much trouble.”

“You didn’t cause any trouble at all,” Ruri said, puffing up in indignation. “If anyone did, it was that customer!”

She spoke with real anger in her voice.

“Of course, I do feel bad about the suffering in Aluda,” she added. “But that doesn’t give anyone the right to act so arrogant in the place they’ve taken refuge.”

“Exactly. You don’t get to be rude to strangers just because you’ve had a hard time.”

Seeing them both so upset… it lifted the weight in my chest a little.

Maybe they noticed my expression softening, because they looked at me with puzzled faces.

“…Thank you. For being angry on my behalf.”

They were only upset because they genuinely cared about me. That’s what made it all the more comforting.

They exchanged a look, then relaxed a little—just like I had.

“During the festival season, there’s always a huge uptick in visitors. Which means more troublesome guests too,” Dan said. “Best to avoid unnecessary contact with people you don’t know.”

“Agreed. We’ll be on alert as well,” Ruri added. “And Kuuchan, if anything happens, call us right away, okay?”

“Yes. Thank you so much.”

I bowed my head with a polite *peko*.

In the past, just hearing the name Aluda might’ve sent me into a panic. But now… it wasn’t so bad. No matter what happens, I know everyone is here for me.

“Ruu~”

“Pii~”

Lulu and the little birds, meanwhile, were still happily devouring their favorite—wild raspberry pie. With carefree expressions, they munched away at the flaky crust, looking absolutely blissful. Dan reached over and gently wiped away the crumbs from Lulu’s mouth.

“Make sure you leave some for tomorrow.”

“Kyururuu~”

Lulu gave a cheeky little lick of her nose, like she was saying oopsie.

“Kuuchan, are you really feeling okay? If it seems like too many strange customers keep showing up, you should take a break, you know.”

Ruri looked at me with worry in her eyes, but I quietly shook my head.

“There might be strange encounters… but maybe there’ll be good ones too. That’s why I want to keep working—here, where everyone is.”

When I said that, Ruri smiled, just a little.

“…You’re right. Then we’ll make sure we have solid countermeasures in place for Kuuchan’s Protection Plan,” she said with a smirk. “Besides, the festival is fun! You should make sure you enjoy it too.”

“During the festival, I’m thinking of expanding the terrace seating,” Dan added.

Wow… that sounds like such a fun idea.

“Oh, oh! From the terrace, you’ll get a perfect view of the fireworks!”

“The fireworks in front of the guild are really beautiful. You should look forward to them, Kuuna.”

“Let’s all watch them together, okay?”

We’d made that promise even before going into the dungeon.

I’m so excited—my tail won’t stop wagging. I can’t wait to see the fireworks!