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 8.3

Today was the last day of the festival.

In the end, I hadn’t really been able to enjoy it at all.

With Father and the others showing up, everything had been such a whirlwind that there was no helping it. It seemed the same was true for everyone else who had been protecting me, too—they finally managed to relax on this last day and enjoy the festival just for fun. I really had caused them a lot of trouble. But that just meant it was my turn to repay everyone from here on out. I felt like that’s what life was going to be from now on: giving and receiving, over and over.

Even though I was mentally exhausted, I didn’t want to just sit at home. I wanted to soak in the atmosphere of the festival, so I spent the day working as usual. The expanded space set up in front of the guild was already packed with people, buzzing with excitement.

After making the rounds and thanking everyone who had been involved in this whole ordeal, I finally finished my greetings and let out a relieved sigh. That’s when Ruri called out to me.

“Ku-chan, let’s take a break soon. Nobody’s going to be ordering while the fireworks are going off.”

“I’m looking forward to the fireworks.”

“Fufu, we promised to watch them together, didn’t we?”

—I’m glad we managed to keep that promise.

I thought that to myself, watching the lively, cheerful space.

“Uuuu, Kuna-san, Kuuuna-saaaan…”

At one of the tables, Ellen-san, sniffling and teary-eyed, called out to me.

It looked like she’d had some drinks and was completely drunk.

“Don’t go away too far, okay…?”

“She’s been like this the whole time, nya,” Kurona-san, who was sitting across from her, said with an exasperated sigh.

I couldn’t help but let out a wry smile.

“Ellen-san, I’ll always be here, so don’t worry.”

“But, but, Kuna-san, you’re actually a real noble lady, and someone like me—a commoner—just…”

“You’ve become someone so distant from meee!” she wailed, tears streaming. I didn’t know what else to do, so I hugged her tight.

“I might have to go away sometimes to talk things over, but I’ll always come back. Because my place is here.”

When I said that, Ellen-san finally stopped crying.

“Really? Even if you become a noble lady, you’ll still be my friend?”

“Of course. Besides, I don’t intend to inherit the ducal title anyway. I’m still me.”

Hearing that, Ellen-san finally relaxed, slumping onto the table with a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness…”

Before long, Ellen-san’s quiet snores drifted through the air.

Both Ellen-san and Kurona-san had worried so much for me through all this. I’d have to do something to thank them later.

“Well, whatever the case, I’m glad things have finally been settled, nya.”

“Yes. Thank you so much for everything.”

I bowed my head politely, and Kurona-san’s gaze shifted behind me.

“Kuna-san, Gier-san’s here, nya.”

“Eh?”

I turned reflexively—and sure enough, there he was. From a distance, I could see Shooting Star and Gier walking this way.

Had they come to take a break?

“Kuna-san, aren’t you going to go to him, nya?”

“Um…”

For some reason, Kurona-san’s face broke into a knowing grin.

W-what is with that grin?

“Ku-chan, why don’t you take a little break? Over by Gier, I mean!”

Ruri, who had been wiping dishes nearby, said this with an equally cheerful smile.

“Go on, off you go.”

“Waah—”

The two of them gave me a push from behind, and before I knew what was happening, my feet were carrying me toward Gier.

“Gier, thank you for your hard work.”

When I reached Gier and Shooting Star, he gave me a small smile as he looked my way.

“Kuna, I’m glad to see you looking well.”

“Yes. I am a little tired… but being together with everyone makes me feel like I can stay strong.”

I said that while stroking Shooting Star’s nose, and Gier gave a nod.

“That’s good to hear. I hadn’t been able to see you since then, so I was worried and ended up coming here.”

He must have been busy with everything surrounding Father’s transfer to the royal capital.

“Gier, once again… thank you for everything this time.”

I bowed my head deeply.

“If you hadn’t been there, I think I would have completely fallen apart.”

“I only did what anyone should. Kuna, raise your head.”

When I obeyed, lifting my gaze, Gier was watching me with a serious expression.

“Your father has been taken to the royal capital.”

“!”

“For now, the matter has reached its conclusion.”

But then Gier continued, his tone heavy.

“Your father’s interrogation still lies ahead. And if it comes to trial, you’ll likely have to give testimony yourself. Things may become a bit difficult from here on.”

“…Yes. I’ve already talked about it with Leah.”

First, I would probably have to pay my respects to the Lucia household. Once Ingrid-san’s health recovered, I wanted to speak with her properly. When I said that, Gier gave a small nod.

“It won’t be easy, but I’ll help however I can.”

“Thank you, truly.”

When I said that, Gier furrowed his brows slightly and spoke.

“There’s actually something I need to apologize to you for.”

“Something you need to apologize for?”

I tilted my head, and Gier hesitated a moment before opening his mouth.

“A little while back… right around the time you returned from the dungeon. At that time, we finished analyzing the information about the organization Albert Berta was tied to.”

“!”

“From the man who tried to kidnap you, we also learned that sixteen years ago he had sold a white wolf tribe woman to the Aluda Kingdom.”

“That means…”

“I talked it over with Simon and Kiril. We thought… maybe it might have something to do with your mother.”

I see. So when I visited Simon’s room to have him appraise the Scales of Truth, the three of them were talking about this…

“So that’s why you believed me back then, even when I said something so outrageous?”

“…Yes. I suppose that might be part of it.”

Gier’s expression grew apologetic.

“We decided that, since the information wasn’t certain, it would only make you anxious if you knew. So the three of us—Simon, Kiril, and I—chose not to tell you. I’m sorry for keeping it from you.”

With that, Gier bowed his head. Flustered, I hurried to stop him.

“Gier, I don’t mind at all.”

“…You don’t?”

“Yes. Because you kept silent for my sake, didn’t you?”

That day, Ruri had told me, Let’s just trust and wait. It’s not like they’re trying to do anything bad to you. And she had been exactly right.

“Thank you. For working so hard on my behalf.”

Gier had even shared his own secret just to encourage me.

“Kuna…”

“I’m really glad I got to meet you, Gier.”

Before I knew it, those words had slipped from my lips.

The moment they left my mouth, I froze. That sounded like I was singling Gier out as someone special.

“Ah—um, I mean, I’m glad I met Gier, and Ruri, and Dan, and… e-everyone!”

“…I see.”

For some reason, I felt like Gier was flustered, too.