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The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

Chapter 168

"Thank you very much for everything."


"Thank you for staying with us for so long, Ruruk-chan. Come visit us again."


"Yes. Take care, Tessa-san."


Thanks to the item box, moving to the mansion was quickly finished.


Since we had stayed for a while, I gave some carefully selected alcohol to Tessa, the innkeeper. She was a good innkeeper who welcomed us warmly even when our group grew larger with Seori and Nagi joining.


By the way, the other members had already said their goodbyes and headed to the mansion. Especially with Seori around, things could get complicated.


"Don't let the princess do anything reckless."


"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."


I wanted to talk a bit more, but I couldn't have a long conversation. There were already adventurers waiting in line at the reception.


Apparently, since it was the inn where the dragon princess had stayed, there had been frequent inquiries about vacant rooms for several months. Especially now that our rooms were becoming available, applications were flooding in for "the room where the dragon princess had stayed."


It seems they're going to draw lots to decide who gets to stay.


Seori is like an idol in this country. There are passionate fans in any world.


So, with this, our official residence has become the mansion.


Although it was given to us by the Dragon King, the title deed is in my name. In other words, it's my personal property.


"...I've really moved up in the world."


"So you've finally got your house. I'm going to be lonely now."


"Mererosu-san!"


Just outside the inn, I ran into the beautiful elf adventurer, Mererosu.


It had been a while since we met, as she had been on a quest in another country for about two months.


"Welcome back! Did the quest go well?"


"Yeah, no problems. Here, a souvenir for you."


"...What's this? A stone?"


"It's black, but it's rock salt. I bought it because it tasted good on meat."


"Thank you. Everyone will be happy."


It smells a bit like sulfur, but when I scraped some off and tasted it, it was indeed salt.


With this flavor, it should go well with fried food. I'll try using it on some cutlets next time.


"But we'll have fewer chances to meet everyone. That's the only disappointing thing."


"If you'd like, you could live with us? We have more than enough rooms."


"Ahaha. I appreciate the invitation, but I'll have to decline. The girls might resent me. I try not to make enemies if I can help it."


Mererosu responds casually as always.


Well, I knew that when I said it.


"Of course, I won't refuse if you come to visit, so feel free to invite me. I'd like to have meals and exchange information sometimes too. We're friends after all."


"Then let's make a date right away... Oh, by the way, Mererosu-san. About that matter, when should we do it? I'm free anytime, and I can take you to the village right away."


"That's right. I should say something soon or I'll get nagged again. How about tomorrow?"


"Of course. Then I'll come to pick you up tomorrow morning."


"Thanks. See you then."


After saying goodbye to Mererosu, I head back.


That matter refers to a favor I had promised Mererosu a long time ago.


I greeted the next morning with a bit of excitement, but--


"We're going to the bathing area. [Eyes of Fiction] is forbidden, okay!"


"Mm. No peeping."


"To think you had a x-ray vision skill, what a pervert bastard."


I had successfully brought Mererosu to the elf village, but of course, the party members had come along.


Nagi glares at me with maximum disgust, hugging herself.


Naturally, I defend myself.


"Isn't it admirable that I haven't peeped in the bath despite having the skill? You could praise me, you know."


"Not peeping is normal. That very thought is criminal. You should drink a brew made from Punisuke's nail scrapings, you pervert."


"Oh, is that so? If you're going to say that much, Nagi, maybe I'll just constantly x-ray your clothes--"


"You'll die!"


"Gyaaaah! My eyes!"


Her fingers stabbed me. They really stabbed me.


My companions walked to the bathing area, leaving me rolling on the ground.


At least show some concern... Well, I healed instantly though.


"Ahaha. Nagi-chan is as strict as ever. You've become a lively party, haven't you~"


"It's like babysitting every day. If I wasn't the responsible one, the party would have fallen apart by now, right?"


"...That's right."


"Huh? Was there a moment of silence just now? My imagination?"


"It's your imagination. Come on, let's head to my place right away."


Mererosu hurriedly led the way.


We went straight to Mererosu's family home. It was an ordinary house not far from the central hall. Let's hope the terrifying sister Silkuru isn't there.


"I'm home~"


"Oh? If it isn't Mererosu-chan."


In the living room was a beautiful elf woman who looked only in her 30s.


Her eyes were exactly like Mererosu's, so this must undoubtedly be Mererosu's mother. I could call her mother-in-law... Ah, no good. The trauma from Silkuru's time.


"What brings you back? And who's behind you... Oh my, if it isn't our savior."


"Hello, I'm Ruruk. Mererosu-san has always been taking care of me."


"The pleasure is ours. Thank you so much for saving our village the other day."


"So, Mom, I came back because I have something to talk to you about. Where's Dad?"


"Your father is at work. As usual, he's with Scalamagi-sama."


"Oh, that's perfect then. Hey Mom, about the marriage partner I've been talking about--"


Just as Mererosu was about to bring up the topic, it happened.


"Mererosu!"


Suddenly, a loud voice echoed, and a figure burst into the house.


It was an extremely handsome elf. He was pale and slender, beautiful enough to be mistaken for a woman. However, the way he left his clothes open at the front and brushed up his bangs seemed very narcissistic.


Mererosu frowned visibly upon seeing him.


"So you were back, Mererosu! And I heard something about a marriage partner, have you finally decided to accept my proposal? This is joyous news. Let's hold the ceremony right away!"


"S-Scalamagi-sama! We're in trouble if you suddenly leave your post... Oh, Mererosu! You're back!"


Behind the handsome elf called Scalamagi, a tired-looking middle-aged elf entered. He looked incredibly harmless.


Mererosu sighed tiredly and said,


"I'm home, Dad... And Scalamagi-sama, I've told you many times, I have no intention of marrying you."


"Hehehe, you're still bad at hiding your embarrassment, Mererosu."


"I'm telling you, it's not like that."


"What are you saying, Mererosu! Scalamagi-sama is being so gracious! Get married!"


"Why are you deciding, Mom! I've always said I'll choose my own marriage partner!"


"What's wrong with Scalamagi-sama! Becoming the wife of a High Elf, there's no greater honor than that!"


Ah, I see.


So this handsome guy was a High Elf.


High Elves are born as apostles of the sacred tree. They're said to be able to communicate with the sacred tree and are considered symbols of the elves.


I certainly wasn't told about her being proposed to by a High Elf, but this is the matter Mererosu had asked me for help with.


Basically, I'm supposed to greet them as her fiancé. It's just an act, of course.


Her mother has been nagging her because she shows no signs of getting married, so Mererosu's plan was to lie about dating me and deceive them for a while.


With a High Elf involved, this seems like it might get a bit troublesome.


"Stop arguing and get married! You'll be left on the shelf at this rate!"


"I've been saying all along that I'll choose my own partner!"


"C-Calm down, both Mom and Mererosu... Dad thinks it might be better to consider this positively..."


"Hehehe, even your angry face is beautiful, Mererosu."


It's chaos.


The four of them are each stating their opinions, but honestly, it's not a conversation.


As I was wondering what to do--


"Shut up! I'm dating Ruruk-kun, so be quiet already!"


Mererosu shouted.


True to her words, her parents and the High Elf fell silent.


They shifted their gaze towards me, their eyes wide with disbelief.


"...Savior-sama, is this true?"


"Well... um, yes."


This is hard to say!


I had intended to say "I am dating your daughter!" more straightforwardly, but to say it like this, caught up in this storm-like argument.


However, this should lead to the development Mererosu intended--


"...It's a lie."


There was a thud sound of something falling from the entrance.


Standing there was Karmarike.


The small elf, who had come with a basket full of fruits picked from the forest, perhaps to deliver them to Mererosu's house, stood dumbfounded, gradually tearing up...


"--!"


She ran away as if escaping.


Just before she left, I saw her biting her lip as hard as she could to hold back her sobs.


"...We messed up, didn't we..."


"Yes... we did..."


Mererosu and I wore expressions as if we had swallowed something bitter.


Unaware of our state of mind, the mother glared at us with a harsh expression.


"Mererosu-chan. Are you serious about dating our savior? Do you intend to marry? What about the difference in lifespan between humans? Have you thought about the future properly? You're not planning to never return to the village, are you?"


"That's..."


Mererosu glanced at me.


I understand the meaning of that glance.


Honestly, I had intended to keep my promise to Mererosu until the end. I thought I was helping Mererosu who was in trouble, and I was happy to be of use.


...But this is wrong.


This isn't right.


"I'm sorry, Mererosu-san. I can't lie if it means making someone cry."


"No, I'm the one who should apologize. I'm sorry."


"...What do you mean? You two, explain properly."


"I'll explain when I get back."


Saying that, Mererosu and I rushed out of the house.


Of course, to chase after Karmarike who had run away.


We found Karmarike on a tree stump in the forest, her face buried in her knees.


It seems she couldn't suppress her presence or run well while crying. We were able to catch up without even using the x-ray skill.


As Mererosu and I approached Karmarike, she raised her face without trying to hide her tears and shouted.


"Why! It's always, always Mererosu!"


Karmarike frantically threw the nuts that were on the stump at us.


Even though it shouldn't hurt, my chest aches a little.


"It's been like this since long ago! Talent, beauty, popularity, strength, Mererosu has everything! Why!? I couldn't get anything... It's unfair... so unfair..."


"Karmarike, actually--"


"Give it to me! I don't need talent or strength or anything else! Just give me the one thing I want most! I just want Ruruk-sama! If I have Ruruk-sama, I won't wish for anything else... Please, Mererosu... Don't take everything away from me..."


Karmarike buried her face in her knees again.


Mererosu, finding it difficult to say it was a lie, was struggling with how to speak to her.


Even I'm not that stupid.


Karmarike had been directing her affection towards me, almost too straightforwardly. I'm not some clueless light novel protagonist; I can understand what that means.


So I know that this isn't something I should leave to Mererosu.


"Karmarike, can I say something?"


"What... I hate you, Ruruk-sama. Just go away..."


"I won't. I've decided to do things my way."


So let me say this much.


I intend to apologize... but that comes later.


"I have no intention of marrying Karmarike."


"...I know that. Why are you saying it? Don't say it, it makes me feel miserable..."


"No, let me say this. I have no intention of marrying Karmarike, or Mererosu-san. In fact, I don't intend to marry anyone. What we said earlier was a lie."


"...Huh?"


"Probably, I've never truly fallen in love with anyone yet. Mererosu-san is just my type, and of course, I've told her that. What we said earlier was just a ploy to deceive Mererosu-san's parents. There was no need to tell Karmarike about it, but... I'm sorry."


"...A lie...?"


Karmarike looked up, dumbfounded.


Her face was a mess from crying, which made me feel quite guilty.


But I'll say what needs to be said.


"So Karmarike, you can continue to act as you have been. I'll do the same as always."


"B-But... don't you find me annoying? Don't you think I'm troublesome...?"


"I've never thought that, not even once. I don't dislike lively people... No, sorry, that's evasive. Let me be clear. I like lively people."


That's why, honestly, I've been enjoying being with my current companions.


Enough to make me want to become stronger to protect them.


"Really? Does that mean Ruruk-sama likes me?"


"Don't get carried away."


"Ouch!"


I chopped her forehead. Karmarike ducked her head.


While I was at it, I patted her head.


"But well, I don't dislike you."


"...Is that evasive too?"


"Who knows."


I took my hand away, thinking she might get even more carried away if I continued.


The loyal dog Karmarike wagged her tail sadly, but her expression looked healthier than before.


"Karmarike, I want to apologize too. I didn't mean to hurt you."


"It's fine now, I understand."


"And, don't say you don't have anything. From my perspective, I envy Karmarike."


"...What's that supposed to mean? Are you being sarcastic?"


"It's the truth. Everyone knows Karmarike is honest and a good girl, and everyone likes you and talks to you easily, right? I have a distance from everyone, so I envy that. Even when I was in the village before, I always felt a clear wall between myself and everyone... That's why I became a hunter and left the village. To be honest, I ran away because I felt uncomfortable here."


Mererosu smiled bitterly as she confessed her feelings.


Karmarike looked surprised, as if it was unexpected.


"Even now, that hasn't changed. I'm a member of the elf village, but I don't feel like I'm truly one of them. I'm used to it now and I don't have any complaints, but I feel more at ease being an adventurer in the outside world. That's why I have no intention of returning to the village, and I have absolutely no intention of marrying Scalamagi-sama."


"...What's that supposed to mean?"


"I'm sorry for talking about this. I've never told anyone before, so I don't know if you'll believe me, but--"


"You idiot!"


Karmarike was angry.


"I know Mererosu is bad at socializing! But you're the one making yourself uncomfortable!"


"Why are you saying that? I was seriously troubled about this! But I guess you wouldn't understand, Karmarike!"


"What's that supposed to mean? You're the one building walls! Do you seriously think I don't make an effort to get along with everyone!? I'm careful with my words, I try to smile when I talk, everyone's trying to break down walls little by little like that! It takes time and effort!"


"B-But that's because Karmarike has that talent..."


"Oh yes, yes, maybe so! Then what? Was it because of that talent that I was bullied when I was little? I was bullied and I hated it, so I made an effort to get along with everyone! Don't call that effort talent! Don't be ridiculous!"


"Then don't call my effort talent either! I had no friends, so I spent all my play time training! I didn't want to lose to anyone, so I thought about ways to fight every night! I studied late into the night every day for that! I'm not a genius!"


"What! You can do everything, and you even put in effort! No wonder you don't lose to anyone! If you had put even a little of that towards getting along with people, things might be different now!"


"You practiced archery more than anyone too! Isn't that why you stayed up late and didn't grow tall!"


"Shut up, you idiot! You stoic idiot!"


"The one calling others an idiot is the real idiot!"


...Huh?


They've started arguing.


Mererosu and Karmarike started grappling, rolling around, and pulling each other's hair while hurling insults at each other. As it began to look like a mud fight, I had no choice but to stop them.


"That's enough, both of you."


"Fshhaa!"


"Kiii!"


They were like a puppy and a vixen.


I feel bad for the beautiful elf girls, but I can't overlook this meaningless exchange of insults.


"There, there. Both of you, calm down."


"Ah!"


"W-We showed you an unsightly scene."


The two of them try to compose themselves, coughing.


Anyway, Karmarike's misunderstanding has been cleared up, so that should be fine. Now we need to explain to the parents and that narcissistic High Elf.


"So, let's go back to the house, Mererosu-san."


"Yeah. But before that, we need to clean our clothes. They've gotten too dirty."


"Me too... [Clean]"


"Ah, that's unfair, Karmarike. Can't you use it on me too?"


"No way. Holy magic is the only talent I have that's better than Mererosu's."


"That's not relevant right now, is it? You're the one who made me dirty, so use it."


"No! You can just go take a bath!"


"Stingy! You cheeky miser!"


"Shut up, loner!"


As they started arguing again, I sighed and headed back first.


I hope they become close enough to fight like this... well, we'll see.


It seemed it would still be a while before the discord between the two of them would be resolved.

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