Chapter 5

After parting ways with the two of them, I hurried home to prepare tonight’s late-night meal. It took me several hours, but I somehow managed to finish cooking enough food for dozens of people.

And no, I wasn’t going to eat an amount that even a competitive eater might struggle to finish. Instead, I packed the food into bags, picked up a gigantic pot, and headed somewhere.

That place was… an old church that could hardly be described as sacred.

I knocked on its stained door and waited for a response.

“Excuse me, Sister Felicia! I’m sorry I’m late bringing the food!”

…Had she fallen asleep? Just as I wondered about that, I heard the sound of a lock clicking. The door opened, revealing a woman with long, shimmering silver-white hair and distinctive long ears.

“Rex… Goodness, have you come again?”

“Yes. I had some food left over today, so I brought it here.”

“You really don’t have to go through all this trouble for us… Thank you so much, as always.”

Sister Felicia, the elven sister, gave me a troubled smile before opening the door and guiding me to our usual spot.

Sister Felicia

She was a beautiful elven sister who had become like a mother to me after I lost my parents when I was little.

She looked after many children… orphans, to be exact, and they all adored her. I was one of them, too.

Apparently, she had once worked as an adventurer, but she had since left that life behind and settled in a church deep in this secluded forest.

“Everyone went to bed today since you didn’t seem to be coming, Rex.”

“I see… I’m sorry I’m so late.”

“Oh, it’s fine. I had some of the food you brought me last time, so I’m all right. I’ll save this for breakfast tomorrow.”

After saying that, she placed the food beside the table in the meeting room. Then she served me some tea she had prepared.

“Were you waiting for me?”

“Hehe. How many years have I known you, Rex? I thought a kind boy like you would surely come by again today.”

“…I guess I can’t fool you, Sister Felicia.”

I really couldn’t win against her.

I sat down on the sofa, facing Sister Felicia. Just as she always did, she began asking me about how things had been going.

“How have you been lately? How’s life treating you?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say I’m comfortable or anything, but things have gotten a little better than they were before.”

“…You haven’t been overworking yourself, have you?”

“No. Besides, I think the townspeople are quite fond of me… at least, I hope they are. So I’m doing fine.”

“What kind of uncertain answer is that?”

“I-I just thought it would be a little conceited of me to say that with confidence.”

I chuckled awkwardly at my own words. Then she reached across the table and gently placed her hand on my head.

“Hm? Sister Felicia…?”

“Everyone cares about you, Rex. At the very least, everyone here is on your side. So… don’t worry. You’ll be all right.”

“…You really do sound like my mother, Sister Felicia.”

“Hehe. I’m the one who raised you all these years, after all. I suppose it isn’t strange for you to think of me that way.”

Having my head patted was embarrassing, but… somehow, I didn’t mind it.

I supposed I would never be able to go against her, no matter how many years passed.

“…Oh, right, Sister Felicia. There’s something I wanted to ask you. Have you found yourself a lover yet?”

At that moment, she froze completely, as though she had turned into a statue.

Then… she puffed out her cheeks and grabbed mine.

“Owwww!? I-It huuurts! It hurts, Sister Felicia!”

“…You don’t need to worry about me. I’ve devoted myself to God, after all. Besides, it’s not something you should be concerned about in the first place.”

She tugged at my cheeks until they stretched like mochi (soft, chewy rice cakes), then finally let go.

SMACK!

“Ouch!! B-But, Sister Felicia… The others seemed to say you were worried about it the other day… And, well, you’re already getting on in years—”

“Rex…?”

…At least let me explain myself. I only wanted Sister Felicia to find happiness.

But why was it that, despite her smiling face, I felt like my life was in danger? I couldn’t bring myself to say another word.

“…It’s been a while since you’ve visited the confessional. Why don’t we go together? Let’s cleanse that filthy soul of yours, shall we?”

“…Yes.”

And so, Sister Felicia dragged me along to the confessional, where I spent the next several hours confessing my sins.

Why had I been the one forced to confess in the first place…? Honestly, I still had no idea. But that was a secret.

The following day, I was waiting at the Adventurers Guild’s tavern to meet up with a certain group of people. As usual, the place was bustling with adventurers.

Lilina and Imilia, whom I had met yesterday, were also at the reception desk. They looked incredibly busy.

…As I thought, Sister Lilina really was completely different when she interacted with me compared to everyone else.

“What’s this? You’re waiting for us, but you’re too busy staring at the receptionist to notice?”

A voice suddenly called out to me. I turned toward it and saw a red-haired man and woman approaching. They had matching red hair.

“It’s not like that. I was just looking because I had nothing else to do.”

“Hahaha! Well, aren’t you living the good life! I’m glad to see you’re the same as ever!”

“You’re just as carefree as always. And here we are, about to take on a request.”

The two people standing before me were the burly man Belze and his younger sister, Esteria.