Episode 125

I felt his respect for me grow even more.

If I ended up making a weird weapon with this, I’d betray their expectations badly, so in a way it was pressure.

“…A-alright. Faik, don’t push yourself to the point of ruining your health. Ah, don’t rush too much.”

Sir Rigard seemed to say that out of concern for me.

I felt like his mask was slipping off a little… but was I imagining it?

“No. This could become a major incident for Rilnam, so I’ll deal with it as quickly as possible.”

If we left the dungeon alone, it would surely lead to a huge problem.

That was what I meant, but Sir Rigard burst out speaking as if to interrupt.

“I appreciate the concern, but he’s also Alicia’s important fiancé. If anything happens to him, it could cause trouble for the future. Yes, don’t overdo it. Take it slow, slow is fine.”

It was clear that Sir Rigard’s behavior was slowly becoming strange.

Then Alicia, who had been silent until now, shot a cold look.

“Brother. Faik will be fine. Brother, also prepare so you can begin the dungeon raid as soon as the weapons are ready.”

Under Alicia’s sharp stare, Sir Rigard gave a small nod.

…Ah, could it be that Sir Rigard wanted to postpone the dungeon raid as much as possible?

So he pretended to be worried about me while scheming to buy more time?

That might be why Alicia spoke a little angrily.

The soldiers watching all looked at Sir Rigard with respect as well.

“…As expected of Lord Rigard. He’s a kind man.”

“…Yeah. He even thought of us, calling a blacksmith to prepare weapons so we can go on the dungeon raid with as much leeway as possible.”

From the soldiers’ point of view, he looked like a considerate, good superior.

The guards and servants who knew the circumstances appeared a bit exasperated, which was quite the contrast.

Sir Rigard sighed softly, then quickly put on an imposing expression again.

“I understand. But we must be thorough. The weapons will be finished in three days. Faik will start work tomorrow, so I think we should begin the dungeon raid in six days.”

“Wouldn’t five days be fine?”

Alicia immediately interjected.

Sir Rigard, who clearly wanted even one more day, looked like he was considering and then said,

“…Y-yeah, that might be true. Arrange it so we can depart in five days. But also tell them there’s a possibility we’ll postpone if anything unexpected happens. Until then, prepare thoroughly.”

Sir Rigard, his escape route cut off by Alicia, still tried his best to delay things even just a little.

“Understood!”

“We’ll share this with those planning to participate!”

The soldiers saluted cheerfully, and Sir Rigard nodded.

“Alright. Then this meeting is adjourned.”

When Sir Rigard declared that, the soldiers bowed and left the meeting room.

Following the soldiers, Sir Rigard’s guards exited as well.

Once the two had closed the door, Sir Rigard’s face crumpled.

…He looked like he might start crying at any moment.

“A-Aliciaaa! What did you say! That means Big Brother would already be in the dungeon by next week!”

Sir Rigard cried out pitifully, and Alicia sighed as if she was completely used to it.

“Brother. I think it’s time for you to make up your mind.”

“B-because I need time to prepare yourself for that resolution. Alicia, you understand, right? Like, when you were going to confess to Faik, you probably took your time too, didn’t you? Right?”

“Th-that’s not true at all.”

Alicia turned bright red and snapped at that sudden remark.

Seizing the moment, Sir Rigard pressed her further.

“Really? Refy, what do you think?”

Sir Rigard directed the question not to Alicia but to Refy.

Refy bowed slightly and then spoke.

“It is true that it took quite a long time.”

“Refy! Don’t say unnecessary things!”

“But as someone who actually witnessed it, it was kind of maddening.”

“Ugh…!”

Alicia pouted in frustration, and Sir Rigard raised his voice at the perfect opportunity.

“See! That’s why Big Brother wants more time! Isn’t that fine, Alicia!”

“That’s a different matter. There’s no timing issue with my relationship with Faik. But the dungeon problem has time constraints.”

Alicia had a point.

Alicia and I could take our time in building our relationship, but with the dungeon you never know what kind of problems might occur.

However, Sir Rigard snapped back.

“No, no! Alicia and Faik have their own problems too. For example, if Alicia couldn’t make up her mind, Faik’s heart might have drifted away! Right, Faik!”

“Eh?”

I had been remaining a bystander, but this time I was drawn into the conversation.

Alicia looked at me, her face flushed.

“F-faik! That’s not true… right?”

“No, no! With skills like Faik’s, the possibility I mentioned could very well have happened. And there might even be someone with a bigger chest or a more banging nice body than Alicia—ow! Don’t pinch my stomach, Alicia!”

“Sh-shut up…!”

Alicia glared and pinched Sir Rigard’s flank.

The two looked at me pleadingly, but I had no intention of hesitating here.

“…I’ve liked Alicia since then too, so even if it took longer, I don’t think the result would have been different.”

“Ah, come on! Doesn’t anyone side with Big Brother? Hmph!”

It was mortifying, but after I said it outright, Sir Rigard ran his hand through his hair and backed away from Alicia.

Alicia, her face red, advanced on Sir Rigard.

“Anyway. Despite everything, I became engaged to Faik. But if I left Brother alone, he’d never be able to prepare himself, right?”

As Alicia steered the conversation back, Sir Rigard’s cheek twitched.

“Th-that’s not true…!”

When Alicia glared coldly, Sir Rigard turned his face away.

Maybe Alicia came here not so much as a healer as to spank Sir Rigard into action.

He was so hesitant that I could think something like that.

“Anyway, the date won’t change. That’s that. Faik. Let’s go.”

Alicia grabbed my hand and started walking.

I wondered whether it was okay to leave Sir Rigard feeling down like that, but since Alicia tugged me along, I had no choice but to follow.

Just before leaving the room, I asked Alicia a question.

“Hey Alicia. Is it okay if we go now to the blacksmith’s workshop we talked about earlier?”

“I think it’s fine. Hey, Big Brother. You reserved our usual spot, right?”

Alicia stopped dead and turned back to Sir Rigard.

Sir Rigard slowly nodded at the question, then suddenly widened his eyes as if he’d realized something.

“Ah… wait, huh! You’re going to smith now!? No, Faik! You just had a long journey today, you need to rest properly!”

He stood up, came in front of me, and grabbed both of my shoulders firmly.

I flinched at Sir Rigard’s desperate look.

What a desperate expression.

If I said, “I’ll hurry and work the smithing now!” he’d probably burst into tears.

“I-I’m fine… I just thought I’d take a look for now.”

“I-is that so? …You won’t start smithing then?”

“I won’t. Well then, see you later.”

“Ah! Then that’s fine!”

Sir Rigard’s eyes lit up, and he waved his hand approvingly.

He was the opposite of how he was during the meeting, and completely different from Lord Goral…

In any case, he was certainly someone who could surprise you in many ways.