Chapter 398 : The Last Competition For The Day
「Hyaa!」(Delica)
「Haa!!」(Luard)
Leaving the spring, we had been walking for a while through the forest.
Delica and Luard were leading the way, defeating the kobolds and goblins we encountered on our way.
I was planning to give them a hand if they were struggling, but it wasn’t necessary. They were able to defeat every enemy on their own.
「Luard, watch your sword! You’re getting in my way!」(Delica)
「Huh!? You’re the one getting in my way!」(Luard)
However, they always fight like cat and dog. I wish they could get along…
『Hahh… This Luard guy really pisses me off!』(Nicola)
Walking next to me, Nicola sent me a telepathic message.
『I know you don’t like him, but why are you upset? What did he do?』(Mark)
『He likes Delica, but he keeps acting like he hates her. It’s none of my business, but it somehow annoys me. How could someone be so dishonest with themselves that much?』(Nicola)
『Huh? Do you think he likes Delica?』(Mark)
『……』(Nicola)
Nicola squinted at me when I asked her that.
『What?』(Mark)
『Hahh… I forgot you were dull when it comes to these kinds of things.』(Nicola)
『That’s rude…』(Mark)
『Anyway, I think it’s obvious that he has feelings for Delica. He’s trying to hide it, but he slightly looks away whenever he talks with her. Not being able to look her straight in the eye means he has feelings for her.』(Nicola)
『You sure about that?』(Mark)
『One hundred percent.』(Nicola)
Now that she mentions it, I do notice something off about Luard’s behavior toward Delica.
Does he really like her?
『If he does like Delica, then why is he treating her like a rival?』(Mark)
『You know he’s a prideful guy, right? I think he wants to look strong in front of her. He must think it would be embarrassing to lose to the girl he loves.』(Nicola)
So that’s why he doesn’t want to lose to her.
I see. Now I understand why he didn’t seem to like it when Delica complimented me. It’s not a good feeling when you see a girl you love praising another guy, after all.
『So, Luard likes Delica, huh? I think he should be more honest with himself and change his attitude toward Delica. That way, Delica might grow to like him.』(Mark)
『Grow to like him? Nah, that won’t happen.』(Nicola)
『Why do you think so?』(Mark)
『Onii-chan, you’re dull as always…』(Nicola)
Nicola sighed and shook her head.
Did I say something wrong?
「Weikel what’s the score?」(Luard)
「Luard-sama ten heads, and Delica-chan eight heads.」(Weikel)
Luard and Delica are competing on the number of enemies they defeat. The one with the highest number when we get outside this forest is the winner.
For now, Luard is in the lead.
「Hmhm~」(Luard)
「Gununu…!」(Delica)
He smirked at Delica, while Delica clenched a fist and looked at him annoyedly.
We’re grateful that they’re clearing the way for us, but they both are drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.
「We’ll leave the forest soon. You two must be tired, right? Let me take it from here.」(Weikel)
「No, this is our competition! Leave us alone!」(Luard)
「That’s right! An injured person should back off!」(Delica)
「Uuu… Alright…」(Weikel)
Weikel noticed they were exhausted and offered help but was immediately declined and got yelled at instead.
I was thinking of offering help too, but… I think I’ll just leave it to them…
ーーーーー
「Yoshaa!」(Luard)
「Dammit!」(Delica)
The sky had already turned orange the moment we got out of the forest.
Luard managed to maintain his lead until the end and won the competition. He sheathed his sword and raised his fist triumphantly. Meanwhile, Delica stomped in disappointment.
「Ahhh~ I had done nothing but make mistakes today, so this victory feels so good!」(Luard)
「Hmph. I was just letting you win this time so you wouldn’t cry when you got home.」(Delica)
「What did you say!?」(Luard)
「Guys, how long do you wanna keep fighting? It’s getting dark. Let’s hurry to the town, shall we?」(Weikel)
「Hmph!」(Delica)
「Hmph!」(Luard)
Delica and Luard folded their arms and looked away at the same time. They could be in sync sometimes.
Leaving the forest, we walked toward the town gate, but before we passed through it, Weikel stopped and scratched his head. He seemed to have something to say.
「Weikel-san, what’s wrong?」(Mark)
「Umm, Mark-bocchan, I know you’re tired, but could you go to the Adventurer Guild with me? It will be easier for me to explain everything to the guild with you around.」(Weikel)
I was the one defeating the kobold warrior, so I need to be there. Besides, I have to show the guild its body, which I stored in my Item Box.
It will be dinner time soon, so Mom and Dad will be busy, but they have Nei. I guess they’ll be alright.
「Okay. I’ll go with you.」(Mark)
「Thank you!」(Weikel)
『Onii-chan, I’m going too.』(Nicola)
『Hm? Didn’t you say you were sleepy?』(Mark)
『Yeah, but I wanna see Liza. My drowsiness will go away once I bury my face in her beautiful butt!』(Nicola)
『……Alright…』(Mark)
Sometimes I forgot how perverted my sister is…
「Oh, right. Before we go to the guild, I have to take Luard-sama home first.」(Weikel)
「Huh? I wanna go to the guild too.」(Luard)
「No, Luard-sama. Your father asked me to take you home early. You don’t want to make him mad.」(Luard)
「Ugh… Alright, alright.」(Luard)
Looks like we’re going to Luard’s house first.
It was in the northern district, so after we passed through the gate, we walked down the main street, heading north.
Luard’s house was about ten minutes away, toward the north, from the town’s plaza. I was shocked by how magnificent it was.
「Wow, it’s so big.」(Mark)
「Big… house…」(Diadora)
It wasn’t as big as Tryon’s castle, but it was probably the biggest mansion in the entire town. As expected from the richest merchant family in the area.
「It’s big, right~?」(Weikel)
「Why are you the one bragging? It’s my house.」(Luard)
「Ahaha, I’m sorry. Mark-bocchan, will you wait for a bit? I want to report to Mr. Nefta.」(Weikel)
「Okay.」(Mark)
「No, you don’t need to. I’ll tell Father myself.」(Luard)
Weikel was about to enter, but Luard stopped him. He doesn’t need to enter, it seems.
「Are you sure?」(Weikel)
「Yeah. You’ve done a great job escorting me today. I’m sorry for not listening to you, and thank you, Weikel.」(Luard)
Hearing what Luard said, Weikel made a big smile, revealing his teeth. He looks so happy.
「You’re welcome, Luard-sama!」(Weikel)
「And… Mark, thank you for today. You saved my life.」(Luard)
He turned to me and extended his arm forward. I then grabbed his hand and shook it.
「You’re welcome.」(Mark)
He’s not a bad person and doesn’t seem to be the kind of pampered young master like I thought at first. I really hope we can get along.
After thanking me, he glanced at Delica and scratched his cheek with his index finger somewhat shyly.
「Umm, Delica, see you at the dojo.」(Luard)
「Yeah. I won’t lose to you next time!」(Delica)
「Bring it on!」(Luard)
As Nicola said, he was trying to hide it, but I could somehow tell that he was hiding his feelings toward Delica.
After that, he passed through the big, fancy gate and walked the large front yard toward his mansion.
We then continued heading to the guild. However, when we got to the town plaza, Delica suddenly stopped.
「Guys, I think I’m not going with you. My mom would get mad if she spotted me loitering near the Adventurer Guild.」(Delica)
I know Delica’s mom doesn’t want her daughter to become an adventurer, but I didn’t know she would get mad over that.
「Alright then. See you later.」(Mark)
「Un. Thank you for today, guys!」(Delica)
「Rest well, Delica-chan~」(Weikel)
We waved our hands, seeing Delica off.
She waved back and walked toward the opposite direction, leaving Weikel, Nicola, Diadora, and me. The four of us then continued to the guild.
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