I Was Reincarnated As An Instructor In An R18 Game... - Chapter 48

The time was 2 PM, already past noon.

Erika, the three girls, and I were having a slightly late lunch at a diner.

The three sisters are still being protected by Fia and Lea.

They laughed happily, saying they would get a reward, though.

Since 9 in the morning, I accompanied Taylor, met Marquis Dors who governs Santoni, and gave an explanation.

Maybe thanks to Taylor’s words, it seemed we were believed, just barely.

By the time the conversation ended, Marquis Dors sighed and said it was deplorable, expressing astonishment.

One might ask why a marquis governs Santoni, which is just three days away by carriage.

Santoni is an important place for the Kingdom of Libertonia.

To the south lies Sajiris, a neighboring country we fought a war with, and to the southeast, the prosperous country Yurlar.

Of course, there are several towns when heading toward those two countries, but the place people flee to when they become dangerous is Santoni.

Therefore, the walls are built strong, and even if someone gets in, it is structured so they cannot advance easily.

While battles go on inside, the people are evacuated to the royal capital or the enemy is intercepted.

If you try to ignore Santoni, you will be ambushed from behind.

I had heard at least a bit about Marquis Dors’s bravery during the war.

…It’s beyond me why anyone would stir up trouble in that city.

While drinking tea after the meal and chatting with Erika and the others, I lightly knock on the table once as if remembering something.

Perhaps curious about my action, Erika tilted her head and asked me.

“…? What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just… There’s somewhere I’d like to visit. Will you come with me?”

“Of course, I’d be happy to.”

Erika nodded, and the three girls also agreed with a smile.

Standing up from our seats, we headed for the fountain located in the center of Santoni.

As we began walking there, Erika clung to my arm.

Feeling the soft squish of Erika’s chest against my arm, I looked at her face. She was blushing and smiling shyly.

“Is this okay? We’re in public, you know.”

“…This much is normal. Everyone does it.”

That’s true enough… but since it’s a nice bonus, I won’t say anything unnecessary.

To be honest, yesterday and this morning were filled with tension.

It should be okay to seek some healing.

–

It was 4 PM.

We strolled around the fountain, lightly knocked the signboard twice, and then made our way through the street vendors.

Then I knocked three times on the wall of a bakery along the way, and now we’re in a dim back alley.

There’s no foot traffic, and it’s eerie enough that even the three adventurer girls are on alert.

Erika, clinging to my arm, tightened her hold a little and spoke.

“What’s in this place?”

“It’s a general store.”

“Really? …There’s not a single person around. It’s kind of creepy…”

“Well, people usually don’t come here.”

She tilted her head, giving me a doubtful look in response to my words.

…That’s right. People usually don’t come here, nor do they see it.

What we’re about to enter is what you’d call a hidden general store.

Just like in games, it’s the kind of shop that only opens if you perform certain actions.

I used it a lot in the game, but this is my first time coming here in this world. I’m hoping it works.

If it really exists in this world… Found it.

I knock four times on the one spot on the wall that’s a different color, about the size of a fist.

It was Rolle who reacted the moment I knocked.

“…Why does it feel like something’s suddenly here?”

“That’s strange. I didn’t sense anything until now…”

“Instructor~?”

“Well, to explain, it’s a hidden general store.”

I explained while walking, and everyone looked at me with a mix of disbelief and amusement.

They said things like “It’s weird you know that,” “Where did you learn it?” and “You really are the instructor~”

When I gave off the store’s presence, another faint presence appeared.

It was like a presence following us since leaving Marquis Dors’s mansion, so faint even the three girls didn’t notice it.

If you ask why I noticed, it was just by chance.

Somehow, I felt like I was being watched… or rather, I had many urges to look back.

While having a normal conversation, I gave a small finger gesture to the three girls, who nodded while talking.

After walking for a while, a door came into view, the one for the hidden shop we were looking for.

Approaching the door, I placed my hand on the handle.

“Please be quiet…”

“…Would it be best not to look for them?”

“Yes… If possible, I’d appreciate that.”

A woman’s voice spoke from behind us, but when we looked around, we only sensed a presence and couldn’t see anyone.

Erika and the three girls looked worried as they scanned the surroundings.

Puzzled, I directed a question to the woman.

“If you can stay hidden, couldn’t you do something about your gaze too?”

“…Well, who knows?”

“Well, whatever. So, what do you want?”

“A report and a warning.”

After those words, a pocket watch bearing the royal seal suddenly hung before us, swinging as if fixed by an unseen force.

Perhaps sensing I had noticed the royal seal, the pocket watch quickly vanished.

“I’m one of the king’s subordinates, conducting an investigation on what you brought.”

“…Is that a warning to stay out of unnecessary business?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Hmm? Then what is it? I can’t figure it out at all…

Not only I tilted my head in confusion, but Erika and the others did too.

Perhaps amused by our confusion, the woman continued with a slight smile in her voice.

“When you discover, notice, or come up with predictions or guesses, please report to me.”

“…Why do you want my opinion? Compared to you pros, I’m just an amateur…”

“Amateur… Fufu.”

…Wait, did you just laugh?

I thought from the voice she was a calm type, but was I wrong?

When I looked at Erika and the others, for some reason they gave me a “no way~” kind of look.

It’s true I learned how to write reports and investigate after reincarnating.

Of course, I’m doing my best using knowledge from before I was reincarnated.

I’ve seen royal documents a few times, and honestly, they were better than mine.

The method of investigating step-by-step, gathering evidence, and setting traps, I learned all that from Taylor.

Since Taylor is someone who gets stuff done, I consider myself an amateur in comparison.

That’s why I put everything on the line to cover my lack of skill.

“I’m not sure what kind of ‘Amateur’ you think you are, but the king and chancellor expect much from you.”

“…Give me a break.”

“Fufu, do you agree?”

“Haa… fine, I agree. But don’t blame me later, okay?”

My words eased the atmosphere, but the moment the woman spoke again, the mood shifted.

It felt like we were about to make some important contract.

“Agreement has been obtained. From now on, I, Sharle, will be by your side.”

“Hm…?”

“When you need me, just call my name Sharle. Even if I’m not nearby, I’ll come to you.”

“Wait, hold on… what about your investigation?”

“I’m not the only one investigating. I’ll leave briefly to report to my team. I’ll give you a sign when I return. Farewell…”

“…”

She definitely used some kind of contract just now…

Seriously, just saying her name lets her sense it and show up? That’s crazy.

Once the woman’s presence vanished, I noticed Erika and the girls giving me tired stares.

“Once more, you’re a handful… seriously.”

“Intructor, you really need to tone it down…”

“I’ve never been this busy before~”

“Teacher… this is insane.”

That’s a bit harsh. I mean, I wasn’t really involved in this… was I?

Now that I think about it, this is about the paperwork I submitted to the chancellor on Elysia…

Scratching the back of my head awkwardly, I apologized to Erika and the others.

The others gave a wry smile at my reaction, and Erika spoke.

“This isn’t quoting Minty, but being with you, Reid, is never boring.”

“Not sure if I should be happy about that…”

“Please take it as a compliment.”

Erika said that with an amused smile, and I gave a wry grin.

I did want to make sure I wasn’t boring, but this isn’t what I had in mind.

With a sigh, I opened the door of the general store we’d been heading to and stepped inside.

As I walked in, I muttered to myself inwardly.

I just know they’re going to be shocked again.

Chapter length 3331 characters.