"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 11: Unease

Episode 11: Unease

I had completely gotten used to the days at the bakery. It had already been about a month since I started working there. Waking up in the morning wasn’t hard anymore. And I never skipped my training each morning.

And when work finished, the boss spoke to me.

“Haru. Got a minute?”

“Yes. What is it?”

“Can you go deliver something to the royal capital? You’ll probably need to stay overnight because of the time, but I’ll cover the expenses.”

“Eh. The royal capital?”

“Yeah. We normally don’t do deliveries that far. But this time’s a bit special. I’ll give you a note with the location. You’ll go with Lisel, just in case.”

That’s pretty sudden. But I had no problem with going. So I agreed right away.

“Understood.”

The royal capital, huh. I didn’t expect to go back there, even for a delivery. When I returned from the dungeon back then, I barely remembered what the kingdom was like. I was just wandering around aimlessly.

“Haru-san. Shall we go?”

“Yeah.”

Lisel and I got on the carriage and headed for the royal capital as we were rocked along the way. While riding, I asked Lisel about something that had been on my mind.

“Lisel. Is delivering to the royal capital a common thing?”

“Umm… no. Usually, it’s only within walking distance. But my father’s bread is really popular. So maybe someone really important secretly made a request.”

“Well, that could be it.”

I don’t know much about the bakery’s business. But to be honest, the boss’s bread is unusually high quality. It’s not strange that someone would go out of their way to request delivery from the capital. Still, if I think calmly, it’s normal for the customer to come here. The boss did say this was a special case. So maybe the customer is someone important.

Well, there’s no point worrying too much. Let’s just do the delivery, stay overnight, and return. It’s technically a business trip. But going to the royal capital does make me a bit tense.

“W-wow… the city really is amazing.”

“Yeah.”

We arrived at the capital safely. As expected, it was nothing like Rothen — the capital was truly prosperous. The main street was wide. And the white stone pavement reflected the setting sun. The neatly lined buildings were a high-rise mix of stone and painted wood — nothing like what you’d see in Rothen.

The market had imported goods from various countries. The smell of fruit, the sharpness of spices, and the heat of the blacksmith’s forge mixed in the air. It wasn’t much different from the capital I remembered… no, there were definitely more people than five years ago. It felt more lively too.

“Umm. The meeting spot is—”

“This way.”

“Oh, I see…!”

I glanced at the note Lisel was holding and immediately figured out the meeting location. I used to live in the capital, after all. The layout was still fresh in my mind.

“Haru-san, did you used to live in the capital? You don’t seem lost at all.”

“Hmm? Yeah. I used to be an adventurer here in the capital.”

“I knew it.”

“Yeah. But the capital had so many people. The competition was intense.”

“Competition?”

“Not all adventurers are friendly. They’re always comparing who’s higher ranked, trying to one-up each other.”

“I see… it sounds like a tough world.”

Well, there’s no harm in revealing this much. Just from that, there’s no way she’d know I’m Hero Haruto.

As we continued down an alley, Lisel and I passed a man.

He wore a crimson long coat with silver trim. A needlessly large feather decorated his collar. And the twin short swords at his waist had dull, obsidian-like sheaths. Probably an adventurer. But his chest was wide open and he looked flashy. I passed him without making eye contact. But behind me, I heard Lisel’s startled voice.

“Kyah…!”

“Hey now. You bumped into me pretty hard. Looks like my clothes got a bit dirty? These are custom-made and really expensive, you know? Are you going to pay for this, young lady? Huh?”

“Ah… um…”

I turned around to grasp the situation. I didn’t see the moment they bumped into each other, but it was obvious he was picking a fight. His smirking expression was proof of that.

But—he looked familiar.

Ah. That’s right. This guy’s Zephyr. Five years ago, he was a B-rank adventurer. He was reasonably strong. Though now he looked like some nouveau riche guy…

“My apologies. But it’s not something worth compensating for.”

I quickly stepped in front of Lisel and faced Zephyr.

“What the hell, you. I was talking to that girl.”

“I’ll talk instead. And like I said, it’s not dirty enough to warrant compensation, right?”

“Huh? Well, maybe I hurt myself when she bumped into me. Yeah, ouch, that’s right.”

“So. Is it money you’re after?”

Zephyr held his arm dramatically. He didn’t look like someone in need of money. I wondered what his goal really was.

“I don’t need money. But maybe that girl could join me for a drink tonight instead?”

I see. So that’s what he really wants. I didn’t think he had a great personality five years ago. And clearly he hasn’t changed.

“No. We won’t continue this conversation. We’re leaving.”

“Hey, hey. Do you get it…? You think I’ll just let this go? You know who I am? I’m *A-rank adventurer Zephyr*, you know?”

Zephyr placed a hand on the swords at his waist. Even if it was an alley, this was still the royal capital. Was he really planning to draw them here? There’s no way I’d lose to him. But I don’t want to draw attention either. What should I do…? As I was thinking, a third voice called out.

“Over here! I think there’s trouble!”

It was a woman’s voice. Hearing that, Zephyr clicked his tongue and backed off.

“I’ll remember your face…”

With those words, he vanished into the dusk. Even Zephyr wouldn’t go so far as to cause a scene here.

But—more than how much he changed in five years, I couldn’t shake the feeling this wasn’t a coincidence. Something felt off… Why was he even in such an empty alley in the first place? I doubt he realized who I was, but still—it felt deliberate.

“Um. Are you okay?”

The person who had called out earlier approached. A woman. She was wearing a brown cloak. Her face was mostly hidden. Just a bit of golden hair peeked out.

“Yeah. Thanks. But, did you call someone?”

“No. I lied. But I thought if I said that, he might leave.”

“I see.”

The woman cautiously spoke as if checking our reaction.

“Um. Are you from the bakery by any chance?”

“You figured that out quick.”

“Yes. The meeting spot was nearby.”

“That’s perfect, then.”

Didn’t expect the client to show up right in front of us. What timing. Thinking that, I handed the paper bag to her.

Her tone, her subtle movements—made me think she might be a noble. If that were true, it made sense why we were asked to deliver it all the way to the capital.

“Wow… this looks so delicious. Thank you for coming all this way! Well then, I should go! If I don’t get back soon, I’ll get scolded! If there’s another chance, please take care of me again. Haru-san!”

“Huh? Ah, yeah.”

Wait. Did I ever tell her my name was Haru? …Well, maybe the boss told her.

And so, the delivery ended without trouble. Now we just had to stay at the inn and return to Rothen in the morning. But Lisel still had her face down. She was trembling slightly.

“Haru-san…”

“Lisel. Are you alright?”

“I-I’m sorry… I caused you trouble.”

“It’s okay. I know he was just picking a fight. I’m glad I was with you.”

“Yes. I’m really glad you were here, Haru-san.”

Lisel’s eyes were teary. And her hands were trembling. I gently held her hand.

“It’s okay. I’m here.”

“Yes… I was a little scared. But I’ll pull myself together now.”

“Yeah. It’s getting late. Let’s head to the inn.”

“Okay!”

And so we headed for the inn. Of course, the boss gave us enough money for separate rooms.

“We’d like to stay one night. Do you have two rooms available?”

“I’m sorry. We have a lot of guests today. We only have one room left. Would that be alright?”

“Eh—?”