"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 30: Disturbance
Episode 30: Disturbance
Lisel and I step into a nearby café.
The moment we open the door, the toasty scent of roasted beans and the faint smell of baked sweets softly tickle our noses.
From the window seats, you could gently look down upon the town streets.
Inside, there are tables with intricate carvings and cushioned chairs that feel pleasantly soft when you sit.
Magical lamps hanging from the ceiling bathe the café in a gentle amber light.
“Welcome! A table for two?”
“Yes.”
“Then, right this way please.”
Lisel and I are guided to a seat in the back.
“Order anything you like. I’ll treat us here too.”
“Thank you so much! Um, let’s see…”
Lisel stares intently at the menu.
As for me… I’ll go with the seasonal dessert and coffee.
“What about you, Lisel?”
“Uuh… um, well…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Well… this couple’s limited menu looks really good…”
On the menu was a special selection limited to couples.
Hmm. Well, it’s not the most proper thing. But Lisel and I would probably look like a couple to others.
I don’t mind ordering it.
“It’s fine. Go ahead and order it. I’ll get the same one.”
“Eh!? B-but Haru-san and I, that’s…”
“It’s not the most admirable excuse. But let’s just say that’s how it is for now. From the outside, we probably do look like a couple.”
“Th-thank you…”
Lisel blushes and lowers her head.
After placing our order, we wait for the food to arrive.
“A day like this──not bad at all.”
I mutter softly.
After reincarnating and working as a Hero, I never had time to rest.
Not to mention the five years in the Abyss Sanctum—there’s no need to even say it.
Even after returning to the kingdom, I always carried a sense of guilt.
But not anymore.
This might be the first time I’ve truly felt at ease.
Or maybe… the first time since coming to this world.
“Um… to be honest, I was worried that you might not be enjoying yourself, Haru-san… So I’m really glad to hear you say that.”
“Hm? Why? I enjoy being with you, Lisel. You put me at ease.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“I also enjoy being with you, Haru-san──”
Just as she said that, a female server appeared with our order. It interrupted her words.
“Thank you for waiting! Here is the couple’s limited item: the Night Sky Mousse Cake.”
Placed in front of us was a mousse cake shaped like a heart.
It looked like a dark blue berry mousse. It was sprinkled with gold dust like stardust.
It looked delicious just by sight.
“Wow, it looks delicious.”
“Yeah. Let’s eat.”
When I dig my fork into it, a soft white cream spills out from the center. It glowed faintly as if emitting light.
It sparkled as though mimicking twinkling stars.
A clever gimmick.
It’s both fun to look at and delicious.
I see. This is very informative.
“Yup! It’s delicious!”
“Yeah. The visuals and the surprise effect are great. I see… this is educational.”
“Fufu. Haru-san, you’re as studious as ever.”
“Hm? Ah, yeah. I’ve come to naturally start thinking if I can use things like this in bread-making. Actually, I was just thinking—how about we go into town together regularly? I’d like to visit various shops.”
“Eh… together, you mean?”
“Yeah. I want your input too, Lisel.”
“Of course! I’d love that!”
So from now on, we decided to go out together regularly.
I still have a lot to learn.
Especially keeping up with current trends is important.
Seeking flavor in bread-making is a given. But I also want to understand what kind of appearance is appealing.
“That was delicious.”
“Yeah, it was.”
“Haru-san, thank you so much for today. You even bought me clothes and treated me to this.”
“Let me do at least that. You’re my benefactor, Lisel.”
“That’s… an exaggeration.”
“No, it’s not.”
Lisel’s casual kindness—how much it saved me.
For her, it might be normal. But for me, it was something truly special.
Nowadays, I spend most of my time with Lisel. And I’ve been able to live calm, peaceful days.
I’m genuinely grateful to her.
—
After leaving the café, Lisel and I continue walking──but I feel someone’s gaze again.
I turn around and fix my eyes on the space behind us.
“Haru-san? What’s wrong?”
“This feeling……….. Felina. Estelle. Luster. Sharo. You’re there, aren’t you──?”
As I call out, the four of them step out from a nearby alley.
Yes. I had sensed someone’s presence and had a vague idea it was them.
With an awkward expression, Felina speaks up.
“Ahー… um, Senpai. How did you know…?”
“I felt the sudden cutoff of magical presence back at the café. If you didn’t want me to notice, you should’ve suppressed your presence before entering this town.”
“A-ahaha~. The four of us happened to be together. And we saw you, Senpai. So we were waiting for the right time to approach. Right, everyone?”
Felina calls to the other three.
“That’s right. But since Haru-sama looked like he was having fun, we didn’t want to interrupt…”
“H-hmph. We were just trying not to bother Sensei.”
“Hm? Wasn’t it to find out what kind of relationship they two have──”
Luster began to say something. But for some reason, the other three quickly stepped in front of her and cut her off.
Just what was Luster trying to say?
“Sorry. What was Luster going to──”
“N-no! Don’t worry about it! Well then, we’ll be going now! See you again, Lisel-chan!”
Just as Felina and the others tried to leave the scene──
The sky tore open.
The previously clear blue sky turned unnaturally black. And from the rift-like opening in the sky, a heavy roar echoed.
What appeared was a monstrous beast.
A Griffin—master of the skies—with the upper body of an eagle and the lower body of a lion.
But its appearance was red-black. It was a mutated variant unlike any normal Griffin.
However──I recognized this one.
“A monster from the Abyss Sanctum… why is it here──?”
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