"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 34: Farewell
Episode 34: Farewell
“Good morning, Felina. Did you need something?”
“Not anything in particular. But I just felt like seeing your face, Senpai!”
I see. Though, with what happened yesterday with Luster and Sharo… I feel like there might be more to this.
“I see. Have you had breakfast?”
“No, not yet.”
“Then would you like to eat with me? I can make enough for two.”
“Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“Yay! I’m so happy! Your cooking is always delicious, Senpai!”
And so, I ended up making breakfast for the two of us. Today I have some bacon someone gave me. And there are eggs too. I also brought home some of the bread I made myself. So I just need to re-toast it.
I immediately get started on cooking.
I place the bacon on a cold frying pan and start heating it. On the iron skillet, the bacon sizzles with a pleasant sound. The fat gradually melts out. And a thin smoke begins to rise. I carefully adjust the heat as I keep an eye on the bacon’s doneness.
Next to it, I quickly beat the eggs in a bowl. A dash of salt, a pinch of pepper. I pour the egg mixture into a preheated small pan and stir swiftly with a wooden spatula. Once it fluffs up, I turn off the heat and let the residual warmth finish the job to keep it soft and creamy.
“…Alright.”
The bacon has a nice crisp and a savory aroma fills the kitchen. Rushing the process isn’t bad. But slow and steady makes it turn out better. Finally, I put a bit of butter on the heated bread and plate it with the golden eggs and the savory bacon.
With coffee on the side, breakfast is ready.
“Felina, it’s done.”
“*Gulp* You’re as good at cooking as ever, Senpai!! It looks so delicious!”
“Well, I’m used to cooking. Though honestly, I’d say it’s just average skill.”
“Would you say the same thing in front of Estelle?”
“…Well, when it comes to Estelle…”
Yeah, comparing to Estelle is a bit… She said she’s improved lately. But honestly, I still don’t fully trust that. She used to make classic blunders like mixing up sugar and salt.
—
Felina and I quietly eat breakfast. This kind of flow reminds me of the days we were adventurers.
“Senpai, do you have any plans for today?”
“Hmm. Not really. I was just thinking of baking bread as usual.”
“Your love for bread is something else.”
“Haha, yeah. Besides, I still haven’t gotten the boss’ approval yet. I need to try harder.”
“That part of you hasn’t changed since before.”
“You think so?”
“Yes. Also… if it’s not too much trouble, could I ask you to train with me a bit?”
“Training, huh. I’m not sure I have anything to teach you though…”
Just like yesterday with Sharo, I’ve clearly changed over these five years. I don’t really understand what’s considered normal anymore. Felina specializes in close combat. And while I’m good at that too, my main focus is on using magic. She’s skilled with a rapier. So I didn’t think I had anything to offer her.
“That’s not true! I want to learn from you, Senpai! Is that… not okay…?”
She looks up at me with pleading eyes. I don’t have a reason to refuse. So I agree.
“If you’re that eager, alright.”
“Thank you!”
I grab my sword from the house and we head toward the nearby forest. On the way, we unexpectedly run into Estelle.
“Oh! Good morning, Haru-sama and Felina-san.”
“Morning, Estelle.”
“Morning…”
Hm? I feel like Felina’s mood suddenly dropped…
“What a coincidence. Are you two out for a walk?”
“No, I’m going to train Felina a bit.”
“Oh, I see. Would it be alright if I joined you? I can provide healing magic if needed.”
“That would be helpful.”
“Well, in that case…”
And so, the three of us head to the forest.
“Senpai! Please go easy on me!”
“Yeah.”
We face each other and draw our swords. Felina’s gaze sharpens instantly. She channels magic and uses it entirely for physical enhancement. Her style isn’t magic-focused but rather relies on buffing her physical ability. Her speed is on par with—or even faster than—mine. She’s not called “Flash” for nothing.
I also focus all my senses so I don’t miss her movements.
In a flash, Felina disappears—but I sense her circling from the left. I ready my sword and catch her attack.
“Nice!”
“You’re not bad either!”
Our swords clash fiercely. Felina attacks using hit-and-run tactics. She was moving with each strike. I’m stronger in raw power. So it’s a sound strategy. I fight her without using magic, staying in her field of expertise—but then…
“Huh…?”
“That was a feint.”
I showed a brief opening. But it was bait. I counter her attack and point my sword at her throat.
“I… I give up…”
“Your moves aren’t bad, but they’re a bit too straightforward.”
“Ugh…”
“Speed is important. But in battle, reading your opponent matters too. You’ve already got the speed. So if you refine your tactics, you’ll become even stronger.”
“Ugh… Thinking isn’t exactly my strong suit…”
As we talk, Estelle walks over.
“To think Felina-san—already one of the top fighters in the world—was beaten so easily… As expected of Haru-sama.”
“Senpai, you’re way too strong! Ugh… I thought I’d caught up a bit over these five years. But the gap is still huge…”
Felina slumps her shoulders. I think to comfort her, but Estelle speaks first.
“That just means Felina-san has even more room to grow, right?”
“That’s right.”
“You heard him, Felina-san.”
“…Then I’ll just have to work harder. I’m glad I got to spar with you after all.”
“I’m glad I got to see your growth too. I gave you advice. But honestly, you’ve come a long way from five years ago. You’ve worked hard.”
Felina’s eyes go wide with surprise. She freezes.
“Y-yeah. I did work hard. I gave it my all… and that’s exactly why—”
I couldn’t catch the rest of her words. Her expression darkened slightly at the end…
“Well then, thank you for today, Senpai.”
“I’ll take my leave as well.”
“Yeah.”
The two of them act as usual. But just like yesterday, I feel that strange sense of unease again…
—
On my way home, someone I didn’t recognize called out to me.
“Um… Are you Haru-san?”
“Yes, I am.”
A woman in a brown cloak. I felt like I’d seen her before. Her silver hair fluttered slightly. And her shining eyes looked right at me.
No, wait… I remember her now.
“Could you be… the one I gave bread to in the capital before?”
“Yes! You remembered! Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet, have I?”
She slowly lifts her face.
Her silver hair sways in the wind. It fell gracefully. It’s delicate like threads woven from moonlight. It was leaving trails of light in the still air.
Then—her true face is revealed.
“I am Tiris Eldoria. The second princess of this kingdom.”
“…Eh?”
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