"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 5: "The Flash Sword" Felina

Episode 5: “The Flash Sword” Felina

“Are you a newcomer?”

She asked. So I answered honestly.

“Uh, um… yes. I started working here a week ago.”

“I see. So that’s how it is.”

Felina smiled gently.

Unlike five years ago when we were in a party together, Felina had grown into an adult. Felina was one year younger than me. She was fourteen at the time.

Now she’s nineteen, and my appearance has changed so much it’s unrecognizable. But Felina still retained some traces of those days. Back then, the impression was more of “cute.” But now, the word “beautiful” fits her better.

She was wearing adventurer gear. Her upper body was covered in a deep ultramarine jacket-type light armor. The lower half had streamlined guards on her thighs and knees to avoid restricting movement.

I see. Felina is still continuing as an adventurer. But… could it be that she betrayed me? That thought still crossed my mind no matter what.

“I am Felina.”

“…I’m Haru.”

“Haru-san, huh. That’s a nice name.”

We introduced ourselves. I’ve already let go of the past. So here, I’ll interact with Felina as Haru.

Then, Lisel whispered in my ear.

“Haru-san. That’s the famous person I mentioned! Felina-san, she’s a really famous adventurer in the royal capital!”

“I see.”

So Felina has earned fame properly. I was just happy to know that my former companions were doing well. Hero Haruto is dead. So I have no intention of revealing who I am or chasing the truth.

We are already──walking separate paths.

“I’ll pay with this.”

“Okay.”

Felina came carrying a tray of bread. While I was handling the payment, for some reason, she stared intently at my face.

“Um…”

“Is something wrong?”

“Has anyone ever told you that you resemble someone?”

“──No. Not particularly.”

I responded to her words as normally as possible. The current me should have no trace of how I looked back then.

“I see… I guess it must be just my imagination.”

Felina looked dejected and showed signs of being down.

“Felina-san. Are you visiting a grave again today?”

“Yes. My senpai liked bread. I think they would definitely like the bread from this shop.”

Visiting a grave…? Huh? I have a grave? But, I guess if I haven’t returned from that dungeon for five years, it’s natural to assume I’m dead… Even though I’m alive like this, it feels strange to know I have a grave.

“Well then, I’ll be going. I’ll come again.”

“Yes. Thank you for coming!”

“Thank you very much.”

Lisel and I bowed deeply to send her off. I had been thinking maybe I was betrayed by my companions. But judging from what just happened, maybe not? Then why was I treated like a criminal…? No, I’ve already let go of the past. I shouldn’t think unnecessary things.

I am Haru the baker. That’s enough. I don’t need anything more. But still, I was a little curious. So I asked about Felina.

“Lisel… does Felina-san come often?”

“Yes. She visits about once a month. I heard she lost someone very dear to her… She buys our bread as an offering.”

“…I see.”

Well, if it’s only about once a month, that should be fine. That’s what I thought──

“Ah. Haru-san. Good morning.”

“G-Good morning.”

The next day. For some reason, Felina came just as we opened. Huh…? I thought she only came once a month…?

“Lisel told me you come about once a month. So I was a bit surprised.”

“Today I came to buy bread for myself. Yesterday was for visiting my senpai’s grave. Um… my senpai is my former party member.”

“I-I see.”

That’s right. Felina used to call me senpai and looked up to me. I’m glad she still hasn’t forgotten, but… why? She kept staring at me. Her gaze was as if she were suspicious of something.

“Today I think I’ll go with Haru-san’s recommendation. Is that okay?”

“S-Sure. Then──”

I picked out some of the new breads the master had made recently: Dragon Tail Bread, Crimson Rose Bread, Honey Butter Bread, and Forest Mushroom Bread. The master adds new items to the menu regularly. I had tried them all. And honestly, they were seriously delicious.

“How about these?”

“Yes. I’ll pay with these.”

“Got it.”

While I was handling the payment, Felina asked me something.

“Haru-san──were you an adventurer before, by any chance?”

“Yes. That’s right. I suffered a pretty bad injury and retired.”

“I see. But why a bakery?”

“Well, I guess I was interested in it.”

“I seeee.”

On the surface, it was just ordinary conversation. But somehow… I felt like she was trying to probe something out of me──that kind of feeling.

“Well then, I’ll be off. I think I’ll come again next month.”

“Understood. We’ll be waiting for your next visit.”

I bowed politely to finish dealing with Felina. Well… it’s probably just my imagination. Anyway, it looks like she’ll keep coming here. So I should probably be ready for that.

As I was working like usual, Lisel spoke to me. She was holding a paper bag filled with bread.

“Haru-san. Can you deliver this to the church?”

“A delivery?”

“Yes. It’s a bit of a walk, is that okay?”

“Yeah. I’m confident in my stamina. And if it’s just the church, it’s no problem.”

“Haru-san, you’re really dependable as always! Thank you!”

Apparently, our bakery also delivers to nearby places. Lisel asked me to do this. Since there weren’t many people around at this time of day, it was a good opportunity. I already had a rough idea where the church was.

Heading to the north edge of town, I walked along an old stone path leading into the forest. There, standing quietly on top of a hill, was the church. Surrounded by tall trees, sunlight only reached it at limited times. But that quietness only made it feel more sacred.

──Rothen small church.

The building was made with white plaster and gray stones. They gave it a modest appearance. When I opened the door, there were ten rows of wooden benches with a narrow aisle running down the center. At the back was a small altar.

And there was a woman there──alone. Her pale golden hair flowed gently to her shoulders. It was shimmering faintly under the light. Her eyes, like her hair, shone golden. Her habit was black and white in color. It was slightly worn at the sleeves and hem.

She looked a bit familiar. No… there’s no doubt. She was once my companion──Saint Estelle. When she saw me, she smiled gently and said──

“Do you… believe in God?”