The Unaware Harem Adventure Tale of the Strongest Enchanter ~~I Don’t Know My Companions’ Faces or Identities, but I’m Pretty Sure They’re All Guys~~ - 15. ‘Unknown’ Stands Up

15. 15. ‘Unknown’ Stands Up

I gathered my comrades in the living room right after returning.

“――And so, we’ve been presented with a major request from the Guild Master. It’s definitely going to be dangerous. After all, it’s a job involving a horde of undead.”

“The dead… I-I-I… shall purifyyy them!”

“Thanks, Zain. I understand how you feel. But hold on. We haven’t decided whether to accept it yet.”

“Whyyy not?”

I doused Zain with cold water. They were all eager thinking it was their turn

At once, they wilted like a dried-up flower.

The next one to speak was Silk.

They were, as always, in their fuzzy ball form. They were sitting on the sofa.

No, not even sure if they’re really sitting.

“Silk expresses intention to participate. The archive in the castle sounds intriguing.”

“Archive… is there one?”

“Why are you asking me?”

“What’s the deal?”

“There is one. Some books are restricted from viewing.”

I stared intently at Felice.

She let out a big sigh, as if saying “So you knew my true identity?”

“I understand. I’ll reveal my true face and name. I was planning to eventually tell you all everything and ask for your cooperation.”

She stood up from the sofa, took off her mask, and showed her real face to the group.

With powerful eyes and an enchanting beauty.

Her upright posture suited the title of Knight Princess.

“Please allow me to apologize first. I deeply regret having kept my identity hidden until now.”

Felice bowed deeply as an apology for concealing her identity.

“My real name is Felice Flareheart. I am the daughter of Michael Flareheart, the lord of the Mirdia territory. I concealed my face and name to escape the relatives who tried to forcibly marry me off. I decided to reclaim my father’s territory on my own.”

“Mirdia’s… Knight Princess, huh. No wonder she’s strong.”

Grannaughts nodded while spewing steam.

Well, the Knight Princess of Mirdia is so famous that even children know of her.

Wielding flames and fighting enemies with graceful swordsmanship, her figure was both delicate and valiant. Her kindness to her people was like a war goddess descending to the mortal realm. She was also one of the few personally trained by the Sword Saint himself.

“Silk knows. Humans decide marriage without the person’s consent to maintain power. No wonder Felice hid herself.”

“Yes. I have a great responsibility to reclaim my father and homeland. Until I fulfill that, I have no intention of marrying anyone. However, my relatives considered Mirdia to be as good as gone. They tried to use me as a pawn for their own gain. I escaped from them. I resolved to gain the strength and comrades needed to take it all back someday.”

That would be us… the ‘Unknown’.

Thinking back, Felice was downright intimidating when we first met.

Her sheer intensity scared off everyone. It left her to adventure alone.

It just so happened we worked together on a job and talked. Turned out, she was a really good person. Since we were both looking for comrades, we hit it off and formed a party. The name ‘Unknown’ was a placeholder—just something temporary until we came up with something better. Feels nostalgic now.

“If I could, I would’ve liked to defeat the Undead King myself. That’s what I’ve lived for until now.”

“I understand how you feel. But there’s no way Silverblade would give up that job. It was just bad timing. If you’d told me earlier, maybe I would’ve taken it.”

“Even you, the always-lazy Lux? I’ve been trying to figure out what would make you take the job.”

“I’m sorry. It was my fault.”

Even if she had told me, I probably would’ve kept putting it off.

If it were just the Undead King alone, I could’ve taken it lightly. But the one in Mirdia commands an entire army. That’s a huge hassle. Totally not worth the effort.

Zain leaped over the table. They brought their face right up to mine.

“I want to purifyyyyy! To clean!”

“Okay, okay. Then let’s take a vote on whether to accept this request. Raise your hand if yes, keep it down if no.”

“Cleeaaaning! I will dooo it!”

“Of course, I’m in.”

“Silk is interested in the archive.”

Three hands went up.

But there was still someone who hadn’t raised their hand.

Grannaughts.

“My reward… entry to the archive and sake.”

“I, as the daughter in my father’s stead, promise you. If we reclaim my homeland, I believe you’ll be able to drink all the sake you want, for free.”

“I accept.”

Grannaughts raised their hand.

Now only I remained. Everyone’s eyes were on me.

“As if the leader wouldn’t raise his hand. I was just waiting to see what everyone else would do first.”

“That’s a lie.”

What? I was being honest though.

Do I really come off as that untrustworthy?

Is this a party-on-the-verge-of-breakup situation?

◇

“So you’re accepting the request!”

“Well, Felice is the daughter of Lord Flareheart. Can’t exactly ignore a comrade’s wish that important, can I?”

“I’m shocked to learn that the Flame Sword is the Knight Princess. With strength like that, I didn’t think she was some unnamed warrior.”

The Guild Master folded his arms and nodded. He was seemingly convinced.

The reason I was blabbing Felice’s background was because I had her permission.

She apparently plans to operate openly as part of the party from now on.

A sign of her resolve, perhaps.

Seems like she’s had a bit of guilt about deceiving us all this time. Looks like she wants to stop the lies here.

“I’ve got one question. Why did you send the Silver Blade after the Undead King?”

“You make it sound like they don’t stand a chance.”

“That’s not what I’m saying. But… they’re a terrible match. They’re super idealistic. If the enemy uses meat shields, they’ll be completely stuck.”

“I’m praying they’ll handle it well.”

“Just praying, huh?”

“That’s why I’m sending you guys too.”

So… can I take this as a sign of trust?

If you trust us, we better start getting better-paying jobs, yeah?

Hey, don’t avert your eyes.

Still, if Felice is the daughter of the lord of Mirdia, we might get a hefty reward.

Silver Blade is the type to usually turn down rewards like that, though.

Me? I never fall for free. I’ll take everything I can. Call me shameless—I accept it proudly.

“When do you plan to depart?”

“Soonest would be tomorrow afternoon, I guess. They’re probably still en route.”

“What are you talking about? They should’ve already arrived.”

“What? But they’re taking a carriage, right?”

“No, they went on horseback.”

Whoa, that messes up my plans.

We won’t make it unless we head out immediately.

“Excuse me. Guild Master, urgent news.”

“At least knock. We have guests.”

“It was an emergency, sir.”

The guild staff member burst in. He was clearly flustered.

He handed the Guild Master a piece of paper.

“……What!?”

“If we’re interrupting, we’ll take our leave. We’ve got preparations to make.”

“Wait. This concerns you too.”

The Guild Master was holding the words back. But he finally opened his heavy mouth.

“The Silver Blade has gone missing.“