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~~ - 30. Please, at least let me make an excuse.

30. 30. 30. 30. 30. 30. 30. 30. Please, at least let me make an excuse.

Water channels run through the town. On it, small boats glide along the mirror-like surface of the water. On both sides, buildings rise like walls. Within one of the views is a married woman with a mole by her eye, full of charm. She’s hanging laundry out of a second-floor window.

The boatman steers the boat with a paddle. He skillfully avoided the boats coming from the opposite direction.

“Ooh, oooooohhhhhh!”

“Are you having fun?”

“Yeeees!”

The boat approaches closer. And one of Zain’s eyes stares intently. Thanks to eye drops, their eyes weren’t bloodshot and were moist. The mage girl must have given her some good eye drops.

When I look back, I see the newbies in the small boat following us.

“See, I told you it would be fun!”

“Akane-chan, that’s the third time. But it really is, it’s wonderful!”

“That fish over there looks like Bell.”

“Oh, you’re right!”

“What do you mean!? Are you saying I look like a fish!?”

The mage girl started getting angry. She is now making the boat rock. They’re noisy wherever they go.

The small boat continues for a while and docks at the shore of the destination. The newbies quickly get off the boat and say, “This way, this way,” guiding us to a café.

It’s a small shop with a terrace where you can view the water channels up close. The sign reads “Silver Boat”. I stop for a moment to look at it.

“Welcome!”

“Hello. For five people, please.”

“Oh, thank you for coming the other day. Please feel free to choose any seat.”

The newbies had guided us here. They said they knew a good place. The shop is quiet, with only a few other customers. We move to the terrace and each sit at a preferred seat.

“Why do both of you always want to sit next to me?”

“Got a seat next to Sensei.”

“Lux’s, next to him, feels soooo calm~.”

Is that so? Well then, go ahead and sit wherever.

The male owner has a prosthetic leg. He comes to take our orders.

“What can I get for you?”

“Bl00d.”

“Huh!? We don’t have any bl00d here!?”

The owner looks shocked. I then translate for Zain: 

“They’re asking if they can heal your leg.”

“Are you a healer, perhaps? But I think it might be too late, it’s been too long. Thank you for your concern. You have such a kind heart.”

“I can’t heal, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. By the way, how about trying our famous parfait? It’s full of fruit and quite delicious.”

Parfait… I don’t mind sweet things. But I’m not really in the mood for something like that. Cute desserts are a bit too much for a twenty-three-year-old guy.

I take the menu from the swordsgirl and skim through it. The prices are relatively low. The recommended item is the parfait, as the owner said.

But it’s ridiculously sweet. Maybe pancakes would be safer.

Then some tea.

The newbies all order together. Zain also places an order, and I ask for pancakes and tea.

After a while, the parfait is brought out. It’s a colorful dessert in a glass container that’s visually enjoyable as well. The newbies get excited just seeing it.

“Mmm~! It’s sweet, the best!”

“I must have left the academy just to eat this!”

“Top-tier, 120 points.”

“Oh, oh, oh, it’s so goooood…”

Huh.

Not only me but everyone looks at Zain.

What was that? Was that really Zain’s voice?

It was small and cute.

The owner says, “Take your time” and heads to the back of the shop. I sip my tea while gazing at the scenery.

“I’m glad we came to Umbrella. We’ve gained experience, made some money, and found this nice café with delicious parfaits.”

“Yeah, Akane’s great judgment.”

“What are you going to buy with the money you saved? It might be good to upgrade Akane-chan’s equipment.”

“I’m tough, so it’s fine to put mine off. We should get Bell or Rinoa’s equipment first.”

“No, Akane-chan, front-line attackers are the ones who are most at risk. You should get the best weapons and armor.”

“Yeah, Bell’s right.”

The swordsgirl gets persuaded by the other two and says, “I’ll do that.”

Meanwhile, I take a bundle out of my magic storage and hand it to Zain.

Zain nods when they receive it.

This was something they bought yesterday after worrying a lot.

I’m no expert on women’s stuff, but I think it’s a good quality item.

“Be, Bell, this.”

“A bundle? Is this for me?”

“Eye drops, th-thank you.”

“Can I open it?”

“Yeah.”

The mage girl brightens up as she opens the bundle.

Inside, there’s a decoration shaped like a yellow flower that blooms in spring.

She takes off her wide-brimmed pointy hat and attaches the decoration to it.

Standing up, she spins around on the spot with a smile.

“It’s, it’s so cute, it suits you!”

“Thank you for the lovely decoration!”

The five of us have a light chat. After about an hour, we decide to leave the café. But the swordsgirl pays the bill all at once.

The owner sees us off with a smile as we leave.

Then, suddenly, we are stopped by him.

“Um, I’m sorry if I’m mistaken, but I believe you’ve been here before, right?”

“No, it’s my first time. You must be confusing me with someone else.”

“I see. I apologize. Please be careful.”

The kind owner smiles. I give him a light wave goodbye and chase after the four waiting ahead.

◇

As the sun begins to set, I part ways with the newbies in front of the inn. Zain and I are waiting by the town fountain for someone.

“She’s here.”

With golden blonde hair floating like threads of gold, her beauty is unmistakable. And she walks toward us with elegance. She’s not trying to hide her charm. People stop and stare as she passes by.

She stands out so much that the air around her feels different.

When she notices me, she picks up her pace, stops in front of me, and smiles.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“You arrived much earlier than I expected. Sorry for calling you so suddenly.”

“I hurried with the horse. So, are we going to fight demons or something?”

“I’ll explain the details at the inn. Or maybe we should have dinner first.”

“I haven’t eaten much. So dinner sounds better.”

I wasn’t actually planning to call her out. I feel a bit bad about it.

But Felice doesn’t seem angry. If anything, she looks happy.

Could she really be a workaholic?

Should I have let her rest properly?

“By the way, what about ‘that’ thing I asked you to do when I called you?”

“I’ve done it. The guild master wasn’t happy about it, though.”

Good, good. Now everything’s ready.

You can never have too many precautions.

Felice then addresses Zain, who’s next to me.

“Thank you for your hard work, Zain. Did he do anything strange?”

“He, he was… watching the juniors!”

“Hey!”

“Really, what a troublesome leader. Let’s leave him and go eat. Zain, please lead the way.”

“Uh, okay.”

“Hey! At least let me make an excuse!”

They leave me behind and walk away.