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~~ - 58. The Enchanter Clutches a Gold Coin

58. 58. The Enchanter Clutches a Gold Coin

At the training field in our home base, I gripped the sword’s handle.

Sharpening my senses, I took several deep breaths.

— I can do this. Now.

I put strength into my arms and tried to draw the sword.

But an overwhelming nausea hit me. I suddenly spewed out the water I had just drunk like a fountain. 

*Blergh!*

“Perhaps it’s best to stop for today. Here — some water and a towel.”

“Thanks. I still feel sick, so… could you rub my back a little?”

“…It can’t be helped.”

Even as she said that, Felice somehow looked pleased.

I didn’t mind either — being cared for by a beautiful woman felt nice. And honestly, I was a little excited thinking it wouldn’t be so bad if this went on for a bit longer.

Not that I wasn’t suffering for real — I was.

Still, can this sword just let me go already?

I already let go a bit that time, so isn’t that enough?

Please, let me really let go this time.

“Raku-cchi, you never learn, huh. You’re an enchanter. It’s fine if you can’t use a sword. If it’s a trauma thing, you really shouldn’t force it.”

Said Nonon as she wiped my sweat with a towel.

Her shirt was damp with sweat — she’d probably been out running.

“I told him that too. But he insists he *can* use a sword.”

“I’m telling you, it’s true! I really could use one. Before I couldn’t hold a sword anymore, I was a decent swordsman.”

“Right, right. Let’s take a break.”

Felice smiled gently and brushed off the topic.

I’d told my party that before becoming an enchanter, I was a decent swordsman.

The reason I was trying to hold a sword again was to be able to defend myself if we ever encountered another demon.

Still, both Felice and Nonon had been quite shocked at my rejection response when I tried earlier.

“I’m not lying. Please believe me.”

“Of course we do. I’m only questioning whether you need to push yourself that far. Demons are indeed a threat, and I understand wanting as many countermeasures as possible. But if doing so breaks you, it defeats the purpose.”

Completely right. I had nothing to say.

I’m the leader — and an enchanter who supports the team.

There’s little point in a buffer doubling as an attacker.

I know that.

This is just selfishness. My ego, trying to reclaim what I couldn’t let go of — using demons as the excuse.

I don’t want to go back to who I used to be.

I just want to reclaim what once proved that *I was me.*

Of course, I do want to protect my comrades and the people from demons.

If not for that, I’d never even consider taking up a sword again.

“Who cares about demons — if I’m here, our defense is perfect! Raku-cchi can just chill in the back, yeah?”

“Nonon’s right. And since then, I’ve been training hard to handle the sword myself. I won’t let any demon near you, Lux.”

“Hey, hey, Feli-chin, you’re the attacker here! Leave defense to me!”

“I trust your guard, Nonon. I’m only talking about if something happens. Lux is the trump card of our party — the more people protecting him, the better.”

“Well, yeah, but it kinda sounds like you’re saying I’ve got holes in my defense. And that’s complicated, you know?”

It felt like Felice and Nonon had gotten closer lately.

Maybe because they’d shown their true selves to each other. Or maybe because they realized they were both around the same age. They talked more often than before.

On the other hand, I’d started finding it harder to join their conversations.

When they thought I was a guy, it was easy to talk to them without thinking.

Now that my life’s full of sexy days, I can’t complain — but still, I feel a little lonely.

“Speaking of which, where’s Zain?”

“Hmm? Holed up again, as usual. Not that I can talk — but seriously, what does she even do in there? You can’t even hear a sound.”

“Hey, don’t go snooping. That’s invasion of privacy.”

“‘Lux, you’re one to talk.’”

…Fair enough. I’ll shut up.

Zain’s shut-ins happen regularly. It’s nothing to worry about.

Now that I know her true identity, I want to give her more freedom anyway.

She hasn’t told us much about her past. But if she’s been living while hiding that she’s a demon, she must’ve had a tough life.

Anyway, I’ll try drawing it one more time.

I’ve made progress compared to back then.

“*HOEEEEKKK!!*”

“Lux!?”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I vomited again.

◇

With Felice and Nonon, I passed through the marketplace for the first time in a while.

Our destination: the guild.

I’d been putting off visiting the guildmaster because I found it bothersome. But if I kept avoiding him, I had a feeling he’d eventually storm our home base himself.

He’s been looking out for us, after all — upsetting him would only cause trouble later.

If only he’d send us better-paying jobs, I’d happily go see him.

Like, I dunno — a quest to kill some Slimes and get a fortune for it.

Something around the price of a staff, maybe.

“After we go to the guild, could you accompany me to buy some ingredients?”

“But the ol— the lady brings them for us, doesn’t she?”

“She does. But it’s better if I select them myself — the quality stays more consistent.”

Hearing that, I nodded in understanding.

Felice walked beside me. Her golden hair was swaying. Her smile was gentle.

Men and women passing by couldn’t take their eyes off her — staring, enchanted.

From the shadows, women who had once swooned over “Felice (male)” but now switched to “Felice (female)” were peeking in with excited looks.

Now that she no longer wore her mask, the number of people captivated by her had only increased.

“Hey, was that cute girl always part of ‘Unknown’?”

“If she’s a new member, I’m sending in an application!”

The townsfolk and adventurers who noticed Nonon began to stir.

Felice gave off the impression of a high, unattainable flower — beautiful but distant.

Nonon, on the other hand, had this friendly, approachable aura that drew people in.

Well, Felice is a noble — no wonder people hesitate to approach her.

Which left me, of course, completely overshadowed.

No one even looked my way.

Worse — a few glared at me with pure hatred.

“Showing off with all those beauties. Tch.”

“Must be nice for our S-rank enchanter — probably good at waving his *staff* at night too. Tch.”

Familiar faces — especially the men — spat on the ground after glaring at me.

…Weird.

The closer I get to my party members, the more enemies I seem to make.

When we exited the marketplace and reached the guild entrance, a familiar adventurer spotted me and waved cheerfully.

“Yo, Lux! Looks like your break’s over.”

“Hey, you look good too. Oh yeah — how’s your newborn daughter? Growing well?”

“Kids don’t grow that fast! Well, maybe they do… She changes every day, and if I space out, it feels like I’ll get left behind. Makes me wanna work harder.”

“Being a dad’s tough, huh.”

I said, scratching my head.

I wouldn’t really know — I’ve never been married, let alone a father.

I don’t even know what a father’s supposed to feel like.

“By the way…”

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, his face turned serious. Though he tried to smile.

Then he reached into his pocket and pulled something out.

“My bad.”

“Huh? Huh?”

He grabbed my hand and pressed something into it.

When I opened my palm — a gold coin.

What’s this? Money? Why? This is kinda scary.

“H-Hey—”

“Just let that cover it for now. I’ll pay the rest properly later.”

Before I could return it, the familiar adventurer walked off looking strangely relieved.

People nearby who’d seen the whole thing started murmuring:

“…Was that extortion?”