Chapter 256: Idle Talk (Important)

Alezel’s story is over. Haruna’s eyes are still sparkling, and it seems that she can’t suppress her excitement.

「Are you really doing that? During the reception!?」

「Ahaha, as I heard, you really like this kind of thing~. Yes, we are doing it. If you want, I can bet my business soul on it. Besides, it was Deris who came up with this idea. I’m just getting on this idea and calculating cost-benefit. If you still doubt it, you can ask Deris or Nell.」

‘Should I take you to their place?’ Haruna hurriedly shook her head when Alezel asked so.

「Ah, no, it’s not that I’m doubting you. Also, They are busy and I don’t want to take their time.」

「Ha~, you are really a good girl~. I declared to Deris that I won’t do it, but this makes me want to scout you.」

「?」

Her soul as a merchant aches, but she can’t just break her promise with Deris. While suppressing her desire to scout Haruna, Alezel managed to get Haruna’s promise to participate in the event.

「My~, I’m really grateful for your help. Thank you, Haruna-chan.」

「You’re welcome! By the way, Alezel-san used to be an adventurer with Shishō and Nell-san a long time ago, right? With 『Awe』 as your nickname.」

「Oh, that sure is nostalgi―― what are you talking about~?」

Haruna’s question, which was casually asked in a natural flow, made Alezel’s mouth slip easily. It was as slippery as natto and as refreshing as freshly squeezed juice.

「Ah, you don’t have to say it if you are trying to hide it. I’m sorry for asking it.」

Haruna vigorously bowed her head, and her cute ponytail jumped up.

「…… Well, I guess it’s okay since you are Deris’s disciple. This is a secret story that I only talk to Haruna-chan, so don’t tell anyone, kay? I will talk about this because Haruna-chan is special.」

「Eh, ah, yes.」

Alezel’s smile has a little pressure similar to that of Nell, and it’s some kind of threat to Haruna. ‘Just try to reveal the secret,’ it also has such a threatening meaning.

「As Haruna-chan guessed, I was an adventurer with that couple. I wonder how many years have passed? Well, it was a long time ago. Deris is an old man now, but I’ve known him since he was about Haruna-chan’s age.」

「Is that so? Then, what about Nell-san?」

「She was even younger, about 10 years old. At that time, she always followed Deris around. At that time, she was more honest than now. Really.」

「H-Hee~. But, Nell-san is still cute even now!」

「…… You have a good eye for people, huh. Nell’s body has grown up and so is her mind. But, her true nature is still the same. Well, as for me, both my mind and body are still the same! I’m an elf after all!」

Haruna and Alezel lost track of time and talked about the old days. During this time, Alezel’s opinion of Haruna has risen so much that she ended up saying something unnecessary.

「――Well, that’s why I decided to take on the seat of the Great Eight Demons. Because of my previous position, I decided to make myself die as an adventurer there. Everyone also recommended Deris and Nell to take the vacant seats, but they didn’t want to. What was it again, something like, they lost the motivation because their companion left and they have achieved their goal to some extent? In the end, Deris reluctantly let his familiar Lily-han take it as his replacement. As for Nell, she just refused without any care. There, I put the brakes on them, and they decided to be Lily-han’s subordinates in appearance only to monitor the Great Eight Demons.」

Mainly, Alezel started to talk about something that Deris hasn’t even told Haruna yet.

「H-Haa~…. I thought that they are really amazing, but they also have such a close relationship with the Great Eight Demons, huh. It has been surprising me since a while ago.」

「Right? Your master and Nell were actually the strongest candidates in the human race. Well, Deris was slacking off too much, so to be honest, he might not be the best right now.」

「Is that so? Shishō is still very strong, you know?」

「Well, he was far stronger in the past. If it’s the current him, maybe I have a chance to win? Ah, but, it seems that he has been training on his own will recently…. Perhaps, he was influenced by Haruna-chan’s motivation.」

「Ehehe. I-Is that so?」

Haruna is embarrassed. However, Deris deeply remembered that the death march was the most difficult part of the price he has to pay. He carved it so deeply in his heart that he wished he hadn’t motivated himself.

「… But, since you say that you have a chance to win against the current Shishō, does it mean that you are stronger than him?」

Haruna turned her face down to hide her embarrassment, but when she raised her face again, Haruna has the face of a warrior. It’s maybe her curiosity toward someone who’s probably stronger than her master, or maybe a manifestation of her ambition. Anyway, Haruna is unconsciously ready for battle.

「Oh, don’t look me with those eyes, Haruna-chan. You have looks and courage, so I’m more and more interested in you. Still, Deris told me not to scout you, so don’t seduce me more than that, kay?」

「… I-I’m sorry. Somehow, I’ve been in a very good mood today.」

Even when receiving Haruna’s gaze directly, Alezel’s smile never faltered. Then, Haruna became normal naturally and she immediately apologized.

「After all, a lot of powerful people are coming today. Maybe you are affected by that. Well, I don’t mind about it, so there’s no need to be dispirited like that. However, there are some who can’t take a joke, so be careful not to do the same thing there. Hmm, in a way, I guess it’s correct to let her let it out here?」

Alezel tilted her head cutely, perhaps imitating Haruna’s gesture. Her appearance was supposed to look good with that gesture, but for some reason, it didn’t feel so.

「Chief! Chieeef! It’s almost ready! Where are you!?」

A shout came from the direction of the kitchen.

「Oh no! It’s this time already!」

「Geh! It’s this time already, huh!」

「Alezel-san!」

「Haruna-chan!」

「「See you later!」」

Whoosh. The two disappeared from the roof of the church with the sound of the wind, and ran as fast as they could to their respective posts. They barely managed to get there in time.

――――Clang, clang.

The aftermath of the wind reached the church bell, making it ring to celebrate this day. However, it’s another story whether the ceremony will end peacefully or not.