367 Another Important Mission

After several carriage transfers, I finally arrived back at the Royal Capital of Ostrava.

Every time I set foot in this city, my heart starts racing. Can you blame me? This is the massive centerpiece of a game I used to worship. Honestly, it would be a bigger lie to say I wasn't excited.

“……”

But someone was even more hyped than me: Cecil Antwerp.

The reason was blindingly obvious—we’d just passed a Battle Universe specialty shop. She had the look of a kid staring through the window of a toy store, her eyes practically gleaming with greed.

“We can stop by on the way back if you want,” I offered.

“Stop by where?”

“You know exactly where.”

“I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about.”

She has such a terrifyingly strong sense of responsibility. She was clearly trying her hardest to put up a cool front, but I could see her cheek twitching.

I tried to arrange a carriage to the port with heavy steps, but the news was grim.

“Sorry, pal. We’re all booked up. Everything’s out on the road right now, though I might be able to find you something by tomorrow morning.”

Apparently, there was some kind of festival happening at the port, and the preparations had everyone running ragged. That left us with half a day suddenly carved out of our schedule. We still needed to find an inn, but since we were already here…

“Shall we go, Cecil?”

“Go where?”

“There’s only one place. The Battle Universe specialty shop.”

“...But this isn’t a game. We’re on a mission.”

From Cecil’s perspective—always focused on the end goal—the mission had already begun. She had a point, sure. But taking a breather is important too. Even Teacher Milk used to say that.

“I’m the one who wants to go. Just come with me.”

“...Understood.”

Seriously, she has such a self-sacrificing personality.

Though, for someone who claimed she didn’t want to go, she was definitely walking faster than me.

Inside the shop, boxes were piled high in towering stacks. Even though this was the Royal Capital, it wasn't like my old world; the shops here were ancient. Some boxes were caked in dust, others were battered and bruised.

And yet, Cecil looked at every single one with the kind of delicate care you’d use to handle a newborn baby. She looked so happy, and… well, she really is beautiful when she’s like this.

“Thank you for your incredible patronage!!” the clerk shouted, sounding like he’d just won the lottery.

She’d bought so much it was ridiculous. I know she’s having them mailed back to Noblesse, but does she even have room for all this? I have a feeling she’s the type who wouldn’t mind sleeping at her desk if it meant more space for her collection.

“Thank you, Fansent.”

“For what?”

“You knew I wanted to go, didn't you?”

“Not really. We just don't get many chances to sightsee in the Capital.”

“For someone claiming to be a tourist, you didn't buy a single thing.”

“I like the view. It’s called window shopping.”

“...What is that?”

Right. The term doesn't translate here.

After wandering aimlessly and doing some more sightseeing, we headed off to find an inn. That was when the real trouble started.

“What do you mean, you’re full?!”

“I-I’m terribly sorry, sir! With the Port Festival starting, we’re packed to capacity…”

This was an upscale inn for the wealthy, yet every room was taken. Apparently, some high-ranking noble had arrived with a massive entourage of servants in tow.

“Even one room is fine,” I pressed. “You really can’t find anything?”

“It’s simply impossible…”

Wait, why is this guy shaking? Is my face really that scary? Or is it just the ill repute of Weiss Fancent preceding me?

“If you head to the west side, perhaps…”

“Huh?”

“I-I’M SO SORRYYYYY!”

In the end, we were rejected everywhere and ended up back on the street. It turns out most of the inns in this area are part of the same chain, and they were all at capacity. Now what?

“Hey, why did you ask if even one room was okay?” Cecil asked.

“...Because I can sleep anywhere. You, on the other hand, shouldn't have to rough it.”

Cecil is a true noble. I’m basically a fraud, but I can at least manage that much consideration. To my surprise, she actually smiled. Did I say something funny?

“Anyway, we need a plan. We could always kill time in a twenty-four-hour diner until morning, but—”

“What about the inns in the west?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why?”

“Listen…”

The west side of the Capital is where the Adventurer’s Guild is located. To put it bluntly, it’s full of cheap flophouses for commoners. Putting Cecil in a place like that is—

“I don’t mind,” she said, her voice firm and dignified. She looked me straight in the eye, as she always did. “I’m more worried about you being sleep-deprived.”

The ships in this world are basically wooden buckets that bounce on the waves. Tomorrow night’s sleep is going to be miserable. Cecil’s logic was sound, but still…

“Come on, let’s go.”

“Wait, hey! What are you doing?!”

“If I don’t drag you, you’ll just keep making excuses.”

She grabbed my upper arm and pulled me along with unusual force. An adventurer’s inn, huh? Well, if anyone causes trouble, I’ll just have to crush them.

We eventually arrived at a budget inn adjacent to the Adventurer’s Guild. It was undeniably shabby, but it had a certain… atmosphere. It felt exactly like the Original Story.

However…

“You only have one room left?” I asked.

“It’s festival season, kid. We’re making a killing. People are flooding in from other countries. You probably won't find another vacancy in the whole city.”

“Fine. Then, for her—”

“We will take the room for the two of us,” Cecil interrupted, stepping forward. “Do I sign here?”

“H-Hey, Cecil—”

“It’s fine.”

Before I could get a word in, she’d already signed the ledger and paid the silver upfront.

The first floor was a tavern, rowdy with the typical atmosphere of boisterous adventurers. Our room was on the second. When I hesitated at the foot of the stairs, Cecil tugged on my arm again.

“I’ll stay down here in the tavern…”

“I know you didn't sleep at all last night.”

My heart skipped a beat. I’d spent the whole night mapping out our route and double-checking our plans. I hadn't realized I was showing it. Wait… when she said ‘sleep-deprived,’ was she actually talking about me?

We entered the room. As I’d feared, there was only one bed.

“I’ll take the floor—”

“If we sleep back-to-back, it’s not a problem. I’m a very still sleeper.”

Now, how the hell am I supposed to handle this?

---

Two days ago. Noblesse Magic Academy.

In Cecil’s private room, Carta was pumping her fist in the air.

“You have to go for it, Cecil!”

“G-Go for what?!”

“I know the truth! You like Weiss-kun, don’t you?”

Cecil’s head began to jerk from side to side in a stiff, robotic denial. “I-I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately,” Carta continued. “I know Lady Cynthia is his fiancé, and I don’t think that’s going to change. But Weiss-kun is the one who gets to decide in the end. So, I think it’s okay for you to try your best. Of course, I’m going to try too…”

“I-I don’t particularly think Fansent has a nice voice, or a good personality, or that he’s incredibly attentive despite his bluntness! I don’t think any of that at all!”

Carta just nodded with a knowing grin. “Right, right. I totally get it,” she said, her chest swaying as she giggled.

After Carta left, Cecil spent a long time gazing at the stars through her window.

“...My feelings, huh?”

Whether to tell him or keep it hidden—Cecil spent the rest of the night muttering to herself in the dark.