Leaving Shigenobu-san’s group behind to head for my next destination, I happened upon an unusual pair. One was a familiar face—Noah-san—but the person with her was Rachel-san.
Rachel-san, the Knight Commander of the Kingdom of Sinfonia, and Noah-san... Ah, come to think of it, Noah-san was a former adventurer. It made sense they might be acquaintances.
"Hello, Noah-san, Rachel-san. Thank you both for coming today."
"Hello, Miyama-san. Thank you for having us at such a wonderful party."
"Miyama-sama, it has been quite a while. It is an honor to be invited, despite our infrequent interaction."
Noah-san returned my greeting with a gentle smile, while Rachel-san offered a crisp salute. Their characteristic reactions brought a natural smile to my face.
"Do you two know each other? From your days as an adventurer, perhaps?"
"Indeed. Since there are subjugations where the Order of Knights and adventurers work together, I frequently shared the front lines with Noah-dono back when she was a Top-class Adventurer."
"How nostalgic. I was truly in your debt back then."
Just as I suspected, the two were old comrades who had fought side-by-side during monster subjugations.
"Noah-dono was a splendidly talented individual. I felt quite regretful when I heard of her retirement, though it could not be helped given her health issues."
"It had become quite a struggle to fight by then. Perhaps I let my guard down once Luna-chan became strong enough to stand on her own... but eventually, continuing my activities as an adventurer proved impossible."
"Come to think of it, you did seem to be suffering from anemia when we first met."
"Yes, it was gradually worsening at the time. To my shame, there were even days when simply going outside was a chore."
Noah-san looked healthy enough now—in fact, according to Luna-san, she was quite energetic and hadn't suffered from anemia at all lately—but when we first met, she had been in considerable pain on the side of the road. There was no doubt that her adventuring days had been numbered.
"However, the current Noah-dono is brimming with vitality. Have you completely overcome the anemia, then?"
"I have. Ever since I began taking Miyama-san's warm essence into my body, I have been the picture of health."
"...Huh? What?"
"Thanks to that, my skin has a healthy glow, and I feel energetic enough to resume my career as an adventurer. But, well... Miyama-san's warmth has become quite a habit for me. I feel a bit shameless that my heart craves it all the time. Personally, I would like him to put in much more, but Fia-sensei is quite strict..."
"...A-Ah, so that was the case... You two have that kind of relationship..."
"No, wait, your phrasing! It's a misunderstanding! A total misunderstanding!"
Noah-san wasn't technically lying. However, her choice of words was catastrophic; there was no way Rachel-san would realize she was talking about my blood.
In fact, being told that with flushed cheeks and an ecstatic, sensual expression made even me—who knew the truth—falter. My reaction was delayed out of pure shock.
"Come to think of it, Noah-dono lost her husband long ago. I am a demon belonging to the undead-type, and my husband is the same, so there are parts of the living experience I find difficult to empathize with... but it is heartening to see you find a new love and move forward."
"Yes. I am already completely captivated by Miyama-san."
"Hold on, Noah-san!"
The misunderstanding was now set in stone. Rachel-san was fully convinced they were lovers, and Noah-san, who likely realized the mistake but had no intention of denying it, was leaning into the role.
Noah-san glanced at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes. I realized then that she really was Luna-san's mother after all. I racked my brain, desperately wondering how I was going to clear up the confusion with Rachel-san.