Even though I am currently at a loss with our talk with the Great Sage…


  From all people, it had to be you, huh.

  “Takatsuki Makoto, do you have time?” (Sofia)

  A clear voice that travels well.

  It makes me feel the coldness of spring water from it.

  And as always, she has a cold and unfriendly expression.

  Princess Sofia had for some reason come to our table.

  She has a knight as her bodyguard, but it is not the haughty knight of before.

  “What is it?” (Makoto)

  I can’t ignore a princess, so I ask reluctantly.

  “I had him quit being my Guardian Knight.” (Sofia)

  At first I couldn’t understand what she was saying, but after a while, I got that she was referring to that arrogant knight.

  Wait, eh?

  You fired him?

  “It is the sin of displeasing the hero-sama that saved Laberintos. Can you please forgive us with this?” (Sofia)

  “Forgive…? In the first place, I am not a hero though…” (Makoto)

  “You are one of the heroes that came from the other world. That’s why, I want you to please continue staying in Rozes.” (Sofia)

  This is surprising.

  Would she go this far?

  I am just an apprentice mage here though.

  “Hey hey.” (Lucy)

  Lucy tugged my sleeve.

  I know. I am not going to be such a bully.

  “…I like the city of Makkaren, so I will continue being an adventurer in Rozes.” (Makoto)

  Hearing this, Princess Sofia made a relieved expression.

  But she instantly returns to her previous expression.

  “Do you wish for anything? If it is something I can do…” (Sofia)

  Oh, how generous.

  But I don’t really have much of a wish though…


  Right, let’s give this one to my friend that has been helping me out all this time.

  “Actually, this here is my friend, Fujiwara-kun.” (Makoto)

  “T-Takki-dono?!” (Fujiwara)

  Fuji-yan who was suddenly pulled into it was surprised, but my thoughts should be transmitting to him.

  “I was wondering if you could back him up for the sake of furthering my work. He is also one of the heroes that come from the other world. My achievements are thanks to his support.” (Makoto)

  “…I see. What should I do in detail?” (Sofia)

  Fuji-yan, sorry for putting you on the spot all of a sudden.

  He is looking at me with eyes of ‘I didn’t hear anything about this-desu zo’.

  But, as expected of him, he must have thought of something, he began speaking.

  “Then, please grant me the freedom to do business in Rozes. Especially in the noble districts.” (Fujiwara)

  “Alright. I will give you a permit with my name. Please come to the capital later to get it.” (Sofia)

  ““Thank you very much.””


  Fuji-yan and I lowered our heads.

  Is this much okay?

  “Well then, let’s meet again.” (Sofia)

  Princess Sofia leaves with hurried feet.

  ◇◇

  “Takki-dono, I didn’t expect you to suddenly throw the topic to me-desu zo!” (Fujiwara)

  He was slapping me multiple times on the back.

  “Sorry about that. But was that good enough?” (Makoto)

  “It is great! Being able to freely do business under the name of the Princess of Rozes! With this, I will be winning it all in any businesses in the Water Country…” (Fujiwara)

  Ooh, Fuji-yan is making an evil face.

  “T-Takatsuki-sama, you do terrifying things…” (Nina)

  Nina-san had a stiff expression.

  “Did I say something weird?” (Makoto)

  “Makoto…normally when royalty asks what you want, you normally refrain at first.” (Lucy)

  “Goshujin-sama is also fearless.” (Nina)

  I see, so that’s how the etiquette goes.

  “Like I would know. I am an otherworldler.” (Makoto)

  “Anyways, that Princess just now was pretty persistent in wanting Takatsuki-kun to stay.” (Aya)

  Sa-san says this on the passing.

  “Aah, about that, even though you took such rude behaviour, she still came here herself and listened to your requests.” (Lucy)

  “Princess Sofia must have been angry inside her heart.” (Fujiwara)

  “…”


  If Fuji-yan says so, it must be.

  Looks like the inside of Princess Sofia was burning.

  “The warriors and mages that Princess Sofia scouted ended up running to other countries, or would get injured and not serve as fighting force”, Nina-san explains.

  Hoh, is that so.

  “And so, that includes our classmates?” (Makoto)

  “Right. It looks like the life in the royal castle of the Water Country didn’t fit them well.” (Fujiwara)

  “Thanks to that, there’s rumours saying that Princess Sofia doesn’t have an eye for people. On the other hand, at the place of Princess Noel, there’s a lot of talents gathered around.” (Nina)

  Hohoh, that’s quite the shameful rumor to have.

  “That’s why she is trying so desperately to have the apprentice mage -she once gave no concern to- stay, huh.” (Makoto)

  “As a result, you didn’t get exiled from Makkaren. Isn’t that great?!” (Lucy)

  Right, it is as Lucy says.

  “Then, let’s go back to Makkaren.” (Makoto)

  “Okay!” (Lucy)

  I want to go back and eat skewers.

  And in this way, our adventure challenging Laberintos ended.

  But my heart is not clearing up.

  The words of the Great Sage.

  The suspicions towards the Goddess remain.