The northern district gathered many lodgings for the pilgrims who had co to Sura. The inn called Forests Lakeshore that Leyla ntioned was a bit further away from the main street, a stone building that stood out amongst the other inns.
Welco!
Entering the building, a calm voice greeted them. The owner of this voice was a woman in her twenties, sitting behind the counter. She was a beauty in her own right, but there was sothing else to her.
Ohh! Greeted by such a charming beauty!
Seran imdiately raised cheers at this, but Urza imdiately stomped on his foot to silence him.
AhemWed like to rent so rooms.
Kyle actually had to agree with Sean, but he decided to play good cop and took over the conversation. The woman didnt seem bewildered at Serans outburst and instead explained with an apologetic tone.
Im sorry, we actually dont have any more rooms to offer
We were told to co here. I assu a woman called Leyla made arrangents for us?
When Kyle said her na, the womans expression changed instantly.
Oh! So you must be Kyle-sama! Ive been awaiting your arrival! She showed a bright smile, threw away the pen she was holding, and rushed over to him.
It was a complete turn from her previous attitude.
Leyla-sama inford us of your arrival. Thank youThank you so much for coming here!
She wasnt exaggerating in the slightest, looking like she was genuinely thankful, as tears started building up in her eyes. She saw Kyle and his group bewildered by this greeting, so she returned to her senses.
E-Excuse ! I just couldnt control my excitent of being able to finally repay Leyla-sama. Apologies for the late introduction, I am the owner of this inn, Dalia. She frantically apologized and lowered her head while she was at it. You must be tired from your long journey, so let guide you to your rooms. I will also prepare a al right away.
And then, she took Kyle and his group up on the second floor.
Arriving at the larger room in the back of the floor, it revealed a size much bigger than it led on from the outside, with two separate small bedrooms so that they could split themselves between n and won. The room was perfectly cleaned, with flowers being decorated everywhere which created a pleasant flowery scent. The beds were equipped with springs, covered with freshly cleaned sheets. All this helped undo everyones tension, as Lieze sat down on her bed. The others felt the sa way, with Kyle letting out a big sigh at first, only to imdiately get back on his groove.
Too early to relax.
Their face-off against Leyla might have been postponed, but letting his guard down was not an option. Through all these years, Kyle had built up a genuine trust for Leyla, and he knew there was nothing happening until she was done. However, things were clearly different now that the ra cult was involved. Kyle learned of their inhuman antics many tis over up to this point. Even if Leyla wasnt directly involved, there was no telling what they could be plotting. Especially with Urza around. She would need proper protection. Kyle tried to reassure her that everything would be okay and that she was safe here, but he was dead-set on not leaving her alone for even a mont in this town. He looked at her with determination and vowed to protect her, but the person in question was gleefully discussing dinner plans with Shildonia right now.
Seems like were the only visitors, Minagi confird the situation after looking around for a mont.
She told us to wait a whole two, or even three days, right? What the hell are we supposed to do during that ti?
Just as Seran grumbled, they were now at a loss on how to spend the extra ti they were given. Right now, it was already past noon, so after a quick break, they would eat dinner and then clock out early for the day, but what about the next few days?
Cant exactly stay holed up in the inn, after all. Maybe we take a walk tomorrow?
Shildonia delivered a suggestion, which Kyle thought about for a mont, but eventually agreed. Letting down his guard was not an option, but staying tensed up 24/7 would only leave him more exhausted in the long run. More than anything, Kyle could use this chance to gather all sorts of information. And he could do that under the pretense of going sightseeing. As the girls were discussing their plans, he pulled Lieze away and stepped out of the room.
Im going to act separately from you guys tomorrow, so
Dont leave Urza alone, right? I know. She looked at Kyle with a raised eyebrow.
If possible, Kyle wished to protect her personally, but since the ra cult was keeping their eyes on him, being together with her would probably be more dangerous.
Thats exactly right. Might give you so trouble, but Im counting on you.
The mont Lieze heard those words, she started pouting and lightly hit Kyles chest.
Whats that supposed to an?! I would do that even without you asking for it!
Urza was Liezes important friend, and she was greatly concerned with her safety without needing Kyle to tell her.
R-RightSorry.
Hit with such a valid counter, Kyle had to accept his shortcomings.
I said you dont have to apologize. I know youve always been dense when it cos to this stuff, soI forgive you. Lieze sighed in disbelief, but her voice sounded happy. I guess Minagi will also tag along with us, then
No, Im gonna have her work separately too because I need her to look into soOgh?!
Lieze silently but with full determination, ramd her fist right into his stomach. It was her [Armor Breaker] attack that completely ignored any defense. Kyle had experienced this before, but she got even better at it. Brought to his knees, Kyle groaned as he looked up at Liezes expression of rage in terror.
Didnt you sayyoud forgive ?
This and that is different! Minagi might end up fighting the very man who raised her, so she must be extrely tense right now! Yet you want her to stay alone? Do you not care about her?
Liezes words made Kyle realize, inflicting an impact like he was hit in the face rather than the stomach.
Serans a freak for battle so hes looking forward to his fight with Leyla-san more than anything, but Minagi is just an ordinary girl like Urza and I!
Despite Minagi being a trained assassin and a skilled Shinobi, Lieze always stressed that she was still a normal girl with her own worries. Though Minagi probably didnt feel the sa way. Kyle himself never saw her in such a light, and although he treasured her as an ally, he never thought of her as this weak. Even as they t in this life, with her lacking experience since the Great Invasion had yet to happen, Kyle knew she had the talent to follow through. But during the civil war, when she was reunited with her foster father who raised her, she had been losing her edge since. And even though Kyle realized this, he never paid much attention to it. He had many more problems to worry about, but even that just boiled down to being a simple excuse.
OkayYeah, youre right. Could you take Minagi with you andNo, sorry. Didnt have to tell you. Im leaving those two to you.
Kyle decided to put his trust in his childhood friend and left the two girls to her. Of course, he decided to not touch upon the fact that the person who knocked out [Dragon Slayer] Kyle went around calling herself a normal girl.
Yeah, I got it handled. She pressed one fist on her chest, making Kyle feel grateful.
Thanks for everything.
You dont need to thank for that, Lieze said these final words and then went back to her room, deciding the plans for the following day.
Interacting with her, Minagis smile was still sowhat stiff, but it had softened up a lot compared to before. Back when the Great Invasion was in its full course, Minagi was cautious around everyone and everything, always faking a smile. He had never seen a smile as natural as this one on her before. And this wasnt any abrupt change. It had been happening slowly, but Kyle only now understood it, feeling embarrassed at his inability. And seeing her smile, he felt sothing bring disarray to his heart. For the first ti, Kyle had stopped seeing Minagi as a reliable comrade, and saw her more as a normal woman.
During dinner ti, the cafeteria on the first floor was rather deserted, with only one other employee present other than Dalia. However, the food filling their table was a sight to behold.
This stews at is so soft, its been boiling since last night. This must have taken a lot to prepare. Lieze showed her respect for the chef.
Other than the stew, there was chicken and other fried food, paired with vegetable salad and a fruit dessert to truly fill their stomachs. The reason for the fried-heavy dishes was because they couldnt enjoy much oily food during their journey, showing the inn owners consideration for them.
Im glad the food is to your liking. Dalia brought out so more chicken, seemingly enjoying herself.
This is it. This kind of consideration is the true beauty of an older woman, Seran nodded to himself.
Oh yeah, Ive been aning to ask, but why are you so grateful to that old hag?
Completely disregarding the concept of restraint, Seran just asked Dalia head-on. However, Kyle and the group were just as curious about that, so they didnt comnt on it.
Not too long ago, Leyla-sama saved my lifeNo, my whole reason for existing.
Her words sounded genuine, at least. Listening to the details, Dalia once lived at the border of a country called Phoraon to the east of the continent. But five years ago, a war broke out, and with her husband suffering severe injuries, she almost lost her own life before Leyla saved her. Paired with healing her husband, she brought them to his land and to safety. Her husband passed away two years later because of a sickness, so she had been looking after this inn herself.
Ever since I started working here, Id been looking for a way to repay herand now that wish has finally been granted, Dalia said while tearing up.
That old hag did, huh? Seran sounded bewildered.
He probably had no idea sothing like that was happening without his knowledge. In truth, Leyla rarely was ho in Rimarze. For a good third of the year, she was off sowhere. That said, it was a surprise to hear she was being a savior and saint in her free ti. Furthermore, Dalia stated that she was no exception.
That old hag sure loves to keep secrets.
But its very much like her. Lieze reminisced about the past, seeing Leyla in a very positive light.
So what are you planning on doing tomorrow? Dalia asked, and Kyle responded as the representative.
We thought of checking out the town.
Is that so? Then I will prepare a map for you. I also have so more dessert ready, so I hope you enjoy it.
With that decided, they enjoyed the rest of their pleasant dinner.
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