That's Why I Decided to Become a Miser (5)

For the next dozen seconds or so, Kagami and David stared each other down in silence. As if trying to gauge one another's intentions, neither moved an inch as they waited to see what the other would do. And then――――.

"Staff from the Quest Issuing Guild! It's this man!"

Kagami pointed at David and shouted.

"This man was leering at that innocent young girl over there with a sinister smile, as if he were about to lick her! And me too, for good measure! He's a pervert no matter how you look at him. Thank you very much."

"F-fweh!?"

David's voice cracked as he cried out at Kagami's completely unexpected accusation. Everyone nearby turned to look at him—not only the Quest Issuing Guild staff, but also adventurers who happened to be stopping by and villagers who had come to post quests.

"N-no, you've got it wrong! I-I...!"

He hurried to explain himself, but it was already too late. While he was distracted, Alice had left David's side and gone over to Kagami. The scene had given rise to a misunderstanding: a young man protecting a girl from a suave, middle-aged pervert who'd tried to make a move on her.

"Come on... Hiding a tree in a forest, huh? Doing something like that in a crowded place..."

"Look at his eyes—they're dead. He looks like a criminal no matter how you see him. Trying to seduce a cute girl like that... What is he thinking?"...