Chapter 85
"Come now, everyone. You must be hungry. This meal is on me, so order as much as you like."
"David-san! C-can I get a hamburger steak?"
"Yes, of course."
Holding the menu in both hands, Alice gazed at the list of dishes with sparkling eyes as she spoke.
An hour after Alice and the others had begun treating the injured at the church, the line of adventurers waiting for treatment had finally dwindled. The people still inside the church could manage on their own, so the four of them had come to a tavern near the city’s central square for a rather late dinner.
The four of them were now seated around a round table.
"Oh, my. Are Kururu-sama and Tina-sama not ordering anything?"
Beside Alice, who was scrutinizing the menu, Kururu and Tina gazed at it with troubled expressions, murmuring, "Hmm..." as they hesitated over what to choose.
"Um... It’s already late, and eating before bed..."
"I feel the same way as Kururu-san. I’ve been living in town for a while now, so I think I’ve been eating a little too much."
As she murmured this, Tina secretly pinched her stomach.
"You both look exactly the same as before... but I understand how you feel. Still, eating properly is essential for staying healthy. It’ll affect you tomorrow, so have at least something light."
"Th-then, just a salad."
"I’ll have the same! ...And some milk, please."
In truth, neither of them looked any different. But after giving up their travels and settling into a new way of life, they had grown uneasy.
Watching them, Alice tilted her head, utterly unable to understand what they were being so hesitant about.
David watched them with an affectionate smile.
"Still... it’s sad to think I’ll have to say goodbye to all of you before long."
"Huh? Are you going somewhere, David-san?"
"I was originally assigned to keep watch over Kururu-sama and Rex-sama, you see. My duty will be over before long, and I’ll return to the royal capital to receive another assignment."
"Oh... I see."
Just when she thought they had finally become friends, Alice heard that they would soon part ways, and her expression clouded. Seeing this, David felt strangely pleased and smiled.
"Ho ho ho. Please don’t look so sad. I’m not going to die and disappear. You can see me whenever you like."
"I know... Even so, I’ll feel a little lonely without you, David."
Kururu said the same, lowering her head ruefully.
"I feel the same. During this time by Kururu-sama’s side, I’ve been reminded of when I looked after her long ago. It’s been very nostalgic."
Hearing this, Kururu seemed to remember those days herself. She smiled faintly and murmured, "Yes... it has."
"David-san worked so hard, and Kagami-san will probably go berserk when he’s gone. Honestly, I don’t trust that person to manage the business! I’m terrified just thinking about what’ll happen without David-san. Kagami-san might even start telling us to become cult leaders again!"
Perhaps imagining that happening, Tina cried out with a pale face.
Though they had known one another only briefly, seeing the three of them regret his departure made David feel a little lonely, too.
"Please don’t look so sad. If I have some free time, I’ll come by and help again."
Seeing that Alice was still downcast, David murmured this with a slightly rueful smile. Then Alice realized that staying gloomy would only trouble him, and—
"...Yeah. You promised."
She said no more, managing a clumsy, forced smile. Just then—
"You lot... So this is where you were! I searched all over for you after I couldn’t find you at the church!"
Rex appeared from behind David, panting hard, his shoulders heaving as if he’d been searching for a long time. Looking more frantic than usual, he spoke, then grabbed Kururu and Alice by the hands and hauled them to their feet.
"W-wait, Rex-san!"
"What’s wrong? Why do you look so panicked...? And where have you been? I thought you’d come back after you finished your errand."
Confused, the two were dragged along by Rex as he strode through the tavern.
"Alice... and Kururu, you need to get out of this city right now."
"Please wait, Rex-sama. What do you mean?"
David immediately rose from his seat and grabbed Rex by the shoulder, stopping him as he tried to leave the tavern without explaining. Yet despite his words, David didn’t look confused; his expression was tense with urgency.
"I’ll explain later! Just hurry and get out of here! We’re wasting time!"
Rex turned on his heel and looked toward the tavern entrance—
"You don’t have to shout, Rex. You’ve been working this late and finally get a chance to rest... Let them relax a little."
Blocking the entrance stood a purple-haired woman dressed in the sort of clothes favored by mages. She radiated such sultry allure that anyone could tell at a glance she had a stunning figure.
"...Parna-san?"
When Kururu murmured as if to confirm it, Parna smiled happily and gave a little wave. "Hi!"
Standing there was Parna Biore, one of Rex and the others’ companions from their journey to defeat the Demon King, not so long ago.