Oh thank goodness. I think my being in full formal dress helped? I managed to win the trust of her friends, so now I won’t be an embarrassing big brother to Rion or father to DarkMel.
A number of voices surrounded me, practically merging together.
“Uh, hey, is it just me or did your face hit the ground for a moment there? I mean, I can see the furrow left on the ground...”
“Ah, yeah, I think I saw it too. But what could make such a tough Rank S adventurer do that?”
“I saw it! His wife came behind him and Bell went behind her father for a moment to land a sharp blow to the backs of their heads! Their speed was incredible, something no normal person could ever catch! But props to the Rank S adventurer and Sister Bell’s papa! Their recovery speed was just as amazing! In the end, all that was left as proof of the blow are the marks on the ground!” Katerina said.
“All that happened?!”
“You saw all that, Katerina-san?! That’s also incredible!”
“Heh! Such a thing is only natural for someone who strives to always keep Sister Bell in my sights!” Katerina boasted proudly.
“You’ve been doing that...constantly?”
“N-No! More importantly, I thought I knew how incredible Bell was. Does that mean the wife is also incredibly strong?”
“Huh? Isn’t that ‘The Smile’ from the Adventurer’s Directory?”
That got the rest of the group to let out noises of shock.
Yeah, look, they’re shocked all over again by how powerful Rank S adventurers are. I think all this is going around to improve their opinions of Mel and Bell too, but who cares about that? My father-in-law and I were just crying our eyes out. Honestly, we’re dehydrated to the point our lives are in danger. So I don’t have any more tears left to shed. They won’t come out no matter what. And yet...why do I feel like I’m crying in my heart?
“Ah, sorry. Were we being too loud? I was just planning on giving all of you my greetings.”
But that wouldn’t be enough to break my heart. I acted as if nothing had happened, saying my line with a totally straight face.
“Oh no, there’s no need for such humility,” came a voice. “Your earlier exchange served as good encouragement for our students.”
“Hm? You’re...”
Something seems different about him. If I remember right, he’s that prince from Leigant. Uh...Edgar? Paul’s little brother. He’s got two people with him, so I’m pretty sure I’m right. Ah, that reminds me, I think I was told something about how he put on an act in the academy. But for him to have to do that just because of his kingdom’s circumstances, Edgar’s got it hard too, huh? He makes an effort in a way I never could. Truly.
“Heh, heh, heh, Edgar you fool! I, Charles, can see that Sir Kelvin and Bell-kun’s Lord Papa are quite the big overprotective worrywarts! Even I, Charles Vaccania, despite being a paragon of sincerity and faithfulness, can feel an aura that tells me I am this close to being killed! Someone weak like you being their classmate, with your habit of constantly spouting pompous and hypocritical lines, will obviously make them overreact horribly! Now, you should know it’s too late to beg for your life! Just take your beating like a man and straighten yourself out!” Charles muttered emphatically to himself.
Um, wait. Why has he been muttering all creepily this past while? We’ve got pretty good ears, so we can totally hear you, you know that?
At any rate, I could kind of tell what type of relationship that kid had with Edgar in the school. I felt guilty about it since he was expecting violence, but I already knew that Edgar was only putting on an act. My father-in-law was also still in shock after being hit by Bell, unconscious with that scary expression still on his face. In other words, the situation he was hoping for wouldn’t happen. And it was about time for me to open my mouth again, otherwise the pause in the conversation would start to feel unnatural.
“Oh, if it isn’t Edgar. It’s been a while. As I recall, the last time we saw each other was when I visited Leigant’s castle. The meal I was treated to back then was truly great. Right, Mel?”
“Indeed, it was very delicious,” Mel agreed. “Specifically, it rivals the food cooked by our head maid, Efil. I would love to visit again if we get the chance.”
“Oh? It is an honor to hear you two say that. I will tell my father. I’m sure he’ll be happy,” said Edgar.
“Uh...huh?” Charles responded. He’d let out a dumbfounded response when reality and the events he was expecting diverged. Then, with unsteady footsteps, he approached Edgar. “Uh, Edgar? Why are you getting along well with Sir Kelvin and his group?” he asked.
“Hm? Oh, erm, I don’t know how to answer that... As you heard, they were invited to my kingdom before,” Edgar answered. “Since we’re familiar, is it not normal to exchange greetings?”
“N-No no no... No no no! When did this happen?!” Charles yelled.
That puzzled Edgar. “What does it have to do with you?”
“It has everything to do with me! I’m super interested!” Charles continued yelling. He was desperate.
Um...I think it was half a year back? Still, why is he so invested in this? Or as he put it, super interested?
Female students who were talking a little ways away seemed to be getting really fired up.
“Ah, that reminds me, Edgar-kun. There was a time when you left the academy, wasn’t there? Around the end of the exhibition match.”
“There was, yes! Right, that was around the time you and your group were invited! Wow, you managed to snag a Rank S adventurer! Well done! I would expect as much of the prince of a major kingdom!”
“Yeah! But...huh? Wasn’t that around when Rion-chan would periodically disappear too? I get the feeling those happened at about the same time...”
“Ah, now that you mention it— Wait a second! Wasn’t there a rumor that Rion-chan was going to marry someone when she graduated?! It felt like that should be spoken of in public, so none of us asked Rion herself, but maybe...”
“Rion-chan’s big brother, the Rank S adventurer Kelvin, gets along so well with Edgar-kun. And the timing of their disappearances can’t have been a coincidence. Then, there’s this mysterious rumor of marriage after graduation... Could this be?!”
“N-No way, but...”
“No, I’m sure of it! The mystery is solved!”
Uh, yeah, I can hear you. And you’re just reading too far into it. It’s a total misunderstanding. True, timing-wise it fits together, but... Ah, I see. Charles is thinking the same thing too, huh? He thinks of Edgar as a rival, I guess? Which is why he’s pushed in so close to Edgar. Charles wants to ask if he’s going to marry Rion and we’re already basically family.
“Gyaaahhh!” The girls squealed.
“I’m the one who wants to scream!” Charles shouted.
“Um, what is going on?” Edgar asked, confused.
“Hey, don’t get any closer to Edgar-sama! Gah! You help too, Perona!” Axe shouted. “I don’t know why, but this guy’s more powerful than usual!”
“No, I’m seriously scared by his face, so I’ll let you handle it, Axe,” said Perona.
“Hey!” Axe responded.
The girls who obviously loved this kind of talk squealed while Charles let out a scream from his soul. He was so desperate that Edgar’s bodyguards were getting creeped out even while having to deal with him. Meanwhile, Edgar himself seemed to have forgotten his public persona. It seemed he finally understood the misunderstanding that was going around, and he kept shooting me apologetic looks.
Okay. I’m starting to feel sorry for him, so I guess Rion and I will have to clear this up. You’ve been through a lot, Edgar.