My name is Shinjir, a self-proclaimed handsome adventurer. Towards me, who called him a handsome man at first glance, who would this man with such discerning taste be? When we, having reached a dead end in the dungeon, turned back, they were mysteriously already there. A young man in a black robe, a cute lady, and also a cute dog, no, maybe a wolf? In any case, they were there. However, this is strange. Just a moment ago, there was no one behind us. A considerate leader shows interest not only in their party but also in their surroundings. As usual, I gracefully surveyed my surroundings, marveled at myself, admired my companions, and took care of them. And yet, until that man in the black robe called out to me, I couldn’t notice their presence at all. Hmm, this is an abnormal situation. To think that I, the noble and beautiful top three pub adventurers, would overlook their existence, their skills must be tremendous. I wonder who they really are? The wind is whistling and lightning is crackling at their feet, and they are a little intimidating. Well then, first, the ladies should stand behind—
“—Oh? Isn’t that Kelvin, the ‘Grim Reaper’? And next to him is his sister, Rion, the ‘Black Meteor’, and Alex, whom he has contracted through summoning magic?”
“Do you know them, Lady Respect?”
“It’s not that I know them, but you yourself saw Kelvin Celsius directly at the guild the other day, didn’t you, Shinjir?”
“Eh?”
“…(Nod, nod)”
“Lady Ice is also nodding vigorously!? B-but, I, a young man with such wonderful aesthetic sense, shouldn’t forget…!”
I stare at the young man in the black robe anew. Hmm? Wait a minute, I do remember seeing him at headquarters— Ahh!?
“Eh, S-Rank Adventurer Kelvin Celsius!?”
“You remember? For it to be a man, you were quick this time.”
“…(Nod, nod)”
I have confidence in my memory to take a woman I’ve seen once to the grave, but when it comes to men, I’m surprisingly forgetful, even to myself. The fact that I instantly remembered him is no exaggeration. However, however! This is humiliation…! To think that I, of all people, would mistake the one I most despise in the world for someone with good judgment…!
“Do you know me? Then it’ll be quick… —ah, I thought I recognized you, you’re the one I saw at Guild Headquarters.”
“…Ah, I know you. Since you remember me, you should also remember what I said that time. I do not recognize you as an S-Rank Adventurer. No matter what the general public says, I cannot recognize you.”
“Huh? Uhm… What’s with the sudden outburst? Well, I do remember you don’t have good feelings towards me, but you have no right to complain that much, do you?”
“If you don’t, I do.”
“What do you have? Did I do something to you?”
It seems Kelvin doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation. Hmph, that’s to be expected. Everyone I’ve met so far has been unaware. Then I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you why I hate you and why I’m showering you with curses that I wouldn’t normally utter!
“No matter how skilled you are, an adventurer who controls slaves is the lowest of the low, no, even lower than that! I absolutely do not trust those who forcibly put collars on slaves and make them obey through force! You might not be here now, but I definitely saw you at Guild Headquarters! You were parading around with distressed beautiful slave girls, reveling in it as if to show them off to other adventurers!”
*Snap!* I pointed at Kelvin as if I could hear the sound of the air being cut. Yes, because I was once a slave, I can understand their feelings more than anyone else.
“…”
Perhaps taken aback by my accurate accusation, Kelvin made a rather foolish expression. That’s understandable. According to my research, Kelvin is the only one among the S-Rank adventurers who deals with slaves. It’s clear that he’s that wicked and a womanizer that everyone acknowledges! As a proud adventurer, and as someone who will become an S-Rank in the future, I cannot overlook the misdeeds of my colleagues. Because I am a handsome man who walks the righteous path!
“Uhm, are you talking about Older Sister Efil and Older Sister Ange?”
“Oh, this feeling is nostalgic. It reminds me of when I met Touya and the others. It’s really nostalgic.”
“Really, Older Kel~. It’s not the time to be nostalgic~.”
“Grrr…!”
Wh-what? This is strange, this is strange? Even though I made a declaration that could be considered a challenge, for some reason, Kelvin and the ladies accompanying him have a cordial atmosphere. Only one of them, the pet wolf, is growling at me… What’s with this discrepancy?
“Ah, um, Alex seems to want to say that you shouldn’t point at people.”
“Woof!”
“Ah, excuse me. I’m sorry.”
I see, so that’s why he was angry. I hate what I hate, but I correct wrong actions immediately. That’s me, Shinjir— No, no! I don’t think this is about that at all!?
“Shinjir, Shinjir.”
“Hm? Lady Respect, what is it? I’m a little busy right now, but I will always listen.”
“Well, it’s different. Kelvin does have slaves, but it’s not because he forced them. Well, it might be true that some relationships are like that, but I think it’s all consensual.”
“… (Blushing)”
“Huh?”
After that, Lady Respect, for some reason, opened the Adventurer’s Registry she was carrying and explained the Celsius family to me. She said that Kelvin’s slaves became slaves of their own free will, and rather, Kelvin intends to free them from slavery. She said that because they are in love with each other beyond their positions, I, an outsider, should not complain. However, she argued that their aspirations are admirable, so from now on, let’s direct those aspirations towards people who commit evil deeds, and she lectured me in parallel with her explanation. In short, I just made a huge mistaken assumption.
“B-but, Lady Respect. How do you know such detailed information that isn’t even listed in the Adventurer’s Registry?”
“Hehehe. Well, at my age, I just love hearing about other people’s love stories ♪ Should I call it the Gossip Network of housewives?”
“I-I see…?”
Incidentally, during this time, Kelvin, or rather, Kelvin and his companions, had spread out their lunchboxes (tiered boxes).
“Wow, it looks delicious today too!”
“Efil, I told her not to try too hard, but she went all out again…”
L-lunchboxes!? N-no, that’s not it. This isn’t the time to be surprised. This is the time to apologize!
“Kelvin, I’m so sorry! I, the proud and handsome adventurer Shinjir, have made a terrible misunderstanding! I, a sinful being, from the bottom of my heart—”
“—Hey, you handsome man and your companions over there. It doesn’t matter, but let’s eat together. Let’s start with that.”
…For some reason, I was invited to eat.
