-Delamis’ Tavern-
Bakke shuffled closer to me. Her friendly expression had morphed into that of a ‘female panther,’ radiating a primal aura that felt dangerously devoid of reason. What was this? Was she going to fight me? …No, the situation felt a bit different. While I welcomed a battle, I wanted to avoid this kind since the meaning was entirely different. Besides, wasn’t that cheating?
“Bakke-san, no more roughhousing. I won’t allow it.”
“Oh? So you’re Kelvin’s woman? My apologies then. Farnis’ women are always so quick to step in.”
Ange stepped between Bakke and me, and the wild glint in Bakke’s eyes vanished. She backed down surprisingly easily, and Ange, in turn, began to emit the killing aura she’d possessed in her assassin days.
“Don’t get so angry. You’ll ruin that pretty face of yours.”
“I’d prefer you not say things like that, even as a joke. If you keep adding rivals, I won’t be able to handle it.”
“Oh? What’s this, Kelvin? You’re quite the man. They say ‘Heroes like beautiful women,’ but do you really need this many?”
Bakke had returned to her usual demeanor, smirking as she started wagging her little finger. I knew this pattern. It was the troublesome “drunk guy hitting on you” scenario.
“No, well, not that…”
“Kelvin-kun?”
“…About, six.”
I was supposed to be asking about the Dragon King’s whereabouts. Why was I now in a situation where I was revealing such personal details so frankly?
“Hah, six-timing, huh! Wow, I was quite the lady’s man in my youth too, but never to that extent. You’re going to have a hard time, you know?”
“Please don’t say it like that. I’m serious about all of them.”
“Isn’t that the standard line for a cas? I’ve seen plenty of handsome men like you get stabbed in the back because of it. Conversely, if you have six girls of this caliber, couldn’t you be attacked by men out of spite?”
Bakke was staring off into the distance, which was a little unsettling. I-I’ll be fine, right? The more I thought that, the more I felt like this line of thinking was that of a terrible man. I was spiraling into the negative. Calm down. Being challenged to a fight was even welcome. The only thing I feared was being attacked late at night by Pritia or Glostina. Okay, the thought of it cooled me down immediately. Too much, actually; I felt like I was going to puke.
“Bakke-san, tormenting Kelvin is also not allowed. I won’t permit that either?”
“Ooh, scary. That’s a level of killing intent that’s no joke, Ange. I heard Kelvin’s party members are all S-Rank Adventurer level in terms of skill, and it seems to be true. Wow, I’m just constantly amazed.”
Bakke laughed heartily, unfazed by Ange’s killing intent. Should I get back to the main topic soon? If this drags on any longer, I felt like it might escalate further.
“So, about the Dragon King—”
“So, Ange, how far have you and Kelvin gone? That killing intent directed at me is real, which means that’s how deep Ange’s love runs! You haven’t just slept together once or twice, have you?”
Wh-what!?
“Uh, well, that…”
“Hmm? What’s with that naive reaction? Don’t tell me nothing has happened yet?”
“I-it’s not that nothing has happened! We’ve kissed, just once…”
“……Haaah!?”
In stark contrast to Ange’s suddenly hesitant response, Bakke let out a ridiculously loud cry of surprise. Instinctively, I covered my ears and deployed a barrier around the surroundings. Phew, just made it in time, shopkeeper.
“No, wait, wait, wait. That’s just not right, is it? Just one kiss, are you two even dating? This isn’t a child’s make-believe game!”
“Th-that is…”
This was bad; Ange was being completely cornered.
“Ah, well, Bakke. Ange has some special circumstances, and we’re trying to get used to each other slowly, hence…”
“Be quiet, Kelvin! I’m having a heart-to-heart with Ange right now! Ladies only, Ange, over to the corner of the room!”
“Eh, eh!?”
Ange was taken away by Bakke, and a discussion began in the corner of the room between a table and chairs. Left out, I could only stand there dumbfounded. However, at this rate, it was going to take a while…
“…Shopkeeper, give me something cold, non-alcoholic.”
“Y-yes, please wait a moment.”
“Ah, wait a minute. I’ll pay in advance.”
Sitting at the partially damaged counter, I handed a bag of gold to the shopkeeper.
“Wh-what!? D-d-dear sir, I can’t possibly accept such a large sum!”
“The excess is for the cost of the damaged store fixtures, and please use it for the drinks of those passed out nearby. It’s like I’m renting the whole place anyway.”
The shopkeeper here must be a good person. Nevertheless, he repeatedly tried to return the money, saying it was too much. It’s fine, it’s fine. I have no idea how those two will proceed from here. I want to avoid the worst-case scenario somehow, but if the entire store is destroyed, I’m truly sorry.
***
“—So, about what you said earlier, is it true? Just one kiss, really just that?”
While Kelvin waited at the counter, Ange was talking with Bakke in the corner of the room.
“W-we’ve held hands and hugged recently, but…”
“Hah, you’re seriously ill. Listen, Ange. This is the same level as the make-believe games my daughters play when they’re trying to get something. Kelvin has six partners, right? In such a fiercely competitive zone, why are you proceeding so leisurely! You’re supposed to be incredibly fast!”
That’s a different matter, Ange thought, but she couldn’t voice it under Bakke’s pressure.
“I won’t ask for reasons; the past doesn’t matter. Ange, you want Kelvin, don’t you? You don’t want to lose him to other women, do you? Love is like hunting. If you don’t hunt yourself, someone else will get there first. The world won’t consider your circumstances.”
“But Efil is my good friend, and I don’t think it’s right to be possessive… While the number of people might be large, everyone has agreed to it…”
“Y-your good friend too? Kelvin truly lives up to his reputation… Well, even so, that’s fine. Sharing based on trust is acceptable. But aren’t those friends of yours a step ahead of you? Even so, is it okay for you to be stumbling here?”
“Th-that… B-but, now is not the time for that…”
“Oh, now is not the time? Then the other girls aren’t doing anything either?”
“Th-that—”
Ange couldn’t finish her sentence. The scene from just a moment ago flashed through her mind.
(Come to think of it, when Kelvin came out of Colette-san’s room earlier, he looked awfully tired… Huh! C-could it be, he was just in the room!? )
Thus, persuaded by Bakke, Ange hardened her resolve.
