Tisdil carried me on her back and sent me back to my companions.
I thanked Tisdil and parted ways with her. Then, as I approached the village, the escorts immediately came up to me.
“Hey! He’s back! Are you okay?!”
The villagers gathered around me.
“Oh, he’s back.”
“I can’t believe he came back alive, that’s amazing.”
They kept saying it was amazing, but it wasn’t my doing. I spotted my companions in the crowd.
“Arisugawa, how did you get back?”
“Hiro-san, ah, thank goodness. We were just discussing going to save you.”
Philiana pushed past the large Hunter Harpy and charged at me. She embraced me tightly with her ample chest.
“Hiro! I’m sorry Piyo couldn’t help you.”
“Hiroaki-san! I thought the Vampire had eaten you!”
My vision went dark as both my arms were pulled forcefully. Were those Piyo and Pauline’s voices? Wait, I’m going to suffocate like this. Just as I thought that, my hair was yanked.
“Hiroaki, why did you go out on your own?!”
“Now, now, Nina-san, he didn’t go out on his own.”
“I know, but it just makes me angry.”
H-he’s pulling so hard that my neck is being choked. It hurts, my hair is coming out. Karubene was smirking beside me.
“Heh heh, Brother, you’re popular. A man who slept with a Vampire too.”
“I-I didn’t sleep with them…”
“Then why are you only wearing a piece of cloth?”
Ah, I forgot. That’s right, I was left wearing only a piece of cloth because my clothes were taken away.
“I suppose it’s because my clothes were taken.”
“Who took them?! The Vampire?”
Nina kept pulling my hair.
“It hurts, it hurts, wait! I was helped partway. Let me change into some clothes first.”
“That’s right, Nina-san, it would be a shame if Hiro-san lost all his hair.”
Philiana’s words finally made Nina let go.
“And I’d appreciate it if Philiana let me down too.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I got too excited.”
Just as I thought I had my feet back on the ground, Piyo hugged me. Still, it was good to be reunited with my companions like this. I was worried about the Werewolf Rune, who let me escape, but for now, I had to focus on getting away from here. I didn’t know when they might attack again.
When I returned to my room, the remaining members were waiting. Cecilia, who had been polishing her sword, turned to me.
“What, you came back on your own.”
“Truly, I was surprised. I thought something happened since it got so noisy. It was you.”
Elana also got down from the sofa. Lauren, who had been in the back of the room, noticed my presence and ran over.
“A-A-Hiroaki-san, y-you’re okay. R-really? You’re really here, h-how did you get back?”
She grabbed my shoulders and shook me back and forth. Snapping back to reality, she finally let go.
“Ah! I’m sorry, b-but, I’m glad. I thought you were d-dead.”
“I caused you worry. I’m not completely fine, though.”
“Y-you’re injured! This is bad, I need to treat it!”
Lauren tugged at the cloth I was wearing.
“Ah, Nnnngh—!!”
She spread the cloth out in front of her, yelling. I couldn’t resolve anything if she didn’t give it back. Cecilia turned away, looking bored. Elana, unable to bear it, came over to my feet with a half-smile.
“Oh my, were you naked? These scars… they aren’t from a Vampire. It looks like you were attacked by some large beast.”
“They kept Werewolves.”
“I see, so escaping was quite a struggle. You left your sword behind, but how did you get here?”
I wanted to put on clothes even faster. My usual cloak was placed on the sofa. For now, I’d wrap myself in that. Just then, the members who had been outside returned.
“You’re still naked? Hurry up and get dressed.”
“It would be terrible if you caught a cold. Here you go.”
I took the clothes from Philiana and changed in another room. Finally, I returned to my usual self.
“Now that you’re changed, tell us how you escaped.”
Elana’s eyes were unusually bright. The Sphinxes must have a fondness for interesting stories. I told everyone what had happened up to that point. Of course, I omitted the part about taking a bath, and I also didn’t mention the dancing.
Sharin nodded solemnly at my story.
“I see, so that Rune fellow helped you. And then you were attacked again partway.”
“That’s right. I actually want to go help him, but I think I should leave this place as soon as possible.”
“Yes, then let’s prepare quickly.”
At Elana’s words, everyone began to get ready to depart. We needed to get out of their territory as quickly as possible.
