It’s Convenient That Danna-Sama Isn’t Interested in Me. I’ll Make a Name for Myself as an Adventurer! – Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Case Closed
ㅤ”Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-What are you doing!!?”
ㅤ
ㅤReid and Milia came running from the entrance of the barracks’ training ground. Reid’s face was pale. It seems he was searching for me, worried something had happened since he couldn’t sense my presence nearby.
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ㅤ”That soldier-san over there told us that Tempest was doing something.”
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ㅤOh my. I’ve caused the territorial soldiers to worry as well. And they even brought along my familiar adventurer companions.
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ㅤ”I’m not injured, and I haven’t injured anyone.”
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ㅤI might be covered in mud, but that’s alright, isn’t it?
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ㅤMariela remained slumped over. Her expression was hidden. Is she in shock from losing, or is she unable to accept that the companions she trusted actually harbored aggressive feelings towards her? Well, since I used ‘Brainwashing’ magic instead of ‘Hypnosis’ this time, she might not actually need to be shocked.
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ㅤ’But you know~ the feelings humans have towards others aren’t singular~’
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ㅤEven I, while personally angry at Danna-sama, simultaneously respect his diligent efforts as a lord. It’s possible to have multiple feelings towards someone. I don’t actually know what Oliver and Gust truly feel. Or rather, personally, I think it’s quite possible they harbor romantic feelings. There’s a saying, “The more adorable, the more hateful,” and you never know when the color of emotions might change.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Ah…… huh?”
ㅤ”……Did we lose……?”
ㅤ
ㅤOliver and Gust, who had been standing blankly with vacant eyes, finally woke up. Hypnosis magic leaves no memory of the events that transpired while under its influence. At most, it leaves a feeling similar to having seen a dream. And even that gradually fades away.
ㅤIn the case of Brainwashing magic, the degree of post-event memory can be adjusted through the brainwashing, so of course, this time, I left no memory whatsoever.
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ㅤ”You two…… Tempest-san used her Hypnosis magic on you…… and took my hair ornament.”
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ㅤMariela spoke flatly, without looking up.
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ㅤ”……!?”
ㅤThe two were speechless and turned pale, then simultaneously slumped their shoulders.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……”
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ㅤA silent, funeral-like atmosphere descended. It’s only natural. They had shown hostility towards Mariela, whom they had cherished until now, due to ‘Hypnosis’. The future of their party would likely change.
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ㅤ’Or rather, the fact that they aren’t denying it means they were aware of those feelings, huh?’
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ㅤI can’t imagine anyone being so composed as to remain calm seeing the girl they like smitten with another man.
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ㅤMilia was quietly observing the situation, while Reid was restlessly looking around. He looked here and there, desperately trying to grasp the situation. Reid, who should have been the main character in this event, was now completely out of the loop.
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ㅤSighing deeply, I decided to put an end to this awkward atmosphere.
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ㅤ”As promised, I’ll have you listen to me.”
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ㅤMariela’s body twitched slightly. It seems she remembered the promise.
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ㅤ”The next time there’s an escort request, accept it and leave town. That way, you can preserve some of your pride, right?”
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ㅤShe probably wouldn’t want to say she left town because she lost a bet to me. Or rather, since it’s a promise, I’ll have her do so regardless!
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ㅤ”……Alright.”
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ㅤWithout even glancing at Reid, she walked out of the barracks. Oliver and Gust hurriedly followed after her.
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ㅤ”Wh-What happened……?”
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ㅤReid watched the three leave, his mouth agape.
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ㅤ”It seems you might have to give up Reid’s reward to Tempest.”
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ㅤMilia seemed to understand that the situation had unfolded unexpectedly. It appeared the storm had passed.
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◇◇◇
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ㅤThe day after the adventurers caused a commotion at the barracks, a request arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild. It was a noble’s escort request, and the adventurer party was specifically named.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Yes! An escort request from a noble!”
ㅤ”A direct request, huh~ We’ve finally made it!”
ㅤ”……The timing is too good to be true.”
ㅤ
ㅤThe noble’s name was kept secret. This wasn’t particularly unusual, so the adventurers didn’t mind. They were more preoccupied with the fact that the reward would be substantial.
ㅤOnly Gust was suspicious. This request coming right after yesterday’s incident…… something felt off. However, hoping it would be an opportunity for the party, which had been silent as the grave, to recover, he didn’t probe any further.
ㅤ
ㅤOliver, Gust, and Mariela had been acting as usual without discussing the incident in depth. They had no other choice.
ㅤOliver and Gust’s feelings were already known. And Mariela’s falling in and out of love wasn’t unusual for them.
ㅤUsually, once the person Mariela fell for reciprocated her feelings, she would be satisfied and lose interest. Unfortunately, she had no luck with nobles or the wealthy, and they knew that a small spark like this wouldn’t be enough to attract the attention of someone with the status Mariela desired.
ㅤThat’s why they were waiting, hoping that someday, when she realized this, she would choose one of them.
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ㅤ”The promise…… are you going to keep it?”
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ㅤGust asked his companions, seeking confirmation. If they were to listen to Tempest, they would be leaving this town.
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ㅤ”I hate this town.”
ㅤ”Well, then it can’t be helped!”
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ㅤOliver wanted to believe that they were leaving town of their own volition, Mariela’s will…… not because they were listening to Tempest. It was because they had lost the bet so easily. Literally, using themselves.
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ㅤNone of the three had mentioned Tempest since then.
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ㅤAnd yet……
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ㅤ”Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-What!?”
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ㅤOliver, Gust, and Mariela were dumbfounded, their jaws dropped and their eyes nearly popping out.
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ㅤ”Everyone, thank you for accepting the request today.”
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ㅤTempest, adorned ostentatiously with a sparkling dress and chunky jewels, stood at the designated carriage stop on the outskirts of town. She emerged from an equally lavish carriage.
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ㅤ’This is it, this is it~!!! This is the best~!!!’
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ㅤTempest thought, suppressing her urge to burst into laughter, while maintaining her noble act. When she explained the situation to her maid, Ellis, and revealed the full extent of her plan,
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ㅤ’That’s not a very respectable hobby. Allow me to take your place.’
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ㅤShe was sharply reprimanded.
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ㅤ’Even I have accumulated some stress! Allow me this much entertainment!’
ㅤ
ㅤShe knew it wasn’t praiseworthy. But she carried out the plan as a way to relieve stress. She was starting to enjoy seeing people’s surprised expressions.
ㅤAnd so, Tempest decided to personally send the problematic party out of Blood Territory.
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ㅤ’It was tough on Ellis, having to dress up in a dress and jewelry…… but this might actually be good for increasing my attack power.’
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ㅤNow, no matter how you looked at it, she looked like a noble, not an adventurer.
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ㅤ”Now, now! Why are you so surprised?”
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ㅤMeanwhile, Mariela and the others were in complete disarray.
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ㅤ’No way, no way, no way, no way, no way!!! I mean, that woman…… there were rumors that she might be the illegitimate child of a noble or merchant…… but there’s no way a real, wealthy noble would be working as an adventurer!!!’
ㅤ
ㅤAll three of them thought the same thing.
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ㅤSeeing Tempest continuing her blatant act, the three started to wonder if they had made a mistake. Could the black-haired noble in front of them be someone else who just resembled the Tempest who covered them in mud yesterday? It was such an unbelievable sight.
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ㅤ”Shall we depart soon? Come on everyone, get in! I’m so eager to hear your stories! Oh. The escort? Don’t worry. I have capable soldiers with me.”
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ㅤWhere the three glanced, they saw the gatekeeper from the barracks they had seen yesterday. He glared at them, and they quickly averted their eyes.
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ㅤ’What? What’s going on? Why is a gatekeeper from Blood Territory escorting a noble?’
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ㅤThis thought simultaneously crossed the minds of the three.
ㅤUrged on, the three sat down on the soft chairs inside the luxurious carriage, and the door was closed from the outside.
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ㅤ”Everyone, it’s been a while since yesterday. I am Tempest Blood, the Duchess of Blood.”
ㅤ”Gasp!”
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ㅤContrary to her polite tone, Tempest crossed her arms and legs, leaning back. Her eyes weren’t smiling at all.
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ㅤ”Thank you so much for messing with my precious, precious Blood Territory’s Adventurer Town! As a token of my gratitude, the Duchess herself will see you out of the territory!!!”
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ㅤ’No way…… no way it’s true!’
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ㅤMariela felt a sense of despair.
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ㅤWhen the three were inquiring about Tempest, they had heard the story that she claimed to be the ‘Duchess of Blood’. But it was such a preposterous story that they hadn’t believed it in the slightest.
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ㅤThey had picked a fight with the prestigious Duke’s family. What kind of punishment would they receive…… Mariela started trembling. Seeing this, Oliver and Gust began pleading with Tempest.
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ㅤ”I-I’m the one to blame…… I didn’t stop her!”
ㅤ”No, it’s me!!!”
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ㅤHowever, they immediately fell silent after hearing Tempest’s displeased “Huh?”
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ㅤ’What!? You’re too scared!’
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ㅤTempest had completely forgotten. Until now, she had only revealed her true identity to her husband and Princess Christina. There was no need for her previous opponents to tremble before her status. Although, some of the territorial soldiers who messed up in Neville before were still trembling, fearing punishment……
ㅤ
ㅤ”W-W-W-W-W-We are so sorry……!”
ㅤ”Please forgive us, please forgive us!”
ㅤ”We’ll do anything……!”
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ㅤSeeing the three adventurers bowing their heads deeply, almost prostrating themselves, and clasping their hands in prayer, Tempest finally realized.
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ㅤ’Eeeeeeeeeeeeh!!?’
ㅤShe was in a panic internally, while trying to remain calm on the outside.
ㅤShe finally understood why Ellis had called it a bad taste. She had become so accustomed to life as an adventurer that she had completely forgotten what it meant to be a noble.
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ㅤ”Hey! L-Lift your heads!”
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ㅤFlustered, she ended up using words not commonly used in this world.
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ㅤ”I’m not going to punish you just because you messed with the Duchess! You were working as adventurers. I’m just sending you to another town as promised!!!”
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ㅤShe wondered why she was desperately trying to justify herself, but her common sense kicked in, telling her this was going too far. It was as if a corrupt noble was abusing commoner adventurers with the power of her position.
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ㅤ”Huh?”
ㅤ
ㅤOliver and the others still had expressions of disbelief at Tempest’s unexpected words.
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ㅤ”……By ‘out of the territory’…… do you mean the other world?”
ㅤ”You’re jumping to conclusions! You have quite the imagination!?”
ㅤThere were various types of nobles, but those like Tempest were rare. They hadn’t imagined that they would be forgiven so easily after making a blunder.
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ㅤ”Listen. There are all kinds of adventurers. There might be others like me who are active nobles…… and in the first place! You shouldn’t be messing with people’s relationships!?”
ㅤ”……Yes.”
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ㅤMariela was still pale, but she obediently listened.
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ㅤ”You’re banned from our territory. From now on, be more decent adventurers elsewhere! Next time, you’ll really be on a carriage to the other world! Got it!?”
ㅤ”Y-Yes, sir!”
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ㅤSeeing the three so utterly submissive, Tempest’s desire to punish them for disrupting Blood Territory’s Adventurer Town dwindled. They seemed to have learned their lesson. They had shrunk pathetically.
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ㅤ”And with that, the case is closed!”
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ㅤShe shouted in exasperation.
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ㅤIn the end, they quit being adventurers and returned to their village. Mariela didn’t fall in love with either Oliver or Gust, and instead, she ended up marrying the village chief’s son.