*Interlude*

At the Liasr Guild's room in the morning, Stephanie the orc guild master can be seen talking to someone through Tele-Stone.

"My fault... huh..."

Stephanie says that with a slightly dejected. Then a voice of another adult man can be heard from the Tele-Stone.

"That's right. The reason why the culprit can just distribute the Sweet World easily in your town is because of the incompetence of your guards."

Stephanie immediately replies to that statement.

"Yes, I know."

But the other man just keeps talking as if he never acknowledge Stephanie's immediate reply.

"You hire the adventures to guard the town's entrance, right? Make sure to hire the capable ones next time."

"Yes."

Stephanie says that with a monotonous tone as if this kind of one-sided conversation is the usual routine between Stephanie and the other person.

"So back to what you were saying before about the Sweet World liquid that disappear once the container broke... Who are the witnesses?"

"Ean the daughter of the deceased goblin village's chief and Miika the former slave human boy."

"I heard about them before... but they are just kids."

"I spoke to them separately and I think that it is very unlikely that they see it wrongly considering that both of their testimonies are similar."

"... Fine. I'll take it into consideration for now. It is indeed baffling that our investigation about that Sweet World only leads to that empty bottles all the time. I'll speak about it with the investigation team."

"Please do."

Just as Stephanie thought that the conversation would be over, the other man extends the conversation.

"Speaking about kids, did you find out anything about that Shion human girl?"

"N- no, but she has alibi during the culprit's contact with Panthos Genuma."

"An advanced enough magic can easily create an alibi or two. And there is a possibility that she cooperate with the culprit. She is the only person in your town with a completely unknown origin. You should be suspicious of her the most."

"..."

Stephanie wants to say something but he knows that the other man's speculation is plausible considering Shion's capability.

"... Fine. I'll send some people from here to assist you. So whatever you do, never let that human girl move out from your town. Call me again if you have any new info."

"Understood, big brother."

After Stephanie says that, the other man closes the call.

"..."

The Guild Master looks at the window after putting the Tele-Stone inside a small leather bag with a name "Big Brother" written on it. Then he puts the small bag on the table and then remembers his conversation with Shion during the After Raid Party.

(It is still a fact that she is capable of killing people. I can't really defend her from suspicion even if she's a kid. But...)

Stephanie remembers Shion's face while asking about whether it is alright for her to only get Raid Battle participation as punishment. That question alone does not prove her innocence, however...

(I really hope that my suspicion is wrong this time.)

Stephanie thinks that as he starts taking out his share of paperwork from the desk.

.....

....

...

Griselda the rabbit-type beastman currenly stands in a realm of pitch-black darkness.

"...?"

She didn't remember how she gets into her current situation. Thus, she tries to observe her surroundings. She is still wearing her usual outfit of black robe and black witch hat.

Then she notices Ean and other goblin kids looking at her while standing few metres away.

"Ean...?"

Griselda says that when she notices that Ean and other goblin kids are looking at her with scared face.

When she wants to walk towards them, her right foot stumbles upon something so she looks down to see what her foot stumbles upon.

"!?"

Griselda just realizes that many goblin corpses are scattered on her surrounding. She immediately recognizes the corpses as the goblins she killed many years ago when she joined the 'Anti-Goblin Alliance'.

"T- that's not it! These goblins were a threat back then! That's why I- !?"

Before Griselda can finish her sentence, she realizes that the goblin kids who are watching her suddenly change into the goblin boy holding the corpse of a goblin girl.

The goblin boy suddenly talks.

"Why would you do that to us?"

Griselda feels intimidated by that boy but still reply to his question.

"... because you guys attacked my friends and messed up their lives..."

"I don't remember ever attacking your friends."

The goblin boy says that while tighten his grip which is holding the goblin girl.

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"It's not you... but people from your kind attacked us..."

"So you guys attacked us for crimes that those goblins did? DON'T SCREW WITH ME."

The goblin's boy anger tone becomes a lot deeper. Fear suddenly crawls its way towards Griselda's mind as she looks at the goblin boy's hateful gaze.

"You... All of you... I SHALL NEVER FORGIVE ALL OF YOU!!!"

That last shout wakes Griselda up from her nightmare.

It is currently in the morning. Griselda opens her eyes in shock only to see the ceiling of her room.

"Pant... Pant..."

After panting few times, Griselda touches her head with her right palm.

(A dream...)

Right after she thinks that, she puts aside her white blanket and gets up from her bed revealing her purple-coloured pajamas.

(And here I thought I finally get to stop dreaming about that boy long ago...)

Griselda then stands up from the bed and proceeds to go to the well outside of her magic store.

She picks up a bucket of water from the well and uses it to wash her face.

(I killed so many goblins but I used to believe that it is a necessary action to prevent more victims. But after looking at that boy, I suddenly have a feeling that my actions back then gave birth to something very ugly...)

Griselda then stops washing her face and look her reflection on the pool of water in the bucket but the droplets of water from her face falls to the pool making her reflection blurry.

(I just get that feeling... because the hatred which that goblin boy shows is the same as...)

The droplets of water from Griselda's face stops falling to the bucket. As a result, Griselda can see her reflection clearly on the pool of water in front of her face including her torn ear.

*End of Interlude*

_________________________________________

The next day after I spent the entire night resting due to my fever, Miika buy another corn soup so I end up eating breakfast in the inn.

I don't feel feverish anymore but Miika insists that I should take it easy today. Well, I know that I should force myself to work right after recovery even without him telling me. So I decide to not take any quest today even if it's already two consecutive days of not taking quests.

Thankfully, I still have some money reserve to get by for at least 1 week.

Thus, I decide to go out and eat lunch outside. Miika and I wear our usual outfit but without the adventurer's armor.

While walking outside, we suddenly meet Ean the goblin girl and Griselda right outside of our usual restaurant.

"Good morning, you two."

Griselda greets us first with a smile.

"Good morning."

I immediately reply.

Usually at this timing, Miika would also mimic me in replying the greeting back. But he looks awkwardly at Ean for some reason.

"U- um..."

Miika tries to talk but Ean cut him off.

"I'M REALLY SORRY!"

Ean says that while bowing in front of Miika.

"Eh!? E- Ean!?"

Miika looks troubled by Ean's sudden apology. Well, me too. Especially if she suddenly bows near the entrance of the restaurant.

"Ean, we're blocking people's way here."

Griselda says that while looking at Ean.

"Ah... y- yes..."

Ean realizes where she is standing and backs away.

Griselda then starts talking to us.

"Are you guys going for lunch here too?"

"Yes."

I immediately reply. Well, I eat here almost every day anyway.

"Then let's eat together."

Griselda says that with a smile.

After hearing that, Ean tries to open the door towards the restautant to let us in.

*bump!*

But Ean suddenly bumps to someone who just goes out from the restaurant.

"Oof! S- soRRY!?"

Ean's tone of apology becomes more intense the moment she knows that the person she just bumped is Veylene who is carrying a big bag on her back.

But Veylene does not even notice Ean and continue walking towards the town's gate.

"She's really arrogant as usual..."

Antarea the dark elf blacksmith suddenly approaches Miika and me from behind and says that.

"Oh, Antarea. Going here for lunch too?"

Griselda is the first one who greets Antarea who is looking at Veylene.

.....

....

...

The five of us decide to eat on the same table.

Right after we sit, Ean explains to us why she apologized to Miika.

Apparently Miika stopped her from using Sweet World which she received from a mysterious one-eyed goblin which is not from Ean's group.

"It's fine. I don't mind as long as Ean is okay."

Miika says that to stop Ean from apologizing again.

"Miika..."

Ean clearly looks guilty while saying Miika's name.

"Next time, don't just accept things from strangers okay? Even if that person is the same race as yours."

Antarea says that while looking at Ean.

"Yes. The Guild Master said the same thing before. I'll be more careful next time!"

Ean replies with confidence this time. It seems like she already talked about it with Guild Master before.

But still... the liquid disappear into thin air huh... this Sweet World sounds like a volatile liquid. But I won't be sure until I see it myself.

"Now let's eat lunch. I'll watch over the table. You guys order what you want to eat."

Antarea says that signalling us to order our food first.

"Then..."

Ean is the first one who stands up and then followed by Miika.

"Shion, what shall we order?"

Miika asks that waiting for my instruction.

"I'll decide later. Today you can just order what you want."

I take out 1 silver coin and place it on Miika's hand.

"Order what I want...?"

Miika says that while looking confused when his right hand is holding 1 silver coin.

"You dislike eating meat right? I guess eating the things you dislike everyday is also unhealthy in its own way. That's why just order your favourite food today. Or are you going to tell me that you don't know any food that you like?"

"Eh, no. I know the food that I like..."

"Then just order that for now. I'm still thinking about what to order."

I say that while looking at Miika. Thank goodness this guy at least know his favourite food.

"What about you Griselda? Will you order now?"

Ean asks that question while looking at Griselda. But it seems that Griselda is thinking about something that she didn't hear Ean's question.

"Griselda?"

"!? Y- yes? What is it?"

Griselda finally hears Ean's question and respond to her.

"Will you order now? Or are you still thinking about what to order?"

"Ah, right. I'll order now. Let's go."

Griselda suddenly stands up and walk away with Miika and Ean following her.

Now there are only Antarea and me on the table.

Antarea then talks to me without hesitation.

"At any rate, it's good that you already recover from your fever."

"Ah, yes. Thank you for your help yesterday."

"Don't mind it."

After Antarea says that, we become silent for few seconds. It's as if Antarea is waiting for me to talk to her about something.

".. about the things you said yesterday."

This time, I'm the one who starts the conversation first.

"Hm?"

Antarea says that and wait for me to continue.

I choose my words carefully while remembering about what Antarea said yesterday.

I... won't apologize about the fact that I killed Panthos. It's the most natural action for me considering that he went berserk and almost kill both Miika and me. And I definitely won't feel better even if I apologize to Antarea about it.

Instead of that, the thing that I wanted to talk about is...

"You said that you wanted me to test a weapon. Is today okay?"

I say that towards Antarea. If I can't go to quest today, at least I'll make this day productive by helping Antarea instead.

"Ah, it's ok. Feel free to come today before evening."

"What kind of weapon that you wanted me to test?"

"Well, you see..."

We talk about the test weapon until Griselda, Ean and Miika come back.

Griselda's plate is filled with grilled meat and some raw carrots. Griselda is also carrying a glass of carrot juice.

Ean's plate is filled with grilled fish. She is also carrying a glass of milk.

But Antarea and I notice Griselda and Ean's awkward faces. Antarea decides to ask what happened.

"? What's wrong?"

"Well..."

Ean replies but decides to look at Miika's plate instead of replying further with words.

On Miika's plate... there is only one hard rye bread. He is also carrying a glass of water.

I was pretty sure that he can afford more than that with 1 silver coin...

"Shion, here's the change."

Miika puts his plate and glass. Then he says that while handing over 8 bronze coins.

"You... are you okay with only eating that?"

"? Isn't Shion the one who tell me to buy my favourite food?"

"So you're saying that your favourite food is just a plain bread?"

After hearing my question, Miika looks at his plate before continue talking.

"Back when I was working with Mas- I meant, Panthos. I used to get this hard bread for meal all the time. It was kinda hard to eat but with water, the bread soften and became really tasty. That's why I like eating hard bread with water."

"... I see. I see."

Antarea says with a smile that before grabbing Miika's left shoulder.

"Then let's order other food for you, shall we?"

Antarea softly tries to drag Miika away from the table while saying that.

"Eh? But I already order..."

Miika replies with confused look.

"Your stomach won't be filled if you only eat this much. Let's just order more things for you to eat, shall we?"

I say that as I stand up and grab Miika's right shoulder to slowly push him away from the table.

"Eh, but... ehhh...?"

Miika looks even more confused when both Antarea and I drag him away from the table.