Zeke Stretus is a human being who has become one of the highest-ranking and most skilled adventurers in the King's Capital, and is directly under the guild.
He is a genius who studied under Ronald, a superb warrior, and rose to the top in just a few years.
And Zeke was also my friend.
That's why as soon as I heard his voice, I understood who the masked warrior was and called out to him: ......

'...... Zeke? Who are you talking about? I'm ......... and it's called Sheikh.

...... But for some reason, Zeke was desperately trying to hide his identity.
That Zeke's appearance left me speechless.
There's a lot of things wrong with him.
I know he's trying desperately to change his voice, but to be honest, it hurts my ears as it goes lower and higher.
I can't hide my dismay at the fact that you think you can fool me with that.

''Then you really are safer in King's Landing, so you'd better go to King's Landing than here.

Why?

......... Huh?

...... but Zeke, mistaking the silence for me being convinced, tries to leave the scene.
Why did you think you could have fooled me with that ......
I almost hold my head up at that.
But if this is the case, we're going in circles.
It seems that now Zeke is trying to hide his identity at all costs.
So I decided to use a tangled hand.

'Speaking of which, Zeke,'

I don't go by that name: ......

At those words, Zeke says something, but I ignore it and pile on the words.

''That magic sword is Ronald's, isn't it?''

Huh!

The upset on Zeke's face at my words.

'Maybe you stole it?'

No!

However, Zeke revealed his anger at me with more words.
Zeke is proud to be Ronald's apprentice, and that's why he overreacts to words that taint his pride.

''This was officially given to me by my master! I asked my mentor about it and he said he properly gave it to Zeke: ......... Oh,

...But when Zeke realized his gaffe in the middle of it, he stopped speaking and his face turned pale.
I smiled at Zeke.

'So, what do you have to offer me?

In response to his words, Zeke parroted as if he had given up.
Apparently, he finally stopped trying to talk his way out of it.

...... I had no right to show my face in front of you because I couldn't help you during that incident, so I was going to leave as soon as I was done with it.

Then, when he opened his mouth, Zeke's words came out as if he was regretting something.
...... The way it looked, I instantly knew what Zeke was talking about.

I had once been kicked out of King's Landing while belonging to a prestigious party.
It had happened when I was almost attacked by a party member.
I was able to escape from the party members who attacked me, but the adventurer, who was still rejected by me after the attack, resented me and spread rumors against me to King's Landing.
And then the city became an uncomfortable place for me and I had to leave, which is how I left the city.

...... And at the time of the incident, Zeke, the guild's direct adventurer, was not in King's Landing on business.


I've used my authority to demote the party that tried to attack you from the top tier. But that didn't do you any good, did it? ...... I'm sorry. I was completely oblivious to the danger my friend was in.

I understand Zeke's regret about that by the way he bows his head to me.
However, I was not angry at Zeke in any way.
It is true that I want to punch those guys who kicked me out, but that's about it.

But even if I said that, Zeke wouldn't stop blaming himself.
Zeke feels more responsible because he failed to notice .......

'If you're ......, could you do me one favor? If you say anything more, I'll hit you with everything I've got.

So I dare to make a condition so that Zeke can forgive himself.
Zeke's face shows surprise at my words.
Apparently, he didn't expect me to make such a proposal, as I hadn't asked Zeke for much.

'Whatever you say,'

But in the next moment, Zeke looked at me with a ready and serious face and nodded.

''Huh!''

At that moment I gulp.
Apparently, I was nervous thinking about the words I was about to say, as if I were someone else.
But then I decided that this was the biggest opportunity I'd ever had, and I opened my mouth.

"I want you to make me your partner.

......... Huh?

Hearing Zeke's surprise, I understand the heat gathering on my face.
My heart skips a beat and I'm on the verge of exploding with embarrassment.
It's a roundabout way of saying it, I think, but that's my limit.
I was too embarrassed to whisper direct words of love to him.
While I felt romantic feelings, on the other hand, the negative effects of spending so much time as friends with Zeke made me feel even more ashamed to express my feelings.


'...... No, I was really going to do everything I could. Really, my wish is to be included in the party, is that all you want?

What about ..................?


......... but my feelings weren't conveyed to Zeke at all.
I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's been in this situation.
...... No, I'm sorry for my sloppiness in using bypassed words to this insensitive partner.

But, knowing that, I couldn't control my anger.
No, it is of course the fault of this man's inexplicable insensitivity to begin with.
Zeke must not understand at all why I've rejected so many party members' invitations.
It was because I had someone who had made up his mind to do it.

'Yeah, right! You're going to hunt the Phoenix anyway! Then I'll follow you!

...... but there's no way I can confess to that now, and I scream so yakily.
I really don't know how this happened anymore ......
But Zeke laughed, not knowing what I was thinking.

''Could it be that he's been paying attention to you again? Sorry ......, but it would be reassuring to have Lila around.

Woohoo!

Zeke who told me this still had a guilty look on his face towards me.
And that's why I understand that the words I told him I could rely on were from Zeke's true intentions, which I unintentionally let slip.
I can't help but blush a little at those words.

'......... Huh. You're too straightforward.

After muttering that, I decided to suppress my complaints about Zeke's insensitivity for once.
For now, I have to think about the Phoenix now.
After all, monsters of super difficulty such as the Phoenix can mutate after living for some length of time due to a phenomenon called mutation.
For now, let's finish that matter and then talk with Zeke, I decided to make a suggestion.

'Well then, there's a little wizard I'd like to include in this party: ......