After the performance was over, the audience cheered and applauded, and innumerable coins were thrown into a box for tips.

　At the same time, Azure and Pinkie ran lightly among the audience, collecting coins in their hats and making a show of affection.

I'm totally engrossed. It's good to do this once in a while.

　Garnett gingerly stood tall and then smiled at me, showing his white teeth.

　We walked through the bustling town, ate at an atmospheric restaurant, and sat shoulder to shoulder at a play. It's a wholesome encounter, perfect for Garnett's age.

　However, if you were to describe the situation as an encounter, I'm sure Garnett would turn red and deny it.

　That's something I'd like to see, but I've decided to keep quiet for now.

　In addition, one more thing - I remembered the time when I went on a long trip to the nearest city with the village girl(ko) before I left my hometown and became an adventurer, but let's not run off on this one by mistake.

　We'll definitely get pissed off and sulk.
　This is the kind of direction I don't want to make them angry as much as possible.

''Yeah, you're right. It feels like it's been quite a while since you've enjoyed something without thinking about work or the dungeon.
You work too hard, you know. And you can't let your guard down because you're willing to put your life on the line.

　Garnett walked around in front of me and put his face close to mine so that he could look up at me.

But, well, as long as I'm next to you, I'll protect you no matter what. I can't afford to be exposed to the same kind of disrespect as the other day, over and over again. That's what I call "even if it costs me my life.
That's a line I wanted to say.

　I will protect you even if I have to give my life for it. It's a line that every man would like to hear at least once in his life.

　But I'm afraid that's a little hard to come by in our relationship.

"I think I'm going to tell you ....... You've protected me at least twice, and at that time I honestly thought better of you, but the second time was more like ......

　As if he couldn't find an expression that didn't fit, Garnett was slurring his words while shrinking back and forth.

　The battle against the Demon Lord Norzuri in the Golden Fang Knights' frontline base.
　The battle against the Demon King Gandalf in the underground space of the Demon King's Castle.

　The two times Garnett refers to are probably these.

''I knew it, I knew you were ......
Hey, excuse me.
Wow!

　A street performer girl popped up at the right time, as if she was aiming for the right spot, and Garnett jumped back as hard as she could.

　Her costume and makeup are of the blue variety. It's probably this one, judging by the color and name, is Azure.

'Is it the newlywed by any chance?　I could see them hotly together and enjoying themselves from above. I can't help but feel jealous. Now, please share your happiness with me.

　While stating a flowing speech, Azure smiled and pointed his coin-filled hat at me with a grin.

'Huh, we ain't a married couple!
Oh, my. I didn't know you were in a relationship. You're perfect for each other, so I made a mistake.

　Azure rattled off one flattery after another, brushing aside Garnett's menacing glare in a matter-of-fact manner.

　Come to think of it, we hadn't paid our theater fees yet.
　Maybe he's planning to collect it, even if it's to flatter you.

Thank you. I enjoyed it.
Here you are. So please continue to support the Augusto Troupe.

　Putting what he thought was an appropriate amount of money into his hat, Azure bowed gracefully before walking off to the next audience member.

'...... d*mn it, where do I look to see them as a married couple?'

　Even though he said that, Garnett didn't seem to be able to control the loosening of his cheeks.










　At the same time, at the Silver Wing Knights' headquarters in the King's Capital--

　Carmine Argentia, the young leader of the Silverwing Knights, one of the knights in charge of maintaining the security of the kingdom, raised his eyebrows in the common room of the compartment where only senior-level knights were allowed to enter.

　He sat down messily on a fine leather couch, propped his elbows on his knees, poked his cheekbones and let out a long sigh.

''Gee, it's unusual for a Knight Commander-dono to sigh.

　A mature man walked into the common room and raised his eyebrows with a face that saw something unusual, just as his words said.

　From the way he was dressed, it was clear that he was not a knight but a specially invited guest.

'That would make me grumpy, too. Thanks to being sent out to investigate a substitute such as the night ripper, I missed out on seeing my lovely sister's sunny day.
'You must be Miss Alma, I've heard of her. I have heard of the events of last night. I heard that Miss Alma was finally making eyes at you.

　The mature man laughed merrily and sat down in a chair across from Carmine.

''And the person you are talking to is a member of our adventurers' guild. I'm not sure if I should congratulate you or apologize for this.
'Just to congratulate you, that's fine. I know him well enough to be relieved that he's finally making progress. I'm just sorry I couldn't be there.

　Carmine shook his head in relief.

　The mature man laughed for a moment and then handed over a sheet of paper as if to change the subject.

''I have the document you requested. It's a list of the adventurers currently located in the King's Capital who may have some connection to the Night Ripper incident: ...... a list of the members we have determined to be so.

　The personal touch disappears from Carmine's face and a serious look turns to the names on the list.

'Thank you. To be honest, I thought it was no good and original and requested it, but I didn't expect your full cooperation. I was also prepared to be prodded that I couldn't do anything like that to sell out my friends.
Our livelihood depends on the trust of society. We must punish those who infringe upon that trust. As long as it is a legitimate request, we will be happy to cooperate.

　The mature man facing him was also a complete change from the harmonious atmosphere of the past, emitting an extraordinary sense of menace.

　Of course, the target is not the carmine in front of him, but a killer whose identity is still unknown.

'...... No, no need to build it. The victims of the Night Ripper, four in the published case and eight if you include the undisclosed case. Half of them are adventurers or retired ex-adventurers ...... This can now be called a hostile act against the Adventurer's Guild.
''One active A-ranked adventurer and all three retired adventurers are former A-ranked. Indeed, this might not be a coincidence.

　Carmine continued to re-analyze the case in parallel, reading the names and information of the adventurers on the list.

'Excluding them, three of the four are female, and the remaining one is male, but he was murdered at the same time as the woman he was dating ...... in a commonality that doesn't seem to be a coincidence. ...... Oh?

　His shapely eyebrows twitched up and his eyes shifted to the mature man.

''You also have the name of an A-ranked adventurer on your list?
''Yes. Bruno the Bloodstained Blade ...... This is what is called a second name. It was originally called Bruno of the Triplets, which is derived from his birthplace.

　The mature man didn't even try to hide his deepest disappointment and continued to talk about Bruno, the A-ranked adventurer.

''The reason for publishing it is that he was spotted near the scene of the incident, but I have a few other thoughts as well.
What do you mean?
Although he was a skilled swordsman, he has been misbehaving in recent years, perhaps due to his age and the loss of his skills. Currently, he is under house arrest for being involved in an altercation that resulted in an altercation with a human being. ......

　Carmine let out a small 'hmm' and looked back at the list again.

'I understand. We don't want any preconceived notions about the investigation, but let's keep him in mind.