Gagair retreats after taking my blow.
　He was holding his face, but blood was gushing out.
　It was added or subtracted at one point.

　However, if I put a knee in his face, it would do that much damage.

''........Ki, you!

　Gagair rages and wields his divine weapon.
　It was reasonably easy to dodge, because he took the time to correct his misaligned senses.
　He would occasionally throw a fist or a kick at Gagair when he was out of alignment.

'I'm a customer in your shop!　You don't think it's okay to do this!
If you bother your employees, you're not a customer.

　The kick he swung at in frustration struck Gagair in the gut.
　That's when Gaghair stumbled.

'Over there!

　Ristina's voice echoed.
　I glanced over and saw Ristina-san with three knights in tow.

''Ri, Ristina-san!　You called for help for me!

　Gagair looked at Ristina-san with an expectant smile on his face.
　.........What kind of nerves do I have to have to have such an idea?
　I'd like to see the inside of your head once.

''Who!　Knight!　I explained it to you earlier!

　It seems that Ristina-san told him what happened.
　The knight restrains Gagair's body.

''Ha, let go!　I'm fighting to save Miss Ristina!

　Gagair was still flailing about, but the knight dropped his hand sword once, knocking him unconscious.
　I breathed a sigh of relief at the knight's masterful skill.
　As the knight came over here, I bowed to him.

''Thank you ... thank you, thank you for your help.''
'No, never mind, this is my job. ........I've heard briefly about the situation from the woman here, but I'd like to hear more about it. Can I ask her to come down to the clog?
Yes, no problem.
Thanks for coming along.

　The knights gave a quick bow and then walked away.
　One of the knights was carrying Gagair, while the other knight was talking to the people around him.
　........They seemed to be checking the situation and so on.

　Ristina-san came over here with tears in her eyes.

''Se-senpai, are you hurt?!
'Yes, Mr. Ristina called me over earlier than I expected. Thank you.

　I bow my head quickly to Ristina-san.
　........Her body was still trembling.
　Maybe that's also why, until we headed to the stuffing station. Ristina-san was holding my left arm the whole time.


　00


　He was to be interrogated at the knight's choke point.
　However, it seems that Ristina-san was talking about it when she called the knight.
　The conversation ended with a careful recheck of each one.

You live in the 'Migratory Bird Inn', right? Well, okay. I may head out again when I have something else to ask you. At that time, I'd appreciate it if you would take some time out of your day.
Okay. Well, thank you very much.
Yeah. We appreciate the help.

　After finishing our interrogation, we left the knight's mess.
　........We ended up being interrogated until the time when the sun was setting.
　The area was getting darker and the magic stones in the streetlights began to light up here and there.

　I walked down that road with Ristina-san.

''Ristina-san. Please don't feel so responsible.
...because I didn't expect it to come to this point.
I can't imagine what that was like.

　This is a man whose imagination is running wild.
　He's a criminal that we can't possibly imagine.

'Besides, I've caused a lot of trouble for my seniors.
I didn't mean to bother you. You told me you'd protect me if anything happened.

　I say that and stare at Ristina-san.

'.........'
'Keep doing what you usually do. You have such a charm that you'll have such enthusiastic customers. Please continue to behave the way you always have. And if anything else happens, I'll be there to help you.
...Relius, my senior.

　She nodded a few times with a kokoku, wiped the tears from her eyes, and then smiled.
　It looked like she forced a smile.
　But that seemed to be the most beautiful of Ristina-san's smiles.

''I understand........!　I'll continue to tease you about your seniority!
Please don't do that.
I won't stop.

　She smiles happily and walks away.
　........totally.
　I'd like you to grow up a bit more in that area.

''Even so, I didn't expect Relius-senpai to be so strong. I was surprised!''
''Well, in a manner of speaking, I've been working with Mea-san as an adventurer a few times as well.
'So that's what happened........ It was cool, wasn't it?

　Cool I'm embarrassed to be upfront about it.

'I thought for sure you knew you could fight in your own way and asked me out.
'No, it's not. ...I mean, I didn't expect you to act like that. I thought you'd give up, right away.
'That's right. Well, don't worry about it. If you need anything else, you can always count on me.
Thank you very much.

　With a smile, Ristina bows her head and then smiles.
　Then Ms. Ristina's eyes and mouth finally quirk up into a smile.

　Is she up to something again?　The next time I thought that, she intertwined her arm with my right arm.
　I felt a soft touch and involuntarily tried to pull my arm away. But Ristina-san has a firm grip and won't let go!

What the hell are you doing?
Oh, you're welcome.
Thank you......... If you keep making body touches like this all the time, they'll misunderstand you, won't they?
'Rude!　I won't...to...anyone?

　She moistens her eyes with an ooze, and I can't help but be thrown off by her.

''By whom.........''
"I only do this to people I like. Do I seem like a light woman to you?
'What?　Well, uh... well...

　I asked her in surprise, and she let her mouth relax as usual with a grin.

'Just kidding.　Senior, you're a real tease!

　Her cheeks were a little red as such.
　........Don't make fun of people until you're embarrassed.
　I thought so, but I was embarrassed too, and I couldn't return the words.

　I had to come back to buy some underwear after I left Ristina-san.
　I had to hurry back to the inn and head out again soon.

　As I started to walk away, Ristina-san discreetly grabbed her clothes.
　I turned around and saw her cheeks tinted with a bit of embarrassment.

''That, um, I mean, Lelius-senpai,''
...What's going on?
Well, another time do you mind if I join you?　

　I exhaled lightly and then nodded.

'Of course. If you need help, you can count on me.
Thank you very much.

　Listyna exhaled in relief.
　After we got to the inn, I headed off to buy some underwear.