Translator: “Kell” Editor: ”Weasalopes”
With the help of Lunsan, Emma and I slayed a ferocious dragon . We then managed to get the top spot in our exam for Hero School . On top of that, we were completely exempted from summer classes .
The days went gently by, and now — summer break had arrived!
「Noir! Rise and shine! It’s morning already!」
Morning of the first day of summer . I could hear my father, who came to wake me up, and my sister talking just outside my door .
「Father, it’s Onii-sama’s summer break starting today . Please let him rest some more . 」
「Oh, is that so? But I want to see Noir’s face before I head out . 」
「Please . Let him rest . 」
「Okay . If you insist . 」
I could tell my father was dejected . I was still sleepy but decided to step out of my room .
「Good morning, Father, Alice . 」
「Oh, Noir! Good morning, my son, son, sunshine!」
「Here’s a good morning hug for you, Onii-sama . 」
Alice swiftly leapt into my arms, rubbing her cheeks against my chest . I stroked her head gently . Her hair, meticulously cared for, was silky smooth . I got LP from doing this too, which was a good thing .
「Nice sibling love . 」
My father spread his arms wide, ready to embrace us, when Alice held up a hand, stopping him .
「It’s our time right now . 」
「When will my time come, then?」
Alice smiled gently, but didn’t answer . He looked wistful, and I could barely hold myself back from laughing .
「Ah, puberty . No one even said anything about my sunshine joke . 」
「It was too tough a joke first thing in the morning . You should take it down a notch next time . 」
「I’ll keep that in mind . 」
He seemed to be seriously thinking about a new joke . I went down to the living room and greeted my mother and Toramaru .
「Good morning, Noir . Summer break starts today, right?」
「Yes . But I’ll try not to slack off too much . 」
「Hmm . That is a wonderful attitude to take . Let us do something together while you’re on your break .
「Yeah, we should . 」
I had plans this summer, though not entirely specific . To conquer the hidden dungeon’s 6th floor and up and go on some quests . I’ll focus on these two first . Still, it’s my precious summer break . All work and no play sounds tragic .
「How about going on a trip?」
「A trip, huh? Sounds like a good idea . 」
Alice’s suggestion made me excited . I had a two-month break, so I could go a little ways out of town . I’d like to invite Emma as well .
「I’ll do the chores today . You can all go . 」
「Thanks . I’ll do my best today!」
「Sorry for the trouble . I’m going then!」
「I’m off, Onii-sama . 」
I went outside with Toramaru to see them off then started cleaning once I got back inside . I grabbed a broom while Toramaru was catching some mice .
「They’ve been around for as long as I can remember . 」
「We can’t do anything about it . This house is quite old . 」
「Building a new one sounds good . 」
I saved some money already . I want to save up some more so I can build a new house . That’ll be one of my goals this summer .
After finishing the chores, I started getting ready . I had plans with Emma to go to the guild .
「Are you coming, Toramaru?」
「I appreciate the invitation, but I have to watch the house . If it bothers you, though, I can come . 」
「It’s quite all right . Okay, then . Thanks . See ya later!」
When Toramaru was in the front yard, you could see him over the fence even from the road outside . There were probably not a lot of thieves who’d dare rob the house upon seeing him .
I made my way to our meeting place . I found Emma walking her usual course; a path with trees evenly spaced on both sides . She looked depressed . Emma, who was always full of energy, had a gloomy expression, her eyes downcast .
「Hi, Emma . You seem down in the dumps . 」
「Oh, I didn’t see you there . Sorry . 」
「No, it’s okay . I just got here . Anyway, you don’t look too well . Are you okay?」
「I-I’m fine . It’s nothing… really . 」
She wasn’t speaking straight . I was curious . It was clear something was bothering her but I refrained from pressing the issue further . I decided to just wait until she tells me herself, and we made our way to the guild .
「Noir, have you heard of the Phantom?」
「Not sure . It doesn’t quite ring a bell . 」
「He’s a thief causing trouble in the neighborhood lately . He’s quite infamous . 」
「Ah, yes . I think I’ve heard of him . The one who steals from nobles only, right?」
「Yes, that guy! So about the Phantom…」
Emma stopped, fidgeting her fingers, looking hesitant about something . I was about to tell her she could talk to me about anything, but before I could, she shook her head, then smiled sweetly .
「It’s nothing! Anyway, if you’re free, you wanna come with me to a social party this weekend? Actually, I insist!」
「It’s a party for nobles, right?」
To be honest, I wasn’t interested . Emma’s family were barons who were acknowledged by the other nobles ever since the olden times . But the Stalgia family were not .
A lot of people didn’t see quasi-barons as real nobles . They were rarely invited to parties, and even if they were, they were only met with ridicule .
「I have to dance there . If I didn’t bring anyone with me, I’ll end up dancing with some other boy . If I had to, I’d rather dance with you . 」
「I suck at dancing, though . 」
「I’m not very good at it either . But what’s important is you put your heart into it . 」
「All right . I’ll make some time . 」
「Thank you~! I really love that part of you!」
She embraced me, and didn’t let go for a while . Thanks for the LP .
We arrived at the guild of Odin . A veteran adventurer saw us and started talking to a newbie .
「You’d best remember those faces . They only recently joined, but made it to rank C already . 」
「They don’t look that strong . 」
「You can’t judge a book by its cover . Oh, right . They even took down a dragon the other day . 」
「A dragon?! Someone as cute as her?」
「Stop looking at her face and breasts . You better not lay a hand on her, or that guy with her, Noir, will kill you . 」
「Eeekk!」
They seemed to be talking about something rather disturbing .
「Would you really kill your competition?」 Emma asked, grinning widely .
「People tell me I look like someone who can’t even harm a fly . 」
Anyway, jokes aside . Something felt off with the guild’s atmosphere . My guess was it had something to do with Laursan who didn’t feel like working at all, head on the counter table .
「Hello . Did something happen?」
「That voice… Noir? Yeah, something really bad happened . 」
She grabbed my hand, on the verge of tears, then rubbed her cheeks with it .
「All right . Stop right there . 」 Emma said, forcibly separating us .
「What’s your deal? I’m feeling down . Please don’t get in the way . 」
「So why are you feeling down?」
「Well… something was stolen from me . Something important . 」
Laursan bit her lower lips, clearly frustrated, then continued .
「A thief came into my house . 」
「Sorry to hear that . Did he steal your money or something?」
「No, not even a cent . Instead, he took my underwear . 」
「U-Underwear?!」
「What’s worse is he only took my favourites and my lucky ones that I wear only on very special days! The not-so-appealing ones he didn’t bother with… Haaa… I just wanna die . 」
She dropped her forehead on the table and didn’t move . It must’ve been one of those underwear thieves . Women would rather have their money stolen than their underwear, I guess .
Emma chuckled silently, looking delighted . Laursan seemed to sense that .
「What are you laughing about, Emmsan?」 Laura asked, irritated .
「Nothing~ . So they stole your lucky underwear, huh? I’m so sorry to hear that . 」Emma said flatly .
「You sure don’t sound sorry . 」
「I’m sorry . To . Hear that . 」
「Fine, then . I won’t entertain you today . 」
「Do your job, woman!」
「No . 」
She was being stubborn, mood turned sour . Emma, as if not willing to lose, grabbed my arm and dragged me back to the entrance .
「Wait! I didn’t say I won’t entertain Noir-san too!」
「Ahahaha . We’re going somewhere to hang out~ . We’re currently on break too~」
「Oh, yeah?! In that case…」
「Come on, Laurchan . Please do your job . 」
Adventurers were lining up, pleading with her . It looked like she hadn’t even done anything today . Laursan couldn’t say no to them .
「Okay, fine! I swear once I get married, I’m quitting my job as a receptionist!」
On my way out, a thought crossed my mind . Maybe it was the Phantom who stole her underwear? I shook my head . No, that guy only targets nobles .
「All right . We part ways here . 」
「Huh? Aren’t we going somewhere?」
「I uhh… have some matters to think about . 」
「You can talk to me anytime . 」
「Ehehe… you’re so sweet, Noir . If I really need help, I’ll take you up on that . Bye!」
I wasn’t expecting us to part ways so early . The day’s still young . Guess I’ll visit go visit Master or Lunsan .
Chapter end
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