"You-You!" Lakyus was so flustered that it felt like Shido was toying with her. She almost lunged at him, ready to fight him then and there. But before she could act, Shido calmly said "Well, I still have things to do so let's keep the bet for another time."
Lakyus woke up from her frustrated reaction and was quite startled when Shido said that he would leave now. She didn't know why but Lakyus felt disappointment swirling inside her chest. But, she didn't let it resurface on her appearance. Crossing her arms, she turned her head away and snorted. "Hmph! Fine! Go! See if I care!"
Shido scratched the back of his head, feeling a little awkward at Lakyus's suddenly throwing tantrum like a child. But, he didn't try to comfort her since he still had some important things to do.
"Well, I will go now. Don't forget about our bet." Shido let out a small smile that have a hint of playfulness on his voice.
"I get it! Just go already!" Lakyus huffed, clearly sulking but trying to hide it.
"Yes, yes." With a light chuckle, Shido raised his hands in resignation, Shido walked towards the door.
"I'm really leaving this time, Climb. Make sure to protect Princess Renner well."
"Y-Yes! I won't let anything happen to the Princess!
When he passed by Climb, Shido looked at the young warrior and asked him to keep the Princess safe. Climb was startled when Shido called him since he was still dumbfounded by the matter between Shido and Lakyus especially when Lakyus seemed to became a little girl in front of Shido who was much younger than her. Still, Climb replied firmly when he heard Shido entrusting him the safety of Princess Renner.
Shido nodded his head, satisfied with Climb's answer, however when his gaze passed by Princess Renner, he saw her smiling gently at him. But something about her smile felt wrong and she was also looking at him weirdly making Shido shudder subconsciously.
"Then goodbye, Climb, Princess Renner and Lakyus." Shido said hurriedly, he wanted to leave as soon as possible since he felt something bad would happen if he stay for a few minutes more.
"Stay safe, Acheval-san!" Climb called out, waving earnestly.
"Hmph!" Lakyus huffed, arms still crossed, but her eyes remained fixed on Shido's back, her gaze distant and a little unfocused.
Princess Renner ignored the two's response as her eyes were firmly planted on Shido's fleeting figure. Then a twisted smile appeared on her face when the two wasn't looking and said in a low voice. "How cute."
"Oi! Layus!"
As the three were watched go out of the inn, they suddenly heard a person calling at Lakyus.
They looked at the person calling Lakyus and saw that there were 4 of them.
"...Gagaran." Lakyus looked at them and remembered that she was supposed to welcome Princess Renner and then return to the room she and her party had booked. But thanks to Shido, she had gotten completely sidetracked and forgotten her original
"What the heck are you doing? You took forever," said the shortest member of the group, her tone clearly irritated. She was dressed in a crimson robe that covered most of her body, and her face was hidden behind a white mask.
It was Evil Eye, the strongest member of Blue Roses.
"She's the evil boss after all."
"We can't do anything except to do her orders."
Off to the side, two identical girls dressed in revealing ninja outfits spoke to each other as if they were reciting in monologue. Their name were Tia and Tina.
The one who called her in the beginning was Gagaran who stood massively in front of them. And they all belong to an Adamantite Class Adventurer Group called Blue Roses.
Hearing her party's complaints, especially the twins' teasing remarks, Lakyus couldn't help but puff out her cheeks, a faint blush rising on her face.
However, before she could reply, Princess Renner beat her to it and even sell her out.
But just as she was about to respond, Princess Renner beat her to it, and mercilessly sold her out.
"There's no need to be upset with Lakyus." Renner said, her voice laced with amusement. "After all, she just met her dream man." She wore a sweet, playful smile as she looked at Lakyus, clearly enjoying the moment.
Climb was startled when he heard her say that but Lakyus's face became redder and tried to refute her words?
"W-What are you saying, Princess?!" Lakyus stammered, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. "How could that bastard be my dream man?!"
She flailed slightly, trying to deny it with all her might, but her reaction only made Renner chuckle even harder, thoroughly entertained her funny reaction.
Her party, meanwhile, stood frozen in shock. Gagaran and Evil Eye both had their mouths hanging open, completely stunned. The twins however didn't have a change in expression but their brows were raised making it clear that they too were surprised.
None of them had expected their tomboyish leader to actually fancy someone.
"You have to tell us more about this." Suddenly, Gagaran and Evil Eyes latched around Lakyus while telling her to tell them more about what happened and the guy she fancies.
"I told you, it's not like that!" Lakyus wailed, her voice cracking. She looked like she wanted to cry, but the tears just wouldn't come.
Overwhelmed with embarrassment and frustration, Lakyus buried her face in her hands.
Lakyus was so embarrassed and frustrated that her party misunderstood her and decided to blame it all on Shido.
...
"Achooo!"
"Who's talking bad about me?" Shido rubbed his nose while muttering to himself.
The sun had already set down when Shido arrive in front of an Inn. He pushed the door open and saw some people drinking, eating and resting inside. Shido didn't bother them and walked towards the counter, if they didn't bother him, then he wouldn't bother them. When he walked in, all attention were focused on him. It was because his face wasn't someone they saw everyday and thought that he was front another city.
Shido ignored the stares and approached the counter.
"Excuse me, I'd like to book a room." he said casually.
Behind the counter stood a fearsome-looking man, wiping a glass clean. He had a thick beard and a long scar running down the left side of his face,someone who looked more like a seasoned warrior than an innkeeper.
"That'll be four copper," the innkeeper said gruffly, noting that Shido didn't have an adventurer's license plate.
Shido didn't say anything and simply reached into his pocket and placed four copper coins on the counter. It was the money of the bandits he killed before. Shido sneakily took all their money even when Climb and the other guards of Princess Renner were looking at him. Shido did it easily without them noticing a thing. He didn't use the money that was given to him by Princess Renner as it was all gold and Shido know that he would attract unwanted attention if he revealed even a piece of gold so he only used the money he stole from the bandits.
"The room's on the second floor, last one at the back." the innkeeper said, pointing after receiving the payment.
"Thanks." Shido nodded and made his way toward the staircase, heading up to the second floor.
When he passed by the room next to him, he noticed something strange. He stood there for a few seconds before he decided to rest in his own room. Shido wanted to take a rest since even if his body wasn't tires, his mind was a little weary since so many things happened the first day he appeared in this world.
...
Meanwhile, just next door to Shido's room, two figures were having a quiet, secretive conversation.
"Put down your sword, Nabe. He's entered his room." the man clad in black armor from head to toe said, his voice low but commanding.
Nabe, a beautiful woman with a cold, stoic expression, hesitated for a moment before she sheathed her sword, still the door of their room.
"Yes! Momon-saaa...n." she replied, her voice a bit awkward, as if unsure of herself.
Momon sighed, his tone carrying a hint of exasperation. "You really need to fix the way you address me. We've been through this."
Nabe looked slightly embarrassed, but her face remained cold and collected, though there was an almost imperceptible flush to her cheeks.