Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Date?
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No matter his skill, I was confident my experience was far superior.
Few adventurers with such a short career had gone through the things I'd endured.
In other words, with neither skill nor experience falling short, my confidence that I can win was no baseless delusion.
"But... he's not from around here, so why did he come all the way out here...?"
This tournament was being held across five regions in total.
The capital of the Heron Kingdom, with the north, east, south, and west regions centered around it.
There were so many adventurers that they'd deliberately split it up.
Besides, most adventurers were powerhouses. If they gathered them all in one place without precautions...
What if some with impure motives started a rebellion? Could they even suppress it?
The higher-ups always hated concentrating fighting folk in one spot.
But still.
"...Isn't he from the east?"
After being abandoned in the west and making it to the capital, I'd taken a temple-assigned quest and headed south.
I'd never crossed paths with the east even once, so I hadn't expected a famous adventurer from there to pop up here.
I worried if the noble boy had wandered too far, but it wasn't my concern.
I shrugged and scanned the entire bracket.
"First match against the strongest opponent, huh..."
Optimistically, win once and the championship was mine. Pessimistically, I might not even place.
Excluding Hector, there weren't any other big names.
Someone hiding their strength was possible, but unlikely.
This world wasn't kind enough to let you hide your power.
If you had it, better to flaunt it loud and proud.
I memorized the bracket and turned to leave when—
"You there!"
A voice in the midst of puberty squeaked out.
It didn't seem aimed at me, but I turned anyway. A boy just a couple heads taller than me was pushing through the crowd toward me.
Was he really coming for me?
Or just coincidence?
Confused, I stood still. He stopped right in front of me, looking down with sparkling eyes that didn't suit him.
"You're Ellie, aren't you?!"
"...No, well... yeah."
This was the second time today.
Someone recognizing me before I even introduced myself.
My chest tickled at how famous I'd gotten, but I couldn't hide my unease at those vibrant eyes staring at me. Why the sparkle?
"...Ah, I forgot to introduce myself! Name's Hector!"
Hector.
I instinctively scanned his body to confirm if it was that Hector.
Long red ponytail, smooth skin.
But no mistaking him for a girl—fierce impression and lion-like yellow eyes gleamed.
His clothes screamed high-end, and a massive ruby adorned his sword sheath.
Judgment was swift; my reaction swifter.
"An honor to meet you."
"No need for such formality! If anything, the honor's mine... To think the one with all the rumors would be my first opponent."
"...What rumors exactly...?"
The underground tavern scuffle was just a minor ruckus. No way Hector from the east would've heard.
At this point, some rumor was definitely circulating.
Problem was, I had no clue what it was.
"...Huh? You don't know? The Saintess has been going around praising how amazing you are."
"What."
No way. I hadn't heard a thing.
When?
No, why?
"...Judging by that reaction, you really had no idea?"
"...Yeah, I've been a bit busy lately."
Holed up reading right after returning, then nothing but brawls in the underground tavern.
I'd heard plenty of rumors there, but as the subject of this one, folks probably skipped it around me.
...Still, that was too much.
Marcel should've said something, at least.
"Anyway, impressive at such a young age. For the temple to assign you a quest means you've got the skills, right?"
Listening quietly, he sounded like a kid mimicking an adult—almost made me chuckle.
A bit like Tori. And no malice toward me, so I decided to play along.
"Probably more my uniqueness than skill."
His face stiffened at my reply.
"...Come to think of it, they said your eyes are cursed? ...Sorry, I misspoke. Must've been tough."
And he actually bowed his head like he meant it—a rare sight from nobility.
My sunglasses dulled the disgust, but even hidden, my creepy aura leaked out.
Thus, few started off so polite with me.
First impressions mattered most in judging people.
Hard to warm to someone who creeped you out on sight—I got that.
"...It's fine. I'm used to it."
Casual words, but true.
And the follow-up was true too.
"You're a good person, Sir Hector."
To me, folks picking fights on sight were normal.
Those escalating to insults and blows were bad.
So what made a good person?
Someone treating me 'normally,' like this.
Wariness eased; faint fondness bloomed.
His eyes and smile showed no deceit.
"Not sure if I am one, but I try!"
He grinned confidently, thumping his chest.
One oddity: the kid acting like an adult felt off.
Not the words or actions of a 14-year-old.
Especially stroking a nonexistent beard.
"By the way, Ellie! Got any time to spare?"
"...Pardon?"
"First time in the capital, no one to talk to—lonely. Chatting with a famous adventurer like you would be delightful!"
"...I-is that so."
I knew I was famous, but this flattery? Embarrassing.
A lot, actually.
I turned away, cheeks burning. Hector cleared his throat—"Ahem!"—and offered his hand.
His face looked flushed too, but probably the red hair.
"Will you join me?"
"...Sure, why not."
Underground tavern fights had wrecked my body—continuing training without rest was self-abuse, not practice. A day off was fine.
"It's mealtime anyway—dinner first? My treat! Know any good spots?"
"Mm, what do you like?"
"Seafood's my preference, but..."
The place with Marcel last time, then. Pricey, but a noble kid wouldn't be broke.
"Ellie."
"Yes?"
"They say your skills are top-notch. Mind sharing who taught you?"
"...Grandpa started me off; Shan and Marcel polished it."
Not exactly military swordsmanship now, but Grandpa was my first teacher, then Shan and Marcel helped a ton.
"No way... You're friends with the Demon Executor?!"
What the—fanboy?
"...Who's that?"
"Didn't you say Shan?"
"...Ah, yeah. Sure."
Hector rattled off Shan's feats endlessly—dry and pretentious, so I half-heartedly "yeah-ed" until he caught my vibe and clammed up.
More than that, I'd heard Hector admired adventurers despite being noble, but this level of obsession was new.
"You like being an adventurer that much?"
"Of course! Free, strong, upholding justice for the people."
I wanted to say it wasn't free, strong, or just—but no need crushing a 14-year-old's dreams.
Experience would teach him.
"Ah, cream on your mouth."
Hector reached out, wiping dessert cream off me.
Stunned stiff, he chuckled awkwardly, cleaning his hand with a handkerchief.
"Haha... Sorry if that startled you."
"N-no, it's fine."
Just caught me off guard—not a big deal.
"All done eating—time to pay. You can head out first."
"I'll wait outside."
With permission, I waited. Hector emerged beaming, and we strolled the streets again.
We chatted; he got overly excited on adventurer talk, tiring, but dialed back when I seemed bored—so not exhausting.
Bought street drinks, strolled the riverbank showing him the capital.
Nothing thrilling, but his smile stayed soft.
As sunset neared, his attendants arrived signaling time's up. We parted under the glow.
"...Feels like peace in ages."
No fun, but truly peaceful after so long.
With a noble beside me, no one dared pick fights.
Stretch—
Back at the weary inn, Shan and Marcel were eating on the first floor.
"Oh, you're back! Hey, hey!"
"Ah... what."
Marcel's antics always spelled trouble, so I snapped irritably. He brushed it off casually.
"Heard a rumor—you went on a date today?"
I scowled closer; he munched bread, looking up.
"What date."
"For real?"
Shan stared like really?—so annoying.
Sigh. I shook my head; Marcel's eyes widened in surprise.
"So what'd you do with that young master today?"
"Ate, wandered streets, grabbed snacks..."
With each detail, Shan froze in shock; Marcel grinned ear-to-ear.
"Guy and girl doing that? That's a date!"
"...It wasn't!"
I'm a guy—what date with another dude?
A 14-year-old at that? Gross even thinking it.
What nonsense.
"Then explain properly! Clear up the misunderstanding!"
"...Why should I...!"
Anger flared, but explaining would end it. I recounted the day fully.
Shan's blank face soured; Marcel's mischief grew.
And as I spoke, it hit me.
"...That jerk..."
Daring to think it was a date with me.
He's dead meat. For real.