Trading City: Oyaimo II-2

Noel's appearance at midnight was in her usual everyday clothes—unusual for her.

The two moved into the room and sat across from each other at the table.

"You're injured, yet you're still awake this late?"

"I couldn't sleep. Perfect timing. I could use someone to talk to."

But she couldn't think of anything to talk about. Despite the long time apart, it was oddly hard to find common ground.

"Tarou, thank you for helping me back then. Honestly, I didn't know what to do when I was knocked down."

Unusually, she was being sincere.

"Back then? Ah, the spider monster incident, right? We were even, really. I was helped too. I was in terrible shape after all."

"Yeah, that's right. It was because of me."

Noel said proudly.

Her chest jiggled slightly. He quickly looked away.

"Y-yeah, Captain, I'm sorry. I really wanted to see you again."

The air instantly grew heavy.

Oh no. I completely messed up the topic. How do I change the subject now?

"That was my fault."

Noel lowered her gaze in reply.

"Who are you blaming...?"

"No! It was me... I was the one..."

"Hey, calm down."

Taro approached, but didn't know what to do.

"It's because I got injured during the fight with the thief that I couldn't take part in the battle against the monster... My presence was lost, and if I could have used even a little magic stone, or even a healing stone... I could have helped..."

Noel groaned, clutching his head.

"It's not your fault, Noel. Calm down."

He grabbed Noel's shoulders, trying to steady him. Seeing such a strong-willed person as Noel break down like this, it was clear he was deeply shaken.

"Taro won't disappear, right...?"

"Yeah, I'm not going anywhere. I've got magic, and I can use healing crystals freely... wait, oh no."

As I tried to calm him down with various words, Noel suddenly pushed me down with incredible force.

Ugh, stinks of alcohol.

Could he really have been drinking...? Seems like the effects of the alcohol are going in the wrong direction.

"I've just been scolded for rushing ahead, can't beat the monster, Taro's barely hanging on... I can't take it anymore..."

Noel buries her face in my chest as if headbutting me. Honestly, it hurts and feels suffocating, but also soft.

"It's okay, it's okay... stuff like this happens sometimes. Just rest now. Right?"

I manage to calm Noel down a little.

Soon after, she fell asleep.

I couldn’t muster the strength to carry her to her room, so I managed to get her to lie down on my bed.

As for me, still recovering from illness, I’d clearly reached my physical limit—I lay down on the sofa and fell asleep.

All I could do now was pray that Noel wouldn’t remember anything from yesterday.

The next morning, I woke up to the sensation of being shaken.

When my vision cleared, I saw Noel with slightly red eyes. Oh no, did I die!?

"Hey... how are you feeling? Calmed down now?"

I ask, forcing a strained smile.

"Forgot it."

"What?"

"Yesterday's stuff."

"Yesterday... the night stuff, right?"

"Yeah, absolutely forget it!"

I feel a chill at the intense, piercing look Noel gives me.

I nod repeatedly in response.

After confirming I nodded, Noel quickly heads for the door, then pauses at the threshold and looks back.

Yesterday was tough, but I'm fine now—I've overcome it, and I'll grow stronger to protect everyone.

Don't carry everything alone. It's okay to let it out once in a while. After all, it's my turn next... huh? What's wrong?

Noel tensed his body, bowing his head and trembling.

Nothing much.

Saying that, he dashed out of the room.

What was it?

Around noon, many people gathered once again.

Alek suddenly started the conversation as usual.

"Well then, Taro. We're thinking of returning to the Empire. If you're heading the same way, would you join us? It'd be better to keep our strength concentrated."

"Yeah, we were planning to head back to the Empire too. Alright! Let's travel together."

Rilka looked very happy, while Coil looked relieved.

Noel, who had been watching from the side, stared at me and the deputy leader with a pale face, switching his gaze between the two.

The deputy leader stepped forward.

"Tarou. And to you, adventurers—I mean, I'm asking a favor. Please guard our group. The reward isn't much, but we can manage something reasonable. I'm begging you."

With that, the deputy leader bowed deeply.

According to the deputy commander, many comrades—especially those who had fought in battles—had been lost along the way.

It's currently difficult to maintain the unit's safety.

Alek turns back to the deputy commander.

"There should still be soldiers who, despite their exhaustion, retain their original strength. Soldiers and adventurers typically clash when it comes to leadership and coordination. What are your intentions regarding this?"

"That... I can't guarantee anything right now, but I'll do my best to keep control. That's all I can say."

Normally, one wouldn't so easily accept a guard duty like this.

As Alex said, a unit that's hard to coordinate is more dangerous than one with fewer members.

Alex knew that perfectly well—hence the question.

But the one standing here is Alex.

"Deputy Commander, please raise your head. I accept your request without hesitation. Please inform me of the current status of the troops immediately."

"Thank you. Ah, right—Noel, you're good at this. Do your best to cooperate! You're the one who bites the hardest, after all."

"Ah, yeah. Got it."

"You're unusually cooperative. Well, that's fine, as long as you're willing to help."

The deputy commander and Alex exit the room.

"Well then, let's get ready and set out soon."

"Right!" "Yeah."

Coil and Rilka respond as usual. At last, things seemed to have calmed down.

I headed first toward the magic tricycle parked outside... Magic... tri... cycle! That's right, the magic tricycle!

I ran toward the stopped magic tricycle.

There, lying in pieces, were the broken parts—tires punctured, engine riddled with holes, and the magic crystal detached.

Tears welled up uncontrollably.

This was something I helped develop myself. It's unfortunate, but look at it now.

The feeling of destroying a model I built with all my heart.

"Hey, Taro. I managed to gather up some of the dropped items and broken parts, even if I couldn't get everything."

"Thank you."

"Wow, Taro, your face looks like a shriveled vegetable."

Probably I really do look like that.

In the end, the broken magical tricycle received only emergency repairs and was tied to the caravan's wagon for transport.