Chapter 27: Who’s Chii?

“Really?! Is that true?!”

“…Ugh, my eardrums. Why are you yelling all of a sudden?”

“Because this is totally a yell-worthy situation!”

Unbelievable.

I knew Alex was strong—anyone could see that—but I had no idea he was this strong.

“A member of the Hero’s Party?! An S-rank adventurer?! Why didn’t you tell us, Alex?!”

“I did. I told you I used to be a big-shot adventurer.”

“You were way more than just a big-shot!”

“Well, this old man was pretty special back in the day.”

“…Ugh, I can’t even argue with you because it’s true.”

Now it all made sense—why the inquisitors were scattered all over the ground.

Alex had taken care of those bad villains all by himself.

“So, Harp, what do you think? Does this old man earn a little respect now?”

“…Maybe a little.”

“Oho!”

“Wait a second, so this kid is that Harp I’ve heard about.”

“Ah, Ellie! Long time no see!”

“Yeah, long time, Eve. You look healthy. Still all soft and squishy.”

“Soft and squishy?”

“It means adorable.”

Ellie stuck out her tongue playfully, her gaze lingering on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

Instinctively, I shrank back.

“Hehe. Gulp.”

“Harp’s cute too, but not as much as Eve.”

“Of course. Teacher is the strongest in the world!”

“Agreed. You and I are really on the same page.”

“You’re Ellie, right? You seem like a decent adult.”

“Thanks. I think we’re going to be great friends.”

Harp seemed to be getting along surprisingly well with Ellie, their banter flowing seamlessly.

“Oh, Harp’s a beastkin, huh?”

“Yes.”

“So cute. Can I touch your ears?”

“…Ah, no, that’s not allowed. My ears are reserved for Teacher only.”

“Gasp. I see… in that case…”

Something’s off here.

I could’ve sworn I felt a terrifying aura just moments ago, enough to give me goosebumps.

Was it just my imagination?

Wait… could this be the fabled cuddling of adorable kids?!

“What are you mumbling about, Ellie? Get a grip.”

“But Alex! How can I hold back? It’s like staring at the ultimate black-and-white combo meal!”

“Seriously? That’s so crude I can’t even look you in the eye. Ellie, weren’t you all prim and proper in front of me? Now your whole act is falling apart, huh?”

“I’ve found my true love, Alex.”

“You’re beyond hope.”

“And your bald spot is beyond fixing.”

“Watch it.”

Alex and Ellie’s banter was lively, like old friends who knew each other inside out.

Even as they poked fun at each other’s insecurities, the atmosphere remained lighthearted and full of camaraderie.

…Wait a second. If Alex was a member of the Hero’s Party as their tank, could Ellie also be someone incredible?

“Eve? Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something on my face?”

“Oh, you do. It’s your overconfidence. Calling yourself my big sister? Gross.”

“Pipe down, old man. I’m talking with Eve right now.”

“Yes, ma’am, as you wish.”

I was curious.

I wanted to know more about who Ellie really was.

“Ellie, are you an amazing person too?”

“Me? Ah… Alex must’ve let something slip, huh?”

“…Uh, it’s not really like that…”

“Don’t worry about it. Although, now I feel like I might let you down. I’m just an ordinary person. Fighting isn’t really my thing. Alex and I are just childhood friends.”

“Oh…”

“Don’t listen to her, Eve. Actually, Ellie is the top merchant in the Imperial Capital—mmph! Mmph!”

“I told you to quit saying unnecessary things.”

“The top merchant in the capital…”

“…Sigh, so much for my surprise.”

Just as I thought, Ellie wasn’t ordinary at all.

To be the most successful merchant in the empire… that was seriously impressive.

“You’re amazing, Ellie!”

“Amazing!”

“…Such adorable kids. Alright, this cool big sister will give you a hug!”

“Yes! Oh, Teacher, you go first.”

“Okay! Thanks, Harp!”

With a little sprint, I dashed straight into Ellie’s arms and hugged her tightly.

Not long after, Harp followed and hugged me from behind.

“Wow, you’re so soft!”

“…Eek.”

“Both Eve and Harp have such smooth skin! It’s addictively soft!”

Ellie started bouncing around while hugging the two of us, causing me to flail helplessly in her grasp.

Her… oversized “financial assets”—or, well, her chest—kept squishing against me, and it was hard to breathe.

“Guh, k-kkh…”

“Oh my, Eve! Are you okay?!”

“Teacher, are you alright?!”

“Y-yeah, I’m fine…”

Actually, no, I wasn’t fine at all.

I nearly died from suffocation.

Suffocating in someone’s chest… what a nightmare.

“Anyway, how did you two know to come here?”

“Oh, about that…”

At Alex’s question, I paused to catch my breath before launching into an explanation of everything that had happened since this morning.

I told him all about the surprise attack by that villain “Leon” and how we saw smoke rising from the village, which sent us running here as fast as we could.

“And that’s what happened!”

“Hm, that must’ve been quite the ordeal.”

“Exactly! I was so scared that something bad might’ve happened to Ellie or the villagers! I couldn’t stop pacing and worrying…”

“…So you were scared for them, huh? Ah, no, wait. So this old man wasn’t included in your list of worries?”

“Of course not. I can’t even imagine you getting hurt, Alex.”

“Hah! This old man is pretty powerful, after all.”

“…Yes, and since this is a compliment, you’re allowed to feel extra proud about it.”

With a strange laugh, Alex puffed out his chest, bursting into hearty laughter.

But that laugh didn’t last long.

Ellie, annoyed by the sound of his “weird voice,” smacked him right in the face.

“Ah!”

“What’s that ridiculous noise?”

“It’s the latest trend in the capital! I thought I’d try it out—it’s the sound that a beastkin girl named ‘Chii’ apparently makes all the time.”

“Who’s Chii? And Alex, you haven’t set foot in the capital for years.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, it is so.”

“Well, you could say that.”

“…No, I am saying that.”

“That’s not ‘you could say that,’ or ‘is that so,’—it’s just a fact, Alex!”

“Oh, come on, you two, stop fighting already. You’re acting like kids—it’s embarrassing!”

“Exactly! Teacher said so, so knock it off. Especially you, Mr. Baldy.”

Are grown-ups even allowed to bicker so childishly?

Sure, it’s entertaining to listen to, but come on.

They’re acting like squabbling elementary school kids.

“The kids are calling us childish.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“It’s not a compliment!”

Jeez. Adults are impossible sometimes.

“It’s just a joke, calm down,” Alex said with a shrug.

“I wasn’t joking,” Ellie replied, deadpan.

“Alex!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll say it was a joke.”

Seriously…

After that, we all continued chatting casually for a while.

The villagers, smiling warmly at us, began gathering up the unconscious inquisitors strewn about the ground and carried them off somewhere.

I thought they might have a lot to say to us, but instead, they left without a word.

They probably did it for Harp’s sake, knowing how shy she could be around strangers.

They really are kind people.

I should visit their homes later and personally thank them.

“So, why’s the bathhouse window broken?” Ellie suddenly asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I was chopping firewood, and, uh… the axe head kinda flew off…”

“Harp did it? That’s unexpected. I thought for sure it was Eve’s doing.”

“Excuse me?!”

Ellie grinned mischievously. “Just saying it suits you, Eve.”

“Alex, do you have a death wish?”

“…Uh, look over there. That rock did it.”

“Rocks don’t talk, Alex.”

“…Really?”

We were on our way back to the orphanage, the rest of the group having left us behind.

All I did was ask if anyone had tools to fix the bathhouse window, but somehow that led to both Ellie and Alex turning pale as if I’d dropped a bombshell.

They kept asking if anyone was hurt and why the window broke.

Ellie even insisted on covering the cost of the materials herself, and Alex grabbed his huge backpack, vowing to fix the window personally.

It was… a lot.

Still, being fussed over like this wasn’t the worst feeling in the world.

“We’re here. Felt like we got back in no time chatting along the way,” Alex said with a smile.

“That’s because you kept teasing Teacher,” Harp shot back.

“Want to join in? It’s fun. A total riot,” Alex quipped.

“…Teacher, should I bury him?”

“Calm down, Harp,” I said quickly, stepping in.

“Discussing burying someone right in front of them—scary stuff,” Alex muttered.

“Let’s take this conversation inside,” I suggested, reaching for the orphanage door.

But before I could open it.

“Wait a moment, Teacher.”

“Eve, hold on.”

Harp and Alex both grabbed my arm, pulling me behind them protectively.

“Uh… guys?”

What’s going on?

Is there something in the orphanage?

“Why are they making such a scary face?”

“Teacher, didn’t we leave the door open when we ran out earlier?”

“Uh… yeah, we did. Wait—”

We had definitely left the door wide open before rushing to the village.

But now, it was shut.

Why? It wasn’t a windy day, so there was no reason for it to close on its own.

“Well, that makes the answer obvious,” Alex muttered.

“Handle it carefully, Alex. We don’t know what’s inside,” Harp urged.

“Got it,” Alex replied.

Alex drew his fist back, the motion deliberate and measured.

Then.

BAM!

His punch soared through the air, slamming into the door and blowing it apart.

The impact didn’t stop there, though.

It drilled deep into the orphanage and hit something—or rather, someone—square in the face.

CRACK!

“Bullseye. That’s a perfect 100,” Alex said, nodding with satisfaction.

“Oh my goodness,” I whispered, staring.

Behind the broken door lay none other than Leon.

He was sprawled out on the floor, a tiny rope clutched in one hand, unconscious from the direct hit.

If we had opened the door ourselves…

If Alex hadn’t been with us…

A shiver ran down my spine, and I forced myself to stop thinking about it.

Having Harp and Alex here was a blessing beyond words.

And of course, Ellie too!