I’m Back in the Other World? Chapter 63

Chapter 63 – Hero, Think

「Haa~」

That’s no good… To sigh like this first thing in the morning… I know the cause of the sigh. The Demon King, no, it’s Fujino huh. It’s because of the words that girl said.

『You were summoned to this world by using a tabooed technique, they made up an imaginary Demon King, and finally lied to you that the royalty of this country are the bad guys. Furthermore, they even said they could 『return you to your original world』, which isn’t possible… Even though I’ve only said this much, you understand how much you’ve been lied to, right?』

Was I…… deceived?

If the words of that girl are true, that means I can’t return to j.a.pan. Then I…… must live in this world?

No, didn’t that girl also say,

『Since my words might also be lies, please think carefully about it yourself.』

She might be lying…

Is there a reason for her to lie? There is a reason. In order to escape from me, the Hero. However, if we a.s.sume everything she said was a lie then…… I think her behaviour is strange.1

She said that she came to this world two months ago by coincidence. She also knew about j.a.pan. She even went out of her way to introduce herself. And she didn’t try to attack me.

But, she’s familiar with this world. She could also use sorcery. In just two months? That should be impossible. Didn’t the Royal Court Magician say it? ‘It takes at least one year to reach a point where elementary sorcery can be used’ he said…2 Then what about her sorcery? Even I, with the additional special ability from being summoned, took a month to reach the point where I could barely use elementary level sorcery.

……Even when I try to think about it, I don’t understand. What’s going on, I wonder?

『Please think carefully about it yourself.』

The girl’s words echoed in my mind. What should I do when I don’t understand even when I think about it?

Right, I should try asking if I don’t understand.

kon kon kon

「Eleanor, is she not here?」

I first visited the priest, Eleanor’s room. That girl said it at that time.

『Aah, this lady seems to know the situation, you know? Wouldn’t it be a good idea to try ask her later as well?』

At that time, the girl’s eyes were looking at Eleanor. I wonder what Eleanor knows?

But she’s not here so it can’t be helped.

Let’s look for the next one.

「Ah, you three, this is perfect. There’s something I want to ask.」

There wasn’t anyone in the rooms, so when I tried going to the first floor, except Eleanor, three people, Adela, Fillice, and Matilda, were sat around a table.

Adela is a female warrior, sort of like how they appear in games, she’s wearing quite the risqué armour. Her weapon is a large axe and she’s a reliable vanguard during combat. Fillice is skilled at wielding a bow, and possesses various skills needed for travelling. I’ve been very much under her care since we’ve left the country. Matilda is a magician who’s well-informed of various matters. Although she’s still young, she’s composed, I’ve relied on her since I’m not well informed.3

Including Eleanor, these four people are important comrades whom the King a.s.signed to me when I began my journey as the Hero.

「Hey, about what that girl said, what do you think?」

Since everyone was there, I went straight to the
point.

「I…… tried thinking about it but I don’t really understand. That’s why, I want to hear everyone’s opinions…」

Saying that, I looked at the three people’s face, but they had a…… perplexed expression.

「I don’t know the minor details. The King didn’t say anything other than to go together with the Hero.」

Adela spoke and let out a sigh at the same time while leaning against her chair

「Me too, just like Adela. The King said I’m to be in this party. However, that Demon King, no, that girl, if what she says is the truth, I wonder what’ll happen to us ne…」

Followed by Fillice. The last part was muttered while she hung her head down.

「I…… think what that girl said made sense. Leaving aside whether she’s the Demon King or not, it seems she has information that even I’m not aware of. At the very least, within the scope of what I know, what she said isn’t wrong.」

Last was Matilda. However, Matilda then opened her mouth with an expression as if she’s brooding over something.

「……Did you try ask Eleanor-san? I think Eleanor-san is hiding something. Thinking back, her behaviour so far as well, Eleanor-san commented whenever something happened, I think her behaviour was overbearing at times4. If we believe what that girl said, then Eleanor-san is…」

Matilda painfully cut her words off.

It’s been one month since I was summoned, and two weeks since we left for our journey. Although it’s only been two weeks, it’s painful to suspect a comrade that we’ve travelled together with.5

However, I understand everyone is suspecting Eleanor from watching their expressions.

「…I’ll try asking Eleanor later. Until then, I’ll try gather information around town regarding that girl for the time being.」

With that, I should be able to at least judge whether that girl is the Demon King or not.

After planning that, I left the inn and decided to ask the people in town.

The first place I went to was the Adventurers’ Guild. Since she’s registered as an adventurer, I believe this will be the easiest place to gather information.

「I’d like to ask about a person but, it’s about an adventurer named Sakura Fujino…」

First I’ll ask the receptionist to see what kind of person she is.

「Fujino-sama, is it? Yes, she’s registered as an adventurer but… Although I’m only able to say what kind of person she is, nevertheless, will that be alright?」

「Aah, that’s no problem.」

「Understood. Sakura Fujino-sama is an adventurer that registered two months ago. She has black eyes and black hair, her height is short, she has an appearance of an 8 year old girl. Ah, this is a secret from the person herself okay?6 Although she has an appearance of a little girl, she meets the rule of being an adult to be an adventurer7. Her commission achievement rate is high, and her evaluation within the guild is also high. This is all I’m able to tell you.」

「I see, thanks.」

I said my thanks and left the reception.

Although I had a poker face on the surface, my mind is filled with astonishment.

EEH!? An adult of this world, if I remember correctly, is 15 years old right!? Is there only a two year difference between us!?8 No, perhaps, she’s older than me!!? SERIOUSLY!?

It was surprising information. I thought for sure she was an elementary school student, or a junior high school student at the most.

Aah, but if I considering the situation at that time, I might be older.

After reconsidering, I searched for the next informant.

Maybe it’s because of the time, but the only person inside the guild was a female adventurer.

Let’s try asking that lady next.

「Excuse me, I’d like to hear a little bit regarding someone but…… do you know of a black-haired black-eyed little girl?」

Maybe she’s waiting for someone, I tried calling out to her who was sat on a chair doing nothing.

「n? What…? You want to hear about Sakura? You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, why do you want to hear about Sakura?」

She suddenly observed me with her sharp eyes, so I arranged a suitable reason with a poker face even though I was surprised.

「I heard it from a rumor. ‘Although she’s a little girl, she’s an adventurer’, they said. In addition, it seems the guild also values her well, so I thought I’d like to know what type of person she was for once.」

Although the lady in front of me glared at me for a short while, she suddenly averted her eyes at the end.

「……Alright then. You don’t seem to have evil intentions. Well then, I’ll tell you. Sakura is small and cute… (omitted) … like the previous time we joined up together as escorts…」

The lady continued speaking for roughly 30 minutes. The contents were details like how cute that girl was from beginning to end. Furthermore, it seems the story will still continue on.

When I was thinking of a way to escape, the companions that seemed to be who the lady was waiting for arrived.

「Aー, sorry. We’re late…… wait, what’cha doing?」

「mu, what, it’s Meriana huh. Well, he asked about Sakura so I spoke a little about her.」

「Arara, ah, sorry ne. This kid, she always becomes like this when it comes to her you see. Don’t worry about it.」

「Hey, I haven’t finished speaking… Oi, I can still talk for 1 koku you know!?」

Let’s leave this place while the woman she was waiting for keeps her busy. T-This isn’t running away you okay? This is a strategic withdrawal!

……Rather, did she plan on speaking for another two hours?

I left the Adventurers’ Guild while wiping off my cold sweat.