I see Isolte on my way back to the inn. She has a serious expression on her face, and when she sees me, she comes over and gives me a letter.
“What is this?”
“You will know when you read it.”
Is she asking me out on a date?
We’ve been talking a lot, and considering we’re close enough to call each other by our first names, it’s not out of the question.
She’s frowning more than usual, maybe out of nervousness, and my heart dances at the prospect of a date with someone this beautiful.
I have plans with Mars and Lela for the first day, so it would have to be on the second. No, Noir’s fishing competition is on the second, so I have to make time for that.
That means I’m only free on the final day, but Isolte is a busy person, so will she just happen to be free that day too?
If there’s a double booking, we’ll have to move the schedule around. Maybe I should just ask her what her schedule is looking like.
“Unfortunately, I have plans for the first and second days, but for you, I’ll do my best to find time.”
“Ah?”
“Eh?”
Oh? That’s not the reaction I was expecting.
“Do you think this is about the summer festival? It’s not an invitation, it’s about your old job.”
This response I wasn’t expecting turns my face red.
I got mixed up all on my own. What an embarrassing guy I am.
But Isolte’s expression loosens as she senses my embarrassment.
“I can leave the third day free if you want.”
“Really!?”
“Yes. I’m going to take some time on the final day anyway. But for now, the letter. Like I said before, this is about Lord Alchemia.”
Lord Alchemia… Ruby.
I haven’t heard her name in a while. And I haven’t thought of her much either.
If she’s sending me a letter like this, does that mean she knows I’m in Minerva? Oh well, it’s not like that’s a problem.
I said goodbye to her that day, so we’re strangers at this point.
But then what is this about?
I don’t really want to read it, but Isolte brought it to me, so it might be important.
Let’s just have a look.
I open it, and sure enough, it says it’s from Ruby. This is the handwriting I recognize too.
But what I read is shocking.
Apparently she angered her majesty, and she’s going to be tried for treason to the country and lese majesty in three weeks.
And the letter also details how she got there.
It says she broke off her contract with Crowley because he was more incompetent than she thought. This angered her majesty, and she put out unreasonable requests.
Despite her not having an exclusive mage, her majesty continued to press her to do quests without understanding her situation.
She went to Melport to bring me back because she needed my help until she got a new exclusive mage, but the queen’s subordinates failed to understand that, so that failed.
She got a bahamut bomb to take down Iris, but her old junior’s betrayal led to the queen’s subordinates catching her.
Ruby is being accused of crimes of treason against the country and lese majesty, and she will be tried in three weeks, so she wants me to advocate for her.
How did this all happen in the span of half a year after I was gone?
Take me back, take down Iris… This is all incomprehensible to me. I mean… She’s bad news.
Is the treason against the country about the bahamut bomb? It says she got it to use it against Iris, but that’s full on attempted murder.
What is this girl on about?
She brought the lese majesty on herself too. The queen can be a little annoying, but she’s generally lenient. She wouldn’t be accusing her of a crime for just a couple of failed quests.
I mean, ignoring requests and running away makes her a failure as an adult.
But what really draws my attention is her mental state.
She kept writing how it’s not her fault. I can only let out a dry laugh when I see that.
When I look back at Isolte, she’s looking at me with a serious expression. It’s clear she wants to see my reaction.
But I already have my answer.
I cast the beginner spell Fire, and burn away the letter in my hand.
I don’t want her asking me for help at this point. Do something about it yourself, I’m busy.
“Are you sure about this, Loyd?”
“Yes, our relationship is over. She’s not a child, she can take care of herself.”
“I see.”
Isolte looks relieved. It makes me feel like I’m really needed in Minerva.
“Isolte, I’m really glad I came to Minerva. I’m still green when it comes to being an adventurer, but I hope you bear with me.”
“Yes, gladly.”
She responds with a smile, and we agree to go out on the third day.
It’s nice how many plans I’m packing into the summer festival this year.
And as I go back to the inn and think about tomorrow, Ruby is completely out of my mind.
The next day, I head to the square to meet the others.
It’s early, but the town is full of life, with a lot of people passing through the main street.
Mars and Lela are waiting for me by the statue of Emeraude in the square.
“Ah, it’s Loyd. Good morning.”
“Good morning Lela. Good morning Mars. You two are here early.”
“Good morning sensei. We just got here.”
“Where are we going first?”
“I want to eat something at the stalls. I skipped breakfast today.”
“That’s no good. You need your breakfast.”
“Hahaha, then let’s go to the market first.”
And that settles it, so we walk through the main street.
“By the way, what are those triangles?”
Lela points to triangular flags hanging from strings. Those colorful things are usually seen at parties and stuff like that.
“I don’t know the name either. Aren’t they pennant flags?”
“I don’t think that’s right.”
“Those are called continuous triangle flags.”
Says Mars.
“Eh, really? I’m surprised you know.”
“My father told me.”
I guess Mars coming from a merchant family means he learns this stuff through their connections.
But even the fact that he remembers it is big.
“But who makes these mysterious things?”
“According to what I heard, it was the town’s children.”
“I see. Back in my village, kids made wood carvings during the harvest festival.”
Says Lela, looking nostalgic.
“Does that mean you can do that too?”
“Of course? I am an elf, so I am very skillful and dexterous.”
She says proudly.
She can use a bow, magic, and do wood carvings. She really is skillful.
We keep chatting as we head to the market, and have breakfast there.
Join my patreon to support me and read ahead.
