Hannes' Perspective
"——Have you woken up?" (Rena)
Today was a holiday, so after finishing up my morning preparations and eating, I logged in as I had done yesterday and found Rena standing in front of me. It seemed that she had just changed into cold weather gear, wearing light armor over a vertical sweater, and a thick coat over that. The armor had fur attached around her neck and other parts to prevent it from sticking to the skin...that's fine, but why is this idiot changing clothes in the same room as me?
"Hey you… what would you have done if I had logged in even a little earlier? You’re the kind of guy who gets all horny just because someone mentioned her belly button." (Hannes)
I really didn't know what her standards were—kissing someone on the cheek was fine, but pointing out that her exposed belly button was not—but then she just got changed in the same room as me. What? Is that it? Is she testing me? If so, what a mean and troublesome guy... I'm going to have a lot of trouble, you know.
"? Doesn't changing clothes in a game just take an instant?" (Rena)
"That's true, but doesn't that kind of thing make you feel bad?" (Hannes)
You see, it happens all the time...There was no actual harm, but it made me hesitate emotionally.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but please hurry up and get changed. We don't have time." (Rena)
"Huh? ...Well, never mind." (Hannes)
We didn't have time, but did that mean she was also looking forward to exploring unexplored dungeons? If so, it would have been worth it for me to muster up the courage to invite her. For now, I didn't feel comfortable being rushed, so I would just quickly put on the gear I had...Unlike swimsuits, cold weather gear was easy because you could just wear it underneath or over your clothes. Since it just needed to keep you warm, it didn't need to function as equipment, and since it didn't have any function as equipment, it's good that it didn't overlap with armor or other items.
"...Isn't there some kind of commotion outside?" (Hannes)
As I put on a thick coat over my gear, I looked out the window at the snow that was already falling...It's still early in the morning, so what's so noisy? Nothing in particular happened when I came here with my party members before, but did I set off some kind of flag somewhere?
"Oh, so you've narrowed it down to this already?" (Rena)
"...What?" (Hannes)
As soon as she opened the window, Rena held down her hair, which was being blown around by the raging wind, and buried her mouth in the scarf, breathing out white clouds of breath. She uttered some unpleasant words, and I somehow managed to stop myself from yelling at her and calmly asked her what she had said. There was no point in suddenly yelling at him here... If I did that, she would just tilt her head and look like she was thinking, "Why are you mad?" Yes, I should just calmly ask about the facts of what was happening now... and she would tell me what she knew.
"No, didn't you return the horses we borrowed the first time to the Adventurers' Guild yesterday?" (Rena)
"Yes, the Adventurers' Guild also operates a station for high-ranking adventurers." (Hannes)
It was similar to the train stations used by the Mongol Empire, which was said to have ruled over the second largest territory in history, and horses borrowed from stables located in the guilds of each city, town, or village could be returned to another city. Also, it was even possible to change horses from city to city and reach one's destination without slowing down. It was a convenient system that was often used by attackers who traveled long distances between the rear with the clan houses and the front line, as well as by those who just wanted to take it easy and go a little further afield, but...what exactly was it?
"I was able to log in early this morning, so I thought I'd borrow it for you." (Rena)
"...You couldn't register with the guild." (Hannes)
As I followed Rena out of the inn room while we were talking, I couldn't help but look annoyed. There was no way someone who wasn't even registered with the guild, let alone a high-ranking adventurer, could borrow something as expensive as a horse.
"...Please don't make that face. I'm sorry I forgot." (Rena)
"...Well, well, I guess everyone makes mistakes sometimes." (Hannes)
"Hannes Do you forget about it too? It's funny to think about it." (Rena)
"You…! Someone went out of their way to be considerate and did something for you…!" (Hannes)
That's right! This is the kind of guy she is! Why did I even think of following him in a weird way for a moment?!
"Tch... Come on, tell me more." (Hannes)
Being exposed to the cold air now that we were outside the inn made me frown and brusquely urge her to continue.
"Um, how far did we get... Ah, that's right, up to the part where I couldn't borrow a horse." (Rena)
Instead of heading straight for the Adventurers' Guild, Rena, for some reason went around to the back of the inn. As I was scratching my head, I followed her.
"Even though I can't borrow it from the guild, I came up with a good idea." (Rena)
"...I have a bad feeling about this." (Hannes)
When we arrived at the inn, there were two gallant horses with impressive physiques were standing attached to the stables, wearing sturdy leather armor made from the skins of magical beasts――
"——So I stole two war horses." (Rena)
"Idiot! You idiot!" (Hannes)
I instinctively scratched my head and let out a cry of "Ugh!" with my whole body, expressing the indescribable feelings in my heart.... I then shook off the arm that had been scratching my head with all my might, then crouching as if I was embracing something invisible, cursed the bastard in front of me. This was a military country, moreover the military police had a lot of authority... so I just warned her not to cause any trouble, why is this idiot going out of his way to steal from the military?!
"No, I was thinking of stealing from the guild... but wouldn't it be better to steal something strong and sturdy?" (Rena)
"You idiot!!" (Hannes)
Ah, so that's the kind of guy she is...I couldn't help but put my hand to my forehead and look up to the sky.
"……that?"
And then she looked up at me with a confused look, as if I was some weirdo who kept behaving strangely and it's just unbearable—It was her fault that I had gone crazy.
"——There they are! Over there!"
"See, they only found us because you were making a fuss... even though you told me not to make so much noise." (Rena)
I could clearly feel veins rising in my temples...but now was not the time to be distracted by such things, so I took a deep breath and calm down.
"I'll scold you later!" (Hannes)
"...Hmm, so this is something that will get me scolded, huh" (Rena)
"...Kuh!" (Hannes)
I didn't know what was good about it, but at a time like this, I turned my face away from the bitch who was smiling faintly... what a carefree guy, even though regular soldiers were closing in on us as pursuers.
"Come on! Get on board!" (Hannes)
"...Women should be treated more gently, you know." (Rena)
"Shut up! If you want to be treated properly, show proper behavior and speech!" (Hannes)
For the time being, I threw Rena, with half her face hidden by her scarf, onto one of the horses, and, ignoring the complaints coming from the guy above, I got on the other horse.
"Sorry! I'll come back later to give it back—!" (Hannes)
"What nonsense are you talking about!" (Rena)
"No, I think so too! Really! No, seriously!" (Hannes)
There really is no tension or guilt whatsoever! What is wrong with this person!
"Damn it! We went to the trouble of either losing or defeating all of the assassins, and now we're marching while being chased by regular soldiers!" (Hannes)
"Hehe, it looks like it's going to be another fun journey today, right?" (Rena)
"Exactly! It keeps me from getting bored!" (Hannes)
That jerk, Rena —— No, even though I was saying hateful things about Rena, I couldn't help but laugh, knowing that I too was enjoying myself somewhere. There was no point in thinking about it anymore...more importantly, all I could think about was how to handle this frontline-reaching RTA, which had become even more difficult. The more difficult the opponent and the more difficult the task...the more I became hopelessly fired up.
"...I like that face of Hannes." (Rena)
"Huh?" (Hannes)
"Hehe, that face that turns towards me and twists in frustration is as usual." (Rena)
"Okay then, I'll beat you up first before I beat the others behind me." (Hannes)
With an innocent smile on her face as if to say, "My prank was a success," she and I both readied our weapons and swung them behind our backs with all our might.
Author's Note (Preface)
The cover image of Volume 3 has been released on the official BK Books Twitter account!
Author's Note (Afterword)
Thank you for collecting the flags.
Everyone!! This is the cover image that was revealed on Twitter a few hours ago!!
What do you think? Isn't it amazing?
Super cool, right?!
The contrast between Rena and Hannes is amazing!!
...
That's all! Thank you very much for your support!! (Prostration)