The Character I Created Is Obsessed With Me

76 – Ruse and Conspiracy (1)

“Good work!”

The receptionist handed over the money bag with a lively voice.

8,000 Gold coins. It was the money he earned by wandering around the plains for two days and killing monsters.

With this amount, four of my colleagues can live on for about a week.

After meticulously checking the gold coins, he settled for Celica’s share.

“Serica. It’s up to you.”

“Ah. Yes… ?”

Celica was dazed and took her pocket.

A total of 2500 gold. Feeling the weight of her pockets, she shook them in embarrassment.

“Am I not getting too much…?”

“No, it’s the same amount as I said from the beginning.”

Actually, from Celica’s point of view, the amount was right.

Considering her performance over the past two days, it was quite excessive.

But she didn’t think it was a waste.

“We are going to explore the swamp in earnest in two days.”

“…”

“It will probably take four days. Or it could take longer.”

Listening to my words, Celica made a complicated expression.

She was still showing a reaction that I couldn’t tell if it was positive or negative.

She wanted to invite her to come in as a colleague, but she decided to step back.

Until now, Celica had compulsorily followed her request.

Fighting monsters for the first time, her shortcomings were revealed.

Maybe she knows too.

Even if she went along with the next request, she didn’t seem to be very helpful.

But Celica didn’t immediately refuse.

If she didn’t like it, she would have run out of her commissioned office right now.

“Is it okay if I tell you later… ?”

As expected, Celica chose to delay her answer.

Celica needed time to organize her thoughts.

She was not pressed for time anyway, so she was able to wait long enough.

“Yes. But be sure to tell me in two days.”

After her conversation, Celica nodded her head to express her apologies.

She waved her hand at her with her words of ok, her bright smile and her steps back.

As I watched her receding back, I turned her steps the same way.

“Come on. Let’s go back.”

When I stopped talking, the two quietly followed me.

I passed the back alley of the street with the setting sun behind me.

“It was really frustrating.”

Erina spat out her displeasure as if talking to herself.

“Honestly, if it wasn’t for that nun, I might have found Cerberus by now.”

“Erina. Stop.”

At my restraint, Erina shut her mouth.

But she started to grumble and show off her dislike.

Since things aren’t going my way, I wonder if they’re trying to rebel in a timid way.

On the other hand, another colleague quietly followed me.

“Kayla?”

“Oh, yes. I am listening.”

Even as Kayla answered my words, she was lost in her thoughts.

What is she thinking?

I couldn’t figure it out, but it was clear that he was probably thinking about her request and Celica.

The person who took care of Celica the most during this expedition was Kayla.

Since they are located in the same back row, the distance between the two could not help but be close.

Celica made a mistake, but she didn’t say anything and let it go.

Was there a change of heart while being with Celica?

The atmosphere changed as we passed through dark back alleys and reached the center of town.

Carriages passed by on the streets and transported goods.

The surroundings were overflowing with merchants soliciting customers.

From ordinary farmers to aristocrats who seem to have quite a lot of money, they were looking for things they needed on the streets.

As I was passing through the crowded streets, I bumped into someone on the shoulder.

“Wow…!”

I looked back and saw a man hurriedly walking somewhere.

If you are busy, you may run into people. The moment you try to pass by without thinking,

“Kyaa… Kyaaak…!!”

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The streets became noisy with the screams of a woman.

Around the place where I was, people split like the Red Sea.

And at the center of it all was the man who had just slapped me on the shoulder.

Then Erina, who was next to me, disappeared.

“Uh…?”

The man who had fallen on the street looked up at the person who had crushed him with a bewildered expression.

Erina was holding the man’s collar. She was glaring at the man with an expression as if she were going to kill him.

“Erina…!!”

I immediately realized what had happened.

I hurriedly ran through the people. And he forcibly dropped her hand that was holding her by the collar.

Freed from his grasp, the man fell to the floor and coughed.

“What are you doing!”

Hitting someone just because you bumped into me on the shoulder. Anyway, I crossed the line too much.

Erina was flustered but kept her eyes on the man.

“You…”

I hurriedly covered her mouth.

Getting angry or shouting at the current situation could have led to a bigger fuss.

“Kayla. Stop Erina for a moment.”

“Oh, I see!”

I didn’t want to put the two together, but the priority was to deal with the situation.

I approached the fallen man and held out his hand.

Fortunately, the man obediently grabbed my hand and pulled me up.

“Sorry. My colleague made a mistake.”

“Oh, no. It’s okay. I’m busy, stop…”

There was no time to properly apologize. The man left the spot as if he were running away.

Fortunately, there was no collision, but at the very least, something serious could have happened.

When the man disappeared, the people around him also began to withdraw. It seems that it has gone over to the fuss of the street for a moment.

It’s a shame because there were no guards around. If he didn’t, he could have been dragged away by the guards.

“Erina…”

Erina’s eyes met hers, and her body trembled.

And the same goes for Kyla, who was blocking her.

She didn’t know what expression she was making.

But I could clearly sense the anger boiling in her heart.

“Wait a minute! I am…!”

“Follow me for now.”

She took her and headed for her quiet alleyway.

A place not far from the inn. I stopped Erina in a corner where the eyes of the people around me were not attracted.

“What did you just do?”

“I, I want you…”

“Don’t say that it’s to protect you.”

Now that’s a boring excuse.

Looking at Erina’s misdeeds up until now, I’ve overlooked a lot.

But this time, I just couldn’t let it go.

Murder in the capital. Violence against Kayla. Ignoring Celica.

Erina’s actions so far flashed through her mind.

At first, she hoped that if she got along well, she might change.

No, I wanted her to change.

No matter how young she was with her mindset, she knew that violence was a bad thing, she believed.

But it seems I was too soft-minded.

“What do you do when you hurt someone?”

“But that man must have been strange…!”

My teeth trembled at the sight of him trying to make excuses even in this situation.

Even if it was a character I liked, there was a limit I could tolerate.

“Listen to what I have to say! Please!”

Has she ever yelled at her?

Both Erina and Kayla, who were watching her, were terrified by the angry voice.

A short silence followed, leaving only an awkward atmosphere.

Then I heard whimpering.

“I-I just… That man is strange…”

Erina let her tears fall as her body shrank.

She made up her excuses in a plaintive tone as if she had done nothing wrong.

Even in this situation, she did not admit her fault.

“…I will tell you the truth. If this happens one more time from now on.”

“Oh no…! I really…!”

“I will leave you behind. Sincerely.”

“I hate it! Why only me, only me…!”

Erina was still unaware of her own fault.

She realized that no matter how much she said it, there was no point in scolding her.

“I’ll be at the inn, come in when you feel like reflecting.”

I didn’t want to hear the answer. She just got out of the alley and headed for the street.

I heard footsteps following me, but she didn’t bother to look back.

As I made my way to the inn, only one footstep followed me.

After finally returning to the inn, Kayla opened her mouth.

“My lord.”

She didn’t like her expression either. Her expression was downcast, and she couldn’t make eye contact.

“…Sorry.”

“No. Your lord’s actions were right.”

As if to comfort me, Kayla put her hand on her shoulder and stroked it lightly.

“Erina-sama did not follow. I think she might as well give her time alone.”

“…Yes.”

She and I are the same. She needed a moment to cool her head.

Until just yesterday, I had made up my mind to treat her well, but now it has become her promise.

Should we reconcile first this time?

Actually, Erina would always accept my reconciliation.

Since I had to break through the swamp two days later, I couldn’t continue confrontation with Erina.

If I had been strong, I wouldn’t have had to worry about this.

If I had stopped her actions in advance, this confrontation wouldn’t have happened.

“This is really frustrating.”

She sighed and put down her armor.

Kayla started to help me pack her things.

Even though she was away for a while, I felt the vacancy of Erina greatly.