“Why is that?”

While I was in the middle of receiving information from Lindy for the next target, I caught a glimpse of Lindy, who was whispering to her subordinate, beyond the Magical Crystal.

Knowing that I hardly ever bring anyone into the room during our communications, even if I trust them, I felt concerned and asked.

Lindy confirmed that the subordinate who had reported to her was leaving the room, and only then did she turn back to me and speak.

– “Um… the thing is, lately, there’s been someone trying to collect information about our Elysia.”

“Who’s this ‘our Elysia’ you keep referring to?”

I corrected Lindy’s casual reference to ‘our Elysia.’ Of course, friends can call each other whatever they like, but the perverted lesbian Lindy surely didn’t mean that.

– “Oh, come on, why act like that between us? Isn’t it about time you accepted my true feelings?”

“What are we to each other?”

– “You’re the hard-working Elysia out there, and I’m the one supporting you from the inside?”

“…Let’s ease off the jokes for now. What do you mean by someone collecting information on me?”

– “I’m not joking! Well, if Elysia wants, I should just let it slide. To be honest, there have been quite a few people wanting info about you, Elysia. It’s been for quite a while now.”

“Really? This is the first I’m hearing about it.”

Contrary to Lindy’s claim of it being a long time ago, I was hearing this for the first time. In fact, Lindy had already known about it for ages.

– “Of course, it can only be the first time for you! Do you have any idea how hard I’ve worked for Elysia all this time? I’ve been manipulating info with great care so that it wouldn’t reach your ears!”

But it turns out the only person capable of telling me, Lindy, kept it a secret. It was only natural that I was unaware when the one source of information had my eyes and ears covered.

Of course, I could also seek information through the Emperor, but my citizen-like nature made it too burdensome to just ask him outright. The only times I communicated with the Emperor were when he requested something from me or when I reported my whereabouts.

“However, what’s changed that you’re suddenly telling me everything now?”

I asked Lindy, wondering if something serious had happened, that she was revealing what had been a secret for years. Was the person digging up my information possibly someone aligned with the Demonic Race? Or perhaps a powerful noble, whom even I wouldn’t dare to cross? It could even be that a direct request came from the Demonic Race itself.

Lindy, realizing this was no ordinary matter, leaned closer to the Magical Crystal and lowered her voice. Even though her subordinate had left, she looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping.

With the atmosphere setting the tone, I unconsciously leaned into the Magical Crystal as well.

– “Actually…”

“Okay. What is it?”

Lindy raised one hand to partially cover her mouth, whispering. Following her cue, I, too, tensed up and focused to not miss what she was saying.

– “Actually… if Elysia finds out how hard I’ve been working behind her back, don’t you think she might develop feelings for me?”

“…You’ve been hiding all this just for that reason?”

– “Just for that reason? That just shows how serious my feelings for Elysia are! Besides, with one more competitor popping up this time, I feel the need to be more proactive.”

“Competitor?”

– “Grr… Luna was already a handful, but now there’s one more….”

Lindy muttered as she held her head. That likely referred to Frecia as the newly added competitor. But the idea that Luna and Frecia were competitors to Lindy was just absurd. It was nonsensical for Lindy to assume that all women were like her, homosexuals. The idea that being a lesbian was common was just her delusion; after all, homosexuals constitute a minority.

Of course, I didn’t know Luna or Frecia’s preferences in detail. However, calculating the probability of them being lesbians just like Lindy? That was just laughable. Were Selian and other friends also supposedly lesbians?

Honestly, I was more concerned about Lindy extending her reach toward Frecia just like she did with Luna. I couldn’t help but worry that the naive Luna and Frecia might find themselves sucked into the path of a sexual minority like Lindy.

“Just don’t reach for the boss after Luna, okay?”

– “What do you take me for, some pervert who touches everyone? I know how to discern things!”

“But you didn’t seem to think that way when we first met. Right off the bat, you were all over my elf ears, which are super sensitive, and you even asked to touch my butt….”

– “T-that was because Elysia was too…!”

Lindy seemed about to shout something but found herself at a loss for words regarding that matter.

“So who’s the one collecting information on me?”

I shifted the topic back to the main point, sensing that if I continued the banter, we might end up wasting time on useless chat. Enough playful jabs for now.

– “…Well, excluding a few who keep their identities tightly hidden, there are just so many that I can’t pinpoint just one.”

“Is there really that many?”

– “Elysia? Reflecting on your actions, don’t you think you might have ruffled some feathers?”

“Indeed. I’ve killed way too many Demonic Races and even quite a few high nobles, so I guess I’ve got quite a few grudges to deal with.”

– “Are you really that oblivious? Is it possible you already know everything but are just pretending not to? I’d rather you just admit it! Please!”

“What are you talking about? Stop with the vague nonsense and just give me the next target. Since rescuing Luna set us back a day, we need to be more proactive.”

Ignoring Lindy’s eager shout, I asked her for the next target. I felt a bit guilty about placing extra burdens on Frecia, but thanks to her joining, we could certainly accomplish much more.

The true value of a Wizard lies not just in the increased firepower but in the vast array of tactics available. With Frecia potentially following orders, I was less worried about her facing danger alone as well.

Reflecting on the strength of Gomtaengi and Tokki from before, I believed those two alone would suffice to protect Frecia.

– “…I can assure you, one day, Elysia will surely face consequences.”

Wow, why bring such scary, unsettling words up when people are minding their own business?

Of course, unlike the perverted Lindy, I had nothing to feel guilty about in this regard. However, no matter how innocent I was, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease.

*

After receiving the next destination from Lindy, I returned to the inn where we were staying. Our conversation ended up lasting longer than I thought, and it was well past midnight by the time I arrived.

Given that the inn wasn’t soundproof, I quietly opened the door and stepped inside, trying not to make noise so that the other guests wouldn’t wake up.

It seemed Luna and Frecia, tired from waiting, had fallen asleep together on the bed.

The sight of Tokki, resembling a giant plush toy, lying peacefully as both women used it as a pillow made anyone who witnessed it smile warmly.

Of course, if the lesbian Lindy were there, she might have gone insane for other reasons, but could such pure beings possibly be like Lindy? At any rate, Lindy isn’t bad but keeps throwing points away by showing her crazy side.

Tokki, unable to move being sandwiched between the two, managed to perk up one ear as I walked in to acknowledge me. Meanwhile, Gomtaengi seemed quick on his feet, having escaped from the two, greeting me on the empty, spacious bed in the form of a small plush toy.

Since there was no need to wake the two who were sleeping soundly, I quietly headed to the bed where Gomtaengi was. While I felt a little guilty for hogging the bed alone, Luna and Frecia were quite petite, so the bed they occupied wasn’t really cramped.

Justifying myself for monopolizing the spacious bed alone, I closed my eyes to prepare for the march ahead starting tomorrow.

The next morning, despite having slept alone in a wide bed with Gomtaengi, I woke up to find Luna and Frecia hugging me on either side, with Gomtaengi and Tokki asleep on my stomach.

Glancing over, I noticed the opposite bed was completely empty.

…Why, when there was a spacious bed, are they all here with me?

However, even if I wished to sneak away without waking everyone up, it was pretty much impossible, so I had to remain trapped for a while with my eyes wide open.

   

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