It's something that should be worn by fictional protagonists or final bosses.
In other words, you have to be a hero or a demon lord to wear a black coat.
So, as someone not interested in black robes like Shion, who is the hero, it's an outfit only suitable for a demon lord.Well, I don't even know if demon lords wear clothes.
Come to think of it, I've had Holly, who has defeated various demon lords, near me all this time, and I've never asked her what those demon lords were like. I had plenty of opportunities to ask.
I'll ask her when we're alone next time.
While I was thinking about this,
"Crow... Crow..."
Holly whispered to me in a small voice.
That's strange. Since only I can hear Holly's voice, there's hardly any point in her speaking softly.
Maybe she's being considerate because I told her not to speak up too much in front of others.
"Crow... it's serious."
"What is?"
"There's someone else sitting on the long bench where you three are, isn't there?"
Indeed, besides the three of us, there was another customer sitting on the long bench.
It's a long bench placed in front of the tea house, not inside, for customers who want to eat dumplings outside, so it's quite wide and tall.
Therefore, there's a customer sitting with their back towards us.
"...?"
Wait a minute. Now that Holly mentioned it, the customer sitting with their back to us has a really large sword-like object wrapped in cloth.
Just like when I was carrying the Holy Light Sword wrapped in cloth.
Moreover, the person is tall, clad in a black cloak, and has white hair. A woman.
Could it be...
"That's the person who had the Demon God Sword and Rakshasa Sword."
(What!?!?!)
I screamed internally, returning my gaze to the front.
Neither Instructor Catolea nor Platanus seemed to notice.
The person who had the Demon God Sword and Rakshasa Sword.
A woman named Amaranth who was behind us.
This is bad.
Amaranth is so strong that only Shion can handle her.
Even if Instructor Catolea and Platanus join forces, they wouldn't stand a chance.
After all, the last time we fought her, just one slash of the Demon God Sword knocked out Instructor Catolea, Iris, and Saffron all at once.
And Heath, who went alone, was defeated in seconds.
The theory that Saintly Sword users are generally equal, with some differences in abilities and compatibility, doesn't apply here.Amaranth is an exceptional wielder of the Saintly Swords.
This is a serious situation.
Every time something like this happens, I have the same thought.
I should have brought Shion along.
Actually, if Shion were here, she could have operated the Sleipnir Sword, and there would have been no need for me to come.
Well, it's too late now, but the only unnecessary one here is me.
I'm sweating coldly, keeping an eye on Amaranth behind us.
I can't see her face because she's facing away, but she seems to be just eating dumplings and drinking tea normally.
Maybe she's just here by coincidence and not to attack us?
We should leave the shop before Amaranth notices us bumping into each other.
In fact, let's head back to Pendragon as soon as possible.
"Crow-sama? You look pale, is something wrong?"
"…!"
Don't ask me that now!
Don't mention my name in front of Amaranth!
"Ah? What's wrong, Crow? Did Holly speak to you?"
Instructor!
Don't say my name!
And don't hint to the enemy about Holly, a holy spirit only I can see!
I check Amaranth's reaction.
She's still eating dumplings.
This is our chance.
From the conversation I had with her before, I remember Amaranth being quite careless.
In the first place, she didn’t realize that Instructor Catolea, wearing a flamboyant red tailcoat exclusive to Saintly Sword wielders, was one herself. That's careless enough.
Now, let's leave the shop nonchalantly.
"Well, no, it's nothing. I was just thinking about leaving the shop..."
"Wait, Crow. I've only eaten three-color dumplings. Let me eat some tea dumplings too."
"I would like to have Mitarashi dumplings."
Why do these two have to act like foodies at a time like this!
And why doesn't anyone else realize there’s a Saintly Sword wielder sitting behind us!
Nobody except me is grasping the situation. What's going on?
"…Saintly Sword wielders can sense each other's magic when they are using their abilities, but when they are not, they don't feel anything. That's probably why it took so long for anyone to realize Platanus was a Saintly Sword wielder. I also didn’t notice this woman was so close until she got here."
Damn it. Everyone's supposed to be more capable than me, but they're just marginally useful.Anyway, we must flee quickly before any commotion arises.
"Uh... suddenly my stomach... I want to go back to the inn quickly."
"That's troubling. Do you want to go back ahead of us?"
You're coming with me!
"You go ahead alone. We haven’t finished eating yet."
That's not the point!
Leaving you two behind is dangerous too!
Damn. What should I do?
Explaining the situation would alert Amaranth herself.
"Hey, why are you still here? Go to the bathroom already."
"Holding it in is bad for your health. A physiological need can strike at any time, right?"
"Yeah, it's still good that we're in town. Getting the urge in the middle of a battlefield is the worst."
"Indeed. The disposal of waste by thousands or tens of thousands of soldiers... It's a world incomprehensible to those who haven't been in war."
"By the way, I've always thought that the flush toilets in the royal castle and the nobles' residences are amazing. Once you use one of those, all other toilets feel too unclean to use."
"A hero's companion invented it, along with the water and sewage systems, and baths. A genius who revolutionized the concept of hygiene."
"There are a few in town, but having such a convenient thing in your house is a luxury."
"If only it could be mass-produced someday. But with current technology, maintaining and repairing the existing ones is already a challenge."
"A hero's companion, so someone from about five hundred years ago, right? How did they manage to build it back then?"
Would you both just shut up!
I'm worrying for you two!
Your musings on toilets are irrelevant!
While I was preoccupied with these thoughts, Amaranth, the person in question, stood up, left money on the bench, and walked away without a glance at us.
Phew, that was close. We're safe.
Relieved from the tenshion, I slumped onto the bench.
"Hey, Crow, don't tell me you..."
"Crow-sama..."
It seems Instructor Catolea and Platanus finally realized something was off with me.
"Did you... wet yourself?"
"Did you have an accident?"
No, that's not it.
No one seems to understand me. Despite the unexpected encounter with Amaranth, our investigation in Blue Dragon went smoothly.Well, I basically left everything to Platanus and Instructor Catolea and spent my days playing chess and cards with Holly.
I wonder why it's so appealing to stay up all night playing cards when you're traveling and staying at an inn. Not that it matters much.
"Pfft, you're really bad at Sevens, aren't you?" Holly chuckled.
"It's just that I have terrible luck in games where chance is involved."
"Making excuses? Luck is also a part of skill, you know?"
"But seriously, aren't games like Sevens or Old Maid super boring when played with just two people? You can see each other's hands."
"Well, I could invite someone you know to join, but to them, it would just look like cards floating in mid-air."
"That's why we should just invite Shion."
"Ugh!"
"Why do you always click your tongue at the mention of Shion?"
"Can you imagine me getting along and playing nicely with that kid?"
I put down my cards and imagined Holly and Shion playing together amicably. It didn't seem bad to me.
Before going to bed, Holly and I always play some kind of game. Maybe next time, I'll invite Shion too.
"Crow-sama, may I have a moment?"
Platanus's voice came from the door of my room.
"What's up?"
Entering the room, Platanus was accompanied by Instructor Catolea.