Chapter 532 - Good News
"—Hah…!!!"
"Whoa, you scared me."
The consequences of staying up late the previous night were severe, and on the third day, I ended up oversleeping until past ten.
Right after a late breakfast that doubled as lunch, as I was relaxing on the lounge sofa, Nia suddenly leaped up, and being nearby, I couldn't help but cry out in surprise.
Sora and Irori were a little ways off, deep in a discussion about the Sword Saint. Alicia, who had been listening in on the surprisingly compatible pair, also turned to look. Naturally, every eye in the room was now on Nia.
For the record, Goldow had left with Helena-san, saying, "I'm just gonna pop over to an acquaintance's inn," and Uni was in the kitchen preparing the three o'clock snack.
Anyway, it was probably an unconscious action. Nia gave a small bow as if to say, "Pardon me," and sat back down. What was that all about?
"Oh, what's this? Let's see…"
We were sitting next to each other on the same sofa, me staring at the ceiling and savoring the post-meal satisfaction. She held out her smartphone, and I leaned over to look.
Without needing to ask, I assumed this was the answer to what had just happened.
"—Hah…!!!"
"You don't have to do the same thing. What happened?"
Irori shot a retort at me as I mimicked Nia's reaction. I then realized Alicia had instantly moved to my side and was now peering over my shoulder.
Her garnet eyes scanned the information displayed on Nia's phone from top to bottom… and for once, Alicia's eyes widened in pure surprise.
"It seems a second person has conquered the [Spiral Crimson Tower]."
"…What did you say?"
"Wow…"
Irori let out a voice of genuine surprise, which was also rare, but…
What's up with Sora-san? Why did she glance at me and then make an indescribable face that was twenty percent surprise, thirty percent admiration, and fifty percent exasperation?
Surely she wasn't thinking something rude, like a second perverted acrobat had appeared?
Well, putting that aside—
"Who's the conqueror?"
"The map guy."
"So it's Hayagake-san… Finally, huh?"
I didn't quite get what Alicia meant in her reply to Irori's question, but the name of the second conqueror in the news was [Hayagake]—the very same person I had referenced some time ago regarding the top AGI line for players.
Given that even the [Sword Queen] and other rankers knew who he was at a glance, he might be more famous than I had casually assumed.
Still… so, a second person finally did it.
"Man, that's great news."
"…Judging by your reaction, you don't seem to care about the honor of being the sole conqueror."
"If I cared about that sort of thing, I wouldn't have uploaded a strategy video, would I?"
"That was a strategy video… well, yes, I suppose. Your attitude of not clinging to trivial matters is admirable and fitting for a disciple of the Sword Saint."
"What high horse are you on?"
As I exchanged our usual banter with Irori, I was more concerned about Nia. Even after sharing the news with us, she was busily tapping away at her phone, gathering more information.
It didn't feel like mere enthusiasm; she seemed fidgety and restless, like there was something more to it. Perhaps she also knew him personally—
Just as I was thinking that, Nia tugged at the hem of my shirt, beckoning me closer. We were already sitting next to each other, but it was a gesture to come a little nearer.
""…………""
"Uh… excuse me, just a moment?"
I'm probably just overthinking it, but feeling the intense gazes of two particular people, I complied with the request and shifted over slightly.
After I did, she typed out a message on her phone, visible only to me…
'Hayagake is Hayassan, he's practically family. He's Hiyo-chan's older brother.'
"Hh… suuuu—"
Seriously? I managed to swallow the bewildered exclamation that was about to escape. I asked for confirmation with just my eyes, and Nia nodded as if to say, "Totally serious."
'Cousin, to be precise. But yeah, they're more like siblings with a bit of an age gap.'
Ah, I see… I see?
"Excu…se me, for a second?"
Giving another nod to the three pairs of eyes watching us, I took Nia and temporarily stepped away from the group of five.
The casual way she told me probably meant she didn't mind me knowing, but conversely, it was likely something best kept secret from the others.
So, we moved to a corner of the lounge where we couldn't be overheard—
"…Alright, just to confirm. Was that something I was supposed to just casually find out?"
'Yup. Hiyo-chan just now said it was okay to tell you.'
Ah, so the first report wasn't from the news, but from Mitsueda-san herself?
"Well, it's not like it changes much for me…"
'You took over being my caretaker without permission, right? As far as Hiyo-chan is concerned, you're already considered 'family.''
"Seriously…"
'What's with that reaction? Are you dissatisfied with me closing in on you?'
"I didn't say that! Hey, stop it, your words are stabbing me, their gazes are stabbing me!"
I tried to placate the forward Nia. I averted my eyes from the two girls glaring at us from a distance—one with narrowed eyes, the other expressionless… no, I couldn't allow myself to lose, so I met their gaze head-on. Sora, who was caught in my line of sight, faltered in a second.
Alicia, however, remained unmoved. Strong—but that expressionless face was undoubtedly the type that was seething with jealousy. I can tell now.
Anyway,
"Alright, I get it. Not that it changes anything, but I'll think of him as a friend's family member. But hey, since we're on the topic, should I send a congratulatory gift?"
Not that I, of all people, have anything to give to a veteran like Hayagake-san. But setting aside the unexpected 'family' designation, a sense of camaraderie was starting to bud as one of the only two conquerors…
'Oh, you're going to give him a present under the name of the [Acrobat]? That sounds hilarious.'
"Ah, that reaction tells me everything I need to know about how Hayagake-san is treated among his 'family.'"
He's probably the butt of their jokes or something.
"Okay, I'll think of something then. Now, let's head back, Lady Liliania."
'Aww.'
"Don't 'aww' me. Look over there. The Blonde Samurai is looking this way with an artistically infuriating expression, seizing the opportunity."
Also, Alicia's jealousy meter is off the charts seeing Nia so close. Sora-san will probably recover soon, too. Any more of this, and my life will be in danger.
'Then, I request a walk later. I heard there's a beautiful forest path behind the villa.'
"I don't know what the 'then' is about, but if it's just that, I'd be happy to."
For the record, I made no mention of whether it would be just the two of us. The feasibility of that would depend on—
"…A secret conversation?"
"Haru?"
"Uh… umm… Nia-chan?"
'Why'd you pass it off to me? I might say all sorts of things, you sure about that???'
—the mood of the ladies, of course…
"Hah."
Hey you, over there. Why did you just snort at your junior who's being put on the spot?
I'm not asking you to help, but I'll remember this, you bastard.
And so, Mr. Hayagake sleeps on, unaware that someone crazy has been added to his circle of acquaintances.