The next day, I was thinking about some stupid magical letter that someone had written.
A secret? That I'm alive? I've been in this other world for a little over two years now. The only secret I can think of is that.
Last night I thought, who cares if that gets out.
Part of it was I wasn't thinking straight, but I also realized something from traveling alone.
This world is huge. If I'm away from the kingdom with the hero and its allied nations, I could probably live a pretty normal life without any worries.
But then I remembered Roots, the son of the Demon King.
He must have had something he wanted to do, to pull a stunt like that.
While I personally don't care what happens to me, I'd rather not get him too involved if I can help it.
Besides, I don't have any particular goals or things I want to do, so joining a mysterious organization like An Chain could be interesting.
With that new perspective, I decided to start gathering information about An Chain today.
"I should start at the guild," I thought.
For gathering information, the Adventurer's Guild is the obvious choice. Even an adventure novice like me knows that.
As I headed there, I called out to people passing by on the street.
"Alright, I'm back," I said, exuding the air of a regular as I entered the guild hall for the second day in a row.
Just as I was wondering what to do next, I saw Sara coming my way... Did I do something? No, I didn't do anything.
Lately I've just been getting scolded so much that I immediately assume it's about me. Gotta break that habit.
"Hey you! What's the big idea!"
Huh? Did someone make Sara angry again?
Honestly, you shouldn't get so angry all the time. You'll get wrinkles even though you're still young.
"Buddy, I don't know what you did but apologize quick. Maybe the other person was in the wrong. But still, with a girl like that, an apology is better than a lame excuse."
"Huh, me?"
It looked like Sara was facing my worthless self, so I glanced back to see if there was an adventurer behind me. Right on the money.
I nodded at the man, denying any wrongdoing. Then I crossed past Sara and walked over to a different receptionist.
"Hey, I've got a question," I said, addressing the receptionist I didn't know.
Behind me, I could hear the man Sara was chewing out frantically trying to explain himself... until Sara shoved him aside and jogged over to my side.
"You're talking to me, got it!" she said.
The people around us stirred.
"Sara...?" I asked.
"That's the guy who was arguing with Sara yesterday. About sharing a bed or something."
"Oh, so that was a breakup talk. But Sara can't get over the guy, huh?"
Realizing what I'd said, Sara started panicking again. You've always lacked tact.
Well, no use crying over spilt milk.
As a man known for providing fresh gossip day after day, I decided to stoke the flames like I had so many times before.
"Sara, how long are you going to keep pining over your ex-" Oof!
But this time, before I could finish, she shot me a glare and slapped my cheek, then dragged me into a side room.
Hey now! What's going to happen in there? I heard voices call out as the door slammed shut.
"So, what did you want to talk about this time?" I asked, unconsciously switching to polite language because her face was so scary.
"You really don't know?"
"Oh... Sorry for trying to liven things up. But there's no call for hitting me, right? You should be more careful with your words too."
"I knew you were going to do it again! That's why I stopped you, and I'm so glad I did! But that's not the point here!"
If that's not it, then there's nothing more I can do. I'm at your mercy, oh great mountain and forest spirits.
"I don't get it, tell me," I said.
"See, you don't even know! Yesterday, you broke one of the guild hall windows, didn't you!"
Now that she mentions it, that does sound vaguely familiar. Yesterday my head was so full of that weird letter.
But hold on, I can still get out of this. She hasn't definitively proven it was me yet.
"Don't know. Yesterday I had too much else on my mind. And you haven't shown it was definitely me, right?"
"Still playing dumb, huh? Fine, I'll remind you step by step."
"Please do."
"I said don't joke around! ...Last night, you came to the Adventurer's Guild, right? Then you turned in some monster materials and left. That sound right so far?"
"Yep."
Okay, okay, I can still do this. I just can't mess up anywhere.
"Now this is from my point of view, but a little while after you left, I heard your loud voice outside. And right after that, the window shattered! No one else was around, it had to be you!"
"Hold up, you've got no proof at all. And we only just met, how can you recognize my voice? You got a thing for me or something?"
"Don't mess with me! There's no way I'd mistake your wicked voice for anyone else's! It was definitely you. When I opened the door and went outside, I saw a figure running away, and some two-legged bird creature next to it! No one else keeps a pet like that!"
That damn phoenix.
And my voice isn't wicked, that's just mean. But I can still win this.
She didn't clearly see my face. I can keep arguing... Just then:
"It was so scary!" Sara said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Ah, that's it for me.
"Sorry. It was me. I'll pay or work or whatever, just please forgive me."
"Sniff... Really?"
Women's tears are unfair. It's even worse with a strong girl like her.
And this time I really am completely in the wrong. Making her cry over something like this.
"Here's this," Sara said, holding out a sheet of paper.
"That's..."
The magical letter from An Chain's boss that I'd thrown away yesterday. Of course.
Normal people would pick that up. Actually there's solid evidence on it. My name's written right there clear as day. So those tears just now were...?
"Please, let me help with An Chain's activities!"
"Huh?"