Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

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Chapter 139 – I continued the search with the girl I like

“…Youki and Cecilia, huh? I wasn’t expecting visitors, so when my subordinates said I have guests, I was wondering who it could be.”  [Raven]

“Sorry for visiting so suddenly when you’re busy.”  [Cecilia]

“…It’s fine. I was just about to take a break anyway, so there’s no problem. But, what happened to Youki?”  [Raven]

There was a leaf stuck to my face and a bitter smile plastered on my lips. Cecilia didn’t put the leaf on me, I did it myself on the way here to psych myself up. She was concerned if I was overdoing it, but I felt like I needed to go that far to pull myself together. It was my fault for not listening to her warning, but it was pathetic that I was actually paralyzed in embarrassment. On top of that, as I kept slapping my face while walking, I ended up standing out too much, attracting attention, and nearly exposing Cecilia’s disguise. Even though it wasn’t a physical mistake, I wound up getting more scoldings from Cecilia.

“Well, serves me right.”  [Youki]

There was nothing more I could say beyond that.

“…Cecilia, you must have a hard time.”  [Raven]

“No, this time, I’m trying to be a little more lenient since I’m asking for his help.”  [Cecilia]

“I’ll try to be more careful from now on…”  [Youki]

I must never forget her kindness. It would be scary if I were to lose myself in the future again. I’ll need to consider this as a future challenge.

Setting aside my issues, Raven appeared slightly taken aback by what Cecilia said.

“Cecilia is getting help from Youki? That’s unusual. Did something happen?”  [Raven]

“Yes, actually, we’re looking for someone. I thought the knights might have some information since they regularly patrol the area.”  [Cecilia]

“…You’re searching for someone?”  [Raven]

“We’re looking for that guy who’s been causing a stir in the capital lately. The one who’s known as the ‘Steel Arms of Azure Flame’.”  [Youki]

“…That guy, huh?”  [Raven]

Upon hearing what I said, Raven’s expression grew slightly stern. Did something happen?

“Yes. It seems that he has been causing trouble for the knights as well.”  [Cecilia]

“Yeah, he’s been causing disturbances all over the capital. He seems to think he’s doing charity work, but… solving problems through the use of force alone isn’t the right way.”  [Raven]

“Exactly.”  [Youki]

“He had caused property damage by using force excessively, and mediated drunken disputes that left grudges unresolved. Not to mention, since he’s been offering his services freely without considering the consequences, the people got used to handouts. As a result, some ended up making unreasonable requests to the guild. There’s a mountain of work to do.”  [Raven]

Raven heaved a sigh as he glanced at the pile of paperwork on his desk. He seemed to be having quite a hard time with the Steel Arms of Azure Flame.

“Are you getting enough rest?”  [Youki]

“…I’ve been really busy these past few days. I haven’t even been able to see Happiness since then. And now, you two show up.”  [Raven]

“Uh, well… sorry about that.”  [Youki]

“We’re sorry, Raven-san.”  [Cecilia]

“…Like I said earlier, I was about to take a short break, so don’t worry about it. As for that guy’s information, here’s a map with the dates and areas where he was spotted. Take a look.”  [Raven]

“Thank you, Raven-san.”  [Cecilia]

Cecilia looked over the map on the desk. Meanwhile, Raven discreetly showed me a note. It had been a while since we communicated like this – through written notes, so why now?

The note read, ‘You two aren’t out on a date now, right?’

I glanced at his face. Despite the clear exhaustion on his face, there was a hint of suspicion in his eyes. He was probably feeling a bit down since he hadn’t had much time alone with Happiness even though they just became a couple. I decided to bring some treats to Happiness later on his behalf.

I passed a note to Raven with a different message instead: ‘Just make sure you get plenty of time to cuddle later. If you casually hold her hand, she’ll probably lean into you.’

“…It seems he hasn’t shown up anywhere today. Raven-san, is today’s information already included on this map? Your face looks red… Are you unwell?”  [Cecilia]

“N-No, I’m fine. This map is updated regularly. No one has come to report anything to me, so he probably hasn’t appeared today yet.”  [Raven]

“It’d be nice if he just never shows up again. That way, Raven could get some rest.”  [Youki]

“Y-Youki…”  [Raven]

Raven’s face grew even redder. It made me look forward to seeing their future soon – as an affectionate couple that surpassed even Tiel-chan and Gai.

“If he never shows up, I won’t be able to accomplish my goal.”  [Cecilia]

“Oh, right. Sorry.”  [Youki]

Our top priority was Cecilia’s request. We must locate this individual who called himself the ‘Steel Arms of Azure Flame’.

“If you’re looking for him, I’ll make sure to contact you as soon as we get any sightings.”  [Raven]

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”  [Cecilia]

“Yeah, leave it to me. Oh, and Youki, try not to stand out too much until this commotion dies down.”  [Raven]

“…Me?”  [Youki]

“…I heard it from Happiness. I’ve already warned my subordinates that there might be someone who dressed similarly wandering around, so they don’t accidentally apprehend the wrong person, but I’d like to remind you just in case.”  [Raven]

“Seriously? My bad. I didn’t mean to cause you trouble.”  [Youki]

So that was the reason why the knights had been treating me so leniently. Raven had taken care of it in advance for me. If my earlier plan had gone wrong, it could have completely backfired on me.

I’ll have to treat Raven to something later.

“Well, Youki is properly registered with the guild. You do stand out, but not enough to cause major problems. However, given the current situation, people might associate you with the incidents and wrongly suspect you. Just be careful.”  [Raven]

“…That’s the situation, Youki-san.”  [Cecilia]

“I’ll keep a low profile…”  [Youki]

All of these are because of the so-called ‘Steel Arms of Azure Flame’. I’ll definitely find him and give him a piece of my mind. I’ll make sure he understands what a true chuunibyou is.

“Are you planning something?”  [Cecilia]

“Well, kind of… I mean, I was just thinking of ways to look for him! I’m definitely not up to anything weird.”  [Youki]

“…I see. I’m sorry for doubting you, especially when you’re the one helping me.”  [Cecilia]

“Well, you know, given my usual behaviour…”  [Youki]

It felt awful to admit that myself. I couldn’t look her in the eye, and my gaze started to wander.

“…Sigh, I want to see Happiness.”  [Raven]

It seemed that Raven had felt something from watching our exchange. He was staring wistfully out the window, sipping the tea he brewed himself. Judging by the enormous pile of paperwork on his desk, it was unlikely that he would have time to see Happiness.

“We should head out before we disrupt his work any further.”  [Youki]

“Yes, let’s. Thank you for your time, Raven-san.”  [Cecilia]

“…No, it’s fine. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”  [Raven]

We said our goodbyes to the visibly exhausted Raven and left the place.

“Happiness, huh…”  [Youki]

“She requested for a month of break, then vanished the next day. She’s currently under Sophia-san’s supervision, so I don’t think it’ll end anytime soon.”  [Cecilia]

“Well, that’s to be expected.”  [Youki]

Those two barely started dating and had already found themselves swamped with work. Hopefully, they would not drift apart with this long period of separation. I was probably worrying too much, though.

“Putting aside Raven and Happiness’s issue, we’re out of leads now.”  [Youki]

“I wonder what happened. Why did he suddenly stop appearing today…”  [Cecilia]

“Hmm, maybe they’re taking a break due to exhaustion, or could it be for personal reasons? You never know what’s hiding behind that helmet.”  [Youki]

The person could be an adventurer like me, or maybe a farmer, or even a knight. Or perhaps, they could be a wanderer from another country altogether. There was no end to the possibilities.

“So they could have another life outside of this?”  [Cecilia]

“Considering that, we might as well call it a day. We’ve done our rounds, so let’s wait for Raven’s update.”  [Youki]

“I feel bad relying on him so much, though.”  [Cecilia]

“You have your duties as a cleric, too, Cecilia. I’ll keep up the search.”  [Youki]

“…I’m sorry. My poor judgment has caused you trouble.”  [Cecilia]

Seeing someone I care about feeling down wasn’t something I wanted. Cecilia needed to act as she normally does.

“Let’s continue searching together again when we can find the time.”  [Youki]

“Yes, please.”  [Cecilia]

So, we agreed to keep searching, and over the next two weeks, I continued on my own or sometimes with Cecilia, but we still couldn’t catch him. Raven didn’t have any new information either. It was as though the Steel Arms of Azure Flame had vanished completely from Minerva.

However, more importantly, something far more significant had happened in that period: Cecilia received a marriage proposal.

♦♦♦

Read the chapters at rinkagetranslation.com.

“Celia-san, I’m sorry. I just can’t accept this fact.”  [Youki]

When I was called over to the mansion by Celia-san, I received unexpected news. There was an overwhelming aura emanating from me at that moment even though I was just seated normally on a sofa.

“Calm down, Youki-kun. Just because there’s a marriage meeting doesn’t mean it’ll automatically lead to marriage.”  [Celia]

Celia-san was trying her best to soothe me, but something inside me just wouldn’t settle down. I was filled with regret and remorse. Given her position, I should have expected something like this. It was my own weakness for putting things off that was to blame. It was due to my foolishness. I probably thought things could stay the same forever.

“Pull yourself together! If you really love Cecilia, don’t lose yourself just because of a marriage proposal!”  [Celia]

“Ugh, s-sorry…”  [Youki]

Celia-san’s stern words snapped me back to reality.

That’s right, my feelings aren’t so light that I could give up this easily.

“We’ve turned down all previous marriage proposals before even the meeting, but this time, it couldn’t be helped. The suitor is the son of a neighboring lord, the next lord himself, and also a member of the hero’s party. Cecilia has met him several times before.”  [Celia]

The rival was the next lord, a member of the hero’s party, and someone Cecilia was acquainted with. As I compared myself against him, I couldn’t see myself coming out on top.

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