Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage
Character page: Here
Chapter 143 – I patrolled with my friend
Today, Minerva was blessed with perfect weather for an outing. A clear blue sky without a single cloud, temperatures that were neither too hot nor too cold, and a pleasant breeze. As I looked at the bustling royal capital, I spotted couples on dates, and I couldn’t help but think I’d like to do the same. I was pretty sure the friend beside me was of the same thought.
“All right. Let’s go, Raven. Time to start the mission.” [Youki]
“…Yeah, let’s go.” [Raven]
On a beautiful day like this, it would be ideal to go out on a date, but I was instead stuck working. I had to patrol the area with another man.
When I arrived at Raven’s place the first thing in the morning, we went through the important particulars; our assigned areas, schedules, and other details before beginning our patrol. Since it was still before noon, no drunken brawls had taken place yet. It would be rare for people to be drinking so early in the morning after all.
“With so many people around, it feels like something might happen.” [Youki]
“…Ideally, I hope nothing happens. But, Minerva is large, and its population is vast. When people gather, problems arise.” [Raven]
“Oh? Even at this early hour?” [Youki]
“…Yeah. Troubles don’t pick a time or place. There are even bold criminals who break into houses at this time of day.” [Raven]
Patrolling seemed to be more challenging than I thought. There was a chance nothing would happen, and all our efforts could be in vain.
“Is that so? But still, there must be times when nothing happens.” [Youki]
“…Like I said earlier, it’s best when nothing happens. Besides, our patrols contribute to strengthening public safety.” [Raven]
“That’s true. It’s something I should’ve realized with a bit of thought. Sorry about that.” [Youki]
“…As long as you understand.” [Raven]
That’s the commander of the knights for you. He was deeply committed to his work. I was probably taking things too lightly, so I needed to reflect on that. The peaceful scenery we had right now was probably the result of the knights’ diligent patrols.
“All right. Let’s make sure we don’t miss even the smallest detail and solve whatever comes our way!” [Youki]
“…Please, just don’t make things worse.” [Raven]
While we walked, I noticed an incident further ahead.
“Hmm, I think this is my time to shine!” [Youki]
“Ah…” [Raven]
I heard what Raven was saying, but solving the problem took priority over responding to him. As I ran towards the scene, I ignored Raven’s lament behind me.
“Hey, didn’t I bring exactly what was requested? So why did I fail the job?!”
The voice of a middle-aged, muscular, warrior-like man echoed from a pharmacy surrounded by greenery. There was a crowd of onlookers in front of the shop, likely drawn by the shouting.
“Make way, I’m with the knights!” [Youki]
I used the authority of the knights to create a path and entered the pharmacy. I could feel the surprised looks from the crowd, as if they were thinking, ‘Wait, you’re with the knights!?’. I wasn’t lying, though.
“Excuse me, I don’t know what’s going on here, but you’re causing quite a disturbance. I suggest you calm down a bit.” [Youki]
“Huh!? Get lost if you’re not involved. And who the hell are you?”
“Me? I’m Magic Knight of Black Lightning… the one who quells the bad winds blowing through Minerva with the speed of lightning.” [Youki]
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Even though he was full of hostility when I entered, his anger seemed to have subsided a little. He must have started feeling something other than anger towards me. What emotion was that? Well, we will find out once we resolve this commotion.
“That’s all you need to know about me. Now, what happened? Tell me your story.” [Youki]
“This is between me and the client, this old man here. Why the hell should I have to explain anything to a shady guy like you?”
“Why… you ask? Then I’ll tell you. Because it’s my job!” [Youki]
“Huh!?”
“Right now, my job is patrolling Minerva. If there’s a problem, I have to solve it. If you refuse my involvement, I’ll consider you an obstacle to my work…” [Youki]
“What kind of reasoning is that!?”
I ignored the shouting man and calmly surveyed the surroundings. It was no doubt a job-related dispute.
This is a pharmacy, and the herbs on the counter are likely the source of the trouble. They probably had a disagreement over the herb-gathering request. As for why the old man, the shopkeeper, hasn’t spoken up yet, I’ll leave that aside for now.
“…Heh.” [Youki]
“Hey, what’s so funny?”
“These herbs, you washed them with water, didn’t you? These are herbs that lose their potency when washed with water.” [Youki]
The man froze at my words while the shopkeeper smiled smugly. I see now – the shopkeeper purposely stayed quiet.
“…Magic Knight of Black Lightning, was it? It’s not widely known that these herbs lose their potency when washed with water.”
“My subordinate is well-versed in herbs. But why did you keep silent?” [Youki]
“I tried to tell him, but this witless fool kept rambling on. I had told the guild to have him stop by before heading out so I could explain the herbs to him.”
“Ugh, I thought the explanation would be too much trouble, so I just checked where they were growing and went straight to gathering them…”
“I’m not giving any reward to such a reckless adventurer.”
If this is where it ends, there wouldn’t have been any point in me coming here. Time for Magic Knight of Black Lightning to propose a compromise.
“If I may interject, while the herbs may have lost some potency, they’re not entirely useless, right? Could you perhaps buy the herbs at a reduced price, and have him gather more again?” [Youki]
“Hmm… I don’t mind. But even so, the purchase price would be next to nothing.”
“Tch, I’ll just take it as a lesson learned. It’s too late now, but this has turned into quite a scene. I doubt I’ll get a good reputation from this.”
“All right, I’m glad both sides agree. This matter is now resolved. Listen up, the commotion is over. Lingering here without reason will only inconvenience the shop. Now, return to your daily lives!” [Youki]
When I declared this loudly, most of the gathered onlookers lost interest and left the front of the store. As I watched them disperse, Raven, who had been watching from a distance, approached.
“Heh, flawless, wasn’t it?” [Youki]
“…You resolved it through discussion rather than force.” [Raven]
“All right. Onto the next one. There are still unseen troubles calling for me. Let’s go, Raven!” [Youki]
“…I’m supposed to be leading, though.” [Raven]
I followed his lead as we moved on after that. Throughout our rounds, we guided lost children, mediated fights, and gave directions to visitors from foreign lands. Our morning patrol eventually ended.
“This is what I’m capable of…” [Youki]
“…By the way, I have a message for you from Duke.” [Raven]
“Oh? A message from Duke, who is unparalleled when it comes to support?” [Youki]
“Yeah, I believe… Oops, close one. Duke said to tell you after the patrol is over.” [Raven]
“Hmph, I see.” [Youki]
Knowing Duke, it was probably not a bad message. I decided to ask Raven about it later and focus on my lunch instead. It was time to recover from the morning’s work. My lunch consisted of a sandwich and skewers I just bought from a street vendor.
“What did you get, Raven?” [Youki]
“I… have a bento that Happiness made for me.” [Raven]
“Heh, I see. That’s right! Sorry for the suddenness, but I’m going to eat lunch somewhere out of sight. I need to take off my helmet to eat the sandwich and skewers. I can’t reveal my identity. Let’s meet back here… Before I go, can I ask you one thing?” [Youki]
“…What is it?” [Raven]
“When did she start making you bento?” [Youki]
“Starting today. Duke apparently mentioned that I’d be patrolling with you, Magic Knight of Black Lightning. Then, she personally brought me the bento early this morning. She just said it was homemade and she almost ran off…” [Raven]
“And then what?” [Youki]
Raven suddenly started acting really fidgety. His eyes weren’t focussed and his fingers were twitching as he bit his lower lips. His face then turned beet red.
“…I grabbed her arm to stop her and thanked her.” [Raven]
“You just thanked her?” [Youki]
“…No, well…” [Raven]
“Don’t worry. Magic Knight of Black Lightning has a certain understanding now. You two are lovers, and there are boundaries that a third party shouldn’t cross, even if it’s a former subordinate or a friend’s romance.” [Youki]
I said this to Raven and then walked away. Without looking back, I searched for a place where no one was around and ended up at the empty house Cecilia and I once used to change our clothes. I slipped in and sat down somewhere. As I ate my lunch, I enhanced my senses to keep watch on the surroundings.
“I’m Magic Knight of Black Lightning right now… not Youki. But I can’t suppress this indescribable feeling!” [Youki]
After finishing my lunch, I wandered back to the meeting spot. However, as I was on my way, I ran into the last person I wanted to see right now. Although, it was also the person I longed for deeply.
Cecilia… and Soleil.
RinkageTranslation 
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