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Chapter 74 Part 1

An Ever-dependable Partner, Who Even Supported Those Who Couldn’t Show Their Weakness. With Her By My Side, We Depart To A New Town — Part 1

 

After defeating the Demon Lord, we went first to the guild to report.

 

「And that’s how it is, you can lift the evacuation order for everyone now. Oh, and don’t forget to release that store clerk too.」

 

Sybilla picked up some pieces of jewelry that had been scattered after the Demon Lord was defeated, as well as another object.

It was a counterfeit gold coin with its golden surface peeled off to reveal what looked like a stone inside.

This is conclusive evidence that the real culprit was using counterfeit currency.

 

「For the guy who had this, we took it upon ourselves to defeat him. He was trying to destroy the entire city, you see, so we didn’t have the luxury to apprehend or arrest him.」

 

「This is…! It’s the same counterfeit currency that was seized! Thank you very much, I’m going to report it right away!」

 

The soldier saluted Sybilla and immediately instructed the soldiers around him before leaving the guild with them.

In his place, the leader of Swift Thunder, who had been standing by at the guild, stepped forward.

 

「You guys are really amazing, huh…」

 

「I know, right~ You can praise us more, you know! By the way, the real culprit was that black humanoid Demon Lord. But it all worked out because Eve-chan here!」

 

Sybilla brings Eve forward to the leader of Swift Thunder and takes off her hood.

The girl’s face was revealed in its entirety, and a loud voice spread out over the crowd.

 

「A girl… no, could it be, she already has a Job?」

 

「That’s right. Eve-chan, a level 21 【Assassin】 from the orphanage! This girl has a sharp mind and she’s also great with throwing knives.」

 

「Is she a member of your party?」

 

「She’s a solo, actually.」

 

When Sybilla emphasized the word, 『Solo』, Eve said 「Eh…?」 and turned around.

She probably thought she was a member of our party this entire time. She patted Eve’s dumbfounded head and winked at her.

 

「So, Eve-chan, was it?」

 

「Y-Yes…」

 

「If you’re alright with it, would you come to our party? Or maybe just helping us out sometimes?」

 

Eve, who until recently was holed up in the orphanage, blinks in puzzlement at the invitation from one of the city’s top party leaders.

 

「E-Eh? But I’m…」

 

「Our evasion vanguard is the only woman in our party, you see. I was hesitant because I thought the burden would be too big. So, if it’s alright with you…」

 

「Ah, umm, well, there’s the kids back at the orphanage I need to look after too, so… if the pay is good, I’m totally up for joining temporarily!」

 

「Alright!」

 

The leader of the Swift Thunder turned around, and the female assassin I had treated the other day bent her knees to meet Eve’s gaze.

 

「To think there’s a girl this amazing in the orphanage, I’m really surprised. I look forward to working with you, Eve-chan!」

 

「Ah, um, yes… me too!」

 

Eve bowed her head repeatedly while being stroked on the head by the members of Swift Thunder.

 

Sybilla liked Eve so much, so I thought she was going to invite her to become a member of our party, but… after seeing the current series of events, I realized something.

Eve has to earn money in the Adventurer’s Guild for orphans younger than her. That’s something she can only do in this city.

 

On the other hand… we, the 『Twilight Pact』, having defeated the Demon Lord, has no more use for this city.

…..That’s right. As long as Eve is trying her best to be the guardian of everyone at the orphanage, she can’t stay with us.

 

Defeating the Demon Lord was the last time we’ll fight together.

That’s why Sybilla must have sold Eve’s name to an adventurer’s party in the city, so at least she can lead an easier life in this city from now on.

 

Sybilla looked at Eve, who was being petted by everyone, as if she were sending off her daughter, with the most peaceful and gentle expression I had ever seen from her.

 

On the way back from the guild, Sybilla decided to take the opportunity to invite me and Emmy to a certain place.

 

A city where victory celebrations are also taking place, a place where the hustle and bustle of the city does not reach.

A quiet place, a little bit far from the city, overlooking the ocean.

There, stood a large building with open windows.

 

「Is this… an abandoned church? No, could it be, this place is…」

 

「You’ve probably guessed it already. Oh, what… looks like they’ve arrived before us. Well, considering that person, I guess it’s not that strange.」

 

Before I could process what Sybilla said at the end, every thought I had was blown away the moment I saw where she was looking.

Emmy was too surprised to let out a voice this time.

 

At the end of that gaze was…

 

「H-Huh?! Isn’t that Frederica nee-san!」

 

Frederica, who was supposed to be in Adria, was there.

Moreover, Eve called out to her as if it were natural.

 

「Eve-chan?!」

 

Frederica was waiting outside the building, and when she noticed Eve… she immediately went to hug her while bursting into tears.

 

「I’m sorry, I’m sorry…! Even though I’m here, I pushed everything onto you…!」

 

「Uwoah, wai—, oomph… Frederica nee-san, the only thing you’ve pushed onto me is your boobs, ya’ know!」

 

Eve taps her arms a few times, and Frederica hurriedly releases her.

 

「I never even once felt I was forced to be the breadwinner for everyone, ya’ know? Also, ya’ see, the Goddess over there helped me lots, so I feel very blessed now.」

 

Eve pointed toward Sybilla.

Frederica, upon seeing our faces, bowed her head to Sybilla with a joyful but slightly exhausted look on her face.

 

「Thank you, for being on her side in my stead…」

 

「Don’t sweat it. For now, why don’t we go in and talk inside? I’m sure these two still have no idea what’s going on.」

 

She must’ve meant me and Emmy. When our gazes met, she tilted her head, and I responded in the same way.

It seems the talk is over by the looks of it, but… I want to hear exactly how Frederica ended up here.

 

There are only two things that became clear.

First, this is the orphanage where Eve lives.

And second is that Frederica is somehow related to this orphanage.

 

Inside the orphanage we entered, the magic stones on the ceiling were barely producing any light, making it difficult to protect the place from total darkness.

The place looked like it had only had the floor swept clean, while the broken church chairs and other items looked untouched.

 

…It’s like an orphanage with the bare minimum of necessities and maintenance, different from the orphanage where I once lived.

To think the environment is this much different…

However, the moment Frederica stepped into the dark building, the voices of children spread from all over the place, making it like the lights had been turned up a notch.

 

「Frederica-san!」 「It’s Frederica-san!」 「Big sis!」 「Ah, Sybilla-san is here too!」

 

Frederica called each of the children’s names tenderly with tears in her eyes as they gathered.

She then promised to cook a meal for everyone and asked them to wait while we went to have a talk in another room.