Lost in thought, I mumbled to myself.

“That’s right. He really is a good person. Though he does seem a bit peculiar.”

As I was smiling, recalling what happened today.

“Peculiar…”

When I raised my head at Adriel’s murmur, Wit urgently called me.

“Master, Master!”

“Huh? Did you call me?”

As I tilted my head, Wit, who had been chewing on something, excitedly spoke as if he had just remembered what to say.

“Master, what are we going to do about the flyers we spread at Vincent Academy?”

“Ah, that.”

Come to think of it, I had forgotten about that.

It was unavoidable that the Captain of the Holy Knights came, but I declined to have other Holy Knights visit.

Well, it would be fine as long as they didn’t discover that I was hiding Adriel, but I didn’t want to leave even that possibility open.

“We need to collect them as soon as possible. Since we’ve spread them everywhere, it’ll be impossible to get them all back, but please retrieve as many as you can.”

“Don’t worry, Master! Wit remembers everywhere I put the flyers! Kekeke.”

“You remember all that?”

“Yes!”

At Wit’s confident answer, I patted his back admiringly.

I’ve got quite an excellent talent here.

Just as I was laughing with Wit and picking up my fork.

“…?”

Why. What exactly is the problem? Please say something!

Adriel was still looking at me with sorrowful eyes.

After staring at him strangely, I became too tired to even ask for the reason anymore.

“Have more meat. You need to get your protein.”

Ignoring his look, I placed a piece of meat on Adriel’s plate.

***

“Are you going to meet the Captain?”

The next day, as I was leisurely preparing to go out, I nodded at Adriel’s question.

“What? Oh, yes. I have to. We agreed to meet today too.”

What day is this now?

I counted on my fingers.

One… about a week?

Looking at the current situation, the request would likely be completed within three days.

That would make it the shortest time to complete among all the requests I’ve taken on.

I hope all future requests will be just like this one.

As I was humming and putting on my robe, Adriel muttered as if to himself.

“…Isn’t it unusually long?”

“What’s long?”

At my question, Adriel slowly parted his lips.

“This request.”

Huh? I was puzzled.

“I think you’re misunderstanding something. Captain Daniel’s request is progressing the fastest among all the requests I’ve taken.”

What nonsense is he talking about?

As I was speaking while waving my finger, somehow Adriel’s face became colored with shock.

“Name…”

“What?”

“Have you become close enough to call him by his name?”

“What? Ah…”

Suddenly, yesterday’s events came to mind.

Daniel had stopped me as I was about to go home after the consultation.

‘Take this.’

What Daniel gave me was a pouch with a familiar shape.

I could guess what was inside, and it excited me.

However, unable to show my excitement, I pretended not to know and asked.

‘What, what is this?’

‘A gratuity.’

‘Gratuity… gratuity? I remember already receiving the request fee?’

‘I’ve received much help from you, and that alone doesn’t seem sufficient.’

Looking at the money pouch, I thought.

So this is what the Captain’s dignity is like.

‘I’m really fine, client. I started this with good intentions…’

While I was rambling on with words I didn’t mean, Daniel interrupted me.

‘Daniel.’

‘What?’

‘You may call me Daniel comfortably.’

Daniel smiled warmly at me.

‘I would like to call the Guild Master by name too, but it seems you have circumstances that prevent you from revealing your identity, so at least you can call me that.’

This is the Captain’s character.

So cool…

I nodded my head, clasping my hands in a prayerful gesture.

‘Yes. Captain Daniel.’

People who give money are good people. That’s an unchanging truth.

Nodding inwardly, I answered Adriel’s question.

“Well, besides the request, we talked about various things and it just happened. Besides, as you know, the Captain has such a good personality.”

At my words, Adriel’s brow furrowed, displeasure evident on his face.

I looked at him curiously.

What’s his problem now? Ah, could it be…

“Are you jealous right now?”

“Wha…”

Adriel’s eyes widened like someone who had been hit right on target.

“What nonsense are you talking about…!”

“Don’t deny it… How dare you think you’re closer to the Captain than me? Your expression says it all.”

Adriel, who was about to protest with his ears flushed red, closed his mouth tightly after hearing my words.

Soon after, he looked at me with a strange expression and spoke coldly.

“I was merely concerned that you might be wasting the Captain’s precious time.”

“What did you say?”

When I frowned sharply, Adriel hesitated. However, he composed himself again with a serious expression and continued.

“The Captain is a busy person. Don’t bother him with trivial matters and just complete the request and return.”

Good grief. This is ridiculous. Why is he talking like that?

“Why? Are you afraid I might do something strange to your Captain?”

That I might do to him what I did to you?

Like following him around annoyingly, confessing love, or lingering around just to see his face?

After a moment of silence at my question, Adriel slowly opened his mouth.

“Who’s to say you won’t do twice what you’ve done once.”

I bit my lower lip firmly.

I clearly told him last time that I had no intention of bothering the Captain.

“Sigh… Fine. Well, you’re free to think whatever you want.”

Right. No matter what I say, that man won’t believe me.

That’s to be expected.

I let out a hollow laugh.

“But I just want you to know that your concern is completely unnecessary.”

“……”

“I’m not interested in anyone other than you, knight.”

As I said this while putting on my robe, Adriel was strangely quiet.

Glancing at the mirror hanging on the wall, I could see Adriel looking dazed, as if his focus had completely dissolved.

Why is he like that?

I ignored him and turned the doorknob.

“I mean that I wouldn’t even think of doing such things to anyone other than you, knight, so don’t worry.”

I didn’t want to hear Adriel’s response. I could already guess what he might say.

But as soon as I left the house, I immediately regretted it.

Provoking Adriel like this doesn’t help me.

But he keeps doubting me…

“Haah…”

What am I doing?

I sighed and continued walking.