The royal capital Chloe is dyed madder red at the day's end.
Then I noticed a signboard [Reserved Today] put in the front.
Many dishes on large platters are put on them. A one meter long fish, butter roasted shellfish, chicken karage, unknown meat on skewers with vegetables.
"Oh, you're back! Everyone, here comes the leading actor!"
"Welcome back, Keika-sama."
Minya was expressionless, but I'd like to think that she was smiling in her heart.
The other guests also congratulated me. A pair of man and woman who look like adventurers approach.
"Coming at third, you're amazing."
For some reason being congratulated by people who don't know the truth feel embarrassing.
She puts her hands on her big breast and sighs in admiration.
Celica's smile was full of sense of respect.
"It's thanks to Celica's support."
I wonder what my actual ranking is.
"Let's keep this up. I will lend Keika-sama as much power as possible."
I pat her head. Feeling her pleasant blond hair.
The old man raises his voice while smiling broadly.
WAAA~, the tavern is full of shouts of joy.
I call the old man when he passes me once.
"Got it."
"This... tasty. For onii-chan."
Minya nodded. Her ears are standing upright, paying attention.
"It's really tasty."
"Got it. It tastes good, but the color sure looks odious."
I bite it once again in relief. While being careful with the red juice.
"....Keika Onii-chan."
Minya stares up with her big black eyes while keeping silent. Her ears twitched. Her black tail is shaking like it's undulating.
"Become a hero, beat, bad people."
"Un."
"Understood. In my name, I will grant thee thine wish."
With slightly reddened cheeks, she went back to the kitchen with her tail still standing up.
The other guests are eating and drinking while having pleasant chats. I listened to various useful stories about monsters, dungeons and the hero exams that come after this from many adventurers.
The sweet fruit wine I drink at times pleasantly pervades my body.
"I've brought some Fido Grill."
"It's alright, there's so much food, I can eat later...."
"He!?"
Her eyes are wide open.
"No, well... um."
I move the Fido Grill closer to her cute mouth.
"Au.... A-aan."
She opens her red lips elegantly and takes a bite.
The gently-sloping cheeks are tinged with red as if she's just taken a bath.
It felt like I was bullying her even though I was just feeding her.
However, she declined the last bite shaking her head and crouched down on the floor. Her blond hair is spread on her thin back.
"What"
【Status】
Gender: Male
Race: All Gods
Class: Master Swordsman God Monk
Strength: 51110(+1110)
Magic: 92010(+2010)
Believers: 3
Rather, it's increased!?
Umu, do it. Respect me more.
For now, I'll apologize to Celica since she looks troubled.
I pat her head as she's crouched down.
"You're terrible.... When it's just the two of us.... More--"
And then she looks down with a red face. Her face is covered by her blond hair.
It'll be troubling if she collapses.
Since Celica also looks sleepy, I ask her to go back.
Only me and the tavern old man remain.
There's no pedestrian, it's very quiet.
The old man and I are sitting side by side on the counter.
"Still, old man. Isn't it too pompous for just passing an exam?"
His later words were quieter.
"I'm ashamed. I couldn't contact half of them, and the remaining ones had already been hired for large amount of money."
I wonder if I could escape the instant death trap while protecting Celica.
Moreover, I can't use Senrigan since it would make me see the inside of the stone coffin. Not being able to go straight to the maze's exit will be hard.
....I feel this is already cheat enough.
"However, a promise is a promise. It's a shame for a man if he can't keep his promise. Besides, you'll have a tough time in the Tower of Trial if you don't have anyone with Thief skills."
The old man points at himself.
"Wha! Old man!?"
"Hou."
"Looks like it's related to Minya."
"....It was the last will of my wife.... Raise this child at somewhere decent, she asked."
A filthy unshaven face that I saw just recently flashed in my mind.
"That's why I couldn't refuse that Gaff. He threatened he'd expose my past."
The old man shook his head when I cheered him. His short hair swayed, and he drank the alcohol in one gulp. He flung the cup on the counter.
"That's wrong Keika! I was taken aback by what you said! I noticed my mistake when you told me 『do you still call yourself a father then?』! That's right, I'm Minya's father before this tavern's owner! I shouldn't have been afraid of losing my business, I should have fought to protect my daughter! It really opened my eyes. For the past decade, I had forgotten the most important thing cause I was desperately trying to run this shop."
When I agreed with him, the old man stared at me with slightly drunk eyes.
"--Understood. I'm counting on you."
The old man pour alcohol in two cups.