{Chapter 48} Defence to Offence
After a simple lunch with Louise, Anna pondered for a moment before finally voicing her thoughts.
"Louise, I really feel like the person who wants to kill me is inside the Knight Order."
"Really?"
Louise, who was leaning back in her chair because she was a bit full, showed no trace of doubt upon hearing Anna's words.
"...Aren't you going to question it?" Anna was slightly surprised by Louise's lack of skepticism and immediate acceptance of her statement.
"Although you always seem like you have a persecution complex, at this point, it's impossible for me not to believe your 'intuition,'" Louise said with a hint of laziness in her expression.
"And... since you need help, of course, I'll assist you."
"Louise..."
The diminishing sense of guilt in Anna began to grow stronger again.
Louise was too good to Anna, and Anna really felt like a jerk.
"Since that's the case, I'll trouble you then," Anna said, not saying much more since Louise had agreed.
She would make it up to Louise properly later.
Without Louise, even with her simulator, Anna would probably spend much more time uncovering the mastermind.
"First... investigate Allen's background. You know who Allen is, right?"
"I know, that blonde guy who's always chatting you up," Louise nodded.
"Do you think he's suspicious?"
"Yes, not just think, he is suspicious."
"Again, your intuition?"
"...Yes."
"Alright, I'll have someone look into it," Louise nodded.
"After all, your intuition is quite accurate... Who else?"
"Then... Philsey."
"Philsey Bill, got it," Louise chuckled.
"Even without you saying, I mentioned Philsey in my letter to Father. With his behavior, he'll probably be removed from his leadership position soon."
"I don't care about his greedy habits or his visits to brothels; as a knight, it's not my place to interfere," Anna shrugged.
"But if he's involved in the attempt on my life, I will definitely investigate."
As Louise spoke, she waved her hand slightly, and the ever-elusive old butler appeared like a ghost by her side.
After briefly explaining the targets to investigate, the old butler nodded and disappeared.
"Your butler always startles me when he suddenly appears," Anna wiped a cold sweat.
Even a C-level assassin could move stealthily enough to be undetectable by Anna.
If there had been a C-level assassin among those who ambushed her in the simulation, she wouldn't have ended up being... well, in the medical room.
She would have been killed outright without even making it to the medical room.
"So, what are we doing this afternoon? How about a stroll and then some afternoon tea?"
Seeing Louise now embodying the demeanor of a noble lady, Anna shook her head.
"I want to check out the Adventurer's Association."
"...Even though you suspect Alphonso, you still want to visit the enemy's stronghold?"
"It's not like that, and the Adventurer's Association isn't Alphonso's personal domain, is it?" Anna retorted.
"I just want to see Helga and Atala."
"...Helga is one thing, but who's Atala?"
"Last night, Helga and I persuaded Atala to become an adventurer..."
"...?"
Louise blinked a few times, then immediately pouted:
"You were with Helga and Atala last night?"
"We just went to buy Atala some clothes because she always wears black and doesn't look cute like an elf should..."
"Hmph! The main thing is! I still haven't officially met Atala," Louise muttered under her breath.
"Even that Bartham has met Atala, and here I am, working so hard and helping so much, yet I still don't know who this Atala is..."
"It's not like... Atala is staying at the same inn where you arranged for Helga to stay," Anna said, feeling helpless in the face of Louise's grumbling.
"I was surprised they got to know each other beforehand too..."
"Is that so? What a coincidence," Louise snorted lightly.
"Let's go."
"...Where to?"
"Didn't you say you wanted to go to the Adventurer's Association?" Louise suddenly got very close to Anna.
"What? Did you suddenly change your mind?"
"No, it's not that, I just didn't react for a moment..."
Before Anna could finish her sentence, she felt her lips lightly brushed, as if touched by a dragonfly.
Anna, momentarily stunned, blinked her large eyes several times, looking confusedly at Louise, whose face was slightly red, as if asking why Louise had suddenly done that.
As if understanding the question in Anna's eyes, Louise didn't answer but instead took Anna's hand and led her out of the restaurant.
It was as if the roles had completely reversed from the beginning; this time, it was Louise who took the initiative, who actively held Anna's hand.
The two girls walked quickly, one after the other, attracting many glances due to their striking appearances, with most recognizing Anna as the border guard who patrolled day after day.
Sensing the surrounding gazes, Anna inexplicably felt shy.
Even though she should be the one taking the initiative with Louise, in such a scenario, she found it hard to be proactive!
Gradually, Anna could feel the warmth from Louise's palm transmitted through her hand.
Inhaling the floral scent carried by the wind from Louise, Anna's initially dazed and shy expression slowly turned into a smile:
"Louise is really cute."
Complimenting Louise on her cuteness was definitely the right move!
This way, she could surely turn defense into offense...!
"What are you talking about?" Louise didn't turn her head, but Anna could easily imagine the slightly red, charming face of Louise.
"It's... it's you who are cuter."
However, without much need for imagination, as Louise led Anna forward, she slightly turned her face to the side.
What appeared in Anna's view was not the shy little face she had imagined, but rather a meaningful look that inexplicably made Anna feel that something was off.
But this meaningfulness lasted only a few seconds before Louise quickly turned her head back, pulling Anna along towards the Adventurer's Association.