Chapter 12
It was the most luxurious room in the most luxurious inn in town.
Well, of course it was—Erika Solnzari, daughter of a marquis family and the kingdom's Prime Minister, was staying there.
That much was only natural.
There was no questioning it—no questioning it, but still.
Why am I sharing a room with her?
After entering the town, we asked a craftsman to repair the carriage.
While waiting for the repair, I wrote a letter to report the attack to the Prime Minister and submitted a request to the Adventurer's Guild to ensure it would be delivered.
While I was at it, I restocked the Needle Spider's rope I used and replaced the dagger that had gone missing after being blown away by the attackers' magic, and by the time I was done, it was just about time for dinner.
During that time, Erika Solnzari didn't act overly excited or anything, but she seemed to be enjoying herself the whole time, and even though the food was much cheaper than what she usually ate, she ate it with delight.
For the record, to me, it wasn't normal—it was suspiciously more expensive than what I usually eat.
After dinner, just as we were about to head to the inn, Merceja said he'd sleep in the carriage to keep watch over it, handed over the bags with our change of clothes, and went off to the stable attached to the inn.
Well, since he's both our driver and bodyguard, I figured that was part of his job too, and went to the reception desk with Erika Solnzari.
Where we were handed a single room key.
The receptionist lady looked confused when she saw my face, and the man who seemed to be the manager gave her a sharp look, but I hope she's forgiven.
I'm aware I had quite the expression on my face.
Why was there only one room prepared?
The answer is very simple.
It's because we're in the middle of a farce.
Basically, if someone were to trace our steps later, it would look strange if two people supposedly so madly in love they ran away together were staying in separate rooms.
I do wonder who would even investigate something like that, though.
The most likely person would be the Priestess of Light.
If she starts to question this farce, she'll likely look into it.
After all, she knows Erika Solnzari very well.
So it wouldn't be strange for her to sense something off about this act.
Of course, the Priestess of Light probably wouldn't investigate personally.
Not because she lacks the ability, but because those around her wouldn't allow it.
Convincing her not to offend the Priestess of Light will be difficult, but I'm sure they'll manage.
With lines like "Don't interfere with their blessing" or whatever.
That's what the farce is for.
So then, what would the Priestess of Light do?
Nine times out of ten, she'd submit a request to the Adventurer's Guild.
You might wonder whether a mere commoner and student like her could afford the fee, but that's not a problem.
The Guild wouldn't charge her anything.
In fact, just the fact that a request came from the Priestess of Light would attract a flood of adventurers willing to take it for free.
Even if the request was something like cleaning out a sewer, it'd be the same.
Being the Priestess of Light really isn't just for show.
If adventurers are used, it becomes harder for the kingdom to exert its influence.
In other words, it becomes difficult to cover things up.
So we have to create the actual fact that we stayed in the same room.
That's what the letter from the Prime Minister, left in the room, explained.
In the last line, written in shaky handwriting, it said, "I believe in you, Shin Longdagger," but the emotional weight carried by the writing made me quietly avert my eyes.
If he was going to go that far, I thought he might as well have bribed the inn to fake us staying in one room—but I suppose he figured that if we had to do that at every inn until we left the country, the scale would grow and it would actually become more suspicious.
Even with such shaky handwriting, the Prime Minister remains as composed as ever—impressive.
"Father does write some foolish things from time to time, doesn't he? He's underestimating Shin Longdagger's resolve."
So said Erika Solnzari after finishing the letter.
My resolve? What is she talking about?
I'm currently in a state of utter chaos over the fact that I suddenly have to share a room with Erika Solnzari.
"At this point, it's practically an insult. On behalf of Father, I offer you my sincerest apologies, Shin Longdagger."
Her sincere apology only deepened my confusion, but I shook my head to let her know that there was no need to apologize.
Seeing that, Erika Solnzari smiled and said, "You're right, the apology itself is rude."
What even is this?