Dinner of the Maidens
(Ulrika's POV )
「I want to go home...」
I froze when I heard Mongrel's murmuring from the other side of the door.
I was only here to leave a towel for him... but I ended up catching his true feelings.
「...」
I quickly exited the changing room and closed the door, guilt swelling within me.
... Mongrel had said at the Hunter's Tavern before that he didn't care about past events... but that was just bravado. He didn't want to show me his vulnerable side, so he lied... In truth, he wanted to return to his homeland.
Well, that's understandable. Anyone would feel that way. But Mongrel's homeland is already...
「Haaa... I trespassed on his privacy again.」
I hadn't intended to eavesdrop, but I heard it anyway. I would never spread what I heard, of course, but I can't just pretend I didn't hear it.
「I have to cheer up Mongrel somehow...」
To Mongrel, I'm probably still just a stranger, but I hope he can feel that he has someone in this town he can be close to. I want us to become better friends so we can talk and have fun together.
I wish to alleviate even a bit of his loneliness...
「You were late, Ulrika. Mongrel didn't try anything weird with you, did he? Are you okay?」
「Ye-yeah, I'm fine. What do you mean by weird... oh, come on, leader.」
When I returned to the fireplace, Sheena was glaring at the accounts of Artemis by the lamp. So earnest.
Everyone else was already seated around the low table, chatting and having a good time.
I should eat the dinner that Frida made for us.
「What's going to happen to Bridget, I wonder?」
「Oh, Raina, you're curious about that?」
「Of course I am. Do you think she'll be okay in the royal capital?」
「A female knight is a prestigious position. If she's quick to reject it, then there's no room for sympathy.」
「That may be true... but after meeting and talking with her a bit, I found she was a surprisingly nice person despite being a noble. So, this mission left me with mixed feelings...」
「I get it. I almost spoke up multiple times myself. She's a world apart from the nobles that occasionally come on requests.」
In fact, no other nobles pursue the guild life like Bridget does.
However, most are a far cry from Bridget, more arrogant and problematic individuals.
「With such a sincere personality, she should do well in the royal capital.」
「Really, Sheena-senpai?」
「Have I ever lied to you, Raina?」
「... Hmm, I feel like you might have sometimes?」
「Haha.」
We chatted on and on until we heard the door from the changing room open.
Mongrel-san had come out.
「He's out.」
「It's weird having another guy in our clan house.」
「I know, right? I hardly ever even bring my husband here.」
「... But, leader Sheena, you're planning to include more men in our future operations, correct?」
「Yeah, gradually.」
Other than me... I felt a bit worried, but for Artemis to continue thriving, a reform like this is something we'll have to accept.
It's fine if it's just talking to men, but living under the same roof... is intimidating. Everyone might feel the same way.
But if it's someone as kind and funny as Mongrel-san, then I suppose it wouldn't be too bad... or so I thought.
「Hey there. The bath was great. Thanks.」
Mongrel poked his head in from the hallway.
He was never a messy person, but after a bath, he looked even cleaner... maybe just my imagination.
「I'm glad you enjoyed it. You still have one more turn, so decide whenever you're ready.」
「Alright, save it for that special moment. I'll avoid days that are inconvenient for you.」
「Considerate as always. Alright, got it.」
「Mongrel-senpai, would you like to have dinner? Frida made some bread for us.」
「No, taking more would be greedy. I'm not that hungry anyway.」
「Oh...」
Raina invited him to dinner, but he declined.
Hmm. There's still a bit of a wall there. He's probably cautious... about us. Just like during Nastasha's invitation.
「Well, see ya.」
「Sure, invite me again if something comes up.」
「Just not a troublesome mission. Your usual jobs are nerve-wracking.」
With that, he left the clan house.
「What does he mean by nerve-wracking?」
「Haha. Mongrel really has an aversion to nobles, doesn't he?」
「A bit too skittish, I'd say.」
「That's just how he is.」
Afraid of nobles, huh... probably because of all that's happened in his past.
He was conscripted by the Halperia army, his village destroyed by the Sangreal... It's no wonder he'd develop an aversion.
But does that mean he's uncomfortable with Sheena and Nastasha too? If he learns about them, will he distance himself from Artemis?
I'd hate that. I'd feel lonely, and it'd be especially hard on Raina.
If only we could build a closer relationship with him somehow.
「By the way, Sheena-senpai, about that thing you mentioned, picking up newbies at the winter promotion exam... what's the plan?」
「Ah, the promotion exam. We plan to observe it. There are a lot of Iron class participants this year, some we may not be aware of yet.」
Oh, that's right. The promotion exam. That's coming up too.
I've been busy with Raina's training lately, but it might be nice for her to have junior members soon.
Artemis lacks close-combat roles, so hiring a newbie in that area would be ideal. But we won't know until we observe them for ourselves.
「Raina, looking forward to some juniors?」
「No way... I'm still a novice myself, after all... I only have one skill with a bow. I want to master a powerful skill like yours, Ulrika-senpai.」
「It might be tough to match Ulrika's, but you'll definitely learn to shoot heavy shots over time. Just practice and experience is key.」
「Right!」
「What if a recruit with more skills than Raina shows up?」
「Oh... that'd make things tough for me, sorry...」
「Haha.」
Winter. A chilly season that's all about endurance, but the idea of meeting new faces makes it quite exciting.