Afterwards, just when the evening was about to pass, all the members of the family gathered.
On Rudeus-sama's command, every member.
At that place, Elinalize-sama was also present along with Norn and Roxy-sama, who just came from the school.
Of course, we usually gather like this whenever Rudeus-sama returns home after a long period.
Still, the number of times Rudeus-sama himself proposes to gather all of us like this are few; he generally considers Aisha or Sylphy-sama's feelings and then finally gathers all members of the family. He does that many times. [6]
On top of that, Rudeus-sama's serious face...
Something might have definitely happened.
While putting myself on guard, we heard the report.
"Reporting now, firstly, the activity in Millis came to a close with a success. Cliff was able to skillfully merge into the business. Be relieved."
Claire-sama created a small amount of trouble, but Cliff-sama was able to establish himself in the religious organization just as planned, and the launch of the branch of the mercenary group was also a success.
On top of that, the Millis Organization now owes a huge debt to us, and making Miko-sama a subordinate of Orsted-sama was also a success.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it was a huge success.
Elinalize-sama gave a sigh of relief after hearing that Cliff had successfully risen himself up in the society.
However, the real problem comes after that.
"Gisu was Hitogami's apostle."
Gisu.
Paul-sama's former party member and a member of the demon race.
It looks like he was the source of trouble this time; he left and vanished after proclaiming a declaration of war at the end.
It struck to no one that Gisu had become an enemy.
He had been socializing together with us since the events of the Begaritto Continent. At that time, he was continuously worried about Paul-sama's and Zenith-sama's health.
Still, his figure doing preparations for the sake of news gathering or labyrinth research was diligent and sincere, or so I remember.
Gisu frantically operated in order to help rescue Roxy-sama.
Having a remarkable ability as a warrior, he encouraged the party members, mapping the area himself as though it was a natural thing to do and then selling the maps; he helped the sad and gloomy Paul, unbeknownst to him.
I can't understand that such a person was acting like that in order to trap Rudeus-sama and Roxy-sama in a bind.
"I was thinking about it since when you contacted me to put him on the wanted list....might it not be some kind of mistake?"
Roxy-sama said so.
With her skill as a labyrinth researcher, she had acknowledged Gisu with only but a glance.
That, excluding the area of combat, someone more reliable doesn't exist.
"It would have been nice......if it was a mistake."
While saying that with a bitter smile, he took out one letter from his breast pocket.
Roxy-sama received that letter and read over the contents, which made her usual sleepy expression cloudy.
However, she immediately understood and accepted it with a nod and passed the letter onto me.
Thereupon, I was finally able to consent to it.
The contents of the letter did seem like Gisu's.
Apart from the goofy nature and jokes, but somewhere, the one who left behind that one slight core was none other than Gisu himself. [7]
He didn't particularly hate Rudeus-sama or Roxy-sama, nor was he trying to trap them from the very beginning.
He may have become an opponent necessary to deal with, but he is not someone who has a grudge towards us; a feeling like that.
"Even though he's usually random; to say Gisu behaves like such a gentlemen occasionally is just like Gisu, isn't it......"
Elinalize-sama spoke while passing a sigh.
Come to think of it, during the old days in the inner palace(reserved for women) of the Asura Kingdom, things like this frequently occurred.
In that country with violent disputes over authority, even though no hate was involved, the occurrences of people becoming each others’ mutual enemies were numerous.
It's just that, now that they had become enemies, they had the tendency to fight fair and square.
This letter might have something to comply with such an intention.
"I must apologize to everyone for the matter that we are indebted to Gisu, but I will probably fight with Gisu.....and end up killing him."
While declaring that, Rudeus-sama's face looked awfully painful.
One might not think that, but Rudeus-sama actually acknowledges Gisu as well.
Considering what I heard from Eris-sama, their relationship was good enough to the point that they called themselves out with nicknames like 'Senpai' and 'Newbie'.
Gisu as well, he talked about Rudeus-sama's achievements as his own, and it looks like he had some fondness for him.....
It could be that the one hurt the most is Rudeus-sama himself.
"Rudi...."
Sylphy-sama can't find the words needed to be said after looking at Rudeus-sama's expression.
Roxy-sama is making a stern expression as well.
She's also just like me, who had a personal history of uniting with Gisu's party and receiving assistance.
However, Roxy-sama's decision was too quick; her face doesn't particularly show any hesitation.
Rather, she has a face like, "If Rudeus loses, I will..."