My childhood friend, who I promised to marry in the future, came back as a swordsman.

  

Chapter 25 Incident

{TL: By Creed}

While I was able to defeat Fenrir, I still think it was just luck.

I acknowledge that my skills are still lacking, and it was probably a fluke.

So, I asked Sofia to train me.

She seemed exasperated, thinking it was enough for now, but I diligently continued my training.

And then, after a week.

Feeling somewhat more confident, I decided to resume my adventurer activities.

I visited the guild with Sofia, but...

"Serial murder case?"

We were told an unexpected story.

The guild receptionist explained, looking quite troubled.

"Do you know about the rumors of a murderer causing a stir in the city recently?"

"A murderer? I don't know, but..."

I looked at Sofia.

"I don't know either. Recently, I've been busy with Fate's training."

"Sorry."

"I want a different word there."

"Thank you?"

"Yes, you're welcome."

Cough

Could you not flirt in front of me?

The receptionist gave us a stern look as if to convey that message.

Blushing, Sofia and I listened eagerly to the continuation of the story.

"The first victim was a certain adventurer. He was supposed to challenge a dungeon but didn't show up even after the appointed time. His party members, curious, went to pick him up and found his dead body in the inn."

"Hmm."

"The next victim was someone affiliated with the Adventurer Guild."

"Even the guild has victims?"

"Yes..."

Whether they knew each other or not, the receptionist had a sad expression.

"Similar situation here... a diligent person who never took unscheduled days off. However, three consecutive days of unexplained absence. The concerned superior visited the house and found the body."

"Indeed, it's a similar pattern."

"The third victim was a member of the Military Police. On that day, the victim happened to be patrolling the city alone. Normally, they're obligated to operate in pairs, but that day the partner was unwell, so they were alone. And... the next morning, they were found in a gruesome state."

"Even the Military Police is affected..."

Sofia looked troubled, and rightly so.

The Military Police maintained the city's security and order, with a strong sense of camaraderie. They wouldn't hesitate to retaliate against anyone who harmed their own.

Committing a crime against the Military Police was usually unthinkable; it would make even criminals hesitate.

"At the moment, these are the three victims. We must catch the culprit before the fourth victim appears. However, the perpetrator is an unidentified murderer, and with little information, no one is willing to take on the task."

"Oh? Is the guild managing this case? I thought that in the case of murder, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Military Police."

"Of course, the Military Police are also investigating. However, we have no information on the methods used, no eyewitness accounts of the perpetrator, and no clues. If things continue like this, it's only a matter of time before the fourth victim appears. So, the Adventurer Guild decided to cooperate."

"I see, it's not a time to be concerned about prestige."

Adventurers respond to people's requests, while the Military Police apprehend criminals disrupting the peace.

Although they have different roles, there are similarities, and they often view each other as rivals.

They rarely work together in harmony, but this situation seems to be an exception.

Such a significant incident...

It made my heart restless.

"So, that's the situation..."

The receptionist smiled brightly.

"Stuart-san and Ascart-san, you're not currently on any special requests, right? How about it? If you solve the murderer case, the reward is a whopping four hundred gold coins!"

When you talk about four hundred gold coins, it's equivalent to the annual income of an ordinary person.

Quite a substantial amount.

The guild must be putting a lot of emphasis on it.

However...

"Hmm."

"Aren't you enthusiastic?"

"Well... the thing is, I defeated Fenrir before and sold its materials, so I have more than enough money."

The materials from that time sold for a total of three thousand gold coins.

Knowing that information, the receptionist seemed troubled.

"Oh, right, I remember that..."

"But..."

Thinking about the incident.

An invisible murderer lurking somewhere in the city.

Three incidents have occurred.

Considering this to be the end would be overly optimistic.

Whether it's a planned act or for the sake of pleasure, the perpetrator's motive is unclear, but...

Presumably, the culprit is savoring the experience.

They'll likely strike again.

I had a premonition of that.

What if the fourth victim is someone I know?

Like the inn's owner who greets me every morning.

Or the receptionist I'm talking to now.

Or... Sofia.

If that happens, I would deeply regret it.

I would spend my whole life thinking, "If only I had thrown myself into solving the case at that time."

I don't want that.

I became a free adventurer despite the difficulties, and I want to face challenges without running away.

"Sofia, I..."

"Yes, it's fine."

"Well... I haven't said anything yet?"

"You're taking the request, right?"

"That's the plan, but you understood well."

"Who do you think I am? I'm Fate's childhood friend. I know you better than anyone else in the world."

"..."

"What's wrong? You seem absent-minded."

"No, well... I feel strangely happy."

Sofia's words are always warm, reassuring me that I'm not alone.

With her by my side, I felt like I could do anything.

I believe we can properly resolve this request as well.

"So, anywaaaay..."

The receptionist's stern look returned.

I didn't intend to flirt, but it seemed that way.

Slightly embarrassing.

I need to reflect on that.

"Anyway..."

"You're trying to change the topic, right?"

"Yes, indeed."

Sofia exposed my embarrassment easily, I hope she doesn't betray me like this.

"We'll take on that request if it's okay with us."

"Thank you! I believe in the rising star Fate-san and the Sword Saint Sofia-san. I'm sure you can solve it!"

And so...

We accepted the request to capture or defeat the murderer.

TL Note: Looks too much for the trio but who knows?

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