Chapter 86
*
Are you Shin Longdagger-san?
The one who said that was Edds, the scavenger adventurer I met yesterday.
Edds started talking without even waiting for my reply.
Apparently, since the carriage repair is taking longer, they took on a request they could handle themselves and are heading to the next town.
As expected, they seem to have secured a ride by joining the carriage's bodyguard team.
Though I'm in no position to say this since I'm also heading to the next town, I thought that for just the next town, they didn't need to join such an impressive trade caravan, but it seems the bodyguard adventurers are acquaintances.
Still, even though he was on the verge of death yesterday, taking on a new request the very next day—quite the adventurer spirit, isn't it? Scavengers really have a different kind of determination.
"Do you know him, Edds?"
The one who said that was John, with his chin beard.
I see, so Edds' acquaintance is John. Noticing from their tone that they know each other, I take half a step back to give space between Edds and John.
"Yes, John-san. He saved me yesterday when I was close to death."
By the way, calling someone you just met yesterday an acquaintance is quite an adventurer-like way of thinking.
It's probably a mindset born from situations where you sometimes have to entrust your life to someone you've just met.
As Edds says thank you for yesterday, I return an ambiguous gesture.
John, who had been reluctant to include me as a bodyguard, seems to be softening since I'm Edds' acquaintance.
But if I were to say here that I'm not Shin Longdagger, things would get complicated.
I can't affirm that I am who I am.
If I did that, Erika might end up bearing the disgrace of being a woman who couldn't receive a ring from her husband.
I don't think there are many people idle enough to piece together that much just from me acting alone, but the mere possibility makes it unacceptable.
No, but still, a ride to the next town... or rather, why does Edds think I, with this masked face, am Shin Longdagger?
Ahh, no, whatever, fine, let it be however it is.
Worst case, I'll run to the next town.
"Edds-kun."
"Yes?"
"I'm not Shin Longdagger."
"Huh?"
Edds tilts his head dramatically, and John frowns as if wondering what's going on.
"I'm Jin Goldendagger."
When I said it with complete seriousness, Edds burst into laughter.
Why?
"Hey, are you okay, Edds?"
Ignoring what exactly he means by okay, John asks Edds, who is laughing with tears in his eyes.
"No, John-san, I'm fine. I don't quite understand the situation, but this person is Shin Longdagger-san, and though you might not know, John-san, he's currently the most famous adventurer in this town."
"No, I'm Jin Goldendagger."
At my words, Edds bursts into even louder laughter.
I don't get what's so funny to you.
While clutching his stomach, what does he mean by saying something so obvious like, even though it's clearly Longdagger?
As I look suspiciously at the laughing Edds, John, perhaps fed up, opens his mouth with a hint of exasperation.
"Well, fine. If you want to join as a bodyguard, then at least show me your guild card... or something."
Saying that, John for some reason stares at my face with his mouth agape.
What? Is this one of those things? Adventurer etiquette where even through a mask, men don't stare at each other, and I should lightly tease him about it?
"Longdagger, you say!"
While I'm thinking about that, John shouts.
That's why I'm saying I'm Goldendagger.
By the way, the alias isn't a lie. It's not a lie.
For some reason, as I look at John, who is shocked while staring at me, I think about such things.