Because we had decided on our plans, I visited the inn Paul was staying in.
However, it seems like he's out.
The person there told me where the search party's headquarters were, and so I moved there.
It's just an average 2 story building.
In a place not unlike a conference room, Paul had been working quite seriously.
Together with 10 odd other men, he's discussing something or other.
When I try and listen in, I find that they seem to be working on some large project.
Since arriving in Milishion, I had only ever seen him drunk or hungover, but seeing him in the middle of work like this, that father of mine looks considerably reliable and cool.
We'd just met with bad timing, and it's not like he was spending everyday drinking and complaining.
Or so I had thought, but upon hearing the contents of their conversation, it seems that he had spent the last month binge drinking and never showed up at work at all.
In fact, it was only starting yesterday that he had suddenly become motivated again, and showed up to work like he did in the past.
There's probably no doubt that he wanted to show me his good side.
In other words, it's because of me that this guy is working.
Hahhh, dear me. Goodness, I'm such a sinful man.[1]
For now, I'm just waiting until Paul has spare time.
Since just sitting there staring wouldn't get me anywhere, I look around the inside of the building.
In a certain room, I happen to spot Norn playing.
In her surroundings are other children of about Norn's age.
They had been happily playing with something similar to building blocks.
It's likely that this is a nursery or something.
"Hey."
Because our eyes had met, I casually raise my voice and call out to her.
When I did, she had made a startled expression, and then immediately glared at me and threw a block at me.
I catch it.
"Go away!"
It's a flat-out rejection.
Well then.
It seems that I've done something to make her hate me.
If it's just the things that I'm aware of, the incident where I hit Paul is about it.
Yep. There's no doubt it's that.
"Um, I've made up properly with Tou-sama, you know?"
I tried excusing myself, but...
"Liar!"
Norn said that in a loud voice, and then ran away without pause.
It seems that I'm really quite hated.
It's a bit of a shock.
I return to the defacto waiting room, and wait there a while for Paul.
When I take a seat in the corner of the room, glances came my way.
Among them are the kidnappers from the other day.
As expected, I really am hated, huh?
While I'm feeling uncomfortable there, an excessively flesh-colored and conspicuous person entered.
While I was wondering 'Just what happened to the plainness from yesterday?', donning a bikini armor she drew the surrounding gazes, and suddenly noticed me.
Now she's walking towards me.
"Good morning."
"Good morning. What are you here for today?"
With a smile, Bikini-san tilts her head questioningly.
"I've come to meet my father. Umm..."
Umm, what was this person's name again?
I haven't heard it yet, right?
"I haven't introduced myself yet, have I? Excuse me. My name is Rudeus Greyrat."
Standing up with an arm across my chest, I bow in the manner of a noble.
When I did, Vera became confused and moved her arms in a fluster and replied,
"Ahm, uhm... I-, I'm Vera. I'm one of Paul-danchou's[2] subordinates."
When I raise my head, I inevitably get a glimpse of the depths of her ravine.
It's poison for the eyes. And poison is sometimes used as medicine, and medicine is something that heals you.[3]
It was just before I had decided to be reserved, and I didn't really want to see it, but it entered my line of sight no matter what.
No matter what I had decided in my mind, as though my sight was being urged on by a fox, it would be pulled towards a certain point.
How unfair.
"I apologize for the other day. My father is somewhat of a skirt-chaser, and so I had somewhat misunderstood."
"N-, no, no. It's fine. Because I'm dressed like this, it couldn't be helped."
Replying while keeping up appearances, Vera quickly shook her head.
And as she did, a certain part of her jiggled and shook.
Though it may be a bikini armor and technically does fix things in place, it can't stop the vibrations from being transmitted.
They're big, after all.
No, no...
...I somehow manage to tear my gaze away.
"I think it might be better if you didn't appear in front of men with that kind of appearance. It might be alluring to others. Would it not be better to at least put on an overcoat?"
"...There's a reason for this, so..."
Vera smiled bitterly, and said that.
It might be my imagination, but it feels like the gazes of the other group members are gathered on me.
Did I perhaps say something bad...?
I don't understand. I'll ask Paul about it later.
"Around what time does Tou-sama finish?"
When I change the subject, Vera tilts her head in thought.
"Umm, because the work from this past month has been piling up, I think he'll be busy for a while."
"Is that so...? For now, the plan is to leave Milishion in 7 days, so could you please relay this to him?"
"Seven days? That's quite hasty, isn't it?"
"It's normal for us."
"Is that so..? I understand. I'll bring Shera here. Please wait a little."
Saying that, she ran further into the building.
After a short time, she returns with the robed healing magician.
When she received my gaze, she let out a sound and hid behind Vera.
"The leader's schedule is packed but, he has time four nights from now. If you're planning to eat, please come at that time."
"I'm not really asking you to force a window though..."
"When the leader speaks to you, he's lively. That's why even if we have to force it, please do come."
While hiding behind Vera, Shera replies in an uninterested tone.
She sure hates me, huh? No, it could be that she's afraid of me.
Though I'm a bit reluctant... well, whatever.
"Four nights from now, correct? I understand. Would it be better to head to the inn?"
"We've got reservations at the restaurant the group regularly uses, so please head there directly. The location is..."
And like that, Shera indifferently told me about the location and time.
It seems to be a restaurant called 『Rage Milis』, in the Commerce District.
I had asked just in case, but there doesn't seem to be a dress code.
Still, somehow the setting feels a bit like dining together with the president of an important company.
It feels like Paul's gotten quite important, having his schedule managed by a secretary.
"Will you be bringing a companion?"
At the end I was asked that, and though I suddenly thought of Eris, at the same time I recalled the line "I'll beat him to death".
"No, I'll be coming alone."
With that, I had finished making an appointment, and I left the building.