Occasionally, this party of three minstrels I'm watching have been seen in the Adventurer's Guild from time to time.
They must have been a C-rank party.
Their name was [Big Voice Band].
It was a wonderfully ostentatious name.
However, they weren't really talented, and their own works were unpopular.
In an effort to keep creating something more popular, I received an interview request about this and that and the subjugation job I did the other day.
The song being sung now is the story they heard me tell of my journey.
I consider the one who's singing.
Is he doing alright?
Hmm, it’s okay.
In my previous life, I was crazy about music.
I tried to produce a song for a certain Vocaloid[2], but it ended up as a complete failure.
Since then, the only musical instrument I continue to say I can play is the KETSU-Drum. [3]
I am always up to the task to play those drums.
They twisted a tale just from the story I told them of what happened.
Even if they aren't talented, their creativeness will at least be accepted.
The song is played in the style of a village's storytelling old gramps.
It reminds me of a television documentary program.
It should be interesting to hear it.
But the narration is bland, and the song will likely remain unpopular.
Even if they were to change it now, the heckling has already started.
Even I, the actual hero of the story, would say it is terrible.
Around the time I'm thinking such things...
BAM!
Suddenly the door to the bar is thrown open.
A chilly air blew in.
Eyes stared.
People trembled.
[At last I've finally found you, "Rudeus of the Quagmire"!]
There stood a member of the Long Ear Tribe with hair like French bread.
While it looked like an adventurer, its clothes were suitably dress-like.
It wore a backpack and had a sword and shield hung around the waist.
The only word needed to describe her face was Beautiful.
Almond eyes, long ears, and lustrous blonde hair.
A slender body with a flat chest and long ears.
It certainly feels like this is what's called an 'Elf'.
Before she could point a finger.
All eyes were fixed on me.
[Geh... "Quagmire" ...isn't here...?]
The man who had just been heckling now wore an unpleasant face.
I disregard it.
Because I'm tolerant.
I turn back and look at the Elf.
[Have I finally been found at last...?]
I suitably replied.
However, she doesn't recognize me for the moment.
I certainly haven't done anything in the last few years to warrant someone carrying a grudge.
I work in order to make my name famous.
The name 'Rudeus of the Quagmire'.
I help others, I don't pick fights, and I am always careful not to get a bad reputation.
I have often been given thanks to by those I wasn't really acquainted with, but this is the first time I have been talked to this way by such a beautiful woman.
She is probably one of those types too...
But then again, my intuition tells me differently.
[Since you are famous, you were easily found.]
[Eh, just a moment ago, didn't you say you had 'finally' found me?]
[Actually, I thought you were still to the East a bit more.]
The woman said as such and quietly watched me with such beautiful eyes.
Somehow, something like drool began to slide down the side of her mouth.
She quickly licks it away.
Heh, is it love at first sight for her?
Or perhaps she desires my body which has recently become quite toned.
I have been training a lot recently, and I am also in a growth period.
And so of course muscles would form.
Muscles.
[Is there something wrong?]
[No, no, there is nothing wrong at all!]
The Elvish woman cleared her throat with a sound like 'Ko~hon[4]' then took a seat next to me.
Suddenly the bar was filled with whispers of "Ooohhh!".
I heard something along the lines of [So that's the Quagmire's woman.]
What a surprising thing to hear.
How is it possible that I have something as outrageous as this woman?
[Fuu~]
She unloads the backpack and places it by her feet, grabs a chair, and with a bang, it hits the ground next to me, then she sits down close.
CLOSE.
WAY TOO CLOSE.
If I was still a DT[5] I would think "What's there to like about this guy?"
[My name is Elinalise. Elinalise Dragonroad. A former party member with your father, Paul...]
[Hmm.]
I see.
Paul's friend.
It might be that she's been searching for me.
[Of course, I am also a friend of Roxy as well.]
[EH!! A friend of sensei! Where is sensei now?]
It's been a long time since I've heard the name Roxy spoken from another person's mouth.
I was excited to hear about it so I leaned in closer.
Elinalise didn't answer the question I wanted to hear about the most.
I leaned in closer still and practically kissed my ear to her mouth.
[I heard it, you know, that you had a manly, crushing solo victory against a rogue dragon.]
[Eh.. well... sort of, though, everyone and I was nearly killed.]
[I can understand why you are Roxy's pride and joy.]
But there was a lot more flexibility dealing with it.
Compared to dealing with Dragon God Orsted, the pressure was significantly less.
If you consider a man like that, the dragon was something strangely calm.
[To hear that I'm Sensei's pride and joy is rather embarrassing after all... Is it because I'm emotional about it inside?]
[Your chest. It's rather strong.]
Before I realized it, Elinalise was feeling around my upper arm and chest with her hands.
It tickles.
She said I was strong, and I didn't feel egotistical about it.
[What's this?]
The fingers of Elinalise were touching something.
It was the pendant I had received from Lilia.
[I see, I see. It's cute and clumsily made. Who gave it to you?]
[My family's house maid.]
[Maid? by chance, are they of the Long Ear Tribe?]
[Eh? No, she's not... why do you ask?]
Oh damn, we changed topics.
[It's not a big deal, however...]
Elinalise seemed to particularly mind the sword attached to her waist.
She shows me what is attached to the scabbard.
It is a similarly shaped pendant.
However, it is far more elaborate than mine.
Mine is an amateur's work - hers is definitely professional.
[...It seems we match.]
Elinalise has seemingly snuggled in closer and closer to me.
What's going on here?
She has been way too extremely frisky with me for a while now.
[Is yours from a while ago? Perhaps from a guy you really like?]
[Yeah, he's a good man. Better than I expected. It's surprising really. I wanted to make more children with him... He was very vigorous and A~MA~ZING....]
I wonder if I'm being teased.
I'm a bit excited.
[Well, the Onee-chan here is also quite beautiful.]
Hmph.
I am not such a DT that I will panic when teased.
So, I quickly push a finger up to close my hanging jaw.
[Nnn...]
Then, Elinalise quietly closed her eyes.
It was the full gesture of waiting for a kiss.
Even though it seemed like a joke, her hand reached around the back of my head and moved in..
[...eh?]
Seriously?
Was there the atmosphere for this?
Is it alright?
It's alright if I go Zukyuu~~n? [6]
The moment I thought that, the eyes of Elinalise opened with a click sound.
[Yaaa, That was my fault. I'll stop here.]
[You really shouldn't go that overboard with the teasing.]
[I am not the kind of person to leave it at a tease with a man. But, I have no intention of becoming a daughter of Paul. I also wish to stay friends with Roxy as well.]
...That explained the matter.
What kind of thing happened back in those days when Paul split from his party that this woman doesn't even want to associate with his son?
Whatever, it’s fine like this anyways.
[Well then, Elinalise-san, do you have official business with me?]
[Sort of. I came to deliver you some good news.]
Elinalise gave me a sweet smile.
On that day.
I learned my mother Zenith had been located.