Life as an Adventurer with the Banished Marquis' Daughter - Chapter 22: The Exiled Marquis's Daughter Takes Responsibility, Part 2

Chapter 22: The Exiled Marquis’s Daughter Takes Responsibility, Part 2

“Do you expect me to believe that?”

The village chief’s reaction was not favorable from the start. 

Erika’s explanation was simple and clear, but that made it even less believable.

Expecting someone to believe that a Rank 1 adventurer accidentally turned over a hundred Bonbos into ashes is quite a stretch. 

The straightforwardness of her explanation made it sound even more absurd.

Additionally, Erika’s attire didn’t help her case.

She was dressed in very ordinary clothes, which didn’t include any armor.

It’s unusual to see an adventurer wearing a skirt without any protective gear.

Even though it’s unusual, she planned to gather adventurer-like equipment later. For now, she chose the plainest outfit among the clothes she brought. 

This resulted in her looking like a modestly dressed young lady from a good family, wearing a sword belt with a sword hanging from it—an odd combination.

Knowing her abilities, I could be confident that this wasn’t an issue. But to someone who didn’t know her, she looked like an eccentric town girl.

By the way, you can infer from the fact that I was mistaken for her bodyguard when I first met Erika.

“It’s hard to believe that a Rank 1 adventurer could burn a whole group of Bonbos to ashes.”

The village chief, with a sun-tanned, square face, looked skeptical as he spoke.

“Yeah, I figured it would come to this.”

I replied casually, having expected this reaction. 

While it’s frustrating that the village chief can’t see Erika’s true strength, his skepticism is understandable given his responsibilities.

“But Shin, if we leave things as they are, it will place unnecessary burdens on the villagers.”

Erika said, though she didn’t say, “It’s my fault,” out loud.

She knew it wouldn’t help since the chief didn’t believe her anyway.

“Believing or not believing is the responsibility of those in charge, not ours.”

I gave the village chief a questioning look. 

He ignored me, but his eyes showed his sense of duty.

“But…”

Another voice, belonging to someone with a strong sense of responsibility, murmured thoughtfully.

“But it’s our job to make sure those in charge believe us.”

Erika looked at me as if to ask if I agreed. It was clear she wasn’t going to change her mind. She couldn’t stand the thought of her mistake causing trouble for others.

As I nodded, thinking this was typical of Erika, the village chief spoke in exasperation.

“No matter what you say, I won’t change my decision.”

“Don’t worry.”

Erika said with a smile.

“I’m an adventurer, after all. I’ll persuade you in the adventurer’s way.”

Erika’s eyes, which had once driven away many noble youths trying to approach the Maiden of Light, now shone with a strong, almost defiant light.

＊

There is no such thing as an “adventurer’s way” of persuasion. Erika said it with such confidence that even I almost believed it was a real thing.

Naturally, the village chief believed it too, partly because there was no harm in doing so.

“It’s cramped.”

“Yes, it is.”

We were in a rundown shed at the edge of the village, a place used for storing farming tools.

After the conversation with the village chief, Erika had negotiated with him, asking to stay in the village for a few days until they felt reassured. I thought they might not welcome outsiders staying in their village.

However, being a satellite village of a large town, they were accustomed to outsiders and saw no disadvantage in allowing us to stay. 

Erika had managed to negotiate this shed as a place for us to stay for a few days.

Well, it’s not like there would be any empty houses or inns in a farming village, so we should be grateful that the floor is wooden and not just dirt.

We spent the afternoon patrolling the village outskirts to familiarize ourselves with the area. That night, we laid the blankets the village chief had kindly lent us on the floor and went to sleep.

Despite sleeping in the same room as the person I liked, I didn’t feel excited. 

I wondered about this, but then again, I had gotten used to sharing a room with Erika during our recent travels.

As I lay there, thinking about our plans for the next day, Erika’s voice came from the darkness.

“I apologize, Shin.”

The closeness of her voice in the dark startled me.

“For what?”

I asked, trying to keep my voice calm so she wouldn’t notice my surprise.

I had a feeling that Erika wanted to talk about something, so her sudden apology amused me. We both seemed to assume the other was still awake.

“Because of my selfishness, I’ve caused you inconvenience.”

“Well… yes, that’s true.”

For a moment, I thought about denying it, but facts are facts. 

I wondered if saying something kind would make me more appealing, but my sense of duty as an adventurer stopped me.

Erika seemed to notice my brief hesitation and I thought I heard her laugh softly.

“But I don’t dislike it.”

I said, pushing aside thoughts of tomorrow’s plans for the moment.

“I don’t dislike your strong sense of responsibility.”

I felt a bit pathetic for not being able to say I liked it and settling for saying I didn’t dislike it instead. To cover my embarrassment, I recalled something else.

“Besides, thanks to my junior apprentice, I’m used to this kind of thing.”

In terms of the trouble caused, this was actually pretty mild.

My junior apprentice, Elsa, is, to be honest, quite a handful, and the trouble she causes is equally significant.

“Are you referring to ‘Elsa the Impaler’? I’d love to hear more about her.”

Erika said casually, making me chuckle despite myself.

“Did you just laugh at me?”

She asked, her pretend anger feeling quite pleasant.

“I’m just thinking that ignorance is bliss.”

I said, knowing Erika was smiling even in the dark.

“I’m even more curious now.”

Sometime soon, I promised, and then I drifted off to sleep.