Chapter 172: Why Am I So Unpopular?
“I’ve brought something to deliver to Ryu.”
The next day, the heroes wasted no time. They arrived to personally deliver the compiled dungeon documents to Ryu.
The innkeeper was visibly surprised by their return, yet quickly composed himself.
“Ah, the Hero’s party. I’ve already been informed by Ryu-sama. Please, this way.”
With that, the heroes followed behind him.
Takeshi glanced sideways at their companions.
“…So why are Captain Lily and her group here too?”
“Well, obviously to see Ryu-kun and Esther! A reunion with dear old friends! Ahh, how moving, how moving!”
Lily practically radiated excitement, only for her subordinate and Louise to immediately cut in.
“Captain Lily… if they felt the same way, they wouldn’t have left without greeting us yesterday.”
“…He’s clearly avoiding us. Why is our captain always this positive?”
“R-Ryu-kun is just shy!”
“I hope that’s the case…”
“…Yeah. I really do.”
In truth, Ryu and Esther were among Lily’s very few friends.
And not just that—they were friends who might hold the key to defeating the Demon King.
There was no way she could let this opportunity slip by.
…At least, that was the official excuse.
In reality, she simply came because she wanted to see them.
“Ryu-sama’s room is right here.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
“Not at all. Between us, just having heroes visit our inn greatly improves our reputation.”
The innkeeper smiled softly and returned to the lobby.
To Ryu, heroes were often more trouble than they were worth—but to ordinary people, they were legendary figures who once saved humanity.
No matter which nation they belonged to, that image never changed.
Their prestige was unmatched across the continent.
Just as Takeshi was about to knock—
“Hold on, hold on! I’ll handle this!”
Lily leapt forward eagerly.
Knock, knock.
A few seconds later, the door creaked open slightly.
Ryu peeked out—only half his face visible—as his eyes met theirs.
“…………”
“Ryu-kun! Long time no see! We came to deliver the dungeon documents today!”
“…Ah. Thanks.”
Click.
He took the documents—and promptly shut the door.
““““““………………”””””””
“Eeeeeeeeeeh?!”
Even Lily couldn’t hide her shock this time.
“Um… Captain Lily? What happened to that ‘emotional reunion’ you were talking about?”
“Aww man… I was hoping to hear some stories from Ryu…”
“I wanted to ask him about magic too…”
Her subordinate added the final blow without mercy.
“I told you, Captain. This is the fate of being single.”
“…Honestly, it might’ve gone better if I had knocked.”
“Uuuuu…”
But Lily was not one to give up.
“Hey, Ryu-kun!! That’s just mean!! Ryu-kuuun!! Helloooo?! Ryu-kun!! RYUUUUU-KUUUUUUN!! Lily-chan came to visit youuuuu!!”
Bang bang bang bang bang!
At this point, it was less knocking and more full-on pounding.
After several dozen seconds—
The door finally cracked open again.
Through the narrow gap, Ryu stared at Lily with one eye.
“…What?”
“Isn’t that a bit cold after I came all this way?!”
“Keep it down. You’re bothering the other guests.”
“We fought together so well back in the kingdom!!”
“Did we? I’ve been too busy enjoying married life to remember. Oh right—you’ve never had a boyfriend, have you? Sorry about that.”
“Waaaaaaaah!!”
“Well, I was happy to see you too. Take care of yourself. Alright then—”
Click.
“Waiiiiiit!!”
Bang bang bang!
Bang bang bang!
A few minutes later, Ryu lost.
“Hoho! Lily, is that you?! It’s been a while!”
“Esther!!! You’re still as tiny and adorable as ever!”
“I am not tiny!! And it’s been a while for you too—and you as well, Subordinate and Louise.”
“It’s been a while, Esther-san.”
“Good to see you’re as lively as ever.”
In the end, Lily’s group and the heroes were invited inside.
“Homura! Long time no see!”
“Gya!”
“Oh, are you Axel? The one Ryu-kun mentioned?”
“Brrr!”
After exchanging greetings with Ryu’s group and settling in, they began to reconnect.
However, both Lena and Stingray silently sounded alarms in their minds.
(This woman Lily… she’s dangerous…!!)
(Grrr… I won’t let her take Ryu-sama!!)
“By the way, this Lena is also my wife. Bow before her.”
“Wow! She’s super cute! Your little sister, right?”
“Eh—you can tell?!”
Lena’s face lit up with joy.
“I can, I can. You two give off the exact same vibe. You must’ve been really close since childhood, right? Your happiness is practically overflowing.”
“…Lily-san, I like you.”
Lena immediately hugged her.
“Hahaha! Looks like I’ve been liked again.”
“…Tch.”
(Lena-sama has already been won over… that leaves me as the final line of defense.)
Stingray clenched her fist quietly.
“And that knight over there… you use a rapier, don’t you? You’ve also mastered aura coating, right?”
“Y-you can tell?!”
“I can, I can. I’ve met several users of that technique, and they all have a similar magical signature. Maybe mastering it requires shaping your magic in a very specific way?”
“Um… could you tell me more about it?”
“Of course! I love talking about combat!”
A few minutes later—
“Ryu-sama. Captain Lily is truly an admirable person. Please try to get along with her.”
“Hahaha… I’ve been liked again.”
“…Well, I suppose getting along isn’t a bad thing…”
Finally—
“So… you must be the famous Ryoma Sakamoto.”
“Indeed. I am Ryoma. A pleasure.”
“Nice to meet you! I thought you’d be scary, but you’re the complete opposite! You seem like such a kind samurai!”
“Hahaha. I am neither particularly kind nor frightening. Just ordinary.”
At that moment, a dark aura rose behind him.
“I’ll kill you, kill you, kill you… unforgivable, unforgivable… anyone who dares cast flirtatious eyes at my Ryoma-sama deserves death…”
It was Alice.
“…That’s terrifying!!”
Watching the lively chaos unfold, Takeshi spoke casually.
“Hey, Ryu.”
“What is it?”
“Captain Lily is cheerful, kind, and the strongest in the kingdom… so why doesn’t she have a boyfriend?”
“Because being around her is exhausting.”
“…I see.”
Sometimes, fertilizer that is too rich ends up ruining the crops.
That was probably how it worked.
Takeshi glanced at Ryu, who absentmindedly watched Lily and the others.
(Still… this guy not only married a petite elf, but also that stunning ‘little sister’… He’s basically doing whatever he wants in this world.)