The summons by Ferent did not take long to arrive.
Just as Ferent had described, it was merely a formal inquiry, but instead of an investigator, the administrative staff of the Academy who came to fetch me even adjusted the time considering my schedule.
Since there was no reason for me to unnecessarily delay, I scheduled it for the very next day.
I headed towards the administrative building, aiming for the temporary office where the investigators were staying.
“Ah, hello.”
“Oh, you’re a student. I didn’t expect to see you out here, nice to meet you.”
The person I encountered at the entrance of the administrative building was one of the staff members I always met at the magic building’s information desk whenever I visited Presia.
“Looks like the professor, who’s also your boss, hasn’t called you today, huh?”
“I’m busy today, so I already told the boss not to schedule anything for me today.”
Since it was just a formal investigation, I thought it would end quickly, but I couldn’t be sure, so I’d already cleared Presia’s schedule.
“Ah, so the student is also coming for an investigation. Honestly, the higher-ups have no flexibility. Why would they investigate a student who’s a hero…”
“Ahaha… They’re just doing their jobs, you know. It’s not like I’ll be giving a long speech. They must be busy writing reports and more, so I should understand.”
“Is it because you’re a hero? You students sure are understanding. Well, good luck on that. I’ve got to get back to work now.”
“Ah, yes. See you next time then. Thank you for your hard work.”
Has it been since the mid-first semester that I started seeing you? Anyway, among the few staff members I recognize, you’re one of them.
After leaving the light-hearted meeting behind, I entered the temporary investigation team office on the third floor corner as indicated by the paper sign I had been directed to.
Since this office was set up temporarily for the investigation, there were only a few desks placed in an empty room.
“Hmm… How did the demons notice anyway? Hey! What do you think about that?”
“Well… There’s no clear connection, so I guess it was just a coincidence…?”
There was a person scowling and speaking irritably, and another who held documents in one hand and was idly stroking his glasses with the other.
“Hello. I’m Elysia Frentz.”
Deep in conversation, the two women didn’t even notice me entering.
It seemed like I would have to stand by the door indefinitely, so I quickly interrupted their conversation and greeted them.
Only then did they finally notice my presence.
“What…?”
“You didn’t check the list, did you? Elysia Frentz. Isn’t she the hero chosen for this cause?”
“No, I know that, but what I’m asking is why the hero is here?”
“Oh, I might not have told you, but I’m the one who called her. Anyway, we need to file a report, right?”
Judging by the looks of it, the person who seemed to be the supervisor among the two had summoned me without explaining it to her junior.
“Are you serious? You summoned the Hero chosen by the Goddess? Could it be the Saint as well…”
“Come on. Can you really compare her to the Saint? The Saint had been the Saint long before this incident, but the Hero… Ah, this feels awkward. Can I just call you by name?”
“Yes? Ah, yes…”
The woman speaking randomly turned to ask me for permission and then continued.
“Since Elysia was appointed as the Hero due to this incident, technically, she was a civilian beforehand, which is why we need to investigate.”
“But if the Goddess chose…”
“That’s why I said it’s for the report. I didn’t personally summon you out of any real need but just to ask some routine questions. If it bothers you, you can be my supervisor.”
“…Do you realize that watching you get yelled at by our superiors all the time crushes any ambition I had for promotion?”
“…So that’s what I meant. Please, take my position instead!”
“No way. I’d rather take less pay and work under you for the rest of my life, using you as a shield!”
“Damn… How is this subordinate of mine…”
Why did they call someone over just to joke around like this?
“Excuse me?”
“Ah! We’ve been making you stand here. Sorry about that. Please, please, take a seat. What would you like to drink? Tea? Coffee? Or perhaps juice?”
“I’m fine with anything you give me…”
“Ah, come on. How could we treat the Hero that way? Hey! If you look deep inside the fridge, you’ll find some orange juice, right? Pour a glass and bring it over. No, include mine, so make it two glasses. If you’d like to drink as well, then three.”
Following the supervisor’s orders, the subordinate retrieved the juice from the fridge and poured it into three glasses.
She placed two of the cups on a tray and handed one to me, one to her superior, and held one herself.
“Come on, this juice is super expensive. It’s made from fresh fruit, with absolutely no additives, and I bought it to save for myself, but please, give it a try. It simply can’t be bad.”
“Ah, yes…”
Sure enough, when I lifted the glass and took a sip, I understood why they were making such a fuss.
I’ve visited quite a few cafes and tasted various juices, but this was incomparable.
“Wow, Team Leader. Did you really not share this kind of thing with me? I’m truly disappointed.”
“…So now you’re getting one glass, right? It’s expensive, so I’m saving it.”
…How could even an expensive juice be worth acting so stingy with your subordinate?
It reminded me of someone—perhaps the Saint?
“One bottle costs an impressive 5 gold coins.”
“Keck!”
“E- Elysia, are you alright? Here’s a tissue…”
“Cough, cough… I’m fine, it’s just a sudden reaction to such generosity…”
No, how could orange juice cost 5 gold coins?
Especially since 5 gold coins are more than what I paid for the highest-grade holy water I purchased from the Saint.
There might be some expensive wines out there, but still, juice being 5 gold coins worth…?
Fortunately, I didn’t end up spitting the juice out. If I had, it would’ve been both rude and a waste of such a costly drink.
“…Surely, orange juice can’t cost 5 gold coins, right? Team Leader really does love to joke around…”
The subordinate, treating the juice price as a joke.
But the cup in the subordinate’s hand, with its juice inside, was slightly trembling.
“It’s not just any orange juice, it’s an extremely rare harvest that only comes once a year. You should know that since you’ve already tasted it.”
The taste was indeed exceptional, but did it justify splurging 5 gold coins per bottle on such juice?
“That might be true, but if you had the money, you should spend it on grooming yourself! That’s why Team Leader can’t date or get married!”
“Urk…”
“Seriously, when you declined to go out for drinks last time, citing no money this month, was that because of this juice?”
“Urk…”
“Wow, I had my suspicions but now I know for sure. Isn’t Team Leader’s salary low compared to what she spends on this luxury?”
“Ma, if you don’t want to drink anymore, give it back!”
“Ah, no, no. It’s fine, Team Leader, I’m drinking it well.”
Out of fear of having it taken away, the subordinate hastily gulped the remaining juice down.
The team leader gave a glare at her subordinate and then turned her head back to me.
“…Sorry for making you see such an ugly sight. Have I not introduced myself yet? I’m Erin Wesley.”
I shook hands with Erin, who reached out her hand.
“Elysia Frentz.”
“This is…”
“Stella. I don’t have a surname since I’m a commoner.”
The woman quickly introduced herself to me even before Erin could say anything.
I bowed in response, and Stella bowed back.
“Thank you for taking the time, Elysia. As mentioned before, we called you regarding the incident where the Saint was attacked.”
Erin’s earlier clumsy demeanor disappeared as she immediately got down to business.
“Yes, please proceed.”
“Actually, we’ve already concluded the investigations for everyone else, and the reports are almost completed. We simply summoned you because, although you are currently the Hero, you were technically a civilian before the incident. Thank you once more for your cooperation.”
“It’s something I should do regardless.”
“This is just a formality, so you don’t have to be too worried. Hey, hey! Elysia’s glass is empty. Quickly refill it with the juice.”
Before Erin even finished speaking, Stella tried to open the juice bottle again, but I quickly stopped them.
“No, no! It’s really fine. Please don’t trouble yourselves!”
Though the orange juice was delicious, watching Erin savor her juice, which she purchased with every cent of her salary, discouraged me from asking for more.
Erin, who seemed relieved by my refusal, slightly smiled. Still, I didn’t point out the details. After all, if one bottle cost 5 gold coins, how much would even a single glass be worth?
“Oh, then instead of Elysia, let me have one more glass…”
Before Stella could finish her sentence, Erin gave her a sharp look.
“…I was going to have another but I don’t care much for sweet drinks. I’ll put it back.”
After Stella returned the juice bottle deep into the fridge, Erin’s expression returned to normal.
“Hmm! Shall we continue?”
The playful side of the two disappeared, and the investigation began.
But just as they had explained, the questions directed toward me were all basic and nothing like Ferent, who was supposedly grilled heavily, and it simply ended with recounting the facts from the incident.
“Thank you for your cooperation. Your assistance was greatly helpful.”
“You’re too kind. Likewise, I appreciate your hard work. If you ever need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to call.”
“Aww, your kind words are much appreciated.”
“Ah, and by the way, not to put it as a request… but I’m just curious.”
“Yes?”
“Did Celian get investigated, too?”
Of course, I already knew that Celian had been investigated, but I subtly brought it up anyway.
“Ah, yes. Being one of the main characters involved in the incident, just like you, it was unavoidable to call her over.”
“Did Celian by any chance…”
“Ah, right. Knowing that Elysia and Celian are friends, don’t worry. If Elysia was a civilian before the incident, Celian, on the other hand, was already a hero candidate, so just like with you, her investigation was more formalistic.”
After hearing a clear answer from Erin, I felt a lot more at ease.
“Thank you for letting me know. I was naturally worried, being such a close friend…”
“Haha. Seeing such a friendship between the two of you makes me envious. As you can see, there’s only this kind around me…”
As Erin turned her head to look at Stella, Stella shrugged in response.
“Then I’ll take my leave. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Yes, thank you for taking the time, Elysia. Have a safe journey home.”
“Goodbye!”
After leaving the two behind, I walked out of the office.
Thanks to Erin’s consideration, I was reassured about Celian, but it was still annoying that she kept the fact that she had been investigated from me without a word.
As a form of punishment, I decided to steal the side dish she likes during dinner tonight.
However, despite having her favorite side dish stolen, Celian didn’t get mad; instead, she kept feeding me her own food. And Yuli and Anne, who witnessed the scene, joined in too.
…I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.
