Ch. 118 - The Final Big Job
Charlotte and Ricardo exchanged warm smiles.
There wasn’t a hint of tension between them. Ricardo showed no hostility, and the smile on his face was gentle.
It looked just like two acquaintances who happened to bump into each other and were politely exchanging greetings.
(What... the hell is going on here?)
This was clearly beyond the point of tossing a combat spell.
Allen blinked rapidly, carefully choosing his words.
"Oh, hey, Charlotte."
"Yes?"
"Is this gentleman...someone you know?"
"Fu...an acquaintance, huh?"
Ricardo chuckled and looked at Allen with a stern look.
A bitter look appeared in his eyes.
"I'm sure we've met before."
"Oh, so you know him too, Allen-san?"
"Huh...?! N-no, I have no idea..."
Allen frantically searched his memory.
However, he had no recollection of ever meeting a demi-human named Ricardo, not even in this town, not even when he was teaching at the magic academy.
Allen nodded, but Charlotte spoke with a smile.
"You see, I met Ricardo when I came to town by myself some time ago. You see, I received my first paycheck, right?"
"Hmm...? Ah, yeah. That time!”
Just a little while ago. With the first paycheck Allen had given Charlotte, she went out to buy presents for the people who had looked after her.
Allen followed behind her and supported her outing behind the scenes. It was a heroic act.
Allen had secretly followed her, supporting her behind the scenes, fighting off thugs and cleaning up the area so she could safely enjoy her outing.
“There were a lot of people collapsed on the streets that day for some reason… So I went around handing out the healing potions you gave me. I gave one to Ricardo at the time!"
"......I see."
"I'm glad you remembered."
As Allen pondered the matter with a serious look on his face, Ricardo shrugged his shoulders with a straight face.
Now that he said it, it seemed like there was a black figure among the people he had beaten up all at once...
"I can't thank you enough, young lady. I was suddenly attacked by a vicious thug and was completely exhausted."
"Is that so... there are scary people in this town too huh."
"Hahaha..."
Allen couldn't stop the cold sweat dripping down his face as Charlotte frowned and looked anxious. What would she think if she found out that the thug was Allen?
(But... it seems like he doesn't really have any ill will, does he?)
Ricardo was acting natural. He didn't seem to be lying, and his gratitude towards Charlotte was genuine.
However, in that case, a big mystery remained.