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“I said it before, but there’s no gap in the information about the survivor, Elysia Frentz. However, this creates a contradiction. Elysia, who has a certain status that allows her to attend the Academy without suspicion, cannot possibly be the assassin Elysia right in front of me.”

The manipulation of information to hide the fact that she is an assassin was, in fact, tightening the noose around my own identity.

“What this means is that all the information about the survivor Elysia Frentz has been fabricated. Someone has given you, the assassin, the identity of survivor Elysia. The real Elysia died during the demon invasion.”

But once I resolved one contradiction, another one awaited.

“Then how do you look just like the real Elysia?”

Right. The contradiction that even if she cannot be Elysia, I resemble her. Of course, one might dismiss it as just being similar, but the elf before my eyes wasn’t that careless.

“And you know, as an investor in Black Moon, I’ve seen that black-haired kid before. In other words, Black Moon is the culprit who kidnapped Elysia Frentz’s brother, Zeno Frentz.”

She pointed her finger at the portrait I was staring at intently, indicating Zeno Frentz, standing next to Elysia.

“Now, returning to the point, you look just like Elysia, but you aren’t Elysia. And Black Moon has Zeno Frentz, Elysia’s brother.”

Finally, after wrapping up all her deductions, she asked me.

“Having figured out this much, wouldn’t it be okay for you to tell me your true identity? I’d like to turn my last ridiculous guess into certainty.”

I had been known as ‘Third’ without a name, and now I was Zeno Frentz? Elysia’s brother, currently disguised?

Looking back now, there were certainly suspicious points.

Despite being quite young, the memories before entering the unusually non-existent Assassin Guild were strangely absent. During the times when I couldn’t doubt it, I just thought it was due to my age or that I was an orphan without any memories of family.

But… was it all the handiwork of the Guild Master? Even the circumstances of my disappearance causing gaps in security, which led to my family perishing?

“I am… Zeno Frentz….”

Even if I couldn’t believe it, all the facts pointed to the truth of me being Zeno Frentz.

“Ugh….”

Trying to get up from my seat, I nearly collapsed, unable to maintain my balance due to a piercing headache.

Clang!

I managed to avoid falling completely by grabbing the table, but the wine glass atop the table tipped over, splattering my clothes and body.

“Careful…!”

Lindy, sitting across from me, tried to get up quickly to help, but I was quicker to draw my sword.

Just like I did back at her General Store, aiming my sword at her neck once again.

“Who else knows about this?”

“Nobody! I have no intention of saying! If you have time to worry about that, focus on stabilizing your body!”

Surprisingly, she wasn’t afraid of my sword aimed at her neck; she got up and approached me directly.

Normally, I would swing my sword at such reckless movements immediately, but my hand just froze in place.

I couldn’t tell if it was still the headache that plagued me or if it was because I could see the genuine concern of friends reflected in her eyes.

With her support, I slowly perched myself on the bed, trying to recall memories from before I became an assassin, when I was Zeno Frentz.

However, the harder I tried, the more the pain intensified, and the memories remained so hazy that I couldn’t even recognize their form.

“…Sorry. Knowing I am Zeno Frentz doesn’t really mean anything, so you wouldn’t go spreading it around anyway, but I reacted so sensitively.”

Now that I was somewhat calm, I realized how foolish my earlier actions were.

If Lindy had intended to blackmail me regarding my identity, she would have done so when we first met at the General Store, and even if she did, she also knew it wouldn’t benefit her.

What use would it be for the world to know that my identity was Zeno Frentz? At most, it would become gossip.

The only situation that worried me was if my friends discovered my identity. But in that case, it would merely make my position awkward; it wasn’t a situation that warranted threatening her with a sword.

“…Let’s drop the apologies; you look exhausted. Why don’t you head back and rest today?”

“No… just a moment… just need to rest a bit.”

I sensed that this headache wouldn’t go away easily, and I was aware that my body, mind, and spirit were all fatigued. But that didn’t mean I could irresponsibly return to the inn.

Despite the splitting headache, the trouble in my breathing, and my heart pounding anxiously, I forced a smile.

Looking into the mirror on the table beside the bed, I couldn’t ease my worries with just my judgment.

“Well, how do I look? Do I seem okay?”

“You….”

“Hmph. Seeing that expression, I guess you’re alright. Anyway, I really appreciate you gathering the information. It allows me to learn things I didn’t know. If you need anything from me later, just let me know.”

Because my friends are waiting. I can’t worry my precious friends. I can’t just disappear arbitrarily and return with a painful expression. It would be just as cruel to leave them waiting for this long.

“…Yeah. You look tired, but you don’t seem in particular pain. Still, try not to overdo it and get some rest early.”

She sighed deeply, then approached me and raised her hand, murmuring something.

“…Clean.”

Bright light burst forth from Lindy’s outstretched hand towards my clothes and instantly wiped out the red wine stains.

Wow, what a convenient spell; I’d like to learn something like that if the chance arises.

“Ah, thanks. I was worried about what to say as an excuse, but now there’s no need.”

“Enough with that? I’d want to say to give me a pat on the back… but I can’t go troubling a patient. I’ll ask you next time.”

Just a moment ago, she was wearing the face of a capable informant, and now she was once again showing her quirky side.

Of course, considering the kindness she had just shown me, it wouldn’t hurt to return the gesture, but there was no need for me to offer it first.

…Damn. Am I getting to the point where I’m thinking of offering my backside first? Being alone with Lindy like this is slowly warping my sense of normalcy.

I shook my head, scolding myself, and stood up.

“By the way, what should I call you? Elysia? Or Zeno?”

“You don’t need to broadcast my identity to everyone in town. Just call me Elysia, like you have been.”

It felt strange to consider that might as well be my sister’s name, even though it had been a name I’d used thoughtlessly for over six months.

As I walked towards the door to leave the room, Lindy came up to me again and offered her support.

“I only felt dizzy for a moment earlier, and it’s really not necessary to help me….”

“Still, I can’t neglect my business partner. Let me help you at least until we leave the building.”

“…If you touch my backside, I’ll knock you out.”

“Tch.”

Even as I clicked my tongue, I could feel her genuine concern in the careful support she offered me. Surely, her clicking her tongue was a joke.

…Probably?

Creak

The door opened with a short squeak, likely due to insufficient oiling of the hinges.

The headache persisted, and while I had indeed seemed dizzy, the fatigue was a fact, so I slowly descended the stairs with her support.

“Alright, that’ll be 50 silver including delivery, right? Wow, I didn’t know delivery was an option.”

“Hehe. This is a café only open during the Celestial Festival, so we need to make the most of it while we can. Thank you for your patronage!”

As I stepped down the stairs, a familiar voice reached my ears.

Turning towards the source of the voice, I spotted Mariel, conversing with the innkeeper at the counter.

She was dressed in a maid uniform, likely in continuation of the maid café event happening at the temple.

“Senpai!”

Not wanting to draw attention by announcing her as a Saint, I called out to her as ‘senpai,’ and she seemed to sense my voice, turning to look at me with a delighted face.

“Junior!”

Unlike my slow, supported steps, Mariel approached with light, quick strides.

“I didn’t expect to see you here, Junior! What brings you here…?”

But just as she started speaking excitedly, she suddenly halted, staring directly at the stairs I had just descended.

Then she turned her gaze back, staring intently at Lindy for quite a while. I guess it’s not every day that an elf catches someone’s eye.

Lindy seemed to be taken aback by Mariel’s sudden gaze, looking around repeatedly to confirm that Mariel was indeed looking at her.

“Uh… This floor only has guest rooms, right…? And they’re pretty expensive….”

“Well, I wouldn’t know. I’ve only been in Lindy’s room next to here, so I’m not familiar with what’s on the second floor.”

“R-really…?”

She seemed a bit flustered for a moment, then started tilting her head, leaning closer to sniff at me lightly.

“Is that a smell of alcohol…?”

“Senpai?”

“No, nothing! But… Did you get hurt? Do you want me to use divine magic on you?”

“No, I’m fine. I was just a little tired and needed some support. I’ll be fine soon, so you don’t need to overexert yourself, Senpai.”

“I-I’m sorry for the inconvenience! I’ll see you at the award ceremony later, Junior!”

I rejected Mariel’s offer, but it seemed to embarrass her, her face turning bright red as she dashed out.

If I had known it would go this way, I might have just accepted her kindness.