Chapter 7

The cafe where Camellia and I were supposed to meet.

Airi was sent off first to handle a quest dealing with wild boars in the countryside. Well, the current Airi should have no problem taking down boars on her own.

Camellia, holding her wallet, stirred her coffee with a spoon and asked, “So, you guys stormed the headquarters of the crime syndicate running this city?”

“Yeah… I usually hate troublesome stuff, but since it was your request, I made an exception.”

Saying that, I mixed my melon juice with ice and downed it in one go. Good thing I bought those art books and fanbooks. Thanks to that, I found out about my favorite foods and various trivia, so I could act like I only order melon juice at cafes.

If this were a movie, I’d deserve an acting award for this method acting.

I was imagining giving a thank-you speech to the director, staff, and my parents when suddenly, a spicy shock hit my head.

“Thwack!”

Camellia had smacked my forehead with her scabbard. Werner, is there some curse on your forehead? It keeps getting cracked like a clay pot, damn it.

“Werner… what was the first lesson we taught you?”

If it were others, they’d definitely be referring to the main party of *Draghinty Fantasy 1*, Werner’s comrades. They were more like adoptive parents than comrades. Thinking about it, Werner had a lot of moms and dads. Wow, Werner was immune to jokes about having multiple parents.

“…If something dangerous happens, ask for help from the older brothers or sisters?”

“Right. Remember when you ignored our warnings and went alone into a monster-filled cave? What happened then?”

“I almost got eaten by the Spider Queen, but you and the older brother saved me. Of course, I got scolded badly afterward.”

The older brother mentioned here is Airi’s father.

“Even after that, you still lack self-awareness. You’re still foolish.”

No matter how much a kid messes up, hanging them from a tree for a whole day is a bit extreme. Well, it shows how much they cared for Werner, the youngest.

“Sis, I’m an adult now. I’m even stepping into uncle territory. Plus, I’m a capable sorcerer. You don’t need to worry…”

At that moment, a sharp blade touched my neck. The blue blade gleamed with sharpness.

“See? Werner, you just died once.”

“…Sis, isn’t this joke a bit too much?”

It’s not like you’re some gang leader, but this joke is way too intense. I almost peed myself.

“I can’t understand why the leader entrusted his daughter to you.”

Camellia sheathed her sword. The clear sound of it rang in my ears.

“But from what we see, you’re…”

Camellia grabbed my cheek tightly. Damn, her grip is no joke.

“Still just the youngest who almost got eaten by a monster and cried about it.”

Hey, sis, let’s talk about this first.

“Mmmph mmph mmph!”

Finally, Camellia let me go. Well, the *Draghinty Fantasy 1* party cared a lot for Werner, the youngest. Especially Camellia, who saw her dead younger sister in Werner.

Even though their genders were different, their personalities and vibes were similar, so she doted on him a lot.

“But sis.”

“What now?”

“What brings you to this city? You usually hate crowded places.”

Well, in the game, it’s said she came to check on Airi, the leader’s daughter, but I had to ask for the sake of the story.

I took another sip of melon juice because my throat was dry.

“I came to see you.”

“Cough!”

Melon juice shot out of my nose.

“Do I need your permission to come see you?”

“No, sis, that’s not it, but wait a second.”

This excuse is too unexpected. I mean, even if it’s Werner, you could’ve just said you came to see the leader’s daughter.

“Then… why did you come to see me?”

“I came to take you with me.”

“Huh?”

“The leader has called us back. You’re coming too, Werner.”

Without realizing it, I switched to formal speech. It was only natural, given how unexpected this was.

“Sis, didn’t you tell me not to get involved in dangerous stuff?”

“I did. Have you forgotten already?”

“No, sis. If the older brother is calling for a reunion, isn’t getting involved in that dangerous?”

I was so dumbfounded by the situation that my brain wasn’t working properly. The thugs in this city are like level 1 slimes. In Digimon terms, they’re like Agumon.

But the *Draghinty Fantasy 1* party being called back is like facing dragons. In Digimon terms, it’s like fighting BlackWarGreymon.

Werner wouldn’t lose, but I’d rather avoid such dangers.

“Sis… isn’t joining a fight serious enough for the older brother to call a reunion way more dangerous than storming a thug’s hideout?”

“Who said you’re fighting, Werner?”

“Huh?”

“You’ll stay in the back, under our protection. Just like the old days, safe in the rear.”

Werner often participated in battles, but in some fights, he was kept out of boss battles or just handled weaker enemies under the party’s protection.

“Sis, wouldn’t it be better to just stay in the safe city? If that’s the case, why even…”

“The world’s been acting strange lately, Werner.”

“Yeah, I lost a lot of money investing in the Threestar company last time…”

Then Camellia grabbed my collar. Camellia had a calm tone, but her personality was fiery.

“Do you think this is a joke, Werner?”

“Do you still see me as the youngest? Still grabbing my collar like this?”

Werner’s acting is tough. It’s hard to act when the official character book describes your personality as ‘pessimistic but warm to your own people. Always getting dragged into trouble but scary when angry.’

“Besides, did the leader agree to this?”

No way. The *Draghinty Fantasy 1* protagonist entrusted Werner with his daughter. There’s no way he’d agree to this.

“Everyone except the leader agreed.”

“Come on, the older brothers and sisters are way too overprotective.”

Treating a 29-year-old sturdy young man like a baby left by the riverside. Of course, they cared that much, which is why they scolded Airi so much for almost getting Werner killed.

“Let go now, sis. Before I really get angry.”

Werner released his magical energy, causing the entire cafe to shake. Wow, releasing it like a fart caused an earthquake. Werner, the fart king, surpassing even Ppangppangi.

“You’d better come with me now, Werner. Before I seriously swing my sword.”

When Camellia released her killing intent, everyone in the cafe fainted. All of them were wobbling from Werner’s magical energy and then fainted instantly. It’s not like some Conqueror’s Haki or something.

“If a truly dangerous situation arises… you, who can wield all elements, will be the first target, Werner.”

“Then I’ll handle it myself. Can the older brothers and sisters stop worrying about me?”

Damn it, I just want to stay in this city, hold out until the battle ends, hand over Airi, and live peacefully.

Plus, if I go there, the *Draghinty Fantasy 1* protagonist will glare at me like crazy. Whether I leave the kid or take her, he’ll give me hell for not listening to him.

“It seems I’ll have to take you by force.”

Camellia placed her hand on the sword at her waist. She was still holding my collar with her left hand. No matter how strong Werner is, he’s no match for Camellia in close combat.

“Sleep for a while, Werner.”

Just as I was about to chant a spell to counter her,

Ding-a-ling!

The cafe door opened.

“Master! Your cute disciple has completed the request! I’m thirsty, so buy me an iced coffee…”

Airi entered the cafe with a bright smile, only to witness the chaos unfolding.

Thank goodness, I didn’t want to fight, but with Airi here, I felt relieved. Airi, with her flower-filled head, would surely stop the fight.

Plus, I could use the excuse of my disciple arriving to escape, and Camellia wouldn’t threaten the leader’s daughter.

Airi walked over. Surely, she’d say something like, “Stop fighting! Both of you, calm down!” That’s the kind of character Airi is.

Silently approaching us, Airi grabbed Camellia’s left hand and said,

“Let go, you ear-pierced bitch, before I kill you.”

Wait, what did she just say to her dad’s friend?