"It's easier when the specifications match."
After the meal, the hideaway in Gura that Citry guided us to was almost identical to the one we'd stayed at in Elan.
The exterior was naturally a little different, but the interior and room layout were surprisingly consistent with the Elan room.
Citry had always been the type to have peculiar fixations.
But that key ring... There weren't as many hideaways as there were keys, right?
Even a quick glance told me there were far more than ten keys. She'd only been a Hunter for roughly five years. If she'd managed to set up that many hideaways in just five years, Citry's efficiency was extraordinary—and so was her paranoia.
The brand-new hideaway, just like the one in Elan, showed no signs of regular use. Liliz said with exasperation: "Creepy hobby... Citry, are you really up to that much stuff you need to hide?"
...Well, I wouldn't press for details. Knowing Citry, she'd probably prepared them all while thinking of everyone.
And they were certainly proving useful right about now.
Citry hauled our luggage inside, aired out the house with brisk movements, and inspected each room. Once she got going, all I could do was sit there.
While I prepared tea, Citry spoke as if making small talk: "Twice in four and a half days, I see... As consistent as ever."
"Consistent... Well, even a big empire like this is full of dangers."
The appearance of the thunder spirits was one thing, but in this day and age, every country struggled with monsters. Zebuldia was a major empire that regularly culled the monsters in its vicinity, yet incidents like the one in Elan still occurred.
It was one of the reasons why armed Treasure Hunters had flourished, and roughly half of the Mourning Specter's adventures had been battles against monsters.
"Exactly. When Klye-chan isn't around, hardly any monsters show up, and it gets so boring..."
"...It's a coincidence."
It was frustrating being told that as though it were my fault. I wasn't deliberately charging toward danger.
"Mhm! A coincidence! A total coincidence, right!"
Still, this trip was going quite well. Liliz was in a good mood, and Luke's absence was working in our favor.
If both Luke and Liliz had been here, they would have certainly gotten carried away and gone hunting thunder spirits or orc packs as if they were taking a leisurely stroll.
Liliz plopped down energetically next to me on the sofa, wrapped her arm around my neck, and leaned against me. Clinging this tightly was proof she'd built up stress. The intensity of her physical affection was a problem, but I'd take it over her coming home covered in someone else's blood.
On this trip, I really wanted Liliz to experience the pleasures of peace and quiet.
But more than that, the person I needed to worry about was Tinno.
Master didn't seem concerned, but Tinno looked terrible. Dark circles hung permanently under her eyes—she clearly wasn't sleeping. Her complexion was poor and her eyes were bloodshot.
Her mind was constantly drifting. Even during the casual lunch we'd had earlier, her movements had been sluggish.
This was exactly the kind of condition a Solo Hunter—who needed to be especially careful about managing her physical condition—should never be in. Right now, she wasn't even sitting; she just stood there staring blankly out the window.
Training had been suspended, and even Liliz—who was always strict—was holding back, yet Tinno didn't seem to be enjoying the vacation at all.
...Well, it crossed my mind that maybe it was because the group was just Citry, me, and Liliz, but the vacation had barely begun. If this kept up, she might collapse.
As the Clan Master, this was where I needed to step up.
"Alright, Tinno. How about we go grab something sweet together?"
"...Huh?"
Tinno turned toward me, her eyes widening. Even that movement was noticeably slower than usual.
My theory was that Tinno's poor condition was caused by stress. Spending twenty-four hours surrounded by a terrifying older sister and—in a different sense—terrifying Citry as another older figure... there was no wonder she couldn't relax.
Otherwise, there was no way a Hunter accustomed to sleeping outdoors would become sleep-deprived just from not having a bed. Even a frail guy like me wasn't affected.
First, I'd separate her from Liliz and Citry so she could rest properly. Maybe I could listen to her troubles while I was at it. I wasn't sure if I could come up with a solution myself, but I could at least introduce her to someone who could.
Hearing my words, Liliz—who had been happily clinging to me—visibly deflated. Citry's expression clouded for a moment before returning to her usual smile.
Both Citry and Liliz were bad with sweets.
"...Um, well..."
Tinno looked back and forth between her sister and me with an anxious expression. Her sister wordlessly wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace, as if in protest.
Both Liliz and Citry disliked sweets. Not just that—they genuinely hated them.
Whenever they were forced to eat something sweet, they made such pained expressions that I never took them along when going out for desserts. They could down disgustingly bitter potions without flinching, so their taste buds had probably developed in some unusual direction.
Liliz protested vigorously, but once she realized I wasn't budging, she flopped over and turned away.
"...Go ahead, then..."
"!? Um... what about you, sis—"
"...If I'm there, Klye-chan will have to be considerate, you know? At least figure that much out."
"!?"
Perhaps because she only knew Master as someone who acted as though the rest of the world didn't exist, Tinno stood there with her mouth agape in surprise.
Despite her noble words, Liliz kept glancing my way. Even if she looked at me like that, I wasn't going to change my mind...
"Um... Citry, about my sister..."
Tinno then looked toward Citry.
Citry met those small-animal-like eyes with her same unwavering smile.
§ "Well, Klye-chan isn't interested in kids like Tee, and this isn't a date—just an escort. Tee, I think you understand, but don't misunderstand just because Klye-chan is nice. Once we're back, I'll train you body and soul so you'll never end up like that again."
"I'll coordinate your outfit. Wearing your usual clothes for a bodyguard detail would be problematic... If it differs too much from Klye's attire, it would reflect poorly on him—showing that much leg is bad for both Klye and Tee. Regardless of how they perceive themselves, what others think—"
In no time at all, the preparations were complete. When Tinno emerged from the bedroom, she was transformed.
She wore a long grey overcoat unbefitting a thief, with a short sword hanging quietly at her hip, concealed beneath it. Her usual outfit—showing plenty of leg and shoulder—screamed "thief," but this look was hard to describe. For some reason, the ribbon tying her hair had changed from red to white, and the dark circles that had formed under her eyes had been neatly concealed.
Noticing my gaze, Citry gave a slightly sheepish smile.
"This was as far as I could go while still maintaining her cover as a bodyguard and concealing her identity. If I'd put her in casual clothes or a skirt, it would have looked exactly like a date. I'm sorry, but equipment as inconspicuous as your Treasure Weapons is hard to come by... Her gear is minimal. If you could watch her back..."
"It'll be fine. If there's any trouble, we'll head right back."
Meanwhile, unlike Tinno who'd needed preparation, I was in my usual gear—fully armed.
From the tips of my toes to the top of my head, I was equipped with Treasure Weapons that the clan's Mage had painstakingly recharged for me. It wasn't perfect, but it should be enough to protect Tinno and make it back if anything happened.
"Klye, I'm sure it'll be fine, but... no matter how cute she is, you're not allowed to lay a finger on my Tee, okay?"
Citry said in a half-joking tone.
What did she take me for... It was probably just a joke, but saying things like that might make Tinno clam up.
Citry then shifted her gaze from me—whose brows were furrowed—to Tinno, and said with a smile: "Listen carefully, Tee. If you lay a hand on my Klye... I'll make sure you never have such unnecessary thoughts again."
"!?"
Tinno shuddered in fright at Citry's dead-serious performance.
It was impossible for me to do something like that, and the reverse was even more unthinkable. What was she thinking?
"Klye-chan, come back right after you finish eating, okay? Then we can redo our date together?"
"I'll take care of dinner prep and restocking our supplies. I'll make sure Tee can sleep well. Please come back soon, alright?"
Bidden farewell by two anxious older sisters, and accompanied by a Tinno who looked more unreliable than ever, I ventured out into the somewhat intimidating town.