※This is a bonus epilogue about what happened with Alan and Sophia, touched on at the beginning of Chapter 120, "Despite Reaching Orichalcum Rank."
(Regarding Alan and Sophia, I added quite a bit in the book version!)
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"Alan, don't you think it's been hot lately?"
"Yes, it's been unusually hot this year."
At Duke Raging's estate, I was having a casual conversation with Lord Geese.
I'd been staying at the duke's estate after the Pope made it impossible for me to remain at the inn in the royal capital, and I'd taken to chatting with Lord Geese from time to time.
We'd successfully destroyed the Dark Guild "Diamond," and I'd officially become Sophia's boyfriend, so I didn't have any particular plans right now.
"I'm planning to head to a summer retreat in our southern territories. If you're up for it, Alan, I was thinking you could come along."
"Ah, that sounds great. Even with magic tools that cool things down, it's still hot once you step outside."
"We'll be leaving the royal capital in three days and staying for about a week. You should prepare accordingly. And what about Lady Sophia? Since no one besides ourselves will be allowed at the retreat, you needn't worry about noble etiquette or anything of the sort."
This was... him being considerate of me, wasn't it?
"I'll ask Sophia about it."
"There's also a private beach, so you should have swimsuits ready as well."
"Huh?"
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That evening, at Sophia's home after she'd finished work.
Alan told Sophia about the duke's proposal.
"There's even a private beach—truly befitting of the duke."
"So, what'll it be, Sophia? You wanna come along?"
"Sure. If the duke's the kind to be kind to commoners, there shouldn't be any problems. I'll need to prepare a swimsuit, though."
Alan was relieved to have gotten Sophia's approval, but then he realized something.
"Oh, by the way, what about the Commerce Guild? It's starting three days from now, but do you think you could get the time off?"
"You're right, I need to check on that. Senpai, I was getting a little ahead of myself there."
"No, I just noticed it now too. Adventurers have flexible schedules, so we can take time off whenever…"
"If you're enjoying your time in this world, that's fine by me. I'll ask Gilmas tomorrow."
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The next day at the Commerce Guild.
Sophia entered Gilmas's office and requested time off.
"Gilmas, I'd like to take some leave."
"Sure. You're always working hard, so you've earned it. When is it?"
"Starting two days from now, for one week."
"You can start as of today. An extra day or two won't matter."
"Thank you, Gilmas."
With that, Sophia left the room.
The truth was, the day before yesterday, an envoy from the duke's household had visited Gilmas's place and informed him that Sophia might be coming to request leave.
Furthermore, they told him that Sophia would be accompanying Alan on a trip to the duke's summer retreat.
"Well, I've got no choice but to approve it… Not that I'd refuse even without all that."
He'd noticed that the ever-diligent Sophia had been wearing a ring for some time now, so things between her and Alan must be going well.
Basis had already anticipated that this would eventually happen, so he granted the leave without even needing to defer to the duke's family.
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An endless expanse of white sandy beach and blue sea.
Alan had come to the private beach together with the duke's family, bringing Sophia along.
"As expected of the duke's family, Senpai. I can't even see the end of the beach…"
"There weren't beaches this big even in my previous life, right?"
Just then, Lord Geese spoke up.
"The ducal household employs a large number of servants, you see. We open this place to them once a year, but anything smaller than this wouldn't be enough space."
A large number of servants came out onto the sandy beach, setting up parasols and preparing beach balls.
The beach was becoming lively, but Lord Geese said he had some matters to attend to and headed back to the villa.
You can't really let loose and have fun when your employer is around.
Or rather, the duke's family is incredibly generous.
Apparently, they're covering all the expenses for everyone's fun.
"Senpai, let's go change."
And so, the two of us headed back to the villa and changed into our swimsuits.
Sophia was wearing a white bikini-style swimsuit with a cardigan draped over her shoulders.
Feeling a little flustered, I averted my gaze for a moment before complimenting Sophia.
"…That looks really great on you, Sophia."
Yeah, I'm still not used to giving compliments.
"Thank you, Senpai! Let's go have fun with everyone too!"
Sophia's face brightened up, and she grabbed my hand, heading toward where everyone else was.
"Lord Alan, thank you so much for coming."
Appearing from behind us, Lady Nina was wearing a modest one-piece swimsuit that left little exposed.
"Lady Nina, thank you for the invitation. That swimsuit really suits you."
"Thank you! Now then, let's go!"
Lady Nina also took my other hand and started pulling me along.
I cautiously glanced at Sophia... and she wore an expression that said, "Well, I suppose there's nothing to be done about it," looking just slightly troubled.
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As evening fell on the first day and the sky grew dim, the servants gradually began to head back.
Nina had been with us the entire time during the day, but she was called away by a servant and headed back to the villa first.
Eventually, only Sophia and I remained on the beach.
"Senpai, that was fun, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, I'm glad we came. Oh, and sorry about Nina being with us the whole time today."
"It's really okay. You and I are already, um... a couple, so..."
Sophia's cheeks flushed red.
We clasped hands, neither of us quite sure who had initiated it.
The sound of the waves quietly echoed around us.
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Thank you always for reading!
Of course, Geese has given the servants orders to ensure Alan and Sophia end up alone together.
Today is the release day for comic volume 1.
And tomorrow is the release day for Hazliba Books volume 2, please look forward to it!