Chapter 282 The Hero of Snowtail

Zeta led the two to a stone building located near the guild. The signboard is placed in a position that you wouldnt notice if you dont look closely, and you would just pass by if you dont know about it beforehand. While thinking that it could be called a hidden caf, Haruna and Chinatsu followed Zeta while looking around.

Surprisingly, the inside of the caf has a warm space like something that comes out of a fairy tale. There are several old-fashioned wooden tables and chairs lined up with the background of a fireplace that makes a crackling sound of firewood. The guests are only a pair of old couples, so the atmosphere is the complete opposite of the bustling guild they were before.

Its warm~

Yes, its warm.

An old woman who was polishing a cup at the counter seemed to have noticed Zetas appearance as she entered the caf. She slowly fixed her glasses and gave an elegant smile.

Ara, if it isnt Zeta-chan. Welcome. Are you with your friends today?

Hello, Grandma. They are, err

Unsure of what to say, Zeta turned her gaze on Haruna and Chinatsu while looking a little confused. It seems that shes wondering if its okay to call them friends. The one who quickly responded was Haruna. Without saying anything, Haruna gave her a big smile as if saying that its okay.

As for Chinatsu, she didnt approve like Haruna, but she didnt oppose it either. Looking at the exchange just now, Chinatsu judged that Zeta is a girl who cant lie, and she relaxed her guard a little.

Yes, they are my friends. We just became friends a short time ago.

You really cant lie, huh.

Eh?

No, Im just talking to myself.

?

The three sat near the fireplace and ordered some hot milk and a simple potato dish. The old woman who took their order is always smiling and seems to be really enjoying watching the three.

That grandma seemed to be really happy. Zeta-san, are you acquainted with her from long ago?

No, I started coming to this caf just recently. I prefer calm places like this rather than noisy places, so Ive been coming here frequently ever since I visited this town.

Is that so? You are so close with her that I thought shes your real grandmother.

Its a fact that she treats me well. Im grateful for that.

A little while later, the old woman came bringing hot milk for three people. After telling the girls that they have to wait a little longer for the dish, she went back to the counter.

You are this countrys adventurer, but judging from the reaction in the guild, you are not from this town, right?

Thats right. I was born in a village that belongs to the frontier of Snowtail, closer to the snowy mountains.

Youre a village girl, right?

Yes, a village girl.

For some reason, Haruna and Zeta shook hands firmly. Apparently, the two seem to have taken a liking to this phrase. It was originally used as sarcasm toward Haruna by the classmates when they were transferred to this world, but with Harunas positive thinking, she doesnt mind about that at all.

Cough. Its time to get down to business.

Thats right. Im sorry, I got a little sidetracked.

Zeta bowed her head. She really doesnt look like a bad girl. Rather, the good girl aura is exuding from her.

As the adventurers said in the guild, Ive been given the position of Snowtails Hero by the King. But due to personal reasons, I couldnt participate in the previous Hero Alliance.

Ah, thats right! Ive been curious about that! The Hero of Snowtail didnt participate in the alliance because of hibernation, but did you really hibernate?

Eh?

Zeta doesnt seem to understand and shes tilting her head. Lured by her, Haruna and Chinatsu also tilt their heads.

Err. There were two countries that couldnt participate in the alliance. One is the country of Han. The Hero was injured when they were attacked by a monster, and they couldnt participate because of that. The other is the country of Snow tail. The Hero was hibernating, so they couldnt participate. Did you not know it?

Hibernation? I was born in a snow country, but Ive never hibernated.

Thought so.

Yes, unfortunately.

Unfortunately, huh, Chinatsu retorted lightly in her mind and then sorted out the situation. After observing her personality so far, she seems to be the hero, but the fact about hibernation seems to be false.

(Well, its not that I believed the talk about hibernation, though.)

Then, whats the truth? Such a question came to her mind.

Both of you know very well about the Hero Alliance, huh? Could it be that you were the people concerned?

? Didnt you call out to us because you knew that?

I-Im sorry. You see, its unusual to find someone of the same age in this line of business in Snowtail. Also, you seemed to be powerful, so I did it without thinking too much.

Eh, ah, I see.

Zetas words seemed to be the truth, and her white skin turned red in a flash. It seems that she really didnt think too much and left it to her feelings when she called out to them.

Yep! It happens!

T-Thats right, it happens. Well then, lets introduce ourselves now.

After dealing with the subtle atmosphere, Haruna and Chinatsu revealed that they are the heroes of Adelheit.

Haa~, what a coincidence. I never thought that there were heroes like me in this town. Its no wonder that I felt tremendous power from both of you.

The Demon King has been repelled and the alliance has been dissolved, so were no longer heroes, though. Also, our jobs are different.

My job is also not a hero. Rather, there should be only a few people who have a hero job.

If Im not wrong, there was only one genuine hero in the alliance, right?

It was only Rindou-san, right? There was Toue-kun, but Haruna made him being beyond recovery.

Ehehe.

Haruna, Im not praising you, you know?

Then, as they continued chatting, the three of them completely opened their hearts. Chinatsu was being on guard at first, but after judging that Zeta is innocent, she relaxed her guard. Then, Chinatsu sipped the hot milk, thinking that its probably okay to listen to what the business is.

Ah, by the way, did you put something on your both legs, Zeta-san? The sound of footsteps and the sound that echoed inside the leg guards were unnatural, so Ive been curious about it. Its like theres a machine inside

Bfft!?

C-Chinatsu-chan!?

Chinatsu-san!?

Hearing Harunas question, which was too direct, Chinatsu was about to blow out the hot milk in her mouth. It was a very close call, but she managed to bear it.

Chinatsu-chan, are you okay? Do you want me to rub your back?

A-Are you not feeling well? Im sorry, I cant use light magic!

No, Im okay! But Haruna, youre being rude to Zeta-san. Your question is too direct!

After wiping her mouth clean with her handkerchief, Chinatsu warned Haruna as her best friend. Even though they have become good friends, its still their first meeting. From a common-sense point of view, Chinatsu thought that they shouldnt ask such a delicate question.

Y-Yes. Im sorry for calling it a machine.

No, not at all! You were concerned about me, huh? But, its not rude at all. On the contrary, Im happy that you noticed it. After all, my left artificial arm and both artificial legs are my pride.

Saying so, Zeta removed her left arm and showed it to Haruna and Chinatsu. Then, they froze at the sudden confession.