"We can't reach the Ritzken Empire in a day even with the horse, so we'll need to pass through a village on the way."
"Hey, Agetha. You had money, right?"
As we entered the village and headed straight to secure accommodation, I spoke to Black Agetha at the reception counter.
"Well, I do have some."
"Well, I'd appreciate it if you could manage the finances for us."
Saying that, Black Agetha looked exasperated. Nevertheless, since I didn't have any money, I had no choice but to rely on Black Agetha.
"It can't be helped. I'll cover it. After all, I have some decent leeway with money."
So, I received money from Black Agetha. After that, we went to the dining hall together for dinner.
"Hey, Agetha. Do you have any idea who might be the person responsible for killing us?"
While having dinner, I brought up a topic, hoping for a conversation.
"Even if you ask me that, I don't have the memories of the loop, so it's hard to say."
"Well, that's true."
While having dinner, I nodded in agreement. It seemed that even asking Agetha didn't yield any clues.
"When searching for the culprit, the most crucial thing is the motive. Do you have any idea who might want to kill us?"
"Not particularly…"
I didn't recall having earned the kind of resentment that would lead to being killed.
"I see. Then we might need to approach it from a different perspective. Any clues on someone who could kill me?"
Ah, I see. Agetha is exceptionally powerful. The number of people who could kill Agetha would be limited.
"Maybe the Supreme Swordsman Nidorg, perhaps?"
The Supreme Swordsman Nidorg was a Master. So, it wouldn't be surprising if he could kill Agetha.
"Does this Supreme Swordsman Nidorg have a motive?"
"A motive… I think he once challenged Agetha to a duel. He wanted to fight against a strong opponent, and that's why."
"I see, so there is a motive."
"But I can't imagine Supreme Swordsman Nidorg being the kind of person to kill both me and Agetha."
Although my interaction with Supreme Swordsman Nidorg was brief, I didn't think he was a bad person. Would such a person resort to murder?
"We can't easily know someone's true nature. It's common for seemingly kind people to do bad things behind the scenes."
While what Black Agetha said might be true, I personally didn't want to entertain such thoughts.
"Well, never mind. Do you have any other leads?"
"…I don't think so, but what about Lord Eligion?"
"Certainly, Prince Eligion, being a former hero, has considerable strength. It wouldn't be surprising if he could kill me."
"But there doesn't seem to be any apparent motive for Prince Eligion."
"We don't know. Perhaps he secretly resents having his heroic achievements overshadowed by me, and that might drive him to kill me."
Agetha smirked while saying such things.
"I don't think Prince Eligion would do something like that."
Though I had conversed with Prince Eligion on several occasions, he left a kind impression. I couldn't easily believe that such a person would resort to murder out of resentment.
"So, do you have any other leads?"
The question from Agetha remained unanswered. Someone with the strength to kill Agetha, were there any other individuals with such capability? Let me think… Ah, there is one person.
"Seems like Sage Nyau was around."
"Indeed, her abilities are top-notch."
Sage Nyau, depending on the timeline, possessed strength significant enough to be chosen as a Master. Considering her prowess, she could be a viable candidate.
"Now, does she have a motive?"
Just like others, it appears that Sage Nyau lacks a clear motive. In some timelines, we were quite close, and she should know me well. It's hard to imagine Sage Nyau doing something like that, but there was one motive.
For some reason, Sage Nyau seemed to have a liking for me. Perhaps out of jealousy, she might have killed Agetha. No, it's hard to believe Sage Nyau, especially considering the unusual circumstances. But jealousy-driven crimes are not unheard of, and Sage Nyau could be an exception, right?
"It seems there might be a lead."
Black Agetha had a sly smile on her face, seemingly sensing something from my expression.
"…I see."
"So, what's the motive?"
Asked by Black Agetha, I couldn't possibly explain that Sage Nyau likes me. That would only complicate things unnecessarily.
"Well, it's not a significant motive, to be honest."
I tried to divert the conversation. Black Agetha didn't seem to find anything suspicious and just nodded, saying, "I see."
"Any other leads, or is this it?"
"Well, I don't think there's anyone else at this point."
"I see. So, we've narrowed it down to three suspects, huh?"
However, I couldn't believe any of these three individuals would be the culprit.
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The next morning, I wake up feeling the warmth of the sun through the window.
In the end, after having dinner yesterday, I went back to the inn and fell asleep.
Looking to my side, Agetha is still sleeping.
I thought I had chosen a twin room with two beds, but it seems I mistakenly booked a double room with one bed for both of us.
As I look at the sleeping Agetha, I can't help but think she's cute.
Ah, the urge to cuddle her.
"It's okay for a little while, right?"
Moving closer to the sleeping Agetha, I embrace her with both hands.
First, the pleasant scent emanating from Agetha tickles my nostrils. Then, I feel the warmth and softness of her skin through the fabric.
Doing this fills my chest with a sense of relief.
"Hey, what are you doing? Are you a pervert?"
Suddenly, Agetha lifts her eyes and glares at me. It seems I've accidentally woken her up.
Oh, right, this Agetha is actually Black Agetha now. Perhaps due to drowsiness, I mistook her for the regular Agetha.
"Sorry."
Reflexively apologizing, I suddenly realize something. Agetha and I were a couple, but what about Black Agetha?
I remember Black Agetha also expressing affection for me. Well, it shouldn't be a big deal, then.
"Hey, do you like me?"
"Oi, what are you suddenly talking about? Cut the crap."
"I'm not kidding."
I intended to ask seriously, but it seems the message isn't getting through. In that case, I'll have to change the way I ask.
"I like you. How about you?"
Come to think of it, I intended to convey my feelings to Agetha, but I don't think I've properly expressed them to Black Agetha.
"Hey, what the hell, why are you suddenly saying something like that…"
Instantly, Black Agetha blushes and becomes flustered.
"I just thought I should make sure. So, what about it?"
"What do you mean…"
Seemingly embarrassed, Black Agetha avoids eye contact.
"Agetha, give me a proper answer."
"Well, I, um…"
Waiting for Black Agetha's words, I remain patient.
"I, um, kind of, sort of, like you."
It's practically saying she likes me, but I'll wait for her to say it clearly.
"Hey, do I really have to say it?"
Suddenly, Black Agetha asked with a troubled expression.
"Well, I'd appreciate it if you could say it properly."
"Got it. I'll say it properly, so give me a moment to prepare my heart."
"Alright, take your time."
With that, Agetha closed her eyes on the spot and began deep breathing, saying, "Phew, phew."
However, it seemed quite exaggerated just to say you like someone.
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah, sorry for the wait."
"So, what is it?"
"W-Well, I, uh, feel li… "
"If you can say 'Li,' saying 'Like' shouldn't be that difficult," I thought as I continued to wait.
"Hey, are you planning to make me say something embarrassing!"
Saying that, she pushed me away with all her might.
Surprised, I fell backward.
"Ah!"
By the time I said that, Agetha had left the room as if fleeing.
Alone in the room, I couldn't help but think:
"That Black Agetha, her reaction is quite innocent. All the girls I've met so far were proactive, so Black Agetha's response felt refreshing. What can I say…?"
And with that, I ended up thinking, "She's a cute one."
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