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“This is delicious.”

The one saying that while happily chewing on dried meat is a peerless beautiful girl.
For reasons I still don’t quite understand, she saved me, and now the two of us are having lunch together like this.

…Who in the world is this girl?

The place where I was attacked is a route frequently used as a shortcut by traveling merchants. Near it lie the ruins of a fallen country, and now it’s an old highway with barely any traffic.
The Commercial Guild would like to maintain it properly, but there are too many bandits and monsters, and things haven’t gone as planned. The road is rough, and attacks are common.
I had urgent cargo, so I had no choice but to take that route… and, as expected, I was attacked. If she hadn’t happened to pass by, I would undoubtedly have died.
I considered myself somewhat capable with magic, but even so, those three were skilled enough that all I could do was flee.
And this girl, who brushed aside those three as if dealing with children… just who is she? She looks about thirteen or fourteen at most…

“I’m sorry, I even took clothes from you.”
“N-no, it’s fine. I’m just glad they fit.”

One of the items I was selling was a full set of mage’s clothing. She said she didn’t have any clothes, so I gave them to her.
Of course she’s my benefactor, but more than that, I had no idea where to look otherwise.

…She’s had such a nice body.

As a merchant, I’ve traveled to many countries and seen many beautiful women. At times, I’ve even “bought” some.
Comparing all the beauties I’ve seen before with the girl now in front of me—honestly, they don’t even compare.
Of all I’ve ever seen, she possesses the greatest beauty. I didn’t think I was into young girls, but perhaps I need to reconsider.
Even the way she licks the oil and salt from her fingers after eating looks charming. And yet, there’s something androgynous about her—something not entirely feminine, something defenseless… and that makes it even more…

“…? Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing…”

If I stare too long, I feel like I’ll be drawn into those red eyes and never return. I deliberately shift my gaze, but not in a way that seems rude, fixing it around her forehead instead.
It’s the kind of position where it doesn’t meet her eyes, but still appears as though I’m looking at her face while speaking.

“By the way, where is this carriage headed?”
“We’re going to a town called Alrescha.”
“All-scratch-a?”
“Alrescha.”
“…Is the climate stable there? Is the food good? Is it safe?”
“Within this country, I’d say it’s quite a good place.”

It’s a seaside town, so the wind carries salt from the ocean, but the breeze itself is gentle year-round.

Because of the sea, trade is prosperous, and seafood is always fresh. It’s an important region for the country, and public order is firmly maintained. If I had to name a flaw, it would be that the lord is quite fond of women.
After I explain that much, the silver-haired beauty thinks for a moment.

“…Sashimi sounds nice. If it’s not too much trouble, could you give me a ride there?”
“Yes, gladly.”

There’s no way I could refuse a request from my savior.
And to be able to travel with such a beautiful girl, I’d rather be the one asking for the favor.

“By the way, I never asked your name. Mine is Zeno. Zeno Kotobuki.”
“Ah… right, a name…”
“…? Is something wrong?”

Did I ask something inappropriate?
The beautiful girl runs her fingers through her lovely silver hair, looking troubled.

…Is there some reason she can’t reveal her name?

Then again, her suddenly showing up at such a desolate place without wearing any clothes, that in itself can’t be called natural.
I don’t know the reason why, but there must be one.
If she can’t immediately give me her name, perhaps there’s something complicated behind it.
I don’t know her details. In other words, she’s an uncertain factor, and from a merchant’s perspective, that makes her a burden. No matter how she looks, her true value hasn’t been determined.

…But she saved my life.

A merchant must be cold, yet never lacking in courtesy.
She saved my greatest asset; my life. She protected my cargo as well.
Before any calculation of value, she is my great benefactor. If she doesn’t seem inclined to speak, then I don’t need to ask. I’ll leave it at that.

“If…”
“Argento Vampyr.”
“Huh?”
“It’s long, so you can just call me Arje.”
“…Understood.”

From the flow of this conversation, I can easily guess that the name she just gave me isn’t her real one. Even so, I silently accept it.
What matters is that the person before me is my benefactor—and that, though she seemed reluctant, she searched for an answer to give me. Even if it isn’t the truth, that alone has enough value for me to accept it.

And so, this mysterious savior and I spent the next few days together until we arrived at Alrescha.
At that time, I had no way of knowing that our paths would cross many times afterward, and that each time, I would find myself drawn further to her.