Episode 59: Eleanor’s Choice

“We’ve finally arrived.”

“Yes, thank you for enduring the long journey.”

“Indeed, you too, Arcs. …Though to be honest, we were just sitting the whole time.”

After riding the magic train for a while, we finally arrived at our destination.

After disembarking, what awaited us was green mountains spreading across the entire view.

The blue horizontal line of the sea.

And the figures of lively people.

…This is Isan, the town where we’ll be holding our training camp.

It’s one of the famous cities where nature and people exist in rich harmony.

Actually, this town of Isan appears in the main game as well.

A commotion occurs in this town regarding the protagonist…Emma’s qualities as a saint.

The story involves cooperating with the capture targets to overcome that difficulty…but I wonder what will happen in the current timeline.

By chance, Emma has come to this place for the training camp.

But there are no capture targets, and in the first place, her qualities as a saint haven’t awakened.

I wonder how the story around Emma will unfold in this unprecedented route…

If possible, I’d like nothing to happen and for it to end peacefully.

“Arcs, what are you thinking about right now?”

As I was spacing out while carrying both our bags, such a cold voice pierced my ears.

“You seemed quite lost in thought…is there something that concerns you that much?”

She leaned in half a step closer with a whoosh.

It was a nihilistic, expressionless face without even a business smile.

…Th-this is scary.

Eleanor-san…

Perhaps befitting a noble young lady, or rather, since long ago, whenever I’m thinking about something near her, she throws such sharp, cold words at me.

At such times, it’s always when I’m thinking about some woman, so I become anxious wondering if she’s eavesdropping on my thoughts.

Just how does she sense it…could it be that I’m unconsciously grinning? Or something.

“…No, I was just thinking a bit about what’s to come.”

Maintaining my composure as much as possible, I reply with a smile.

There’s also the fact that I’m trying not to keep Eleanor’s expression in my field of vision, as she narrows her eyes with a somehow tremendous sense of intimidation.

“The duration of our stay is limited, after all, so we must think carefully and act accordingly.”

I also move half a step closer to her.

“Since Eleanor-sama has kindly come along, I want you to enjoy it to the fullest.”

When I said that from a pure heart, Eleanor closed her eyes for a brief moment.

Then, as if letting out a breath, her expression softened, and she looked at me with a smile.

“…Hehe, you’re right. I’m sorry, it seems I jumped to conclusions.”

“Is that so? No, it’s not a problem at all—”

Just as I was about to respond cheerfully, at that moment.

With some extraordinary amount of force, my body was pulled with a yank.

My arm area was being squeezed tightly by something soft, and I couldn’t move.

As I was blinking in confusion at this sudden development, Eleanor said something like this in a very enthusiastic manner.

“…Then, if Arcs says so, I’ll let myself enjoy it!”

“!? Wai-, wait a moment!?”

What, what? What’s gotten into you so suddenly!?

Eleanor keeps pulling my body along.

It was so sudden that I involuntarily try to stop her, but my resistance ends in vain.

Just where in that delicate body is the strength hidden to drag along a man carrying luggage for two people?

“D-don’t be in such a hurry. I did say the period is limited, but there’s no need to rush so much…”

My words don’t reach Eleanor’s ears.

I was dragged along by her, who was unusually excited, and we left the train station behind.

***

The first thing after arriving in Isan was to check into the hotel once.

This was to drop off our large amount of luggage for two people.

…Since I came here nominally for the training camp, I was scheduled to stay at the same lodging as the other students, but.

With Eleanor accompanying me this time, circumstances changed considerably.

To put it simply first, I ended up staying at the same hotel as Eleanor.

There was the reason that I couldn’t stay at my original lodging and leave her alone at a hotel…but various complicated circumstances were also involved, so that’s how it turned out.

Now then, considering that a count’s daughter attending the noble course would be staying there, we couldn’t possibly prepare some cheap, run-down hotel.

Therefore, a high-standard lodging would be prepared, but…

“…No, this is a bit much.”

I mutter that while laughing dryly.

Then, after taking another deep breath to confirm reality, I raised my voice.

“Isn’t the level too high!?”

The castle-like structure towering before my eyes.

The scale would surprise even a noble mansion, but this is supposed to be the hotel where we’re staying!?

No, isn’t the gap with what the knight course gets too severe no matter how you look at it?

“Is it? I chose what I thought was the best place…”

As Eleanor says, she’s the one who made the choice.

Since she started choosing so enthusiastically, I left it to her, but I never thought she’d choose such an incredible place.

Since it’s the number one hotel even within Isan, which is famous as a tourist destination, in a sense saying it’s the best is correct, but…?

“N-no…I was just a bit surprised by its sheer size… Still, it’s impressive that you were able to get two rooms at such an amazing lodging.”

Isan has many tourists in any case, and if it’s the top hotel among them, getting even one room would be quite a struggle.

In this world without telephones, becoming fully booked means it boasts such tremendous popularity.

While taking my hat off to the good fortune and research ability, I glance at Eleanor, and she’s looking at me with a somewhat bewildered expression.

“…I did get a room, but only one.”

…Huh?

“…Huh? Um, where’s my room…?”

“It’s the same as mine, you know?”

Eleanor’s face seems to say, “What are you talking about, isn’t it obvious?”

I was left speechless and devastated.