After buying the bento, I ran into the arrogant girl and the timid girl.
The arrogant girl stared straight at me, while the timid one kept looking at the bags in my hands. So they really were talking to me—but I didn't want anything to do with them. I deliberately glanced around, pretending to be clueless.
"Are you talking to me?"
"Who else would we be talking to?" the arrogant girl snapped. "I didn't expect to run into you just while grabbing a snack. You're really ruining my appetite."
Wow, she had a nasty mouth. It's not like my face said "please come talk to me." And honestly, if I was that unpleasant, why would she even come over to talk?
I replied calmly, "You can choose to ignore me. I didn't ask you to talk to me."
Seeing that I didn't react to her provocation, her attitude softened a little—though she still looked too proud to admit it.
"It's just… you bought so much bento. Anyone would be curious."
"Isn't bento meant to be eaten? What's there to be curious about?"
"I know that. But that's not a one-meal amount, is it? If you leave it overnight, it'll spoil."
…Ah.
They didn't know about storage magic. How did I forget that? Did the station's scenery distract me that much?
Well, at least it was a good distraction. And I guess it was time to spread knowledge about storage magic again.
"It won't spoil. Even after three days, it'll still be as fresh as the day it was made."
"What are you even talking about? There's a limit to how ignorant someone can be."
The arrogant girl closed her eyes and pressed her hand to her forehead, reverting to her usual condescending attitude. I really wanted to punch her.
But I held back. I was the adult here. No need to argue with a brat.
Ignoring her, I stored the bento in my storage space. Just then, the timid girl—who had been staring at the bags—finally spoke up.
"H-H-Hera! Th-they're gone! The three bags of bento—they disappeared!"
She looked completely shocked. The arrogant girl opened her eyes, glanced over—and froze.
"What?! Where did they go?! Where did you put them?! And what is that black thing?! Why is it there?!"
She spun around, looking for the missing bags, then pointed at my storage hole and shouted.
So I explained storage magic to them.
After I finished, the arrogant girl crossed her arms, still looking incredulous.
"I've never heard of this kind of magic. Sicilia, have you?"
"No… I haven't."
"Maybe it just hasn't spread here yet. In my country, everyone can use it."
The moment I said that, both of them looked confused.
Did I say something strange?
Then the arrogant girl asked, "If everyone can use it… what element is it?"
Ah, that's what puzzled them. Storage magic wasn't one of the four elemental magic.
"It's non-element."
"Non-element?"
"A magic type anyone can use. Your element are different, right?"
"I'm fire. Sicilia is wind."
"Then try it yourselves. Gather mana in your hands and say Storage."
"Storage."
They followed my instructions—and two storage spaces appeared, one red and one green.
"It appeared!"
"It really same with my hair-color…"
The arrogant girl sounded slightly excited, while the timid girl grabbed a strand of her hair in amazement.
With their curiosity satisfied—and storage magic successfully introduced—I was ready to leave.
"Since your questions are answered, I'll be—"
Before I could finish, a white glow suddenly shone from my pocket.
My phone.
That meant I was receiving a call.
I took it out. Jacob's name appeared on the screen. I tapped "Accept" and held it to my ear.
"Hello."
"Karen, where are you? Get back here quickly—Shien's looking for you in a hurry."
"What does he want?"
"He says he'll only tell you in person. Anyway, come back fast. He looks really panicked—he can't calm down at all."
"Okay, okay, I'm on my way."
After hanging up, I slipped the phone back into my pocket. Still… it'd be better if it made a sound. I couldn't guarantee I'd always notice the light.
I had considered that during the design, but I couldn't decide on a suitable ringtone, so I gave up.
…Whatever. I'd think about it later.
Right now, what mattered was obsessed guy. Why was he looking for me?
And why weren't these two with him?
Just then, the arrogant girl looked at me like I was an idiot.
"Why are you suddenly talking to a piece of glass? Are you crazy or something?"
(You're the one who's crazy. Your whole family is crazy.)
Seriously, I really wanted to hit her. Did she have to add that last part?
Calm down. Breathe.
I couldn't get mad at someone who didn't know anything. From their perspective, I really did look strange.
And besides, I had something I wanted to ask.
"…By the way, aren't you with that kid?"
"No. Shien and Lixia went to check whether that person you mentioned was really there. But he refused to let us come along."
I see.
So obsessed guy must've listened something from the fox-eyed knight.
And from what Jacob said about him panicking… that fox-eyed knight must've realized they knew me and threatened them into bringing me over.
Which meant—
Lixia was in danger.
Now that I had my answer, these two were no longer useful.
Time to get a little payback.
"I think I saw that kid on the first floor. Aren't you going to find him?"
I deliberately pointed in the opposite direction from where Jacob and the others were.
Go ahead. Waste your time looking.
The moment they heard about Shien, both girls turned toward the direction I indicated—without a hint of suspicion.
"Has Shien already finished checking? Good thing we stayed for snacks, Sicilia."
"Yeah! Let's go, Hera."
"Wait. As nobles, we must observe proper etiquette. Karen taught us a useful magic—we should thank him properly."
"Y-Yes. Thank you, Mr. Karen."
"I know you're the hero who hunted down Samidoride, but I won't call you 'Mr. Karen' like Lixia does. You were very rude to Shien. Still, I will address you properly as Karen. Thank you."
The timid girl thanked me normally.
The arrogant one, however, added a whole speech before saying thanks.
Even at the very end, she still managed to irritate me.
So what's the point of all that noble etiquette if you lack basic manners?
And for the record—I never start trouble. I only respond to it.
I forced a polite smile.
"…You're welcome."
Then I headed back the way I came, taking the stairs from the food court down to the first floor. The two girls descended from the bento side.
From a distance, I spotted obsessed guy pacing anxiously. Jacob and the others looked just as irritated watching him.
The moment I got close enough, obsessed guy saw me.
He rushed over, trying to grab my collar—but my armor got in the way.
Giving up, he pointed straight at me and started yelling.
"You bastard! This is all your fault! Lixia is in danger because of you!"
Just as I thought.
Looks like she didn't take my warning seriously.
I replied coldly, "I told you to be careful, didn't I? And is that really the attitude you should have toward someone you need help from?"
Obsessed guy froze, stunned by my response.
"You… you already knew Bro Laje's target was you…?"
"Yeah. That's why I told Lixia to be careful. And didn't you say you wouldn't forgive anyone who tried to hurt her? Why not save her yourself?"
"I… I can't do it…"
He answered in fear.
Just as I expected. Fox-eyed knight was someone they knew. Someone they had history with. That made it hard.
Which meant—
I had to handle this.
But I wasn't planning to kill him. Even now, they might still have feelings for him. I couldn't just decide his fate for them.
Saving Lixia would be enough.
"Tell me everything."
Obsessed guy explained the entire situation, including most of the conversation.
We couldn't help but feel angry.
"A sympathy play. He's not stupid," I said. "He cut out a lot, made himself sound pitiful."
"Yeah… when he spoke, it felt like he was trying to uphold justice but was helpless against power," Shien admitted.
"He should've been an actor."
Seriously—what a waste of talent.
After that, obsessed guy urged me again.
"So will you come with me now?"
"Wait."
I stopped him and quietly explained the plan to the others.
There was no way I was walking into that blindly.
"You're still waiting?!" obsessed guy snapped. "Lixia must be terrified right now! We have to save her!"
I understood his worry.
But fox-eyed knight wouldn't release her just because I showed up.
She was leverage—to lure me in and threaten me.
Once I finished discussing the plan, I stood up.
"Let's go."
It was now 4:23 PM.
I left the station with Shien, heading toward the fox-eyed knight's house.
…There went our train tickets. No way we'd make it back before 5.
And who knew what that guy would say to piss me off again.
Also… where were those two girls? It'd been a while.
Don't tell me they still couldn't find Shien.
How big did this station was?