Chapter 154
Melt was shown the next day into the office of the person in charge of the Izbel Adventurer Guild -the Izbel branch chief.
“Thank you for coming all this way, Melt-sama. I have reviewed your record, and… I never imagined you were one half of the duo currently making a name for themselves in Lindblum. I’ve also heard…that you have connections to a certain ‘Brigade’ rumored to be the saviors of this country. To think we asked someone like that to provide instruction the other day… How terribly discourteous of us.”
The existence of Rue and of the Brigade had already begun to spread gradually as rumors.
Naturally, so had word that there was a beautiful young woman, said to be of the White Foxkins, who was cherished like a grandchild among them.
Many people already knew Melt, who had been energetically active as an adventurer from the start.
With this incident as well, Melt had already become something of a known figure, recognized as a highly skilled adventurer known to those in the know.
“…You’re making me blush! I haven’t done anything that amazing. Seimu and everyone else are the amazing ones.” (Melt)
“I see… Even so, the missions you have completed and your battle record are indisputable facts. Last year, during the escort mission for the Pigeon Company, you did, in fact, subdue a considerable number of bandits. And this time, your deduction as well…we are treating it as a nearly confirmed fact. New adventurers from outside who submit transfer requests after exactly one year. We are currently inquiring with Lindblum regarding their subsequent whereabouts. Depending on that report, we intend to proceed in earnest with a bandit-capture operation.”
Hearing the branch chief’s words, Melt felt a little flutter of anxiety inside: this might be turning into something big.
Her suggestion might end up mobilizing the entire guild. Her position might have already reached the point where her words carried real influence.
Only now becoming fully aware of that, Melt felt a small but undeniable pressure weighing on her.
At the same time, she recalled the fact that Shizuma had endured even greater burdens in every role he’d taken on, and produced results. Thinking that, she felt strongly that: I need to grow too, if I’m going to stand beside him.
If a major operation was about to begin because of her words, then she needed to propose further ideas and raise the chances of success.
“If they’ve been evading capture for years, they’ll be sensitive to even small changes, right? Even if you caught that woman yesterday, regular contact would be cut off and they’d grow wary. That’s why you told me not to act rashly, isn’t it?” (Melt)
“That is correct. Of course, we don’t believe you would do such a thing, but…”
Internally, Melt broke out in a cold sweat at the thought that she might have rushed ahead to capture her in her eagerness for results.
“I think it’d be better not to call in people from outside. Once the smithing tournament reaches its later stages, high-rank people who come looking for weapons like always will show up, right? You should call those people in individually and give them the request in secret. Then, right before execution, you capture the woman.” (Melt)
“I see. You’re right… Calling for support now could tip them off… Understood. We’ll narrow it down to capable individuals with long-standing ties to the guild from among those already gathered, and issue the request.”
“Yeah, I think that’s best. Timing it with the end of the smithing tournament should be ideal.” (Melt)
Having tasted, just a little, what it meant to bear a position and responsibility, Melt left the room amid the branch chief’s thanks.
A faintly proud expression crossed her face.
Thinking that she, too, had taken a small step forward as an adventurer.
—————–
Returning to the hall, Melt headed toward the request board, thinking about what job to take today.
Then, on the way, someone called out to her.
“Hey… I mean, uh…”
“Hm?”
Turning around, she saw the two men: the one who had left early during yesterday’s instruction, and his partner.
Wondering what was going on, Melt stopped examining the board and faced them.
“What is it? Did you have something you didn’t understand from yesterday?”
“No…we came to thank you and apologize. I was the one who underestimated you at first… Sorry about that. And…you even passed advice on to this guy despite that. Thanks… It was thrusts, right?”
I wasn’t even thinking about it anymore, Melt thought…but seeing the man come to apologize anyway, she felt deeply that people who can feel this way are the ones who grow.
“That’s right, thrusts. Write lots of numbers on a target, and practice over and over until your sword hits the exact number you’re aiming for. Thrusts have to pierce the soft parts of the body accurately, okay? But if you get a deep hit, it often becomes a one-hit kill. So do your best.” (Melt)
“Y-Yeah! Got it… Numbers on the target… I see…”
“Sorry to bother you, Melt-san. Alright, let’s head to the training ground right away.”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Watching the pair leave with an oddly refreshing air about them, Melt felt her own mood lighten.
Maybe she really did have a talent for teaching people, she thought.
But…
“As expected of a Ruby adventurer. Melt-san, was it?”
The person she had been wary of appeared.
The female adventurer who participated in the other day’s instruction, the newcomer from outside, called out to her.
“Hm? Oh, you’re the strong one from yesterday! Yeah, I’m Melt.” (Melt)
“Oh my, you think of me as strong? I’m honored.”
“Well, I don’t know your name.” (Melt)
“Come to think of it, we never introduced ourselves during yesterday’s instruction.”
Realizing that was true, Melt secretly regretted that she didn’t ask her name.
“I’m Amanda. I became an adventurer near the port, but the food didn’t agree with me. And places crowded like Lindblum don’t suit me either. This place is nice. There are a lot of people this time of year, but I hear it’s usually a quiet town.” (Amanda)
“Now that you mention it, yeah…when I came before, there were fewer people.” (Melt)
Chatting casually, Melt continued the conversation without particular thought.
She was used to talking while holding secrets.
After all…she lived her daily life knowing the enormous truth that Seimu, Shilent, and the others she was acquainted with were, in fact, all the same person.
“By the way, you just came down from the second floor, didn’t you? Did the guild have something to say to you?” (Amanda)
“Yeah, they asked if I am willing to give instruction work regularly here in town.” (Melt)
At that moment, Melt didn’t miss the slight distortion that crossed Amanda’s expression for just an instant.
But immediately…
“I turned them down, though. Once the smithing tournament is over, I’m going back to Lindblum. This year, someone I know is competing in the tournament. I’m planning to head back after I see how it turns out.” (Melt)
She added that information.
This time, there was no change in expression. Still, Melt’s ears clearly picked up heartbeats and breathing that signaled relief.
Facing someone she was wary of, Melt was focusing every bit of her attention -ears and nose alike- on gathering information.
Melt usually didn’t rely much on her beastkin abilities, fighting mostly with pure physical prowess.
But in truth, as a higher beastkin, she also possessed heightened senses and mana perception.
By now, Amanda was firmly confirmed as guilty within Melt.
“I see? That’s a bit disappointing. You’re strong, Melt-san…I thought I might be able to learn a lot from you.” (Amanda)
“Sorry. But you’re strong too, Amanda-san…I think you’ll rise quickly.” (Melt)
“Fufu, thank you. Well then, Melt-san…I’m heading out on a request.” (Amanda)
Melt watched Amanda go.
Carefully remembering the fact that: she reacted when she heard I might stay.
“Hmmm… If I go play at Shijima’s workshop, it’ll cut into the fun… Oh! I’ll go tour the weapon shops in town! I should look for ‘something good’ while I’m at it.” (Melt)
And so, little by little, the days of the smithing tournament continued to pass…
—————–
“Alright… This alloy is the best one.”
Two weeks after the start of the smithing tournament, I finally succeeded in developing an alloy I was satisfied with.
One was an alloy with low hardness but strong toughness, emitting a faint, pale golden sheen; the other was a dark steel-colored alloy, hard and sturdy.
After hammering both ingots out through forging and finishing them into thin plates, I decided to call it a day and changed out of my work clothes.
“Whew… I wonder where Melt is today.” (Shizuma)
Recently, Melt had become something of a local celebrity in Izbel.
She apparently hunted down nearly all the monsters nesting in the mines, making it safe to gather materials.
I also heard that she patrolled all the forests around Izbel, eliminating every lurking monster and ensuring the safety of tournament spectators and people camping outside the city.
And above all, at the campsite behind the town, she completely quelled disputes among the increasing number of outside adventurers and mercenaries…using overwhelming force that allowed no argument.
Lately, it seemed that more and more mercenaries and adventurers bowed their heads when they saw Melt in town.
Man… Melt’s really become a first-rate adventurer.
“…She might start getting scouted by clans or invited into parties before long.” (Shizuma)
Damn it… If only I could be beside her as Seimu at times like this, I’d feel more at ease!
For now, I headed toward the Adventurer Guild, thinking she might be there.
—————–
“Melt-san! Please, join our clan!”
“Eh?”
…Amazing. It seems I’ve awakened some kind of precognition.
When I entered the Adventurer Guild, Melt was right there in the lobby, being asked to join a clan.
From the look of it, the adventurer bowing his head was fairly young, yet he had many adventurers standing behind him, all bowing as well.
To command that many adventurers at such a young age…he was clearly quite capable.
“I’ll have to decline. Sorry… I already have a partner.” (Melt)
“No way! Our clan has already grown to rank third in Lindblum in terms of scale alone. If your partner is willing, we could welcome them as well…”
“Hmmm… I think my partner would probably refuse outright. There’s no benefit to joining a clan.” (Melt)
Mmhm. Exactly right.
We weren’t lacking in supplies, money, combat power, or a base.
Personnel was a bit inconvenient, sure…but someday, once Order Summoning evolves…
“There are plenty of benefits! A luxurious base, financial and equipment support, and even reinforcements in battle!”
“Hmmm… I’ve got all of that! If I’ve got my partner with me, no matter how many opponents there are, or who they are, we’ll absolutely win!” (Melt)
“What!?”
Ah… I’d really prefer you not put it like that…
“Are you saying our clan is inferior to a single adventurer?”
“I don’t know about that. But if it’s just strength, I think my partner is definitely stronger.” (Melt)
“…If we were to defeat your partner, would you consider joining our clan then?”
“Eh? No way! My partner losing and me joining are completely separate issues! …And I don’t want you thinking you could beat my partner, okay?” (Melt)
Ahh! Stop it, Melt… But she’s getting stubborn too!
“You really believe in your partner’s strength. I honestly would like to challenge them.”
“They went back to Lindblum, so maybe another time?” (Melt)
“…Understood. I’ll remember this.”
…He remembered it!
“Melt, got a moment?” (Shizuma)
I called out to Melt once the argument had settled down.
It didn’t seem like anyone realized I was the ‘partner,’ but I still drew attention.
So…
“It’d be cruel to put that kind of burden on him. Young man, sorry, but while this young lady isn’t part of a clan, she does have an organization she’s close with. If you try to forcefully recruit her, you’d be taking on Sapphire, Ruby, and the nation itself… Are you prepared for that?” (Shizuma)
Preventive measures! Given how much attention Melt’s been getting lately, this kind of thing is bound to keep happening!
“What!? Sapphire and the nation!? Are you connected to Melt-san?”
“Yeah. For now, give up on recruiting her.” (Shizuma)
“…Understood.”
Whew…!
Alright then… I think it’s time to teach Melt some brand-new precautions…!
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