Chapter 27
Melt and her group returned safely to the General Guild.
However, the place was completely different from before their departure. People hurried back and forth, a sense of urgency and tension filled the air, and angry shouts mixed with orders flew about. It looked like a battlefield, or even a scene of carnage.
“What… What the hell is this… Did something happen…?” (Kash)
“Hmm… It looks like the Adventurers Guild and…is that the Alchemy Guild? Those two seem to be moving in a hurry.” (Grant)
“Oh, it’s not just that. A Royal Knight just entered the reception area! An incident involving the kingdom… This feels like a major event…” (Rikka)
While the three exchanged impressions as if watching someone else’s disaster, Melt quietly took off her backpack and brought it to the Adventurers Guild with an unfazed expression.
“Ah, um…it’s Sigurt-san. Sigurt-san, the request is finished. We picked up a bunch of stuff along the way, so can you appraise it?” (Melt)
“Hmm!? Oh, it’s the young miss, huh. Sorry, as you can see, it’s too hectic right now to do any proper appraisal… Just report that the request is done and leave the baggage at the storage counter, will you?” (Sigurt)
“Um…got it. I’ll ask the others.” (Melt)
“Sorry about this, especially since it’s your first job.” (Sigurt) “Did something happen?” (Melt)
“Yeah…kind of. A big incident happened, and there’s been some progress. I can’t say more than that.” (Sigurt)
“I see. Then appraise it next time, okay?” (Melt)
“Yeah, I promise.” (Sigurt)
Melt obediently withdrew. Meanwhile, the Adventurers Guild was in such chaos that it couldn’t perform its regular duties.
Sigurt felt deeply sorry for brushing off the innocent girl who had come to report on her first completed request, using the busyness as an excuse.
But it couldn’t be helped.
Information about the “mysterious monster and the organization behind it,” which the guild had been secretly pursuing, had suddenly come in.
Originally, he only half-expected to learn a little about the monster’s traits if any.
At the same time, there was also a possibility that the aspiring adventurer man was connected to the people behind the monster, so they let him go in hopes of extracting information.
But he unexpectedly brought in information potentially linked to the mastermind, defeated all the monsters, and delivered multiple samples of abnormal specimens, achieving results that brought them dramatically closer to solving the case.
The upper management and the related guilds were in a total uproar, as if someone had kicked a hornet’s nest.
“That guy’s the real deal… Looks like a monster of a man’s about to become part of the guild…”
—————-
“I am honored to meet you. I am Bark, one of the directors who governs the capital city of Lindblum, and the head of the General Guild.”
“Shilent.”
Just as expected, a senior guild official made contact.
The corpse parts I brought back to the guild, and the man who seemed connected to the mastermind…
When Lemia explained the circumstances, I was immediately taken to the upper floors of the General Guild.
The elderly man now in front of me was, apparently, the top of the General Guild.
Clearly someone in a position that should make me feel intimidated.
But Shilent’s memories and experience brushed that aside and carried on a conversation as equals.
I really want this mental fortitude going forward.
This unwavering confidence, it’s probably the best possible skill to have for survival.
“I’ve heard the circumstances from Lemia. You have overcome a challenge that could be called unreasonable and achieved outstanding results. We are deeply grateful. A formal reward will be given to you at a later date.” (Bark)
“That doesn’t matter. Can I become an adventurer? Did I meet your expectations?” (Shizuma)
“Absolutely… We plan to issue a formal statement to the other guilds and award you the Sapphire Rank. Of course, the evaluation process takes time, and we need to hear the opinions of the other guilds.” (Bark)
Seriously? Well, I did hear that it was a rank given to those who contribute to the guild.
“Then for now, Ruby is fine. I’d rather not be unemployed until it’s decided whether I’m getting Sapphire.” (Shizuma)
“Yes, that’s reasonable. Now…may I ask where and what you were doing in the past? I suppose that’s still off-limits?” (Bark)
“Can’t tell you. I just kill and serve my client. Nothing more, nothing less.” (Shizuma)
“…I see. Well, I won’t press further into your past. Lemia has told me that you appear to be someone inclined toward good.” (Bark)
“Heh, good to hear. Are we done? Then give me a tag or something for identification. If I don’t find an inn soon, I’ll be sleeping outside.” (Shizuma)
“Come to think of it… You arrived in this town this morning, didn’t you?” (Bark)
“Did the gatekeepers ask about me?” (Shizuma)
“Yes. They asked, ‘Did a dangerous man come to the General Guild today?’ Heh, I figured out right away they meant you.” (Bark)
“That’s insulting. I’ll be sure to thank them later.” (Shizuma)
Thus, I was returned to the reception area, which was still in utter chaos, after having successfully been accepted into the Adventurers Guild.
“Phew… I’m tired. And hungry…” (Shizuma)
I haven’t eaten anything since morning… And I’m sleep-deprived too… I’m at my limit.
What keeps popping into my head is meat, alcohol, and nuts.
So Shilent likes nuts, huh.
“Ah! It’s Shilent!”
At that moment, someone called from behind me as I was receiving my tag at the guild reception.
Turning around, I saw Melt beaming at me…along with three unfamiliar young people.
Why are the three of you looking at me like it’s the end of the world?
“M-Melt… You know that guy…?”
“Yeah, I do!” (Melt)
“Right, we know each other. Just acquaintances, right? Melt?” (Shizuma)
Just in case, I emphasized that we were merely acquaintances. Not close.
It would be inconvenient if people thought that Melt, who’s close with Seimu and considered his partner, was also close with Shilent.
I silently begged her with my eyes to go along with it.
And maybe she understood because…
“…I guess… Yeah, we’re just acquaintances… Yeah…” (Melt)
Not at all! She didn’t get it! Now she looks super dejected like she’s been abandoned!
I’ve got to smooth this over… In a way that doesn’t look suspicious…
“What about your partner, Melt? ‘Acting alone right now’?” (Shizuma)
Come on, please get it this time! I’m saying I’m operating solo now, and that Seimu, Melt’s partner, is someone else and I am currently someone completely unrelated! ***
“Oh! Right, I get it now! Yeah, my partner’s out on a job right now!” (Melt)
“I see. Then make sure you work hard so your partner won’t worry. You’re too naïve about the world.” (Shizuma)
“Okay, I got it. Sorry for bothering you, Shilent.” (Melt)
This time, she clearly got it. She smiled brightly as she walked away.
…Whew… I had to cover that up for real. For both my sake and Shilent’s…
If someone makes a face like it’s the end of the world… Well, you can’t just leave it be, right?
—————-
“Hey, Melt… Was that guy the one you were under the care of…?” (Kash)
“That look… He’s probably a top-class adventurer, or maybe a mercenary? Could he have been in that large-scale subjugation team today?” (Grant)
“He had crazy energy coming off him… Just being near him made my skin tingle…” (Rikka)
Melt’s group deposited their harvest at the guild’s storage because they couldn’t sell the items, and left for the Adventurers’ Den.
On the way, the three questioned Melt about Shilent, whom they had just seen at the guild.
“Nope, he’s just an acquaintance. We just happened to travel the same path for a bit.” (Melt)
“Really…? You spoke to him so casually…” (Kash)
“Yeah, he was chatting normally with someone I know well, so I figured he’s not a bad person.” (Melt)
Melt spun a little story, perhaps sensing the need.
“Maybe the reason the guild was so hectic today was because of that subjugation. Let’s go back tomorrow and get our stuff appraised.” (Melt)
“Yeah. But even just turning in the Axebreak Branch got us a decent price. Not enough for new gear yet, but I’d like to eat something nice for a change.” (Grant)
“Oh, totally! Then how about pie? Melt seemed interested before the request!” (Kash)
“Oh, you remembered! What kind of food is pie? I’ve never had it, so I’m curious.” (Melt)
With her thoughts now entirely on dinner, Melt forgot all about what Shilent would do next, or when he might return as Seimu.
“Well, you’ll understand once you see it! A shop that serves pie… Where was it again?” (Kash)
“If that’s what you’re looking for, maybe the tavern at the back of the Den? They’ve always been famous for their seasonal pies.” (Rikka)
“Jangari Retreat, huh? It’s got a bit of a strange name, but if it’s that place, we can’t go wrong.” (Grant)
“I think I heard the owner of that place used to live in Hamsterdam, right? I wonder if we could talk to them.” (Rikka)
“Wait, is that even true? I mean, does a place like Hamsterdam actually exist?” (Kash)
It was the name of a country inhabited by the spirits called hamsters, which Melt had explained to Seimu before.
However, whether because it sounded half like a fairy tale, Kash seemed doubtful about the existence of such a country.
“I’ve heard it does exist…apparently. But they say you need trust, credibility, and achievements recognized by neighboring countries to go there…and that almost no one who’s entered the country has ever come back out. That story about the owner being from there should probably be taken with a grain of salt.” (Grant)
“Yeah… Hey, Melt-chan, do you think Hamsterdam really exists?” (Rikka)
“Yeah, it does. I heard my grandma, who passed away, used to be a researcher there. We even had some of her books at home.” (Melt)
“No way! Then they’re real!? Those spirits that come out when you turn on a faucet and stuff!?” (Rikka)
Rikka got excited at Melt’s words.
Naturally, Kash joined in.
“S-So then, are there also those spirits that somehow sneak into your pockets without you noticing? I heard if you tap your pocket, they split into two.” (Kash)
“Hmm… I once heard a story that when someone opened the lid of an unused pot, it was packed full of spirits. I figured it was just a bard’s joke, but…” (Grant)
“It’s apparently true. Spirits like hamsters just sneak around people on their own, multiply on their own, and then vanish on their own. They’re free-spirited beings, they say.” (Melt)
“H-Huh… So they really exist…hamsters…” (Rikka)
“I wonder what they look like?” (Kash)
“Hmm… Famous spirits include fairies and such… Maybe they look similar?” (Grant)
“Huh? I think in the illustrations, they looked like…” (Melt)
Then, Melt took a knife and began drawing a hamster in the dirt by the roadside.
However, Melt had no artistic sense to speak of, and after some trial and error…
“…What’s this? A squashed dinner roll?” (Rikka)
“Looks like some kind of slime variant.” (Kash)
“Hmm… Maybe like a deflated ball with eyes?” (Grant)
“Huh? That’s weird… I’m sure they were cuter than this… I’ve barely ever drawn anything, you know…” (Melt)
Having drawn something that looked like a squashed rice cake on the ground, Melt frowned in dissatisfaction, wiped away the doodle with her foot, and started walking again.
“Come on, let’s go get some pie!” (Melt)
“Haha, yeah.” (Kash)
“I’m curious what kind of seasonal menu they’ve got.” (Grant)
“I hope it’s a dessert pie. Like apple pie!” (Rikka)
The Adventurers’ Den gradually dyed in the hues of dusk.
A heartwarming scene, as they chatted happily on their way to a meal.
And as she experienced something like this for the first time, Melt truly felt from the bottom of her heart: “I’m so glad I left the forest.”
—————-
Um, I’m seriously about to collapse from hunger here.
Why am I still being held at the guild…?
“-That’s the list of personnel currently in charge of guarding and monitoring that man. Shilent-sama, we’d greatly appreciate it if you could also join the security. Of course, you will be compensated.”
“…I see. Then first, bring me some food. I haven’t eaten since this morning. I’m also sleep-deprived. Get me something hearty, and something to wake me up. I was planning to get an inn and sleep.” (Shizuma)
“My apologies. That was careless of us. We’ll have a meal prepared at the underground guardroom. We’ll also arrange a stimulant to help with the drowsiness.”
Why do I have to work under such a harsh environment!?
But I was the one who said something like “I’ll get intel from the assassin”!
Until the official knights dispatched from the royal castle next to the city come to take him away, it seems we’re supposed to monitor him at the Adventurers Guild, and I’ve been added to the guard team. But really, if we’re aiming for complete security, I am the best choice to place here…
—————-
“This place is actually pretty clean for a dungeon.” (Shizuma)
From the guild’s courtyard, descending a small staircase into the underground, what spread out before me wasn’t a dark stone dungeon like I imagined, but a brightly lit area with interior design no different from the other floors. Numerous lights were installed, making it hardly feel like a basement at all.
A person who seemed to be a guild staff member was already stationed in front of the door where the man in question was being held.
There didn’t seem to be any other ways in. No vents or windows, nothing connected to the outside.
That means, if any assassins come, they’ll definitely have to come through the front.
“…Either they’ll drug us to sleep, use a paralysis agent like I did…or maybe just blow up the whole dungeon… Those are the most likely methods.” (Shizuma) **
I thought I heard a faint squeak of fear from the staff member guarding the door as I muttered to myself.
Be prepared. This case seems to have some pretty deep roots… It wouldn’t be surprising if I just get eliminated here.
“Shilent-sama, I’ve brought your meal. Please enter that room.”
Just then, Lemia arrived carrying a tray with food.
Aah… Finally, I get to eat…
—————-
(´・ω・｀) I really love hamsters, by the way.
(´・ω・｀) Also, the story is getting a book release! (It’s mentioned in the activity reports too)
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