12 - First Love
After returning from the monster subjugation, I staggered along as I sold the collected materials and reported to the guild.
Basically, the guild does not handle monster materials.
However, they do manage the small red stones called magic stones that can be extracted from monsters.
They are a precious energy resource and, at the same time, a source of profit for the guild.
Adventurers sell materials to merchants or dealers and earn a profit by selling magic stones to the guild. The guild, in turn, profits from the trade of magic stones.
Indeed, the rights to magic stones are significant.
The guild is able to operate precisely because it generates such enormous profits.
That said, that is a matter that has nothing to do with the low-level staff.
As an adventurer, there is no reason to pick a fight with a guild that monopolizes the sales route for magic stones.
As usual, I lined up at Hawkins-san's counter and waited for my turn.
Zelfie-san, who had been splattered with blood, was taking a bath at the public bathhouse next to the guild.
As I stood in line with Novem, they asked me worriedly.
"Riel-sama, are you truly alright? Your complexion is still poor."
"I'm fine. I've recovered more than I had earlier, and once I finish the paperwork, I'm just going home..."
I pushed myself to avoid making them worry, but it seemed that only served to make them more concerned.
"As I thought, you're just frail."
The First Generation's voice rang out. He seemed pleased by my incompetence.
(No, this is your fault.)
The Seventh Generation spoke to the pleased First Generation.
"And who was it whose face was bright red just a moment ago?"
"I-It wasn't me!"
"It was impossible for you! It seems you've ended up feeling embarrassed because you said it with such a smug look on your face."
I could almost picture the Seventh Generation's smirking face.
Still, I wish they would consider my magic power a little more.
"Riel-sama, your complexion is... again. Let us rest tomorrow. You are pushing yourself too hard, Riel-sama. I shall inform Zelfie-san myself."
"Uuu, sorry."
Would it not be acceptable for me to be angry at these ancestors who use up my magic as quickly as it recovers?
"Next person, please... Wait, Riel-kun! Your complexion is terrible!"
Even Hawkins-san had become worried.
"I-I'm fine."
"No, that face is not 'fine'... Honestly, what on earth was Zelfie-san doing?"
After having Hawkins-san quickly finish the paperwork, I went home and lay down immediately that day.
The day after the monster hunt became a holiday.
Normally, when adventurers go out and face monsters, they take a break in between, depending on their skill.
In cases like ours, where we deal with monsters nearby, there is a tendency to go out for several consecutive days and then take one day off, repeating the cycle.
This is because earnings are poor if one rests immediately after dealing with slimes.
This time, the income was good because we dealt with goblins, and the break was decided due to my poor physical condition.
I returned to the rented house and received nursing care from Novem.
"As expected, the fatigue is different when it comes to actual combat. In the future, we must increase our comrades to reduce Riel-sama's burden."
I wanted to say that Novem was being too overprotective, but there was a reason I couldn't. It was because they shared the same opinion as my ancestors.
We faced seven goblins, and I was able to wipe them out using magic.
However, that was only because there was an excellent vanguard like Zelfie-san.
She immediately stepped in to cover me, preventing the goblins from getting close. Because she took the brunt of the attacks, I was able to use magic.
The old sofa in the living room had scratches on the surface, and the stuffing was visible.
Sitting there, I stared blankly at the unlit fireplace.
No, I was thinking deeply.
(If we get comrades, will they be vanguards? I think it depends on what role I take on.)
Basically, as it stands, any position is fine for a comrade.
Having a rear guard is fine, and if there are three vanguards, they can fight stably.
"So, we need at least three people like Zelfie-san."
"That is correct. There is no end to greed, but I believe we will be stable for a while if we have one more person."
"Numbers matter in a fight, then."
When I said that, the Fifth Generation interrupted. This was rare.
I hadn't heard his voice today, but it seemed the Fifth Generation was in charge.
"Those are correct words, but I would like the current Riel to understand what an 'appropriate number' is."
(Appropriate number?)
"Gathering numbers is important, but can you maintain them? And are they the necessary personnel? How will you develop them in the future? There are mountains of things to consider. Individual strength, personality, characteristics, background... leading people is difficult, regardless of the scale."
I looked at Novem.
They had left the living room and were heading toward the kitchen. It seemed they were brewing tea.
I spoke with the Fifth Generation in a low voice.
"How should I go about selecting people to include as members?"
"It is good to think about the personnel you need. However, talented people are in high demand. It is unlikely that the exact personnel you hope for will join your party."
(As I thought, it's difficult.)
"Would it be better to try forming temporary groups to get to know the other person?"
"Why not ask an adventurer like Zelfie for that kind of know-how? We don't have any adventurer know-how."
"That's true..."
(Adventurer know-how... I'm relying on the Second and First Generations.)
The First and Second Generations were in positions that could be called the pioneers of the Walt family, who founded the pioneer village.
They weren't adventurers, but both had a track record of doing things similar to it.
The Second Generation had mentioned that the First Generation possessed skills that were useful for such matters.
After all, the Second Generation's skill was one that exhibited its effect by being used in conjunction with other skills.
Currently, if there is a skill I can handle, it seems to be the one manifested by the First Generation.
"It would be easiest if the First Generation could help me, right?"
"Indeed. It was a simple but useful skill. I know because I benefited from it myself. It's easy to use, and when used in general combination with the Second Generation's skill, combat power improves instantly."
The First Generation's skill, in a word, was "ability increase."
The skill name was "Full Over."
It simply improves abilities to overwhelm the enemy.
Simple, but this is an extremely useful skill. The successive heads of the family have benefited from this skill.
"It depends on the First Generation... In our time, we could use it without worrying about such things."
Having become Jewel Orbs, a will had sprouted within the skills.
That was the memory and heart of the successive heads. The ancestors themselves were the skills.
In other words, I cannot use them unless I am acknowledged.
"My skill also places a great burden on Riel. It's not because I dislike you, but because it would be nothing but a burden to you now, so I cannot let you use it. If you steadily increase your magic power, there might be a possibility..."
"I just don't know how to do that. I've heard it increases if I grow normally."
As for ways to increase magic power, there are training methods where one increases magic power by using magic. However, I don't know if this is truly effective.
It probably has an effect, but magic power increases with growth even if one does nothing.
In the realm of superstition, I had heard that defeating monsters allows one to grow in areas other than magic power.
However, I remember there was no one around me to confirm that.
"If Riel's skill is revealed, there might be different methods. Well, why not just take it slow?"
"Sigh... (Even though I have a Jewel Orb that allows me to use skills, I can't use a single one...)"
Novem returned with the tea, so the Fifth Generation and I interrupted our conversation.
The next day.
Novem and I headed to the meeting place with Zelfie-san, where we were told of a change in policy.
After completing the procedures at the guild, we spoke at a cafe frequented by adventurers.
Perhaps it was a shop that allowed entry even with equipment, as many adventurers used it.
A window seat was open, and the three of us sat there and ordered tea. Zelfie-san also ordered some sweet treats.
"This is on me. Also, you remember I told you two to add comrades, right? About that... let's act a bit cautiously. I'll have you stop taking in just anyone."
"What do you mean by that?"
Novem asked Zelfie-san for clarification.
Then, Zelfie-san explained the reason.
She had accurately measured our strength and, as a result, told us to choose our comrades carefully.
"Your strength, regardless of balance, is outstanding for rookies. In fact, if we set aside the physical aspect, Riel would be among the top adventurers in Darion. And Novem, I've actually seen your holy-attribute magic... it's undoubtedly top-level in Darion."
I tilted my head at that opinion.
In Darion, a city that is kind to novice adventurers, the overall quality of adventurers is indeed low.
However, to be among the top in Darion certainly means being a full-fledged professional.
(If the evaluation is high, it seems like we could gather comrades quickly...)
"Is that not allowed?"
Zelfie-san made a troubled face.
"It's not bad, but... in terms of hassle, it's bad. I've looked into you two. Including information on where you're from."
Zelfie-san had investigated my family home—no, she had investigated where I was from, and through that, she had learned of my position.
However, she didn't seem to know the deep details. She probably didn't want to know them either.
"U-Um, I didn't intend to lie—"
As I tried to explain, Zelfie-san stopped me with her hand.
"I'm not saying it's a bad thing. My way is to complete the work I've taken on as much as possible. I have no intention of quitting halfway. I'm afraid of cancellation fees, too. However, if there are circumstances, and you also have talent as adventurers, we have to think carefully from now on."
It seemed I had underestimated adventurers a bit. I hadn't thought I could be investigated so quickly.
Novem was also listening with a serious expression.
"You're staying in Darion for a while, right? That's fine. But you'll leave Darion eventually, won't you? Choose your comrades carefully, and make sure they are people you can trust. It's no fun to be targeted by strange people."
By "strange people," she meant those who parasitize others as adventurers or those who deceive their colleagues.
The former are people who parasitize a party and do nothing but take a share of the loot.
The latter are often scammers.
"Now then, regarding the future policy—"
It was just as Zelfie-san said that. The cafe door was flung open with force.
The bell attached to the door made a loud sound.
And footsteps were approaching us.
Novem stood up alertly, so I also raised myself and turned my gaze toward the opponent. However, the opponent was not looking at us.
"Zelfie..."
And Zelfie-san, whose name was called, muttered with a slightly troubled expression.
However, the First Generation's voice overlapped there.
"Lady Aria..."
"Alice-san! Why are you in a place like this..."
"Eh? Which one..."
"Riel-sama?"
When I unintentionally muttered, Novem looked at my face. It seemed they lowered their staff since the opponent showed no hostility.
I also hurriedly sat down and looked at the two.
The woman whom Zelfie-san called "Lady" and the First Generation called "Alice" was a girl around our age with red hair.
The red hair that extended to her back had curls at the tips that bounced.
Her slightly sharp eyes were purple, and she was out of breath in front of us. She seemed quite panicked, but at the same time, she looked like a lively girl.
Perhaps she was wearing clothes for ease of movement, as she wore garments that clung relatively close to her skin.
However, there was a slight sense of incongruity in Zelfie-san calling her "Lady."
Certainly, her appearance was beautiful and she had an air of elegance. However, her attire was far from that of a lady.
"Please, Zelfie, lend me your strength."
"No, well... I am currently in the middle of work."
The surroundings were directing their gazes toward our table, but they weren't particularly making a fuss. They were discussing what had happened in low voices.
"A lovers' quarrel?"
"That blue-haired bastard, I'm jealous."
"Wait, isn't that Zelfie-anego?"
(Why am I being glared at? I have nothing to do with this, right?)
While enduring the strangely hostile gazes directed at me, I listened to the conversation between the two. However, inside the Jewel Orb, the First Generation began to make a fuss.
My magic power was being shaved away aggressively.
"The 'Orb' of the Lockword family was stolen! It is a precious item passed down through generations! Lend me your strength to take it back!"
Looking at the girl called Aria, who seemed quite panicked rather than excited, I turned my gaze to Novem beside me.
"What does this mean?"
"Um, perhaps the family of someone Zelfie-san served in the past? I thought she seemed like a knight, but she really was a knight, wasn't she?"
When Novem said that, Zelfie-san corrected them.
"No, I'm not a knight, my father was... Wait! Lady, I am not a retainer of the Lockword family right now. Besides, I am in the middle of work; it would be troubling even if you asked."
To Zelfie-san, who spoke apologetically, Aria's expression became dark.
Then, she turned her gaze toward me and pleaded.
"Are you Zelfie's employer? Then just a little is fine. Give me some of your time! It is a truly precious treasure... the Orb of the Lockword family, a treasure passed down for over two hundred years! I will do anything as a reward, so please lend me Zelfie!"
Then, Novem stood up.
"I understand that you are in a hurry. However, we also have our circumstances. We have a three-month contract with Zelfie-san, and we are paying a significant request fee. I understand your feelings, but please leave... Also, it appears that she is troubled by your request?"
When Novem said that, Zelfie-san also looked down but did not talk back.
Aria-san looked frustrated seeing that.
There must be something to it, but more than that, right now—
"It's Alice-san! Alice-san, just as she was back then... My first love wasn't over!"
The First Generation became incredibly excited, and because of that, my magic power was being scraped away violently.
(Wait a minute, my magic is being drained more than ever, and I'm getting dizzy...)
My head felt light.
Furthermore, the Second Generation also began to participate.
"Hey! Riel is in trouble! He's already staggering! Calm down a bit!"
"How can I be calm! My youth cannot be discussed without Alice-san—"
I heard the voice from the Jewel Orb up to that point, but the voice disappeared halfway through.
At the same time, because Novem refused, Aria-san grabbed my shoulder.
"Please. I'll do anything, so please lend me Zelfie... It's an important item."
Faced with a woman pleading desperately with tears in her eyes, I couldn't find my voice.
Perhaps out of desperation, she shook me back and forth. My head was shaken violently...
"Please let go of Riel-sama! Wait, Riel-sama? Riel-sama!?"
"Eh? What... Kyaaaa!!"
"Hey! Why have you fainted!!"
As my consciousness faded, I thought.
(I-It's not my fault...)