223 - The Unlovable Adventurer
A few days after receiving information from Rauno-san.
Tanya-san visited the mansion. I decided to handle her, but since only Damian's automatons were at the mansion, I had number two prepare the tea this time.
However, perhaps because it had no interest in my subtle preferences, it served a different tea than Monica did. It was probably Damian's preference.
Tanya-san sat on the sofa with perfect posture. However, she had not touched her tea. Her tone was more detached than usual.
I used a skill. The Sixth's — Search — indicated Tanya-san's reactions in yellow and red.
Perhaps she was hesitant. If so, it meant she knew the detailed circumstances. Tanya-san was a person of the guild. As expected, she would prioritize the guild.
"Raiel-kun, an emergency request has arisen. You may have heard rumors, but—"
"Is it Cartaphus?"
"...You're quick if you already knew. Regarding that Cartaphus, there have been unsettling movements recently. Requests from people related to Cartaphus have also reached Beim, and it was judged to be a request requiring urgency. Therefore, the guild requests Raiel-kun to handle this matter. We promise fifty thousand gold coins as a reward upon success. The content of the request is the rescue of the imprisoned queen."
Even the advance payment alone consisted of several thousand gold coins.
Since they had no intention of paying the success reward, it seemed they wanted to make it look like a request with very favorable conditions.
From within the orb, the Fifth's voice spoke.
'A few thousand gold coins won't hurt. The Adventurer's Guild isn't half bad. It's not a bad amount for preparation funds either.'
I looked at the documents.
"The preparation funds are quite luxurious. However, everyone in my party is female. Isn't this 'out' given the content of the request?"
It seemed reports had been filed stating that Larc's skill was powerful against the opposite sex. And it appeared there was also a plan to separate me from my companions.
The Seventh looked at that.
'Did they think they could manage if they separated us? However, the guild should be playing their trump card this time... it's dangerous if they underestimate us.'
The Third laughed at the Seventh's opinion.
'Isn't that why it's good? Larc, was it? That child is pitiful too. They probably haven't realized they're being used by us or Beim. Oops, Raiel... just as planned.'
Tanya-san seemed to have considered the reasons why I might refuse.
"We have judged that it is sufficiently achievable even alone. Also, the claim that it's only women is a lie, isn't it? Maxim, Damian... both have completed their adventurer registration."
Intending to crush me thoroughly, she even brought up Maxim-san's name. I looked at the documents.
"...There is also the request for the labyrinth subjugation. Could I handle that first?"
Tanya-san spoke as if troubled.
"It is an emergency, so as soon as possible if you can. Also, if it's absolutely impossible, the guild will dispatch reinforcements."
Hearing that, I smiled. It was a case I had considered. And the adventurers sent in would likely intend to attack us.
"That would be a help. Reinforcements for me?"
"Not that far... however, we are dispatching adventurers from Beim to the other side. I can arrange it so that you can receive cooperation over there."
Told this, I tilted my head.
"Is that so? That's strange. The famous parties should be on other requests. Did you dispatch them from somewhere other than the East Branch?"
Among the dispatch-type guilds other than the East Branch, the only adventurers leaving from Beim would be the mercenary group from the South Branch. Tanya-san's expression remained a manufactured one.
"That is how hurried we are. Then, I shall send reinforcements to the labyrinth."
I nodded and was about to sign the documents when I stopped my hand.
"Right. I have various chores, so may I ask an acquaintance at the East Branch to do some work? ...I want to ask for things like chores."
Hearing that, Tanya-san thought for a moment but nodded with a smile.
"Please do. However, it would be troublesome if they were too competent. I don't think they would accept being asked to do chores."
I signed the documents.
"Yes, it'll be fine. I have a few people in mind who seem likely to accept."
Looking down, I thought.
(Tanya-san, you're naive. Did you think that adventurers who would accept mere chores are disposable?)
After Tanya-san left, I called Damian and Maxim-san, who were at the mansion, to the room to talk.
It was about the Cartaphus request. And I informed them that the current situation was quite bad.
Damian took off his glasses and wiped the lenses.
"Hmm, and? Raiel, you have some plan, right?"
Maxim-san was nervous. He was the complete opposite of Damian.
"This is bad. No matter how you look at it, losing the support of Beim will affect our future policy."
Maxim-san seemed to have thought that I would continue to receive support from Beim — the Trace family. And it seemed Adele-san was also moving with that intention.
I apologized while speaking.
"Ah, let me apologize in advance. I'll be vacating this place too. Probably, or rather, there will be movement within the Trace family soon, and since I've started foundation work in the place where I'm proceeding with the labyrinth subjugation, I'll make that my future base."
Damian looked displeased.
"Eh~, I liked the basement here."
"Build a building to your liking over there. Or rather, I'm thinking of moving seriously."
I revealed the plan to the two of them.
It was a plan to deal with the expected adventurer attacks at Cartaphus, and to put the Great Northern Nation in our debt by rescuing the queen, making them keep an eye on Banseime.
Hearing that, Maxim-san said.
"...If it goes well, it's certainly a good story. However, the risk is also great. Besides, for me not to be by the young lady's side while she is exposed to danger..."
As expected, he likely hated being away from Adele-san's side. Damian looked like it was a bother.
"Three automatons, huh. I can certainly prepare golems, but how is it in terms of combat power? Can we win? Adventurers who have polished their skills in a labyrinth are, frankly speaking, monsters."
I declared with confidence to Damian and Maxim-san.
"We'll win. If we lose here, we can't win against a monster like Celes anyway. Also, this. There's a movement to kick the Trace family out of Beim. To be precise, it's the current head, Fidel-san. I've heard that several other merchant houses will also be kicked out. That's why I want to have them migrate to the land under development. Damian, can you persuade old man Ratata?"
Damian put on his glasses, received a cup from number one, his automaton maid, and drank the tea.
"I think it's possible. For better or worse, he's a craftsman. As long as there's a place and work, isn't it possible? He doesn't seem to hate the bustle of Beim, but he said he came from the countryside and missed it. Besides, improving the Valkyries seems fun, and he feels like he doesn't want to abandon his work."
It seemed I could pull old man Ratata away. If so, I might be able to call out to other related craftsmen and merchants and invite them to the south of Beim.
Mireia spoke happily.
'Raiel, let's have Eva-chan spread rumors. Like, fortune awaits in the southern lands!'
This person also seemed to be enjoying herself.
Then, Damian looked at me.
"...Are you taking in merchants who have lost their utility? If it's Raiel, you could probably get along well with the merchants remaining in Beim if you handle it right."
I shook my head.
"Sorry, but I'm quite loyal. I can't betray them after they helped me."
Then, Maxim-san directed a suspicious gaze at me.
"...That's different from the 'loyal' I know."
...How rude. I'm rescuing the merchants who supported me from the collapse of Beim. Isn't that sufficiently loyal?
Visiting the East Branch of the guild, I requested Marianne-san in a private room on the third floor.
Usually, it didn't matter who was at the reception, but this time alone, it was necessary to specify Marianne-san.
I absolutely needed a staff member who had been in the guild for a while and could not abandon adventurers they knew.
No, I couldn't say it was absolutely necessary, but I specified her with the intention of using her regardless.
While I was waiting in the private room, Marianne-san entered the room with a smile, carrying documents and such. And as soon as she saw my face.
"It's rare for you to specify me. I might misunderstand, so if possible, I'd like to hear the reason..."
Marianne-san, who was joking, became serious when she saw my expression.
"This isn't an atmosphere for joking."
Saying so, she placed the documents on the desk, prepared a drink, and sat in the chair. I took a sip of the drink and made a request to Marianne-san.
"I've decided to go to Cartaphus. I'll use the Trace family's ship for the voyage. Incidentally, I've also hired an adventurer party to handle chores."
Marianne-san's expression did not break.
"I see. I think it will be difficult, but if it's Raiel-san, I'm sure you'll achieve the request—"
At that point, I formed a smile. While forming a very good smile, I grew to hate myself. I'm only getting better at these kinds of things.
"That's why I want the materials on the adventurers who headed to Cartaphus. The detailed materials the guild keeps... you have them, right?"
Marianne-san's drooping eyes narrowed, as if glaring at me.
"Leakage of information is forbidden. Being told such a thing, there's no way I'd respond—"
"Even though I handed over my information? A staff member of Marianne-san's level should know what kind of situation I'm in, right? I heard you've also done rookie training, so you're quite knowledgeable about the guild's work, aren't you?"
Marianne-san stood up from the chair and tried to leave the room.
"...I'll call another staff member. Furthermore, there is nothing I can say."
Still smiling, I told her about the adventurer party I had requested.
"This time, I asked Erhart's party for help. They readily accepted. It's a big request, after all. That aside, I heard Marianne-san got angry for Erhart and the others. You made sure they didn't take requests where it wouldn't be strange if they died, and you even caused a problem at the reception... I like kind people."
When Marianne-san turned around, she glared at me fiercely. Then, after a while, she looked down, and that was the answer to everything.
She probably knew. My current situation and Beim's response.
"So you know everything. And yet you choose to go to Cartaphus, you're quite bold. For my part, it would be a help if you just ran away."
I shrugged my shoulders.
"There are important things remaining in Beim too. I believe that a certain amount of action is permissible if it's to protect important things. Now, although there's no great profit for Marianne-san, will you grant my request?"
Marianne-san returned, sat in the chair, and directed her gaze at me. It wasn't the previous atmosphere; it possessed a kind of intensity.
I think she's putting out this kind of atmosphere because she's gained various experiences in her own way.
"...The information on the adventurers, was it. Certainly, it's a story with few merits for me. After all, there are only demerits. However, I shall prepare the information on the adventurers who headed to Cartaphus. And information on the adventurers who will attack your remaining companions. In exchange."
What Marianne-san wanted in exchange was—.
"A guarantee of Erhart-kun and the others' lives. No, bring them back to Beim unscathed. Once they enter Cartaphus, all of Raiel-san's companions should be targets. They won't be overlooked just because they're doing chores."
I nodded and confirmed with Marianne-san by when the information would be gathered. It seemed it would be gathered relatively quickly, and I was impressed. Her ability as a staff member must also be high.
After arranging the means of receiving the information, I decided to ask Marianne-san.
"You're quite biased toward Erhart and the others. Is it romantic feelings?"
Then, Marianne-san laughed as if mocking me. And while looking at me, she looked sad.
"Half correct. However, Erhart-kun and the others... are more like cute younger brothers, I suppose. A bit naive, but earnest and hard-working... as a staff member, it's a joy to watch children like that. They work hard steadily and grow, and then they come to report it with joy. ...Rather than a boy without any charm who handles everything perfectly like a certain someone, I find myself wanting to support cute children like that."
It wouldn't have been a problem even if Marianne-san reported to the guild. I was already in the process of vacating the mansion and making preparations.
However, hearing that, I was convinced that from a staff member's perspective, I was indeed less interesting than Erhart and the others.
"Conversely, you're lending me a hand for just that much?"
Marianne-san looked down and spoke in fragments.
"...They're similar to an adventurer I liked before. I was a rookie and relatively popular, so I was getting carried away back then. Then, an earnest adventurer who came from the countryside pushed himself too hard for my sake."
Hearing that story, I guessed the gist of it. As I thought, Marianne-san spoke of the subsequent development.
"Thanks to that, he died. He even left me his assets... he was truly a foolish person. Since then, I've been a receptionist for rookie training. Actually, I would have preferred being in charge of rookies. It was rewarding."
After hearing the whole story, I stood up.
"...I will definitely return Erhart and the others to Beim. I promise."
Then, Marianne-san glared at me.
"If you don't bring them back, I'll resent you for the rest of my life. After letting me do this much, if even one person is missing... I'll teach you what happens when you make an enemy of a guild staff member."
That intensity was truly scary, but I smiled so as not to let my inner thoughts be known. Then, I left the room and breathed a sigh of relief.
—East Branch.
At the first-floor reception, Rieue was receiving Erhart's documents.
And Erhart said to Rieue.
"Sorry, about the next job, I'll pass this time."
Hearing that, Rieue thought it was unusual and confirmed with Erhart.
"What happened? Usually, you check the next request and make a schedule. Did someone fall ill?"
Erhart shook his head, saying it wasn't that. He was more composed as an adventurer than before, and he was completing requests while following Marianne's teachings.
His equipment was starting to come together, and by defeating monsters outside with his companions, his life had become better than that of a low-ranking adventurer.
"I'm helping out at Cartaphus at the request of an acquaintance. Well, it's chores, but the pay is good, and since it'll be a long-term request, other requests are impossible for a while."
Hearing that, Rieue looked at Erhart.
"Even if it's an acquaintance, being named specifically is proof of trust. Erhart-san and the others are splendid adventurers. ...Oh! I'm expecting souvenirs. Please tell me what kind of adventure you've had."
Then, Erhart let out a sigh.
"Asking for sweets would be more endearing. If you say the same thing to everyone, you'll suffer later. Well, since we have quite a few opportunities to see each other, I'll buy at least one souvenir."
Rieue averted her gaze slightly and whispered.
"...I won't tell anyone else."
Erhart stood up from the chair.
"What was that?"
"It's nothing. I'm looking forward to it, Erhart-san."
Seeing Rieue's smile, Erhart gave a wry smile. Perhaps thinking he had been tricked by Marianne, it seemed he still had trauma regarding female staff members—."