kscans

Chapter 258 - The Bandit Problem

Bandits who were former adventurers?

Just as I was about to ask about it, the Guild Master appeared.

"Oh! You’re back! I was worried. I got a message from the royal capital. I heard Rumily lost her right leg, but...? It’s there. What in the world was he reporting?"

He was looking at Rumily’s right leg with a puzzled expression.

The receptionist looked at her with a surprised face. Fortunately, his voice wasn’t very loud, so the other adventurers didn’t hear.

Since it would get complicated, I said, "...Could we talk about that now?"

At this, the Guild Master nodded and headed towards his room.

In the Guild Master’s room.

The five of us sat on the sofa. The Guild Master was at his desk in the back.

I said, "It’s true that Rumily lost her leg. The reason it’s back to normal is thanks to my hometown."

The Guild Master said, "Hometown? ...Does that mean..."

He trailed off.

...He had a faint suspicion.

After all, he was an acquaintance of my master and had taught me a lot when I was just starting out as an adventurer. There was no guarantee that my master hadn’t told him about me.

Even if he had, it was a story no one would believe. It was something that couldn’t possibly happen according to common sense. ...But what if he did believe it?

Thinking that, I said, "You can assume your thoughts are correct. In fact, I took them with me."

At this, the four of them nodded.

The Guild Master thought for a moment. "...Phew. I see. In that case, I’ll handle this matter. You all just carry on as usual."

A sigh-laden command.

He wasn’t going to pry any deeper.

Tina said, "Understood. ...Changing the subject, I hear there have been some bandits who were once adventurers appearing recently."

To this, the Guild Master said, "Ah, a complete nuisance. ...We looked into it. They’re adventurers from the Empire. They had a rough time over there and lost their motivation, apparently. ...Honestly, it’s a joke. The incident with their Guild Master was his own doing, but before that, they were useless in the defense of the royal capital. The only saving grace was their performance on the border. Those guys are being thanked by the people in the capital like heroes. Well, the two of you made the biggest contribution, though."

He had a smirk on his face.

I held my head in my hands. "I didn’t do it on purpose. I was just doing my job as a hunter."

I let out a tired sigh.

...I don’t mind being thanked. I’m not so cold as to brush it off. But I hate standing out. It makes it hard to move.

I was even considering whether I should stay in the Kingdom for a while.

Tina said, "I mostly understand, but let’s go to the Empire as well. If we don’t show our faces periodically, it’ll become a problem later on."

In a way, I agreed.

The Guild Master said, "Please do. ...Now, about those bandits. Since they’re former adventurers, they know the ropes. They’ve been outsmarting us at every turn. I’ve posted a request, so take it if you feel like it. I won’t force you."

He sounded a bit resigned.

To this, I asked, "...You seem quite relaxed about it. Is there something going on?"

The Guild Master said, "...Yes. I said there have been damages, but it’s not like they’ve been wiped out. A C-rank adventurer who came here recently is strong. The requests he takes on, he completes perfectly. Apparently, he fought on the Empire’s border but couldn’t participate in the final battle. ...That’s why he wants to be of some use here."

Tina said, "Quite the show-off, isn’t he? There were people like that over there. Did he come to the Kingdom for fame?"

The Guild Master said, "...Apparently, he’s looking for someone. I haven’t heard the name. When I try to ask, he just says, ‘I’ll find them myself.’ Well, if that’s what he wants to do, that’s fine. It’s a bit vague, or perhaps proactive, to think that completing jobs might lead to a meeting."

He sounded exasperated but also pleased.

...That made sense. Right now, adventurers resent merchants. While negotiations drag on, an adventurer like that is a godsend.

I said, "That’s good to hear. I have another matter to attend to; I have to find a Mantis. So I don’t think I can take the job."

Tina also nodded.

The three of them had apologetic looks on their faces.

The Guild Master, sensing something, said, "...Do as you please. As long as you don’t cause any trouble."

He gave us his permission.

...We thanked him and left the room.

After leaving the guild.

We walked down the main street. There was no particular conversation, and the surroundings were quiet.

When we arrived in front of the general store, Milfy said, "Well then, we’ll be taking our leave. Shinsuke-san, Tina-san. Thank you so much."

She bowed deeply.

The other two did the same.

I said, "...I just did what I wanted to do. That’s all. ...If you think you owe me, give me a discount next time I stop by the store."

Tina also nodded.

The three of them looked at each other. They seemed somewhat relieved.

Milfy said, "...Understood. We’ll prepare the best items we can get our hands on."

She replied with a smile.

Tina said, "Please make sure they’re items that will last."

She drove the point home.

The five of us laughed together.

After we parted, I said, "Should we go check on Bardos? I’m a little worried." Tina agreed.

We arrived at his house and rang the doorbell.

Leona, holding a baby, came out.

"...Oh? Tina and Shinsuke? What’s wrong?"

To the surprised Leona, Tina said, "Bardos was worried, so we came just in case. By the way, where is Bardos?"

Before Leona could answer, an angry shout echoed from inside the house.

As we tensed up, Leona said, "C-calm down! Bardos has a guest right now. ...Apparently, it’s an old acquaintance who was in love with him. But she’s quite angry to hear that we had a child together..."

She had a slightly embarrassed look on her face.

This was it. The feeling of victory in a romantic affair.

Tina said, "Then we’re intruding. ...We’ll be going."

I also nodded.

Leona saw us off cheerfully, saying, ‘Come again soon.’

On the way back, I said, "...I feel like I just saw a peaceful scene. Honestly, it was enough to make me forget about the bandits."

To this, Tina said, "I agree. However, we have to do something about the bandit problem. First, let’s catch the Mantis."

I said, "But a Mantis, huh? You must be angry at those old men too."

Tina had a wicked smile on her face.

Normally, she wasn’t the type to harass people, even if they were her enemies. But this time, we had prepared the materials for a deal, and they had agreed to it.

Despite that, they made a ridiculous demand. There wasn’t a single person who wouldn’t be angry about that.

Tina said, "It’s what they wished for. There’s nothing more for us to say."

I agreed completely.

Night.

My house.

After finishing dinner, we discussed the search area for tomorrow and decided to go as a pair.

Bardos was busy. ...If we asked the other three, they would probably help, but it wasn't good for them to keep their shop closed any longer.

Besides, if it was just a Mantis, the two of us would be enough. All that was left was to set out in the morning.

After taking a break, Tina put on her green armor. ...It had been a while since she wore it, ever since we went to the Empire.

I said, "...Alright then. Get on the bed and make an X."

Tina nodded and lay down on the bed.

...I added a further touch. I had made four sets of iron chains and shackles in advance, and I fastened them to Tina’s hands and feet. The chains were tied to the four corners of the bed.

The metallic sound of the chains echoed. In a situation like this, what a pleasant sound it was.

Tina said, "...Mm. ...This is very sturdy. It feels like... I’m about to be seriously tortured, and it’s a little scary."

She was blushing, but there was a hint of anxiety in her voice.

...Aroused by this, I licked her all over.

..Her face... armpits... stomach. ...I tasted the parts not covered by her armor. I stopped short of her lower body, as that would be going too far. But Tina was giggling with a sensual voice. I didn’t stop, and next, I tickled the soles of her feet with a brush. Tina was laughing quite a lot.

...This was the best feeling.

Driven by the desire to hear more, I continued for several tens of minutes.

Her voice started to get hoarse, so I stopped for a moment. ...Tina was breathing heavily. The armor on her chest was rising and falling dramatically. Her appearance was exactly that of a female knight enduring torture.

I hugged Tina with all my might.

...Even if I changed the properties of the armor to make it stronger, it wouldn’t dent easily. Normally, it shouldn’t have had any effect, but Tina had a pained look on her face. She was probably just getting caught up in the atmosphere.

I kissed her. I savored the still-warm breath in my mouth. Tina was breathing through her nose, looking like she was in pain. Even so, the sound of our breaths mingling in our mouths was louder.

After a while, I pulled away. "...Can I sleep like this?"

Tina nodded, her face red.

That night, I thoroughly explored Tina’s lower body with my hands, sometimes being rough, while she was unable to move. ...She tried to escape by moving her arms and legs, but only the sound of the chains echoed, and she couldn’t get away.

That sound excited me even more, and Tina’s voice never ceased until I fell asleep.