kscans

Chapter 173 - A Promise to Help

Hayato and the others finished their Salvage and returned to port.

They fought several monsters on the way back but defeated them without any problems. A group of members strong enough to defeat Poseidon wouldn't lose to other monsters.

By opening the salvaged treasure chests, the players were distributed Treasure Coins. Furthermore, they were looking forward to distributing the contents of the chests as soon as they arrived. However, from the ship, they could sense an unusual atmosphere in the port.

For some reason, the Maid Chief and several maids were waiting at the harbor.

He thought they had come to welcome them, but while the Maid Chief's expression was normal, an aura of bloodlust emanated from her. The other maids, though not to the same extent, had pained looks on their faces.

Wondering what was going on, Hayato disembarked and immediately ran to the Maid Chief. Esha and the others followed.

"Maid Chief-san, what's wr—"

"Hayato-sama, my apologies."

Before Hayato could finish his sentence, the Maid Chief bowed her head. Following her lead, the other maids also bowed.

"Um, first, please tell me why you're bowing your heads."

When the Maid Chief and the others raised their heads, she immediately explained the situation.

To put it simply, Rose, the maid they had hired to tend the shop, had been kidnapped by the "Greedy Fire Serpent" bandit clan. And if they wanted Rose back, they were to hand over Hayato and the airship design document they had obtained through the Salvage.

Rose was a maid skilled in escort and assassination, so normally she wouldn't be bested by anyone. However, a couple who happened to be shopping at the store had been taken hostage, and she couldn't resist.

This story was relayed to the Maid Guild by the couple, who were released to act as messengers.

"I understand. I just have to go to the bandit clan, right? Sonia-san, the design document is yours, but I'll buy it from you."

Everyone was surprised that Hayato said this without any hesitation.

But the Maid Chief frantically shook her head.

"Hayato-sama, I appreciate the sentiment, but this is not a matter of rescuing Rose in exchange for you. We have only come to apologize on Rose's behalf. To abandon her post after being hired to tend the shop is a disgrace to the name of maid. We will dispatch a new maid at once."

"No, no. That's not right, is it? This isn't the time to be talking about sending a replacement for Rose-san. We have to rescue her quickly."

"That will not be necessary."

"...Huh?"

"A maid is one who works for her master at all times. Whatever the circumstances, if she was captured, it is her own mistake. It is the responsibility of Rose, who could not see her job through to the end."

"I don't understand that at all."

Her stoicism was such that he wanted to ask if she was even a maid. It was true that this world was a virtual reality, and there was no danger to their lives. Rose probably wouldn't be harmed in any way if she was captured.

But the NPCs lived in this virtual reality as if it were real. If Rose remained captured, it meant she would have to stay with the bandit clan forever.

It was doubtful she would be provided with proper meals or a place to sleep. Just imagining spending all that time in a place like a prison made Hayato tremble.

Besides, the NPCs were human and had emotions. Even if their lives weren't in danger, if they were feeling fear, they had to be rescued immediately.

"Please rest assured. This is not to say we are abandoning Rose. We, the Maid Guild, will take full responsibility for her rescue. However, I would like to borrow Esha temporarily."

Hayato thought, "I see."

Esha might be a questionable maid, but as a fighting force, she was considerable. There were matters of compatibility, so he couldn't say she was the strongest, but she was one of them.

However, that Esha had a slightly troubled look on her face.

"Master, may I have a word?"

"Huh? What is it?"

Hayato was led away from the Maid Chief and the others by Esha.

"It's almost time for my real-world job. I want to go, of course, but it would be bad to skip work, wouldn't it?"

It was currently 11 AM. It was about time to start preparing the shop. They had done a lot of the prep work the day before, but there were still things that had to be done before opening for the day. That time limit was approaching.

"Oh, is that all? I don't mind. I'm going to take the afternoon off and leave the shop to Ash and the others anyway."

"Huh?"

"Rose-san was taken because of me, right? Then I have to help too. Even if it's a virtual reality, there are some things you have to prioritize over reality."

Esha stared at Hayato with a blank expression. But she quickly smiled.

"Well, we don't have many customers, so it should be fine."

"Don't say that."

"...Thank you."

"Did you say something? Your voice was too quiet, I couldn't hear you."

"No, it's nothing. Well then, let's talk to the Maid Chief. We need to come up with a plan to rescue Rose."

Hayato nodded and returned to where the Maid Chief and the others were.

"Um, Hayato-sama, what do you say? May we borrow Esha temporarily?"

"Yes, of course. I'll help too."

"What? No, we couldn't possibly trouble you, Hayato-sama—"

"Rose-san is a maid I hired and an employee of my shop. If she was kidnapped, then it's my job as her current master to get her back. Though, I'm completely useless as a fighting force."

"No, that's not—"

"Of course, I will lend my assistance as well."

Relic, who had been listening to the conversation, said this to the Maid Chief.

"Relic-sama... But—"

Relic smiled and placed his right index finger to his lips.

"If there is something you wish to say, let us hear it after we have rescued Rose-sama. Besides, I have forgotten when it was, but did we not promise to help each other in times of trouble? I believe that time is now."

The Maid Chief's eyes welled with tears, and she bowed her head to Relic.

And of course, the other members who had heard the circumstances also spoke up.

"Kidnapping a maid is unforgivable as a human being! We of Kokuryu will help too!"

"Sorry about this, it looks like we've dragged you into our problem. And laying hands on civilians is unforgivable. I think it's about time we had that bandit clan wiped out."

"What, now we're taking on a bandit clan? We can't just not get involved in something so interesting. I'm going to go equip some cool weapons, so don't you dare go until I get back, you hear?"

"A battle with a bandit clan. Of course, I will participate as well."

Ney, Sonia, Cecil, and Diite declared their participation. However, Rosalie said nothing.

Hayato wanted her help, but she had helped with the Salvage because she wanted to borrow the airship. It was a delicate matter whether the Ten Black Rose Saints, who were the Demon Lord's retainers, would cooperate to help a stranger.

But as a fighting force, they were undoubtedly strong. Hayato spoke to Rosalie.

"Rosalie-san, could you lend us the power of the Ten Black Rose Saints? I don't know the strength of the bandit clan, but I think we'd have a huge advantage if you were with us."

"...I have no obligation to go that far, but we have the matter of borrowing the airship, so it would be a problem if the design document were stolen. Very well, we will help."

"Thank you. As a reward, I'll make you anything you want to eat."

"Then I request a sweet made with ingredients prepared by Lunaria-sama. And you will help us with what we are about to do, you hear?"

"I don't know what you're going to do, but if it's something I can do, just say the word."

The Maid Chief and maids who had been listening to this exchange bowed their heads deeply.

"Everyone, thank you very much. We will be sure to repay this kindness someday."

"Maid Chief-san, as Relic-san said, let's save that for after we've rescued Rose-san. However, we've also just returned from the Salvage, so it's impossible for us to head out right away. Let's disband for now and gather again later. I'll also call on some other forces."

"Hayato-sama, thank you so very much. You truly are our Savior-sama."

"Once we rescue Rose-san, promise me you'll never call me that again, okay?"

Hayato and the others put the items they had obtained from the Salvage in their base's storage for the time being and then disbanded. They decided to gather again in two hours.

Hayato also logged out to explain the situation to Ash and the others.