Year 141_Keireki Era_Spring/08
"Hey."
"W-What is it?"
"Do I smell?"
"No, not at all. You're completely scent-free!"
Hmm, did I make them feel uncomfortable?
For some reason, both of them were acting strangely distant, entirely different from how they approached me earlier.
Could it be... I actually smell?
"You two don’t seem to have any smell on you either."
"Of course not! We hit the bathhouse every day."
"Wow, that's nice."
But would it be awkward to use the same bathhouse as them? There might be some territorial issues. I should try to gauge their reaction.
"It's great, really! Here, take this. It's a discount coupon."
"Is it okay?"
"Hey, we're fellow adventurers, like family, right? Right, Thomas?"
"Y-Yeah, Nasda. We’ve got plenty of discount coupons. Take as many as you want."
Wow, that’s touching.
Maybe their earlier comments about my food were just out of concern for my nutrition?
If that’s the case, it was rude of me to think they were like bandits.
"Thanks. I’ll head there as soon as I finish eating."
"Make sure you enjoy it. Well, we’ve got to look for work now."
"See you later, newbie!"
The two hurriedly left, jogging away.
Were they really so busy, yet still took the time to check on me?
Living too long in the bandit world has made me clueless about such gestures.
It's clear I need to brush up on social interactions, even if I plan to stay solo.
That was refreshing. Baths are the best.
Sure, Feli’s cleansing magic is convenient, but a bath is more than just about washing off dirt.
It feels like it washes away the bad parts of your soul too.
Not that I want to lose all the bad parts that come with having been a bandit, but let's not dwell on that.
I entered the guild again, feeling lighter, only to find the atmosphere noisier than before.
But it wasn’t the kind of lively noise you’d find in a cheerful tavern.
"Come on, give us a break, Boss Ginesis!"
"We’re Yellow Rank! There’s no way we can complete that request!"
It was the two from earlier—Nasda and Thomas.
Their faces looked like they were about to cry.
The one causing this was the man they called Ginesis.
He had a sharp, refined look, not at all frail or fragile, but exuding an aura like a drawn blade.
If I were still a bandit, I wouldn’t even consider making him a target.
"... I told you, all you need to do is follow along. Besides, you two owe me a favor, don’t you?"
Ginesis pulled out two pieces of paper from his pocket.
"You recognize these, don’t you?"
"... Oh, from the time you saved our party. These are for the payment we couldn’t afford back then..."
"Exactly. They’re writs of protection issued by the guild. In exchange, you agreed to join me in a party once. That time has come."
I see now.
That’s why no one in the guild was stepping in to stop this tense scene—there was a contract involved.
"But Ginesis, sir... the request you want to take requires a minimum of four people! Even with me, Thomas, and you, we’re still one short!"
"Wasn’t there another member in your old party?"
"They quit! Everyone else retired! Zunoi and Paul went back to farming in their village, and Charlotte is working as a waitress in a diner!"
"A waitress, huh? Then she’s still in this town. The writ applies to your entire party back then. You know what that means."
"She’s not an adventurer anymore! Please, have mercy, sir!"
"That’s not my concern."
Now the two were on the verge of tears.
Were they sad about dragging their former comrade into this, or lamenting their own weakness?
If I were in their shoes, I’d regret it too—dragging someone back into a dangerous life they’d escaped from.
But that’s not how most people think.
All they can do is cry and beg for mercy.
"Please, sir, spare Charlotte from this!"
"Don’t involve her, Boss Ginesis!"
"Denied. I need the numbers."
Ginesis’s tone hardened, and he glared at the two of them.
It was clear he wasn’t going to back down.
"Hold on a second, Ginesis, right?"
Both the crying duo and Ginesis paused at my interjection.
The timing seemed just right, so I decided to step in.
"And you are?"
"Vilgram. Just a rookie adventurer. But don’t you think pulling a waitress into a battlefield is no different than dragging a newbie like me into it?"
After a moment of thought, Ginesis nodded. "You’re right."
That left Nasda and Thomas in a panic.
"W-What are you saying?!"
"You could die, you know!"
"Yeah, I get it. Your faces say it all. But isn’t this about how much you care for your former comrade?"
Nasda and Thomas froze, shocked.
Even Ginesis gave me a puzzled look.
"So I’ll take her place. I’ll be the replacement for your precious ex-comrade."
Ah, I can already hear Iserina scolding me in my head.
While I stood there boldly, the thought of what was to come filled me with a slight sense of dread.
Still, I couldn’t ignore what my heart was telling me to do.
What do you think about this chapter?
