Chapter 545

“Dark Green Sprout”’s Career History
“Our track record? Mostly monster subjugations. Also, dangerous area surveys and espionage work.”

“Sorry. Since forming this party, we’ve never actually taken on a bodyguard job.”

Oh?
Rumaja, you brought that kind of party?
I mean, I’m fine with it, but will Plum or Alizée really approve?

“Hmm, may I ask one thing?”

“Of course.”

“What sort of things have you done in your dangerous area surveys?”

“Investigations in mountains, rivers, and swamps where there have been sightings of special variant monsters. If we found them, extermination was part of the job.”

“I see. Next, what do you mean by espionage?”

“That’s mainly my mission. I show illusions to extract information from the target.”

“I see. Lastly—where is your third member right now?”

“I can’t give specifics, but she’s on a special variant extermination mission. Since we wouldn’t be any help if we went along, we were called here instead.”

“Understood.”

So, they really are a combat-specialized party.
Can they even manage as my bodyguards?

“Alizée, do you have any questions?”

“No, not particularly. If it comes to a contract, we’ll be using a Pledge Paper—if you can accept that, I have no problem.”

“Understood. Anything from the Wildcat Claws?”

“No questions from us either. Actually, we’ve heard the name of your spear-user before. But your illusionist and machinist—we’ve never heard of them…”

“That’s inevitable—we often take on secret missions. Besides, Juna became a Gold-ranked adventurer after slaying the Ancient Hydra, and that feat is widely known. For your generation not to know would be stranger.”

So that’s how it is.
I only ever had the title of adventurer, so of course I didn’t know.
Ah well, no need to dwell on it.

“Kiblinki Saltas, anything from you?”

(No problem. Doesn’t look like they’re lying.)

“Understood. Then, as for whether you pass or fail…”

Now, how will Plum decide?

“You’re hired. Once you’re ready, move into this estate.”

“Eh, is that really okay?”

“This might sound blunt, but plenty of folks start with zero bodyguard experience. What matters most for protecting Lily is overwhelming strength and fame. Honestly, just Talat and the Kiblinki Saltas are enough for the core guard detail. For everything they can’t cover, we have myself and the other Darshe household staff. But that alone doesn’t provide renown in this country. What I truly want is someone so well-known that anyone would feel it’s not worth the trouble to lay a hand on Lily.”

Wow, she’s openly saying all she wants is the name value.
I mean, yeah—Talat can handle any combat, and all intelligence work falls to Kiblinki Saltas and his team.
The “must stay in human form” issue can be covered by Plum and her subordinates.
… Yep, what she needs is an adventurer with fame on this continent.

“… Are you saying you’re underestimating us?”

“Not at all. But the single most important trait I seek is ‘a famous adventurer.’”

“… So our combat ability doesn’t matter?”

“If you like, we can spar right now. I’ll put the two of you down myself.”

“Fine. I’ll take you up on that.”

Yep, that conversation took a turn.
I just hope Fanny and Juna will be okay.
I’m not worried about Plum in the slightest.
I mean—if she can spar with Talat, there’s no way she’s taking serious injuries from just two adventurers…

What do you think about this chapter?