Blunt and Straightforward
“You guys are incredible. Are you really D-rankers?”
“We’re technically C-rankers… and from the Knight Department, no less.”
Even with the special rules in play, the two of them hadn’t expected to lose to lower-ranked opponents, and they were seriously deflated.
““Pfft.””
Seeing their expressions, Joan and Belle couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“H-hey! Don’t laugh at us!!”
“Well, this puts me at ease. Looks like you’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, their skill’s not a problem at all.”
“Then… does that mean we can participate?”
“Yeah. We’re asking you to, actually. It’s still dangerous, though…”
Joan turned toward Sarah and the others.
“Everyone, you heard that, right?”
“”“Yes, without a doubt.”””
“Huh? Why are you asking Sarah and the others?”
Gene looked confused.
“Honestly, Brother Gene, you should’ve noticed by now.”
“Brother Eric too.”
As she said this, Joan pulled off her wig.
“”What—!?””
““You’re kidding…””
“It’s real, Brother Gene. How could you not realize it was your own cute little sister?”
“Well, but… wait, what about your skin tone?”
“Ah, Lady Isabella put dark foundation on me.”
“So Mother was in on it too…”
“Brother Eric, but we’ve already got your word on it.”
“Still… what will Uncle say? And going with just the two of you would be far too dangerous.”
“Then what if Zack comes along with us?”
“… Eric, give it up. These two’s skills are the real deal, and Zack’s a D-ranker from Lampail. Besides, he hasn’t visited this guild, so no one here would recognize him.”
“Ugh… how am I supposed to explain this to Uncle…”
““Then don’t tell him!””
“Joan!?” “Belle!?”
“Well, Father and Brother Noel haven’t found out yet, after all.”
“Young Master Eric, Brother Gene, all you need to report is that we had the ability.”
“… That’s true.”
When they returned to the reception room, the Guildmaster was sitting seiza-style on the floor, being scolded by Belle’s father and Lady Isabella.
“Um… Uncle…”
“Ah, you’re back. How was it? Those two?”
“Y-yes. Their skills are real. Right?”
“Yes, though I still have concerns, so I’d like to assign our family’s Zack to accompany them. He’s a D-ranker from Lampail, so you can rest assured.”
“Young Master Gene, I deeply apologize for dragging your family into our territory’s troubles. I’d also like to have this man apologize properly to Young Lady Joan, but since I heard she went out with Belle, we’ll have him apologize later.”
“Oh, well, I don’t think Joan really minds.”
“No, but still—”
“Then have the reward Joan requested split among these three, plus Zoey and Sarah.”
“Understood… You have no objections, right, Don?”
“….”
“Don! Say it clearly!”
Lady Isabella snapped.
“Y-yes, understood.”
＊＊＊＊＊
Striking while the iron was hot, we went straight to the guild.
Young Master Eric and Brother Gene, just in case, were watching from a distance together with Pearl. After all, it wasn’t impossible that someone might spot me with Pearl.
For now, we were pretending to study the request board.
“Um… Lady Joan? Isn’t this outfit strange? I feel like everyone’s staring at me…”
Sarah kept her gaze fixed on the board, whispering.
Her outfit had been designed by Nikki for female adventurers. A snug long-sleeved top with a leather breastplate, and a slit mini skirt over leggings. Zoey wore the same top, but her bottoms were leggings with a cloth draped like a pareo.
“It’s not strange. It’s plenty sexy. Right?”
“Yeah. You look like a sultry big sister. Don’t you think, Zack?”
“Eh? Me? … Ah, well. (Ben’s not gonna get mad at me, right?)”
Since this was a covert request, we pretended to accept a different one and went up to the counter. After a light chat with the guild staff who’d been briefed by the Guildmaster, we stepped outside.
“Which ones will follow us?”
“If they want drinking money for tonight, probably these guys.”
“Most likely the ones who were in the guild tavern earlier. They kept staring at us. Looked like about seven.”
“Well, either way, let’s get moving. Our cover is gathering herbs, after all.”
“Then I’ll lead the way.”
We walked into a forest thick with medicinal plants, when I felt presences from behind.
“… Four of them.”
“Looks like they split into two groups.”
“Brother Gene and Pearl are behind them, but it seems they haven’t noticed.”
“Probably D-rankers from the capital?”
“But if they can’t even sense us, doesn’t that make them F-rank?”
As we whispered about it—
“Hey, you there.”
“You mean us?”
We turned to find four grinning men.
“Yeah, you.”
“Uh, what is it?”
“Hand over your money!”
“… Huh?”
How blunt.
I didn’t expect them to come at us that directly.
“I said, unless you want to get hurt, hand over everything you’ve got.”
“W-why?”
“You’re newbies, right? Newbies are supposed to show respect to their seniors with tribute.”
“Is that so? But you’re not from the Burst Guild, are you?”
“We’re from the Capital Guild. We’re C-rankers. Stronger and above you.”
“… (So it’s money they’re after.)”
“Ahahaha, too scared to say anything, huh?”
“Ahahaha, no kidding.”
No, we’re just too exasperated to bother replying.
“Come on, fork it over!”
“Or do you wanna get hurt?”
“Well, if that’s what you want, then sure! … Huh?”
I dodged the fist one of them swung at me.
“Bwahaha! What, you missed? Watch me, here’s how it’s done! … What?”
I dodged the next man’s punch too.
“Um… isn’t private fighting between adventurers forbidden?”
“It’s not a fight, it’s discipline! Discipline!”
“Then, self-defense is permitted?”
“Yeah. That should be fine, right?”
“What’re you mumbling about?! Fine, strip ’em of everything they’ve got!”
With that, the four men charged at us.
What do you think about this chapter?
