Chapter 4
The Meaning of an Adventure
Un,un.
At the same time she hugged her knees and sat onto the armchair, Aizu was
immersed in silent distress
Surrounded by the warm-colored spacious room, numerous round tables and sofa
were place within it. Aside from Aizu, there were many other people that stretched
out their legs, relaxing.
The location was <Loki’s Familia> headquarters. Reception Room.
“I say, Aizu, what are you thinking so deeply of?”
A girl with wheat-colored skin and black hair asked while she was attempting to
peek through Aizu’s face that was deeply buried into her knees.
Her upper body was only wearing a shirt that covered only her chest. The healthy
skin was exposed a lot. It seems like an outfit that was worn by dancers.
Towards the Amazon girl that was wrapped with a beach towel around her waist,
Aizu raised her head.
“Tiona……”
“Recently, you’ve always had a depressed expression, Aizu. If there are any
troubles, you can discuss it with me—”
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Facing the girl that revealed a kind smile, Tiona, Aizu’s face relaxed slightly.
Thank you, after she said this, she slowly continued to open her mouth.
“It’s best to forget it, Aizu. Discussing with Tiona won’t solve anything. It is best
to save your strength.”
“Who told you to blab, Bate! I am currently talking with Aizu, there is no room for
you to interrupt!”
“Meh, although I am sorry to say this, but Bate’s words are still reasonable.”
“Wait a minute, Tione—!? It’s fine to say something bad, but why are you
standing on Bate’s side—”
She was interrupted by the beastman youth with long gray hair and another
Amazon girl.
The people known as Bate and Tione each stuck with their own views and loudly
expressed their own opinions.
“Speaking of which, Aizu, haven’t you run around recently? You’ve disappeared
early in the morning. Even yesterday, you were not in the headquarters the entire
day.”
“WAHH, did you hear that Tione? Bate seems to be secretly investigating Aizu’s
movements. Even when she is not at the headquarters, he had investigated it clearly.
How disgusting.”
“Bate is only suffering from a disease of overly-protective, and it only works
towards Aizu. Isn’t it quite cute.”
“Annoying, you two unbalanced Amazon!? Didn’t I already say that I was only
worried about the <Expedition> that was coming and hoped that there will be
nothing that causes problems!”
“Isn’t it fine, it is only to this extent. It isn’t like how Aizu would run off to the
Dungeon by herself before. I believed that aside from that, there is absolutely no
problem……Also, don’t you say unbalanced!!”
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Although Aizu was slightly troubled due to her being the source of the argument
between Tiona and the others, but knowing that if she was to say anything, it
would only further ignite the conversation, so she decided not to speak.
She could only temporarily watch over them quietly. After she heard the sound
coming from another direction, she turned her gaze towards that side.
KachaKachi, currently by borrowing the chessboard on the table, a fierce battle
was undergoing by a tall and beautiful elf and a male Hobbit.
The two demi-race that had a difference of one or two heads in terms of height.
One had a serious expression while the other was leisurely playing the game.
“Checkmate.”
“Muuuu……”
As the male Hobbit moved the piece, he said this at the same time. The beautiful
elf’s glamorous eyebrows twitched slightly.
After thinking about it in silence for a few seconds, she sighed and rested her
hands on her lap.
“There is nothing I can do, right. It’s my loss.”
“That is really straightforward, Riveria. Why not resist it for a bit longer?”
“As expected, I also hate a game that I cannot win, Finn.”
Calling out the respective name of the elf and the Hobbit, the opposite expression
was revealed and stared at each other.
Shortly after, the elf, Riveria, noticed Aizu’s gaze. She swung her long, jadecolored
hair and asked “What is it?”.
“Are you looking for us for something? It can’t be that you also want to play a
game?”
“Haha, a move by Aizu, huh. Please let me see.”
Just by a laugh, the youthful face of the Hobbit, Finn, shows great intellectual light.
He gently curved his blue eyes into a lake.
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“Although Tiona and the others had also mentioned it earlier, is there something
troubling you, Aizu?”
“Ohoh, if that’s the case, then it is quite rare. If you have any, then please allow me
to hear it as well.”
Being urged by the captain and vice-captain of the <Loki’s Familia>, after Aizu
had thought for it a while, she asked with an unchanging expression.
“Riveria, when you two guide Adventurers, what do you do?”
“……Another strange trouble emerged.”
“Yes, when we asked for something interesting, it was still quite interesting.”
“Eh—, what what? What did Aizu say—!?”
Tiona and the others also stopped arguing and converged over.
After hearing Aizu’s question, they all made a different response.
“Aizu, suddenly, what is this? Did something happened—?”
“The so-called teaching, isn’t it fine if you ask an Adventurer with less experience
than you?”
“It is just wasting your time if you are worrying about those small fries. Don’t
continue to think of these things that would make people laugh their heads off.”
She, with her hands wrapped around her knees, was in the center of a constructed
ring. Then Aizu asked again.
“Everybody, what will you do?”
“If it is me, I would always request them to meditate. After all, knowing yourself is
the priority.”
“If I have to say it, then I will bring them into the Dungeon—! Only a real battle is
the way of a king!”
“Probably, a fight. Anyways, first I’ll strip off their skins and train them
completely.”
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“Tione, that is talking about the literal meaning—right?”
The female lineup muttered their own opinions. On the side, Bate only twisted his
mouth and snorted with his nose.
“It is all nonsense. Trash will, after all, be trash. As long as those trash are weak,
there is no meaning to do anything.”
“……Bate, you, occasionally emerge some philosophical words.”
“Ehhh, but that is only simply full of oneself.”
“A smelly women, whose mouth did not accumulate any merits……!”
“On the other hand, a strong person who is satisfied with his own strength, cannot
find any meaning to do anything……Can’t believe I was actually taught by Bate.”
“Old woman, are you still trying to act dumb!”
Looking at the gradually off-topic discussion, Aizu turned to Finn, who was by
himself.
“What about Finn?”
“Mmmm, what will I do. Based on the target, I must set up different strategies. It is
difficult to jump to conclusions.”
The thin body seemed to be sucked in by the sofa and Finn placed his fingers under
his chin.
He, then, asked a question towards Aizu.
“Aizu, why did you ask such things? Based on your reply, my answer may
change.”
“……I.”
The reason why she asked was very simple.
In order to allow herself to think of a method to guide that boy.
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It has already been 6 days since she had took the initiative to teach Bell. Although
she originally wanted to investigate the secret of his <Growth>, but unconsciously,
she had become concerned about how to train him.
Why was she so passionate in thinking about the topics for training, Aizu still did
not understand the origin of her feelings. However, there was no doubt that she
was affected by Bell’s desperate attitude.
The boy was straightforward in a good sense.
Facing the training of Aizu that could not be described by another word other than
harsh, he had insisted over and over again. Continuously stepping into the
suffering whirlpool in order to learn.
Without holding any doubts, at worst, he could be described as stubborn. However,
because he was so focused, so he was able to master it so fast.
He did not master it well, but fast. The origin of his honest and straightforwardness
was sufficient to compensate for the inefficiencies.
Thus, Aizu was constantly racking her head every day and thinking hard. In order
to allow Bell, who was eagerly devoring the training, to continue to devour
onwards. In order to reply to the will of that boy.
Only right now, she was his master.
(If Finn was to know about it……)
In any case, she must not let the relationship between Bell and her to be revealed.
Was it the mistake of her leaving the <Familia> by herself yesterday, or was it the
surprise attack from the mysterious group——Speaking of which, there was
absolutely more than one candidate that had that degree of fierceness.
Even said that, in order for her relationship with Bell to not be suspected, she must
also hide the secret about being attacked here.
“……Probably, I was curious.”
“……Forget it. If that’s the case, let me think about it. Although it is an extreme
argument.”
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Finn’s golden hair valiantly glowed as it swayed.
He remained silent, then he expressed his own ideas out.
“The things that are necessary to an Adventurer when they must take
risk. Wouldn’t training those kind of things be the answer you are seeking for.”
Aizu silently accepted the answer she was given. Shortly after, she expressed her
gratitude by saying thank you.
Finn shrunk his shoulders back. Then, he leisurely stood up.
“Although it is best to avoid going through danger, but perhaps to Aizu, it may be
a good opportunity. Even if it involves another faction, I will not stop you.
Although I do not have any confidence in acting like a fool, but shall I keep it a
secret from Loki?”
“……”
“Only, actions that exposes us (Familia) to danger is absolutely prohibited. Only
that point I will still warn you.”
Please. Towards Finn’s back, who walked out of the reception room as he laughed,
Aizu only watched.
As expected, she could not lie towards Riveria and that petite leader. This vague
idea came from inside her chest.
“However, however, Aizu recently looked very happy.”
“……Very happy?”
Facing Tiona, who escaped from the side where Riveria was and said without any
omen, Aizu asked back.
“When Aizu is not inside the Dungeon, she is either in a trance or is maintaining
her weapon. However, right now she is humming, un un, and racking her brains.”
Looking at the pair of golden eyes that was stunned, Tiona also smiled.
“Thinking about something, emerging some ideas. Because Aizu, who wanted to
do something and attempted it, right now, she looked happy.”
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“……I…Is that the case.”
“Yes. Aizu looks happy.”
The feelings that she had not been able to understand was pointed out by this
confident girl.
Aizu, slightly, revealed a pleasant smile.
× × ×
The bustling noise nearby sounds so distant.
As if my body was rooted underground, I could not move as I stared at the paper in
my hands.
I muttered in a daze.
“Lv.6 ……”
Many names were listed according to the Adventurer’s list. After I read the section
about <Aizu Wallenstein>’s update, I was temporarily in a state where my soul
was sucked out.
“Really now, it was some time ago. The incident about Wallenstein’s <Level Up>
was publicly revealed……”
Eina-san’s words currently entered from my left ear and exited from my right ear.
The person that I was trying to chase after had once again opened an unforeseeable
gap. This fact had brought a shock to me.
After finishing with the Dungeon Exploration, I went to the guild’s headquarters
on the way back.
In front of the hall, on the bulletin board that was normally not be specially used, I
personally witnessed the report about that person’s <Level Up> stuck on it. Thus, I
immediately looked for Eina-san to confirm it.
“I heard that she defeated a Floor Boss by herself. In the <Deep Floor Area> of the
Dungeon, which was even further below the Lower Floor Area……”
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Floor Boss…… <Solitary King of the Dungeon>
Requiring a massive team of Adventurers in order to defeat it. In other words, a
Boss Monster.
This huge and powerful existence is unmatched by other monsters. It was said to
be the last difficulty that prevents from increasing the Achieved Floors in the
Dungeon.
If you were unlucky and met up with a Floor Boss dwelling in the <Deep Floor
Area>, there should only be a few <Familia> that had the ability to defeat it.
……But just by herself, she was able to defeat this kind of existence?
“I said, Bell-kun. Although it may just be nonsense, but it is best not to be too
concerned about this incident. Being able to defeat a Floor Boss by herself, I have
never heard of this before either. I believe that Wallenstein……is special.”
It was probably what Eina-san had just said.
Even if it was like this, I could not stop the sadness from deep inside my chest.
The backstreet scene from a few days ago, flashed through my mind.
That person’s figure which did not allow even the experts within the city to take a
step forward, and also her clear and powerful swordplay.
Not being able to intervene in that battle was deeply engraved into my heart. It
made me notice how small I was.
Too far away.
The distance that lies between me and that person, how far did it extend?
The heights that I must pursue, is it ……really even possible to achieve?
The overwhelming reality caused my heart to quietly collapse.
“Bell-kun……?”
“……Ah, sorry. I got distracted. Then, that’s it for today.”
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Giving a wry smile to Eina-san, who peeked over as if she was worried, I made
some sort of an apology.
I must continue to work hard tomorrow. I continued to mutter inside my heart as if
it was for her, as if it was for me.
While I waved at Eina-san, who frowned and forced a smile, I left the guild
headquarters.
(Although it might have been too strong and was overboard……)
The impact was enormous.
My body had entered a state of depression. It feels like if I was inattentive, I will
fall down.
The continuous sighs still had not stopped. I just hung my head and feebly walked
through the Main Street Area.
The dusk that is about to disappear, made the western skies extremely hazy. The
city was gradually bustling. The bars were trying to attract the customers that
passed through their doors. On the side of the street, a never seen before elf bard
was currently playing a harp and was giving a tribute to the Orario Adventurers
with a beautiful voice.
He revealed a slight smile towards me, who stopped moving. However, what kind
of expression and I wearing right now? With a muddled mind, I could only
desperate smile and handed out the gold coins and then I escaped from
there……Strong, great, Orario Adventurers, huh.
I did not directly head back towards the headquarters, but instead specifically took
a detour towards the Central Square. While I was being pushed by the Adventurers
that returned from the Dungeon, I continued to gaze at Babel, gaze at the Dungeon.
Moments later, I headed off towards the West Main Street Area.
It feels like only I had escape from the surrounding bustling noise.
“——Bell-san!”
“Eh?”
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I suddenly heard a call and I raised my head that was staring at the stone floor.
In a closer look, Seal-san, with her fine gray hair swaying behind, was currently
running over towards this side.
Ah, I had already reached nearby of <Mistress of Abundance>……
Just when I confirmed the huge bar inside my field of sight, I thought about this
sort of thing……Without any signs, my hand was gripped by Seal-san.
“Ha?”
“…….”
The milky, white hands tightly grabbed onto my hand.
While I widened my eyes in shock and was speechless, Seal-san only watched the
holding hands in silence. As if she wanted to say, I caught you, and seemed to
confirm the temperature that exists there.
Just like this, my face instantly flushed red. Seal-san raised her head, with her
cheeks dyed red as if she was excited, and, at the same time, she uttered the next
sentence.
“Bell-san, I wanted to see you…….!”
“……”
GachaGacha, I was currently washing dishes in the sink filled with water.
Inside the kitchen, the catpeople cooks were hurriedly rushing back and forth
inside the bar. I was currently quietly focusing on washing dishes.
“Sorr——y, Bell-san! I specifically made you come and work for me!”
“I was specifically pulled by you over here, right!? Or is there nothing else to say!”
Facing Seal-san, who trotted over and clapped both her hands to apologize, words
flew out aggressively as I cried out.
Not so long ago, I was hit by Seal-san’s trap and fell into a dilemma where I had to
help wash dishes.
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“If I do not greet others and was lazy……resting during work, I would not only be
scolded by Mia mama, I would even have lots of chores being forced upon!”
“Isn’t this completely unrelated to me!?”
And I might as well say it, but didn’t you say “lazy” earlier?
But then again, Seal-san, who was, patapata, walking back and forth from the
kitchen, indeed looked busy.
She was assigned the mission of helping out the waiters that were extremely busy
and was walking repeatedly doing the actions of entering and exiting the space
between the shop and kitchen.
“I say, hurry and work nyaa, white hair.”
“Boy, you were already sold by Seal. Just obediently acknowledge your fate nyaa.”
“Uuuu……”
While I was being ordered around by the shop personnel, Anya-san and Chloe-san,
I was desperately washing dishes.
Although I was naturally not relieved……but considering how I was taken care of
in various situations, plus I was still letting Seal-san make lunch for me, so I
decided to endure willingly.
I really didn’t want to do this to repay my debt. While I thought about this, I
desperately replaced Seal-san by doing her chores.
“……”
In addition, I do not know why I was secretly glad that I could empty my brain and
completely immerse in this job that I do not know when it will be finished.
If I do not bury myself into some kind of work, it feels like I was recall the matter
surrounding that person again.
I could only close my mouth and quietly wipe the dishes.
“Are you alright, Cranel-san.”
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“Eh……?”
“This amount is extremely ferocious. Allow me to also help.”
Inadvertently, a female shop personnel came to my side.
With a slender body that seems to snap when it was touch, and thin pointed ears.
An elf with azure eyes that seem to swallow your consciousness if you watch them.
It was Ryuu-san.
“S…Sorry. I made you specifically help……”
“No problem. It is also true that it is Seal’s fault. Towards Seal’s responsibility, the
colleagues that sat idly are also wrong. It should be this side that apologizes. Our
etiquette was ill and it feels guilty.
“N…Nonono, there is no such thing!?”
While I watched and listened to the overly serious Ryuu-san, I panicked as I was
still washing the dishes. Although I already knew that this person had upright
manners, but it may be far beyond my imagination.
Probably, from another perspective, she was an elf that follows the rules
straightforwardly.
“What happened?”
“Uh——“
“I may be a bit nosy, but you seem to be depressed.”
I was stunned and looked towards the side. At the same time, I looked at Ryuu-san
who was neatly washing the dishes.
An elf is a race that had an appearance that stands out from others. Even her face
from the side was, without exception, perfect. Although I do not know where it
exuded a cold feeling, but it indeed had a beauty that could charm others.
“If you are fine with me, then can I listen to the details.”
“……”
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“There is still some guilt that exists for leaving all this work here to you. If you do
not mind, you only need to speak freely.”
Truthfully, under Ryuu-san’s goodwill and kindness, I really wanted to come clean
with the emotions inside my heart.
However, I can’t do it. I don’t want to do it.
The act of me suffering from the shock of how weak I was and being thrown back
a few streets behind the person that I longed for. The current me can’t do it. Inside
my heart, there was still a part of me that exists inside a net of pride.
I once again understood how pathetic I was. However, as an alternative, I tried to
put forward a question.
After listening to Aizu-san’s <Level Up>, I wanted to clear the doubts that had
been born.
“About that, Ryuu-san……Were you once a Adventurer?”
“……Yes. Before, I had also been labeled with the title of an Adventurer. What
about it?”
I did not plan on inquiring about Ryuu-san’s past and I asked her again.
“Upgraded a Lv. …… <Level Up>, what do you have to do to get it?”
Although I had always had a vague idea about how I just have to continue to earn
<Experience Points>, but it always seem to be a bit wrong.
Just like the difference in power between a Lv. 1 and a Lv. 2……It was just like a
wall.
Then for a <Level Up>, is there also something that exists in order to surpass this
towering and sinister wall, this kind of hazy thoughts emerged.
After Ryuu-san had listened to the question, she looked at me and slowly spoke.
“Just by earning an achievement.”
“……Eh?”
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“You must earn an achievement. A feat that even the people and the Gods would
praise.”
Achieve…ment……?
“Defeating an enemy stronger than yourself……Earning a higher rank
<Experience Point>. Once that passes a certain amount, that is the conditions for a
Level Up.”
Acquiring a higher rank <Experience Point>……In other words, no matter how
many weaker existence I defeat, I will still not <Level Up>. The only thing that
still has some merits is basic abilities.
If I do not defeat an existence that is far more powerful than myself, or even worse,
if I do not do an achievement that the heroes from the past had done……There is
no way for me to reach higher heights?
“Level Up and the strengthening of the body and the heart……it is equivalent to
the material’s evolution. Also, the God’s <Grace> would only give higher
qualifications towards the people that passed through the trails.”
“So if that’s the case, the basic abilities……”
“Uhhh. In extreme terms, the basic abilities that are gradually accumulated will not
be a cornerstone for earning an Achievement.”
However, the basic abilities are also the hints for qualification.
When basic abilities have reached 6 levels or above —— Reaching D rank, then it
is the first time achieving the qualifications of <Level Up>, she taught me this.
“However, even if you fight against Monsters that are stronger than yourself……In
a fight against a more powerful enemy, wouldn’t you normally lose……”
The main reason is that because they are stronger than you.
“Although technique and adaptability can also fill the gaps between it……I will
introduce here a general opinion.——Forming a party.”
“Party?”
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“Yes. Relying on mutual cooperation to complement each other to make up for the
defects of a Lower Level and defeating the enemy. Orario Adventurers will all
repeat this process numerous times and gradually become stronger.”
Although at that time, the <Experience Point> earned will be shared between the
partners, but this method is the best means of the weak overthrowing the strong.
“Cranel-san. If you really wish to become stronger, the presence of a team is
essential. It is best if you keep it in your mind.”
“Okay……”
But, in that case, that person also……
Using her own power alone, she defeated a floor boss, an extremely powerful
enemy. The heights that person achieved, how far did it extend to……
From start to finish, I was simply consciously bounded towards the existence of a
goal. At the same time, I seem to understand our respective position.
“…….The rest can be considered that I speak out of turn. Is that okay?”
“Ah, no problem. Please.”
As if it was a formal speech giving advice to me, who did not understand even if I
racked my head, Ryuu-san said.
“Cranel-san. As long as the number of people are different, it contains a different
meaning of an Adventure.”
“……?”
“I do not know what kind of Adventure you will be taking in the future. However,
please do not look away from that Adventure, from the meaning of that
Adventure.”
At the same time I was trying to figure out the true meaning of her words, Ryuusan
continued and said the next sentence.
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“You are an Adventurer.”
Following just that sentence, it spread apart from my chest, entered the depths and
remained there.
“The things you desire. Although it is only speculation, it is probably nowhere to
be found except right ahead.”
“Ha…Ha……”
“……No, please do not worry too much. This is only my 6th sense, there are often
always mistakes.”
Although in that instant, I seem to have slightly widened my eyes towards Ryuusan,
who was smiling. However, in the blink of an eye, I was greeted by the usual
cold face.
I could not believe it and continued to stare. After I was inquired by her sight
“What is it”, I hurriedly replied “Nothing at all”.
After some period of time, we finally finished washing the dishes.
“Many thanks, Cranel-san. If I can, then please visit this bar again next time.”
“Okay, I’ll come again next time.”
I was watched by Ryuu-san, who still have work to do, as I walked out of the
kitchen entrance. I passed through the doors of the <Mistress of Abundance>.
After looking at the bustling open seats of the bar, I prepared to walk back towards
the headquarters.
“Bell-san.”
“……Seal-san.”
After being called upon, I turned around. Seal-san was currently standing at a
position not too far away.
Did she desperately tried to finish her work as a waitress, the pair of white cheeks
were currently glowing red.
“Today, I am so sorry…….I am really grateful for it.”
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“Ah, no. Although I had said these words in the beginning, but I have been
subjected to a lot of care by Seal-san everyday……”
My gaze lingered towards the ground. Only then did I notice a tail and a bun that
was connected the back of head was nearby. At the same time, I slightly slurred.
Having such a serious attitude, wouldn’t it make the things that should be blamed
for become something that is impossible to be blamed?
Anyways, I originally did not have any intentions to go into this further.
“……Bell-san.”
“……?”
Seal-san looked up and used her pale gray eyes to look at me.
Her shallow lips opened up and gently closed, as if she was struggling to say
something. I tilted my head.
“Because I…am not an Adventurer-sama, so I do not know what to say……”
“Seal…san?”
“……Isn’t it fine to not go on an Adventure?”
Towards the quietly words, I widened my eyes.
Afterwards, Seal-san looked away slight, her upright eyebrows dropped, as if she
was revealing a wry smile.
“Please don’t…force yourself. No matter what. Only this point I wanted to
convey.”
“……”
“……Why am I afraid right now?”
With a foggy heartbeat, Seal-san whispered the last words.
Probably, she had heard the conversation between me and Ryuu-san.
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As a civilian, she must have sensitively reacted to the content, which we,
Adventurers, may have already been numbed about.
“Sorry, saying these unclear words.”
“No……”
“The lunch, I will continue to make. Please continue to accept it from now on.”
Actually, there is no need to force yourself, I said while revealing a wry smile. At
the same time, I understood the meaning behind that sentence.
She hoped that the day, where I could not accept this lunch, will never come. This
was what she was conveying.
After bowing down beautifully with a neatly dressed waiter outfit, Seal-san
returned to the shop with a face filled with smiles.
“……”
The warm orange light and the bustling laughter sounds continued to leak out from
the bar. I stood there, staring at the sky.
There was a feeling that there were two paths in front of me.
The path pointed out by Ryuu-san and the path that was advised by both Seal-san
and Eina-san.
——<You are an Adventurer.>.
——<Adventurer must not go on an Adventure.>.
Probably, most certainly, it was two sentences that were extremely opposites.
My heart did not continue to think and the voice of those people continued to
quietly overlap together.
Maintaining the state where I was at the entrance of a crossroad, I continued to
stare at the sky.
× × ×
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The first light of the morning shone down from the dawn skies. It faintly
illuminated the outer edge of the city.
The dazzling light emerged from the mountain ridge slowly revealed the figure and
reflected upon. The face appears to be bright red.
It was soon the time for it to end.
While our weapons fiercely clashed on top of the surrounding walls, I understood
this.
From that person, whose golden hair was swaying, a merciless attack was released.
The continuous attacks from the sheath passed through my body. At the same time,
the topic that she had given out was the final part of the training. It was to show it
through my own actions.
I blocked the sheath that flew over.
Widening my eyes slightly, the number of times that I defended against the
oncoming attacks continued to increase.
So far, I had witnessed this person’s amazing defensive method countless times.
It was not directly deflecting the enemy’s weapon, but instead striking it from the
side or diagonally in order to spread the strength and to stop the attack.
So far, I had continuously experimented and improved these movements. On this
final day where it was about to be declared as the end, I dished out everything I
had learnt.
“——!”
I forcefully suppressed my thoughts about retreating and courageously defended.
While blocking another and another blow, while it occasionally grazed my body, I
held the <Dagger> in my hand and slashed.
I broke away from my defensive posture and for the first time, I counterattacked
her.
“……!”
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The cry of a metal hitting a metal.
She easily parried my blow. But I had really conveyed it.
Facing me, who was breathing raggedly and had my <Dagger> deflected and
lowered my arm, Aizu-san only stared in silence.
Suddenly, a brilliant light came down from the morning sun. Under this
increasingly intense light, it was difficult to open my eyes.
Following that moment, on the opposite side of the light, I had a feeling that person
was happily smiling.
“With this, it is over……”
Aizu-san quietly murmured to herself.
From the surrounding walls, you could clearly see a portion of the sun had
emerged from the eastern skies. That is the signal declaring the end of this weeklong
training.
My face turned to the side temporarily and watched the scenery. Then as my gaze
intersected with hers, who was also watching the same view, I bowed my head.
“Thank you for everything so far.”
While I stared at the stone floor, I bowed down for a period of time.
When I recalled this, it feels so short. In essence, it was only a very short week.
Towards this dream-like moment, I clenched my teeth tightly.
Shortly after I raised my head, Aizu-san still had a face that lacks emotions, but her
eyebrows had relaxed. At the same time, she whispered with a warm voice.
“I should also thank you……I was happy.”
For this appearance, for this fleeting smile, the beautiful morning scene created a
golden border for it.
In the end, I was still completely red. After opening and closing my mouth, I
bowed down my head and did nothing.
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“……Then from now on, good luck.”
“……Okay.”
After the farewell that was treasured like god, that person turned her back from this
side and slowly walked away.
Staring at her back that was disappearing in the dazzling light, I wondered if I
could reach her.
I thought to myself. These pair of hands, just like the moment earlier, could it
reach that person’s side?
During this week’s time, I could see that the distance from that person was still
arguably far away.
Simply to the extent where I would stand there in stun. Simply to the extent where
it made one feel it was hopeless.
Can I really chase after that silhouette?
“……”
Even so, I must chase after it.
If I do not try, then it will definitely be out of reach. Nothing will ever begin.
In order to stand by her side. In order to catch up to her.
Towards that silhouette……That height, I must continue to stretch my hands out
once again.
Even if I am currently embracing my shapeless and collapsing, weak heart. Even if
that’s the case, I must vow towards this clear morning.
I also turned my back towards her, who was gradually disappearing, and began to
walk in the opposite direction.
× × ×
152
After Eina had organized the documents spread on her work counter, she sighed
out loud.
From her surroundings, rustling sounds of preparing to return home came from the
colleagues that were split apart due to work.
Hanging on the wall, near the ceiling, a clock was currently hovering around 8 o’
clock at night. Inside the office of the guild headquarters, there were only a few
groups of staff left. It looks exceptionally quiet.
Why not find something to drink? Just when Eina had this thought while she
surveyed the surroundings, the sound of her receptionist friend came from the
depths of the room.
“Fu—ah, Eina, help me out—! There is so much that I won’t finish even if it is till
tomor—row!?”
“……You brought this up yourself. It is Misha’s fault for not working until today.”
After a deep sigh, she bluntly refused the cry of her human friend.
On the work counter of the female employee with a child-like face, Misha,
numerous documents were piled up like a tiny mountain.
It was to assemble the records of the information, which they requested from Gods,
for various <Familia>. This is the result of this person, who had gradually
accumulated this work by slacking off.
“Why are there so many people that <Level Up> in this period!? It’s too much~,
all of them <Level Up> at this last minute! Whose plan is this!?”
“I say you, don’t talk about the crystallization of Adventurer’s blood and sweat as
that kind of thing. If you had honestly worked from the beginning, then you would
not have been reduced to such a fate, right?”
“Yes, I’m reflecting on it, reflecting on it……Eina, help!?”
“No—Way.”
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As if the conversation had ended, Eina turned her back away. While Eina received
a complaint “How unloyal—!”, she sighed and thought about bringing a coffee
over later.
“……”
As if she was immersed in the aftertaste after her work was done, she supported
her slim chin with her two elbows propped up. Eina gazed at the paper that was
swiftly written.
An application. On this document written with a few large characters, the summary
of it was to persuade and change the operational attitude of <Soma’s Familia>.
It was her own handwritten report after listening to Loki’s and Bell’s words.
Eina did not want to punish the <Soma’s Familia>. Although she had thought
about it, but she did not mean to condemn the internal laissez-faire management of
the <Familia>.
However, if she really wanted to punish them, based on Bell and Lili’s words, they
should indeed be the side that was punished from a fair standpoint. Regardless of
whether or not there were appropriate reasons, being condemned was unavoidable.
Eina had never thought of wanting to be like a Goddess of Justice and holding a
sword and a scale in her hands.
At least, she believes that it was a territory that she should not be involved in.
Only, although that is the case.
If they were to change a bit and allowing the living environments of Adventurers
and Supporters to be improved, there is no need to hesitate whether she should get
involved or not.
No matter what, Eina, who placed more importance on whether the Adventurers
would return from the Dungeon than anything else, would wade through this
flowing water.
(Since I had taken up a side of a specific <Familia>, I have already been unable to
give a convincing explanation for self-defense……)
154
In front of this report that seems to rat upon someone, Eina was already aware that
it was mixed largely with her own personal affairs.
The specific <Familia> …….which is Bell and the others.
Based on the results, Eina was too concerned about that boy. So she did acts of
intruding upon the <Loki’s Familia> and deliberately planning on harming the
<Soma’s Familia>.
On the surface, it was an act that betrayed the neutrality behavior of the guild. This
was a completely different matter than the act of giving advice out to Bell after
discussing with him.
Abuse of power. As a member of the guild, she could be considered as a failure.
(……However, it is worst to sit here idly without caring about it)
Even if she did not deserve to be a member of the guild, Eina did not want to lose
her identity as Eina Tulles. Even if it was only a specious argument, she had
already decided.
The noble blood that runs inside her body was the same as Riveria. Even if she was
to say it was for the pride of her insignificant half-elf side, but she still did not
want to pretend that she had not seen it. This was something that Eina thought
from the bottom of her heart.
(If she was fired……Then let me join <Hestia’s Familia>)
They can’t be that irresponsible for their actions. She playfully thought about this
and continued to think about the events after switching her job.
While swaying her semi-long brown hair, Eina could not help but give a wry smile
towards her own delusions.
“What is it, Eina? You suddenly giggled.”
“I did not giggle. That’s going too far!”
“What’s the problem with it, did something happen? I was curious.”
“No……Only that I thought about the future events after switching my job……”
155
“After switching jobs, huh……It can’t be! Eina, you’re not going to work in the
guild!?”
The moment Misha raised her voice, “Gata!?”, the other employees all stood up
from their chair at the same time. All of them were male.
Eina was suddenly dumbfounded in front of this uniform scene, at the same time,
she hurried to correct the misconception of her friend.
“N…Nono. I am saying, the events after I get fired by the guild. I do not have any
plans on resigning.”
“What, don’t scare me like this……Eina being fired, impossible, impossible.”
Towards her friend’s words, it might not be the case, Eina held back in her impulse
of giving a wry smile.
The male lineup that stood up all sighed, “Fu……”, and sat back down at ease.
(Well, anyways……)
If this report was approved by the top, then perhaps they could made Soma care
more about the management problems in <Soma’s Familia>.
Even if the faction, itself, has no problems, the Adventurer members’ activities
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