27-Episode 27: A rank promotion and departure to a new stage

'Congratulations on your promotion to the 'A' grade, Mr. Lex,'

It was the day a few days after we came back from Togai town.

When I asked Liliella to purchase the materials for the monsters she defeated in the forest while she was training, she received the purchase fee and the receptionist announced that she was going to be upgraded.

''You did it, Lex-san!

Liliella-san is pleased as if it's my own matter.

''Uh ... thank you.

What? You look so calm.

Hmm, that's a bit of a stretch.

To be honest, it doesn't really feel like it. I've only been an adventurer for a little over a month, and I've already been promoted to A-rank.

'Oh, well, yes. It usually takes years to rise through the ranks.

'How many months did you get a B grade, Liliera?

I suddenly ask Liliella's, curious about how long it usually takes others to move up in the ranks.

'How many months is a number that's already weird. I got to E in my first month, because F to E is something that anyone can get to if they continue to succeed in their requests for anything. But it took me 3 months to get to D. And C took me another 6 months and more. And the C grade was another 6 months or more, and it was only recently that I got a B grade.

Wow, it takes a lot to do that.

Yeah, it usually takes more than that...

"Hi-hihihi.

Why are you dragging my mouth out?

'To be exact, I'm pretty quick, even for Mr. Liliera.

And then the receptionist joins the conversation.

'Really?'

Yes, it usually takes about half a year to a year for a person to go from an E to a D grade, and the average is one to two years, sometimes three to four years. The average is one to two years, and in some cases, three to four years, because of the talent involved in moving up from a D grade.

Oh, really?

And what are you going to do when you're surprised, Liliella?

But we believe that enthusiasm is the key to adventurer rank.

Enthusiasm?

Yes, even if you have talent, if you think you can make enough money to live, you will stay at around C rank, if you have no talent but have a strong purpose, you will get a B rank, and depending on your enthusiasm, you can get close to an A rank. The length of time it takes for the rank to rise is also greatly dependent on the enthusiasm.

I see.

In other words, in Liliella's case, she was able to rise through the ranks many times faster than most people because of not only her original talent, but also because she had a reason to save her mother and the people back home.

That kind of tickles me.

Liliera-san is blushing and moping shyly.

The embarrassed Liliera-san is cute too.

''Kyuukyu.''

And for some reason, Fluffy Moffy is moping on top of Liliera.

Is it an imitation game?

Now it's just a matter of how much hesitation you have about jumping into dangerous work.

Is this a dangerous job?

''Yes, dangerous work is not only more fruitful, but it also has a significant impact on the guild's rank assessment. Therefore, those who take the initiative to do dangerous work are more likely to rise in rank.

I see, there are a lot of conditions to rank up.

It's just....

And that's where the receptionist looks at me, as if it's hard to say.

'Just?'

...only because there are some people in this world who are incorrigibly talented and easily eclipse those efforts and enthusiasm.

Oh, there are people. People who are trying their best, but casually jump over the top of it.

I get it. I totally get it.

Kyuun.

Liliella and Mohammed nodded in agreement.

''That's right. Why are people with talent so unreasonable like that?''

""You don't have to tell me!"

"What?

Why are you all cheering me on?　I mean, are you even listening to what I'm saying?

Oh, my God, man.

Totally.

I don't know why everyone is sitting back in their chairs with a refreshed look on their faces as if to say "I told you so".

It's an unreasonable feeling.

Well, anyway, congratulations on your promotion to the A-rank.

The receptionist once again congratulated me on my rise in rank.

''Thank you,''

Yeah right. Let's be happy that I've honestly moved up in rank for now.

''Then let's have something delicious to celebrate the rank-up.

That's nice. Of course, it's on you, Lex.

Coo!

Oh, what?　Aren't you celebrating me?

'Hahaha, just kidding!　Come on, let's go!

And then Liliella-san pulls me towards the tavern in the guild.

Well, it's good to have someone to celebrate with, isn't it?

Is this something I couldn't enjoy if I were traveling alone?

So, congratulations to Lex-san on his promotion to the A-grade, cheers!

""Pleased!"

We toast to the music of Liliella.

Yeah?　We?

Congratulations!

''Yes, we are very pleased to have a new A-rank in our guild.

If you look closely, you'll see two people you'll recognize sitting on either side of you.

Ivan and Milisha?

Oh!　Congratulations on your promotion to the A grade!

'Congratulations on your promotion to A-Level status, Mr. Lex.

So, before I knew it, we were both at the same table.

"Uh, thank you?

Oh, come on. Come on, take it.

As he says this, Ivan pours me a cup of sake.

'Oh, uh, hi.'

But then again, a rookie who just arrived a few days ago is already ranked A. It's a surprise. It's amazing.

''That's right. I never would have imagined that we would be able to pass through the city streets into the Demon Forest and even defeat S-ranked demons.

Ivan and Militia praised me.

'You're both praising too much. I'm just a regular guy on a normal adventure.

It's normal.

Is this normal?

And suddenly, Ivan and Milisha's eyes change.

"After doing such a terrible thing, that's normal.

What in the world is normal?

They stare at me with a licking stare.

"Hey, Lex.

Who the hell are you?

Huh?　Who do you think I am.......what do I say?

As expected, it's better not to say that you're reincarnated........

''Yes, that's enough for both of you!　Any more and it's a breach of adventurer's etiquette.

And it was Liliella who interrupted him.

''As an adventurer, it's a rule not to step into the past, right?

Jirori and Liliera glared at her, and the two of them averted their gaze like scolded children.

''Not at all, that's not what an A-ranked adventurer and an assistant guild leader would do.

'What?　Ivan, did you have an A rating?

Oh, you didn't know that, did you, Mr. Lex?

Yeah, because I'd never heard of Ivan's adventurer rank.

I'm not sure I've ever heard of it. It's not that much of a difference between A and B.

'As a guild, we're very different.

"Ha-ha-ha!

After a round of laughter, Ivan is in a good mood and fuels his drink.

''I wonder if that's how he thinks he's going to talk about it?

"Gikuri.

Oh, you were trying to digress from the conversation you just had.　

That's an adult's way of doing things.

'Oh, by the way, there's something I wanted to ask you, Milisha-san.

Do I have a girlfriend or not?

What?　No, no, no, no!

Sorry.

Surprise. I don't know what I'm going to say all of a sudden.

Well, I think Milisha is a beautiful woman, like an adult woman, and I think she's beautiful.

'So, what is it you want to ask me?'

'Yes, it's an auction for the Ancient Plant, when does it start?'

Yes, what I wanted to know was what happened to the Ancient Plant that I got auctioned off.

Right now, I'm in a state where I'm staying in this town because of the matter of that thing's sale, so I can't go on a trip until that problem is over.

'Then it will take a while longer. The auction won't be held until a certain amount of merchandise is collected, and I heard that everyone spent quite a bit of money on the last dragon sale, so I think we'll have to wait at least another month.

A month?　How much longer will it take you to do this?

Oh, is there something wrong with you?

"Well, you know...

I tell them that we're about to move to another town, and I explain that we've been waiting for the auction of the Ancient Plant to be over for that reason.

''I see. It's certainly not natural for a person as good as Lex-san to stay in one place. It's only natural that he'd rather go to a new land.

That's right. So if it's going to take that long, I'm thinking about canceling the auction.

In that case, why don't you go to the royal capital?

"To King's Landing?　Why?

I nod my head at Milisha-san's suggestion. Why would the royal capital come out there?

''That's because, you see, the auction site is in the royal capital. The items that are sold through our guild will be brought to the auction room in the royal capital, where the bidding will begin. So, in the meantime, we invite you to spend some time adventuring in King's Landing until the auction begins.

I see, I remember when I exhibited Green Dragon, I said that I was going to exhibit it in King's Landing as well.

''If Lex-san and the others are looking for a new adventure, the royal capital is the place to go. After all, it's the center of our country, so the quality and number of requests are far different.

When you say that, I'm kind of excited.

I send a glance at Liliella-san.

It's because we're a party now, we can't move for my convenience alone.

I'm going to accompany you to repay your debt, so I'm just going to follow you wherever you want to go.

'But if you have a place you want to go too, Liliera, you can tell me, right?

'Not so far. I've been so busy trying to find a way to cure Alza's that I haven't had time to think about anything else.

Then I would recommend King's Landing to you, Liliella. It's the center of the country, so you'll find lots of beautiful clothes and accessories there.

Well, it's good, isn't it?

Yeah, he's ready to go.

After all, the best place to go is the place you want to go, rather than someone telling you to take them away, right?

Then our next destination will be the royal capital!

Oh!

Cuuuuut!

All right, so here's to Lex's new journey!

Mr. Ivan raises his cup in a good mood.

'I mean, aren't you just trying to make a fuss, Ivan-san?

Don't say it!　Hahahaha!

After our destination was decided, we had a late night party to cheer ourselves up before our departure.

Let's go then!

Yeah.

Coo!

The next morning, we gathered at the town's entrance after getting our bags in order.

The reason for this is because Milisha-san said she had something she wanted to give us before we left.

You'll find information about the auction in this letter, so please submit it to the guild in the royal capital. Then the auction's winning bid will be paid by the guild over there.

Milisha-san, who arrived to see me off, presents me with a letter.

I see, it's because she had this ready for me.

"Sorry to take the trouble.

No, it's part of the job. Take care, both of you. If you're ever in the area again, please come by this town.

Yeah, I'll be there!

After I finished my brief greeting, I tried to pick up Liliella and Fluffy, but for some reason they both stepped back.

''Um, I can't fly without picking you up,''

'That's the thing, though, I just don't think it's very tasteful to fly through the air when it's a great adventure!

Coo!

Moh Mohammed nodded yes and agreed with Liliella.

''Then what are we going to do?''

I ask the question, two?　Huffing and puffing, he chuckles.

'This is it!'

Saying that, Liliera-san holds out a sheet of paper.

''This is........an escort request?''

Yes, we've been asked to escort you to the capital. It's a request for a joint mercantile team of several merchants, so there are many adventurers participating together, so it's relatively safe. You're not going to be able to get a good deal more than that, but if you're going to travel the streets, traveling with a merchant unit is the most basic thing you can do!

I see, it's true that even in the adventures of the great swordsman Rygaard, Rygaard's killing demons and bandits while guarding the merchant corps is a story that is often talked about.

''As expected of you, Liliera-san!　Certainly, if you're an adventurer, a request for an escort is a must!

That's right!　I've already received the request, so let's go to the client!

Yeah, I get it!

That's what I'm talking about, Liliella!　I can't believe you've read that far and already received the request.

Yay!　Good luck with your escort requests!

Good!

Yo-kay!

And for some reason, Liliella and Mohammed were gazing at the side.

They're both so motivated.

◆

''No, we were lucky to get a request from an A-ranked adventurer as well.

After meeting up with the merchants, we immediately went out to the street and headed to the capital.

And on the way, the merchants were curious about the young A-ranked adventurer in me.

''Haha, I just upgraded my rank just the other day.

'No, no, but it's still quite impressive to get an A grade at your young age. You're a B-rated girl too, right?　As long as we have an A-rank and a B-rank, I wouldn't be afraid of any demons that come along!

""Yeah, hahahahahaha!"

The other merchants are also laughing good-naturedly.

Yeah, well, it's good if you're relieved.

◆

''It's over!

The merchants who had said earlier that no matter what came, they would be fine, turned pale and trembled.

It's not just the merchants. The other adventurers also have weapons at the ready, but they all have pale faces and are trembling.

''What the hell happened to all these demons that are attacking us in such large numbers?

Yes, as they say, we were surrounded by a swarm of demons.

There are quite a few of them. There are probably 300 of them.

Is there an outbreak of demons in the land nearby?

'Forest Wolf, Ogre Bear, and even Arccoatl!　Why are there different kinds of demons attacking us all together?

They all shuddered and didn't seem to be able to fight very well.

Hmm, I guess the request rank is low, so there are a lot of E and F rank adventurers.

''Hey, what are we going to do?''

But Liliera-san is the only one who looks calm and calls out to me.

It's a good thing that B-ranked adventurers are not the enemy, no matter how many demons there are of this caliber.

I'll reduce the number, so Liliella-san and the rest of the enemies are to be destroyed.

Alright.

Oh, hey!　Do you guys realize what's happening here?　You can't do anything about it, even if you reduce the number of people in the room a little bit!　

The adventurers are shouting at me with tearful faces.

You don't need to be so frightened.

If it's something like this, if we all fight together, we'll have plenty of time.

After saying that and cheering everyone up, I step forward and lightly release my magic.

If it's about these guys, is this level of magic enough?

''Agni Burst!''

The scorching hot magic power that was released spread like a fan and attacked the demons in front of it.

The hot flames boil the earth, and the demons within the range writhe and writhe in agony as the flames burn themselves from underneath their feet.

''Liliera-san!''

It's too hot!　Chill out!

Oops, excuse me for this one.

''Blizzard Coffin!''

This time, the blizzard's magic cools the boiling earth.

''Chilled!''

Yeah, I'll attack somewhere else!

Huh?　Why?

For some reason, Liliera-san jumps out towards another place.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.

I thought it was very beautiful, as if she was dancing.

Yes, the results of my training are immediately evident.

You're also learning to use the Dragon Emperor's empty spear technique quite well.

Oops, I shouldn't do that. I've got some work to do. This time it's not too hot or cold....the Cyclone Tower!

I use my tornado magic to blow away the demons that surround me.

With this, we can all attack right away, right?

Oops, I have to be careful not to get Liliella-san involved.

''Come on, everyone, now's the time!

....

Huh?　What's going on with everyone?

It's all over now.

And Liliera-san comes back, wiping the bloodstains on her spear.

''Huh?''

The tornado just blew most of them away, and the remaining demons are all scared out of their minds.

''Yeah!''

Indeed, looking around, I can see the demons turning into chilijiri and running away.

It's a good thing I'm not the only one.

Well, I guess you do.

For some reason, Liliera-san lets out a dumbfounded sigh.

''Ah, you guys are nanimon?''

The adventurers near me looked uncomfortable and asked me questions.

''I'm just a free A-ranked adventurer.

'I'm a regular B, so don't put me together.

Huh?　What do you mean, Liliera?

''Is this what an A- and B-ranked adventurer is capable of?

''Oh no, grade A...''

Hmm?　It's normal for me to be like this.

I'm just a new A-ranked kid!　A real A-grade isn't like this!

'Seriously?　What kind of monster is this A-ranked group?

The adventurers look at the power of A-rated adventurers with fear and fascination.

It's a good thing that I was overrated and became an A-ranked adventurer. It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

Well, you can't expect too many A-rated people to be...

Huh?　What do you mean, Miss Liliella?