160-Episode 160: The Triumph of a Young Hero

'Oh no, you've been a big help this time. We didn't expect to be attacked by so many orcs.

When we arrived safely in Togai town, we were asked to write our signatures on the documents for the accomplishment of the request, while being told such things by the leader of the merchant unit.

''No, not so much,''

Don't get cocky!

It's the usual scene when Mina chides a happy Jairo-kun for being in a good mood.

Then let's go report to the Adventurer's Guild for the accomplishment of our request.

'Oh!　It's been a long time since we've had a guild here!

Yeah, it's been a long time.

Yeah, it's where we started.

It's not that long ago, but it makes me feel a little nostalgic.

'You're going to the guild where Lex-san was active.

Yes, they're good people!

I'm sure a lot of people must have been pushed around.

And Liliella sighed, but what the hell does that mean?

You're not going to be able to do that.

When I came to the Adventurer's Guild in Togai town for the first time in a long time, it was surprisingly crowded inside.

''Wow, it's incredibly crowded,''

''What is this, it's like a guild in King's Landing when it's crowded!　Even the guild in the town of Hequizi has never been this crowded!

Liliela-san was right, the inside of the guild was so crowded with people that it was difficult to walk around.

''Hmm, I guess we should stagger our time on this one.

Well, I can't very well go to the counter like this.

Hey, let's get a room first.

We left the Adventurer's Guild, having decided to get a place to stay once we all agreed.

When we returned to the Adventurer's Guild after staggering the time...

It's not too crowded at this time of night.

We came to the Adventurer's Guild again after a time lapse, but it was still crowded inside the guild.

However, even so, it was better than before.

''T-that's the next one........haha.

The receptionist, Elma-san, looks quite tired and is working with the adventurers who are waiting for their turn.

It's a very busy place to be.

You can't avoid waiting in line, though, can you?

We have no choice but to get in line.

"d*mn, I'm losing!

Gyro-kun is sulking in a frustrated manner behind me.

It seems that Jairo-kun and the others have decided who to line up for in rock-paper-scissors, right?

Well, there's no point in us all standing in line for a job at a party, right?

Then, as I wait for a while, my turn comes around.

Next....

Excuse me, I'm just here to report a job well done.

This is Elma, my contact person.

We haven't seen each other for a long time, but she looks tired.

Then I'm going to check the documents.

Elma-san receives the document with a wobbly hand and checks its contents.

I have confirmed the client's signature. The one who accomplished the request is S-ranked Lex........?

And that's where Elma-san looks up slowly.

'It's been a while,'

....

But Elma-san remained at a standstill.

'Erma-san?'

Le....

Le?

''Lex-san, nnnnnn!

Elma-san suddenly shouted loudly, and the whole guild turned to look at her to see what was going on.

It's not a good idea.

No, we came to this town in response to a request.

Yeah, request?

Yes. But by the way, there have been a lot of people here in a short while. What's going on?

Could it be that they found some money-making herbs or rare demons?

What is it, what is it...

Elma-san stares at me, wannabe and trembling.

Oh, that?　Did I do something to offend Elma?

''Of course that's because Lex-san was promoted to S-rank, of course that's because of his ministry.

What?　It's my fault!

What the hell is going on?

S-ranked?

Who is it?

Hearing Elma's exclamation, the adventurers around them begin to buzz.

"Is it that little kid talking to Elma-san?

No, man, that little boy couldn't possibly make it to S rank.

Yeah.

Wow, it's starting to get pretty noisy in the guild.

Maybe we should pull out of here as soon as we receive our reward.

"Whoa!　That's a dragon boy!　It's been a while!

In the midst of all this, the person who spoke to me was the adventurer who taught me so much when I first came to the Adventurer's Guild.

''Ah, it's been a while,''

Oh, I'm glad you remembered a C-grade student like me.

''I remember him well because he taught me a lot of things when I first came to the Adventurer's Guild.

''Haha, you're still as humble as ever after being promoted to S-rank!

It's a work in progress.

As I was talking to an adventurer I hadn't seen in a while, other adventurers approached me.

''Oh, it's really Dragon Boy!　I heard they're doing it with a lot of flair in King's Landing too!

Yo, dragon boy. Word of you has reached this town!

'What?　Really? !

I'm kind of embarrassed. I hope the other adventurers don't have bad feelings towards you because you didn't even do much, yet you got an S-rank.

''That's a real big game eater.......that's really a kid.

'It wasn't just a bunch of old men talking shit, was it?

"I heard that he hunted a dragon on his first day of adventurer registration...

'And the next day you took out a bunch of Evilbores, didn't you?

I heard you took down a demon from the demon world.

'He's the one who led the way through the forest of demonic beasts, where all the trees in the forest were feared to be plant monsters, right?

I noticed that the adventurers around me were watching me and talking about something from a distance.

''It's actually scary that he looks like an ordinary kid no matter how you look at him...''

Mr. Lex....

Liliera-san looks at me with a dumbfounded look.

''No, no really, I didn't do anything serious. It's just that I found out that I was weirdly overrated!

I've always thought that adventurers think too positively about things.

The demons I defeated were all the ones that I would have defeated in my previous life.

It's a good thing, but is it okay to leave this person alone?

What?

Saying that, Liliera-san pointed towards the receptionist.

There was the figure of Elma-san glaring at me with tears in her eyes while shaking with a pull.

''I'm in the middle of the reception, but have you finished your story...?''

I'm sorry...

Oh, what?　Is this the part where I apologize for my behavior?

You're not going to be able to do that.

Yes, then, this will be the reward for your escort.

Elma-san keeps puffing up her hoppetas and holds out her reward.

''Ah, thank you. Also, here's a letter from the King's Capital Adventurer's Guild asking me to give it to the head of the guild here.

My guild leader?　All right. I'll give it to you right away.

After saying that, Elma-san stops a nearby staff member and tells him to give the letter to the guild head.

Phew, that's half of the request for appointment from the guild head.

Now all we need to do is get the guild leader over here to write a response to the letter and deliver it to the guild leader in King's Landing, and the request is complete!

'By the way, what does it mean because I was promoted to an S-rank earlier?

I suddenly became curious about what Elma-san said earlier, and I asked her what she meant by that........

''Huh! .....

The moment he heard those words, a swift light dwells in Elma's eyes again.

''Oh, no. If you don't want to say it, that's fine.''

'No, no, no, Mr. Lex would love to hear this.

Oh, shit, it's a bush snake!

S-rank is a special title for adventurers.

Special...?

Well, it's the highest rank among adventurers, so I guess that makes sense.

Well, I was overrated and got an S-rank, so I'm kind of sorry about that.

''That's why. The adventurers and would-be adventurers of the world sometimes gather in guilds belonging to S-ranked adventurers to follow in the footsteps of such adventurers.

'What?　But then you'd have to come to the Adventurer's Guild in King's Landing, wouldn't you?

Because the reason I was promoted to S-rank, and the reason I'm currently based on the Adventurer's Guild in the King's Capital is also the base of activity.

That's the thing. There are many talented people in the royal capital, and many of the requests are of a high level. That's why the adventurers who have reached S rank are going to give credit to the first guild they register with.

Err, what is that?

Even if I'm sorry, I feel like I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time.

''However, it's not like there's much work in this rural town. As you can see, we're in a battle for requests right now, and all that's left are cheap, permanent requests. Those people will probably run out of money after a while and move to another town. We'll just have to be patient until then.

I see. It's only temporary.

But you're used to it.

''Yes, well, it happens a lot when there are adventurers with a B rank or higher. It's just a way of getting them to come to you.

I see, it's like praying in a temple or sanctuary.

It's a meritocracy where adventurers work on their own, so I guess that's why they have to bring good luck.

But now that it's come to this, I can understand why it's me.

I feel sorry for that.

And that's when it happened.

Suddenly the guild became very noisy.

"What's going on?

Apparently the commotion is happening at the entrance to the guild.

And the commotion seems to be getting closer to us...

Hey, Elma, you got a minute?

The one who appeared there was a knight in fine attire.

''Huh?''

It was just strange, I felt like I knew this guy.

But it's funny, I'm not supposed to know any knights in my life right now.

''I've got some business with the guild leader........what's that?　You are.....

But this voice still sounds familiar.

'Oh, I knew it was Lex!　It's been a while!

Are you Aug...?

Oh, yes!　It's your trusty former senior adventurer, Mr. Aug!

I knew it!　I didn't recognize him for a second because he was kind of so refreshed and beautiful looking!

Are you an ex?

What does that mean?

'Oh, now I'm a retired adventurer and a knight!　From now on, you can call me Knight Aug from now on!

A knight?　Mr. Aug Aug is a knight?　That's why he looks so neat and tidy?

"I'm a knight!

Wait, wait!　What's more important than the fact that I got S-ranked?