426 - - Episode 424 The Gentleman in the Mask

Relaxing and playing with the belles revealed to me that my mind was more tired than I thought. It's much easier than in the modern society where you have to be careful with people, but it's still tiring to deal with weirdos.

"Huh. If you leave it to me, I'll make you into a great thief who can even sneak into the treasury of the royal castle."

More ...... freaks. I'm so full of it, I'll just stay out of it.

"Mr. Lee. Please pretend we never had this conversation."

I thought I was tired of dealing with freaks, but when I came to the Adventurers' Guild training center to meet my new teacher, I didn't want him to be a freak. I feel as if the healing effect of yesterday's Bell and the others is being whittled away.

"Why?

I tried to talk to Mr. Lee, but the weirdo bit me. Frankly, it's a hassle and I want to go home. But if I ignore him and go home, it will be even more troublesome. In such a case, you have to be clear or you will get involved.

Let's see... I don't intend to turn my apprentices into thieves, and I don't want to entrust them to someone who wears a black tuxedo and hides his eyes under a mask at the adventurers' guild.

There was a similar character in a beautiful warrior girl related to the moon, but the weirdo in front of me is obviously an old man, so it's different, right?

Also, the fact that he looks kind of cool with his style, even though he has long gray hair and wrinkles on his face from aging, annoys me as if I'm losing out as a man to a freak.

"This is traditional formal wear, there is nothing strange about it.

"...... tradition?"

Yes, the legendary thief who appeared some 200 years ago. He appeared out of nowhere and smartly stole treasures from treacherous nobles and generously gave them away to the poverty-stricken people. The people, charmed by his mysterious but charming character, have passed on his deeds as a story to the present day."

"Isn't the story ...... that that's what you mean by cosplay?"

You are too old to be called a grandfather. And Marco, I've had enough of your male cosplay, don't just blurt out how cool you are.

"Rude!　The bandits who are fascinated by him wear this garment out of respect. Do not let them be confused with children's fancy dress!"

I wonder if the word "cosplay" is understood, even if it is translated. Also, you say it with confidence, but respect means you are serious about cosplay. That scares me more.

"Hmm?　Thieves?　Is there more than one person dressed like that?"

Of course!

"No, you can't be serious. This is a special category, and there aren't that many of them!

Mr. Lee rushed to join the conversation, but I guess that means there are a few of us out there. I don't like the fact that there are only a few of them, because they seem to be more united.

"Lee, please don't be so careless. There are many gentlemen in the guild . The guildmaster, for example, is the ultimate gentleman who knows how to use the red rose to perfection."

...... Ah, what can I say, that makes sense. The object before me is in all likelihood the victim of Japanese mischief. When a red rose appears in addition to a tuxedo and a mask, I can't look away.

Probably, the person who did this thought that it was another world and that it would be okay to get into mischief. It's a black history that will be passed down for 200 years. I'd also like to tell him that if he's going to play a thief, he should play Loon III.

"Mr. Lee. Why did you bring such a strong person?"

Frankly, it's annoying.

"Mm...... he's an old party member who found out I took an apprentice and cried out that he wanted one too. He's too picky, and he's good at what he does. ......?"

I have no idea, so please don't look at me like you do. I don't get the old man's superior look, for God's sake!

"Why do you bring a thief when you're supposed to add a teacher of body art in the first place?"

"...... I've talked to Gina and the others, but a party of only female and child necromancers is too unbalanced, isn't it? They may look like this, but they are skilled thieves and can be taught the necessary knowledge of scouting for adventurers. It is your fault for throwing Gina and the others into the labyrinth in the first place, without teaching them most of what is necessary for an adventurer. I, too, did not want to expose my people to shame if I could help it.

I hope Mr. Freak is shocked by Lee's words, so he will wrap his words in more of an oblique manner.

But ...... was it to make up for the lack of knowledge of Marco and the others that you brought this weirdo here? They didn't know that Fukchan and the others are reliable and that they are safe with the Great Spirit escorting them, so they were worried about us.

Well, normally we would be worried if a child is in the labyrinth who is not prepared for traps and such.

"You were concerned about the safety of Gina and the others. Thank you very much. But please rest assured that Gina and her family are safe.

"...... I do not understand, but is it protected by the power of the sorcerer?"

That's what I mean.

He is a class of guard who can traverse the labyrinth, so he is overprotective.

"Hmm. I'm afraid that's unnecessary. Porte. That's why you should leave.

Mr. Lee easily cut off the odd man out. And I found out the weirdo's name. Porte-san, that's kind of a pretty name.

"I don't like it. And I told you a long time ago to call me Darkmoon when I'm dressed like this."

Mr. Porte seems to call himself Dark Moon when he is a thief. It's painful, but I'm now on my knees to Moon because of the naming trend. Blue Moon...... would like to believe that it is not a painful name.

"That's exactly what I don't want."

Oh, Mr. Lee and Mr. Darkmoon started fighting. I've been traumatized. Let's go home. I urge Gina, Sara, Kikka, and Marco, who are looking at me with admiration, to leave.

Sylphy and Belle, who are observing Mr. Darkmoon with great interest, ...... can't help us, so let's keep our distance and summon him first.

"Wait for me!"

"Wait!"

...... I was almost out of the training ground when I was grabbed by the shoulder from behind. I guess I couldn't escape. Also, why is Bell acting like he's on Darkmoon's side?

"...... please don't mind us."

"You don't have to be such a stranger. We're going to be like a family."

"Family", "cucumber", "grandpa?", "family", "cucumber", "grandpa?", "grandpa?" Coo""Sha tei da!""" ......"

Please don't decide on your own. And please don't miss Belle and the others. Children sometimes fall in love with strange people, but not this one.

"Well... I thought I said no..."

"Please don't say that. You may have some defenses, but a party member who has learned the skills of a bandit is a must for any adventurer."

Well, you're a decent guy for a funny looking guy. With the protection of the Great Spirit, we can handle most things, and Uri can detect traps with a high degree of certainty.

But there is a problem to be overprotective with the protection of the Great Spirit and to put the burden only on Uri who is still young. It would make a lot of difference if Gina and the others had some knowledge even if they don't remember it professionally.

The question is whether ...... this person needs to learn the skills of a bandit. If he only needs to learn the skills of a bandit, I would hire a decent looking guy.

But the hand on my shoulder is very determined not to let me go. I don't feel comfortable to dismiss him because he might be another victim of my countrymen. No, he does what he wants to do, and I have nothing to do with it except that he may be my countryman.

"Anyway, it's an important matter, so I'll think it over and come to a conclusion. Now, if you'll excuse me."

We can tell Mr. Lee later that we thought long and hard about it and that we couldn't do it. I'll consider it positively.

"Well, wait a minute. Strangely enough, it is extremely rare for me to see someone again who has said something similar. I'd like you to conclude that you'll leave your apprentice with me here."

Apparently, stalling has been used many times by others. At least they could have fooled me until my time. Huh?　Did I hear you wrong?　It seems to me that the conclusion was already decided?

"......Their opinion is the most important thing when it comes to apprenticeship, so I'll talk to them a little bit."

It's cruel, but let's get a clear refusal from the kids.

"Gina. What do you think?"

"Well, first of all, I don't understand why you wear a tuxedo. Leather armor or something would be easier to move around in."

Gina's a girl, too. It's a bust, romance or no romance. Mr. Darkmoon is holding his hand over his heart and looking like he's in pain.

"...... Sarah?"

"I've read the story, so I understand, but I'm not sure I'd do it myself. ......"

Oh, wow. Gentle Sarah is apologetic. Mr. Darkmoon's breathing sounds are getting more intense. From the outside, he looks like a dangerous gentleman who gets aroused by a little girl, but maybe his heart is about to stop?

"That's what I'm saying, so please pretend we never had this conversation."

If the shocking words continue any longer, my heart might really stop, so let's cut the story short here.

No, there is still a boy and a girl left. Hope is not yet lost. ......"

The gentleman looks like the hero of a hot-blooded comic book. It is disgusting that he seems to be in pain, not because he fought, but because he was verbally hurt by an innocent woman and a young girl.

"Are you still going to continue?"

"Of course not."

Well, Marco is looking a little dangerous, so I wanted to end it here.

What do you think, Marco?

"Me?　I think it looks kind of interesting."

"Shhh!"

Mr. Darkmoon is doing his best gut-punch. Well, it's going to be hard to escape from him like this. Let's try to minimize the damage somehow. It's a pity that his apprentice's future will be marked by black history.