CH 234

Bakkenheim turmoil

***---***

"Umm ... Who!?"

The day after I treated President Azirmat of the Republic of Hazakhstan, I visited the Lord's Mansion to see how Marzella and Ruzek were doing.

Marzella, who was in the living room with the members of the Volzard Family except for Baldini, had untied her braided hair and changed into feminine attire, making her look like a different person.

As soon as they saw me, they were about to prostrate themselves, so I hurriedly stopped them.

"Ahh, you don't have to do that. Rather, I'm begging you, please stop."

"However, it's all thanks to Maou-sama that we can receive such hospitality."

"Ahh, don't call me Maou-sama either, in Volzard, just call me Kent."

Beatriche whispered something into Marzella's ear, who was confused by my words.

Marzella nodded back and spoke while lowering her head lightly towards me.

"As you wish, Danna-sama."

"Da, Danna-samaa?"

My voice turned inside out at the way I was called that I didn't expect.

Beatriche explained the reason for calling me Danna-sama.

"Kent-sama, I would like Marzella-san to continue working as a maid in our house, and eventually move to Kent-sama's mansion."

In Bronetsk, Marzella's hometown, she used Undead to do various jobs, but if she did the same thing in Volzard, people might panic.

In that case, Beatriche and the others thought about other jobs, but since she had only worked as a dark-attribute magician, she didn't seem to know what to do in general.

Therefore, it seemed that it was a measure to have her learn general work while familiarizing herself with Volzard.

"I see ... What about Ruzek?"

"I'll let Ruzek go to school from here."

"I don't really understand the school system in Volzard, but I wonder if he can manage well?"

"It's okay, don't worry. If there's anything you don't understand, I'll teach you ... right?"

"Y, yes, A, Ange-oneechan ..."

Ruzek was hugged by Angelina-san from behind and turned bright red with his head down.

"Even so, I was surprised because your impression was completely different."

In the Resenburg prison, she was given only poor clothes.

I also erased the tattoo on her face, so she was a woman that you could find anywhere, or rather, she's quite a beauty, so I'm thrilled.

"Hey, hey, Kent."

"Yes, what is it, Ange ... Onee-chan."

"I took a bath with Marzella, but I was surprised at how smooth her skin was."

"Is that true?"

"Yup, right, Marzella."

"No, this is also thanks to Maou ... Danna-sama. Originally, I had a tattoo and my skin was rough."

Come to think of it, when Marzella's tattoo was removed, Marzella's skin looked like dry land from a drought.

"Probably, because I used healing magic when I erased the tattoo."

"Yup, yup, I see ... Marzella also said that you carefully treated her."

"I don't mind, but I wonder if it's still unnecessary for Ange-oneechan ..."

"Yup, in the future ..."

"Ara, ara, if I want my skin to regain its youthfulness, I'd like to ask you to do it all over my body ..."

What did you say! Will I be given the chance to caress my charming mother-in-law?

I thought such, but Klaus-san put a stop to it immediately.

"That kind of thing is obviously no good."

"Ara, are you saying that I don't have to stay youthful?"

"Y, you're still young enough so you don't need it ..."

Tsk, I thought I would get a good opportunity ... No, no, I won't do healing magic esthetics without Klaus-san's permission, so it's fine if you don't glare at me that much.

Ahh, but I'll have to be more careful with Beatriche ... Right.

"Kent, I'm changing the subject, but when Baldini returns to Bakkenheim, are you and Shuichi going to escort him again?"

"Ahh, I see, Baldini-san will return to school in Bakkenheim after the end of the year-end and New Year holidays."

"I can ask other adventurers, but then I may not be able to fit Shuichi in."

"That's right, but you can go to Bakkenheim in an instant if I use summoning, even if you don't have to take the carriage."

"Ahh, right, there is that hand. Alright, let's go with that."

From Volzard to Bakkenheim, it took about a week by horse-drawn carriage, crossing Rivarre Pass and passing through the Irosun Great Forest.

On the way, it was necessary to be vigilant against attacks by bandits and monsters, and there was also the cost of lodging.

However, if I summoned Baldini to Bakkenheim using summoning, the movement would be completed in an instant.

"The time is just a moment, there is no need to be vigilant against attacks, there is no need to stay at an inn, there is nothing to say."

"Assuming that summoning will be used to move, how many days before you want to send him to Bakkenheim?"

"Let's see, three days before the start of the new semester would be fine."

"Then, is next week's light day okay?"

"Ahh, that's the plan, please."

"I understand. Riche, can you remind me so that I don't forget?"

"Yes, but Kent-sama, aren't you forgetting something?"

"Ehh, forgetting ...?"

"Since this is a nomination request from the Feudal Lord Klaus Volzard, it will be troublesome if you don't properly talk about the reward."

"Ah!, right, that's right."

When I turned my gaze, Klaus-san clicked his tongue and scratched his head.

"Seriously, you're my daughter, but you're stubborn. But, it doesn't take as many days as normal escorting, so I'll reduce the amount."

"That's unbelievable! Since you're using summoning, which is a rare magic, it wouldn't be strange to get paid more than a normal escort."

"Riche, you really ..."

"What is it, Otou-sama ..."

Gunununu ... The father and daughter clashing with each other's eyes was quite interesting, but it was better to stop at a moderate point.

"Klaus-san, how about taking the one-way reward for normal escorting, and paying half of that?"

"Ou, you understand what I'm talking about, Kent."

"Kent-sama, then the reward is too low ..."

"I'm very grateful that Riche is doing her best, but my work is finished in an instant, and I cannot receive exorbitant rewards. Besides, the money Klaus-san pays is part of Volzard's taxes. Let's have it used for something that will benefit the city."

"I understand. If Kent-sama says so ... But, from now on, our family will increase, so we'll be in trouble if you don't make a lot of money."

"Guu, understood."

Klaus-san's triumphant grin made me angry.

Rather, Klaus-san is also firmly laid under Marianne-san's thumb, isn't he.

Maa, in my case, I have to deal with four people, so it weighs four times as much ... So by no means will I say anything.

After having lunch at Klaus-san's mansion, I headed to Bakkenheim, which we talked about.

I've heard that Bakkenheim, which was known as an academic city, would suddenly become quieter as most students returned home during the year-end and New Year holidays.

The guild was not open during the holidays, so I thought I would be looking for the guild master Reese-san in a nearly empty guild.

However, the guild in Bakkenheim, which I visited by shadow movement, was crowded with many people and was surrounded by a turbulent atmosphere.

"They could be hiding in an unpopular school."

"Even so, who's going to find them. We don't have enough security guards."

"Aren't they supposed to come back at night? We need to set up a security system as soon as possible ..."

Many adventurers gathered in front of the guild's reception desk, voicing their opinions.

[ Hey, Reinhardt. Was there a monster attack? ]

[ Perhaps, that might be so. ]

[ Fred, Basten, go check out the city for a bit. ]

[ Understood, leave it to me. ]

[ Basten is north and east ... South and west is me ... ]

Right after Basten and Fred left for reconnaissance, Master Reese's right-hand person, Rita, appeared at the reception.

"Please be quiet ... Be quiet!"

"Ora!, shut up! This is not the time to play around!"

Rita-san's voice alone didn't stop the commotion, but the A-rank adventurer Graciela-san, who had the nickname of Demon Eater, calmed down the tide with a shout.

"Good, Rita."

"Thank you, Ciela. Everyone, please listen carefully. One hour from now, we will be holding a meeting on the security system in the conference room, so please gather C-rank and above adventurers. Please let as many people who are not here as possible know, everyone D-rank and below. That's all."

After Rita-san finished speaking, the people gathered in front of the reception began to move, including those who seemed to move to the conference room, and those who ran to inform someone.

Rita-san entered the staff space accompanied by Graciela-san.

Today, I've come to say New Year's greetings to Master Reese and deposit the Gigas' magic stone to be exhibited at the auction at the beginning of the year, but it seemed that I was going to receive a request for a different matter.

Rita-san and Graciela-san climbed up the staff-only stairs, passed through a narrow corridor, and knocked on the door of a hidden room.

"It's Rita. I brought Graciela."

The one who quietly opened the door was Master Reese's bodyguard, Lau-san.

In the room, as usual, Master Reese, dressed in a revealing dancer girl-style outfit, smoked a pipe.

"Graciela, how much damage did they do?"

"Yes, I don't know the exact number yet, but I think there are at least 20 people who are dead or missing."

"How about the number of Ogres?"

"I don't know for sure, but there are probably more than fifty ..."

"What about Rock Ogres?"

"It seems to be mixed."

From what I heard from Master Reese and Graciela-san, it seems that a horde of Ogres had attacked.

Come to think of it, when I visited at the end of last year, I heard that the number of Ogres was increasing.

[ But, with about fifty heads, it's not a big deal, is it? ]

[ Kent-sama, unlike Volzard, Bakkenheim does not have a ramparts. ]

[ Ah!, right. If Ogres suddenly attack where there is no defense, then I understand the damage I just heard. ]

[ At this rate, the damage may spread even further. ]

Volzard, which bordered the Devil's Forest and had a dungeon nearby, gathered a lot fighting power, such as adventurers who were proud of their skills and adventurers who wanted to test their skills.

Bakkenheim, which usually didn't have many chances to be attacked by monsters, didn't have the fighting strength of Volzard.

[ Moreover, the area of Bakkenheim should be several times larger than Volzard. ]

[ Isn't the land to be protected too large and the personnel for security not enough ... Would it be better to help. ]

[ That's right. If the damage is too great, there is a possibility that the successful bid price of the auction at the beginning of the year will drop. ]

The magic stone of the Gigas that would be put up for auction at the beginning of the year is the one that was subjugated in Barshania.

The money obtained from the sale of the Gigas' magic stone would be used as a gift to Barshania, so I would like it to be sold at the highest possible price.

[ Shall we clean up quickly? ]

[ Kent-sama, for the time being, it would be better to consult with Master Reese. ]

[ Right, that's true too. ]

When Master Reese heard about the current situation from Graciela-san, she gave instructions to go to the conference room first.

Even though the city was attacked by Ogres, she looked calm and normal.

It seemed that Lau-san would start a meeting while looking at the materials spread out on the table, so I asked him first.

"Hello, Reese-san, Lau-san, Happy New Year."

"Kent, is it? Don't sneak around and come in."

"Excuse me ... Or rather, if I don't speak out, Lau-san will cut me straight down ..."

"What are you talking about ... Kent, what happened with your hair?"

"Ahh, it's the first time I've met you since my head became like this."

"Fumu ... Did you get all the attributes?"

"Yes, and then it became like this."

I briefly explained how I got the last remaining water attribute.

Both of them seemed to be more curious than when they were receiving the report about the Ogres.

"I see, so you've finally obtained all the attributes ... Then you should fulfill your promise to me."

"Fua? Promise ..."

"You already know, what, are you becoming forgetful."

"No, no, it's not the time to do that when the city is being attacked by Ogres, right?"

"Fifty or one hundred Ogres, there's nothing to fear. If the city is going to be destroyed at that level, then that's the extent of it."

"Ehh, no, Bakkenheim doesn't have any ramparts ..."

When I turned my gaze to Lau-san, he seemed to agree with Master Reese and nodded.

"Umm, shall we help subjugate the Ogres?"

"There's no need to bother the youngest S-rank adventurer in history."

"Eeehhh ... I mean, haven't more than 20 people already been killed?"

"That's right ... But that's when we weren't prepared. If we prepare now, it should be fine."

"But, there's also Rock Ogres mixed in ..."

"Kent. Certainly, it would be quicker, safer, and more reliable to subdue the Ogres if I asked you. However, if we rely on you, we will lose the opportunity to help Bakkenheim's adventurers grow. In the future, it may be a step towards the decline of Bakkenheim's level of adventurers."

I didn't even think about the adventurer's level of growth or decline.

Is it possible that what I've been doing in Volzard, Lastock, Barshania, etc., was a mistake.

When I asked her that question, Master Reese shook her head.

"The scale of the crisis is different. A maximum outbreak overflowing from the Devil's Forest would be a crisis on the level of destroying the city. If the crisis that Bakkenheim is facing is the same level, I won't hesitate to ask Kent for help."

"Isn't this Ogre attack that much of a crisis?"

"I don't think so. Graciela said fifty, but half the story, twenty would be fine. Five Rock Ogres, fifteen Ogres, and the city's adventurers will challenge all-out war. There is no need to borrow Kent's help."

Once again, Lau-san nodded his head in agreement.

Certainly, with that amount of numbers, they could subdue them by themselves.

"I'm just going to say this, there's no need to interfere."

"But, if their life is in danger ..."

"Even so, interfering is no good!"

"I understand ..."

It seemed useless to argue if she made such a clear statement.

It can't be helped, so let's fulfill our original purpose.

"Reese-san, will the auction at the beginning of the year be held as scheduled?"

"Of course, it will be held as planned."

"Then, I would like to sell the Gigas' magic stone ..."

"Ahh, that's right. We plan to make it our first feature product of the New Year."

"Then, is it okay if you keep it for me?"

"I don't mind. I've never seen such a big magic stone anywhere else, and for anyone other than Kent to obtain one, they must either buy it from Kent or steal it."

Even so, Master Reese created a handwritten deposit receipt.

After I deposited the magic stone and received the deposit receipt, Rita-san came to tell us that the time for the meeting was approaching.

"Master, it's about time ... Kent-san, at what point."

"Excuse me, I'm disturbing you."

"That's right, Kent. You can also come to the meeting."

"No, but I'm not allowed to interfere, right?"

"That's right, you don't need to interfere, but you're free to look around."

Seeing Master Reese's smile full of implications, it didn't seem possible to just look around, but I wanted to maintain a good relationship with the guild headquarters, so I decided to accept the invitation.

Along with Lau-san, I followed Master Reese to the conference room.

There were so many adventurers gathered in the conference room that they couldn't even sit on the chairs.

There were those who had uneasy expressions on their faces, and there were those who were about to jump out of the way right now.

Some of them seemed to be drunk during the New Year holidays.

Gathering the eyes of the gathered adventurers, Master Reese climbed onto the podium.

"In the case of a crisis in Bakkenheim, you should have already prepared ..."

Along with Master Reese's well-resonated voice spreading throughout the conference room, the expressions of the adventurers tightened.

"According to reports, there are more than fifty Ogres that have attacked ... But, I don't think it's all that scary. If you think it's scary, go home quickly and cover yourself with a blanket and tremble."

The provocative words raised the eyebrows of the adventurers.

"Ogres attack people thinking they are food, but to us they are nothing more than prey. They're nonchalantly coming to hunt from the other side, don't hesitate to raise a blood festival with them and earn a lot of money!"

"Ooooooohhhhhhh!"

"Lau will tell you about everyone's placement. Don't be rash and humiliate yourself by getting the tables turned on you. Ahh ... That's right, I almost forgot."

When Master Reese turned her gaze to me, she smiled broadly.

"The silver-haired man next to Lau is Kent, an S-rank adventurer from Volzard. He'll be participating as an observer this time, but if you show a miserable appearance, I think all the prey will be taken away."

The gazes of the adventurers gathered in the conference room all turned to me.

"Hey, Kent of Volzard ... Is it the 'Real thing'?"

"Ahh, it's the 'Real thing' that killed all the bandits at Rivarre Pass."

"Is it the 'Real thing' that single-handedly settled the conflict between Bakkenheim and Marburg?"

The adventurers who looked at me with hostility, curiosity, and even awe, all said the phrase 'Real thing', but I wondered if they were suspicious because my hair had changed from black to silver.

When I asked Lau-san, he told me the reason.

"Ho!Ho!Ho!, Kent. The 'Real thing' these guys are talking about means 'Genuine Monster User'."

"Genuine Monster User? Ahh, I see ... Does that mean Ruija and Bran are treated as an 'Impostor'?"

"Ho!Ho!Ho!, they're not even called an 'Impostor', but they're treated as an 'Imitation' or a 'B-class article'."

Uwaa, it looked like it would be better if we didn't see each other for a while.

While receiving the curiosity of the adventurers of Bakkenheim, I ended up joining the Ogre subjugation.