Chapter 17: The Daily Life of an Eight Year Old – Reunion

Chapter 17: The Daily Life of an Eight Year Old – Reunion

We’re going to the Adventurer's Guild and arrived just before noon, the same time as last time.

As usual, the place was empty. The receptionist was not at her desk, as if she was not busy enough, and as soon as she saw Roland and me, she sat down at the request counter with our documents.

It wasn't a request, but the other seats were empty.

I walked up to the smiling receptionist.

"It's not a request. Is that all right with you?"

"Yes, please state your business."

"I'm trying to get in touch with a party of adventurers called "Battle Axe of Destruction". I would like to know where they are staying."

"Where they're staying? "

The woman pondered a bit and then whispered.

"I'm sorry, is there something wrong with your escort mission?"

"Hmm? Yes, you're the last one."

"Yes, I was your escort."

"Oh, right. No, it's not a matter of bothering the guild. The request has been completed without incident. I thought I'd invite them to my house to celebrate."

"Are they aware of this?"

"Of course, they have their reasons. I told them I would contact them later."

The woman at the reception desk nodded at my words.

"It's not a problem then. It is the Adventurer's Guild's rule that we do not disclose information about adventurers without permission, no matter who they are. Please be patient."

"It was a natural response. But don't you think I'm lying to you? You may harbor ill will towards them."

"I have been informed of your request. If there was a quarrel at that time, it is the responsibility of the adventurer who did not report it."

That's a terrible thing to say with a smile.

If you follow the rules, we will follow them. But if you break the rules, we will not. It seems that the Adventurers Guild is a bipolar organization.

"If you'd like, I can contact them here."

The receptionist suggested with a quill in her hand.

This would be a pure act of kindness. After all, it was weird for the son of a noble to send his message to adventurers. If the guild is entrusted with the task, it won't offend "Battle Axe of Destruction", and it's the perfect messenger. But that's not the only thing I'm concerned about.

What would happen if a noble called on me?

I probably wouldn't be able to refuse. No matter how inconvenient it is, I will change my schedule and come. Markant might not mind saying, "Oh, I can't make it that day," but my friends won't let me do that. So I have to go myself. It's the polite thing to do.

"It's not necessary. It's only when I thank them for fighting with me that the request is truly complete. Until then, I have to make my move."

The receptionist opened her eyes slightly in surprise and bowed deeply.

"It's a noble idea. I'm sorry I made such a poor offer. Please forgive me."

"I don't mind. It would be a pointless obsession."

"The "Battle Axe of Destruction", you asked about hasn't shown up at the guild since they came to report on the day of their return. Where are they staying?"

"Yes?"

I couldn't help but ask back at the receptionist's words.

◇◇◇◇

After listening to the inn's name several times, I left the guild with a subtle expression on my face.

I tell the coachman about the directions that I have been taught and look up at the signboard where you arrived.

Seriously, is that the name?

On the small signboard hung on the wall, the name "Fist Pavillion" was written.

"Roland."

"Yes."

"What do you think?"

"It's brave."

"I see..."

I wonder if there's anything more to it. Well, I've heard that British pubs have pretty strong names. I've also heard that some pubs in England are named after serial killers.

I wonder who came up with The Fist.

I opened the door with a bit of caution.

The reception desk was on the right as I entered, and the entrance to the cafeteria was in front.

To the left was the staircase to the second floor, and a young woman was just coming down, smiling and greeting me when she saw me.

"Welcome to the Fist Pavilion. Are you staying the night?"

It was the first time in my life that a canned greeting sounded like a racket. I was relieved that she didn't seem to be trying to hit me.

"I heard that "Battle Axe of Destruction" is staying here."

"Do you know them?"

"Three days ago, they would have been away for a few days. They were escorting me during that time. I completed the order, but I had some business to attend to."

"Oh, I didn't see you there. Markant and Valerie are in the room, I believe. I'll go get them."

The woman turned on her heel and walked lightly up the stairs.

After seeing her off, I peeked into the dining room at the back of the room.

Several adventurers were relaxing. They seemed to be on holiday. A woman in her thirties and another young woman were running around between the kitchen and the customers. So far, the employees were all women. The chef is the old man with arms like a log.

"Alter!"

""Appraisal" ......, wait a minute! You're not a basic appraiser, you're an appraiser."

"That's right. It seems that there are three people in this world. I'm the fourth person."

Markant was just surprised, and Roland was utterly disappointed.

Valerie understood the meaning of the words before anyone else did.

"So I have that Ash Vomiting Disease?"

"I've never appraised a condition before, but I'm pretty sure."

I could see the words [Abnormal condition: Ash Vomiting disease] in my eyes.

When something goes wrong, it will be listed next to the name. I don't know if it's easy to understand or hard to understand.

"What kind of disease is that?"

"Wait a minute."

I focused my "Appraisal" on the words "Ash Vomiting Disease".

Name: Ash Vomiting Disease

Features: Caused by microscopic organisms that have entered the lungs. Repeated coughing, fatigue, fever, vomiting, hemoptysis, and gradual decline in physical strength. It takes about a week for infants and older people to die, and about half a month for healthy people to die. The disease is called "Ash Vomiting Disease" because the patient vomits gray smoke before dying.

Characteristics: Unknown

I quickly relaxed my face.

I knew that if my expression moved even a little, it would convey my shock and despair.

It leads to death – in other words, a 100% fatality rate. And in just half a month.

I read out the symptoms, my expression disappearing.

Except for hemoptysis, all of the symptoms fit, and Valerie's expression became serious. Markant was still skeptical, however, since it was not that uncommon. It would be proof if I could read out his status, but that was probably not what he was talking about. He didn't want to admit it.

But still, when had she been infected?

She didn't develop it a week ago. At least if I knew its characteristics, I could have gotten some clues. Maybe I'll find out if I'm infected, but I don't even know how to get infected.

I read over it again.

Is the microscopic life form a bacteria or a virus? I don't know what the definition of a virus is in this world. If it's not treated as a life form, does that narrow it down to bacteria? Whichever it was, there were many opportunities to get injured during the expedition. It could have come from anywhere. That's strange. If it's a disease that Roland and Marchant don't know about, that means it's not from around here. There may be some diseases that are not known, but, strangely, Valerie has it, as if she's been targeted.

Not around here – you said Eras Rhino and Tremble Cube live in the south. Is their northward migration the cause? No, rather, one of them is–

I jumped up and down on my face.

"Well, magic stone!"

I remembered the big blue magic stone.

"It didn't have a nucleus! So it was either a multicellular organism or a swarm – if it was a swarm with that ability, it was most likely a cellular slime mold. That's why it moved even after I detached its tentacles. And slime mold is–"

I closed my mouth, realizing that I had said it out loud.

Yes, slime mold multiplies by spores.

Microscopic life forms may be spores. But I'm sure the Tremble Cube didn't have that skill. No, that's fine. The skills of conception and lactation do not exist in humans either. We don't need skills for basic biological activities.

Valerie was coughing when we were burning down the Tremble Cube. That may have been the cause, but I can't be certain. It's also possible that the area was simply full of spores.

I appraised Marchant and Roland, but they were not infected. I wondered if the incubation period shifted depending on the amount they inhaled, or if other factors were affecting them.

I felt their eyes on me and looked up.

My gaze met Valerie's, who was watching me with bated breath.

I failed. I was so excited that I let my words slip out. It was just a guess, but I couldn't keep my mouth shut now.

If I'm going to talk about it, I have to choose what to say. As for the possibility of smoke, I can't imagine how Marchant would react. Let's not even mention the half-month limit right now. We're not at that stage yet.

"This is a guess, and it may be wrong, so listen with that in mind. There's probably a Tremble Cube inside Valerie."

Understanding the meaning, Valerie covered her mouth with a pale face.

"How could something like that ......–"

"There are so many possibilities. And there is no point in exploring them. We know the name of the disease anyway. We just need to find out what it is and treat it. Once that's decided, Markant."

Markant was at a loss for words, but my voice brought him back to himself.

We're going to the Adventurers' Guild to gather information.

"Hold on."

I was about to stand up, but Roland stopped me.

"How about we start with the basics?"

"Basic?"

"If you get sick, you should see a doctor or a priest. If you get sick."

After a moment of stupefaction, I sat back down.

"You're right. It seems I've lost my cool."

"Yes, you're right. Valerie, have you had any treatment so far?

"No, I just got sick yesterday, so nothing yet."

"Roland, which is the better doctor or priest?"

After a bit of pondering, Roland answered.

"They have different roles. I'm not sure. Doctors use herbs and potions to heal, while priests use sacred magic to heal the sick. There is no top and bottom, but if I had to pick one, I would say priest."

"What do you two think?"

"Yeah, that's fine. There are priests in this town who can use sacred magic. I was going to take him with me if he hadn't recovered in a few days. All right, get in."

Markant bent his waist, but was refused with a flattened tap, "I can walk." You'll be in your nightgown before that. Since we didn't want to wait for her in the hallway, we went downstairs. After a while, Valerie came downstairs to change into her normal clothes. When she went outside, she ran into Danil and Ose. They seemed to have gone shopping for nutritious food to help Valerie get better. I explained everything to them, and they joined me on the way to the temple.