CH 47

Souya and his team’s rescue request to the old fort had an unpleasant ending, but to celebrate their return from their adventure, Souya, Mia, and Merylou decided to have a small party at the adventurer’s tavern.

“Let’s not get too depressed. It’s That’s how you show courtesy to adventurers who have left the world …… Oh, by the way, Souya, you said you became a bronze-class bronze, didn’t you?”

In front of the adventurer’s tavern, the Wood Elf girl named Merylou asked Souya. She had a slightly long green pigtail and a knee-length skirt, which emphasized her youthfulness, but her appearance was quite slender and her words and actions were quite worldly.

“Yes. Yesterday, when I received my reward, I applied for Bronze-class. I was thinking of going to the guild now to pick up my adventurer’s card.”

Souya replied to Marylou’s question. He wore a dark gray business suit and black-rimmed glasses, which are not common in this world, and today he had to say goodbye to his companions with whom he had shared his last adventure, so he swept his black hair back and dressed himself.

After completing the two requests, Souya had been promoted to Bronze-class, but since he had defeated the Silver Demon that should have been dealt with by Platinum-class adventurers, a certificate equivalent to Platinum-class might be appropriate. However, there is a minimum number of requests for advancement for each rank, and skipping ranks is not allowed.

However, the fact that an adventurer with a blank-class has become a demon slayer is an unprecedented event in itself, and the guild staff informed Souya that it would be on the agenda for the monthly meeting at the guild headquarters in the royal capital, and that some special exceptions might be granted.

“So, to celebrate Souya’s promotion to Bronze-class, it’s my treat today. Don’t be shy, Mia.”

“…… Ah, yes. Merylou-san, thank you very much. I’m sure it’ll be a treat.”

Mia, who responded to Merylou with a thank you, had a melancholy expression on her face, with her long, gorgeous blonde fluttering in the breeze, and she was thinking with her face down. If she had folded her hands, it would have looked like a prayer, combined with the pure white priestly robes of the earth mother goddess Mikaela.

“The Adventurer’s Guild is right next door, so I guess I’ll go get my adventurer’s card now. The two of you can take your seats first.”

Souya said goodbye to Mia and Merylou, and went to the Adventurer’s Guild alone.

When Souya visited the adventurer’s guild, Louise, the guild’s receptionist, was waiting for him.

“…… Souya-san. Hello. Congratulations on your promotion to Bronze-class.”

Louise handed Souya the bronze-class adventurer’s certificate that had been made for him. She still looked good in her tight guild uniform, but her voice and expression lacked the usual flair. Her honey-colored hair swayed with her movements, and to Souya’s eyes, it looked somewhat sad.

“Congratulations. However, you look so down.”

“…… I’m sorry. I thought I was unfazed by these things …… But I guess not.”

Louise smiled thinly and slumped. She arranged for the deaths of Randy and Bud of the Windbreakers resulting in the party’s dissolution.

She must have felt a strong sense of responsibility, as the party was a promising newcomer to the Ilstadt branch. Or perhaps there was some pressure from within the guild for her handling of the request. Souya, who knows her as a cheerful person, thought her depression was a bit serious.

“It’s not like you at all. Louise-san, you are a platinum-class veteran. You’ve probably witnessed the death of adventurers many times. I know you had high hopes for Randy and the others, but…”

“…… Souya-san.”

“If you continue adventuring for a long time, you will surely face unreasonable things that lead directly to death once or twice …… How to avoid such unreasonableness is also a quality of an adventurer. You know that better than anyone.”

“But the decisions I’ve made have resulted in this ……”

“It’s not your fault. That’s what I wanted to say. You may have been told something by someone else, but that’s just a consequence.”

In the face of Souya’s strong words, Louise was depressed and silent for a while, but then she opened her mouth.

“…… I’ve heard that Souya-san defeated the Silver Demon by himself.”

“I didn’t manage to do it by myself. It was the result of everyone’s combined efforts.”

“But even so, I heard that you defeated it almost single-handedly …… Mia, Merylou, Thomas-kun and the others, I almost let them all die because of my decision. Souya-san, …… I am very grateful to you.”

The eyes of Louise, who was bowing and vacant, seemed to moisten a little. The first impression of her was that she was a tough and strong woman, but this time she seemed to have endured a great deal.

“As far as I know, there’s no one who can defeat the Silver Demon almost single-handedly …… Why are you so strong?”

“My abilities are not something that I can show off to others. The fact that I’m still alive today is a result of my cheating …… I’m sorry, but…”

Souya closed his eyes and shook his head, remembering the Goddess Eris’ blessing on his resuscitation. I can’t help but feel a little unfair and unjust, wishing that such miraculous powers had been available to those who died this time. 

“Well then, Louise-san. If there is any work that I can do, please let me know …… This case is probably an irregularity caused by a combination of bad luck. I have full confidence in you going forward.”

Souya smiled at Louise, then turned himself around and walked towards the entrance of the guild.

“Um …… Souya-san.”

Louise stopped Souya as he was about to leave the guild.

“I’m sorry, but if it’s a sword fight, please refrain. I’m sure you’re more skilled than I am.”

“That’s not it. You know …… if …….”

When Souya turned around, his eyes met Louise’s. Louise froze for a moment, her face turned red, and she hurriedly held her face in her hands. 

“What’s wrong?”

“…… No, nothing. I’m …… out of sorts today ………… Um, Souya-san, I’ll see you around.”

Louise withdrew her hand from her face and with a detached expression, she said goodbye to Souya, smiling as usual. Did my words of encouragement have cheered her up somewhat? Louise is a swordswoman and has always had a flawless stance, but today, Souya felt that she was full of holes. 

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