CH 71

“Well …… It may sound like an excuse, but it’s about the honorifics. From the beginning, Charlotte-kun called me Souya-sama. That’s all. The reason I asked her to procure this magic stone is because I had no connections in the Magicians’ Guild.”

Souya showed Merylou the red magic stone he had just received from Charlotte. 

“If I use Magic Bombardment Penetrate, which is a one-shot kill, and fire it directly from the palm of my hand, I might risk having my hand blown off by the backflow of the recoil. That’s why I need a disposable magic stone. I’m not trying to be patronizing, but I’d appreciate it if you’d think of it as preparation for protecting my friends.”

To Souya, who made an excuse, Merylou nodded as if she was convinced.

Mia was also listening to Souya’s excuse with great interest. As for her, she had used her sacred arts to the limit, and had fallen unconscious after using up all of her magic, so she hadn’t seen the Magic Bombardment Penetrate, but she may have trusted the part of me trying to protect my friends. 

“It’s the spell you unleashed on that Silver Demon …… it’s true that you’ll certainly need it as a trump card. But Souya. I think you had an ulterior motive for wanting to get to know Charlotte better …… That person is erotic, after all.”

“…… Well, I won’t deny that I had some of those feelings. But more importantly, I found out that Charlotte is an excellent thief and magician. I thought it would be a good idea to make a connection with her so that she could help us with future requests …… No, she is much stronger than I imagined. I was rash to owe her a favor. I need to reflect on that.”

Souya noticed that he was speaking a little fast, and after he finished, he let out a loud, deliberate sigh as if to make up for it.

But Merylou was very perceptive, and when she noticed it, she approached Souya with a grin.

“…… Well, isn’t it fine? Souya …… that was a total invitation. What kind of teaching lessons would you give at her home, huh? Let me hear it next time.”

“Stop it. I’m not happy about the way things turned out too.”

Souya was uncomfortable with Merylou poking him with her elbow in a playful manner.

In fact, he was unwilling to do so, and he began to wonder if Charlotte was aware of his true identity and was probing him.

He didn’t want her to know that he was the Magician Rei. When the world finds out about it, my adventure as Souya will come to an end.

It may be that sooner or later it will become known that I have unwillingly become a demon slayer, but for now, as Souya, I still have a strong desire to continue my adventure. 

(…… After all, it is a grace period until we face the world crisis, as the goddess said. I’m just loving my life right now.)

I already know what I’m feeling. I’ve never had the heroic temperament that likes to take on heavy responsibilities for the past twenty years. Souya is not a hero.

“Souya-san. Charlotte-san is a good person. When I was a blank-class adventurer, she was very kind to me. Souya-san is very good at teaching, so I’m sure Charlotte-san would be very happy if you teach her.”

Mia, who had been listening with her mouth closed, smiled softly as she told Souya about the event with Charlotte.

It was an innocent thing to say. Mia was right, she was probably a person who was basically kind. And I don’t think Mia fully understood Charlotte’s seducing face, or the meaning behind Souya and Merylou’s mischievous exchange.

“…… Um, Souya-san. Can I call you Souya-sama, like Charlotte-san?”

In Mia’s words with a non-malicious smile, Souya, with a serious sigh, covered his face with both hands, and he felt a little depressed.

“…… Well. Mia-kun. Can you not call me that? I don’t particularly like it. “

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

The next day.

Souya and Mia decided to go to the Adventurer’s Guild to look for a new request.

I hadn’t heard back from her yet, but she was accompanied by Merylou, who lives with Mia. It’s a good thing that she’s a SIlver-class, because they’ll be able to take a wider range of requests.

The promise I had made to Charlotte was also in the back of my mind, but I decided to put that aside. She hadn’t asked me to pay her back right away, and the level of magic that Souya and Charlotte had reached was not something that could be managed in a day or two of instruction, so it wasn’t an urgent matter.

“I just got back from Thrail yesterday, but I wonder if we’ll be okay. I don’t know if we’ll find a client right away, but it’s possible that we’ll find one and leave immediately.”

“Yes. I just had fun. So I think I’m feeling much better now.”

Both Mia and Merylou did not look the slightest bit tired.

Even if it was just for fun, it was still half a day’s journey to the Thrail Forest, which was a tough distance for someone who wasn’t used to traveling. If he had walked through the forest as well, it was a big deal, as he had thought before.

“I wonder if I can count on you too, Merylou-kun. I and Mia-kun are officially teaming up, but I haven’t heard back from you yet.”

“…… As long as the request is at a level I can keep up with. I’m worried about Mia …… I don’t think I can fight a monster like the Silver Demon like the other day. It’s better to rely on platinum-class guys for that.”

“I see. Well, I’m looking forward to working with you …… I don’t want to think about the Silver Demon for the time being either.”

The reason I included the word “for the time being” was because I remembered the Silver Demon with the red horn, which had been a topic of conversation with Seran, Doga and Louise. Souya also promised Louise that he would mobilize in case of emergency. Of course, the current Mia and Merylou would not be able to be taken to the strike force for such an emergency.

The fire demon who is the avenging enemy of Seran, whose hometown was destroyed, and who may one day face him as long as he continues his adventures in Ilstadt. I’ve always had a connection with demons in some way. If you keep adventuring, I might get involved with him someday.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

“…… Oh my. Hello. You’ve come to look for a request? Just in time.”

At the reception desk of the Adventurer’s Guild, there was Louise, the receptionist.

Near Louise sits a middle-aged man with a medium height, slightly overweight, and a beard. A large backpack was placed beside him. He is probably the client.

“…… Merylou, this is a case where you are needed. This is Peryton-san. He’s looking for a silver-class adventurer as an escort, but there’s no silver-class in the guild right now. “

“I see …… that’s where I come in. Peryton-san. If it’s guarding, you can leave it to this Merylou-sama.”

Merylou happily took out her Silver-class adventurer’s card. 

I guess it’s nice to be in a situation where you can rely on your own grade. Souya recalled that a while ago, he had recruited and welcomed her for her Silver-class adventurer’s card at the request of the old fort. 

“A request for a horse escort. The destination is the southeastern city of Lingen. The total reward is one hundred twenty gold coins. If there is a battle, 20% extra. At least five adventurers. One of them must be Silver-class or above. All others must be Bronze or higher. No blank-class …… That’s it, isn’t it? Peryton-san.”

“Mm …… Having said that, Louise-san. That wood elf girl, is she really a Silver-class adventurer?”

The man called Peryton, who looked like a peddler, got up from his chair, took a quick look at Merylou’s face and body, and gave her a look of blatant anxiety.

""

“No matter how you look at her, she’s still a child …… Are you sure it’s okay?”

“…… Huh? Who’s the child? What are you looking at when talking, old man?”

Merylou charges at Peryton while pouting.

I think he judged her as a child because of her young face and flat chest. It seems to have annoyed her.

“Now, now, Merylou-kun …… You can’t get into trouble with the client. If Merylou-kun is taking this request. we’ll also like to join you.”

“Hello, I am Cleric Mia, Priestess of the Earth Mother Goddess Mikaela. Please leave it to me to treat your injuries.”

While Souya stopped Merylou from fighting, and told Peryton that he and Mia would like to accept the escort request. Mia also responded to the request and gave a modest greeting.

“…… Mmm. You are a merchant of the same trade …… or perhaps a magician? And the cleric of the earth mother goddess Mikaela …… Louise-san, I wanted more strong fighters, suitable for escorting, though.”

Peryton looked at Souya and Mia’s appearance and had the same disapproval expression he had with Merylou.

The reason he didn’t name a profession might be because he wanted to keep costs down, or he might be in a hurry to leave. If he was in a hurry, he might be able to get a request soon, depending on negotiations.

“Peryton-san. In such a case, the rule is to add a professional nomination fee …… Merylou is a master of the spiritual arts and is highly skilled in both archery and encampment. She’s also a Silver-class adventurer, the closest to being a gold-class. And Souya-san. He’s still Bronze, but he’s a rising star in our adventurer’s guild who has accomplished the Demon Slayer.”

When Louise offered Souya and the others a helping hand, Peryton reacted to the words Demon Slayer.

“…… What? Demon Slayer? And you are the rumored Souya-san?”

“Yes. I’m Souya-san. Haha, I don’t know how many rumors there are. But, I was just looking for a request. Peryton-san. If it’s all right with you, I’d like you to let me and her to accept the request.”

“That would be great …… Please take care of me. Souya-san …… And could you sign this for me, please?”

As Peryton excitedly began to take the parchment out of his backpack, Merylou, who had been completely ignored, gritted her teeth and contorted her face in an unamused manner.