CH 297

Episode 297 – New Guild Chief

“Come on now, go on with the introductions. The boy you brought seems to be a bit out of it.” (New Guild Chief)

“I was planning to let him smoothly greet you. You were the one who shouldn’t have flared up, no?” (Grandma)

“No. It’s your lack of courtesy as usual. Normally, it’s polite to wait for a reply before entering someone’s room.” (New Guild Chief)

“Stop it with your grumbling. Who cares about the little things between you and me―whatever. This child is Lewin. Go ahead and Introduce yourself to him too.” (Grandma)

“…Lewin? By Lewin, you mean…?” (New Guild Chief)

They were talking in a quarrelsome manner, but there was no sign of any actual animosity between them. The grandma abruptly broke off the conversation and introduced me, showing how close the relationship between the two was.

I gave a slight bow when she introduced me, but the new Guild Chief seemed to recognize me and froze up, her eyes wide.

Although she had never met me before, she might have heard of me because of everything that had happened at the Healer’s Guild.

“That’s right. It’s that Lewin. You should be bowing and thanking him.” (Grandma)

“I’m Charlotte, the Guild Chief of the Healer’s Guild. I’ve heard a lot about you from various people. Nice to meet you.”

“Yes, pleased to meet you.” (Lewin)

I shook hands with Charlotte, who was smiling pleasantly at me. Looking at her from up close, she really was a beautiful person who looked to be in her thirties.

“I should also add that Charlotte was a former party member of mine, and she was also the Guild Chief before you joined the Healer’s Guild, Lewin. She returned because Brandon was forced to resign.” (Grandma)

“I see… I don’t mean to be rude, but you really don’t give off that feeling.” (Lewin)

“Hm? Ah, her appearance? Kukuku. Charlotte has been taking advantage of her position as the Guild Chief of the Healer’s Guild, using all kinds of plants that inhibit aging and revitalize cells. When we were in a party together, she even abused some suspicious magic tools and sorcery to that end. She’s about the same age as me, so don’t be fooled by her appearance.” (Grandma)

“Could you not say so much unnecessary information? Also, I’m not as old as you!” (Charlotte)

As it turned out, her real age was much older than her appearance let on. She seemed to be putting in effort to change her appearance through various means, but I could still see that she was a beautiful woman because of her original appearance.

“A-ny-wayyy! What did you come here for? You didn’t come here just to introduce me to Lewin-kun, did you?” (Charlotte)

“Yeah… I came here to ask you for a favor, Charlotte,” the grandma muttered. She seemed to be chatting with her happily up until this point, but as soon as it was time to get to the matter at hand, her expression stiffened and it seemed difficult for her to speak.

I thought that she had come here to ask Charlotte about the fairytale, but from the looks of it, the person she had mentioned who was well-versed in traditions, legends, and strange unknowns was probably a completely different person.

“Wait. I can kind of guess what you’re about to talk to me about. It’s not good here, so let’s go somewhere else first.” (Charlotte)

“Fine. Would my shop be okay?” (Grandma)

“No. If there’s one place we can talk, it’s that place.” (Charlotte)

“….Binkus, huh? I don’t want to see that person if I can avoid it.” (Grandma)

“Well, we’re going to need his help one way or another, so it’s just a matter of now or later.” (Charlotte)

I felt like it was my fault the conversation had proceeded as it did, and I was seeing a look on the grandma’s face that I had never seen before, which made me feel like I was causing her a lot of trouble.

…But even if I had to inconvenience the grandma a little bit, I couldn’t give up on this information.

Deciding that one day I would repay her for everything she helped me out with, I followed after the grandma.

“As expected, seeing it is just as bad.” (Grandma)

“This place? This is that shop, Binkus, that you’d just spoken about…” (Lewin)

“Yes, that’s right. This is a bar that an acquaintance of mine runs. I don’t really like that acquaintance though.” (Grandma)

“This might be the first time I’m hearing about someone you don’t like, grandma.” (Lewin)

“Kukuku. I also disliked Brandon, so it isn’t your first time. Well… even if I’m a bit reluctant, there’s no helping it. Let’s go in.” (Grandma)

After she took an understandably deep breath, she pushed open the creaky door and went in. I followed after her and stepped into Binkus.

The exterior of the building looked really dated, but the interior was quite beautiful and elaborately decorated. The calming music matched with the stylish interior, making me feel comfortable as soon as I entered.

“Welcome― Oh? If it isn’t Irene-san. And… Lewin-san! Please, have a seat wherever you please.”

Standing behind the counter was a cool man with a short mustache who called out to us as soon as we entered. The bartender gave off a clean impression befitting of the stylish setting of the bar.

And although we hadn’t met before, he somehow knew my name. I didn’t think that I had been a well-known character back when I was still in Grezesta. While feeling somewhat strange inside, I followed the grandma and took a seat with her at the far end of the bar.