Chapter 73

In the exploration guild at twilight, it was bustling with adventurers who had just completed their quests.

"Wow... this is..."

Tetra, seeing this scene, was somewhat taken aback. It was understandable.

Adventurers with mud-caked armor and cloaks, bags stained with blood, and the smell of alcohol permeating the building—this place looked entirely different from the guild I usually saw.

Of course, not everyone was dressed in dirty clothes. Some, who had worked in the city or on indoor tasks, were neatly dressed. However, the impact of the adventurers who had just completed slaying missions was very strong.

"Miss Tetra, you were a mage at the magic guild, right? Is this different from there?"

"Completely different."

With a weary expression, Tetra firmly replied.

"Maybe it's because the jobs are a bit different. Since research is the main focus, there aren't many people who get their clothes dirty. There are some, like me, who work in practical applications, but... not to this extent."

"Well, I guess it's a difference in customs."

Adventurers, whether with objects or people, believed that as long as something was useful, it was fine even if it was dirty or a bit damaged. In contrast, mages wanted to operate in a state as close to perfect as possible.

Furthermore, the former could be challenged by anyone, while the latter was limited to those with magical power. This difference in criteria was probably at work here.

"Well, I guess we have to wait in line..."

A long queue had formed at the counter for reporting completed quests. There were about a dozen people, so it wouldn't take too long if we waited.

"Excuse me, but could you please wait with me?"

"I know, I know."

In the charred room at the top of the fortress, which looked like it had been hit by a fire, Tetra reluctantly stood next to me.

"By the way, didn't you throw away that black cloak that suited you so well?"

"Yeah, it's fine. I just bought it yesterday, and I don't have any attachment to it."

The robe stained with Fulshiel's blood had been left with the corpse. I liked it, but I could buy a new one tomorrow when I went to repair my machete.

To avoid this happening again, I decided to add a large cloth to my gear, even for missions that didn't involve material collection.

Finally, it was my turn.

"I'm Crow, who took the quest. I've completed the pest control at the fortress and am here to report."

"Sure. Thank you for your hard work. Let me see..."

The receptionist flipped through the stack of quest slips. She found one, pulled it out, and said,

"Ah, yes. Thank you for waiting. Mr. Crow, the reclamation of the fortress, right? The date of acceptance is yesterday... yesterday!?"

"Yes, I accepted it in the afternoon yesterday."

When I added this detail, the receptionist alternated her gaze between me and the quest slip, then looked at the badge on my collar and nodded in understanding.

"Indeed, that's quite fast. No problem, I've confirmed it. Now, about the next step..."

"Yes?"

"Actually, it will be tomorrow, but the guild will send a staff member to verify. If they determine there are no issues, the quest will be considered complete. Is that acceptable?"

"That's fine. The reward will be given after that, right?"

"Yes. Two days from now, when you come back, we will inform you of the result and either pay you or request a re-clearance. If a re-clearance is needed, we'll count on you. ...Although I don't think that will happen."

Two days from now. So, it takes a day for the guild staff to verify and return. A question came to mind, and I decided to ask.

"Um... I thought about this when I accepted the quest."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Even if I clear out the pests, won't wild animals just come back in a day or two?"

If I drove them all out, it wouldn't take long for the animals to return and make it their den again. It seemed odd that I would clear them out and then have a staff member come in later.

"That's not a problem. Even if the staff finds a few animals, the quest will still be considered complete. The goal of this pest control quest is to reduce the number, so it's fine as long as most of them are driven away."

"Ah, that's true. There were a lot of them..."

Probably hundreds of various animals, including rats, dogs, cats, and birds.

"Also..."

The receptionist smiled with a mischievous look.

"The animals of Nerg are not so foolish as to return immediately after an external threat has invaded."

This was a statement of confidence in the resilience of Nerg's animals.

Well, if the receptionist says so, it should be fine. Besides, I've also laid down repellents. It's unlikely that dogs and cats will come in.

Especially the one Gustav recommended, which even repels monsters. I used it because of that, so I'll have to trust it. I want to trust Gustav more than the wild animals.

"Is there anything noteworthy about the pest control process?"

"Hmm, anything... Oh, right. By the way, about the top floor..."

Tetra came into my peripheral vision, and I remembered. I almost forgot.

The moment I mentioned the top floor, Tetra tensed up next to me.

"The room was burned and charred. Before I entered, this woman had gone in for some reason, and it was already burned when she was there."

I couldn't afford to be charged for repairs. I needed to explain myself.

Looking at Tetra, she swallowed hard and opened her mouth apologetically.

"Um... after I entered the room..."

"I found it already burned. Perhaps it was involved in a fire phenomenon in Nerg before."

"Fire elemental... huh?"

"Right? Miss Tetra?"

While making sure the receptionist couldn't see, I stepped on Tetra's toes and asked. I admit the transition was a bit forced, but it couldn't be helped.

"Mr. Crow didn't start the fire."

The receptionist took notes on the quest slip with a quill pen and confirmed.

"Right. There was quite a bit of damage, so the walls will need to be repaired."

"Are you sure? ...Um, Miss Tetra?"

The receptionist, who was questioning Tetra, looked at her directly, as if to catch any lies.

I increased the pressure on her toes.

"...Yes. I was surprised to see it charred."

Tetra said this with her head bowed, as if resigned. That was fine.

"For reference, why was Miss Tetra there? It's in the shallow part of the Nerg forest, after all."

"That's because..."

"She was attacked and fled to the fortress, right?"

I interrupted her before she could say more. Tetra nodded silently.

"I was surprised to see a monster when I arrived."

"What did you do with the monster?"

"I defeated it. The body was too large to carry, so I entrusted it to the guild in Twelfth Street. They said they would auction it, so it should be traceable here."

"...Understood."

She seemed to accept it verbally, but her face suggested she wasn't entirely convinced. Her smile turned into a sly grin.

However, she didn't pursue it further and put down her quill pen.

"Is that all about the damage?"

"Yes, that's about it. There were broken windows and damaged walls, but I think that's within the scope of wear and tear."

"Understood. Then, this concludes the report. Thank you for your hard work."

"Thank you."

"..."

Tetra and I bowed our heads and stepped back.

As we took a step forward, a large wall appeared in front of us.

"Hey, hey, bringing a girl, huh? Not bad for a kid."

A tall, burly man with a bad reputation stood right in front of us, turning around. He must have just returned from a slaying mission. He had a large axe on his back, and his armor was stained with blood. The armor was one thing, but he should have wiped the axe.

"Ah, sorry. After you."

I hadn't noticed, but he must have been at the back of the line. I stepped aside to clear the way to the counter.

However, he didn't move to the front of the counter.

"...Do you need something?"

If so, he must have some business with me. When I looked up, he was staring at me with a smug grin.

...Every time I come to the guild, something happens.

I just want to do my job normally.

I sighed heavily in my heart.