Chapter 21

Reisenburg's spy accusations have been cleared, and they have promised to cooperate with the rescue operation, so they are granted immunity.

For the registration documents of Reinhardt and the others, I decided to have them sign it themselves since we were here.

When three fierce skeletons appeared from the shadow of the sofa where I was sitting, even Donovan seemed to catch his breath.

"Well, let me introduce them. This metallic, bulky skeleton is Reinhardt, the former captain of the knights. The next, matte titanium-colored skeleton is Bastian, the former squad leader. And the carbon black skeleton on the other side is Fred, also a former squad leader."

The three of them saluted in unison, placing their right fists over their left chests.

Yeah, they are definitely seasoned and look incredibly cool.

"Kent, I'm sorry for asking so much, but could you help us when a horde of monsters attacks like today?"

"Of course, I'll help, Claus. Volsard is now an important place for me to live, so it's only natural to protect it."

"I see, though this might sound frustrating to you, Kent, I feel grateful to the princess of Reisenburg."

"That's not acceptable. That wicked princess must be made to cry at least once."

"Hahaha, I see..."

Though I didn't say it out loud, I'll definitely make her cry in bed.

Reinhardt and the others shook hands with Claus and Donovan.

It seems that seasoned warriors share a mutual understanding.

I want to become a cool adult like them and join their circle.

Reinhardt and the others are going to get belts with the guild emblem, which they will all wear on their left upper arms.

However, most tamers use monsters that serve as horses, and tamed skeletons are something even Donovan hasn't heard of.

Therefore, they decided to continue their covert actions to avoid causing panic among the general public.

*Hmm... I hope one day Reinhardt and the others can walk the streets proudly.*

*Hahaha, as long as we can protect you, Kent, it doesn't matter whether we are in the shadows or in the sunlight.*

*Yeah, I knew you'd say that, Reinhardt, but I want to walk the streets with everyone and interact with the townspeople normally.*

*That's right. Once we rescue your classmates, you won't need to hide your strength, and we can think about it then.*

*Yeah, that's right, let's do it.*

To walk the streets proudly with Reinhardt and the others, we need to successfully rescue the classmates.

After leaving the parlor ahead of Claus and Donovan, who had some matters to discuss, I felt a bit relieved.

When I went down to the first floor of the guild, Manon and Mueller were waiting for me.

"Kent, are you okay?"

"Sorry, Gilik did something terrible..."

"No, I'm the one who should apologize for causing you worry. The fracture healed thanks to a blessing spell I received while with the caravan, and Donovan's misunderstanding has been cleared. Also, Gilik seemed to have done it seriously, and I'm actually grateful."

"Kent... But, even so, I think Gilik went too far this time..."

Yeah, yeah, you're right, Muell. It's easy to criticize Gilik, but it won't add to my points.

"Mueller, instead of criticizing Gilik, can you praise me for making him take it seriously...?"

"Kent... Yeah, you did your best."

*Hooooo!* I got a hug from Mueller!

Oh no, there's a yasha at the edge of my vision.

Manon is checking her chest, which is fluffy, and glaring at me with yasha-like eyes.

*Guh... kuru...*

"Hahaha, Kent always seems to be hungry."

"Ugh... I'm embarrassed..."

Kuu, just when I was getting a hug from Mueller, why did you have to growl, my stomach?

"Hey, let's have lunch together? Manon, too."

"Yes, since I caused worry, I'll treat everyone today..."

"No, no, I told you not to embarrass your big sister, right?"

"Y-Yes..."

*Hyahahaha, * again, I got *me* from Mueller! *Hyahahaha!*

Ugh, I'm being glared at by Manon again. It's dangerous, her puffed cheeks are super cute.

Still, having lunch with Mueller and Manon is like having flowers in both hands.

*Hyahahaha! * Is it finally my time to be popular? Is the harem event starting?

"Hey, Kent, are you going to eat now? Then let's eat together, Donovan."

"Yeah, since I had my doubts, I'll treat you to a meal."

"Uh... I don't mind, really..."

"Come on, Kent."

"Let's go, Kent."

"Y-Yes... I'll go with you..."

*Huh?* What's wrong? It's definitely wrong, the flowers in both hands? The harem event? *Eeeee...*

In the end, we had lunch at the tavern attached to the guild, but why am I sandwiched between Claus and Donovan?

*That's right, it's bullying, right?* That's it, you guys must dislike me, *gusun*.

Moreover, the topic of conversation during the meal was about the rock ogres being repelled by mysterious skeletons.

Since they were talking loudly, other adventurers gathered around and joined the conversation, making it quite noisy.

*Sir Kent, this seems to be an attempt to present the situation as a story.*

*Ah, I see... It's the official stance of the lord and the guild regarding Reinhardt and the others.*

I'm being sandwiched to prevent me from making any indiscreet remarks.

No, don't look at me with such scary eyes, Donovan, I'm listening.

I decided to focus on eating... but Manon is eating a lot.

She keeps glancing at Mueller's chest... Why are you glaring at me, Manon? It's not my fault that Manon's chest is small.

Besides, if you overeat, you'll gain weight in the wrong places, and I won't be responsible.

However, in Manon's case, she's quite slim, so a bit more meat would be good.

"Kent, are you thinking something rude?"

"N-No, I'm not thinking anything rude..."

"Ugh... Stupid Kent."

*Yabeee, * what is this cute creature? Can I take her home? No, I can't, Amanda will be angry.

"Kent and Manon are good friends, huh..."

"Uh... Well, we did the gardener's apprentice job together last week..."

"Kent is perverted, so Mueller, you should be careful."

"Ch... Manon, that was an accident, a misunderstanding..."

"Nnhahaha, what did Kent do?"

Suddenly, Manon started talking, and Mueller started grilling me with a smile.

"I-I didn't do anything... It was involuntary... I only saw a little..."

"Kent is perverted!"

"Guh... I'm sorry..."

"Kent... Tell your big sister what you did."

*Ah, * Mueller is grilling me with a glare... and Claus and Donovan, as well as the gathered adventurers, are giving me warm looks.

By the way, why is Manon so smug? If what happened is revealed, it will be self-destructive, won't it?

"Kent, just give up and confess."

"Guh... Actually..."

If the lord of Volsard starts questioning me, I have no choice but to confess.

When I told them that I didn't think Manon was a girl and tried to take a bath with her after work, and ended up getting hit with a bucket, they burst out laughing.

Look, Manon is getting warm looks and is blushing intensely.

By the way, shouldn't I be the one standing out?

"Hahaha, that's your fault, Kent."

"I know that even without you saying it, Claus..."

"Alright, Kent, I'll give you a thorough training session later, so look forward to it."

"Ugh... Why... Ah, Donovan, can you include Manon in the training?"

"What? Kent! Why is my name mentioned?"

"Uh? As an apology, I thought it would be good for Manon to get stronger quickly."

"Alright, if that's the case, I'll train Manon too."

"Eee, I don't want to..."

"What, are you dissatisfied? Manon."

"N-No... Thank you..."

*Uhyahahaha, * see, if you curse someone, it comes back to you, Manon.

*Guhahaha, * glaring at me with teary eyes won't work, you can't escape from Donovan... and I can't escape either... *tohohoho*.

"Donovan, training is good, but since there was a monster attack today, let them go home and show their safe faces."

"Yeah, that's right. I forgot about it because the rock ogres' attack was resolved without any action."

"No one was hurt, but evacuation orders were issued, so they'll be worried if they don't return soon. Don't wander around and show your faces at home or your lodgings."

Oh, lucky me, it seems today's training is canceled.

"Kent, don't worry, I'll thoroughly train you another day."

"Y-Yes... Thank you."

*Ueh...* I can't escape, can I?

Still, I'll go back to the boarding house and let Amanda know I'm safe.

I parted ways with Manon and Mueller at the guild and returned to the boarding house.

The evacuation order was lifted, so the shops were reopening, and people were returning to the streets.

Amanda's restaurant also seemed to have reopened, and the lunch rush was finally subsiding.

"Amanda, I'm back."

"Ah, Kent, you're safe, I see."

"Yes, I was at the guild, so nothing dangerous happened."

"That's good. Ah, did you eat lunch?"

"Yes, I ate with everyone at the guild. By the way, Amanda, I'll go check if there's any damage at the Reible farm."

"Ah, you've been taking care of them a lot. Alright, be careful."

"Yes, I'll be back by dinner. See you later!"

After informing Amanda, I headed not to the Reible farm but to the Lastock garrison.

I hadn't checked on the chairman since the reconnaissance last week, and I was worried about his condition.

Another reason was to think about how to contact Ms. Aiko and the timing.

If I sink into the shadows in a deserted alley, I can reach Lastock in no time.

Since I've been there once, I don't need Fred's guidance.

At the training ground of the garrison, the knights and mages were training as they did last week.

At a glance, there didn't seem to be any significant changes in a week.

*How about it, Reinhardt, do you notice any changes?*

*No, there don't seem to be any significant changes from last time. Besides, they don't have self-healing like you, so they can't get stronger so easily.*

*That's right, normally, muscle pain and bruises don't heal quickly, and fatigue doesn't dissipate easily.*

*Yes, there are limits to training, so there are also limits to progress.*

*So, is the weak hero's magic a matter of talent?*

*Yes, he seemed to have considerable talent.*

Kuso, is that also due to the handsome guy bonus? Well, I'm also quite blessed in terms of magic, so I can't complain.

Yeah, I need to practice magic diligently.

Still, let's focus on today's goal.

On the way through the training ground, I decided to check on Ms. Aiko first.

Ms. Aiko, a mage specializing in earth magic, was training in a construction site-like training ground, as she did last week.

She was molding clay-like soil mixed with water into a mold and casting a spell to shape it.

"Mana, Mana, the one who governs the world, gather, gather, into my hands, seep into the earth, seep, seep, seep into the earth, harden!"

As expected of a student teacher aiming to be an English teacher, she casts the spell smoothly.

When the effect ends, a Reisenburg knight checks the quality with a hammer, making a dry, hard sound.

"Hmm, the hardness and uniformity are fine, good work. Just try to do it a bit faster."

"Yes, I understand."

Gnunu... What is it with that condescending, nasty tone?

It makes me incredibly angry. What does he think he is