Chapter 52

"If I can, I want to go and rescue the missing artist, Delphi, by defeating the demon."

The adventurer's guild was enveloped in an unusual atmosphere.

The commotion caused by my appearance.

The news of the demon's appearance.

And then, I declared that I would go and defeat the demon.

The air was tense.

"What are you saying! You can't just easily defeat a demon! Many adventurers have been terrified by them in the past!"

Booma and the others shouted in unison.

"That artist, Delphi, must have been killed long ago!"

"I'm telling you, don't do it!"

"I also oppose it."

The receptionist, Beltona, also said so, following Booma and the others.

"For safety, we should request assistance from the knights—"

"But, to be honest, I think her abilities are on par with A-rank... no, S-rank, I believe."

Moguro, who seemed to have calmed down, said this while lifting his glasses, which had lost their lenses, with his fingertips.

"Moguro..."

"How about it? Considering her status, perhaps we should make an exception and allow her to participate in a B-rank mission?"

"But..."

Beltona's face was bitter.

As a receptionist, she had the responsibility to guide adventurers correctly.

She couldn't easily say yes.

At that moment,

"If it's a rule issue—how about participating with me?"

One man stepped forward from among the adventurers.

Tall and muscular, he was clad in full gear and carried a massive sword on his back.

His black hair was neatly cut, and his face was scarred.

He must be quite old... he had the air of a seasoned warrior.

"Mr. Urushima..."

Beltona looked surprised.

The surrounding adventurers were also buzzing at his appearance.

"Who is he? He looks like a veteran."

Ikusa asked Beltona.

"...That person is—"

"No, it's fine, I'll introduce myself. I am Urushima, an A-rank adventurer."

He showed his adventurer emblem.

It was a different shape from the one Garai had, probably the emblem of this adventurer's guild.

The fact that he showed it might mean that the design represents A-rank.

"My title is 'Great Swordsman.' My attribute is Strength. My skill is 'Acceleration.'"

After introducing himself, Urushima looked at Beltona.

"If there is an adventurer of the appropriate rank, a lower-ranked adventurer can join the mission... I remember such a system was created in the past."

"Is there such a system?"

I also asked Beltona.

"...It was created in the early days when there was a shortage of manpower. It's rarely used now. Bringing in an underqualified adventurer just becomes a hindrance, lowers the success rate of the mission, and always leads to disputes over reward distribution."

"Only a veteran like me remembers it, I guess."

Urushima chuckled.

"Thank you, Mr. Urushima. Could you help me?"

"Since a girl as young as my daughter is going, I can't be scared. So, how many will actually participate?"

"Of course, I'll go too."

Ikusa raised his hand.

"I will too."

Garai also raised his hand.

"...Understood. Then, Makoto and the other three, please complete the adventurer registration procedures. Once that's done, I'll provide detailed mission information—"

"I'll go too!"

Another adventurer stepped forward.

"Huh? You are—"

"Long time no see, Makoto!"

It was the young adventurer I had talked to at 'Yellow Scales Inn' the other day.

He had approached me about the wolf pack problem that Kuro and the others had solved.

"My name is Akashi! I'm a D-rank adventurer with the title 'Ranger'! My attribute is Strength! My skill is 'Stealth Step'! I want to learn from you, Makoto!"

"I don't think there's much to learn from me, though?"

I chuckled.

Akashi, your eyes are sparkling.

Thus, the five of us decided to take on the mission.

Following Beltona's instructions, I, Ikusa, and Garai completed the formal adventurer registration.

"But, it's amazing that a prince is becoming an adventurer in his own country."

I said to Ikusa while filling out the paperwork.

"Well, not really. There are some princes and princesses who are still active adventurers, you know."

"Really?"

With 61 of them, there are bound to be a few.

"Alright, Prince Ikusa, Mr. Garai."

After the procedures were completed, Moguro called out to Ikusa and Garai.

"Would you like me to appraise your statuses as well?"

"I'm fine, I've had it done before."

"...I'll pass as well."

While Ikusa was fine, Garai, as expected, declined.

He probably didn't want his true identity to be known in the capital.

"Alright, the destination is quite far from here."

After all the procedures were completed, Urushima gathered us to start the explanation.

"It's about a six-hour walk. If we leave now, it will be midnight."

"Then we should hurry."

I said I would go now, and Urushima was surprised.

Unfortunately, we don't have time.

We need to know the safety of the artist, Delphi, as soon as possible.

"Wow, Makoto. Your energy is really something to learn from!"

Akashi said from the side.

You're a very motivated young man, aren't you?

"Alright, everyone is ready. Let's set out."

With Urushima's words, we started walking towards our destination.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

The destination was a mountain where a cave, rumored to contain treasure, was located.

We had been walking for several hours in the opposite direction of the previous farm and ranch, through a rugged mountain path.

"You... are tough."

Urushima, who was leading the way, wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned to me.

"Hehe, I'm confident in my stamina."

"Really, I'm pretty tired myself."

Akashi also chuckled.

"...We're about halfway to the destination."

At the back of the line, Garai muttered while keeping watch.

"Halfway!? We still have half to go!?"

Ikusa was the most exhausted.

But just being able to keep up shows he has enough stamina.

"Halfway... Urushima, should we take a break here?"

I suggested.

We need to hurry, but it won't do if we're all exhausted when we arrive.

"That's a good idea. Alright, let's take a break. Akashi, do you have anything to eat?"

"Yes, a few things."

Akashi took out dried meat and heat-treated vegetables from his bag.

"Something we can eat right away. Alright, let's have a quick meal."

"Ah, but if we're going to eat, wouldn't you prefer something warm?"

I suggested, and Urushima looked surprised.

"True, but... we don't have a pot. Are you going to grill it?"

"No, no, I have something useful for situations like this."

I activated my Alchemy.

I created a pot and a round, cylindrical stove—essentially a "can stove."

This "can stove" can burn not only firewood and charcoal but also leaves and twigs, and can be used to heat a pot on top, making it a valuable metal stove in disaster situations.

"Amazing... you can even make something like this."

I lit the "can stove" and started cutting the dried meat and vegetables to put in the pot with water.

It's an instant soup, but it should help us recover our strength.

"Oh, soup. It's getting chilly as we climb higher, so this is perfect."

We gathered around the "can stove."

Garai and I divided the food, and we all had a meal.

The sun was setting.

It was getting dark.

"By the way, what exactly is a demon?"

I suddenly asked Urushima.

"I've been an adventurer for a long time, but their true nature is still shrouded in mystery."

Urushima spoke while scooping soup into a bowl (incidentally, I had also alchemized the tableware).

"Nobody knows their origin or where they came from. According to legends, they came from a different world... a world of darkness, into this world."

"Hmm..."

I thought demons were more like spirits or ghosts, not living beings.

So, they come from a different world...

"They are a cunning race, with intelligence. Moreover, they are cruel and enjoy deceiving and toying with not only humans but various creatures."

"A cunning and cruel race. Humans are similar, though."

Ikusa laughed dryly.

"Not just humans, but various creatures..."

I repeated his words.

I remembered when Kuro talked about why he tried to attack the capital.

He said he heard a voice in his head.

A voice that deceived him, calling him a "Divine Wolf."

"Could it be..."

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

After finishing our meal and recovering our strength, we resumed our journey.

It was already night.

We continued walking, and finally, we reached near our destination.

A rugged mountainous area with steep rock faces and spear-like boulders.

The terrain was similar to where Kuro and the others had fought before.

"Stop!"

Urushima, who was leading, raised his hand to halt us.

Instantly, we hid behind nearby rocks.

We looked up at the sky.

Something was flying, hovering over the moon.

"Could that be..."

"Hmm."

It looked down at us, hiding.

It looked human.

Black clothes, black hair.

But it had horns on its head.

And its eyes were completely black, even the whites.

It showed sharp, fang-like teeth and smiled.

"So, you've come, my new toy."