Chapter 78

We raced through the city, and the cart we were riding in stopped in front of the Adventurers' Guild building.

There, only I and Garai got off.

"Alright, I'm off."

"Yeah, come back here later."

Iksa and Bushi headed off to call a doctor.

Entia continued to pull the cart, and they disappeared into the city.

"Alright."

Once again, Garai and I opened the door to the Adventurers' Guild.

Even though it was night, the guild was still bustling with many adventurers.

"Hey, have you heard? About Silas and his gang."

Their conversations were all about Silas.

"They went to the beastmen's village and almost subdued it."

"He said they let them off with a warning, but..."

"Is he really that kind of person?"

"No, he said he's waiting at the entrance of the city with his knights to ambush any retaliation."

"I don't like him, but let's not mention his name again."

"Maybe he'll even get promoted to S-rank..."

Oh, Silas, it seems you're doing exactly what I expected.

If that's the case, our plan has failed.

What a pity.

"Ah, you are..."

A woman approached us standing at the entrance of the guild.

It was Coru, the receptionist with braids.

"Are you alright!? After you left, Silas and his group came back, saying they had crushed the beastmen in the village—"

"We're fine, thank you."

I smiled at Coru—

"Excuse me!"

I called out loudly to the adventurers inside the guild.

"I want to help the beastmen in the village that was attacked. If there are any mages who can remove curses, I need your help!"

My sudden loud voice made everyone fall silent.

"What did you say just now?"

Then, the murmurs began.

"Help the beastmen?"

"Are you talking about the beastmen in the village that Silas and his group destroyed?"

"Help them? Why?"

"Is there a new mission for that?"

"No way, that's impossible."

"Then, is she just saying it on her own?"

"Is she a beastman sympathizer?"

The murmurs grew louder, and everyone started to look at us suspiciously.

Of course, we weren't intimidated.

I was about to call out again when—

"Hey, are you talking about the beastmen in the village on the outskirts of the city?"

One of the adventurers asked me.

"Yes."

"Well, you see, they were the targets of a hunting mission, helping them is—"

"I understand that."

I immediately replied to the adventurer, who scratched his head in confusion.

Time is precious.

"Even so, I need your help... no, I need your assistance to help them."

"Oh, this person—"

At that moment, Coru stood by our side and continued speaking.

Thank you, she's a good person.

"She wants to treat the beastmen who were attacked by Silas and are now injured and cursed—"

"No way! What are you saying!?"

Another adventurer stood up.

"Are you a new adventurer in this city? If so, let me tell you, there's no reason to help the beastmen in the village on the outskirts! They're probably waiting to be ambushed by Silas and his group—"

"Oh no!"

At that moment, an adventurer rushed into the guild.

"Silas and his group have been defeated!"

His words sent a wave of shock through the guild.

"What!? What do you mean!?"

"Did the beastmen defeat them!?"

"But apparently, a human woman, a man, and a magical beast attacked them, and the knights just stood there—"

The adventurer, trying to convey the information, continued—

"The woman looked normal but used magic and spoke in favor of the beastmen, the man was tall and had a fierce look, and he destroyed the city gate with one punch—"

Midway through his story, the adventurer suddenly noticed me and Garai standing next to him.

He scanned us from head to toe—

"Ah! It's them! They match the description!"

"What!?"

Instantly, everyone became hostile.

They seemed to have judged us as dangerous.

There's no choice, in this situation—

"Who are you!?"

"Since this is the Adventurers' Guild, should I show this?"

I took out a badge from my pocket and held it up.

It was the adventurer's license badge I received from Beltona before coming to this city.

Everyone saw the badge and its shape, and they were speechless.

"Huh? ...Hey, that badge..."

"Is it S-rank?"

The shape indicating S-rank made everyone open their eyes in confusion.

Hmm, what is this?

It feels like I've become a water●yellow gatekeeper.

"Wh-What! You're an S-rank adventurer!? Then, you two—"

Coru, standing next to me, raised her voice.

She covered her mouth and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Do you know them, Coru!?"

The adventurers, like in a shonen manga, asked Coru.

"Yes. I received a letter from Beltona of the capital's Adventurers' Guild, informing me that two S-rank adventurers would be visiting this tourist city of Vizer soon and would likely visit this guild—"

Nice, Beltona.

Good play.

"Wait, two...?"

Everyone's gaze turned to Garai standing next to me.

Garai, scratching his head, took out his S-rank badge from his pocket and showed it.

"Sure enough! You two are the recently promoted S-rank adventurers we've been hearing about!"

"Hey, I've heard of you."

One of the adventurers, who was still in shock, suddenly spoke up.

"Recently, two adventurers were promoted to S-rank at once—"

"Ah! I've heard of that too!"

"Is it true!?"

"Idiot! It's information that circulated among the guilds in the country, of course it's true!"

"One of them was a former member of the capital's dark guild, known for his work in the underworld. He's the legendary agent who silently handled dirty jobs that the government couldn't make public, such as slaying evil dragons, eliminating terrorist organizations, and removing foreign spies. The Demon Slayer, Gurai Quiron!"

The adventurer pointed at Garai and shouted.

Then he pointed at me.

"And the other one! Unknown background and history! But, in just a few days after appearing at the capital's Adventurers' Guild, he solved difficult missions like dragon attacks, the appearance of demons, and black wolf packs. The mage known for his unique magic that creates various metal with magical effects, The Black Iron Mage, Honda Mako!"

"..."

Thank you for the explanation.

But, when did I get such a nickname?

"Two such famous S-rank adventurers at once—"

"Silas is nothing compared to them, of course they lost."

With our identities revealed, the atmosphere turned in our favor.

I was reminded of the influence of an adventurer's rank.

"Sorry! We don't have time! Our companion is calling a doctor now! Please, if there are any mages who can remove curses, will you help us!?"

I called out again.

"Well, if it's the judgment of an S-rank adventurer, it must have some validity, right?"

"Yeah, there must be some reason for helping the beastmen—"

The atmosphere was becoming more favorable.

However, everyone was still hesitant.

There might not even be any mages in the guild who can remove curses.

(What should I do... We really don't have time—)

"..."

Just then, someone spoke up.

It was a woman sitting at one of the tables in the guild.

She was wearing a white nun's habit, and upon closer inspection, there were a few other women in the same attire at the same table.

"You are—"

"We are members of the Holy Church, working as priests to support adventurers."

The Holy Church?

I've heard of it somewhere...

Before I could ask, they moved closer to me.

"Excuse me, is what you said true?"

"True, as in—"

"Are you Honda Mako?"

The priests approached me with a somewhat intense gaze.

"Yes."

"Ah! Then you are the Holy Maiden we've heard so much about!?"

"Wh-What? The Holy Maiden?"

The priests' eyes started to sparkle.

I remember, when I was in the capital, there were rumors that I might be the Holy Maiden because of the demon I defeated.

"Ah! I never thought I'd meet you in person! This must be the will of the Holy God—"

The priests clasped their hands in front of their chests and closed their eyes in prayer.

What is this situation...

"Um, excuse me—"

"Holy Maiden Mako, please command us!"

The lead priest opened her eyes and said this to me.

"We can perform exorcisms and healing through the miracles granted by the Holy God. We will assist in treating the beastmen's curses and injuries."

Wow, this is unexpected.

I was a bit taken aback by the priests' sparkling eyes, but I replied.

"Thank you, I appreciate your help."

"「「「「「Yes!」」」」」

Just then, we heard a vehicle stop in front of the guild.

Thinking it might be, we went outside, and sure enough, it was Entia pulling the cart.

Iksa and Bushi were there, along with about three people who looked like doctors.

"Sorry, I ran around and only found three doctors willing to help. How about you?"

"These are—"

I introduced the priests to Iksa, who looked surprised for a moment before smiling.

"Typical, Mako. I was thinking of trying to recruit any mages who could heal, but you've already brought in expert priests who can both exorcise and heal."

It was a complete coincidence.

Regardless, I quickly helped the priests get on the cart.

"Alright, everyone, let's go!"

"「「「「「Yes!」」」」"

We set off again towards the Berserk village, taking the surprised doctors with us.