Chapter 34

It has been three days since Dane died and Ink was saved.

During that time, the West District has been surprisingly peaceful, and the Church hasn't attacked them.

It's a bit anticlimactic.

Is it because the Church hasn't realized that Ink was saved?

Or is it a sign of their confidence?

In any case, the town is unnaturally quiet—Flame, walking towards the Guild, felt a creeping unease in her chest.

She turned left at the corner.

Entering a slightly narrower road, she saw weathered walls on both sides, and a muddy, warm breeze blew.

Flame frowned and used her fingers to push back the gold-brown hair that clung to her cheeks.

"It's so quiet."

Gadio, wearing a coat, muttered.

He had apparently been staying at his home in the capital these past few days.

But today, he came to Flame's house early in the morning and invited her to go to the Guild.

Flame looked up at his face, which was right next to hers.

"The Church hasn't attacked us either."

"Most likely, the Spiral children's team is too busy looking for a new base."

Gadio discovered Mother's base in just two days, the day before yesterday and yesterday.

He apparently investigated based on the information he obtained and the clues he got from Ink.

Of course, the place was already empty, but it was certain that one of their bases had been destroyed.

There couldn't be that many facilities in the capital's underground.

By now, the four children, including Mother, might be wandering around looking for a new home.

"Maybe it's because the area has become safer with Dane and his gang gone."

"That could be it."

"But it won't last long, I think."

"What those ruffians will do without a leader... Just thinking about it gives me a headache."

Gadio closed his eyes and shook his head from side to side.

The lawless elements in the West District had been controlled by Dane.

Without that restraint, no one could stop them.

"Someone will probably try to take Dane's place."

"I don't think it will work out."

Dane had a high ability to lead people.

If a mere ruffian tried to imitate him, it would surely fall apart quickly.

"Multiple factions will likely emerge and conflict with each other."

"Dealing with the Church is already enough of a challenge. Getting caught up in this would be a disaster."

"That's why we need to go to the Guild and plan our next steps."

"To the Guild?"

Flame had not yet heard the reason why Gadio wanted to go to the Guild.

When she asked once, he brushed her off with "You'll see when we get there."

So, she walked in silence and reached the Guild.

Flame entered first.

Eira, who was leaning on her cheek at the reception desk, immediately made a disgusted face when she saw her.

"Hey, we're closed today."

"You're still not doing your job, I see..."

"Now that Dane is gone and I finally have some free time, I don't want my peace disturbed."

"You're really pushing it, aren't you?"

"If no one stops me, I'll do as I please. So, go away, dirty slave, shoo!"

She's such an annoying woman.

Flame glared at her with unusual hostility, but Eira turned away and pretended not to notice.

Still, compared to the beginning, their relationship has improved somewhat.

But Flame hasn't forgotten that she almost died on her first mission.

"Ah, thinking about it makes me angry. If I report to the Central District Guild that you assigned a D-rank monster hunt to a new, unlicensed adventurer, will you get fired?"

"Hehe, you're naive. The bigwigs in the Central District would never believe a lowly D-rank slave. Just get along with the other slaves and be nice to that bandaged woman."

"Ugh, if only I could call the Guild Master, I could show you a thing or two!"

"Ahaha, just keep dreaming. Our Master is a famous S-rank adventurer. Someone like that wouldn't stay in the West District Guild. Try calling him if you can, ahaha."

For every word Flame said, Eira had a comeback.

As they continued their verbal sparring, Gadio suddenly appeared behind Flame.

He looked straight into Eira's eyes and said,

"Did you call me?"

She froze like a bird caught by a dragon's gaze.

Her face turned pale, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

Her arms, which had been frozen in place, slowly started to move, her right hand going to her mouth and her left hand pointing at Gadio.

"G-Gadio... L-Laskart? Why are you here... Weren't you supposed to be on a journey!?"

"I stepped down from my duties for a reason. You said to call you if I could, so what do you intend to do, Eira Jerisyn?"

"A-Ah... U-Uh..."

Eira was speechless.

Moreover, Gadio seemed to have thoroughly researched her full name, which only added to her panic.

Her mouth trembled as she looked at Flame for help, but there was no reason to help her.

Flame stuck out her tongue and turned away.

"By the way, Gadio, you're the Master of this Guild, right?"

"Apparently so. I was forced into it a few years ago, but I've never done any actual work."

"Oh, that's why you said we need to plan at the Guild! If Gadio becomes the Guild Master, the adventurers who used to work for Dane won't be able to do as they please."

After all, he is one of the few S-rank adventurers.

With Gadio's superior strength and achievements, they wouldn't be able to act freely.

"By the way, Flame, I heard from you that this woman almost killed you."

"Yes, she assigned me a D-rank monster hunt as a licensing mission."

"Hmm, D-rank. Normally, an F-rank monster would suffice for a license. It's true that a new adventurer could die. This is not acceptable."

"W-Well, you managed to defeat it, so it's fine, right? Right, Flame? Right?"

Flame couldn't hold back her laughter at Eira's panic and tried to suppress it by covering her mouth.

Eira clenched her fists under the counter, humiliated by being teased by a mere slave.

"I don't mind firing her, but what do you want, Flame?"

"Hmm, what should I do...?"

"Wait, you're not seriously considering it, are you!?"

"Well, what she did is grounds for termination."

"Y-You're right, but still!"

It's a good thing she survived.

Actually, she suffered injuries that would have killed a normal person, and only Flame's resilience allowed her to survive.

She still hasn't forgotten the pain of having her limbs cut off.

"We're not friends."

"Considering our relationship, firing her might be the best option..."

All she has done is harass her.

"Let's try to get along, okay? What will I do if I get fired?"

"You could sell your body."

"You have no heart!"

That's more like you—Flame wanted to retort but held back.

While she does have a grudge, Eira is not like Dane and his gang; she can still change.

That's why she distanced herself from them when they allied with the Church.

She would cut ties with irredeemable scum, but Flame doesn't want to push Eira any further.

"A pay cut should be enough."

"You're so kind, Flame."

"Ah... Thank you... Wait, a pay cut!? Hold on, why should I get a pay cut—"

"You should be grateful you didn't get fired."

"Ugh..."

Eira didn't argue further with Flame.

She probably felt some guilt, but her thick skin suggested she had no intention of quitting.

That's probably what it takes to be a receptionist in the West District Guild.

"Since I'm here, I won't tolerate your sloppy work anymore. Get ready to work hard."

"Okay..."

Eira slumped.

Flame watched her with a smirk.

When Gadio said he had some procedures to handle and went to the Guild Master's office, Eira glared at Flame.

"Because of you, I have to cut my food budget this month."

"You brought it on yourself."

"Hmph, who do you think you are? So, you really are that Flame Apricot, knowing Gadio Laskart and all."

"Figured it out now?"

"Of course not. No one would imagine that a hero on a journey would be a slave in the West District. I was surprised Gadio came back too."

"Eterna is with us too."

"What? Eterna, as in Eterna Limbau? Three of them leaving, what's happening with the demon lord hunt? What is the Church doing?"

For the average citizen, seeing three people who were supposed to be on a journey in the capital would be unsettling.

Rumors had already started about Eterna, but since she rarely went out except for shopping, it didn't cause much of a stir.

However, Gadio is already a standout figure, and working as the Guild Master would make him even more visible.

"Given the recent strange deaths and the Church's involvement, they're starting to look suspicious."

The Church, which gathered the heroes based on Origin's revelation, is losing credibility.

Gadio's presence might undermine the Church's trust.

Considering this, he might be planning to start his activities more actively.

It's necessary to expose the Church's plans one by one.

However, the reason they can cover up their past and hide their experiments is because there are people who support the Church.

To root out their evil, the best way is to undermine the Church's credibility.

"Still, is it really okay for him to return as the Master?"

"Is there something wrong with Gadio?"

"Oh, you don't know. He's called 'Cowardly Gadio' in some circles."

A completely inappropriate nickname.

Flame snorted.

It must have been given by an envious adventurer who couldn't match his strength.

"What? He's the embodiment of bravery, I don't see any cowardice in him."

"Now, but in the past—there's a story about him abandoning his comrades and fleeing alone."

"Are you just making this up because of the pay cut?"

"I'm not! If you don't believe me, ask other adventurers or even Gadio himself."

There's no way she could ask Gadio, "I heard you're called a coward, is that true?"

Flame was confused and furrowed her brow.

◇◇◇

After a while, Gadio returned.

He told Eira, "I'll start my duties as Master tomorrow," and left the Guild with Flame.

They headed towards Gadio's home in the Central District.

During the walk, Flame kept a troubled expression, thinking about what Eira had said.

"Did that woman say something to you?"

Gadio asked, still looking ahead.

"Uh?"

"You seemed troubled."

"Oh... Not really, more like I heard something."

Flame was vague.

As they approached the Central District, the streets became wider and cleaner, and the number of people increased.

People's gazes were naturally drawn to Gadio.

Some looked at Flame, but most were fixated on her cheek.

They were probably more curious about why Gadio Laskart was walking with a slave.

"Cowardly Gadio, huh."

He said it himself.

"You knew about it, huh?"

Flame averted her gaze awkwardly.

"It's the truth."

"That's not true, Gadio is—"

"No, I am a coward. I should be called a coward."

He said it firmly, as if to warn himself.

He looked at his palm.

Gadio was reflecting on the past.

Something must have happened, something even a great adventurer like him couldn't overcome.

Flame couldn't say anything more.

They walked in silence, crossing the Central District and reaching the East District—

◇◇◇

They stopped in a corner of the East District's high-end residential area.

"Welcome back, sir."

A soldier bowed deeply upon seeing Gadio approach.

The iron gate opened with a creak, revealing—

"Wow..."

Flame couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

The first thing she saw was a well-maintained garden, about the size of a small park.

Red-flowered trees formed an arch leading to the mansion.

Colorful plants lined the flower beds, and a large tree, too big for a private residence, stood in the center of the garden.

A corner of the garden had a swing and a sandbox, providing a space for children to play.

S-rank adventurers are said to amass great wealth.

Flame had vaguely understood this, but seeing it in front of her made her realize how limited her imagination was.

She had thought about things like eating thick steaks every day or eating an entire cake without complaints, but the reality was on a different level.

"Is this Gadio's house?"

"Yes, but it's not just mine."

He started walking on the stone path leading to the three-story mansion.

Flame, like a country girl in the city, looked around curiously.

Seeing her, Gadio's tense expression finally relaxed.

Every time Flame acted her age or a bit younger, he was reminded of a certain child.

He wanted to introduce them someday.

He believed they would get along well.

Standing at the entrance of the mansion, they heard running footsteps from inside.

The sound grew closer, and just as Gadio was about to open the door, it opened on its own.

A small girl appeared, breathing heavily but smiling widely at Gadio.

"Welcome back, Papa!"

The bombshell.

Considering his age, it wasn't strange, but Flame, who had never heard of this, opened her eyes wide and gaped at Gadio.

He covered his face and sighed deeply.