Chapter 84

The comfortable flight through the sky was over in no time.

Panser landed softly in front of the city gate. Without any instructions from me, it seemed to understand that it shouldn't suddenly enter the city.

"Whoa, I'm surprised! Isn't that Moe, the familiar of B-rank Maidy? What are you guys doing here?"

Thank you for letting us know. The guard who ran up politely mentioned the names of the one person and one creature. It's common to see such explanatory characters in light novels and games, but to actually encounter one. And, B-rank, no less.

While Kokushin was explaining, I jumped off Panser first. But, Moe. Is it a coincidence or does it come from the cow pattern? No, the real question is whether there are black and white spotted cows that say "moo" in this world. The ones I saw when I went to buy milk and cheese were more like brown water buffaloes.

A thick tail swayed back and forth. It was also black and white spotted. Damn, I want to pet it. When I tried to touch it gently, the tail quickly moved away. Moe turned around and showed her teeth slightly. "Ah, sorry, I won't touch you." I quickly moved my hand behind my back.

"Raito? What are you doing? Let's go?"

The conversation had already ended. Kokushin had gotten off Panser, and the girl Maidy was being carried on a stretcher. She was still unconscious.

"Is she okay?"

When I asked, Kokushin nodded. The guard carried Maidy away. Panser followed behind, and we followed after them.

"Probably just the usual magic exhaustion."

The guard who had spoken to us first answered. He was walking beside us.

"Usual?"

"Yeah. She's a promising talent, solo B-rank at her age, and can skillfully use water and wind magic. Her King Panser is also powerful."

He chuckled.

"But, she often collapses from magic exhaustion."

"Wow, that's dangerous, isn't it?"

"Of course. Her familiar seems to guard her until she wakes up, but there are limits to that. I wish she would at least join a party."

"Is there a reason she prefers solo?"

He shrugged when I asked.

"She said it's more relaxing to be alone. There are probably other reasons, too."

It's not just someone else's business, so I can't really comment on that.

The guard looked at me and Kokushin and smiled.

"How about inviting her to join your party?"

"Her rank is different, and it's impossible."

No way. I don't need any more people who require a lot of attention. I'm interested in petting, but I'm not recruiting members!

We arrived at the Adventurer's Guild. She seemed to be well-known here, as she was quickly taken to the infirmary. How often does she collapse? Panser was waiting outside. I thought it would, but it quietly went to the window of the infirmary and sat there, peering inside from outside.

Every time she collapses and exhausts her magic, it makes me a bit angry. Or, is she too earnest, Mr. Panser?

"Ah, it's you guys again."

The Guild Master came out. Don't make us sound like troublemakers. We were just quietly completing quests.

"So, I want to hear about where you rescued her."

We were led to another room. Oh, right. I should mention the Piyokonka too.

"..."

"..."

"...?"

When I looked up at Kokushin, he was staring at me. But, you were explaining to the guard just now. Why are you silent with the Guild Master? The guard is the same person, right?

"Ah, Raito, right? Can you explain?"

The Master looked at me and Kokushin and urged me to speak.

"Um, we went to the foot of the mountain to slay the Piyokonka. There's something I want to talk about later regarding that, but let's put it aside for now. Suddenly, Panser appeared and guided us. We found a girl lying in a crevice between rocks, rescued her, and returned by air with three of us on Panser."

"I see. I heard some ominous words at the beginning, but let's put that aside. Maidy was in the crevice? Any injuries?"

The Master was pressing his forehead. It's not that complicated, I think.

"Yes. She was stuck in a crevice. I didn't see any injuries, but she was unconscious. I heard it was probably magic exhaustion."

"Ah, I see. She has a lot of magic power, but she seems to like using it all at once. She's often brought in."

Oh, she's a dangerous person.

"Her familiar can fly, and she's active in various cities nearby. If she could just get rid of that habit, she could even see A-rank as a solo adventurer."

"Does she have a preference for solo?"

"I don't know. I've recommended joining a party, but... How about you guys?"

"That was suggested to us earlier. It's not possible for us. Rather, shouldn't you be a bit stricter? Or is it that she can't control her magic?"

Maybe because she's always rescued, she doesn't feel the danger. The Master seems to think it's just a minor issue.

If she can't gauge her magic, it's a bigger problem. Normally, when magic power starts to run out, you get headaches or nausea. If that doesn't happen and it suddenly cuts off, it means there's no safety mechanism. It could be life-threatening.

"Well, yeah. She has a lot of talent and takes on troublesome quests like those in the mountains, so it's not too bad..."

The Master scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"Alright, I don't care. I don't want to get involved. Do you have any more questions? If not, can I talk about something else?"

If it can be dismissed with "again," that's fine. Eventually, it will become "finally."

"Oh, right. You had something to say."

The Master looked at me, surprised that I was ending the conversation.

"When we slayed the Piyokonka, we found a human skeleton inside. It's believed to be an adventurer. We brought it back, so please let us know where to take it."

I tapped my magic bag, and the Master's face tightened.

"Understood. I'll open the dissection shed. Let's go."

We went from the second floor to the first floor and headed to the shed in the courtyard. It's used for dissecting large monsters. I placed the partially dissected Piyokonka on the designated spot with a sheet.

"It's not just the skeleton, right?"

"Well, when you tear it open, all sorts of things come out, you know?"

"You... Ah, I see. We'll handle the processing. Hey, get some people who can dissect! You guys can go home. Come back tomorrow."

"Got it."

I bowed and didn't forget to report today's achievements at the reception. Just one. Oh, I forgot about the large number of rats inside. If I go back now and mention it, I'll probably get angry. I'll do it at home.

By the way, Kokushin. Why are you silent at the guild?

"I think the leader should talk."

What, then why did you talk at the gate?

"I thought Raito was sleeping."

Because I was quiet when we landed, he thought I was sleeping. No, I don't sleep in the air. Maybe I dozed off a bit. When I started talking, I immediately jumped off, and he thought, "Oops." Maybe I'll pretend to be asleep next time.

The girl was still unconscious. The King Panser was still standing in the alley, taking up the entire space.