Chapter 39

"Sorry, I thought I had updated it and forgot about it."

"Zelly-san!"

There stood Zelly-san, a feline beastgirl.

"Master, it's been three days. It's been a while for everyone."

"Oh, I had asked Zelly to gather the adventurers, but it seems it was in vain."

Zelly-san was at the Adventurer's Guild in the capital of the Kingdom of Curvaan, the Holy Kingdom of Curvaan.

"Yeah, but Zelly was drinking at the Adventurer's Guild—uh!?!"

"N, Naha... I have something important to talk to you about, so it's okay to put aside the welcoming mood for a moment."

I was covered by Zelly's hand and pulled out by her arm, which wrapped around my head.

"Master, Master...! Why were you about to say something so casually? It would make it look like I was slacking off, right!?"

"You were slacking off..."

"No, no, a general combat girl like me can't fight in a battlefield that embodies hell."

What's a general combat girl?

"Dantes was fighting on the front lines..."

When I said that, Zelly sighed.

"You see, Master, Dantes is dangerous. He exceeds the limits of the human race."

"Really?"

"Don't you get it? That guy is inhuman. When I first heard that he met you, he was a 'Gray Silver' adventurer. He quickly rose to 'Pure Gold,' and he's top-class among 'Pure Golds.' He could easily be 'Platinum.'"

"...Indeed, Dantes is incredibly strong."

I often wonder if his shield can block everything, and his acrobatic movements are at a level that a shield user shouldn't be capable of. He's definitely not a human approaching 40.

"I see..."

"What do you mean by 'I see'? The most dangerous one is you, Master."

"......"

The criticism was directed at me.

"Even Dantes sometimes says, 'Rage is in a league of his own.'"

"Huh? I've never heard that."

"He absorbs information quickly."

"......"

All of that is due to the power of the [All Things] teacher...

"I don't know what innate ability you're using, but if Dantes is inhuman, you've long since stopped being human."

The way you say it...

"I don't want to be involved in a superhuman battle like that. Nona and Mimon are fine because they provide support from the back, but if I go, I'll die instantly. My role is information gathering and communication. I don't want to be judged by their standards."

"...I'm sorry."

"That's fine."

She patted my back, and I was released from her grip.

Huh... Why do I feel like I was scolded?

"Are we done talking?"

Dantes appeared at the entrance of the tent.

"Yeah, yeah, we're done. —By the way, I overheard you and the others. It seems you're looking for the 'Black Sky Pirates.' I collected information with Yua on the way here and saw a few people who looked like them."

"!"

"Actually, when they realized we were a caravan, they approached us and asked to buy a carriage. Yua sold one for a considerable amount of money."

"You sold it!?"

"Well, I didn't think you were looking for the 'Black Sky Pirates,' and Yua is a merchant. But I heard Yua give detailed directions, so I know where they went."

Zelly pointed to a spot on the map inside the tent.

"It's definitely the Kingdom of Light Knights."

That night, Aba brought a certificate guaranteeing my identity. I wasn't sure how effective this identity card would be in this world, but I was grateful for what everyone at the 'Silver Scales' had done for me, so I gratefully accepted the certificate. It was a 15 cm square steel plate with elegant patterns and a magic-infused gem embedded in it.

"The Magic Empire of Ref guarantees the identity of this person and, if desired, promises all aspects of life within the empire."

I was told it could be used as an identity card like the guild card from the Adventurer's Guild, but I hoped I wouldn't have to use it.

It was a busy night.

Dantes and I left the tent to gather supplies for the long journey, which was supposed to be difficult in this front-line area of the empire.

However, as we went from place to place, many Ref people greeted us, saying things like, "The Great Shield! We owe you a lot on the battlefield," and "Is it true you found the 'Heroic Armament'?" Even though they had little in reserve, they shared what little they had with us.

"Rage, it's not bad to be thanked, is it?"

As the sun set and unusual bonfires lit up the area, Dantes said this while we were carrying our supplies back to the tent.

He was probably referring to my silent departure from the capital of the Duchy of Ahnhausen. I heard Dantes and the others had become heroes for repelling the dragon.

"...Yes."

It was tough, but it was worth it.

Many people must have lost family and friends, yet they were still rejoicing that the Red Gate was sealed and their homeland was reclaimed.

"Ah, there you are."

A large figure appeared from the side and reached out to take one of my bags.

"Ah... Duke Grunjeed!?"

"!?"

When I said that, Dantes froze.

It was indeed the former Holy King, Duke Grunjeed, with his holy water-colored hair, though he had no attendants.

"Hey. No need for formalities."

The duke, who smiled, stopped me from kneeling.

"I heard from the earl that you're about to leave. So, I came to see you off."

"...Rage, His Excellency wants to talk to you, so I'll go ahead—"

"No, stay here."

Dantes, who was developing a noble allergy from today's audience, tried to leave, but I stopped him.

Dantes looked like a scolded child.

"Are you the Great Shield adventurer? You're quite skilled. How about coming to the Holy Kingdom and training the knights?"

"A, ah!? No, that is, eh?"

Ah, Dantes is panicking!

"...Your Excellency, please stop joking. Dantes is our leader, and it's troublesome. Also, it's troublesome for you to carry the bags."

"It's not a joke, but if the party is troubled, I can't help it."

No, no, no, that kind of recruitment is not good, absolutely. He seemed to understand that, but he didn't return the bag.

...If this is seen, the earl will look at me with a serious expression. I can easily imagine being told, "To make the former Holy King carry bags, you're truly something, Rage."

"...Um, R, Rage. I wanted to apologize to you."

Duke Grunjeed said quietly.