Chapter 37

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"Phew, we're back..."

"Yeah, that's right."

After defeating the Goblin King, we started our journey back and finally made it to the town.

"Then I'll go return the cart, so please head to the guild first."

"Got it."

I asked Vais to return the borrowed cart, and we headed to the guild to report the completion of the quest.

"...Isn't the town a bit hectic?"

When Gail said this, I looked around and indeed, it felt like everyone was in a hurry.

However, only the adventurers seemed to be in a panic, while the shopkeepers were going about their business as usual.

"...What's going on?"

We decided that we would find out once we got to the guild.

---

"Oh, Mr. Nest! Welcome back."

While thinking that such a greeting might cause misunderstandings, I replied with a "I'm back."

"Mr. Asa, the adventurers seem a bit off. Has something happened?"

There were hardly any adventurers in the guild; they seemed to have gone somewhere.

"Could it be that some monsters have appeared again?"

I asked, half-joking, half-serious.

"...Actually, that's the case."

"Do the townspeople know?"

"No, it hasn't been made public yet..."

Ah, that's why only the adventurers were in a panic.

"But why hasn't it been made public?"

I remember that when the goblins appeared, the townspeople were informed right away. Is there a problem this time?

"...The monster is troublesome. It's an 'Ogre.' The one that appeared near the town."

"'Ogre,' huh..."

This is bad; it's definitely a monster I don't know. Is it a large moth...?

From the shock on Cyain and the others' faces, I can tell it's a strong monster.

"Right now, we're sending a survey team to confirm, but according to the report from the first party that discovered it, there are probably 'three' of them. The current members of the guild can barely handle them."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"It is."

If it's a large moth, what kind of attacks will it use...

Yeah, I can't even imagine.

"Mr. Nest, can you come with me for a moment? I need to talk to you."

"Ah, sure."

Thinking that this must be something Cyain and the others shouldn't hear, I followed him without hesitation.

---

"The reason I asked you to come is, can you stop the Ogres? As the 'Savior of the Dark'?"

...So Mr. Asa knew about that too.

"I said earlier that the guild can handle up to two, but that's the limit. I'm asking you, knowing the danger. Please save the town, save everyone."

Mr. Asa, who was trembling and looking down, asked me, and I couldn't say no.

"Um, I understand. So, please look up."

I don't know anything about Ogres, but if I take Aura, it should be fine. Aura, who is in the command course, should know how to fight Ogres.

I don't plan to involve her in the battle, so I'll keep her at a distance...

"...Thank you."

However, Mr. Asa's face was still dark.

"...Um, if there's anything else I can do, let me know."

"..."

His reaction was still weak. Maybe I should ask about the location of the Ogres and go quickly...

"Then, where are the Ogres?"

"...The three Ogres are approaching from three directions, surrounding the town. I'll leave the one here to you, Mr. Nest."

He showed me the location on a simple map.

"Then I'll head out right away."

"..."

He explained, but his reaction afterward was non-existent. Maybe he has something on his mind.

...However, when I tried to return to where Cyain and the others were, I was pulled from behind.

Of course, the only one who could be pulling me was Mr. Asa.

"A, Asa...?"

I remembered the first day we met and became nervous.

---

*...Absolutely, don't disappear from in front of me. If you do, I'll cry, okay?*

"!!??"

As he whispered this in my ear, something soft touched my cheek...

Mr. Asa, looking down, ran away from the spot at an incredible speed.

"O, Ogres, I'll go defeat them..."

I tried to change my mindset by muttering this, but my head was still full of thoughts about Mr. Asa.

This can't be part of the guild's job, and I don't think it's right to assume he has feelings for me.

---But I couldn't help but look forward to such a future.

"Mr. Asa..."

I don't know how I feel.

But if it's true, I'd be happy, maybe...