Chapter 37

After the commotion, we regrouped with the two of them.

I had planned to gather some materials at the "Western Hill" today and start our special training... but...

"Hmm, there are a lot of people."

"Yeah..."

The "Western Hill" we went to for gathering materials had three parties of adventurers... They even had tents set up, so they were probably staying overnight. They seemed to be guarding researchers.

"Hey, are you guys here for a delivery request? Sorry, but..."

"Yeah. We owe a lot to Grandma Pamela... Is something wrong?"

"Oh, I see... Come over here for a moment."

When my brother casually responded, one of the adventurers deliberately led us to a blind spot behind a rock, away from the others. It didn't seem like they had any ill intentions, but we were a bit on guard. We didn't want to get into a fight with higher-level adventurers.

We followed, ready to draw our weapons at any moment, as we entered a spot where the other party couldn't see us.

"Wait, I understand your caution, but we don't want to fight. We received a direct request from the Alchemist Guild... but things seem suspicious, and we're in a bind."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, lured by the high reward, we took a guard mission without going through the guild. The guarding itself is fine, but they're gathering materials in very tight quantities... Specifically, if they gather any more, the next batch won't grow, leading to depletion. They're also muttering about the Alchemist Guild monopolizing the materials... It's unclear if it's harassment towards Pamela, but we're contracted for another five to seven days. We can't report to the Adventurer Guild either. We were in a bind when you guys showed up."

"...Is this retaliation from the Eastern Forest?"

"But it's not the Adventurer Guild's fault, right? I mean, without the materials, they can't make anything... so they're trying to monopolize them?"

Materials... So, it's going to be difficult for our party to gather them.

If this place is out of the question... we'll have to go to another gathering spot... but it might be better to report this first.

"Can you guys report this? Our party name is 'Arc,' and I'm Rai, the scout. The leader might be noticed if he leaves the scene, so here's our adventurer's license."

"Understood. I've seen you around the guild... I'm Clain. Our party name is still pending... but I'll report it properly to the guild."

"Thanks. Then, I'll leave it to you."

We left the scene to avoid being noticed by the Alchemist Guild staff.

Hmm... I should probably talk to my master about this...

I also want to check what's happening in the "Eastern Forest"... and I haven't been to the other gathering spot, the "Green Swamp"...

"Phew... What should we do?"

"Sorry. Let's do the special training with just the two of us..."

"No, that won't work."

"That's one of your bad habits. We'll definitely help, and it's good for Nag and me to contribute to the Adventurer Guild. We can always do the special training later."

"...Clain, I'll follow your lead. Give me instructions on what to do."

I nodded to confirm with my brother.

Wait, am I supposed to give the instructions? I thought I would rely on my brother, who I planned to make the leader... Besides, if I team up with them, my skills won't match up in the long run.

As I was pondering, my brother turned to me and placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Clain, calm down."

"No, the thing is... I can't possibly take responsibility for the lives of the two of you... So..."

"I understand. It's fine if I or Nag take the lead, but you'll be the strategist. Give us your input. You're the smartest among us. We'll decide whether to adopt your plan."

"Huh? Oh, okay?"

"...Granos will be the leader, Clain the strategist. Decisions will be made by all three of us. If we disagree, what should we do?"

"Um... how about a coin toss? Leave it to fate?"

"Sounds good."

So... I'll give my input, but I won't take responsibility. Is that okay?

I mean, is it okay to just say it? I don't really mind. Hmm...

Basically... being smart... it's just a high INT value, right?

I think my brother has a good foundation too... Hmm. Well, if I'm not the leader, it's fine.

"Clain, what do you think?"

"I think we need to report this quickly. First, Nag will report the 'Arc' party's situation to the guild."

"...Is it okay if I do it?"

"Yes. Take this party registration and report it to Marry, the blonde receptionist. If possible, report in a separate room or have Leonis connect you... Meanwhile, brother, do you know where the 'Green Swamp' is?"

"I haven't been there, but I know the location from the map. I'll manage."

"Okay. I want you to check the situation there. Be cautious, as the enemies might be stronger. If it's the same as the 'Western Hill,' report it directly to the guild."

"Ah... I see. You'll check the 'Eastern Forest,' right?"

"Yes... Considering speed and strength, this is probably the most efficient. What do you think?"

We need to report what we know about the Alchemist Guild's actions, even if we can't act on it immediately.

While my brother and I don't have a huge difference in AGI, he's definitely stronger. I'll leave the area with stronger enemies to him.

"That's a good plan. Nag."

"Yeah... What about the master?"

"I want to tell him... but we should wait and see how the Adventurer Guild responds and confirm our own situation first."

"Understood."

＜Nag's Perspective＞

Following Clain's instructions, I hurried back to the Adventurer Guild. The blonde receptionist I was supposed to report to was busy with an adventurer, so it would be difficult to report immediately... but. A male staff member whom Clain respects was in the hall.

It would be better to talk to him directly.

"Hey... I need to talk to you."

"Oh... You're Nag, right? What's up?"

"...It's something I don't want to be overheard."

"Ah. If you want to take the training, come this way."

In response to my whispered words, he loudly said it was training and led me to a back room.

He was indeed as competent as Clain and Granos had said, quick on his feet.

"So, what's up?"

"...Today, at the 'Western Hill,' a scout named Rai from the 'Arc' party asked me to relay a message. They received a high-reward request directly from the Alchemist Guild and are on a one-week guard mission. The amount of materials they're gathering is abnormal. He asked us to report it to the Adventurer Guild."

"Abnormal? Can you be more specific?"

"The man named Rai said they might be trying to monopolize the materials for the Alchemist Guild. There were such comments."

"I see..."

"Clain is checking the 'Eastern Forest' to be safe. Granos is going to the 'Green Swamp.' They'll come here if something happens."

"...Understood. Please wait here for a moment."

Leonis left the room, leaving me alone.

While Granos would probably show up eventually, Clain would likely come by soon. To pass the time, I practiced crafting and woodworking with a knife.

As I carved the wood, I thought... but I didn't really understand what was going on.

I thought requests were supposed to come from the guild. However, the issue here was that it was the Alchemist Guild, not the Adventurer Guild.

I didn't understand why they wouldn't give the materials to our master.

"...Sigh..."

In the end, I'm just a kid.

Until now, I've just done what I was told and haven't taken action on my own. Even though my body has grown since coming to this world, I haven't accomplished anything.

I wanted to grow up quickly. But I didn't realize how difficult it would be to live on my own.

Without Clain and Granos, I wouldn't have been able to survive. That's why I want to protect them, but it's not going well.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm Marry. Nice to meet you."

"...Yeah. I'm Nag... I'm in a party with Clain and Granos..."

After a while, the blonde receptionist entered the room and greeted me, so I returned the greeting. Clain seemed to be well-known, but I didn't know what to say, so the room fell silent.

"So, Clain is involved again, huh?"

"...Again?"

"Well, like with the 'Eastern Forest' incident. It seemed like he got caught up in events without intending to."

I heard that something happened in the 'Eastern Forest,' but I didn't know the details. I thought it didn't concern me, but since Clain was involved, I should have asked more about it.

The word "caught up" also caught my attention...

First, I'll do what I was told.

"Today, we went to the 'Western Hill' to gather materials for alchemy. But before we entered, a blue-haired man approached us and asked us to relay a message."

"Yes. Is it definitely from Rai, the scout of 'Arc'?"

"He showed us his adventurer's license... but I only heard it, and Clain confirmed it. I think it's him. I gave the license back to the man earlier..."

I heard the conversation, but since Clain confirmed it, I can't say for sure.

I'm frustrated with myself for relying on others to do the job.

Granos knew exactly what he needed to do... but I thought it would be fine to just relay the message.

"I see. So, the message was..."

"The mission is a one-week guard at the 'Western Hill.' They can't leave for another five days. They received a high-reward request from the Alchemist Guild. The amount of materials they're gathering is abnormal, and they're talking about monopolizing them. They asked us to report this... The person who asked was Clain."

"So, Clain accepted the task?"

"...The party leader, Granos, decided to take it. But Clain and the other party knew each other. So, Clain suggested checking other gathering spots, and they decided to split up. Granos, who is faster, went to the 'Green Swamp,' and Clain went to the 'Eastern Forest.'"

"Indeed, if they want to monopolize the materials, they need to do it at all three places. But even then, it will only affect this town. It's quite a harassment. Even if it's retaliation for sage leaves... if they go all out, we won't hold back either."

I could see her quiet anger. Her expression was calm, but her eyes were different.

It's best not to say anything extra. She seems like the type who gets scary when angry.

"So... Nag, the 'Green Swamp' is a bit challenging compared to the other two places... Are you okay with it?"

"...Unlike Clain, I'm a guy, so I can take a few hits. I accepted Clain's proposal, but if the roles were reversed, I would have objected."

"I see... Do you have any plans after this, Nag?"

"No... I'll wait for Clain or go see the master... Is there any confidentiality regarding this matter?"

"Yes... First, don't reveal the name of the other party or the client. We'll conduct an investigation. This is to prevent rumors from spreading. We'll give further instructions after the investigation, but basically, we don't want you to tell anyone outside."

"...I see."

Outside. We can exchange information among the three of us, but we can't tell the master... But I don't think they would want to keep it from the master either...

"If you tell the master, say that 'someone from the Alchemist Guild is trying to monopolize the materials.'"

"...Okay. Is it okay to tell him?"

"Since Clain, his disciple, will report it, it's fine... but we prefer a detailed report after the investigation."

"Understood. I'll tell Clain too."

After finishing the conversation with the receptionist, I went home, wrote a note, and headed to the master's place. We'll meet at the master's house, but I don't think he'll refuse.