Chapter 47

〈Naga's Perspective〉

I step out of the tent, taking Crane's place.

In front of me, a man named Leonis is sitting by the campfire. Raz, who was supposed to keep watch with me, was nowhere to be found.

“……”

“Come, sit down first. I’ll explain the night camp.”

“……Alright. Please do……”

For outdoor night camps, whether to start a fire or not. In places where insect-type monsters appear, there’s a possibility they might be attracted. Caves can be dangerous due to the gas they emit, and so on. Leonis explained everything from how to start a fire to the details of setting up the camp. In practice, I learned that arranging the firewood and getting the fire started was not easy. I thought it would be fine since I could use fire magic, but it turned out to be difficult. I realized that just being able to produce a spark wasn’t enough.

“Got it?”

“……Yeah.”

Once the explanation was over, I was told to move to the side and shifted my chair from the opposite seat to the side.

“Alright……Naga. From here on, it’s about you. I don’t intend to ask what abilities you have, but you need to be aware that you are dangerous. I don’t know how many levels you’ve gained today, but your power is increasing at an abnormal rate. Not just in offense, but in defense as well. Anyway, as an adventurer, you have high abilities that will make people want to use you. The number of people who will try to use you won’t decrease.”

“……I see.”

As an adventurer.

I thought that was the only way to survive in this world.

But, it’s fine if it’s just me.

Crane and Granos can live differently. I knew they were both skilled with their hands and suited for making things. Especially Crane, who has a mentor. It would be best for him to become a pharmacist.

There’s no need for them to engage in dangerous adventures. They shouldn’t have come to this dungeon. During the battle today, I was on edge. I knew it was a fight against a higher-level opponent, but even with proper defense, the damage received was completely different. Crane is always in danger. If he makes a mistake, he might die.

“What do you want to do from now on?”

“…………”

“My opinion is……right now, sticking together as foreigners will only draw attention. The country has decided to conscript foreigners. Even if you escape this time, there’s a possibility that someone suspicious of you will report you. Crane’s stats aren’t suited for the front line, and there’s a risk he could be used as a hostage against you.”

“……”

“If your level continues to rise, you’ll surpass me tomorrow or the day after. ……A 30-year veteran A-rank adventurer……to be surpassed in just three days. It’s not normal. The upper echelons of the country will try to incorporate your power.”

Rising levels mean increased stats. …………But that’s all.

Today, I realized that my judgment was too lenient.

I couldn’t stop the monsters, and I wasn’t utilizing my skills and abilities. I don’t have the power to protect them.

If the result is putting my benefactor in danger, it’s meaningless. I want to protect them. I don’t want to think about them being taken hostage or, worst case, dying because of me.

“……If we separate, will he be safe……?”

“……For now. He has his own talents, and if he develops them, he could still be in danger. But……compared to you, his abilities aren’t as specialized. Whether in magic, healing, or temporary front-line roles, he’s versatile but not overly specialized. If he focuses on developing abilities that are more useful than combat, he won’t be used. A top-notch pharmacist won’t be sent to war. You and he have different roles, clearly.”

That’s true.

Crane doesn’t need to fight.

Being together isn’t the only way to protect him……but I still want to be with them.

It’s my ego. Being together was fun, but……it’s not allowed.

“I understand your concern……but if you stick together without knowing anything, you’ll just drag each other down.”

“……Is that so?”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“……No……I’ll think about it.”

“Alright. It’s not just about stats. ……Build your real strength and come back for Crane. Until then, I’ll protect him for you.”

Can Granos protect them? I wanted to ask but stopped myself.

If it’s just the two of them……they can pass as siblings. If Granos takes charge and I leave……Leonis will at least be on our side.

He can protect them……much better than I can. With my thoughts in disarray, I watched Leonis enter the tent to take his turn.

“Really, Leonis is too soft.”

“……”

“If you want to protect him, let him. It would be easier for me.”

The man named Raz is hard to understand.

The information I got from Crane doesn’t match his actions.

But, I trust him……maybe because I’m just a kid.

“……If you can protect him, I don’t mind being used……”

“Yeah. I can’t protect him. ……I don’t know what your world is like, but it’s impossible in this world. The king’s decisions are absolute. If your hidden actions are discovered, death awaits.”

“……I see.”

So, he can’t do anything either.

It seems……he wants to protect Crane. He doesn’t seem to have the idea of abandoning him.

I don’t understand why Crane and Granos are wary.

“Following Leonis’s advice, it’s best to run for now. Crane has value, but if you can only fight, you have no value now.”

“……”

Granos’s value……

He might not realize it because of his high combat ability. He’s different from me.

Even if I’m clumsy……in a way, he’s more skilled than Crane. Not just with his hands, but in life.

“Hey, do you want to be a hero or a brave?”

“……It’s not my style. I……want to do what I want. While we’re in this dungeon, I want to protect him.”

A hero wouldn’t have a dark personality like mine.

They would be bright and lead everyone.

Granos might be able to act like one……but he would refuse without any benefit. Besides, he’s a complex person, far from being a hero.

“Haha, yeah. Well, do what you want. But, observe your surroundings carefully. Do you really need to protect him? Crane seems passive, but he’s not in danger in combat. Think about what you should do.”

“Why do you and Leonis focus on Crane?”

“Hmm. Well, I have a certain status. Even so……”

“……I know.”

I heard from Crane.

A person who can decide to kill all foreigners……

Even if there are higher-ups……Crane said this person’s judgment alone was enough. But, I only heard it. He’s actually helping us, a noble coming to the dungeon to save us.

I still don’t understand him.

“Foreigners, who are outsiders, should be eliminated. But, because of their power, it’s sometimes better to keep them as a trump card. Crane was very unusual. Not only did we incorporate him, but he’s now important in another sense. Pamela, who hasn’t taken a disciple in over 40 years, took Crane as a disciple. This can’t be ignored by the country.”

“……Why did he become a disciple?”

“Leonis’s introduction. I don’t know the details. But, Leonis and Pamela have been friends for 30 years. And……he probably reminded her of a deceased comrade, and she couldn’t leave him.”

A temporary parent for Crane and Granos.

I’ve heard the story. We need to align our stories. As childhood friends……we can’t say we don’t know their parents.

“Leonis’s partner, who he teamed up with when he became an adventurer at 12, was a scout. He looked like Granos. His personality was more like yours. He was quiet and would stop me from making mistakes with actions rather than words.”

“……I see.”

“I was taken care of when I was a beginner. I was shocked when I heard he died.”

“Weren’t you in the same party?”

“I ran away from my noble family and became an adventurer, doing reckless things alone……Leonis and the others were worried and joined me. We were together for about two years, but I was taken back home.”

“……”

“In the end, I couldn’t become an adventurer. I have the title but no achievements. But, I still have connections, which are useful in situations like this. The guild master helps out, too.”

“……Being a noble is tough.”

He was hard to read……but I think I understand.

He really wanted to be an adventurer.

“You’re too honest. You can’t do the backroom stuff.”

“……That’s Granos’s job.”

“Not Crane’s?”

“He’s not suited for it.”

Crane shows everything on his face.

His caution, trust……even his thoughts are visible. Sometimes he even speaks out loud. ……He’s not suited for it.

Granos is more suited.

“Really? Crane is strong for his age.”

“……Foreigners don’t look their age.”

“Huh……is it okay to share that information?”

“Not really……Crane probably forgot to mention it. He thinks a lot but sometimes forgets to share information……he’s not clumsy.”

It’s obvious that they don’t look their age.

We had preconceived notions and didn’t treat it as information.

“So, how old is Crane?”

“……Asking a woman’s age is taboo.”

“Oh……is that a universal concept? Then, how about you?”

“I’m……14. By the way, Granos is in his early 30s. According to Granos, Crane is a bit older than him.”

“Hmm, I see……so you treat them as older sisters, knowing they’re older?”

Sisters……it doesn’t feel wrong.

But, he looks the youngest……. I don’t know why he has a childlike face. Maybe because he’s a girl and wants to look young……. ……Because of that, he’s underestimated as an adventurer.

“……He looks the youngest. And he seems fragile.”

“Do you see him that way?”

“Yeah. He’s skilled with his hands, but not in living. He can do it, but if pushed too hard, he’ll collapse under his own weight……according to Granos.”

“Haha, I see. Well, if that’s the case, leaving it to Granos might be a good idea. It will……keep him away from danger.”

“……Do as you please. We’re your pawns. As long as you don’t harm them.”

No matter how confusing the person is……if he can protect them, it’s fine.

If he tells me to leave……I can wait until the time comes. I’ll build my strength and come back for them.