Chapter 59

While walking towards the eastern gate of the town, the leader of the B-rank party, whom they call "Ochibi," Jude, without a word, picked me up in his arms and carried me to the guild.

If it weren't for such a situation, I might have felt my heart skip a beat at being carried princess-style... No, it was quite painful, and it was hard to keep conscious, so it wasn't the time for that.

"Clayne-san!? Why!? What about this injury!?"

The moment we entered the Adventurer's Guild, I heard Marry's voice, but I couldn't respond properly. When I turned my gaze, she was rushing over, looking flustered.

"I found him outside the town. To the infirmary... Is anyone on duty today?"

"Yes! A healer is on standby!"

I was then carried to the infirmary in the guild, where the healer cast a recovery spell. There were still scars, so it was probably healed with water or wind magic. Still, the pain was gone. Thinking the danger had passed, I felt a wave of drowsiness. If I were more conscious, I would have wanted to confirm the differences more... but my head wasn't working.

I fell asleep in the infirmary and woke up a few hours later. The person watching over me was Viola, who usually works at the reception. She's a beautiful woman with a delicate aura. It seems the healer had other duties, and Viola, who can use recovery magic, took over to look after me.

I got up and looked for the clothes I was wearing, as I was only in my underwear. They must have taken them off to put me to bed. The clothes were dirty and on the floor... Since I didn't have a change of clothes, I had to wear the dirty ones.

"Thank you for your help."

"It's fine, it's fine. Don't worry about it. We're helping the guild, after all. Marry is worried, so you should show your face. But, you know, you can also come to the reception sometimes, right?"

"Hehe... But, Viola-san is always busier, right?"

It seems Marry is often busy, and she's concerned about it. No, I prefer someone who understands the situation... It feels like I'm burdening Marry, but I feel bad about it. Also, this person is popular, so there's usually a longer line.

However, how should I report this?

I think the danger has passed, but... I'm not sure if it's because of my actions or because I didn't die. My intuition didn't kick in. Despite the pain, I need to handle my intuition better, even if it means not dying, it's still dangerous.

By the way, for some reason, Momo was napping in the same bed, looking very comfortable.

It seems she came to Marry after we separated. She was purring on Marry's lap, but she stayed nearby after I was brought in.

...She's not much help. Well, it's good she didn't turn into a cat.

"Marry-san... I have a request..."

"Yes, anything you need!"

"...If there's an application to join a party with anyone other than my brother and his group, please don't approve it."

Marry looked as if she had been hit by a beanbag gun.

I wanted to prevent my party from being changed without my consent, as there might be people like that clan.

Did you think I would say something else?

I didn't want to report the clan because I didn't want to be retaliated against. There's no proof of what happened outside the town. They might claim it was a warning or not serious.

"Eh? ...Understood. I will ensure that any application under Clayne-san's name is not approved without your brother's permission."

"Is that possible?"

"There's a restriction to prevent young adventurers from forming parties without parental consent."

Hmm?

That's a bit... I'm not a child, so I'd rather not. But if it prevents changes from others, it's fine.

"So, what happened?"

"Do I have to say?"

"Yes... I would like to hear from you. I've already heard the details from Rai and Mwanda. That party has been disbanded... though, they might re-form without Mwanda."

"...Will I be retaliated against?"

"Rai said he wouldn't allow it, and the others agreed. Mwanda said they might become an S-rank clan, but..."

Rai, who didn't know the situation, was trying to help. He would have given me potions if I hadn't taken them myself. Mwanda was blinded by the potential status, and the others agreed with Rai. I got involved in a troublesome situation...

"I don't mind if I don't have to join that clan."

"Regarding that, it seems they took a blood oath while you were unconscious, and the application has already been submitted. It was on hold, but based on your statement, they will be punished for submitting it without your consent."

"......They really are careless... or do they have other plans?"

From the man's behavior, I thought he had given up on recruiting me when he didn't finish me off... but the application was submitted? That's strange.

Submitting a blood oath application and having it rejected would lead to an investigation. It's also strange that Rai was allowed to return to me...

"Clayne-san, we will investigate this. More importantly, your current situation."

"Um... What will you investigate? And what do you mean by current situation?"

"First, we will monitor that clan. The guild will keep an eye on them due to their inconsistent goals. Your statement that you won't join any party other than your brother's is sufficient. And... your current situation... Clayne-san, you are being targeted for assassination!"

Marry said this with a dramatic effect, as if it were a significant announcement.

By the way, this is the guild's reception area.

We haven't moved to a private room, so everyone in the guild can hear us.

Many adventurers are looking at us... What should I do?

"...Marry-san. About the current situation... well, not directly, but I've heard from the Alchemist's Guild that there was a request to have me killed..."

"Yes, we will investigate that fact. However, the discussion is about your protection."

"Staying in town... is that not enough?"

Murder in town carries risks. In this world, it's a crime, and if caught, the punishment is severe.

Conversely, if an adventurer dies outside the town, it's not considered a crime. They are aware of the dangers and are responsible for their own safety. So, if I'm to be killed, it will likely be outside the town.

"Yes, that's true... The Adventurer's Guild needs to ensure a steady supply of medicine, which has stabilized with Clayne-san... We want to take all precautions. By the way, how is your injury?"

"The others have already left, so you're alone, right?"

"Pretty much, yes."

"Danger still exists in town... They know where you live, so we don't want you to go home today."

"...You mean stay at an inn?"

Inns are dangerous, right?

Many adventurers stay there... I don't know how far the Alchemist's Guild went with the request, but there's a high chance the enemy is hiding there.

However, the people from that clan are from other towns, and the adventurers in this town like my master, so they might not turn against me.

"Come to my place today."

"No way, Leonis-san, you're newly married! Do you think it's okay to bring a woman to your house with your wife there!?"

"You're still a kid. It's too early to call yourself a woman."

"What!? Marry-san, did you hear that!? Isn't that too rude!?"

"Clayne-san, I understand your feelings, but I don't think Leonis will do anything to Fin's daughter, and it's not dangerous."

I understand...

I know Leonis's house is the safest.

Even if attacked... he has the strength to hold out until reinforcements arrive. But is that right?

Even if it's a matter of life and death... bringing an unrelated woman into his home, will his wife agree?

"Anyway, it's decided. Clayne, go to the church for a check-up. Elrue, I'll leave you in charge of escorting her. Stay with her until I return."

"Sure thing! Leave it to me!"

"M-Marry-san!"

"Clayne-san... It's fine. Elrue used to be a B-rank adventurer before becoming a receptionist. She can protect you."

Elrue is a beast person with cat ears and a tail, a cute but strong older sister type. I can see she's physically strong, but having a guild member as a bodyguard... won't it make me look favored and disliked by other adventurers?

"Ochibi! You'll be protected by Elrue, okay? Be a good girl!"

"I'm not a kid! And, compared to me, Master is more like a... "

"Don't worry. Lady Pamela has a guard from the lord. Ochibi needs a guard too. You're weak, after all."

"Ochibi, you were beaten up pretty badly, right? Just be quiet and let someone protect you."

"Ugh..."

Indeed... I was beaten up and am quite dirty and in bad shape.

Looking around, everyone is nodding. And most of them are calling me "Ochibi"... the number has increased? They're all worried, but they're also amused, right?

"It's fine. Leonis isn't into that type. He won't do anything."

"Right, right."

"Ochibi, you should also work on becoming a better woman, like Dina."

They're getting carried away, but I don't agree!

They're treating me like a child! I am weak, but I'm a professional! As an adventurer, having a guild staff member protect me is too embarrassing!

No, I don't want Marry and Elrue to look at me with pity; I want their help.