Chapter 60

As Crane and Elr left, the adventurers who had been watching them also dispersed, so I went to report to the Guild Master's office. Troubles between adventurers are quite common, but this time it's not just that.

"......Hmm. Marry, how is the young lady doing?"

"She seemed unhappy about being assigned a guard, but she went to the church with Elr. The adventurers have accepted Crane, but... is it really okay?"

"I don't know... The fact that the young lady is hiding her power suggests that something is going to happen... Leonis, what do you think?"

"Her status is currently C-level, but if she fights seriously, she can probably take on A-rank adventurers. The fact that she was beaten up so badly suggests that something is going on. Besides, she can heal herself. It's suspicious that she ended up in such a state."

"Yes, that's true..."

I thought of the girl named Crane, who left with Elr in a battered state.

It has been a month since I took charge of her. Only the three of us in the guild know that she is a foreigner. To others, we say she is the hidden child of the former adventurer, Fin. After her father's death, she came to the town to become a pharmacist, relying on her father's friend, Leonis.

For this month, we have been observing her. She gives a strong impression of being a good and honest girl. She is also smart and cooperative, understanding our intentions. Among the strong-willed adventurers, she was a source of healing.

After intense training in the dungeon, pushed by Leonis, her abilities have grown significantly. There is no doubt that she will become a top-notch pharmacist, and it is clear that she will eventually stop being an adventurer.

However, it is touching and encouraging to see her trying hard as an adventurer, so we have been supporting her.

Today, she was heading to the "Green Swamp," so I gave her information when she stopped by in the morning and saw her off. Later, her pet Momo came, which I thought was because it was dangerous to take her along, so I left her behind...

Then, the people from "Arc" came, and Rai reported that Crane was injured and requested protection. Additionally, there was an application to dissolve the party.

Jude, who heard the report in the guild, went to pick up Crane before we could request it. Crane, carried by Jude, was in a terrible state... with bruises all over her body and a broken left arm. Her face was swollen from being hit... The healer who was on standby treated her, but the condition was severe.

When we questioned Rai and the others from "Arc" about what happened... it turned out that the A-rank clan "Shangri-La" had been aggressively recruiting and threatening her, even hinting at assassination by the Pharmacist Guild. Issues related to her were revealed.

"Did the Pharmacist Guild really go this far? The lord has already reprimanded them... and their dismissal has been decided. Killing Crane won't change anything, right? Besides, submitting the application without her consent..."

"Yes... It's probably just a pretense to make it look like the Pharmacist Guild is behind it. If they were trying to kill her, it would be strange to leave her in such a state... In any case, we will catch those who try to accept the party application. As for 'Shangri-La,' we will let them run for now..."

The purpose of the party application is to somehow get their hands on Crane. The predecessor of that clan came from a town far to the west, governed by a certain viscount's family, which provides significant support. The party leader is the fourth son of a related baron's family. Since the opponent is a noble, it's a bit difficult to immediately detain them.

We told Crane that she might be subject to punishment, but there is a possibility that we cannot impose activity restrictions on her.

We thought that the new A-rank clan had moved its base to this town... but it turned out that was not the case. Their goals are to become S-rank and to get Crane under their control. Moreover, according to the information from Rai, they believe that by getting Crane into their clan, they can become S-rank. What they did goes beyond the scope of conflicts between adventurers. There are likely orders from other regions' adventurer guilds and nobles.

The biggest concern is that Crane might be kidnapped. She is currently operating alone, so we need to be cautious.

Even within the town, it is not safe, so the guild has assigned a guard. Elr, even if she has retired, still has excellent scout capabilities. With her as a guard, it is hoped that they won't easily make a move.

In this town, where new adventurers come and go, it is difficult to keep track of everyone.

"We don't know what the young lady will do... However, since the involvement of nobles is highly likely, the danger is significant."

"If she is hiding her true strength, it suggests that there is more to come... Damn, she should have said it was dangerous earlier."

"Yes... She seemed calm, so I think she will be okay..."

"Besides, we should spread the word among adventurers that the young lady is Pamela's disciple. That alone should reduce the risk of her being killed."

Many adventurers have been helped by Lady Pamela. Therefore, even the name value of being her disciple can protect her... Additionally, we will subtly spread the word that she has alleviated the drug shortage.

To prevent more adventurers from following the Pharmacist Guild... we can only do what the guild can do.

In reality, the adventurer guild does not have enough grounds to restrict the actions of that clan. The only reason for Crane to reject that application... if there is a reason to prioritize a D-rank party over an A-rank clan...

"Marry, please make sure to investigate the identity and origin of the new adventurers who have come here."

"Yes, Guild Master. I will take care of it... I have already made a list..."

"In a month... surprisingly, many of them are from neighboring territories."

"Yes. Even adventurers who came from other places have origins in neighboring territories..."

We haven't identified all the potential enemies. It is likely that there are multiple forces targeting Crane.

Including this clan and another... the neighboring earldom... which has a poor relationship with this region, so we need to be careful.

There are many adventurers coming from other places, so it cannot be said to be absolutely safe.

"What does Lord Laz say?"

"No. I haven't heard anything specific from him... or rather, I don't know how much he knows."

"......Should we report it? Marry, please make another copy of that list."

"Understood."

Granos and his group's departure was hastened. However, considering the number of adventurers who have come to observe the town, it might have been better if they weren't here.

The presence of a foreigner in this town is becoming known. The number of people entering and leaving the town has increased to investigate her abilities. This town is an adventurer's town, so adventurers are not usually suspected.

However, considering Crane's background and the fact that the guild is working against the Pharmacist Guild, it is something we don't want to be discovered.

"......I think the young lady will be fine as she always manages to escape danger."

"Well, her instincts in such matters are spot on."

"Yes, that's true..."

Whether it's because of their expectations for Crane or some certainty they have, the Guild Master and Leonis don't seem too worried about her. Assigning Elr seems more like a deterrent to others.

"Still, I am worried..."

Even if she is a capable adventurer, the fact that she is still a newcomer means that it is not acceptable for her to be beaten by A-rank adventurers.

And... if it happens again, I don't want her to get hurt. As her assigned receptionist... and because I have a fondness for her, like a younger sister. So, I want to be worried.