Chapter 62

When I stepped out of the church, a pigeon landed in front of me. It was Naga-kun's tamed beast, Raitchi.

It was the size of an ordinary pigeon, with pure white feathers, but around its neck, there was a ring of reddish-brown, like the skin of a lychee, resembling a scarf or a tie. On its leg was a tiny magic bag, which contained two letters and a small vial of tea leaves.

"Hmm. I want to write a reply, but it's difficult right now... Can you wait for me?"

When I confirmed with Raitchi, it replied with a "Kurukoo" and perched on my left shoulder. By the way, Momo had entered the hood of my cloak and was sleeping again. She's still a kitten, and even though she has recovered quite a bit, she was almost on the verge of death, so it can't be helped, right?

Naga-kun probably left her because he felt lonely and wanted to at least leave a pet. But, will this cat be of any use?

"Is this also a pet?"

"Not exactly... It's tamed by my childhood friend."

"Doesn't the tamer bring it?"

"Raitchi is usually brought by my childhood friend. It seems to have delivered a letter... It's only the fourth day since we set out, so I was surprised."

"That's good. You're letting him know about this incident, right!"

To let him know I was beaten up? I really don't want to. I don't want to do such a pitiful thing. Besides... what can he do even if he knows? There's no way he can come back in just a few days.

But, if the others don't return, does that mean I have to continue guarding on my own...?

"Elle-san, I can handle it on my own...?"

I tried to say I could handle it, but the words didn't come out properly. Why?

"You can't lie. You know you can't handle it yet, right!"

Hmm? Is it a lie... Oh, right... I made a pledge with the guild master not to lie! Does that include guild staff too! And, well... because it's a lie, I couldn't put it into words... Wait, haven't I been telling the truth all along? Is it judged so strictly?

"Hmm... Anyway, Elle-san, you have work to do, so I'll think of a way to handle it."

This time, the words came out smoothly. Thinking isn't a lie. Hmm... Depending on how I say it, I can consider the other person's reaction and avoid lying, but that sounds troublesome.

When I made a complicated face, Elle-san patted my head gently.

"Don't worry! Take care of yourself more than me. The guild's reputation is at stake if we can't get the medicine, so that's more important!"

"Medicine, huh..."

I returned from the Mushroom Forest Dungeon and delivered to the Adventurer's Guild three times. The frequency is once every three days... Each time, I'm told by Marii-san how many urgent medicines are needed, and I deliver as many as possible.

Probably, the Adventurer's Guild has a plan to address the medicine shortage. That was yesterday's delivery. Probably, based on the information that there wasn't enough, there were buyers, and the hoarding has calmed down.

Even if I were killed now, it wouldn't be a fatal blow to the Adventurer's Guild... It would just end with the Alchemist's Guild and the merchants who support them taking a loss.

"You don't have to force yourself to be an adventurer! Since you've become an excellent alchemist, just your cooperation would be a great help!"

I see.

They want me to focus on being an alchemist... That's a new perspective. I wasn't doing it reluctantly or anything. Rather, I was thinking it would be nice to go dungeon diving with the others again. But I'll make sure to train properly so I don't become a burden.

However...

Is that it?

Was that narcissistic clan also well-intentioned and wanted to make me their in-house alchemist?

They didn't take my life. They wanted to show me my lack of strength... to make me understand my place and seriously consider working with them in the future?

...Is that possible?

I remember that just being in an S-rank clan is a privilege in this world. That's why they form a clan and recruit more people instead of a party.

Naturally... E-rank parties and S-rank parties... the guild prioritizes S.

Their condescending attitude... They beat me up and submitted a party application, thinking the guild would support their opinion?

My contract with the guild master isn't known, and only a few people know that Leonis is my guardian. Originally, that clan... they heard about the dissolution of the S-rank party and moved to this town from elsewhere...

Hmm. But I don't think they have the strength to become S-rank...

"Elle-san"

"What is it?"

"When you get back to the guild, there's something I want you to check..."

"Okay, I understand."

For now, I'll have Elle-san check it out.

Depending on the content... I'll face that clan again. I need to resolve this quickly to reply to the others' letters. I want to settle this by tomorrow.

I went to Leonis's house, and Elle-san was explaining to Diana-san. Diana-san had a complicated look on her face.

Of course! It's weird for another woman to stay at a newlywed's house! I knew it!

"Sorry, Diana-san"

"It's fine... Given the circumstances. If you're being targeted, it's better to be careful. Nobles can be very troublesome. Stay here."

Hmm? She knows I'm a noble? It seems she understands the situation without me explaining in detail... just from the danger I'm in?

"I was a named healer. I've had party transfer applications submitted without my consent several times."

"Really...?"

A named person, I think, is someone with a title or nickname. Like Heart's Diana, right? I've heard that A-rank and S-rank adventurers often get titles.

But... Is it common for adventurers to submit party transfer applications without consent? And it's usually a noble issue...

"It's okay. I'm sure Leonis will take care of it."

But, she looks a bit complicated while saying that. Are they having a fight or something?

Elle-san also has a slightly awkward look, but I don't know the situation, so can you explain it to me?

"First, I think the value of being Pamella-sama's disciple is significant. Some nobles might think it's better to keep you safe and not let you go on dangerous missions. In that sense, there's a possibility of good intentions. I've experienced it a few times. Large clans often argue that you'll be safer with more people... It's a troublesome logic."

"Is that how it is?"

"Furthermore, in Crane-chan's case, you were adopted, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Is there something about that?"

"Noble third or fourth sons sometimes become adventurers. They're often considered failures who can't become knights..."

"Um?"

"Such people follow orders from their family. If they can keep you in the same party, they can use it to arrange a marriage. Making you feel close isn't always a good thing."

"Huh?"

Apparently, if noble children spend a certain amount of time in the same room, it can be considered an engagement. Even if it didn't happen, it's treated as if it did. The idea is to make you their property because a defiled woman can't have a good marriage. What nonsense!

Using this, they force useful female adventurers into the same party and arrange a marriage, or if they're commoners, take them as concubines and tie them to the family. This is a common tactic among lower nobles, apparently. Being favored by a noble isn't always a good thing.

"Is that a common thing?"

"Not common, but it does happen! It depends on the region. Some places are more noble-dominated, while others, like here, are more adventurer-focused."

"Right... I should be careful. I think the nobles are definitely involved. How they handle this will determine their next move... The important thing is not to make them enemies."

"If they're already enemies..."

Elle-san herself hasn't experienced it, but she's seen healers and mages with high abilities being targeted.

But... it's too late, right? The Alchemist's Guild is definitely an enemy. The relationship is irreparable.

"First, Crane-chan's enemy is the Alchemist's Guild, not the nobles, right? And your current position is somewhat uncertain, being with Laz."

"Ah, yes. I've heard that Laz-sama is part of the Prince's faction."

"Right. But Laz doesn't have enough influence to make his opinions count. And, are the nobles who oppose the Prince's faction necessarily your enemies?"

Hmm? I thought the nobles who oppose the Prince's faction would be my enemies, but maybe not?

"......They won't be enemies?"

"Yes. I think there's a misunderstanding. Pamella-sama isn't particularly close to the Prince's faction. But, they're not enemies. Laz admires Pamella-sama, right? Nobles aren't a monolithic group. They won't act unless it benefits them."

Is that so? Ah, but... The fact that the Alchemist's Guild, which opposes my master, is left alone suggests that the relationship isn't good. I'm surprised to learn that my master isn't part of the Prince's faction. So... it's important not to make them enemies.

"......I kind of understand."

"Good... By the way, Pamella-sama is a true alchemist. She's not really a noble. But, the treatment of Crane-chan, who was adopted, hasn't been decided yet. Whether to treat you as a commoner or a noble child. Either way, it's best to observe and see how things develop. No noble really wants to oppose Pamella-sama."

I see?

They want to see how things play out... But, I was just recently adopted and became her disciple. Has it already spread?

"Crane-chan, nobles use people. It's very likely that they've investigated the people who come in and out of Pamella-sama's house."

"......This is quite a rural town, right?"

"Yes. But medicine is important. I think they've investigated to some extent, considering Pamella-sama's safety... There are several noble families that seek Pamella-sama's medicine."

...I didn't think about that.

It's not impossible... In fact, if they're from an opposing faction, they might be seeking information about their enemies. So, I'm being watched.

"You don't have to live only in this town. Don't be swayed by Leo or Laz's plans."

Ah, right.

I'm bound by the contract, so I have to follow their plans... But, are the enemies of the noble Laz-sama really my enemies? I don't know the guild master's intentions. He's an old man... Leonis probably wants me to stay in this town.

Maybe I need to have a talk with the Adventurer's Guild.