Chapter 78

Well, I've thought about the prices of the potions to some extent, so I'll quickly do the <Mixing> and go to deliver them.

The last time I delivered to the Adventurer's Guild was six days ago. I heard they have quite a bit of leeway, so I should be able to supply them steadily. However, there might be a shortage... There might be some movement soon.

I also want to keep in step with the Adventurer's Guild. While I'm at it, I'll go see Leonis. We haven't met since we headed for the border mountains.

"Hey, you look energetic."

"Yes. I came to deliver, but is something going on?"

"Yeah, things are a bit hectic... but it's fine, come with me for a moment."

At the guild, Marry was busily organizing various documents, and Elrue was giving urgent instructions. Viola was the only receptionist, but it seemed like things were hectic, so Leonis was also helping at the reception. However, no one was lining up for Leonis... Is he even needed?

When he saw me, he said, "I'll leave it to you," and took me to the back... Is it okay to do this while working?

"Leonis, what's going on?"

"Did I call you? Or is it about the guild?"

"Let's start with the guild, shall we?"

"The guild is in a bit of a fuss because a rather unusual monster has been sighted."

"Hmm... Is it a dangerous monster?"

"Yeah, it's quite dangerous. They're in a flurry to raise the alarm. The fact that there's no damage reported from just sightings is actually troublesome. If you go outside the town, be on guard... It might be tough for you, given your skills."

Huh? It really is a dangerous monster. I thought I had developed enough skills to handle nearby monsters, even as a solo adventurer.

But if it's tough, it must be a particularly troublesome monster.

It seems that the Adventurer's Guild can easily issue a hunt request if there's information about a monster attack.

However, this time, it's just a sighting from a distance, and there's no information about an attack. Considering its habitat, it's rare for it to come near human settlements, and there's a high possibility of a misidentification.

The guild can only raise awareness and try to prevent damage at this stage.

"So, why did you call me to the back?"

"...Check your adventurer's license."

"Huh? ...Hmm? ...What?"

As instructed, I checked my adventurer's license and found that I was not part of any party.

I had asked Marry to prevent me from changing my affiliation without my brother's permission... but now, I'm truly a solo adventurer.

"...When did this happen?"

"Marry noticed it this morning. We're investigating what happened, but it seems that Granos removed you from the party in the neighboring territory, Caesius."

"Did something happen to my brother...?"

"Considering the situation, it's unlikely that he would remove you. This is the problem. If you're a free agent, you could be added to another party without your consent, as I explained before. Since you've already been removed by Granos, the only option is for you to become a party leader yourself. This is difficult unless you dissolve the party, but it's a viable option. You can also join another party."

Hmm. This is definitely a move by the neighboring baronial family, right?

I can't predict their moves, but I understand that being a solo, free agent is dangerous.

"First, is it possible for me to form a party with my brother again?"

That's the biggest issue, I think.

If I submit an application to join, will it be accepted?

"It's difficult. At the very least, since Granos has processed the paperwork in Caesius, it can't be done in this town. At least until he re-applies there or returns here."

"And they'll make their move during that time... Sigh... This is troublesome."

"But we can't just do nothing. You were busy with the treatment, and the guild was in chaos with the rare monster, and then Granos removed you from the party... We don't know how far they've planned this."

"Wow... A beautiful setup... Are we really being targeted seriously?"

Hmm. But my <Intuition> hasn't activated yet.

Does that mean I won't die? No, it should work a bit more. It's not that it only activates when there's danger, but maybe I need to use it better.

"Before my brother returns, I want to avoid being added to a party, so forming a party seems to be the fastest option... By the way, what about merging parties?"

"Hmm... If you create a new party and merge with Granos's party... Well, it's not a problem as long as it doesn't exceed 10 people."

"Got it. By the way, can you join another party immediately after leaving one?"

"......The guild might stop you from joining another party for about 5 days under the pretext of investigating suspicious points."

"5 days?"

Can I buy 5 days...

If so, I'll set up a temporary party during that time. I'll try to persuade Leus.

If I keep Leus in the party, it will be easier to hand him over to my brother. I'll confirm Crow and Tiga's intentions later.

First, I need to confirm if Leus and Crow are registered as adventurers. I haven't properly asked them.

"It takes about 4-5 days to get to Caesius. The guild there will notify you of the party withdrawal, so until you receive that notification, you can protest being added to another party without your knowledge. But..."

"Since I've already heard about it... and it's a noble matter, it's difficult to verify the truth, and my brother and Naga's safety is unknown, right?"

"Technically, both are still registered in this town, so the receptionist can check the records... Granos and Naga are now in a 4-person party. Incidentally, about half the money in the party account was withdrawn after you left, so Marry has locked the account to prevent further withdrawals. At the very least, it's not right to take the money you earned and claim it as your own. The guild plans to protest this as well..."

Seriously...

I told Raitchi to tell Lord Raz that we would use the party's money to return the armor costs. If that money is gone, I'll have to use my own money for the recipe costs...

"How much of this has been shared?"

"I want to report it to the guild master, but he's not here today."

"The timing is too bad... What about Lord Raz?"

"I've sent a messenger, but he's also not here."

"Wow... If they planned this, they're really good."

Was it a deliberate move or a coincidence?

At the very least, they've hit us at a perfect weak point.

"Anyway, I'll submit a temporary party application. I'll protest being removed without my consent and request confirmation that someone other than my brother processed the paperwork."

"Got it... Give the party a name. This time, the lack of a party name made it difficult to investigate, according to Viola."

I heard that adventurers often get nicknames as they become well-known, so I was thinking of considering a nickname and coming up with a party name later.

Maybe something that sounds like my brother and Naga... White and red... Red and white?

That doesn't sound right. Hmm. White flame? Both use fire weapons, and fire fits Naga.

"Um... How about <White Flame Lion>?"

"...What's that?"

"White for me and my brother, flame for Naga. Lion is from Leonis's nickname."

"Hey! Don't include me!"

"I'll say that you're the goal for my brother and Naga. I'll use the lion name, hoping to become like <Dawn Lion>."

"...What if they don't like it?"

"I'll stop if Leonis really doesn't like it. But I don't think they'll dislike it..."

Both probably admire Leonis... They do, right?

They both like their master, and I think they probably like Leonis too. But even if they admire him, they might not say it.

"...The party members will be Leus. Who else? And there's someone being treated, right?"

"Um, I don't know how to do it, but I plan to make them my slaves because I can't pay for the treatment. However, Crow said he doesn't have the energy to be an adventurer, so he doesn't need to be a member. Tiga just woke up... Well, it's been a while, but I'll talk to him tomorrow."

"Hmm... Debt slaves, huh. I'll ask Diona. She should be at home."

"You know about it?"

"She was a healer. When she was asked to cast recovery magic, she often made such contracts."

I see.

Indeed, if you're an adventurer, you might have to treat others. I'll talk to her.

"Um. Then, I'll be a bother?"

"Yeah, no problem. I still have work to do, so just go to the house. I also have something to talk about, so don't leave without permission."

"Okay. Then, I'll be a bother. ...Please handle the party application and check on my brother and Naga's safety?"

"Be careful. Don't let your guard down."

I understand. I can't underestimate the power of the nobles who can set up such a perfect plan.

I'll protect myself. I believe my brother and Naga are fine. The rest... How to avoid being alone? Yeah, it's a tough strategy.