Chapter 79

"It's been a while, Crane."

"It's been a while. Leonis told me to consult with you, Diana..."

"I'm glad you came."

When I went to Leonis's house, Diana greeted me. Even though we didn't have a specific appointment, she welcomed me with a smile.

Then, while drinking the tea Diana made and eating some dried fruits and snacks, we chatted a bit before I brought up the topic.

"I have something I'd like to consult you about, is that okay?"

"Oh, what is it?"

"If you know, I'd like to ask... when it comes to claiming medical fees for treating the injured and making the other party a debt slave..."

"Oh! You can use recovery magic, Crane. Don't you get paid by the people you treat?"

"They don't have any money, so there's talk of making them debt slaves for now."

"Well, that's a bit complicated. You need some way to prove that you treated them, which can be quite troublesome... If they're adventurers, the guild can oversee it, but that's not the case here, is it?"

I see. Even among adventurers, they sometimes ask the guild to oversee the treatment.

Well, I guess it's understandable that they might argue over whether the treatment was done or not... Once an argument starts, you probably won't get treated again. And if that becomes known, it could spread... I suppose if you change countries or regions, you might be able to get away with it...

But if it's troublesome, Diana must have had similar experiences...

"Um, they do have the intention to pay. It's just that they don't know how to handle the debt slavery..."

"I see. In that case, it's simple. You can go to a store that sells slaves and tell them you want to make someone a debt slave because they can't pay their debt. Of course, there will be a fee. For debt slaves, it's usually 10% of the debt amount, I think."

Oh... So there's a problem with the fee.

If there's a fee, it might be difficult with my current funds.

"Oh, you can add that fee to the debt slave's debt, or you can pay a deposit and pay the fee later."

"That's a relief... I'm a bit short on money."

"Also, if you just want to sell the debt slave, there won't be any cost."

"Ah, no, I don't want to do that. It's a group of three, and one is already confirmed as an assistant. I don't want them to be separated."

When I mentioned three people, it seemed she assumed they were a party that had been injured together, and she suggested consolidating their debts. Apparently, such contracts are possible.

However, this time, that's not an option. There's a possibility of letting Leus go... I think his wishes and his guardian's wishes don't align.

"Well, in that case... Since you're not used to this, it might be better to ask the Commercial Guild for an introduction. If you don't want to hand over the slaves, it's better to prepare a proper contract in advance, so it's more reliable to consult the Commercial Guild and ask them to prepare the documents. It will cost money, though."

"What's the difference?"

"There aren't many stores that handle slaves, but there are a few, and some are actually illegal. You want to make them slaves, but you hope they'll eventually pay you back, right? However, some stores might pressure you to sell them quickly... and since you're cute, you might be taken advantage of... If the documents are prepared by them, there might be issues with forgery, which would be problematic, right?"

Hmm. If the contract is different due to forgery, that would indeed be a problem.

The goal is to erase the illegal entry... Ah, proof of treatment might also be necessary? Maybe I should ask the priest.

"...There are various procedures, right?"

"Well, just to be safe. If you're going to be a pharmacist, it might be good to register with the Commercial Guild. I'll prepare an introduction letter, so take it with you."

"Got it. Um, should I bring the three people who will become slaves?"

"It's up to you at the Commercial Guild, but you need to bring them to the slave merchant."

I see. Then, I'll confirm with the three of them tomorrow and go to the Commercial Guild.

The problem is... the Alchemist Guild is near the Commercial Guild.

Well, I don't think they'll attack me in the middle of town, but I think it's better to be cautious.

"The treatment and medicine will be expensive, so even if it's a bit troublesome, it's better to consult them. Pamela might know more about it?"

"No, I just asked my master about the medicine and was satisfied... I thought if there was someone else who knew more, it would be Leonis, who suggested Diana... Thank you, I really appreciate it."

"It's fine. But, by the way, that person is late. Did something happen?"

"Ah, there's a report of a rare monster sighting. It hasn't attacked anyone, so they can't form an emergency party. They were told to be careful because it's dangerous."

"Oh. Then, shall we have dinner and wait for them?"

"I'll help."

From what Diana told me, Leonis often comes home at irregular times, which can be quite troublesome.

I probably should have informed him earlier.

We prepared dinner together, and I learned that Diana makes quite hearty dishes. Apparently, she was an adventurer until about half a year ago and didn't cook much for herself... I see. The meat-heavy dishes might be to Leonis's taste.

"Crane, let's have a drink! Can you listen to a bit of my complaining?"

"Sure, if you need me to."

Diana poured me some of the wine she brought. Since I can drink at my age in this world, I accepted without hesitation.

The conversation turned to complaints about Leonis, but the food was delicious. Well, Diana ended up passing out from drinking too fast.

"I'm back... It smells like alcohol."

"I'm here. We drank quite a bit... Diana is resting in her room."

"Oh. ...I caused you trouble."

When Leonis came home, Diana had already passed out from drinking.

I sent her to her room and waited for Leonis.

"So, did you understand how to do it?"

"For now, I plan to follow the advice and ask the Commercial Guild for an introduction."

"I see... Did she say anything else?"

"If you mean complaints about Leonis, I heard them all. It was a drinking session, so I could understand some of it."

"You handled it like an adult."

What does he mean by that?

I may look young, but I consider myself an adult... Sometimes I mess up, which is why I'm not a good adult... I can't deny that.

"...I was an adult. A bad adult, really... I ran away."

"I see. Well, I'll lend a hand... You're... the child of my best friend."

"Even now, if you want to adopt me as your apprentice and become my brother, that's fine too?"

"Me? Being your brother would be too much trouble. Being a cousin would be just right."

Leonis poured himself a drink and sipped it, looking a bit pleased. Yes.

But, well... I think my brothers, Naga and the others, are enough.

A cousin... That's exactly the relationship we have.

"So... What are you planning to do from now on?"

"Huh? I don't understand what you're asking. Which matter are you referring to?"

"As an adventurer, what are you going to do?"

As an adventurer, huh.

My basic plan hasn't changed. My master showed me some materials, and even with the materials he has, there are significant differences in quality. Some have deteriorated due to storage, but some were poorly handled from the start.

I don't want to receive such materials from the Adventurer's Guild. I think I need to be strong to collect them myself. Also, I feel quite endangered... because of the nobles.

I need the strength to protect myself. I still need to train.

My plan to become stronger while being an adventurer hasn't changed. Within a reasonable range.

"For now... My basic plan hasn't changed. I need to earn enough to live, but if you ask me if I'll go to dangerous places for glory, I won't. However, if I need certain materials as a pharmacist and not having them could mean someone can't be saved, I'll go even if it's a bit dangerous."

"I see... You're going to walk the path of a pharmacist."

"Hmm. I think I'll eventually become one... But while I'm still learning and my body can handle it, I might make being an adventurer my main job and travel around."

"Hmm?"

I'm still a beginner who can't do anything without my master's guidance.

But according to my master's training plan, it should take about a year. So, I plan to learn the necessary basics by then and travel to different places to learn more advanced techniques.

Well... I don't like living in the wild, so I'll probably stay in towns and spend some time in inns.

To do what I want in this world... I want to become a disciple my master can be proud of. For that, just following what my master taught me isn't enough.

"To become a disciple my master can be proud of, I think I need to leave this town... If I keep doing the same thing in this town, I won't surpass my master. I need to research more materials and learn more skills, I think."

"Didn't you say you wanted a stable life?"

"That's a different matter. ...To build a foundation for a stable future, this is necessary. It's important to know what's out there in the world before I can produce everything locally like my master. I'm not at that stage yet. I'll start with acquiring basic knowledge... I don't want to regret not doing it."

I need to grow so that my master can say he has a successor. If I keep relying on him for materials and knowledge, it won't do.

"Will you be a healer as an adventurer?"

"That's not possible."

"You're excellent, though, right?"

I don't know why Leonis thinks I'm excellent... But I guess it's because I handled my first dungeon normally.

At the church, I saw some books... There are quite a few spells missing from both light magic and holy magic.

Well, apparently, the spells you can learn depend on your aptitude, and you can learn more later. But in practice, I can only do brute-force healing with INT and MP.

Lack of knowledge... And according to the priest, adventurers in general have this tendency... If I think I'm excellent, I'm just a frog in a well.

And there's also the issue with me personally.

"No, I might be able to, but I don't want to."

"Don't want to?"

"In the Mushroom Dungeon, I realized something from the party experience. The reception play expected of healers, I can't handle it!"

"Huh? What's reception play?"

"Well, you see. The role of a healer is to recover the party if something happens, and there's nothing to do when there's no need. And to prevent the healer from breaking down, they're kept safe. Everything is left to the others, and you just follow along, getting the materials you want. It seems great, but watching Raz, I realized... I can understand why that kind of play is required, but it makes me uneasy."

It's not just that I'm flattered with unnecessary compliments and patted on the back... It makes my spine tingle. It's not just uncomfortable; it's unbearable. In fact, being at the back makes me feel strangely anxious.

Also, I'm not used to being flattered, and when I'm overpraised, it makes my stomach churn. I understand that receiving reception is sometimes necessary.

But I don't want to do it all the time as an adventurer. I want to be treated normally... Well, I'm not receiving reception; I'm fighting. It's unbearable to be protected and do nothing when there's no need for healing.

"...Raz used to fight more in the front when she was active. Now, she has to stay in a protected position. I understand that."

"I understand. It's important not to injure Raz, and I understand that if a noble is injured, it can lead to 'What were you doing?' And it's necessary to stay in a safe place, gather mana, and cast powerful spells for support. I understand that it can save lives. But is that the kind of play expected of healers? Naga would try to protect me, and if we avoid dangerous places... I don't think I'm necessary. In that case, I want to be a skirmisher in the front."

That's right. It's a matter of personality... I don't think I can be a leader.

I want to be on the front lines, but I don't have the strength to be a tank. The back line is a bit...

"In boss battles, you've shown results with quick thinking, not just as a healer. And in terms of skill, you might not need a healer in the places you go... You might just need to be there in case something happens."

"Right. If I'm told not to go to the front as a healer, I'd rather be a free skirmisher. It was more fun to team up with my brother and Naga, but being protected all the time doesn't suit me."

"Hmm, that makes sense. For a healer, being protected is part of the job, but if you can't do that... It might be better to be a versatile skirmisher. You have a high danger detection ability, after all."

He seems a bit hesitant, but he seems to have accepted it since I want it. "Got it," he nodded. Good. I got Leonis's word.

Naga wants to protect me, so I'll use this to convince him. If I say Leonis said it, he'll understand.

My brother's stance is that if I want to do it, I can, but he'll test my abilities. If I can do it, he won't complain. If I can't, he'll force me to be a healer...

Their personalities... One wants to wrap me in cotton and the other wants to throw me into a deep valley. They're quite extreme. ...And their words are often unclear.

"Sorry for the sudden question."

"It's fine, but what did you want to confirm?"

"One is your position if you join another party. If it's temporary, I can introduce you, but it depends on the position."

"...That's a bit..."

For now, I don't plan to team up with anyone other than my brother and Naga.

If they add more members in the future, I think I should step down if I'm not a good fit.

But, considering the need to deter the nobles, I can't easily leave... We need to talk about it properly when they return.

"The other thing is, have you heard about the next stampede?"

"Sort of. It's likely to happen in mid-next month, right?"

I was lost in thought, but Leonis continued.

I've heard about the stampede. It's predicted that there won't be much damage this time. The reason is that there are more adventurers now. There are also plans to send them to areas that might be understaffed, as I heard from Mary.

"That's right. I need to decide your position... If it's known that you can heal, it might cause trouble, but there's also a shortage of healers. I needed to confirm what you want to do."

"...Basically, the guild decides the position, right?"

"Yes. I confirmed your wishes, so they'll consider it."

"Thank you."

Well, it's a job, so Leonis's opinion isn't always followed.

It seems Leonis wanted to confirm my wishes in advance. He's considering the possibility that I might be alone during the stampede.

It depends on what happens to my brother and Naga... But I think they'll be back before then.

After drinking a bit with Leonis, when I got home, Momo was angry.

I left without preparing dinner, so I can't blame her... But it's not just that. She's tapping the floor and walls.

"Momo? ...Is there something on the wall?"

"Meow~"

Hmm...

I used <Appraisal>, but there's nothing unusual. But there is a sense of something off... I made sure the doors were locked...

"Did someone come?"

"Meow!"

Momo is happy. Since they came up to the second floor, it must have been... an intruder? The landlord and my master have keys, so they could enter, but Momo knows them and wouldn't make a fuss.

"Momo, are they gone? Did they leave?"

"Meow"

Yes, they left.

As a guard dog, Momo is excellent. Well, she didn't bark them out, but she can at least report that someone came, so she's a good girl.

It's late at night, and there's no evidence... What should I do?

For now, I'll set up a spell to prevent entry. Even just setting up a barrier should help.

I checked the house, but nothing seems to be missing. I've been carrying valuable items, including recipes, from the beginning.

The research materials of my master and the others... are still here. The alchemy equipment and tools are also here.

"Did they enter this room?"

"Meow..."

I don't know, right? Momo is usually on the second floor, and I don't let her go to the basement, so it's understandable that she doesn't know.

Depending on the situation tomorrow, I might need to secure a safe place.

The guild master won't be back until tomorrow, so I have to handle it on my own.