Chapter 17

The next morning, we descended to the dining hall and immediately started our breakfast. It seemed that the adventurer Narsena was waiting for was a busy person, and if we didn't go at this time, we wouldn't have enough time. Therefore, we hurried to start our breakfast to head to the Adventurer's Guild as soon as possible.

"By the way, it seemed like something was going on yesterday. Did something happen?"

"Eh? What! Y-You heard it?"

... During breakfast, for some reason, Narsena froze at my words, causing a bit of a delay. However, we managed to leave the inn early in the morning and began heading to the Adventurer's Guild.

... But as we approached the Adventurer's Guild, I started to feel a bit gloomy.

It was early in the morning, the time when there were the fewest adventurers, but the guild staff would definitely be there. I was worried that the guild staff might be someone who had been cold to me. Apart from Amaro, there were not a few guild staff who had been cold to me. If the guild staff turned out to be someone who had been cold to me, they would probably mock me for coming after so long.

"Ha..."

If that happened, trouble was certain, and just imagining it made me sigh involuntarily.

It's not that I currently have any particular aversion to the guild staff.

Indeed, until a few days ago, I had a considerable aversion to the guild staff, but after Narsena's intense anger at Amaro, my aversion to the guild staff had improved significantly. Now, I was confident that no matter how much the guild staff mocked me, I could ignore it without feeling anything. However, if Narsena saw me being mocked by the guild staff, she would definitely not be able to tolerate it.

... And if Narsena stormed out of the guild again like last time, it would definitely cause trouble.

"... Ha, really, what should I do?"

It was an easily imaginable future, and I was racking my brain over what to do.

"Brother, you don't like the Adventurer's Guild, do you... If something happens, just say you won't enter the Adventurer's Guild."

... During this time, Narsena was speaking in a low voice, but I was so focused on the danger of her storming out of the guild that I didn't even notice.

If Narsena stormed out of the guild in a fit of emotion, we might not be able to meet the adventurer, and Narsena might not be able to report her survival to her family. If that happened, her family might try to make her quit being an adventurer at all costs.

While I don't know the exact details, Narsena, who has connections with a busy adventurer, a top-tier adventurer, is probably the daughter of a wealthy merchant or a guild executive. Such wealthy families tend to strongly oppose their children becoming adventurers, who are constantly in danger. Therefore, it makes sense that Narsena has the obligation to report her survival to a top-tier adventurer, and if she fails to do so, she might be forced to quit.

I wanted to avoid that situation at all costs. Narsena is a precious party member and a benefactor to me. I couldn't accept being separated from her like this.

So, I desperately thought about what to do if the receptionist turned out to be someone who had been cold to me...

"... We're here."

"Brother, everything will be fine with me here!"

... But before I could come up with an answer, we arrived at the Adventurer's Guild. I regretted not having a good idea as I spoke to Narsena.

"Narsena, if the receptionist says something to mock me, don't worry about it..."

Narsena reacts very strongly to me being mocked. It's a good trait of hers to care for her companions, but in this case, it's counterproductive. Even if I warned her now, it might not make much difference when the time comes. Still, I thought it was better to tell her to control her emotions.

"Leave it to me, Brother! I'm here!"

"Eh...?"

But Narsena, brimming with enthusiasm, ignored my words and charged ahead.

"Eh, wait a moment! Narsena!"

... Her attitude made my face pale. I didn't know why Narsena was so enthusiastic, but her enthusiasm was leading to the worst possible scenario.

I was no longer at ease, praying to the omnipotent creator god who bestows skills on humans that the guild staff wouldn't be someone who had been cold to me as I followed Narsena into the Adventurer's Guild.

"Is this Narsena-sama and her companion, Laust-sama? Please, this way."

"That's good..."

"Huh?"

... And in the next moment, I was grateful to the creator god that the receptionist was not someone who had been cold to me.

◇◆◇

After that, we followed the receptionist deeper into the guild.

"Despite all the effort I put in, nothing happened..."

While Narsena seemed somewhat disappointed, I was deeply relieved. It had been a long time since my emotions had been so shaken. I had always tried to suppress my emotions as much as possible to endure the days spent at this Adventurer's Guild.

But in the past few days, I felt like I had been showing my emotions openly, unlike before. I must care about Narsena so much that I can't control my emotions. Thinking about this, I realized how strongly I felt that I didn't want to part with Narsena.

How much have I been saved by Narsena?

"Well, I don't want to be put through such anxiety again."

Perhaps because I had been thinking about this, despite being so worried, my words came out softly. Realizing this, my smile deepened.

... However, at that moment, I had forgotten something important.

It was about the adventurer Narsena knew. I hadn't forgotten about their existence, but with everything that had happened, my awareness of them had become very faint...

"Here we are."

"———!"

"Huh? You finally made it..."

... That's why, the moment the receptionist opened the door, I was shocked.

If I had been a bit calmer, I might have realized the possibility. After all, there are few top-tier adventurers. So, it wouldn't be strange if it was someone I knew.

Seeing the elegant woman lounging inside the room, I finally realized the possibility.

"Master!?"

"Is that you, Laust!?"

"......Eh? What!?"

— The adventurer in the room was my master, a top-tier adventurer who had trained me for a while.