Chapter 48

Even now, the memory of that time is vividly etched in my mind.

The memory of being called a defective healer and being bullied.

No one would talk to me, and sometimes they even resorted to violence.

I even thought that everyone in the Labyrinth City despised me.

“N-no, that is...”

...And because of that, I couldn’t hide my discomfort.

“I’m really, really sorry!”

Inside the current Adventurer Guild, some of the adventurers who had mocked me were loudly apologizing to me. They pressed their foreheads to the ground and repeatedly begged for my forgiveness. The scene drew attention from the surrounding adventurers and guild staff. My face twitched, but the adventurers bowing to me didn’t seem to care about their surroundings at all.

“That Raust is so strong... We didn’t know he could defeat a hydra until we saw it with our own eyes...”

“That’s right! We didn’t mean to be cruel or anything...”

The faces of the adventurers making these excuses were filled with unmistakable fear. It seemed they had witnessed me battling the mutated hydra. Realizing that they would be in trouble if I retaliated, they had come to apologize.

“Haa...”

Understanding this, I couldn’t help but sigh. Two days after defeating the hydra, my position among the adventurers had changed dramatically. Those who had previously belittled me were now apologizing to me and inviting me to join their parties.

...But strangely, my heart didn’t move at all with this change.

“I’m really, really sorry! S-so, please, forgive us!”

The desperate apologies of the adventurers were a far cry from their previous attitudes.

However, even understanding this, the only feeling I had towards the adventurers in front of me was annoyance. I was puzzled by this. Being apologized to and invited to parties was something I had longed for, so why was I so indifferent?

And the answer came to me easily.

“Ah, maybe it’s because I’m already satisfied.”

The image of Narsena, my most important and most trusted companion, came to mind. Perhaps it was her presence alone that satisfied me, which is why I had no interest in the adventurers who were now trying to recruit me.

The moment I understood this, my interest in the adventurers in front of me vanished completely. I had come to the Adventurer Guild to accept a certain request, but I decided it was impossible now. In the next instant, I turned and started walking away from the guild.

“...Huh?”

Just before I turned, I could see the faces of the ignored adventurers turn pale, but I continued on without a care.

This was a response to the continuous attempts by adventurers to invite me to their parties, claiming they would do so as an apology the moment I accepted their apologies. I wasn’t angry at the adventurer.

“...W-what should we do?”

“...C-calm down!”

But behind me, the adventurers, unaware of this, were panicking...

◇◆◇

“Big brother!”

Narsena, wearing a robe, called out my name as I left the Adventurer Guild. She started walking behind me with a cheerful smile. I couldn’t help but smile at her obvious joy at being with me.

“...I’m sorry, Narsena.”

However, the moment I noticed the dirt on Narsena’s robe, I felt a sense of guilt.

Whenever I went to the Adventurer Guild, I was often invited to join parties, and the same was happening to Narsena. In fact, Narsena was being invited to more parties than I was, due to her unparalleled beauty and the perception that she was more powerful than a so-called defective healer.

That’s why, when we went to the Adventurer Guild, I had Narsena hide in alleys.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m fine as long as I can be with you! Let’s hurry to the city! Mary and the others are waiting!”

Despite the situation, Narsena remained as cheerful as ever.

“Thank you, Narsena.”

I smiled, feeling a strange sense of relief at her words. A calm feeling spread through my chest.

“...Being famous isn’t really that enjoyable, is it?”

But even so, I didn’t have good feelings towards the adventurers who tried to force us into their parties, even after realizing they didn’t have ill intentions towards us.

“Tsk!”

Suddenly, I heard the sound of someone spitting, as I was lost in thought.

“Pah!”

Turning around, I saw one of the few top-tier adventurer parties in the Labyrinth City. Narsena stuck her tongue out at them. Unlike Narsena, who openly showed her disdain, I didn’t have as much resentment towards the party. Honestly, it was better to have them be this straightforward.

“...Well, they’re only saying that because they clearly know they’re weaker than us.”

“Pfft!”

Narsena couldn’t help but laugh at my words. The frustration she had felt towards the adventurer party seemed to dissipate, and she no longer showed any anger towards them.

My heart was calm as I laughed at Narsena’s reaction. ...But even so, I didn’t feel any joy about being famous. The people who wanted to deepen their connections with us after we defeated the hydra only brought me annoyance. That’s why, without realizing it, the image of the mutated hydra’s defeat had become associated with trouble in my mind.

“Raust and Narsena, we’ve been waiting for you!”

“You guys finally made it!”

“Woo! I’ll go tell everyone!”

“...Huh?”

Because of this, when we reached the city, I couldn’t hide my confusion at the reaction of the townspeople.

However, more and more people gathered around, surrounding me. I became even more confused by this situation.

“Thank you so much! Since it’s a special occasion, take whatever you like!”

“Yeah, that’s right! We can’t charge a hero! Take whatever you want!”

“You guys are really amazing adventurers!”

“!”

But finally, I understood the situation as the townspeople started to make a fuss around me. They were grateful to us for defeating the mutated hydra.

“Alright! It’s a festival today!”

“Got it! We’ll hurry and prepare! Oh, the stars of the show, please stay here!”

“Tell us all about it later!”

To be honest, the welcome from the townspeople was quite rough. My back was slapped hard, and loud voices in my ear left me with a numb sensation.

“Haha,”

But in the midst of this, I found myself smiling. I felt a joy that I hadn’t felt when the adventurers apologized to me.

“Big brother, it’s really great that we were able to defeat the hydra... No, that we were able to protect this place.”

And as if echoing my thoughts, Narsena smiled at me.

That day, the impromptu festival continued late into the night...