Chapter 42

――Baltro.

After finishing his walk with Joshua, Baltro was heading towards the central avenue of Nellac with the leopard-headed Garuga.

At the location designated for the commercial district, opposite the residential area from the central square, several carriages were lined up.

Although there were no houses yet, this place was planned to become the station for the town’s guards.

At night, this place where burly men would gather was now occupied only by a middle-aged man in a butler’s uniform, standing with a calm expression.

At first glance, it seemed as if a waiter was keeping watch.

However, anyone with even a little combat experience would think the opposite.

There were no openings—

Garuga, a former S-rank adventurer, was one of those who could sense the formidable presence of the butler, Rumburk.

However, Baltro, standing next to him, seemed completely unconcerned, touching his scruffy beard.

"Hey, Mr. Rumburk."

"How did it go?"

"No problem. I don’t understand what he’s planning, but I can tell he’s up to something big."

"Whatever Lord Joshua does is beyond imagination."

"Yeah, that’s true. I’m looking forward to what happens next."

"You haven’t changed, have you?"

"Neither have you. You’ve always been so serious."

"You too. Your elusive nature hasn’t changed since you became a gardener, just like when you were an adventurer."

"Looks can be deceiving. I’ve changed a lot on the inside. I’m not the rootless person I used to be. My feelings for Lord Joshua are just as strong as yours."

"Mine too."

The discussion about Joshua was intense, but Garuga seemed to have something he couldn’t ignore.

He raised his hand to ask a question but then lowered it, repeating this several times.

He wondered if it was appropriate to ask.

"Mr. Garuga, is there something you want to ask?"

"Huh? Sorry, Garuga. We’re comrades. If you have something on your mind, just ask. Lord Joshua would say the same."

Rumburk and Baltro noticed Garuga’s hesitation almost simultaneously.

Even though they encouraged him to speak freely, Garuga was still hesitant.

If Baltro had been an adventurer in the past, asking about his past would be taboo.

Adventurers could come from anywhere, and anyone could register to become one.

Registration didn’t guarantee a living, but it put everyone on equal footing.

It was a dangerous profession with a high risk of death, but adventurers didn’t turn anyone away.

Therefore, adventurers had an unwritten rule not to pry into each other’s past unless it was shared voluntarily.

"Oh, I see."

Baltro, who had guessed Garuga’s concern, scratched the back of his head in a troubled manner.

"I wasn’t hiding anything. I didn’t want Lord Joshua to think I quit being an adventurer for his sake."

"Was Baltro a former adventurer?"

"Yeah, but it was a long time ago. I changed my name and now work as a gardener for Lord Joshua."

"Your original name, or rather, Baltro is Baltro."

Garuga naturally recalled what Joshua had said.

"Changing formalities or speech doesn’t change anything. I see you the same way, no matter how you speak. Because the essence of who you are doesn’t change."

He was interested in Baltro’s past, but he was also an adventurer. It was best to follow the adventurer’s code.

Baltro is Baltro. That hasn’t changed.

"Hey, keep it down. During my adventurer days, I was known as 'Gudelian.' Rumburk was interested in my Gift and invited me."

"Gudelian. You’re the... youngest Triple Crown..."

Garuga’s mouth hung open when he heard the name.

Gudelian. A legendary adventurer whose name had not been heard for years.

He had climbed to the highest rank, SSS, in his teens.

There were even rumors that he had single-handedly slain a dragon.

"That’s in the past. Now I’m just a gardener named Baltro. I was really surprised when Mr. Rumburk invited me. But after meeting Lord Joshua, I thought I could be of help. You understand, right?"

"I do! The honor of serving Lord Joshua directly... it’s priceless."

"That’s the spirit."

Embarrassed, Baltro turned away and stroked his scruffy beard.

"However, if a Triple Crown is working as a gardener, the place must be safe from thieves."

"That’s more Mr. Rumburk’s specialty. I was hired for my Gift, 'Hyper Intuition.'"

"Mr. Rumburk is that good..."

This calm gentleman could make Baltro say such things...

No, Garuga could also sense Rumburk’s considerable skills.

However, he didn’t think Rumburk was on par with a Triple Crown.

"What are you saying? Baltro handles monsters, and I handle people. We just have different areas of expertise."

"Sure, sure."

Baltro chuckled at Rumburk’s interruption.

"If something happens outside the mansion, I’ll sense it. That’s what 'Hyper Intuition' is for. It’s like a sixth sense."

Baltro winked playfully at Garuga.

"Outside?"

"Yeah. That’s right. Inside... oops."

"I won’t pry. I’m grateful you told me, Baltro."

"No problem. We should have a drink sometime and talk about our adventurer days."

"Sure."

They laughed and slapped each other’s palms.

"There’s still some time before dusk. Please wait here for now."

"Got it."

"Understood."

Though their lives were vastly different, their hearts were aligned in the same direction.

I apologize.

I forgot to update.