Chapter 29

**SIDE: Adventurer Guild Master**

At the headquarters of the Royal City Adventurer Guild.

The youngest A-rank team, "Crimson Wings," has just returned. However, although their equipment is quite worn out, they don't seem to have any noticeable injuries, which is what you'd expect from A-rank adventurers.

"Hey, Klein. You're finally back, huh? How was Dungeon No. 4?"

"Yeah, Guild Master... We still have a lot to learn. Maybe we were getting a bit too cocky about being the youngest A-rank team. We won't be taking any quests for a while. See you later."

"Huh? Hey, wait a minute! ...Did he just leave? What happened?"

**SIDE: "Crimson Wings"**

My name is Klein, the leader of "Crimson Wings." My teammates are Galdorf the Dwarf, Lilina the Human, and Yukina the Catfolk. Klein and Galdorf are the front-line fighters, Yukina is the scout and skirmisher, and Lilina is the healer and magic ranged support. We recently became A-rank.

We usually base our operations in "Trade City Sixus" to the south of the capital, but we reluctantly took a bodyguard request to the capital because it was winter. However, the reward was so generous that we accepted it without hesitation.

We completed the request successfully, but what was he transporting? It was a huge cart, unlike anything we've ever seen. I can't understand what the nobles are thinking.

"Hey, Klein. I'm not doubting you, but was the one who saved us really a child?"

"I thought the same thing. We were supposed to be injured to the point of expecting death, yet we survived, which is strange. But I can't imagine a child being on the 16th floor of the Numbered Dungeon."

"Still, someone was definitely there. I could faintly smell a man. He was unconscious, but I remember having a faint awareness. It was a familiar smell, but I can't place it!"

Galdorf, Lilina, and Yukina each shared their thoughts, but I couldn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes.

"By the way, how did you know it was a child?"

"Their height was still low, like a 10-year-old child. They were also slender, and the voice I heard was still pre-pubescent."

"Hmm, that might be a bit hasty to conclude it was a child, but Klein's intuition is not to be underestimated."

"Moreover, they used magic without incantations and in multiple layers? That's hard to believe."

"But it's the truth. Otherwise, we would be dead."

"..."

It's hard to believe, but we're alive. Everyone understood that this was the best evidence.

...Yukina still seems to be troubled.

"If the one who saved us was a child, they are our savior. We should do something to thank them."

"I agree. It would go against our pride as Dwarves and adventurers to do nothing."

"They told us their name at the end. Well, that was the only thing we heard."

"What was it?"

"Aur, apparently. I don't know if it's true, though."

It's not hard to imagine that they didn't approach us for a reward. In fact, it suggests they had a reason to avoid getting involved.

For example, they might have a reason to be in the dungeon that they don't want to explain.

"Aur, huh. That's not a particularly rare name."

"True, it's not a Dwarf name, at least."

That's the problem. Aur is not a rare name, so it might be difficult to identify them.

It's meaningless to try to repay a favor if we don't know who they are...

"Anyway, there's no point in worrying about it! Let's have lunch. I heard about the most famous restaurant around here, so let's go there?"

"Sounds good. I'm starving."

That's true. Yukina, stop worrying and let's go eat.

"This is it, Black Cat's Tail. They serve bacon, which is becoming popular in Sixus."

"That's it!! I finally remembered! I thought I smelled it before in Sixus, but the man had a strong smell of bacon! It was so intense, like it was soaked into him!"

"What? Is that true, Yukina?"

"Absolutely!"

This is incredible. We found a clue right here.

"After lunch, we'll thoroughly investigate the bacon!"

The second encounter between "Crimson Wings" and Aur is near.

**SIDE: Third Princess & Alice**

At the same time, a young girl visited the Adams Duke's residence.

"Alice, happy 10th birthday. I'm sorry I couldn't attend your birthday party."

"It's fine, Your Highness. After all, it would be seen as favoritism if a royal attended a noble's birthday party."

"I'm glad you understand. I was busy, but I brought a gift, so please forgive me."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I'm happy just to see you."

"Ugh, stop calling me 'Your Highness,' Alice! Just call me Ellie!"

The visitor was Elizabeth, the third princess of the country, who is the same age as Alice.

"Hehe, I understand, Ellie."

"Good, let's eat the gift together! I brought cookies today!"

"Wow, they look delicious!"

Oh no, does the princess know? No, she can't possibly know that the cookies I made for my birthday included these unknown sweets.

"Oh, what's wrong, Alice? You're sweating so much."

"It's a bit warm in this room."

"It's winter, Alice?"

She definitely knows, and she's definitely angry. Her face is smiling, but I can see an ogre behind her. It's not just my imagination, right?!

"Hehe, I'll go pick some flowers."

*Grab*

"You just went flower picking, didn't you? Sit down, Alice."

"Yes!"

"Is there something you're hiding from me? Or something you forgot to tell me?"

Oh no!! She's angry! But I can't tell her about Aur. If I do, Albus and my father will be angry too... What should I do? Stupid Aur!!

"..."

"Silence, that's your answer, Alice?"

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you."

"I see. I understand. You're in a situation where you can't tell me. You must have been sworn to secrecy. Did you make a contract?"

!?

Does she really know that much?! She's the third princess, known for her intelligence... She's usually a klutz, but she doesn't need to be this perceptive!

"Alice, you're usually a klutz, but you have a good sense of things at times like this!"

"?! No, that's not true!"

*Slip* I'm so bad! I'm a klutz!

"Phew, it's fine. If you can't tell me, that's okay. I don't want to make you hate me."

"I could never hate you, Ellie!"

I mean it. We played together a lot as children, and even though we haven't seen each other much recently because of my studies, she's one of my important people.

"But Alice, I won't give up. I'll find the miracle chef."

Yes, since the birthday party, Aur has been known as the "miracle chef" among the nobles and royals. Although he doesn't know it...

"Alice, I had a great time today. Let's play again soon!"

With that, Ellie left. It was nerve-wracking, but I managed to fool her.

I should visit Aur soon and tell him that the princess is looking for him.

"Someone."

*Shh* "Yes, Your Highness?"

"Alice will likely visit the miracle chef soon. She said as much. I feel bad for Alice, but I need to keep an eye on her."

"As you wish." *Shh*

"Alice, I want to eat the miracle chef's food too. It's unfair that only you get to! I'll find him soon!"

If I can't find him, I'll just have someone who knows him show me.

The third princess is a brilliant strategist.

**SIDE: Aur**

"Achoo!"

"Oh, are you catching a cold, Aur?"

"No, someone must be talking about me. I'll deliver this month's feathers all at once."

"Ah, that's a help. I'll have the money ready in three days. Can you come back to pick it up?"

"Sure. See you later!"

*Phew*, I've delivered this month's feathers, so I can relax a bit. I should probably start studying for the Luina Magic Academy, but what should I do?

"I'm home, Quinn."

*Shiver* Quinn is warm with a scarf, but she usually stays on the sofa in her spot, not moving much.

...It's soothing.

I look around the room.

*Clutter*

"Wow, it's too big. I've been busy, and the house is too big, so I can't keep up with the cleaning... What should I do?"

To be honest, it's really bad. It's so messy that I don't even want to clean, and it will get dirty again quickly even if I do.

I've been secretly working on automating chores with golems, but it's not going well yet. I just need one more breakthrough, but I can't figure it out.

Hmm... I should hire someone! If I decide that, I'll visit Lebrant again! He might have some connections!

"So, you're back again?"

"Yes. Do you have any connections?"

"Hmm, I might. But Aur, you have too many secrets, don't you? There are things you haven't even told me, right?"

*Gulp*

"I have a pretty good idea, though. First, it's strange for a child to get so many feathers. I'll keep it a secret, of course."

"Lebrant, that was our agreement..."

"By the way, Aur, you have some money, right?"

"Sure, a little."

"(He has a lot of platinum coins, but he calls it 'a little.') Well, instead of hiring someone, why not buy a slave?"

"Buy a what?"

"A slave. They can't disobey their master, and they won't leak information. Plus, you can ask them to do housework. It's a win-win."

I never thought of that. Slavery is common in this world. People become slaves for various reasons, but it's an accepted part of society.

I've adapted to this world, so I don't have a strong aversion to slavery.

"A slave, huh..."

"Aur, you bought a house and have money. You'll feed them properly, right? So there's no problem. The only issue is that you're a child, so you need a guarantor, but I can be that for you."

"Guarantor? I can't ask you to do that, Lebrant."

"Aur, you can rely on me. I owe you, and I want to help you!"

That's a really nice thing to say. I'm happy and touched, but something feels off. Why?

"What's your real reason?"

"Aur, if you waste time on housework, you won't have time to make money. That would be a problem for me... *laughs*"

His real reason is so obvious. He tried to laugh it off, but it didn't work.

* sigh * But I can trust him because he's like this. People who are nice without a purpose are the ones to be wary of, in this world and on Earth.

"Alright. But where can I buy one?"

"Leave it to me! I'll introduce you to the best slave trader in the capital! The guild master owes me a favor, thanks to you."

"Why me?"

"The guild master's wife loves sweets. When I gave her cookies first, she was very grateful."

I see, maybe I should bring some homemade treats as a gift.

"I have some things to do today, so can I come tomorrow?"

"Sure, no problem."

"Alright, I'll come back in the evening. And I won't forget the money."

Buying a slave feels so typical of a fantasy world!

I'll update this bit by bit.

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