Chapter 90

“Still, you found out after the fact, didn’t you, Miel?”

“Yes, I did. I’m sorry, Tonero made a promise to Kohaku without consulting anyone.”

“No, no, it’s fine. It wasn’t an official request, after all.”

If the children, who have almost no experience as adventurers, see Kohaku’s work, the graduating students might end up with an overly optimistic view of being an adventurer. This was something I was worried about, and it seems Miel had the same concern.

“Kohaku’s Gold-Class adventurer rating is due to her talent. I’m afraid if the other children try to imitate her, it could be dangerous.”

“Indeed, it’s not something ordinary people can learn and adopt…”

Kohaku is very strong. She has a good sense. In a simple battle, there’s probably no one in this town who can beat Kohaku. However, without her isolated level of skill, the same things can’t be done. The advanced techniques she uses, such as tracking magic by combining her superior sense of smell and magic detection, are too sensory-based and numerous.

Her ability to distinguish materials and dissect monsters has improved recently, but it’s not at a level where she can teach others. Not only is there nothing to teach, but it could also have a negative influence… so even as her mentor, I couldn’t allow it.

“Riana is very cautious about everything and never slacks off on any request. If it weren’t for the artificial magic stones keeping her busy, I would have asked her to teach the children her attitude as an adventurer.”

“Yes, being cautious helps adventurers last longer.”

If it were guidance for the orphanage children, it could have been set as a service mission through the Adventurer’s Guild, and I would have considered accepting it officially. Service missions are jobs that need to be done but for which there are no takers among regular requests. For example, in Lindemen, rat extermination in the sewers was a permanent service mission.

In this case, it involved leading and guiding three children, and even though it was near the town, there was a possibility of needing to protect them. If a Gold-Class adventurer were officially requested, it would cost a considerable amount of money. Since supporting the employment of children without family is important, the orphanage couldn’t prepare the standard reward, so it could have been applied as a service mission.

However, if a service mission is accepted and then canceled for any reason, a larger penalty is imposed compared to regular missions. If I weren’t so busy, I would have accepted Miel’s request as a favor.

“But it’s good that fewer children are becoming adventurers this year.”

In Miel’s words, I felt deep affection. She always says that she hopes the children will find jobs within the city because it’s a dangerous profession.

Every year, graduates who become adventurers come to provide guidance, but usually, the number of children aspiring to be adventurers doubles. The donation of teaching materials for Kohaku and the subcontracted work for artificial magic stones have improved the learning of other children and made the operation of this facility easier. Thanks to the artificial magic stones, the town has seen a good economic situation, and more job opportunities have become available.

I wish the three of them would choose safer jobs, but they have always dreamed of becoming adventurers and making a name for themselves, so it’s impossible to change their minds.

Still, in previous years, some children had to choose to become adventurers out of necessity because there were no other job opportunities. It’s very heartwarming to think that these children can now learn and pursue the careers they want. It’s even more so when I’m told that it’s because of what I’ve done. Of course, I don’t take it all seriously, but I feel proud knowing that I’ve been of some help.

“Riana, are you done talking with Miel?”

“Yes, I’m done. Did you talk to Kohaku about not being able to go to the forest together?”

After discussing the artificial magic stones and the subcontracted work, Kohaku, who had been waiting for me outside the principal’s office, called out to me. Unusually, she looked worried.

“…Hey, Riana, is it really not okay for Kohaku to go to the forest? Really, really not okay?”

“Kohaku, we talked about this yesterday, didn’t we? It’s not good to show the children, who are going outside the city for the first time, how easily you can navigate the forest and defeat monsters like you usually do.”

Yesterday, she understood that she didn’t want her new friends to be careless and get hurt in the future. Feeling a gaze, I looked towards the garden and saw a man around my age and the three boys Miel mentioned as aspiring adventurers watching from a distance. It seems something was said to Kohaku, and her opinion changed again.

Hmm… I’m a bit hesitant to explain in front of them that “Kohaku’s skills are too far ahead, and there’s no benefit in her going along.” Besides, if a Gold-Class adventurer like Kohaku were to accept an unpaid job without going through the Adventurer’s Guild, it could cause some problems. I think I talked about this yesterday, but it seems she doesn’t remember.

“Kohaku, I understand you want to help your friends, but when you’re in battle, you tend to lose sight of your surroundings, and you need to be able to follow instructions from people other than me and Fred. That’s why it’s dangerous for you to go outside the city with others, and I said it’s not allowed, right?”

“Then… since Riana is busy, ask Fred! If he goes with us, Kohaku can go with Todd and the others, right?”

“That’s not the issue. The purpose for those children is to learn about danger and tension… Kohaku, why do you want to go so much? Did Todd and the others say something to you?”

Kohaku’s eyes darted around, and her fox ears drooped. I was certain that the reason for her change of heart was something they said. Then, I heard running footsteps. The four of them who had been watching from a distance were approaching.

“Um… I’m Tonero! I’m a graduate from here and a Red-Class adventurer.”

“Oh, hello. I’m Riana, an adventurer. Kohaku is my apprentice.”

I was taken aback for a moment but introduced myself. I don’t want to spread information about the artificial magic stones, so I won’t mention who is involved in the project. Miel probably hasn’t talked much about it with the graduates, so I won’t either.

I was already on guard and kept my distance. Why are they so insistent on taking Kohaku along? I gave them a guarded greeting. But I think it’s necessary.

“Please, just once… no, even for a little while! Let Kohaku join our party!”

“Huh?”

“I’ve already gotten Kohaku’s permission, but without yours, it’s not possible… I’m begging you, we really need to… we want to raise our rank right away!”

“Please!”

“Riana, please! Help Tonero!”

The children from the orphanage, who were with them, also bowed together. I understood their true purpose. They didn’t want to lead the aspiring adventurers; this was their real goal.

This is going to be troublesome, I thought, looking down at Kohaku, whose fox ears were still drooping. She doesn’t seem to fully understand what’s wrong, but she can tell from my attitude that something is amiss.

I sighed inwardly and faced the four of them. I need to explain to Kohaku what’s wrong and firmly decline this request.