Chapter 14

We ranked first in the daily rankings.

I can't believe it. I'm beyond happy; my stomach hurts.

I'm still a beginner, so I'm sure there are many clumsy parts.

It might take some time, but I want to keep improving.

Thank you for your continued support.

Regarding typos, omissions, and changes in expression, I will address them in the activity report on 2013/03/21. If anyone notices anything, please check it.

"Branch Manager, I have a B-rank party I'd like to recommend."

I steeled myself.

It's too late to return the wyvern's egg now. If we don't defeat it, I might become a victim too.

After this wyvern battle, I'll have to explain the situation to some extent.

I always thought that the "Appraiser" skill would eventually be discovered.

If this skill were useful in battle, I would have hidden it no matter what.

If they can contribute to the fight, there will come a day when I can't run away.

"Who is it? You must know, right?"

Can you take responsibility? The Branch Manager's eyes said as much.

"It's the party led by Alphonse and Sophia."

I pointed to Alphonse's party on the list.

"Interesting. Who will go to persuade them?"

Huh?

That's not the reaction I expected.

Alphonse and his party are new to this town.

I didn't think the Branch Manager would know about the new parties, and Alphonse's group has only been registered with the guild for a short time.

I thought he would oppose it, thinking I was trying to send them to their deaths.

If that happened, I would have to explain my skills because of the lack of time.

"I'll go. I'll definitely persuade them. Their strength will definitely help stop the damage."

"Alright. Go ahead."

The Branch Manager nodded, looking at me sternly.

Does he trust me?

If the difficult Branch Manager thinks so, I should be happy.

"I'll go talk to the gatekeeper knight. If the containment fails, I can't move the soldiers. There will be no reinforcements!"

"I understand. I'll pass it on."

I pulled out the wyvern's information and quickly prepared to go to Alphonse's inn.

The Branch Manager will probably go to talk to the knights and guards stationed in the town.

"Noah."

"Yes!"

Even without looking up, I could feel the Branch Manager's strong gaze.

"I'll ask you a lot of questions when you get back. Be prepared."

"…Yes."

I still can't be genuinely happy.

I grabbed my coat and rushed out into the still chilly air.

"Alphonse!"

On the way to the inn, I skimmed through the information and reviewed the wyvern's characteristics.

Alphonse was still awake.

This is the lobby of the inn where Alphonse and his party are staying.

He was surprised by the sudden visit but quickly understood and nodded.

"Understood. We'll go too."

"R-Really?"

I was a bit taken aback by his immediate decision.

You haven't even confirmed with Sophia and the others, right?

"It's fine. We need to hurry. I'll wake everyone up and get them ready."

"I've prepared a guild carriage. I've loaded everything we might need."

"Thanks, that helps."

Alphonse was his usual self, smiling and relaxed.

His calm demeanor helped me, who was panicking, to settle down.

"Here's the wyvern's information. I've also summarized the characteristics of the party we'll be fighting alongside."

"By the way, this is our first time fighting a wyvern. Thanks. I'll use it as a reference."

I think I've conveyed everything I needed to. I searched my mind to see if I had forgotten anything.

"Hey, Noah, can I ask you something?"

"…Ah, yes. If there's anything you need, let me know."

I shouldn't be spacing out.

"No, we have enough equipment. Why did you recommend us?"

"It's… well…"

Alphonse smiled wryly, saying he wasn't blaming me.

In fact, he was hoping for the hunt, and if we hadn't recommended them, they would have volunteered.

"Oh, Sophia. She sensed something approaching."

The information is supposed to be restricted to avoid unnecessary panic in the town, but those who can understand it will.

I also knew something bad was approaching, though by different means.

"Did I cause you trouble?"

I hesitated, so Alphonse backed off.

"Because I thought you were strong."

I said this to Alphonse's back as he was about to wake up Sophia and the others.

He turned halfway and this time said it clearly.

"The reason I recommended you is because I thought Alphonse and his party were strong."

"Is that so."

Alphonse was smiling, but it was a bit scary, different from his usual smile.

I've done everything I can.

But I can't stop the anxiety rising from deep within.

Monsters with wings sometimes appear in the town.

But they are usually bird or reptile-type monsters. I never thought a dragon would appear.

This time was an exception.

The wyvern's egg was placed on the carriage of the A-rank party that went ahead.

The plan is to lure the wyvern away from the town and towards the hunters.

When I returned to the guild, the off-duty staff who were sleeping in the dormitory had woken up and were preparing for backup.

There were many things to do, like calling B-rank parties in case of an emergency, confirming evacuation routes, and so on.

There was no reaction from the bracelet.

The alarm for evacuation had not sounded.

"Everything will be fine."

I decided to focus on my work.

Morning came.

The sun shone into the quiet guild.

I sat at the counter, pressing my aching forehead.

The front door opened with a bang.

"Noah, they're back!"

"I'm coming!"

I ran as fast as I could.

In my haste, my feet tangled.

The carriage had already returned.

"Alphonse!"

I called out to Alphonse before he even got off the carriage, checking him from head to toe.

Good. There are no noticeable injuries.

"Ah, good morning, Noah."

"Noah, good morning."

"Eh? Ah, good morning."

Sophia, who got off the carriage after him, also seemed uninjured.

Not only uninjured, but there wasn't even a speck of dirt on her.

I was taken aback by the sudden greeting, but my pent-up worry exploded, and I bombarded Alphonse with questions.

"Are you hurt? What about the other parties? What happened to the wyvern?"

The two of them smiled to calm me down.

It seems they defeated the wyvern easily.

There were no deaths.

There were some injuries, but no one died, Alphonse said.

I felt a sudden relief.

The other parties were dealing with the wyvern's corpse and would come later.

As I was about to collapse, the Branch Manager, who had just arrived, gave me a chop. It hurt.

The members of Alphonse's party, who had not been seen until now, got off the carriage.

"Branch Manager, can we let them return to the inn first? Sophia and I will explain the details."

The three members were all wrapped in hoods and cloaks, and it was unclear if they were injured.

Their protective gestures suggested no serious injuries.

"Alright. Noah, please escort Alphonse to the third-floor conference room."

"Yes."

I gave them a wet towel and a clean towel.

After they wiped off the dirt, I led them inside the guild.

"I've brought some drinks."

"Come in."

After escorting them, I prepared drinks and returned to the conference room.

I knocked lightly and entered after the Branch Manager's response.

I quickly placed the cups in front of the three and tried to leave, but the Branch Manager stopped me.

"Alphonse has requested you. Please sit down."

Bad feeling.

I want to know the details of the wyvern hunt, but I don't want to hear things I shouldn't.

"What is it?"

"Before that, I need to tell you about our true identities, Noah."

"True identities?"

I want to leave right now. I glanced at the Branch Manager, but he shook his head. Give up. That's what he's saying.

"I was a knight of the Animus Kingdom. Now, by the king's order, I travel as an adventurer."

My premonition was right.

2015/01/10 Revised