Interlude: Ronarl
“Ah, Ronarl-san, the Submaster was looking for you.”
“Huh? The Submaster?”
That’s unusual. It’s been months since I was called directly like this.
“Yes. It seems that Shout from the Thieves’ Guild has failed a mission.”
“Oh? Did he die?”
“No, he’s alive, but…”
“…What do you mean?”
I gulp down the skewered meat I had in my mouth with a swig of ale and glance at the woman sitting next to me at the counter. This is the bustling tavern adjacent to the Adventurer’s Guild in Fairy Valley Gorge Town.
“He’s currently reflecting on his failure after being reprimanded by the Thieves’ Guild Master for not being able to tail a child.”
“Ah…”
The Guild Master over there is quite the strict one. Well, good luck to him. But a child, huh?
“Well, if that’s the case, it can’t be helped. I understand the summons. I’ll head over to the Submaster once I’m done eating.”
“Yes, please do.”
After delivering the message, the messenger girl slipped out of the tavern without alerting the other patrons. Since she came to the tavern, she might as well have eaten something. It’s a shame she went through the trouble.
I set off to follow the target, who had left the inn for the Guild, at a slight delay. According to what Mesaria, the Submaster, told me, the target had been holed up in the inn crafting something, but it seems they’re finally on the move. Moreover, I heard they’re an S Rank Adventurer, so they should be beyond the Thieves’ Guild’s capabilities.
I conceal my presence and wait for a while.
“Now then… where are you headed?”
As I follow the target who emerged from the Guild, they seem to be heading toward the mountain peak. Truly an S Rank Adventurer. It’s a challenging route, but today I’m just observing. I trail behind the target, who climbs the slope without a care in the world, oblivious to any potential threats.
They turn a corner and disappear from view, but I can still sense their presence as they continue up the slope. They don’t seem to have noticed me, so I decide to follow until just before the corner.
And then, at that moment—
“?!”
I suddenly lock eyes with a man who popped out from around the corner. In that instant, cold sweat bursts forth from every pore of my body. I sensed another presence returning my way, and before I knew it, I was sprinting away with all my might.
“This is bad, this is bad, this is bad…!”
What the hell was that!? They didn’t show any signs at all! I had no idea I was being noticed! How can someone not give off even the slightest hint of awareness!?
I had been quite confident in my tailing skills, but now I felt like my nose had just been broken!
“Haah…”
Once I returned to the town, panting heavily, I finally caught my breath. Perhaps being in a safe zone helped me regain some composure.
“With how natural that was, I almost wonder if it was just a coincidence…”
Maybe they hadn’t actually noticed me at all. Perhaps they just happened to turn around and saw me there. Even if they’re S Rank… no, it’s precisely because they’re S Rank that they might be more aware of their surroundings without even realizing it.
“Damn it.”
Either way, I don’t want to report a failure to the Submaster after just one slip-up. I’ve followed A Rank Adventurers a few times before. There’s no way I should be discovered just because they’ve gone up a rank.
I won’t let my guard down, but I’ll give it one more shot. This time, I’ll go all out.
“—So, you failed, huh?”
“…Yeah. That was impossible.”
With a sigh from the Submaster, I shrugged my shoulders dramatically.
I had carefully suppressed my presence and made it all the way to the mountain peak. Yet, the moment I came into view, they turned and waved at me with a smile. I couldn’t even catch a glimpse of what they were doing up there.
“So that’s the caliber of the opponent…”
The Submaster pondered my report, resting her chin on her hand and muttering to herself.
“I suppose I’ll have to ask the Guild Master for assistance… If we target them while they’re unguarded at the inn…”
The Guild Master, huh… I hope that works out.
“Sorry, but I’m going to pass on that.”
“Understood. I’ll handle it from here.”
With those words from the Submaster, I slipped out of the Fairy Inn, feeling like I had no further business there.
“Haah, I guess I’ll go have some cheap ale today…”
Muttering that, I lightened my steps and headed toward my usual tavern. It was only after some time that I heard the news of the Guild Master’s death.