Chapter 392: The Designated Request Once More
Before I could be called out, I swiftly retreated and moved to the location of the destroyed Spider TYPE, storing it in my Dimensional Box. I activated my detection skills to confirm that I wasn’t being followed.
“Hmm?”
I sensed a group of monsters a little distance away. Considering the direction, it seemed to be where a gathering of Ogres was coming from. Perhaps an Ogre Village had formed nearby.
“It would be troublesome if they went on another expedition, so I might as well take care of them now.”
If there were villages of Goblins or Orcs, they would certainly be targets for extermination. Ogres were no exception. After swiftly annihilating the Ogre Village, I covered the area with a Barrier to prevent any spread of flames before turning everything to ash.
“Welcome back, Shuu. How did it go?”
Upon teleporting back and entering my living room, I found everyone gathered.
“I’m back.”
I relayed the news about the destruction caused by the Ogres and the presence of Dark Elves.
“Oh, so there were Dark Elves here too.”
El surprisingly joined the conversation, indicating that she seemed to know about Dark Elves.
“I encountered them once in the eastern region of a commercial nation.”
“I see. The eastern part of the commercial nation is just south from here, beyond the border, right?”
“Exactly. It’s possible that there are other Dark Elf settlements in the forests around that area.”
“I occasionally see Elves in town, but I didn’t know there were Dark Elves as well.”
It seemed Ivan had never encountered them either.
“If we come into contact with them, leave it to me. I can speak Elvish.”
“Oh, really?”
“What’s Elvish like?”
When Rio asked, I tried speaking a few phrases in Elvish. It communicated perfectly with El, and I could converse with Rio, but Ivan and Phonia didn’t understand.
“Why is that? Don’t you both have the Otherworld Language Skill?”
Upon Rio’s suggestion, I checked their statuses again, and indeed, they had it.
“Ah, could it be because this world isn’t an Otherworld for you?”
“Hmm?”
Ivan tilted his head at the sudden thought.
“In other words, for Ivan and Phonia, this world isn’t considered an Otherworld.”
“Only worlds other than one’s origin are classified as Otherworlds, huh?”
“Exactly.”
“I see.”
Thanks to Rio’s explanation, it seemed they finally understood. This meant that we could comprehend various languages from the world where Mr. Jinpei and the others resided. When I casually searched on my smartphone, I confirmed that I could indeed understand it. I had known this, but it felt like I was being presented with undeniable proof that this wasn’t the Japan I knew.
Starting the next day, we would dive into investigating those who spoke in the Kansai dialect. Since we were Adventurers, it would probably be quickest to look into the Adventurers that Ivan mentioned who spoke in Kansai dialect. According to what Mesaria-san told me, there hadn’t been any particularly suspicious individuals found. They seemed to be working normally in town. However, they hadn’t been able to investigate what happened after Adventurers left town for requests.
“I don’t know if they’ll be here today.”
“Well, we won’t know unless we go.”
Thus, we arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild. The lounge area had several tables and chairs, so we took a seat at an empty one. The three of us present were me, Rio, and Ivan. Phonia and Nil were off visiting the orphanage.
I casually observed the surroundings, but it wasn’t something that could be found so easily. Rio and I listened to the conversations around us while Ivan searched for familiar faces.
“Excuse me, are you S Rank Adventurer Shu…?”
After a while, a figure approached us. It was a petite woman with chestnut hair tied back in a ponytail, reaching down to her waist.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Oh, thank goodness.”
She seemed relieved that she had the right person, clasping her hands in front of her chest with a look of relief.
“Um, I apologize for the intrusion. I am Leaflet, the Guild Master here.”
“Wait, what?”
“No way?”
“Seriously?”
All three of us reacted instinctively to her unexpected declaration of being the Guild Master.
“Ahaha… I get that a lot…”
She returned a wry smile, but it was surprising to see a Guild Master of an Adventurer’s Guild, often filled with rough characters, have such a gentle demeanor. But perhaps she could be frightening when angered, despite her appearance.
Judging by looks alone isn’t good.
“So, do you need something from me?”
“Ah, yes.”
When I asked again, the Guild Master straightened her posture and changed to a serious expression.
“I was wondering if you could accept a designated request from the lord.”
It was the same designated request I had previously declined. Now the Guild Master was bringing it up, indicating just how much they wanted me to take it. Well, of course, they would want me to accept.
“Uh, but I already turned it down once.”
“Yes, but… could you please reconsider? The reward has doubled since then. Isn’t that enticing? Don’t you want to accept it now?”
“Doubled…?”
Ivan muttered beside me, but a designated request for an S Rank Adventurer wouldn’t be a small sum. I hadn’t heard the previous amount, but there must be something significant behind their desire for me to accept.
“But you can’t discuss the details of the request here, can you?”
“Ugh.”
The Guild Master stumbled over her words at Rio’s retort.
“C-Could you please make an exception? We’ll even provide a carriage to take you to the lord’s residence, so can’t we work something out?”
“They’re going that far…?”
When someone is so humble and earnest in their request, it’s strange how I start to feel like the bad guy for declining. I thought I had become better at saying no, but it seemed I was weak against pressure.
“Sigh… If you’re going that far, I guess I’ll at least hear you out.”
“R-Really!?”
“Oh, you’re going?”
The Guild Master’s eyes sparkled with excitement, surprising Ivan.
“Well, it’s not a bad idea, is it?”
Rio smiled wryly at my concession.
“Thank you! I’ll prepare everything right away!”
With that, the Guild Master dashed behind the counter to make the necessary arrangements.