Chapter 132: The Former Marquise’s Brilliant Method 5
*
The day after that bastard Merseja ate the extra portion of Erika’s home cooking that I should have eaten.
Erika and I ate breakfast at a diner catering to adventurers, then headed straight for the Adventurers Guild.
The reason, needless to say, was the matter of the Rank Promotion Exam.
Incidentally, we had Merseja leave last night.
He’d said something like, “But I haven’t gotten lodging yet,” but like I care. There’s no roof to lend to a guy who ate my share of the extra food.
Regarding the reward, Erika displayed her kindness, saying, “I suppose we can’t very well send Merseja back with the answer ‘Think of it yourself’,” and agreed to consider it.
Since there was no way I could think of any reward I wanted, I decided to leave it entirely to Erika.
When the best thing in my life is right beside me, I’m not greedy enough to be able to answer if asked what else I could possibly want.
“So, call Lana for me.”
Entering the Guild, I grabbed a nearby Guild Staff member and told them that.
The staff member gave me a look that seemed to ask what “so” meant, tilting their head before jogging towards the back.
Sometimes I jump straight from my thoughts into conversation, making the connection unclear.
This must be why people say I’m bad at conversation.
Oh well. We proceeded to the counter.
Still, though—
“There aren’t many people here, are there?”
Erika must have had the same question, voicing the thought that connected with mine.
“I’d expect quite a few adventurers around this time, but you’re right, it’s sparse.”
There are broadly three times when adventurers start their day:
Early morning before the sun is fully up, morning when people start moving about, and just after noon.
Of course, plenty of adventurers start at other times, but generally speaking, that’s how it breaks down.
In Hecate, which is close to the Demon Realm, the Adventurers Guild is busiest in the early morning and morning, with the crowds thinning out as noon approaches.
“It’s still a while until noon, though.”
In fact, there were even fewer people than usual around noon.
And also.
“The adventurers here now are all Rank 1 or 2.”
I quickly scanned the room to confirm.
There were only young adventurers around my age, and others who looked like they’d only recently become adventurers.
In Faltar, a situation like this usually meant something had happened.
Specifically, something that required the Knights Order and adventurers to cooperate.
Come to think of it, there seemed to be fewer adventurers on the city streets too.
This should be unusual for Hecate, which is also known as the city of adventurers.
“Did something happen?”
“It’s your fault.”
As I voiced my question in front of the counter, my soliloquy was picked up by Lana, who appeared from the back.
“My fault?”
What could it be? Having absolutely no idea what she meant, I tilted my head.
“Did defeating the Jewelhead Dragon cause something else dangerous to appear?”
I threw out a possibility that, while unlikely, does happen on rare occasions.
Though if something like that were happening, you’d think someone would have contacted me.
“Why does your thinking always lean towards such extreme and ominous directions?”
Lana looked exasperated.
“It’s because a rumor spread that someone who seems like the epitome of rank fraud from somewhere or other is apparently taking the Rank Promotion Exam.”
Lana shrugged without finishing her sentence.
“Seriously?”
Understanding her meaning, I was surprised. “Are there really adventurers like that?” Lana looked at me with exasperation.
Though she didn’t say anything, words sounding like an excuse slipped out.
“Well, I mean, you get to fight in a safe environment, right? In Faltar, plenty of guys would gladly be the opponent even if ‘Kind Barbara’ was the one taking the exam!”
“Yes, yes, Barbarian (Barbaroi), Barbarian (Barbaroi).”
Being casually mocked by Lana like that, I suddenly realized I’d been naturally thinking of myself as strong, like my master, and almost blushed.
I tried to think, I’m not such a big deal, and bit back the words “someone like me” with my back teeth.
Putting myself down here isn’t right.
When I was slugging it out with the Jewelhead Dragon, what did I think? What did I wish for?
Whose side did I wish to stand by?
Do I wish to stand beside her, beside Erika, while leaving myself an escape route by calling myself ordinary? That’s wrong.
Even if it’s a fact that I’m ordinary compared to “Kind Barbara” and many other strong people.
A step taken while leaving a path to retreat from the start, for when things don’t work out, cannot possibly lead to her side.
“Seeing you suddenly make such a determined face leaves me utterly confused, but—”
Lana gave me a suspicious look.
“Well, please rejoice, Longdagger-sama. There were Barbarians (Barbaroi) in Hecate too.”
Adventurers, honestly…
Lana continued speaking while grumbling.
“If you wish, we can hold the Promotion Exam today. What would you like to do?”
Hearing those words, I wasn’t the kind of guy who could refuse.
*
“Oi, wait.”
In the plaza for Promotion Exams in the Guild’s basement, I confronted Lana.
Bathed in the bright light of the Magic Stone Lamps illuminating the entire plaza, Lana made a face as if to ask if there was a problem.
It’s full of problems, hey!
“Hello, Shin-san.”
Ignoring me as I confronted Lana, the opponent for the Promotion Exam waiting for me in the basement offered a greeting.
It was Ezz.
“Uh, well… Hello, Ezz.”
Since I couldn’t be rude enough not to return a greeting, I replied, but I started doubting Lana’s sanity.
Or rather, the Guild’s sanity.
“Um, I can tell exactly what you’re thinking, Shin-san.”
Ezz gave a wry, embarrassed smile, but still looked resolute.
“Even so, I’m a Rank 2 adventurer. I meet the qualifications to be a Promotion Exam opponent.”
Ezz faltered for a moment as if hesitating.
“I’m better than the guys who turned tail and ran.”
Whoa, Ezz-san, you’re cool.
“Nice, Ezz. Those are some damn fine words.”
My heart pounded excitedly, almost making me giddy.
You really are a proper Scrap Hunter after all, one of those brave guys with a few screws loose.
If that’s the case, I have to go all out.
So that no one, whoever they may be, calls Ezz a coward, I must face this Promotion Exam with Ezz seriously.
Thinking no more words were needed, I started walking towards the center of the plaza when Lana called out to me.
“One warning regarding the Promotion Exam: if you damage the facility, you fail immediately.”
“Huh?”
I instinctively turned back.
Our eyes met, and Lana smiled sweetly and nodded.
“Huh?”
As the qualification for Adventurer Rank 2 rapidly receded into the distance, I said it again.