Side Story 3: Visiting a Remote Island 06

The guildmaster said he had a request for us, looking straight into Fran’s eyes with a serious face. His expression seemed so intense that I couldn’t keep joking about the weird sight of his fox ears.

He must be dealing with a very difficult situation. But even if we wanted to accept his request, it would have to wait until we finish our business in the Hagane Domain.

『What do you want us to do?』

「There’s something strange going on in the Cradle of the Earth Dragons, the Rank A haunt located north of Elrigo. I want your help in investigating the situation, and if possible, resolving it.」

Investigating a Rank A haunt, an extremely dangerous location recommended for adventurers of Rank A or higher. Even a party of Rank B adventurers would barely be able to survive inside.

Any request in such a location was sure to be difficult for ordinary adventurers.

As the name suggests, the Cradle of the Earth Dragons had a pack of Threat Level B earth dragons living in its depths. The leader of this pack was said to be a huge dragon ranked Threat Level A.

Not to mention everything else. The dragons live deep within the cradle, but the surrounding area was no walk in the park either.

After all, this land contained such dense mana that dragons chose to call it home. Naturally, other high-level monsters gathered there as well. There must be plenty of large beasts to provide the dragon pack with food.

（Master.）

『You want to accept his request?』

（Nn.）

Well, I figured it would come to this the moment I heard the details. Guess it can’t be helped.

「If no one else does it by the time I come back, then I’ll take it.」

『That said, we don’t know how long we’ll be staying in the Hagane Domain, or even whether or not we can complete your request.』

The Hagane Domain is supposed to be an entire island of warriors, so we’ll have more than just one or two sparring partners. Depending on how motivated Fran is, we might stay a week or even an entire month.

However, Kanook shook his head.

「If possible, I would like you to take my request immediately.」

「I’m already working on a different request.」

『Are you sure you want to be breaking the rules so blatantly?』

Forcing another request on an adventurer already on a job was a clear violation of guild rules. But perhaps he was truly desperate. Kanook continued, showing no signs of giving up.

「You’re right. My behavior is far from praiseworthy. However, this is a serious emergency. If the situation is not resolved, your employer, the Lucille Trade Association, will be in big trouble, you know.」

「Mrgh? Are you going to do something to Rengill?」

『Is that a threat?』

Maybe he plans to send some adventurers to harass Rengill? But we’re not going to be intimidated by such a lousy threat. Fran had already moved into a combat-ready stance. Depending on his response, she could draw my blade at any moment.

Faced with her killing intent, Kanook turned pale and flailed his hands in panic.

「N-N-No, no, nothing like that! I-I apologize if my wording was a bit misleading! W-We would never consider making enemies with a Rank S adventurer! This entire city will be wiped off the map!」

「Then what do you mean?」

「The haunt I mentioned is the source of our medicinal herbs! As long as this situation continues, those herbs won’t return to the markets! Any merchants traveling here must be after those herbs, so failing to acquire them will result in a huge loss! That’s why they’ll be in trouble!」

It seems he had no intention of threatening us in the first place. I guess his panic caused him to use wording that was a bit ambiguous.

「An adventurer of Rank A or higher is needed to investigate a Rank A haunt. However, we have no one available. Our country does have one Rank A adventurer, but they’re away on another high-difficulty request, and we have no idea when they’ll be back.」

「Only one Rank A adventurer?」

Fran tilted her head in confusion, and Kanook returned a wry smile.

「Ah, I heard you’ve been active in the Kingdom of Kranzel. A country like that with five or even ten Rank A equivalent individuals is just abnorm—… err, special. Having even one is practically a miracle.」

Hey, I heard that! He tried to call us “abnormal” just now! Well, Kranzel’s preferential treatment for adventurers does attract them from all over the world. I suppose they are unusual.

Individuals whose very existence can affect the military balance between nations are not something you can find just anywhere.

We’ve mostly traveled through Kranzel, the Beast Kingdom, and the continent of Gordicia. All places with numerous powerful adventurers. That probably affected our sense of scale.

「Why don’t you just do it yourself, Kanook?」

『Yeah, you seem pretty strong to me.』

「I used to be Rank A, but I was forced to retire after an injury. My current status would be Rank B at best. This request is far too much for me, especially since my party has already disbanded.」

Apparently, there was a story behind his injury. He got hit by a cursed arrow on his left knee, and now he can barely bend it.

As Kanook hung his head, his fox ears drooped as well, reflecting his state of mind. For some reason, the rugged bald guy started to look strangely cute to me. Maybe it’s because he’s got a certain charm about him?

During our conversation, I sensed a group of people coming up the stairs. They didn’t give off any hostility or malice, but they appeared to be ready for a fight. Then, the office door burst open as one of them kicked it in.

「Guildmaster! Are you alright?!」

「Please tell me you aren’t dead!」

「W-What happened?!」

Apparently, Fran’s killing intent from earlier had reached the lower floor.

「You guys… Don’t worry, everything is fine. I just had her show me a bit of her strength. Sorry for the commotion.」

「O-Oh, I see… Man, give us a break. Some of the guys downstairs foamed at the mouth and collapsed, you know?」

「Yeah, that probably shaved a few years off my life.」

「As expected of a Rank S…」

Despite their complaints, none of them dared to look in our direction.

「Pass on my apology to the others too. And tell them that I’ll cover the tab today.」

「Seriously?」

「Hell yeah!」

「Thanks!」

The deathly pale adventurers suddenly regained their smiles. Well, I suppose adventurers were mostly people who can be satisfied with just meat and booze.

「Sorry about the noise.」

「It’s fine. About your request, let me ask Rengill first.」

『Good idea. We might accept it depending on what the Lucille Trade Association says.』

「Oh! Thank you very much!」

Kanook bowed so deeply that he looked like he might slide off the sofa and start prostrating himself at any moment. He was already pressing his head against the table.

Uh, hold on, there’s a crack in the table! You’re literally breaking it! Lift your head already! The female staff member who peeked in to check on the adventurers is staring at you dumbfounded!

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