episode_0026

It was around evening when I fell asleep and woke up.

I missed two days, but since I’m a superhuman, I recover quickly even if I sleep only a few hours.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Kati kneeling right next to me, staring down at me.

… Maybe she’s gotten used to the maid uniform now, but it’s no problem.

“What are you doing there?”

“I was on guard because it might be dangerous.”

“It’s more dangerous for you to look at me like that while I’m sleeping… . In the first place, what’s going on here where there are only kids.”

I woke up my sleeping brain and woke up my body.

The kitchen is noisy, perhaps during meal times.

“Oh, are you awake? It was evening, so it went well.”

Mercy was wearing an apron, probably to help with the cooking.

“So, nothing special happened?”

“Uh, you’ll just have to keep doing what you’ve been doing.”

“Yes, yes.”

Mercy went back to the kitchen, and Vivian came out as if taking a shift.

“Ah, Ian!”

She took off her robe and changed into comfortable clothes, tied her hair and put on an apron.

“Are you okay? I was surprised that you fell asleep like you fainted.”

“I was just tired. Because I stayed up all night.”

“Watch the day… ?”

“I have a lot of work to do, so I have to come back quickly.”

Even though I was wondering if there was a need to stay up all day, I nodded.

It is true that there is a lot of work to do to deliver magic stones, train, and find the next member.

Besides that, there are some other things to find out.

*

While eating dinner, the kids seemed curious about where I had been.

I know I’m at an age where my curiosity is at its peak, but I was embarrassed because I couldn’t answer.

Vivian, Emma, and Mercy stepped forward to get their attention, so they were able to escape the pressure of the children.

After finishing the meal, we sat separately and were organizing our future schedule.

Katy quietly approached and sat down next to her, and Mercy sat in the front seat.

“Where will you go next?”

“After stopping by the training center, I decided to go to a place called MacDerlin Abbey. I heard there’s an open exam, so I’ll have to see if there’s a priest who can use it.”

“Hmm, I see… .”

Mercy yawned profusely and fell down on the table.

He just raises his head crookedly and looks at me.

“Why, do you have something to say?”

“Just… It’s somehow boring.”

Bored eyes scan the air blankly.

Mercy certainly has nothing to do after leaving the first party.

When I was there, Mercy would check various documents first and if there was any need to write letters, Mercy would take care of most of them.

In addition, I coordinated the schedule of the supply corps.

Her ability to communicate with the forest helps her find a suitable place to camp, and is an excellent ability as it allows her to send letters regardless of time.

However, now they are living in the capital, which has all the necessary facilities, and there is only one person, Vivian.

I’m not famous yet, so there’s absolutely no reason to be busy.

Mercy has nothing to do now.

“Rest when you can. I knew there would be a time like this again.”

“That’s true, but… .”

Mercy’s eyes, which had been rolling back and forth, turned to me and she smiled.

“It feels a little strange to see you still busy in the midst of all this.”

“That’s why it’s there.”

I shrugged my shoulders and answered.

That’s what a manager’s position is like.

“And I’m not that busy either.”

It looks like he’s busy looking for work and getting things done, but honestly, he has a lot of free time.

Compared to when I was at the first party, I feel so relaxed that I feel a bit anxious.

It’s almost like a workaholic… .

It suddenly occurred to me that Mercy might be feeling the same way.

“Do you want to do something too?”

“Huh? Do I have work to do?”

When asked what to do, his eyes light up and he asks.

“Not yet. Let me think about it.”

“Hmm… .”

Mercy sank again as if she was disappointed.

***

The next morning.

I was on my way from Agnes Monastery to the training center.

It is the day to deliver the magic stone and receive Vivian’s temporary warrior certificate.

“Umm… .”

Vivian, walking next to me, groaned in discomfort.

“Why?”

“That’s something, something people are looking at… It’s the same, I guess… .”

She was wearing the white wizard’s robe she wore for the exam.

Since it was near the warrior training center, there was nothing special about a wizard wearing it.

Nevertheless, several people passing by glanced at Vivian as if they recognized her.

I know the reason, but I deliberately pretended not to know.

I was originally going to tell you in advance, but I’m hiding it because I think it would be better to see it in person.

“Isn’t it so white that it stands out?”

“Well, that’s it, right? If you feel like you are conscious of me, it must be because of your mood, right?”

Vivian was convinced as she held the bag in her arms tightly.

It is a bag containing a large magic stone obtained by killing a king slime.

“Isn’t he a wizard? Vivian?”

“I think that’s right? I heard that my friend saw it on his way to the exam center right next door.”

As we got closer to the training center, it became clear that people’s stares were not due to our mood.

“It’s true that people recognize me… !”

Vivian muttered as she stood close next to her.

“I wonder if it is known that I insulted Sylvia… ?!”

“Then I think it should be more famous than this.”

“Ugh… . Yes… .”

Quite a few more people recognize Vivian than I thought.

Perhaps because she was embarrassed, Vivian clung to my arm and lowered her head.

It’s almost like he’s hiding behind me.

Kati, walking in the opposite direction, glared at him.

“Kathi. Look ahead and walk.”

“… Yes.”

[I can walk without looking in front of me.]

What, are you telepathically telling me you have a ring?

‘Give me your ring.’

[…] … .]

I looked to the side and saw Katy quietly avoiding my gaze.

‘what the… . You return it later.’

[…] … .]

Vivian suddenly stopped walking.

“Vivian?”

She froze, staring straight ahead.

I followed my gaze and saw a man walking in front of me.

The man also saw this and stopped walking.

It was Felix.

“… … .”

Amidst the awkward silence, Felix frowned.

At the same time, Vivian stepped forward and blocked my path.

“Vivian… ?”

As if she couldn’t hear my voice, she just glared ahead.

I can’t see the face because it’s from the back.

When I looked back earlier, her expression was cold, so I guess that’s still the case now.

It wasn’t as fierce as it had been before to kill Felix.

However, it was an expression that was not usually seen on Vivian.

Kati, who didn’t know why Vivian was serious, quietly observed the situation.

… But, I know it doesn’t really suit the current situation, but Vivian’s cheeks are very visible from this angle.

I’ve recently gained a lot of weight, and I’m soft… .

No, let’s stop.

Felix’s eyes scanned Vivian, Kati, and then me.

“… Sheesh!”

Felix couldn’t possibly pass us by, so he eventually turned back and walked away.

I can hear you whispering.

“Damn… . If we go here, we’ll have to go back a long way… . Why did I… . I can’t even go straight… .”

I’m going to cry. I’m going to cry.

“Vivian. Are you okay now?”

“Ah, yes… .”

Vivian smiled awkwardly.

“I remember that time… . He suddenly came out.”

“It was very reliable and trustworthy.”

“It’s true! There seems to be no other warrior of justice!”

“Ugh… .”

He blushes and closes his eyes tightly.

Vivian is back to her usual self.

“You didn’t have to do that, but thank you anyway. Shall we go now?”

“Yes… .”

[Did something happen?]

As we were walking, Katy asked vaguely.

Please tell him… . I’m anxious.

‘It’s nothing special… .’

[…] … .]

Kati, walking next to me, stares intently.

‘Promise me you will listen and stay still.’

[…] … .]

‘I won’t say anything unless I promise.’

[I promise.]

‘Last time I was taking Vivian’s exam… .’

I explained to Kati what happened last time, and I had to throw myself to stop her from running away.

*

There were many people who recognized Vivian even at the place where magic stones were supplied.

“Is that Vivian? Is that watermelon-sized thing in your arms a magic stone?”

“No way, the lowest product can’t be that big… .”

Vivian was embarrassed, but smiled happily.

He delivered the magic stone and even received a warrior’s license.

[Hero: Vivian (F)]

F~D are temporary warriors.

Once you become an official warrior, you will be ranked C from then on.

Vivian passed around the palm-sized certificate.

“Wow… .”

It’s like a child receiving a toy as a gift for the first time.

With her preoccupied with the certification, I listened to the guide explain the cost.

“This is the first time I have encountered a lowest grade magic stone of this size, so it will likely take some time to calculate the value.”

“When can I come pick it up?”

“You will receive it by tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

The magic stone that comes from killing a Big Slime is also larger than the regular lowest grade, so it is worth more.

What’s more, since you caught a king slime, you will have to pay more than that, and since this has never happened, you won’t be able to pay it right away.

“Vivian, let’s go now.”

“Yes!”

I brought her out, smiling brightly.

Normally I would have to go back to the training center, but there are still places to stop by.

“… huh? But where are you going?”

Vivian, who belatedly came to her senses, asked.

“I have somewhere else to go.”

Vivian was puzzled, but followed along.

Before long, we arrived at a familiar crossroads.

The bulletin board in the center was crowded with people.

Vivian’s eyes widened as if she had a premonition of something.

“Go and take a look.”

Vivian slowly raised her wide eyes and scanned the bulletin board from bottom to top.

Of course, the higher the name on the bulletin board, the better.

Only the names of the most promising warriors occupy the top spot.

At the very top, her name was written.

[The 4th test site passer, wizard Vivian.]

[Additional explanation: Confirmation of a large slime of unprecedented size that appeared in the test site.]

[The guild investigation team gave the object a special nickname, ‘King Slime.’]

King Slime Slayer, Vivian.

Just one person.

It was clear that it would be the successor to Sylvia, who single-handedly defeated the first Big Slime.

This is why people have been passing by it all day today.

At least those who saw it in person spread the word and everyone remembered Vivian’s name.

“That red-haired wizard, right?”

“That’s right, he’s the wizard that Marie mentioned.”

“The wizard who built the ice tower at that time? I really did it on my own… .”

“Are you still traveling alone? I want to party together… .”

“I heard you turned down all the offers you’ve received so far, but that won’t work.”

One by one, the people watching around began to recognize Vivian.

Vivian, who was filled with interest mixed with goodwill and anticipation, smiled shyly when she saw me.

Among the crowd of people who couldn’t approach, a man suddenly approached Vivian and me.

“Hello! This is Amos, a reporter for the monthly Supevia Manager magazine!”

“… Yes?”

what.

Is this something I don’t know?

“Could you please give me some time to talk to you?”