episode_0039

The next morning.

I put on the neatly prepared armor I had readied the previous evening and headed to the commission office with Pride.

“I-I’m looking forward to this…”

Pride was dressed in full armor, unlike his usual self.

A hooded, pure white fur cloak adorned with black feathers, along with metal shoulder guards decorated with feathers.

His upper body was clad in a leather breastplate studded with scales, quite different from his usual attire, and he wore gauntlets that extended up to his elbows.

Gauntlets.

Yes, gauntlets!

The very gauntlets that the bald martial artist aristocrat would never have thought of wearing…!

Excitement surged within me.

Yes, this is what makes a true adventurer. This state of armor was incomparable to anything below steel weapons.

On their side, the majority made do with shabby leather or just a single suit of chainmail, barely matching the appearance.

Even though it was clear that one wrong move with a sword or a claw could easily lead them to their demise.

They were lunatics who lived with their guts completely exposed, as if they were some kind of Prometheus or something.

They were the culprits who significantly reduced the average lifespan of adventurers as a profession.

If steel armor is too expensive and heavy to move in, at least get yourself a properly crafted leather armor.

Why do novice adventurers all take care to wear metal armor or leather armor? It all came from wisdom gained through experience.

Having seen careless individuals perish before they even put on novice badges, as soon as they had money, they had no choice but to invest in armor.

Remember, steel is always right.

Encountered an utterly uncommunicative opponent?

Invoke steel, and conversation will flow smoothly.

Duped by a corrupt merchant?

The steel at your waist will show you how to get your money back.

Bandits demanding everything you have at knifepoint?

“If you wield steel well, it’s natural for the superior-inferior relationship to flip. I made quite a bit of money from that.”

Similarly, for those who live by the sword, it’s only natural to wrap oneself in steel from head to toe to secure an extra life. Just like me.

◆◆

“Ah, Miss Hilde! Over here.”

As I entered the commission office, Gerda, who was seated at a corner table, raised her right hand and greeted me with a slight wave.

It seemed she had been waiting for us to arrive first.

“Good morning, Miss Gerda. You’re here early, aren’t you?”

“Hunters should have little morning sleep. Patrol members are the same.”

After shaking hands in greeting, I pulled out a chair opposite her and sat down.

Thud.

Without a word, Freida followed and took a seat next to me.

“Miss Hilde, who is this…?”

Glancing at Freida, Gerda asked cautiously, as if wondering if this youngster was the same high-ranked swordsman I had mentioned.

“Oh, please greet her. This is Frei-”

Considering Freida’s lack of sociability, I intended to introduce her to Gerda myself.

“I’m Sigfreida. Twenty years old.”

Despite Freida slightly nodding her head as if to say there was no need for that introduction.

“Sigfreida, is it? A dignified name. Pleased to meet you. I’m Gerda, the patrol member.”

“…Yes.”

Freida nodded, her golden eyes flickering. It was a gaze reminiscent of a nearsighted patient who had lost their glasses.

She’s really letting her unsociable nature show. She’s not some shy cat. The discomfort of this situation was clearly written all over her face.

“Hmm.”

Gerda shrugged her shoulders without saying a word, as if she had experienced this kind of response more than once.

Well, Gerda was slightly taller and even more robust than me, so she must have often seen others squirming under her imposing presence.

The small, hunchbacked anchovy-like glasses-wearing turtle was unable to breathe properly or speak in front of the muscular pig covered in tattoos.

“[Hilde], I heard the other one is a wizard? Seems like they didn’t come together.”

“Yeah. It looks like they haven’t arrived yet….”

Amy hadn’t arrived at the request office yet. Just like last time.

“Well, if we wait a bit, they’ll be here soon enough.”

Of course, this time they wouldn’t be so late.

Last time, as a client, it was up to them whether they were late or not, but now they were equal party members.

If they didn’t want to get scolded, they’d come on time by themselves.

So, without much worry, I leisurely chatted and waited for Amy to show up.

“[Hilde], have you been promoted this time? I heard you’ve only been registered as an adventurer for less than a hundred days… You seem remarkably skilled. It’s reassuring to have you as a party member.”

“You flatter me. I was just lucky. You, [Gerda], on the other hand, seem to have quite a wealth of experience. As a new recruit, I feel like I’ll have a lot to ask for your advice.”

To bridge the gap between temporary party members, we exchanged some compliments.

“…I haven’t even been here for a hundred days.”

“Excuse me? What did you say?”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing….”

Of course, the only ones who managed to bridge the gap were [me] and Gerda.

Freida tried to interject into the conversation with a sneaky tone, but when Gerda turned her way, she slightly lowered her head and quietly shrunk back.

Really, her awkward reaction was so pitiful that it ended up looking rather cute.

Anyway, as we were chatting, before long, the familiar red-haired girl burst through the door of the request office.

“Hmm, you’re here first. I’m not late, am I?”

Amy, who spotted us, walked over with a cool smile.

“Not yet.”

She was the last to arrive, but it wasn’t exactly a tardy entrance. The rest of us had just come a little earlier.

“Thank goodness. So, this girl and this…kid? What’s up with her? Is she the new party member?”

As Amy nodded approvingly at Gerda and let out a satisfied expression, she looked at Freida and let out an incredulous chuckle.

Alright, Freida might not have a pleasant appearance, but considering Amy’s personality, her reaction was to be expected.

It was a bit rude, though.

“Kid, no, it’s not….”

As Freida retorted with a grimace, Amy smirked as if she found it ridiculous.

“It’s not what? Clearly, you should be around twelve—”

“…I said no.”

Freida’s voice lowered even more. It was a tone that conveyed a sense of disdain.

“She’s twenty. We’re the same age.”

I hurriedly revealed Freida’s age before their emotional struggle escalated further.

It’s a fact that’s hard to believe, but since she insists she’s twenty, for now, I’ll go along with it.

“Twenty?”

Amy’s expression contorted as if she had just encountered something bizarre.

“Twenty? With this face? And this height?”

“That’s what she says.”

“…So, she’s claiming she’s two years older than me…?”

An expression that clearly couldn’t believe it. Understanding her reaction, I simply shrugged my shoulders. If you can’t believe it, then don’t.

“No, wait… really? Twenty?”

“…Yes, twenty.”

Freida nodded firmly.

“So, don’t use informal speech.”

Emphasizing each syllable.

“…Yes.”

It seemed she was quite irritated by being treated like a kid by someone younger.

“Hah… Ridiculous. If it bothers you, then speak informally too. I don’t know about formalities. I’ve never learned them.”

After replying with a trembling voice and gesturing, Amy pulled out the chair on my left and plopped down heavily, seemingly having nothing more to say.

…The atmosphere completely soured.

I let out a deep sigh and lightly tapped Freida’s shoulder.

It seemed like she and Amy were the worst match in terms of personality.

Amy isn’t inherently bad, but she has a somewhat arrogant side, fitting for a magician, while Freida stumbles over her words and hides her face, but she’s not entirely fragile.

Upon closer examination, it seems like our personalities would never quite match. It’s a relationship akin to a good-natured leader and a distinctive loner.

The tension between us was as natural as that between a cat and a crow.

◆◆

“Then let’s depart right away.”

Though the conclusion was somewhat skewed, there was no reason to delay any longer now that all the party members had gathered.

“I’ve reserved a carriage, so follow me. Freida, Amy, you too.”

I headed towards the vicinity of the castle with them, greeted the steward who had been waiting there, and then boarded the carriage.

As we all settled in the middle of the carriage and took our seats, the surroundings slowly began to fade away with the rumbling sound.

And so, we left the city and headed towards the Crude Catacomb.

On our way, not only our party but also carriages hired by other adventurers were scattered around. Some adventurers were walking, perhaps because they couldn’t afford a carriage, while others were riding horses.

Given that it was a major commission from the guild, it seemed like there were quite a few participants besides our party.

“Oh.”

As we went on, I noticed some familiar faces. Adventurers who had applied to join my party but were rejected and went back.

“They’ve all gathered here….”

A trio consisting of a warrior, an archer, and a false priest. Their names were Leo, Rick, and Bobby, right?

They were also on a baggage carriage, now moving, and had recruited new party members, making a total of seven.

Now, there was just one young warrior and three women. Seeing the seven of them chatting amicably, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had misunderstood those three guys.

Well, it probably didn’t matter since I wouldn’t have to see them again.