Chapter 115
Attention
Translator : PolterGlast
I returned to the inn and managed to explain the situation
to Ria, Tricia, and Maud without issue. Although they
looked slightly anxious, it helped that they accepted it immediately.
Thinking that this quick acceptance was influenced by the the
grueling environment they had endured
until now, I couldn't help but have mixed feelings about it, but... Max also readily agreed to look after the
three of them, so I can head out to hunt monsters without worry.
Leaving the inn, I headed to the Adventurer's Guild,
the designated meeting spot, and saw Ginia, Aoi, and the Guild
Master. The number of adventurers had visibly increased, and the Adventurer's
Guild was teeming with people.
"Did I keep you waiting? Sorry for being late."
"No, no! We just arrived, so it's fine!"
"Preparations are perfect on this end! Did you explain
everything properly, Graham?"
"Yeah. Max readily agreed to house-sit, and the
three of them accepted the situation, so it's fine."
"That's good to hear. Well then, Graham-san,
let's go to the Guild Master's office."
"—Before that, I'll hand you the Smoke Bombs, Graham-san."
"You bought them for me. Thanks."
After receiving the Smoke Bombs I had asked for from Ginia,
we entered the crowded Adventurer's Guild and headed to the Guild
Master's office for the third time. It seemed the adventurers who responded
to the summons had been gathered there; I could sense multiple presences other
than Salis from inside the room.
"It's Dwayne. We're entering."
"I was waiting. Come in."
Inside were the members who participated in the Exchange Match, excluding Guanza. Additionally, there were fifteen
unfamiliar adventurers.
I knew the moment I saw them that these unfamiliar
adventurers were powerful individuals. They were likely S-Rank
adventurers based in the Royal Capital.
"Everyone is here now. I would like to have everyone
introduce themselves—but with a massive horde of monsters approaching, we don't
have that luxury. It would be helpful if you introduced yourselves on the
way."
"Can I ask one thing? Is Guanza not here?"
"No. Guanza is the only one we haven't been able
to contact. Apparently, no one has seen the Red Roses for the past few
days."
"Knowing Guanza, I thought he would poke his nose
into this... Understood. Sorry for interrupting."
I had noticed Guanza's absence the moment I entered
the room, and I was curious about the reason, so the Guild Master asking
about it saved me the trouble. Perhaps getting thoroughly beaten by me had more
of an effect on him than I thought.
Setting aside the missing Guanza, we decided to
depart the Royal Capital immediately. The group gathered in the Guild Master's
office would take the lead, with other adventurers following behind as we
headed toward our destination.
"I feel like my body is getting heavier somehow. It's a
strange sensation, like the pressure increases with every step I take."
"I'd like to say it's just your imagination! But the
atmosphere in this direction is clearly abnormal! My instincts are screaming at
me not to go!"
What the two were feeling now was the presence I usually
track; even they could sense the tremendous aura coming from the direction we
were heading. It was unmistakably the aura of the Demon King's Army, and
estimating conservatively... there were over a thousand monsters, just as the
information stated.
"Hello, Graham-san. Thank you for the other
day."
Everyone had noticed this abnormal pressure, and the
atmosphere was becoming heavy. Amidst this, the person who spoke to me was Julian
of the White Phoenix.
"Thank you as well. It was a good experience for
me."
"That should be my line. ...I am truly relieved that
you stayed, Graham-san. An opponent who was that terrifying when we
faced off is now an ally."
"Exactly that! He was an opponent we couldn't beat even
with our whole party, so I was relieved when he entered the room at the
end!"
The one who jumped on Julian's words was the Mage
of the White Phoenix. Her vibe is similar to Aoi's.
"Indeed. I think everyone who participated in the
Exchange Match shares the same sentiment. The White Phoenix will
support you fully, Graham-san, so we look forward to working with
you."
"It's a bit hard to work with too much expectation
placed on me, but... understood. I'll do everything I can."
"Thank you. We'll be relying on you."
After bowing to me with a smile, Julian walked over
to the fifteen unfamiliar adventurers. Like the White Phoenix, they are
adventurers based in the Royal Capital, so it seems they have connections.
Since we're here, I'll ask for introductions later.
"It really is amazing! Since you won all the matches, I
suppose it's only natural, but everyone who participated in the Exchange Match is watching you, Graham-san!"
"Right! They're watching like they want to talk to you!"
"I'm really not that big of a deal, though."
"If Graham-san isn't a big deal, then that would
make me a total piece of trash. Anyway... we should make an active effort to
bond during the journey. To be honest, we haven't exactly been on the best of
terms up until recently."
True, other than the White Phoenix, we didn't have
good relationships with the others. They were opponents to fight the other day,
so it didn't matter, but today they are comrades fighting together.
If they look like they want to talk, I should actively reach
out and deepen our friendship. Deciding this, I went around aiming to speak
with everyone before we reached our destination.
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