Chapter 180: Next Destination

When I arrived at the Guild Master's room, I saw two familiar faces inside. They're the Guild Master and Yagami-san. Speaking of which, I think it's been a while since I met Yagami-san. To be precise, since the battle against Cain. It's a great coincidence meeting him here as I would like to express my gratitude because I pushed the dealing of the aftermath to him quite a bit.

However, faster than I could express my gratitude, Yagami-san opened his mouth.

"It’s been a while, Amane. How are your injuries?"

"Yes. For the time being, I can already walk like this. Besides that, I heard that you were the one in charge of explaining about that event to various places. For that, thank you very much."

"… It's not a big deal compared to what you did for us. You've saved the lives of my friends more than once, after all. That's why, from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much."

"Tsu."

Yagami-san bowed his head deeply as he said that. Then, in front of me, who was still surprised by his unexpected action, Yagami-san continued.

"And then, in this opportunity, there is something I have to apologize to you."

"Something you have to apologize for?"

"Aa. It's about my attitude towards you during the joint capture. I'm really sorry for that time."

That joint capture, huh. Even though it should be less than a month since that event, it feels like something that happened a long time ago. Indeed, at that time, I remembered that Yagami-san was wary of me. I had completely forgotten about that until now, though.

Although I didn't particularly mind his attitude at that time… there is something I had been curious about.

"By the way, why were you so wary of me at that time?"

"…. Do you remember the dungeon collapse that happened in Kenzaki Dungeon?"

"Yes"

Of course, I do. I was there after all. But, is this related to the reason?

"After the dungeon collapse ended, your name appeared in the report we got from the member of our guild who was waiting at that place, saying there is a person who broke off from the restraint and entered the dungeon."

"……"

"That, without a doubt, was a very mysterious act, as it was a decision that deviated from the regulation of an adventurer. It was precisely because I knew this that I couldn't understand why such a person gained the trust of the Guild Master and Claire. Hence, when I heard that you're going to capture a dungeon with us, I was wary of you."

…. I see. Indeed, at that time, it was a B-rank party from Yoizuki that came to the rescue. It's no wonder that my mysterious action was shared with the members of their guild.

Considering that, the attitude that Yagami-san took towards me is quite natural. If anything, it can be said that the responsibility was actually on me.

At any rate, after knowing Yagami-san's thoughts at that time, I finally came to understand.

"So it was like that"

"Aa. But now, I can guess why you entered the dungeon that time. The one who defeated the boss and saved Kurosaki was you, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"… As expected. Just like your fight against the High Ogre… more than that, after seeing your fight against a person from a different world, I've come to understand that you must have fought many powerful enemies and saved many lives, right? No wonder Kurosaki and Kasai openly praised you many times."

"… Y-you’re welcome?"

Without knowing how to reply to such heartfelt words, my response became a little flat like that. Subsequently, when I was still a little embarrassed by Yagami-san's words, another voice spoke.

"Now, since you two are done talking, let's talk about the future. Claire, please explain it."

“Understood."

Claire began to speak while receiving the stares of the three of us.

"There is only one matter. It's about Rin-kun's condition. Although Rin-kun is currently in a state where the external injuries of your body are healed, so you have no problem in daily activities, you still cannot fight monsters. Indeed it only takes about a month for it to be naturally healed but, if you used a certain method, it could be cured in about three days."

"Is that true?"

"Yes"

Hearing my words, Claire nodded. If that's true, I will be able to capture the dungeons again sooner. Therefore, if possible, I wanted to try that method as soon as possible.

Perhaps because my feelings were transmitted through my facial expression, Claire smiled a bit before giving me the answer.

"That method is to request my acquaintance."

"Acquaintance?"

"Ee. She is someone who is good at healing magic, and can heal not only external injuries but also the current state of Rin-kun. If I say her name is Nanami Shizuka, then Rin-kun should recognize who she is, right?"

"Nanami Shizuka… that S-rank adventurer?!"

"Yes, that person"

When I was still surprised upon hearing such an unexpected big name, Claire continued.

"When I asked that person, it seems she is willing to treat Rin-kun. Therefore, I know this is sudden, but we're going to visit the guild 【Classion】 where Nanami-san serves as the Guild Master tomorrow."

"That's really sudden… But much appreciated"

Needless to say, I am happy that my body could be healed sooner but, I'm also delighted to be able to meet another S-rank besides Claire. Because meeting her might be useful for future reference.

"By the way, for now, only I and Rin-kun will be going there. Yagami-san, we will be leaving this town for three days, so I will leave the rest to you."

"Ee, I understand"

Hearing Claire's words, Yagami-san nodded. I see. The fact that Claire will accompany me to the Classion guild's headquarters means the strongest force of Yoizuki will also be gone from this place for three days. And among the members who were here, the strongest one is the A-rank party led by Yagami-san. This was probably one of the reasons Yagami-san was here, joining the discussion, as there are some arrangements regarding that.

At any rate, with this, my matter has ended. Yagami-san, who said he has another matter after this, excused himself first. Claire, the Guild Master and I also left the room, heading to the leisure room together. Then–

"That's what I’ve been telling you! I want to change to another job besides a tank!"

— we heard Akari's shout from inside the room.

Hearing that, the Guild Master tilted his head.

"Whose voice is that? I've never heard of this one."

"Rin-kun's acquaintance is currently inside the room. It seems they're excitedly discussing something…"

After that, the three of us entered the room and discovered the figure of Akari who was being surrounded by three people, which were Rei, Yui and Hana. What the heck are they doing? I did have a guess, but…

At that moment, Akari, who noticed me entering the room, shouted.

"Hey Rin, please help me here!"

"… What happened?"

"For God's sake! The moment these girls knew that I am level 2000 and used to be a tank, they directly requested me to join their party…"

It seems it was as I expected. Even so, to think her level had already exceeded 2,000… I was genuinely surprised. But well, since she tried to challenge the Nameless Knight with a sword which was supposed to be an unfamiliar weapon to her by herself, I already thought that her level was about 1,500… This just made her the perfect person for Hana's party. So, it is unsurprising that they don't want to miss this chance.

When I was thinking about such a thing, the Guild Master next to me muttered, "Hou", with great interest.

"I heard from Claire that you wanted me to recruit a new tank but, in the end, Amane brought one himself, huh,"

"I wonder. It seems the person herself is not very enthusiastic about that…"

"Well, our guild also couldn't invite her without knowing her ability first, but…”

After staring at Akari's face, the Guild Master nodded as if convinced about something.

"…. She has good eyes. Claire, I'll leave the rest to you"

"…. Eyes? Again, huh. Sigh, understood"

After sighing, Claire slowly walks toward Akari. And noticing this, Akari's body trembled.

"E-etto…."

"I apologize if this is sudden, but… may I call you Akari-san?"

"Y-yes! Feel free!"

“Thank you very much. Feel free to call me Claire, too. Does Akari-san currently belong to a party or a guild?"

"I don't belong to any right now…"

"Then, I have a suggestion. Would you like to join Yoizuki?"

Upon hearing that suggestion, Akari opened her eyes widely.

"Join Yoizuki!? A-although that would make me very happy, if you are inviting me as a tank, I don't think I can answer right now…."

"Then, how about temporary joining? We would like to help you in your adventuring, including any plans Akari-san has for the future, by continuing being an adventurer."

"…Uh"

Claire's words clearly took Akari off guard. She was probably interested in temporarily joining the guild, but she couldn't make the final decision.

I guess I should aid her here. But when I was about to help, Hana looked at Akari with a lonely smile.

"… I'd be happy if Akari was here too."

"Uh. P-please don't look at me with such eyes… Haa, it cannot be helped."

Then, Akari exhaled as if she had given up. It seems that the part of her that was weak to Hana also hasn't changed since long ago.

In the end, it was decided that Akari will be temporarily joining Yoizuki. She will be in the same party as Hana for some time, while trying different weapons.

…. At this point, I feel like I could see her failing, though.

As the discussion had ended, and we were about to part, Claire suddenly muttered "Ah!", then she looked at Akari and the others and asked.

"Since this is an excellent opportunity, do you all have any plans for the consecutive holidays tomorrow?"

In response to this question, the four looked at each other and then shook their heads. Looking at this, Claire went on to make a certain suggestion to them.