CH 32

Chapter 32 Weapon-Wielding Rugged Machos Are Scary

「… Then why did Master ask adventurers to escort us? I and Ian are bound by the slave magic, so we will never betray Master. But it is not the same for adventurers… and Master told me about that possibility the other day. Master, is there a reason why you took the risk of asking B rank adventurers to escort us…?」

Nina’s eyes are filled with uneasiness.

「Are you afraid of them?」

「Yes. The other day, Master said, 『Even if I wear enchanted equipment, my own strength isn’t that strong, so I’m vulnerable if I’m caught off guard』, right? Then, Ian and I would be even more vulnerable, so we would only be slowing you down…. If those people are trying to harm Master….」

The <Dragon’s Eyes> is a party of rugged old men, so they might look scary when holding a weapon.

Actually, if they betray us… there’s a good chance that someone will die.

It’ll only increase her uneasiness, so I won’t tell her….

「I appraised them first, and I gathered information about them beforehand. There was nothing suspicious on their status, and I didn’t hear any bad rumors about them, so I think it’s okay to trust them.」

I don’t want to think about it, but I’ve thought about what would happen if <Dragon’s Eyes> betrayed us.

Even though the scale is small, as someone who stands at the top, I have to think about the worst case.

「Also, it might be hard to believe this, but… I’m sensitive to ill will. I usually can tell at first glance. After all, those who try to harm me have that kind of eye from the start.」

""

Nina’s worried expression didn’t disappear when I told her the solid information, but it immediately disappeared when I said this.

I don’t know why, but if she’s reassured, then I don’t have to mind about it.

「Are you not afraid anymore?」

「Yes!」

「I see. As for why I made an escort request, it’s a matter of public stance. In the first place, it’s common knowledge that enchanters don’t do martial arts training or leveling by defeating monsters properly…. In fact, I heard that most of enchanters in the past were like that.」

「Is that so?」

「Yeah. …… Still, since enchanters are valuable, requests come in from many towns, and it’s not uncommon for enchanters to visit the town themselves.」

When the other party is an important person, it is often easier to go there yourself.

…… I guess my predecessors made the same decision as I did.

「And then, it seems that there was an enchanter who died because they neglected the escorts…. As a result, the guild made a rule that when an enchanter leaves town, they can have free escorts up to one A rank adventurer and three B rank adventurers.」

I knew this from the members of <Golden Spear>, though.

「So that’s why the escort fee this time is free! Ian-kun looked a little happy!

Hee… that handsome guy was happy, huh….

Ever since I left money management to Ian, my expenses have decreased significantly compared to when I was managing it.

When I found out about it, I re-evaluated Ian, and at the same time, I was about to cry because of my own unreliability and poor money management skills….

「To be honest, we don’t really need an escort this time. The monsters that appear on the highway don’t use surprise attacks, so even I and Ian can handle them well. Anyway, the plan is to explore the labyrinth, which is more dangerous than the highway, with just the three of us.」

That’s why Nina’s opinion is correct.

「But, if I don’t use the special rule for enchanters and move around as I please, it could end up ruining the guild’s honor.」

「So that’s why you made the request to the Adventurer’s Guild.」

「Yeah. It was to show that I rely on the Adventurer Guild. It’s better to do that at least until my temporary rank is raised to A.」

The only reason I can benefit as an S rank adventurer is because I am a member of the Adventurer’s Guild.

There’s nothing to gain from picking a fight with the Adventurer’s Guild, and as long as they treat me with sincerity, there’s no point in picking a fight with the guild.

Well, I can’t really enjoy traveling with escorts all the time, so I’m planning to gain achievements so that I can move around with just my group.

「So, in response to my request, the guild sent a group of adventurers with a good reputation even among  B ranks. 『Let’s continue to get along!』, I think it has that kind of meaning.」

""

「The world of adults is difficult…」

「You don’t have to worry about it right now. It’s fine if I and Ian deal with it.」

Nina looks a little displeased, but I’m not going to create a work environment where a 12 year old girl has to worry about such a thing!

We are a white company! (Other than Ian, who voluntarily works 16 hours)

「By the way… Nina, the cookies are empty. Bring me some more.」

「Awawa! Excuse me!」

The maid’s uniform fluttered as Nina ran to get the cookies in a hurry.

Her cooking skill alone is higher than other maids, and she’s more or less in the position of their superiors (Ian, who holds the wallet, is above everyone), but… maybe because of her age, the maid outfit really suits her well.

That looks cute and fresh.

…… If anything happens, I have to protect her.

After that, I read all the distributed textbooks while throwing the mountain of cookies that Nina brought into my mouth.

I have to memorize more or less everything before I get to the labyrinth since there’s a chance that I won’t have time to study inside the labyrinth.

It’s fine as long as I got the credits necessary for graduation, so I picked the safe choices for the subjects, and there weren’t any unexpected contents.

I am sure I can get the credits if I study normally.

Well then, we’ll be traveling by carriage tomorrow, so I’d better go to bed.

「Well then, we’re off. We’ll be back before the test, so I’ll leave the mansion to you guys until then.」

「「「「「「「「「「Take care!」」」」」」」」」」

We are finally leaving for the labyrinth city.

This time, I’m taking Nina and Ian, who will dive into the labyrinth together.

…… And two maids, Angie and Momisa, as caretakers.

The goal is to increase our HP, make money, and earn achievements in the Adventurer’s Guild.

My right hand has been tingling since last night because of my uncontrollable adventurous spirit (chuunibyou)… I’m a boy, so I can’t help it.

The only people I’m leaving at the mansion are the maids.

All of them are combat amateurs who are strengthened with only my enchanted equipment, so I’m a little worried about security….

Well, all the important and valuable things are in the item box, so there’s almost nothing to worry about if something is taken in from the mansion.

Also, I’ve told the maids that if they don’t seem to be able to defend themselves, they should abandon the mansion and escape to the nearby Count Brand’s Mansion or seek help from the nobles of the <General Public Faction>.

「Master, I will defeat many monsters and become stronger!」

「Yeah. I’m looking forward to it, Nina.」

I don’t know how much we can get stronger before the test, but… I’m looking forward to it!