CHAPTER 105: LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE RANK UP QUEST

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(I see, maybe it’s because I’m an Inferior.) (Toru)

　True, my party and my achievement were enough to earn them a C-rank evaluation and the right to move up to C-rank without having to take the quest.

　However, they were probably met with fierce resistance from those who opposed us there.

I can imagine that they said things like, “Inferiors can’t be strong,” or “They just happened to be there at the right time.”

　So, now we have the right to challenge a rank-up quest.

　Perhaps this must have been the point of compromise for those in favor and those against.

“Toru. If we clear this, we will be first-class adventurers!” (Esther)

“Calm down, Esther, we haven’t learned anything about the quest yet.” (Toru)

I calmed down Esther who was extremely manic and feels like she’s already cleared the quest.

—Yes, the problem is the content of the quest.

“Well then, let’s move on to the contents…?” (Aaron)

　 The feeling of some unreasonable work that I felt earlier has become even stronger here.

　There is no doubt about it. The troublesome part starts here.

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“The contents of the rank-up quest are simple. I want you guys to go out and gather some Persimo berries.” (Aaron)

“Persimo, do you know them, Esther?” (Toru)

“No, I don’t know.” (Esther)

“Eh…” (Toru)

At those words, my eyes widened.

Esther is a daughter from a merchant family, and she has excellent information-gathering skills. The information she had obtained had actually helped me many times before. It never occurred to me that there was anything she didn’t know.

“Master, what is Persimo?” (Toru)

“…………” (Aaron)

　I asked, but Aron just smiled a big smile and did not answer. Apparently, just like the quest to rank up to D rank, the quest begins with getting information about Persimo.

“So, is there a time limit on how long I have to complete the quest?” (Toru)

“About a month.” (Aaron)

“I see.” (Toru)

　I think we can do it in a month.

“For the time being, I guess I have to collect information immediately, right?” (Toru)

“Yes. We’ll start by looking in the guild archives.” (Esther)

“Yes, I guess so.” (Toru)

“Oh, one thing about that. There is no information on Persimo in the guild library.” (Aaron)

“What!?” (Esther)

“In Finlis Guild, I’m probably the only one who knows about Persimo. —Oh, did I inadvertently give you a hint?” (Aaron)

　Aaron-san stuck his tongue out a bit as if to say, “Tee~hee~!”.

　The frivolous attitude made it difficult to grasp the truth of what he said.

　I turned around and looked at Marie.

　She nodded with an apologetic expression on her face. Apparently, Aaron-san’s words were true.

“This might be a dead end.” (Toru)

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“Yes…” (Esther)

“How do you feel about that, do you want to stop?” (Aaron)

“I’m not one to give up without a challenge!” (Esther)

“That’s what an adventurer would say. But is there really any need to rush? If you persevere for just a few years, you will surely be able to take the rank-up quests. At this point in time, you already have enough ability to be ranked C. If you are able to accept quests in the future, you will be able to do so. You will also be able to move up to C-rank without risking your life. …are you sure you don’t want to wait until then?” (Aaron)

(Don’t be so eager to keep me on the back burner.) (Toru)

　If you are a C-rank adventurer, you are the most talented person in town. To reach such a rank is no longer for an individual.

　The more high-ranked adventurers there are, the safer the land is, and the more they become the guild’s banner.

　They can even gain the trust of their clients.

　Aron would be happy to see more high-ranked adventurers. But what is holding him back?

“The difficulty level of this rank-up quest, is it equivalent to rank C?” (Toru)

“…………” (Aaron)

　In response to my question, Aaron-san fell silent with his eyes downcast.

　The difficulty level of this quest seems to be quite high. It might not even be one rank or two ranks. Even for me, who defeated the demon, is so difficult that he hesitates to send me out.

“Esther, I think it would be better for us to forgo the rank up this time, don’t you think?” (Toru)

“What are you saying? This is a great opportunity!” (Esther)

“But it could be dangerous, you know?” (Toru)

“If you think it’s not a good idea, why don’t you just turn around then?” (Esther)

　Esther is quite eager to take the rank-up quest.

　And that’s as it should be. The reason is that few adventurers of Toru’s or Esther’s age can reach the C-rank.

“…I understand. If Estelle says so, we’ll give it a try.” (Toru)

“I did it!” (Esther)

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“However, if we can’t gather information or think it’s much too dangerous, we’ll give up.” (Toru)

“Oh, of course.” (Esther)

　Aron sighed deeply at the conclusion that Esther and I had reached.

“…Well, I thought you might say that. You guys are adventurers. As long as you are an adventurer, you can’t shy away from the possibilities. I used to be one of you.” (Aaron)

“So, Aaron-san was an adventurer too.”

“That was a long time ago.”

　Aaron-san smiled wryly.

“…Now, Toru and Esther are both gone, and Marie isn’t here. I’m the only one in this room right now, so this is just a soliloquy of mine.”

　Aaron-san stood up and showed his back to me and the others.

“Aaron-dono, what the hell are you saying—” (Esther)

“Shhhh… Esther!” (Toru)

　I hurriedly covered Esther’s mouth.

　He was about to give us a hint, calling it a soliloquy. It would be a great loss to interrupt him.

“…The quest to gather Persimo berries was attempted by a party once, nearly a hundred years ago. Unfortunately, that party failed the quest.

　There, something happened that no one expected. In light of what happened, the guild decided to take the quest and leave it alone.

—And it was forgotten.

　I might be the only one who remembers this quest now. Or someone who has lived as long as I am.” (Aaron)

　Hearing those words, I immediately thought of my housemate, a long-eared, fair-skinned individual, who always does things at her own pace.

　Aaron glanced at us and continued.

“The opposing faction in the castle thought, ‘We can’t give privileges to Inferiors. Let’s give them a quest that is absolutely impossible to complete and make them fail.’ As a result, in exchange for agreeing to the conditions, the opponents put in place conditions that favored them. Without the slightest consideration for the lives of adventurers…

That condition is—” (Aaron)