In a position where weāre like half-hugging each other, I entered the forest together with Suzume.
Initially, I wanted to go to the kijinās village after I harvest the jiraiaooks fruits, but with the way things are right now, I took Suzumeās feelings into consideration and went straight to the village.
And the village we arrived atāāAs expected, maybe I should say, had become nothing like what it used to be.
What was there were the remnants of the homes that were once there. There were houses that were burned to a crisp as well as houses that seemed to have gotten crushed by a large demonic beast. There was only one house there that still had its original form.
As Suzume gazed at the houses with a sad look, she walked toward the outskirts of the village.
When I started to wonder about where sheās going while I followed her, she finally stopped at an area that has small stone monuments lined up.
I realized thatās the kijinsā graves when Suzume kneeled down before one of the stone monuments and began praying with her eyes closed.
This is probably her parentsā graves. From what I heard before, Suzumeās father seemed to have gone missing when she was young, and her mother also passed away many years ago.
Even if the village was surrounded by a barrier, it must have been difficult for a child to live alone in the depths of Titis forest. I know her late mother would not have wanted that to happen either.
I thought about how it must have felt for her mother to have no choice but to leave a young child behind, and then I naturally lowered my head.
āāThen, something suddenly alerted my senses, so I stopped my silent prayer and looked around at my surroundings.
Multiple presences and roars stormed out.
Did they notice our scents? Or were they reacting to a kijinās mana like the basilisk did? Either way, I can tell that monsters are closing in on us with clear intent.
ā¦If possible, I wanted to let Suzume continue to report to her parents until sheās satisfied, but we canāt do that now.
When I was about to speak out while feeling sorry for her, Suzume, who had already stood back up and was looking at me for who knows how long, apologized to me in an apologetic voice.
ćSorry. I ended up causing trouble for you after allć
ćYou donāt have to worry about it. I can easily win if I want toć
I showed Suzume the most confidence I could to let her feel at ease.
In fact, if I use my soul equipment, I am confident that I could defeat the monsters of the depths even while Iām covering for her.
Itās just that I donāt really want to dirty the kijinsā graves with the monstersā blood.
I had also achieved my objective of confirming the unusual situation of the forest with my own eyes, so we can probably just get out of here.
If I could, I would erect a barrier to protect Suzumeās parentsā graves too, but unfortunately, I canāt use such handy abilitiesāāAh, that reminds me, Miroslav used some items to make her barrier on Mount Skim. Letās bring those with me the next time I come here.
With those thoughts in my mind, I pulled Suzume close to me again and spread kei over my entire body.
āāā
Afterward, when I returned to our residence in Ishka together with Suzume, Lunamaria and the others came out to welcome us.
Andā¦I was surprised.
Thatās because there was an unexpected face in line with Lunamaria and the others.
ćMaster said that he would like to share information regarding the Titis Forest with you. We apologize for troubling you, but would you please make a trip to the guild?ć
The one who said that while politely lowering her head was the adventurersā guildās receptionist, Lidelle.
I wondered about how they knew that I went to the Titis forest, but after thinking about it for a second, itās only natural since Clau Soraās massive body attracts peopleās attention.
She probably came to visit my house after they found out that Clau Soras flew in the direction of the forest.
Who the hell is going to help you guys?āāI would be lying if I say that I didnāt have those thoughts in my head.
Also, If you guys need something from me, you come to me.
However, Lidelleās attitude was polite (regardless of how she feels inside), and I can understand that Elgart cannot afford to step away from the guild because of this emergency situation right now since heās the guild master.
Most importantly, after seeing how Suzume was earlier, if I were to put getting back at them for the past and solving the abnormal situation right now on a scale, the latter weighs more no matter what.
There isnāt anyone who wouldnāt want their family to have a quiet resting place.
ćAlright. Is it okay if I go there right now?ć
ćEhā¦Y-yes. It would be a great help if you could please do thatć
Lidelleās eyes widened in surprise after I gave her an immediate answer, then she changed her expression in a fluster.
Ohh, the receptionist who always looks composed panicked.
She was probably expecting me to say no. This turned out to be payback in its own way, didnāt it? While I bitterly smiled inside, I started walking to the guild right away.
The sound of Lidelleās quick footsteps chased after me from behind.
The adventurersā guildās building that I have not stepped foot in for a long time was crowded with people.
When Lidelle, who was wearing the guildās uniform, walked up ahead, the adventurers opened up a path after they noticed her. At that time, there were also people who were surprised when they saw that I was walking behind her, but nobody tried to talk to me.
Even for me, there isnāt anybody who Iām pleased about meeting again.
After Lidelle guided me into a room that seems to be a guest room, she said āIāll report to master right awayā and left.
As I thought to myself wryly like āNow then, I wonder how long they are going to make me wait~ā, the door was knocked on immediately. It hasnāt even been 30 seconds since Lidelle walked out.
When I tilted my head thinking that itās too fast no matter how I look at it, the one who entered was another receptionist who is not Lidelle.
I thought I saw this face somewhere before and pondered for a second. Then, I quickly remembered.
The one who first interviewed me when I returned from the King of Fliesā nest alive was this receptionist. Her name is Parfait or something.
Unlike Lidelle who has a calm demeanor, this person gave me the impression of someone whoās really lively. She looks to be 4 or 5 years younger than Lidelle.
Well, I donāt care if they are calm or lively, nothing changes the disrespectful attitude they had towards me. In that sense, it makes me not have to worry about acting differently depending on who it is.
Parfait had put a cup that had steam coming out of it on the tray sheās holding. It seems that Iām being welcomed to the point that they are serving me tea.
ā¦ā¦It really feels ironic that she came here.
As I smiled bitterly, I took a look at whatās inside the cup. The tea had a clear amber color, so they must have used some pretty good quality tea leaves. The baked goods that came with the tea also looked classy.
I never imagined that thereād be a day where I would be welcomed like this at the place I was kicked out of just a couple of months ago without anyone giving a crap. I wish I could tell this to the old me from that time.
Despite such thoughts, I did not touch the tea or the sweets.
Eating what you are offered right away reeks of being poorāāItās not that Iām being pretentious like that or anything. I simply didnāt want to touch any of the food or drinks that are offered by the guild that kicked me out.
Rather than calling it me being prententious, itās me being stubborn. And maybe it can be described as āpettyā as well.
Even though Iām aware of that myself, I did not think about changing my mind.
Then, Parfait spoke to me in a cheerful voice as she looked at me.
ćPlease go ahead and help yourself to the food. I didnāt poison itć
*Bufuu*, a strange sound came out of her mouth.
When I instinctively took a look at the new receptionist with my eyes half-closed, Parfait looked back at me as she giggled.
ćThose tea snacks are the newest creation of ćKukuridouć thatās very popular with the ladies. I stocked up on them ahead of time by abusing my authority as a guild receptionistć
Parfait said in a playful tone with her index finger on the side of her cheek
If the tea snacks for guest use go bad, then they will have to be disposed of. Naturally, the ones who will do that are the guildās staff. I see, sheās a crafty one. Although I can call her a glutton in other words as well.
ćConsidering the guildās salary, one or two of those snacks would cost you nothingć
ćHehe, snacks that are bought with my own money and snacks that are bought as workplace expenses are two different things. The same goes for being treated to a meal by a manć
This girl named Parfait said that with a smile. Her gaze looks like she wants to tell me something as she looks at me.
ā¦ā¦Is this where I ask her out to have a meal next time?
Different from Lidelle who has a modest look with her makeup and hairstyle, the way Parfait dresses barely fits the criteria of not being indecently dressed as a receptionist. From what Miroslav told me about her, she seems to have quite an ambitious drive to climb the social ladder as well.
As a dragon rider and somebody who even has connections to Duke Dragunaut, I probably became someone who fit her taste in men.
ā¦ā¦No, nono, this is yeah, that. Thereās no doubt sheās showing me a glimpse of affection, and then sheās going to make a fool out of me after I invite her.
Hmph, Iām not going to play into her hands!
Sheesh, I wish monsters only appeared outside of the city!
When I was about to open my mouth with such thoughts in my mind to deal with her, the door was knocked on again.
The one who entered this time was Lidelle.
Although she was surprised that Parfait was here, she informed me that she will now guide me to the guild masterās room.
It seems that the moment Elgart received her report, he made time for me right away. He probably judged that I could end up leaving if he made me wait for even just a bit.
For some reason, a feeling of relief surged up in my chest after I stood up in response to Lidelleās words.