I need to return home for a family event on the weekend. Iāll take a break from updating tonight as I need to prepare. I intend to keep up with daily updates, but if I get too busy, I might take a break. Please bear with me.
"Then Iām off."
"Yeah, go ahead."
With that, I bid farewell to Leo. The Duke of Rondine prepared the fleet the next day. It was quick. The difference in efficiency here is probably what has led to the current state of the southern territories. This time, the Duke of Rondine himself is leading the charge to form an official alliance with the Principality of Albatro. However, the main focus is likely to be dealing with the sea dragons in the Albatro region.
"Al, are you okay on your own?"
Erna asked, looking a bit worried. Her gaze stubbornly avoided the sea. She seems to be scared of it already at this point. This time, Marc is also on Leoās side. I have only a few people with me. However, I donāt need capable people by my side while I stay in Rondine.
"Since weāve come all the way back to the Principality of Albatroās waters, the sea dragons are likely targeting the Principality of Albatro. Youāll be safe here for a while. Rather, Iām more worried about you. Look, the sea is beautiful, isnāt it?"
"Y-Yeah, Iām fine! If it comes to a fight... I can handle it. And, as you said... itās beautiful... like stepping into a painting..."
Erna said this while her face turned pale as she looked at the sea. Her eyes were already dead. She would probably be useless in a fight. Itās better to keep Erna on land. Leo will be fine without me saying anything.
"Iām leaving it to you. Take care of Erna too."
"Got it. Leave it to me. Just take your time, brother."
"Right. Iāll leave the fighting to you. Try to wrap it up. We canāt easily return to the empire with sea dragons around."
I saw them off like that. Once the fleet was out of sight, I returned to the castle and retreated to my room. Iād like to sleep all day, but thatās not possible. I cast an illusion to make it look like Iām sleeping in bed, then left the room through the window. My destination is the adventurerās guild branch in Rondine. Of course, Iām not going as Arnold. I change into Silverās appearance with an illusion. However, if the regular adventurers know Silver is here, it will cause a commotion, so I put them to sleep with a sleep spell before entering the branch. Once everyone was asleep, I entered the branch. The receptionist, who wasnāt affected, was startled by the unusual situation.
"Who are you...!?"
"Iām Silver, the SS-rank adventurer from the capital branch. I didnāt want to cause a commotion, so I put the other adventurers to sleep. I apologize for the scare."
"S-Silver? The famous one?"
"I donāt know if Iām famous or not."
I showed my adventurerās card to the receptionist, who took it hesitantly and gasped in surprise when she saw the contents.
"R-Really!?"
"Thatās what Iām saying. I need to use the long-distance communication room. I apologize for the inconvenience."
The adventurerās guild branch has a long-distance communication room. Itās a special room with a barrier that allows communication with the main office or other branches through a crystal placed in the center. Itās a guild secret technique for quick response to monsters across the continent.
"O-Okay! This way, please!"
Only guild staff and S-rank or higher adventurers can use the long-distance communication room. S-rank or higher adventurers, who can handle high-rank monsters alone, are treated differently within the guild. I was led to the long-distance communication room and immediately connected to the main office. Then,
"Iām Silver, SS-rank. Please call the deputy guild master."
"Understood."
The main office staff are certainly experienced. They respond calmly without being surprised. After a while, a bearded manās face appeared in the crystal. He had black hair and blue eyes, and the term "middle-aged" suited him. His name is Clyde. He was once an S-rank adventurer who roamed the continent. Now heās retired and serves as the deputy guild master at the main office.
"Why are you calling from the southern branch?"
"I came to visit an acquaintance."
"An acquaintance? Iām surprised you have one."
"Iām human. I have acquaintances. Anyway, I heard a strange rumor. Is it true?"
"Thereās no point in hiding it... Itās true. The Principality of Albatro has officially requested the extermination of the sea dragons. The main office is in chaos."
"I see. Whatās the official rank?"
"Itās planned to be S-rank. However, depending on the destruction, it might be raised to SS-rank. If that happens, it will be the highest-ranked extermination quest, handled by multiple SS-rank adventurers."
"Donāt do that. Even if the sea dragons are exterminated, the Principality of Albatro will be devastated."
If multiple SS-rank adventurers gather, itās a situation the adventurerās guild would want to avoid. Theyāre all incredibly strong, but they lack common sense. If they all gather, the scale of damage could be massive, like all the sea creatures dying in exchange for the sea dragons or a port town becoming uninhabitable.
"I donāt want to gather them either. Since youāre here, can you handle it?"
"Donāt make it sound like a chore. I have business in the capital afterward. If itās okay after that, Iāll take it."
"Alright... Iād like you to do it as soon as possible."
"Is there a problem?"
"...It was supposed to be confidential, but it leaked to the empire. Theyāre discussing rescue efforts."
"Intervening properly could create a significant favor for the south. However, it could also increase secondary disasters."
Actually, it will definitely increase them. Sending a fleet will just result in it being sunk by a storm. The empireās best option is to send elite forces, but itās better to leave it to Erna, who is already on the ground. My father is probably considering whether Erna should use the holy sword.
"Thatās right. The adventurerās guild wants to resolve this before the empire intervenes and causes chaos."
"I understand, but I donāt want to wait in the south for a sea dragon that could appear anywhere. If it appears, Iāll head there immediately. How about that?"
"Alright, Iāll accept that. Iāll make the arrangements. The empire is currently dealing with the imperial succession, which is troublesome. Iād rather not have them intervene. If a report of the sea dragonās appearance comes in, please head there immediately."
"Iāll do my best."
I ended the long-distance communication with that. The adventurerās guildās confidential information has leaked... I have a bad feeling about this. Someone might be trying to take credit for this. If I donāt stop them, the situation could get messy. I should return to the capital.
"Thank you. Iāll be on my way."
"Y-Yes!"
I thanked the receptionist and left the Rondine branch. Iāll fly to the capital tomorrow. Iāll check on Fione and the others and see how much the empire is intervening. If the empire is seriously considering intervention, it could affect my position as Silver to stop their plans. The best outcome would be to satisfy both the empire and the adventurerās guild.
"Well, it depends on what happens when I get back."
I muttered this after dispelling the illusion and returning to Arnold. In the worst case, Fione and the others might be in a dire situation, and I wonāt be able to help. I need to see for myself.
"Hopefully, theyāre not taking unnecessary risks."
Fione, despite appearances, tends to take risks. When fighting vampires, she climbed the clock tower without hesitation and prioritized the flute over her own safety while falling. She tends to undervalue herself. I hope that side of her doesnāt show. With these worries, I returned to the castle.