𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟔: 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧
When we returned to the city of Gaillia, we headed straight to the adventurer’s guild.
First, we had to report the outcome of the escort request. Then, we would receive compensation.
The guild had exposed its registered adventurers to danger by failing to detect a planned crime targeting young female adventurers.
This was an apology from the guild.
“So, let’s leave it at that, Jennifer.”
“Yes, please do, Lionel-san.”
The demon-like clerk smiles cheerfully.
She had intended to use us to take down the rapists from the start.
Probably, she had been receiving consultations from the female adventurers who had been victimized.
And she chose us, thinking we could handle it. Well, it might also be because I was crying about being poor and having no money.
The apology money is considerably more than the usual amount.
This is a give-and-take situation.
As a guild, it’s hard to say that we trapped a merchant based on mere suspicion.
Of course, we are not so selfless as to return the money and fame we have gained.
“Hehehe, Hope Store. You’re quite the villain.”
“Not at all. I can’t compare to you, clerk.”
We exchange silly jokes.
As a cushion.
Because there are things we don’t want to hear, but have to.
“Is it Luke? The culprit.”
It’s about the murder of Fīna, a former member of the [Gold-lined Butterflies] clan.
Almost a month has passed since the incident.
There’s nothing we can do about it. We were in the royal capital.
Now, it takes twenty days just to go back and forth.
“I can’t say for sure. There’s no evidence. But.”
Jennifer shakes her head slightly.
From the skill of piercing the heart with a single thrust, it is inferred that the perpetrator is quite experienced. And there were no signs of resistance from the murdered Fīna.
The only one standing at the end of these two fragments is Luke.
“I see. What about his whereabouts after that?”
“Nothing at all.”
It was an incident that occurred within the guild’s facilities. Despite their reputation at stake and their investigation, they have not been able to arrest the culprit, let alone find any clues.
It seems they are almost at a standstill.
Luke entered like the wind, killed Fīna, and left like the wind.
If asked if such a miraculous feat is possible, I would have to answer that it is easy for him.
The natural-born “hero” is not for show.
As you can see from Asuka, he excels in the art of combat. She can fight on par with a sahagin, even though she hasn’t been an adventurer for a year.
The word genius fits perfectly.
And he is a genius beyond Asuka.
He has never lost a fight since he was a child. Well, he hasn’t beaten me either.
We’ve fought hundreds of times, but we’ve never settled the score.
“However, there is one piece of information that concerns me.”
Jennifer’s voice interrupts my pointless reminiscing.
“What is it?”
“One of the thief groups that control the underworld has changed its leader.”
“Is that Luke? Is there any evidence?”
“None. If I had to say, it would be a woman’s intuition.”
The beautiful guild clerk smiles wryly.
Indeed, that is an ability I do not possess.
No matter how much they call me “mom.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Saying that, I wave my hand lightly and leave the consultation room, a room used for private discussions.
I meet up with the three girls waiting in the lobby and return to our clan house.
It’s been a month since we’ve been home.
The comfort of our beds is inferior to any inn in any town, but it’s a wonderful living environment that’s better than sleeping outdoors.
And when we returned, there were more Lion Kings (white cats).
Two of them.
“Do cats split?”
“No, Mommy Nel. This one’s a girl!”
Asuka lifts up the white cat that isn’t Lion King to check.
By the way, you’re catching cats easily, but isn’t your reflexes weird?
It’s not something you can catch so easily.
“. . .I guess so. I just wanted to believe in the possibility that it wasn’t. Bringing a woman into the house while the master is away. You perverted cat.”
“The direction of Mother Nel’s jealousy is too mysterious.”
Miliaria shrugged her shoulders with a sigh.
It’s not like I’m jealous.
“We can withstand the rain and wind, and we have water and food. For a cat, this castle is like a royal palace. The Lion King who owns this castle is indeed a king. He’s very popular.”
“Is that the problem?”
Well, if everyone is okay with it, there’s no need to deliberately drive out the white female cat.
We’re often away on business, and Lion King must be lonely on his own.
“If it’s Lion King’s child, it would become an excellent hunter.”
“Mama Nel, you’re getting ahead of yourself.”
Anyway, the number of guardian cats protecting the clan house of [Hope] from mice has increased to two.
Our defenses should be perfect. Surely.
“Well, shall we start cleaning?”
“We seem to be cleaning all the time!”
“We only cleaned General Kytes’ villa on the first day. So we have to work hard at our own house to make up for it.”
[Okay!]
While laughing at the silly things we say, we change into our work clothes.
I won’t let them do crazy things like cleaning half-naked anymore.
Oh, that’s right.
I have to go and settle their debts tomorrow.
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