第４１３堀：まあ、そうなるよな (Part1)

Chapter 413: Well, That's How It Goes

"Alright, let's give it our all!!"

"Ooooh!!"

I'm anxious.

I'm incredibly anxious.

The reason for this state of mind is that we're here to undertake a certain job.

And that job is...

"We'll find and defeat the bad guys threatening Weed!!"

"Ooooh!!"

"That's not it at all! What we're doing is information gathering. Also, we're supposed to be cleaners on the surface, so you shouldn't say things like that."

That's right, it's an information gathering job that Labyris and Firia introduced us to.

At first, I was happy to be introduced to such an honorable task, but as the actual work approached, I regretted accepting it so readily.

Dressa mentioned she was originally nobility, so she's probably inwardly pleased to be involved in maintaining the peace and security of the town. She's incredibly enthusiastic.

Hiro is also excited to be able to help her older brother.

I feel the same way, but the job is strictly information gathering, and on the surface, it's cleaning.

Police Chief Poni told us that if we find anything, our top priority is to contact the police or our older brothers.

She repeatedly warned us not to try to solve anything on our own.

However, for these two who are so fired up...

"I'll say it again, we're supposed to be cleaning on the surface!"

"I know!"

"Sigh. Well, whatever. For now, let's head to the Adventurer's Guild."

" "Okay!" "

With that lingering sense of unease, we head towards the Adventurer's Guild, who will be cooperating with us in this information gathering.

We'll accept a cleaning quest there, and then, both in name and reality, we'll be cleaners while also gathering information. That's the plan.

"Clatter, chatter..."

The Adventurer's Guild in the morning is noisy.

Normally, we come to the Adventurer's Guild after our morning classes as part of our social activities, so we don't encounter many people who are professional adventurers.

We only meet those who dislike the morning bustle and come to look for work in the afternoon, or those who are gathering information on their day off.

However, this time, at the request of Police Chief Poni, Labyris, and Shera, we came to accept a job in the morning.

"There are so many people."

"Lots of adventurers."

The two of them also seem surprised by the sheer number of adventurers we don't usually see.

"There really are a lot. But at this rate, it looks like it will take a long time no matter where we line up."

Even if we want to accept a request, this crowd means it will take time. We've arrived within the promised time from the Adventurer's Guild, but it seems like processing the request will take a while.

Should I have come with a little more time to spare?

Should we go to the Guild Master's office on the second floor?

If we do that, we can meet Rock and Kina, and report that we've arrived.

"...We have to at least report that we've arrived. You two, let's go to the office."

"Yes. That's a good idea."

"Understood."

As we were about to head upstairs, a voice called out to us.

"Hey. This isn't a playground for kids."

That's what it sounded like at first.

It didn't seem particularly contemptuous, more like a gentle reprimand for mistakenly entering the wrong place.

So, I intended to politely decline and head upstairs...

"Ah. You brats, looking to make some pocket money?"

Someone who knew us, an adventurer, must have recognized us.

"Hm? Pocket money? What's that?"

"You just got here, didn't you? Here, they arrange jobs for brats like them to make some pocket money. Honestly, it's lowering the quality of adventurers."

"Is that so? It doesn't sound like a bad thing..."

"It's bad. They only do trash disposal, or help out old people. They're just servants. We're adventurers because we adventure, and it's a nuisance to be seen the same way as them. Now, scram. We're busy with real adventurers in the morning. Come back in the afternoon for pocket money. That's the rule, right?"

"..."

The person who was listening to the explanation looked unsure of what to say, and the man who explained it to him was telling us to get out of the way.

...I'm incredibly annoyed, but there are often people like this at the Adventurer's Guild.

This adventurer who explained probably hasn't been in Weed for too long.

If they truly understood our presence, they wouldn't say such things.

"You..."

"...I'm angry."

"Oh? You want to fight? Against real adventurers, unlike you fake ones who are just after pocket money?"

And these two aren't patient enough to endure such insults.

However, even if I wanted to resolve this situation, the guild staff are far beyond the crowd.

I have to be the one to de-escalate this situation.

"You two..."

"We accept!!"

"We'll beat them up!"

"Hah! That's why kids are useless. Rushing in without knowing your own strength. You're too early for the real thing. I'll teach you that. Honestly, whoever made this rule is an idiot. It's a hassle for us."

...What? Who did you call an idiot?

I place my hands on Dressa and Hiro's shoulders, who are indignant.

"What is it, Vilia? You want to say something to him... Hii!?"

"...Vili-nee. Scary."

"...Wh-what is it? Even with that face, you're no match for the real thing."

"I am aware that we are inexperienced. You will teach us, won't you? This will be a good experience for us. I apologize, but could you please be the judge?"

"Ah, ah..."

And so, we ended up having a mock battle in the training grounds.

...Normally, I would be the one to stop them, but when my older brother is insulted, I can't just stand by.

As I said before, I am fully aware of our inexperience.

However, I must at least show this person that we are not doing this just for pocket money.

If I don't, it would be disrespectful to my older brother, who created this system.

When we reached the training grounds and I turned back, for some reason, many adventurers had gathered besides the two who challenged us.

"What's going to happen?"

"Ah, it seems those kids and that guy are going to have a match."

"Seriously? How ungentlemanly."

"Wait... those kids..."

I see. They're just a crowd of onlookers.

That's fine too.

Given the nature of our future work, we'll be visiting often, and they can serve as good witnesses and deterrents.

"Are you sure about this?"

"It's fine."

"Heh, don't worry about it. It's pointless to be considerate of brats like them. Leave it to me."

"...However."

"Don't worry. I won't seriously injure these kids. It could lead to conflict with the representatives and the Guild Master. I'll just give them a suitable lesson."

"...Understood. The rules are the same as usual. A match with training weapons. You will follow the referee's judgment on valid attacks and other matters."

"Understood."

"No complaints."

"Then, although it's an irregular 3-on-1, assuming it's against monsters or bandits..."

Oh, no.

This referee is being considerate and suggesting a 3-on-1, but such consideration is unnecessary.

"No. The match is..."

"It's decided to be 1-on-1! I'll beat you up!"

"...We'll beat you up."

"No, that's..."

"Hah, fine. I'll thoroughly teach you what an adventurer is."

"Well, it's easier to hold back. Understood. Then, who will go first from your side?"

"I will. I, Dressa, will go!!"

Saying that, Dressa steps forward.

...Now that I think about it, it might be better for Dressa to be thoroughly beaten here, so she'll be more restrained later. I hope the opponent does their best.

"A spirited young lady first, huh? Well, if I take down someone like you first, the other two might give up."

"Go on. I'll embarrass you in front of everyone."

They exchange insults, and both ready their one-handed swords.