第１９２１堀：アリバイを作る (Part1)
Excavation 1921: Creating an Alibi
Side: Nina
Honestly, what a pain.
With that thought echoing in my mind, we made our way into the Adventurer’s Guild.
"Hey, is this really okay? Being in a place like this?"
"It’s fine. We’ve received a summons as adventurers. That’s what matters."
"It’s about the alibi, isn't it?"
"It’s important that we show our faces here."
Just as Vilia said, by coming to the Adventurer’s Guild like this, we were reinforcing the impression that we had nothing to do with the "Heroes." After all, our physical builds were completely different in these forms. Besides, as far as this guild was concerned, we were just nobodies without a track record.
"Alright, listen up! I’m the Guild Master of Uesa. I believe you all know why you’ve been called here, but I’ll say it again. A horde of monsters has broken through the defensive lines and is heading straight for this town! Our objective is to repel them! Naturally, the Lord and his knights will be deploying their troops. We will handle the skirmishing, whittling down the horde as much as possible!"
A reasonable strategy. Soldiers excelled at mass combat—fighting in rank and file, the bread and butter of warfare. Adventurers, however, operated in parties. Their style was fundamentally different. Trying to force adventurers into a military formation on the fly would only lead to unnecessary casualties and likely get in the way of the professionals. Keeping the two groups separate was the right call.
"That said, not every adventurer will be joining the fray. We have civilians to evacuate, and the transport units require protection. We need capable hands for that as well. Therefore, I’ve taken the liberty of dividing you up."
As expected. Dragging those without sufficient skill onto a battlefield was a death sentence—not just for them, but for everyone around them if they panicked and tripped over their comrades. By framing the escort mission as "essential work for the capable," the Guild Master was tactfully protecting their pride.
"Those who have operated in this town for a long time and are capable of taking down Orcs will join the skirmish units. You know the terrain and the escape routes if things turn sour. Everyone else is on refugee escort duty. The possibility of monsters attacking the roads isn't zero. The lives of the townspeople depend on your diligence. Now, split into your assigned groups!"
The Guild Master barked the orders without waiting for a reply. If he stopped to entertain every complaint, they’d never get anything done. It was a decisive move.
As for which group we ended up in...
"I see. So we’re with the evacuation group."
"This way, no one will suspect us even if we head over there," Vilia noted.
"The distance provides the perfect cover."
Indeed, we had fully expected to be relegated to evacuation support. Despite our actual strength, we looked slender and unassuming, and the guild had no visual proof of our capabilities. Furthermore, we had no history of activity at this specific branch. It was only natural to put us on escort duty. Mixing unknown variables into a chaotic battlefield was a recipe for disaster.
This worked perfectly for us. We could openly establish a rock-solid alibi—the definitive proof that we were far from the scene of the main conflict. While some might suspect high-level individuals could cover the distance quickly, there was no reason for anyone to think we’d go through the trouble of hiding our identities to become "masked heroes." Most adventurers craved fame and glory; the idea of someone hiding their true self was practically unheard of in this profession.
"We’re opening the registration for assignments now! Move out immediately! We’re burning daylight! Present your adventurer cards at the counter—if you miss the window, you’re on your own!"
Adventurers swarmed the reception desks. No one turned to flee. Everyone seemed driven by the singular will to do what they could. It reaffirmed my belief that the North was nothing like the Central regions. Here, demi-humans and humans formed parties and faced crises as one.
"Alright, the Wolf Pack is registered! To the East Gate!"
"Yeah!"
"Don't let the Wolf Pack show us up! Fang Cat, move out!"
"Understood!"
The team names were simple, but the parties weren't limited to a single race. They were a melting pot of different species. While the leaders appeared to be Wolf-beastmen or Cat-beastmen, their ranks were filled with various battle-hardened races. If anything, they seemed more divided by gender than by bloodline. Even then, there were women in the Wolf Pack and men in the Fang Cat brigade.
"Don't you go dying on me, you coward. I’ll have no one left to pick fights with."
"Right back at you, you muscle-brained idiot. Leave the rear support to us, and make sure you pull the wounded back quickly."
I see. They fought like cats and dogs, but there was a foundation of mutual trust.
"The two of us are heading out ahead to slow them down as much as we can."
"We'll do what we can, sir."
A pair of adventurers stepped forward—a burly warrior equipped with a heavy shield and mace, and a refined-looking man in an expensive-looking cloak carrying a staff. No one tried to stop them; the crowd simply parted to let them through.
"Those two will handle themselves well enough."
"Agreed."
The two party leaders muttered as they watched them go. Those must be two of the high-level veterans the Guild Master mentioned. Even if they couldn't wipe out the horde, they were more than capable of being a significant nuisance to the enemy's advance.
As I was processing this, a clear, cool voice rang out.
"I will also go to stall the monster advance. I'll buy time until the soldiers and adventurers have completed their defensive preparations."
The voice was quiet, yet it carried clearly to every corner of the guild hall. A hush fell over the room, broken only by one person.
"You stupid girl! You can't do a damn thing out there alone! You'll kill a few Orcs and that'll be the end of you! Stay put!"
Apparently, that adventurer was the Guild Master’s daughter. Being able to take down several Orcs single-handedly was impressive enough, especially in the middle of an army. It meant she was even more formidable in a one-on-one fight.
"I’ll be fine. I’m going to surpass you, Father."
With that, she sprinted out. Her straight brown hair fluttered behind her, looking remarkably well-maintained.
"You idiot! You don't have any experience in mass combat...! Argh, damn it!"
"Now, now, Guild Master. She’s the highest-level adventurer here after you, and she’s seen her fair share of combat."
"If levels solved everything, we wouldn't be in this mess. Tsk... fine, the guys who went ahead will probably keep an eye on her. She’s getting a lecture after this."
The Guild Master was right. If a single Level 46 could destroy a horde like that, no one would ever worry about monster attacks.
"Apologies for the scene! Keep registering and get to your posts! We have no time!"
The adventurers resumed their frantic activity. We finished our registration as well and began heading toward the West Gate, the designated exit for the evacuation.