Chapter 7: The Hero’s Back
1
While not as grand as the royal capital, the trading city of Gilbadia attracts many adventurers.
This city, where various goods are gathered, makes it easy for adventurers to resupply on essentials like weapons, magical items, and healing potions. The convenient access is also part of the appeal for adventurers.
Naturally, the appearance of the Adventurer’s Guild is quite large and impressive.
“…Excuse me, may I ask something?”
“What is it?”
The smell of alcohol and food wafted out from behind the door, and laughter could be heard even from outside. After parting ways with Eleanora, Luke and the others had arrived at the [Adventurer’s Guild] just now. It was Zack who spoke up just as they were about to go in.
“Well… I’m sure you know this, but sometimes there are former nobles among the adventurers, while most of us are commoners like me. There’s a chance that, well, someone might act disrespectfully towards you, Lord Luke. …If possible, I’d appreciate if you could overlook minor things…”
“Hmm, very well.”
“—Eh?”
Zack couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise at Luke’s casual agreement.
“Hm? Is there something else?”
“N-no, that’s all. Thank you very much.”
At Darkin’s forge, Zack had somehow managed to fulfill Luke’s request, resolving that chaotic situation. And for some reason, he felt an odd sense of kinship.
Fortunately or unfortunately, Luke had taken a liking to Zack to some degree.
“Then let’s go inside. Lead the way.”
“Y-yes, understood.”
Zack paused for a moment, silently praying.
(Please, let nothing happen…!)
Steeling himself, he stepped inside.
The scene that greeted them was familiar to Zack but new to Luke.
“Dahaha! Hey, isn’t that Zack! Long time no see—”
There were many armored individuals gathered around. The guild had a tavern attached, making it a lively place.
However, the moment they saw the person following Zack, the clamor died down.
There was no one in this city who didn’t know of Luke, the heir to the Gilbert family. The question of why he was here hung in the air.
And even more so—they were reminded of the trauma burned into the adventurers’ minds.
“Kyaaaaa!!”
“Eh, eeh!? What’s wrong, Mokel!? Wait, Mokel—!!”
Suddenly, one of the adventurers let out a scream and fled to the back room.
“…What was that?”
“Ah, well, who knows? Maybe he had a stomachache or something. He probably ate something weird, the idiot. Ahaha, really, what a fool…”
Zack’s dry, soft laughter echoed unusually loudly in the now silent guild.
But he knew. The one who had just fled, Mokel, was a renowned A-rank adventurer in this town. And about three years ago, he was one of the victims who had his self-esteem shattered and trauma planted by Luke, just like Zack himself.
(…Live on strong, Mokel.)
Zack silently prayed in his heart.
“Ah, um… Zack-san. What brings you here today…”
At that moment, a waitress who had been holding the food she was carrying froze,
glancing nervously at Luke and Alfred.
“Actually, I’m here to register Lord Luke as an adventurer—”
[Eeh!?]
The moment Zack uttered those words in a fearful tone, not only the waitress who had spoken to him, but nearly everyone present was struck with shock.
“I-I’ll go call the Guildmaster right away!!”
The waitress hastily placed the food on a nearby table and rushed to the back, climbing the stairs.
“…………”
“…Hii.”
Sensing Luke’s mood gradually souring, Zack let out a small wail. But the situation was about to get even worse.
“Gahaha! The adventurers in this town are pathetic!”
A large man stood up and approached Luke. At the same time, Alfred’s expression darkened slightly, and he stepped forward, shielding Luke.
(This is the worst…!)
Zack lamented. He knew most of the adventurers in this town, but this man was not familiar to him. That meant he had recently arrived in this city. And if that were the case, he would have no reason to pull such a foolish stunt.
“Hey, hey, a noble brat becoming an adventurer? Gahahaha! What kind of joke is—”
At that moment, three other men simultaneously stood up and dashed towards Luke and the others. And then—
“”” Stop it, goddammit!! “””
“—Bwah!”
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With the momentum, they punched the large man who had approached Luke.
“…………”
Luke sighed wearily, realizing that he was starting to become accustomed to these kinds of situations.
With a sense of resignation, he let out a heavy sigh.
“What the hell are you thinking, you bastards!?”
“What were you thinking?! Grrrrrr!!”
“Uh, no, I was just…”
“Idiot! Moron! Dimwit! Don’t mess around!”
“Don’t joke around! Grrrrrr!”
“Ehh…”
Immediately after, the three men who had rushed over turned back and said,
“” “We’re very sorry about that!!” “”
“………..”
As if by prearrangement, they all bowed their heads in perfect synchronization.
“Hey! You should apologize too!”
“Ouch! …I’m very sorry.”
Successively, the large man was struck on the head and forcibly made to bow. Then, he was dragged away somewhere. As they left, one of the three men who had appeared later glanced at Zack’s bag and silently gave a thumbs up.
“You guys…!”
Those men were Zack’s particularly close fellow adventurer companions.
In fact, this was a traditional rite of passage that any rookie adventurer would go through. The large man who had confronted them had simply acted according to this.
Being an adventurer entails risking one’s life. Therefore, not only one’s abilities, but also one’s mettle, is tested to see if one can truly make it as an adventurer. However, in this case, it must be said that they misjudged their target.
Earning Luke’s resentment would not be taken lightly. This was already a well-known fact for the adventurers in this town. In other words, the three men who had rushed over had, out of a sense of camaraderie with fellow adventurers, saved that large newcomer to the town.
“Why, if it isn’t Luke! And you must be Al… no, Alfred! Welcome to the Adventurers’ Guild!”
Yet another man hurriedly emerged from within.
This man was the Guild Master, [Dolce-Pannacotta].
“…So, am I correct in understanding that this is for adventurer registration?”
“Yes.”
“Very well, I shall handle this.”
“………..”
(Even though the counter where one would normally register as an adventurer and receive job requests is right in front of us, why is the Guild Master coming out here in person… Is it because I’m a noble? How troublesome.)
Luke felt somewhat annoyed by the inconveniences arising from his noble status.
“Then, please come this way. I shall explain the job details, system, and rewards in a separate room. – By the way, what is your relationship with Zack…”
“Hmm, I shall join Zack’s party for a while.”
That was Luke’s nonchalant response to Dolce’s equally nonchalant question.
“…Huh?”
Zack had intended to simply say, “Well then, I’ll be taking my leave,” and escape from Luke. Therefore, he couldn’t immediately grasp the meaning of those words. Slowly, slowly, the significance of those words sank into his mind…
“EEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHHHHH?!”
A scream. A scream from the depths of his soul.
Reflexively, Zack looked towards his fellow adventurer companions, seeking help.
But all those present, including the ones who had helped with the incident involving the large man, averted their eyes in unison.
2
That day, Luke became a B-rank adventurer.
Dolce, the Guild Master, was well aware that Luke had the potential to advance to an even higher rank. However, ranks of A and above required [achievements].
Given that this was a rule, the only thing Dolce could do was to bow his head repeatedly.
But surprisingly, Luke accepted it readily. For Luke, becoming an adventurer was merely a means to an end – to go to the Empire. Rank didn’t really matter to him.
Moreover, Luke was in a good mood at the time. He had finally obtained a serious sword, the [Sword Saint Festival] in the Empire, and the adventurer activities as a pastime.
Free from the various annoyances he had experienced at the academy, he was simply elated.
In the end, after Luke’s adventurer registration, he returned to the mansion, reuniting with Zack’s companions at the inn to discuss the future with his father, Claude.
By then, the figures of Eleonora and the Godwin family were already gone. Luke was somewhat curious, but understanding that his father had likely taken action regarding the Aslan Magic Academy incident, he did not pursue the matter.
As for Zack, while he had the desire to flee, he was too exhausted from all the events that had occurred. Thus, he was able to persuade his companions with a complete sense of detachment.
However, afterwards, when Claude firmly warned him, “If anything happens to Luke, you’ll know about it,” Zack was left trembling.
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