043. Position and Current Status
After finishing our work at Karguri, Osada-kun and I were seen off by Akari-san, Mona-san, and Shige-san, who were sad to say goodbye.
Unlike the trip to Karguri, we felt a sense of loneliness, but we continued on our way, defeating the demonic beasts that attacked us without question as usual. Three days later, we returned to the town of Hanaria for the first time in a while.
「It's been almost three weeks, right? We spent quite a long time over there...」
Osada-kun was right, and even though it was not my hometown, I felt a nostalgic atmosphere.
The hustle and bustle that enveloped the town and the overflowing crowd were overwhelming, but there was no sign of any particular change since the Goblin Disturbance.
If I had to venture a guess, I would say that the season has moved on, and people on the street are wearing lighter clothes.
It is finally early summer, and the temperature is expected to rise with each passing day.
「It's not even noon yet, so let's go have a meal after visiting Hannah-san.」
Osada-kun responded with an "Aye!" and we headed straight for the guild branch. And then
(――Hmm?.)
As soon as I stepped inside, I sensed that all the fixers around me were looking at me at once.
(What is it? Is there any trash on my face?)
Perhaps it was because I had been using [Sensing] and other folia for so long since I went over there that my senses had sharpened considerably in my daily life.
I've learned to do on/off and strength almost perfectly, so it's not like I'm wasting my force―but then...
「Welcome back! Yuuto-san, Osada-san!」
Hannah-san, who was at the reception desk, called out our names in a bright and cheerful voice as soon as she saw our faces.
「Thank you so much for your hard work on the mission to subdue the goblins! Did you get the information about the promotion and rewards?」
「Yes, I did. But even after all that hard work, I'm still ranked E. It's a little depressing to think about the future.」
「What are you saying? It's only been three months since Yuuto-san became a fixer, no? And what's more, a speedy promotion from level 1 is nothing compared to a normal person, you know?」
「Is that the case?」
「Yes. Normally, it takes about a year to be promoted to E rank, you see? Even levels and experience are accumulated little by little ― but when it comes to Yuuto-san, he is growing at a very fast pace, and it is also surprising that he and Osada-kun are the only two people in the party. That's why――」
「Ha! They must be playing some dirty tricks behind the scenes, aren't they!?」
「Or maybe they are working in collusion with the guild and are cheating in some way?」
Those who were a short distance away threw slanderous words at us.
「What the heck? Those guys?」
Osada-kun said in a miffed tone,
「Leave them alone. It's just jealousy, right?」
While I felt that it was foolish to fight with them, I knew in my heart that I could guess what they were doing. In fact.
「Oi, you guys. Stop making false accusations!」
「That's right! You're pathetic!」
「It's rude to those who have worked hard and achieved results, and you're disgracing the reputation of us fixers as a whole! Take it back!」
In no time at all, a classification of "jealous," "defender," and "indifferent" was formed.
(No wonder the predecessors did not take kindly to a rookie fixer who had just arrived on the scene and was quickly rising through the ranks.)
The nail that sticks out gets hammered down (Those who are too different or conspicuous get criticized or sanctioned by others.) ― I didn't think I would be able to understand in the past, in the present, or even in other worlds, but I guess it can't be helped to a certain extent.
If I were in the opposite position, how would I feel about the target? I don't know.
「Everyone. I'll tolerate it to a certain extent, but please keep order and moderation♪」
The scene was about to turn into a bit of a commotion, though when Hannah-san said that with a smiling face, and instantly the people around fell silent and broke up.
「I apologize. But, to a greater or lesser extent, similar things have been happening for a long time ―Especially in the case of the two of you, since you have left behind "results" that are almost perfect. It seems that the upper management and some other influential people are beginning to pay attention to the success of the two of you.」
「Hooo? Really?」
I had no such awareness, so I was personally quite surprised.
「Isn't it natural? Rapid growth in a short period of time. The almost 100% completion rate of requests, which is a threat. If you include the uproar caused by the cultist and the Karguri case, it is impossible not to pay attention to you. It's also a "sensitive time" for many reasons.」
「――Well, yeah」
As for the Fixer's Guild, the disturbances at the Kalguri branch are probably still lingering, and the East is not in a position to let its guard down either.
I understand how difficult it is.
「In any case, in the future, please be mindful of your position and situation.」
When I was told, I said "yes" for now.
「By the way, did anything happen while we were in Karguri?」
「No. Nothing in particular, but. ...... If I had to say, I would say that there was some unconfirmed information of interest that came in.」
「Unconfirmed information?」
「Yes. There is no confirmation yet, and no damage has been reported, but there is information that the famous "Kandatta family" from another country has entered Hanaria. We are currently investigating.」
「The Kandatta family?」
「Oohhh. That's a pretty famous band of thieves, isn't it?」
I didn't recognize the name, but Osada-kun did.
「I heard that they are a band of thieves led by a great bandit named "Serif Kandatta," and that they are so dangerous that they have stolen the crown of a national treasure in the maritime nation of Romalia!」
「They also seem to be quite active in other activities, such as stealing spices from a big merchant in "Bahratta" and stealing the "treasure of the spirit" in "Luniano".」
「Such guys are in Hanaria ......」
「Yes. However, this is not confirmed information, and since there is a well-known fixer named "Gazenita" in the guild, in the worst-case scenario, we will ask them for help.」
「Does that mean there is no urgent request?」
「I guess so, but... do you have any plans?」
「Well, I mean, we found a lot of problems with the Karguri incident. I'd like to do something about it as soon as possible. ......」
「Problems, it is?」
After I responded with a "Yeah," I decided to ask her for advice.
「To put it simply, I currently have four problems.」
1. I lack "experience in long-term battle" by far.
2. I don't have the "weapon" that suits me
3. I don't have any "special moves" that would allow me to defeat powerful opponents or superior opponents.
4. Lack of "companions" whom I can trust with my back.
I am keenly aware of these things. I don't mean to be hasty or impatient, but it is a serious problem that cannot be left unaddressed. I was thinking of putting work on the back burner for a while.
「I see. None of these things can indeed be taken lightly,......, but the only thing I can help you with is 'introducing you to a skilled arms craftsman".」
When she told me this, I said to myself, "That's Hannah-san for you," and praised her abilities in my heart.
As you can understand from her words, I am not saying, "I want legendary weapons!"
Rather, I want a weapon that fits my current needs, even if it is a commonly sold item.
I am not dissatisfied with swords, spears, boomerangs, and the like.
But when I fought against Rodl. I couldn't fight the way I wanted to fight, and I felt a strong sense of frustration and crisis because I didn't have the kind of weapon I wanted right now.
(It would be great if there were weapons that could change at will, but ...... that would be difficult, huh)
I don't think it will be so easy to find a weapon, no matter how much the world is like a game.
However, I am sure I can get advice from different angles, and since I have more than enough income and savings, it is time for me to get a higher grade of equipment.
If Hannah-san can introduce me to a craftsman, I would love to ask her. However.
「He is a famous blacksmith in Hanaria, and his name is "Tobarcain" ―― a very difficult person, so will he listen to you? I can't guarantee that.」
I was a bit worried when Hannah-san said such a thing with a troubled look on her face.
「Moreover, for the past year or two. There have been some not-so-good rumors.」
「Bad rumors, huh? But that doesn't mean he has a bad reputation, right?」
I asked her to confirm, but unusually ― perhaps for the first time ― she did not respond to my words. After a long pause.
「You know ― There's no doubt that he's a very skilled person. Besides, I'm 'just a receptionist', so――」
「Hey, hey, hey, ......」
I don't know what kind of rumors are going around, but the fact that Hannah-san is so reluctant to talk about him seems to indicate that there is a lot of "behind-the-scenes" going on.
「Well, I guess you can decide after meeting him, yes?」
Osada-kun said, so I nodded in agreement and headed for the workshop where the craftsman in question was said to be working.
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