The place was『Labyrinth of Naga』, a dungeon which to me, based on the level, isn’t much of importance……in the lowest floor.
They weren’t thin and frail like that time, but in their original form with lots of flesh. They are not that much big, but are great (?) demons bringing out the appearance of a C rank demon.
The one standing in front of Little Beast is……Elk with dagger in hand, and lowering her posture while preparing to lash out.
No matter if Elk has gotten stronger a lot with the training and stuff, but still, nervous things make one nervous, no change in there.
Whilst I was thinking that, Little Beast moved first.
Elk evaded that with a rather quick and sharp step. And while passing the demon, her naked『Dagger』flashed.
The next moment, the knife blade started shining in green, because of the green……wind magical power Elk was clad in was pouring out into the dagger.
Moreover it wasn’t something hit blindly with luck, but it was shot out after seeing through the movement of prey, aiming at vital and thinking of perfect angle. A perfect attack, seeming ready to stop at any point, if a counter-attack came.
However not relaxing herself there, she quickly jumped back. Safely, with lot of composure, she didn’t let her posture break.
Even an attack like that, if Elk too it head-on, the possibility of it not being just『hurtful』, but rather serious was great. This time she dealt with it using serenity. Good Job.
Though the Little Beast had its carotid artery cut, but it’s still alive. It will probably rampage for some more minutes. She will have to get over every attack it makes until the time it had bled enough to be in critical state. This particular thing is the difference between her and my, literally『One-hit Kill』fists.
She evaded those two or three rushes splendidly, whilst not breaking her breathing order and keeping her guard up. Furthermore, she took out several throwing knives from the belt on her waist.
The knives flew in a straight line aiming at the fingertip of feet and hit them. Even the spectator, me was about to go『Whoa!』.
Most of the living beings use the fingers in the『front of feet』to stand up, and a lots and lots of nerves are concentrated there. They are helpful when using the back of foot to kick the ground.
Using that point, Elk hit the fingertip of the hind legs. The Little Beast felt intense pain and was unable to stand up firmly.
Fast-forward for several minutes. Though it fought hard to kill Elk till the very end, but after reaching the limit of blood leakage, the Little Beast……fell on the ground with a *bam*
And stopped moving forever after. Still not approaching it with lower guard, Elk confirmed its death and then only did she heave a sigh while relaxing her body.
……Yep, great. Elk finally completed her『Solo subjugation of Little Beast』quest.
At that point, both me and Alva, who were watching from a distance, met up with her. Noticing our presence Elk faced her vision her, whist on her shoulder, Alva, already familiar with Elk, was play-biting her ear as if to say『Good work』.
Of course, the current one was because I had confidence that she would take on a Little Beast herself, if it had gotten out of control, then I would’ve intervened and saved her. Those worry ended up for naught, as you can see Elk won easily. A complete victory for Elk.
「……Frankly, it seems unreal」
「Don’t tell me, I, actually killed a Little Beast by myself alone……something I aimed for as an adventurer……」
「No, but still, I never thought that I would reach till here in this short time……」
The Elk at that time barely won against even a single Goblin or Wolf, now defeated a Little Beast this brilliantly…….No matter if she knew the basic knowledge from before, growing at this pace is quite splendid and she even became stronger.
Though not to the extent of what my mom assigned to me, this must be the result of somewhat hard training menu which I gave to her.
And, with this and that, currently the maintenance of the『Dagger』, whose explanation I’ve yet to give, was over, moreover Elk has started to learn on how to handle her weapon more skillfully.
Its true identity is, an extremely rare magic item excavated from ancient ruins, only if it appears, which in itself is too rare.
Maybe the love for the memento of her mother too was helping, now that she is getting more skilled gradually.
Well then, let’s call it day now, and take this Little Beast back to the guild. It’s just a single so I can shoulder it and take it back. Its fur too is good.
Most probably, this would end up being ingredients for her assessment, and Elk’s rank would increase. Even more, if I report that I didn’t help at all.
Upon exiting the labyrinth, the time was already near evening, the time sure runs fast.
After all, my face has become so widespread recently that I now don’t even want to care, as there is no meaning in that. I’m the mysterious adventurer who came from Rank F to Rank A in less than a month. 『Adventurer in Black』, now even『Black Lion』.
While thinking that stuff, I walk the main street of the city, and tasty scent came drifting around from shops on either side, and tickle my nose. At the same time, my body, which had done some good exercise in the labyrinth, started giving an honest reaction to my appetite.
Why is it so? It’s about time the adventurers out to venture labyrinths and danger areas start returning. In that case, the stares pointed at me, and invitations I would have to reject would increase by 1.5%. Truly, utterly, pain-in-the-ass.
Along with the tasty scent of kebabs and other grilled stuffs, there is another smell……
I look around the surroundings, and see……several shops here and there selling flowers.
Even so, compared to yesterday……today the market is full with flowers. What is happening?
「Ah……that. It’s already that season」
After arriving at guild, while we wait for the assessment for giving the『Little Beast』, I ask Elk about the scene I noticed before, and that was answer.
I shake my head. Elk makes an『as expected』type of expression and continued her explanation.
There, since long ago people have made a small community and have been living there, they all make their living by selling the various special products found in the valley to Traders who come for buying things.
In the『Special products』even that『Blood Maple』is present. However this one is a genuine legal product, with license.
I see, so that’s why there were so many flowers. Doesn’t it get troublesome for people suffering from hay fever? Not like I know if it exists in this world.
While I’m making Elk feel astonished by my easy-to-read expression and my already-revealed appetite, the assessment was over and we were called from the counter, so we headed towards the place Riin-san was present at.
Apparently, the achievements she had accumulated till now, along with this Little Beast ending up as the last move, her rank increased.
Of course, though her foundation had been good from before, but increasing from Rank『E』to『C』in just a little over 2 months is an unprecedented thing, even Riin-san praising her, and Elk was surprised over herself.
「A request by name?」
Saying that, Riin-san presented forward the single page of request in her hands, I take it over and survey it.
I had heard that upon getting famous, stuff like this also increases, but it’s the first time I’m experiencing this.
「Therefore, it’s fine today or even tomorrow, so the client wants to meet you and explain the details. Ah, of course, it’s not mandatory to accept it, so you can decline the request……what would you do?」
And some minutes later, we both visited the origin of that『Client』.
To the origin of my sister, who was shaking her cream-colored fox ears up and down happily.
「Ah, Elk-chan raised up to Rank C, right? Congratulations. I will prepare a celebration this time」
「Fufu, never underestimate the Trader’s intelligence network」
From the time after the case about『Naga』ended, we had been accompanying nee-san and receiving favors, it’s already been 2 months since then. In this time I have come to understand just what type of person my sister is.
Maybe she might even be trying to find information even in this casual talk, or trying to start at psychological warfare, well now-a-days I think this stuff quite always.
Well, setting that aside, today we both are here to hear about the request by the client, my sister, so while telling our intentions we sit on the sofa.
At that time, I had a hunch that nee-san’s eyes squinted……maybe my imagination?
☆☆☆
I had heard from Elk just before, in this season, there are a lot of Traders who replenish their stock from the commodities in『Flower Valley』, and then sell those here.
Furthermore, using the nectar of flowers or the materials used in food or doses, various types of processed goods like sweets and perfumes are made……In short, in this season just too damn hell of things can be bought.
Well no wonder. That so-called『Flower Valley』is a region which is across several danger areas, if route taken from this『Volka』City.
People other than that would restock their stocks by buying the stuff restocked by big companies, via their broker upon giving them commission while the stuff has already turned expensive, and so including the maintenance cost, the stuff becomes ridiculously pricey, therefore not many people do this.
Of course there are other than us who are recruited, but she wanted to recruit me too after all she knows my ability and my temper.
「I see, you’re quite generous. What about the meals en route?」
「Approximately a half-moon time. Isn’t this too long?」
Like that, Elk checks the minute details of request details. Noel-nee-san kept on answering Elk’s question rush without showing even a bit of disagreeable expression, meanwhile Elk kept on asking questions without any reserve, through-and-through. Maybe sister is already used to being probe for the true intentions during business negotiations.
If it was me, I would’ve just glanced over it and accepted it. It’s great to have such a friend.
「It’s the route we use every year, so I can surely say that place is the one which would take the longest time but balance with safety would be good. The demons which appear wouldn’t be that strong」
Like that, while staring-out the request document, Elk entered into a lengthy consideration.
She compared the Risks and Returns, and finally after one again investigating the request details, the answer was……
Few minutes later,
There, a female with brown hair appeared from a door, different from the one Minato and Elk left from.
「It’s good that they took the request, right, Noel-chan」
Noel gave a nonchalant reply, but Irene didn’t seem to be concerned with that. Like that, she came forward and sat on the sofa on which Minato sat before, so as to sit in front of Noel.
「Oh no, it’s not bothering me. But, you sure are in your own troubles. To be monitoring your own brother, even if it is the order from Lilyn」
「? Really?」
「How does he, our youngest brother, look to you Irene-han?」
「I think he is quite a good guy, he’s got ability, is kind and also frank. It’s really rare in this age. Though I think his mind is somewhat childish」
「Yeah, just that much. Other than the fighting strength to insta-kill A Rank demons, and magical energy of superdreadnought level, along with several original magic and out-of-norm equipments, oh and also having a legendary magical bird as pet, he’s just a normal young boy. Is this answer fine?」
Normal people, upon hearing this, would either get surprised and open their eyes from surprise or hold their heads with a sense of giving up, however Noel’s expression was none of the two.
Maybe that reaction was quite different and unexpected, signs of bewilderment appear on Irene’s face.
「……What do you mean by that?」
Saying that, Noel opened the『secret door』of the Sofa on which Irene was sitting, and retrieved a『Card』from it, then opened the door to her office.
Irene too sensed a different atmosphere and disappeared into the room after Noel.