Chapter 52 – The Liberation of Irmhild

“I’ll be selling that half, then.”

“Thank you. But are you sure about this?”

Heather asks with a surprised expression.

“The Guild probably has various uses for Guardian-class materials, right?”

“…That’s true. It would certainly be appreciated.”

In the Adventurer Guild lobby, the Sword Boar’s massive body sits with a heavy presence. Though only half of it. Since it had been cleanly split in two, there wasn’t much discussion needed about whether to sell it or not.

Not just the Sword Boar, but Guardians in general have no wasted parts, so even half a body can fetch a considerable price.

As for what can be harvested from the boar, the hide would be the first thing to mention. Even in death, its sturdiness remains intact. The hide boasts defense power comparable to armor. Light yet durable. Its usefulness goes without saying.

I need to think about what to do with the hide.

Other than that—the meat is edible, it can produce a reasonably large Magic Stone through Extraction, and it has very high utility value. Those tusks could probably be carved into spear tips.

“Amazing. This is my first time seeing a Guardian’s corpse.”

“That hide… what’s up with it?”

Around the Sword Boar’s half-body brought to the Guild lobby, there’s a crowd of people packed like a black mountain.

Beside the Guild staff member assessing the materials, adventurers who came to gawk are making a cheerful commotion.

“Who took down something like that?”

When someone says that, they huddle together and start whispering rumors in low voices.

“You know, that one…”

“Ah, the Demon Slayer?”

“That’s him over there, right?”

“You’re saying a kid like that took down a Guardian after the Demon? Wasn’t it his other companions?”

Well. It wasn’t me who defeated it, but Grace.

“Aren’t his other companions about the same? I heard they went on the Guardian Subjugation too.”

“Ah, those girls did it?”

“If the Demon Slayer is with them, they must be pretty capable after all?”

They’re staring wide-eyed at Grace and the others. Well… I can understand how they feel.

While I’d welcome Grace’s strength becoming known since it might help avoid trouble, being the subject of rumors like this isn’t particularly comfortable.

According to Heather, the adventurers who were teleported earlier are receiving treatment in the sickroom deep within the Guild. Since we can’t leave until today’s loot sale calculations are complete anyway, and my Circulating Ki or Ashley’s Healing Magic might be useful, I decide to stop by and check on them.

As I walk toward the sickroom—I hear something like a clear singing voice and the sound of a harp. Listening to it, it’s a mysterious melody that brings peace to the heart and seems to make fatigue disappear.

The source is from the sickroom. Probably the same members as when I came to see Irmhild before. When I knock and open the door, the monster girls stop their singing and playing and turn their gaze toward us. It seems to be a formation with Harpy Dominique and Siren Justia singing, and Irmhild on the harp.

The adventurers are laid out on the beds. They seem to be in much better condition than when I saw them in the Labyrinth.

The Healing Magic treatment has already been completed by Ashley.

This probably isn’t unrelated to the three of them—Irmhild and the others—singing lullabies together. A band consisting of a Lamia, Harpy, and Siren is quite a luxurious lineup, I think.

All three belong to races with the characteristic of being able to imbue their singing or playing with Magical Power. In this case, the song’s effects would be things like sedation, pain relief, and enhanced regeneration.

That harp might have been prepared by the Guild to demonstrate their usefulness. If so, that thinking would be correct. At the very least, there probably aren’t many adventurers who would complain about members serving as part of the Guild’s medical team.

“Irmhild!”

Sheila runs over and takes Irmhild’s hand. She opens her eyes wide in surprise.

“Sheila-chan. Theodore-san and everyone else too. I heard you fought a Guardian, but were you injured?”

“No, that’s not the case. Since we’re the ones who brought them here, I thought we should check on their condition.”

“Ah—I see.”

Irmhild strokes her chest in relief and finally breaks into a smile.

“That was quite something to listen to.”

“Oh, thank you. Unlike the other two, this isn’t really my specialty, so it’s a bit embarrassing. For Lamias, that ability is more like a bonus.”

Is that so? I didn’t mean it as flattery—I think the content was good enough to charge money for. As far as the quality of the performance goes, I thought it was quite skilled, but technique and the song’s effects probably don’t necessarily correlate. As an outsider, I don’t know the details about Cursed Songs.

“We’ve been asked if we’d like to work at the Guild from now on.”

“Yes. Even without a place to return to, we won’t be treated roughly here.”

Justia nods at Dominique’s words.

Linette’s goal was to sell them off, and she didn’t seem to particularly expect singing or performances from them… but in reality, Cursed Songs have high utility. They’re said to affect both mind and body, with a wide range of effects, making them troublesome special skills when used against enemies.

Their excellence lies in how easily they can be applied to treatment, and they have the characteristic of being able to produce synergistic effects when used in combination with Healing Magic. As playable characters, there were Bards… but they were a minor class in BFO.

Hmm. If they’re stationed at the Guild as part of the medical team, they could establish their position and lower adventurers’ Death rates—it seems like nothing but advantages. But for Irmhild, she probably feels like she’s being supported one-sidedly by the other two and can’t simply agree.

“Theodore-san. The calculations are complete.”

Heather comes over and peeks in.

“Understood. I’ll be right there.”

“Before that, Heather. Could I… have a moment?”

Sheila stops Heather.

“What is it?”

“Can Irmhild still not return?”

“That—I think it would be better to hold off on that for a while. The authorities are on high alert, so staying at the Guild is safest for now.”

“I see… I understand, but…”

“Sheila-chan, I’ll be fine. I’d be happy if you could tell everyone I’m doing well.”

“…Okay.”

Sheila’s ears droop. She seems dejected.

Even if things are settled with the Knight Order, Irmhild’s position still seems delicate. Judging from Heather’s tone, the aftermath of the Demon incident has probably made the authorities more nervous than necessary.

From the Guild’s perspective, it’s closer to holding her in custody, or perhaps protecting her.

I was thinking we could all go to the beach together once she’s released… but it seems there are still many hurdles to overcome.

“Everyone?”

“The children at the… orphanage in the West District”

…I see. There was indeed… such a facility.

“Um. If there’s someone who can vouch for her identity, wouldn’t it be alright for her to go out? If I can be of assistance, I’d be willing to help.”

Ashley, who had been watching the situation until now, spoke up.

As the lord, as a noble. Indeed, for Ashley, this must be a scene she can’t overlook.

“I’ll help too.”

“…Is that okay?”

I nod. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Grace smiling happily.

Grace’s future. Ashley’s path. And when compared with my own stance, it doesn’t contradict anything. I’ve accepted Sheila as a Party Member, and I have no hesitation about helping them.

Hearing our words, Sheila looks at Heather with expectant eyes.

Heather gives a wry smile to Sheila and answers.

“Lady Ashley and Theodore-san, is it? In that case, I think it should be fine.”