Chapter 80 – Heart’s Ex-Girlfriend
Chapter 80 – Heart's Ex-Girlfriend
We finally set foot in the Adventurer Guild after such a long time.
“It’s our first time here since becoming B-rank, huh?”
“The church work piled up, and we’ve been so busy.”
Ted and I stood together in front of the bulletin board.
“Hahaha, you’re telling me. So, what kind of request should we take today?”
We stared at it intently for a while, but every request seemed to have a high difficulty level.
Hmm… This is tricky.
Once you hit B-rank, you can earn about as much as a White Priest in annual income.
It’s only natural that the requests get tougher in exchange.
“There are a lot of long-term ones, huh…”
Come to think of it, I have no idea how much I’ve saved up.
The church covers my living expenses, and that massive serpent Stonehead paid way too much anyway.
Right now, I’m pouring everything into research on herbs and potions.
Someday, I hope I can repay Gain and the others somehow.
“This one’s short-term, but it’s escorting five wagons full of high-value cargo… That’d be tough for just the two of us.”
Five wagons of high-value cargo…
Five is impossible. Even just the “high-value” part makes my heart race.
“In that case, Marie, why don’t you team up with us?”
As we were chatting in front of the bulletin board, a woman called out to us from behind.
When I turned around, it was the big sis from the C-rank adventurer party “Flower Crown.”
Heart’s ex-girlfriend!
Well, Heart denied it, so I shouldn’t bring it up.
“You know her?”
Ted whispered softly into my ear.
We lowered our voices and talked.
“Yeah. She used to bring Heart lunches a lot…”
“I see. So she’s a fan of Heart’s?”
Hmm… It’s not quite like that…
I don’t know the truth to clear up the misunderstanding… Oh well.
That’s how rumors grow fins and swim away.
I marveled at the process, conveniently ignoring my own role in starting it.
“I don’t know her skills, but she’s got a good reputation here. And she’s a great cook.”
“Shall we team up then?”
“Sure. And she’s a great cook.”
As we whispered, big sis grabbed Ted’s arm and said, “No reason to turn her down, right?”
Oh, big sis…
Ted was clearly flustered by her charms, which was kinda funny.
Heart didn’t bat an eye back then. As expected of his iron heart.
“Of course, big sis.”
I flashed a bright smile, and she smiled back with, “If you refuse, you won’t get off easy.”
Hahaha. Oh, big sis…
“Right, the two in the back are new faces. Let me introduce you.”
Big sis let go of Ted and went over to the two young men.
“I’m Tally. I’m the only C-rank here. These kids are D-rank. Come on, you two, say hi.”
With that, she slapped their backs hard.
Ouch, that looked painful.
“I-I’m Gis.” “Benan’s the name.”
Big sis had said recently that these two were like her “disciples.”
I see. So that’s why she’s teaming up with higher ranks to help them earn.
Big sis has always been a soft touch like that.
I wish she’d feed me her lunches again sometime.
“I’m Ted.” “I’m Marie.”
We all shook hands, and we decided to take that cargo escort request.
“It’s exactly five horse-drawn wagons, so how about one person per wagon?”
The experienced big sis took charge.
Ted really didn’t want to leave my side and complained a ton.
We were positioned as B-ranks on the flanks, with me at the front and Ted at the rear.
To train my danger sense, I decided not to rely on barriers.
During the trip, Horned Rabbits kept hopping out here and there.
We couldn’t stop the wagons every time, but they’re so tasty… It feels like a waste to ignore them. Am I the only one who thinks that…?
The request was supposed to take about five days one way.
Well, with this much cargo, it’s bound to take time.
Last time, we cut through that forest on the way to the reconstruction site…
This time, we’re detouring to avoid magical beasts. We’ll stay overnight at the next village.
A quaint little village came into view, with no outer walls or fences.
It reminded me of that remote village on the frontier. Faint memories stirred.
“Well then, we’ll leave the cargo escort to you.”
…Oh, right.
It’s cargo escort, so we’d be stuck guarding it all night.
I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“What do you think, Marie? Should we put up a barrier and sleep?”
Ted whispered to me.
In situations like this, I couldn’t help glancing at big sis.
“We’ll take shifts on watch. Marie and I first. Then you two. Ted last. You can handle it solo, right?”
Whoa, as expected of big sis. A real leader makes snap decisions.
Glad Ted didn’t complain this time.
Just the two of us in front of the door to the large covered wagon yard.
To save effort, I stretched a thin barrier to its limit.
Fernet had taught me before we left: “A thin barrier reacts to human mana too, so you can use it for detection.”
“This is my first time guarding cargo.”
“Really? Surprising. There’s plenty of requests like that in the capital.”
Big sis beckoned me over. “Let’s sit here.”
We sat on the stone steps.
“I’ve only been picking day trips, beast subjugations, or herb gathering…”
“I get it. I’m no good against humans either.”
Fighting people makes me hesitate. My ingrained ethics won’t let go.
That’s why mindless beasts are easier.
Especially now.
“By the way, how’s Heart doing?”
“Huh? So you two were dating after all?”
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thanks for the chapter