After showing her the house-office, we rode the shared carriage to the center of the city.
“As you can see, there are many tall buildings here, so if you ever get lost, just look for the main road and walk to the center. You’ll find yourself right here. Consider this place a landmark if you ever get lost.” [Ryouma]
“Just like the houses from earlier, it seems most of the shops and facilities under your management are concentrated in the northeastern part of town. I probably won’t get lost once I get here.” [Eleonora]
“Thanks to the reconstruction, the roads have become more navigable than before. You’ll be fine unless you have an exceptionally poor sense of direction. There are a lot of guilds in this part of town. I’m well acquainted with them, so we might as well use this opportunity to introduce you.” [Ryouma]
So, we visited the guilds. The first place we visited was the Adventurers’ Guild, which happened to be nearest.
We were already approaching noon by the time we entered, so there weren’t many adventurers around. At most, there were people who couldn’t find a job or were killing time on their day off. None of them were standing in front of the receptionist’s desk.
It was rare to see a normal woman, especially one so well-dressed, visiting such a crude and male-dominated place such as the adventurers guild, so Eleonora-san quickly drew attention.
We better wrap up our business here quickly, I thought.
“Oh, if it isn’t Ryouma-kun.” [Meilyn]
The person who called out to me was Meilyn-san, the receptionist at the Adventurers’ Guild. She was working on some paperwork by the counter. Perfect timing, I thought as I greeted her and introduced Eleonora.
“Anyway, that’s the gist of it.” [Ryouma]
“I see. So she’s the person to contact when you’re away.
I look forward to working with you, Eleonora-san. Feel free to drop by even if it’s not for work. I’ll be happy to lend an ear.” [Meilyn]
“Thank you. I look forward to working with you as well.” [Eleonora]
“Want to meet the Guildmaster too? It’s not that busy, so he should be free.” [Meilyn]
“Hey! What’s wrong with you people, hah!? Just running your mouth off as if people don’t exist!” [Thug]
Just as the conversation seemed to be going smoothly, a man suddenly raised his voice. He glared at us and slowly walked over from the bulletin board.
I didn’t recognize him, but he was clearly hostile.
His tone drew the attention of other people, but I was more concerned about Eleonora-san.
She discreetly checked inside her coat to make sure she had access to a concealed weapon for self-defense, but the man didn’t notice that and just glared at me.
“Showing up here with a woman as if you’re on a date. You call yourself an adventurer? A brat like you with a secretary? Don’t play adventurer just because you’re rich! We put our lives on the line every day, you know!” [Thug]
“Wait a moment—” [Meilyn]
“You too, woman! What’s with that ‘let’s meet the Guildmaster’ crap! This Guild just lets people meet the Guildmaster that easily!? Sucking up to rich folks, is that all you’re good for!?” [Thug]
Meilyn-san tried to say something, but that just got him to harass her too. His behavior was quickly becoming erratic.
At first, he was ranting about us, but it soon became clear that he was a new adventurer who wasn’t doing so well. Really, he was just venting.
Running into a thug at the guild is a classic, but why now, and why here of all places?
But then again, even those guys who act like my underlings nowadays picked a fight with me first. Maybe adventurers just attract that sort of people? The sort that talks with their fist.
“This whole town pisses me off! Even a damn laundromat that can only do laundry had the gall to kick me out!” [Thug]
“By laundromat, are you referring to my laundromat?” [Ryouma]
“Yours?” [Thug]
I found myself saying that when he mentioned a laundromat.
The only laundromat I knew here in Gimuru was mine, so if he says he got kicked out, then he must be that guy! The troublesome customer that Carm-san mentioned!
“So, you must be the drunk customer that got banned.” [Ryouma]
“You know about that too? You must really be from that shitty excuse of a shop then! How dare you embarrass a customer like that!” [Thug]
He started yelling, talking about everything he didn’t like. All he was doing right now was yelling, but his body language suggested he could jump at me any moment. As such, Eleonora-san had already quietly readied herself to intervene at any time.
But to be honest, this guy isn’t much of a threat. I wouldn’t have been afraid of him even in my past life, and after fighting actual monsters in the forest and meeting adventurers like Glen-san, he’s even less of a threat.
Honestly, Eleonora-san looks way stronger than this guy. She probably fights with magic just like Remilie-neesan. Someone like this guy is no match for her.
Still, it’d be easier to clean this up if it remains as a mere quarrel among adventurers, so I’d rather she stay her hand for now.
“Eleonora-san, I’ll be fine. Please leave this to me.” [Ryouma]
When he saw me ignore him and talk to Eleonora-san, a knot gathered on his head and burst.
“You little punk! Don’t act tough just because you’ve got a woman watching!” [Thug]
The man’s face turned red, and he raised his fist, but he was moving too slow.
His form was as sloopy as Glenn’s, but unlike Glenn, he was like a weak, slow snail.
I casually swatted his punch to the side. It was as light as I imagined it to be. Glen’s punches were way harder.
I didn’t even need to use my bodyweight to deflect it, just my arm strength on its own was plenty.
He’d left his stomach open, so I couldn’t help myself but give him a kick there. His armor broke, and I could feel my foot sinking into his tummy, then in the next moment, he flew.
When he crashed into the wall in that direction, I finally realized what I’d done.
“Oh no! I forgot to hold back!” [Ryouma]
It wasn’t as bad as when I fought Glenn, but I had definitely kicked harder than I intended.
The guy crashed into the wall and fell limply back into the ground, eyes rolled over. He was knocked out and completely unmoving. I hurried up to him to check his injuries, and–Safe! The damage was within the scope that healing magic could handle!
I used healing magic about five times.
“There, that should do it!” [Ryouma]
“What will do it?” [Wogan]
“Whoa!?” [Ryouma]
When I finished the healing, the Guildmaster, Wogan, was standing behind me.
“How long have you been standing there?” [Ryouma]
“Since you sent that guy flying. I just finished my work when I heard a ruckus starting, so I figured I’d help, only to find a grown man flying through the air. Gave me quite a fright.” [Wogan]
“I’m sorry.” [Ryouma]
“Eh, I heard the details from Meilyn. It’s not the first time that guy’s caused problems. I don’t blame you. Just watch your strength next time. We’ll take care of the rest. He’s safe to move, right?” [Wogan]
“Yep, he’s perfectly healthy now.” [Ryouma]
“Alright, we’ll toss him into a room until he wakes up. Somebody give me a hand!” [Wogan]
“On it!” [Adventurer 1]
“Of all the people, he really just had to pick a fight with Ryouma, huh.” [Adventurer 2]
“Well, he looks like a kid and doesn’t look strong, so this guy probably thought he was easy picking. Damn, he stinks.” [Adventurer 3]
“Yeah, he’s been like that since he showed up. Always drunk.” [Adventurer 2]
“Humans might not notice, but beastfolk can smell it immediately.” [Adventurer 3]
“Can’t go without alcohol, huh? What a hopeless guy.” [Adventurer 1]
“Well, I get being jealous of someone walking around with a pretty lady, though.” [Adventurer 2]
“For sure.” [Adventurer 3]
“Hey, Ryouma! I’m so jealous of you!” [Adventurer 1]
At Wogan-san’s behest, some adventurers, who have been in Gimuru for a while, came over to help. They carried him by his arms and legs, tossing a few teasing jabs my way, but at least, the situation sorted itself.
Afterwards, I introduced Eleonora-san to Wogan-san. I also introduced her to the other adventurers at the guild, then we finally left the building.
“I was just showing you around the city, but it got kind of hectic there. Are you okay?” [Ryouma]
“I was a bit overwhelmed by how many people approached us, but I’m not tired. You sure know a lot of people, Takebayashi-sama.” [Eleonora]
“Honestly, that surprises me too. Before I came to this town, I never thought I’d get involved with so many people. Every now and then, I even start to wonder if I’m really connecting with them properly. There are really a lot of good people in this town.” [Ryouma]
Hopefully, Eleonora-san will get to feel that herself someday.
“By the way, Eleonora-san, thank you for earlier.” [Ryouma]
“What do you mean?” [Eleonora]
“When that man tried to start something, you were ready to protect me, weren’t you?” [Ryouma]
“Ah, it turned out to be unnecessary, though.” [Eleonora]
“Still, I appreciate the sentiment. Just from the way you moved, I could tell that you’re strong.” [Ryouma]
“Not as much as you, Takebayashi-sama. But at my previous home, I served in the territorial army and led a unit myself.” [Eleonora]
“Wait, really?” [Ryouma]
Now that she mentions it, when I first met her, I did feel she felt more like a soldier despite the maid outfit she wore. Turns out she really was a soldier.
“Oh, but I only ended up in that position because of my status. I wouldn’t call myself a true soldier. That being said, I do have some practical combat experience, and I am confident in my magic.” [Eleonora]
“I heard you graduated at the top of your class from the magic department at the Royal Capital’s Academy.” [Ryouma]
When I said that, her expression darkened for a moment, but it was only for a moment, such that I couldn’t tell if I’d hit a nerve or not, but she didn’t change the topic either.
“It’s a bit embarrassing, but yes, back then they called me the ‘Witch of Roaring Thunder.’ I specialize in lightning magic, particularly spells like Lightning, which have strong single-strike power.” [Eleonora]
“So students get titles too, just like adventurers.” [Ryouma]
“Well, adventurers and students both like to stand out. They’re prideful, and nobles especially favor poetic roundabout expressions. In that sense, my title was rather straightforward, but at my age, it’s just embarrassing.” [Eleonora]
Eleonora-san really did seem embarrassed, her cheeks slightly flushed. But a title like that must’ve come from real skill.
If she was that skilled in magic, I’d like to talk with her about it someday.
I asked her if she’d be open to talk about it, and she looked puzzled, but she didn’t reject it and agreed.
“By the way, can I ask something?” [Eleonora]
“Of course.” [Ryouma]
“Was it the man from the Verdure House who told you I graduated at the top of my class?” [Eleonora]
“Yes, it was Yurdum-san, but all he said was that you were at the top of your class and skilled in lightning magic. Nothing more. He also said he didn’t know much about your circumstances and that I should ask you directly if I wanted to know more.” [Ryouma]
“I see. He hasn’t changed at all. He’s still as considerate as ever.” [Eleonora]
Still the same? So she knew Yurdum-san from before too?
Sensing my curiosity, she answered before I could ask.
“Even though we weren’t in the same year, he was well-known among the female students.” [Eleonora]
“Yurdum-san was that popular?” [Ryouma]
“I had no interest in romance whatsoever, so I never understood it, but for young noble ladies who hadn’t been engaged before enrolling, the academy was their chance to find a future partner. So when there was a knight course student who was both promising and kind, who was also considerate of others, it was only natural that he would stand out.” [Eleonora]
She spoke of it like it was someone else’s business. Graduating at the top of her class couldn’t have been easy. I’m sure it must have taken serious dedication on her part. I imagine she’d spent most of her student life focused on her studies.
When I told her that I thought that was admirable, she quietly shook her head.
“I did put in the effort. But looking back, the most accurate way to describe it is that I was dependent on academics and effort. I believed that if I just worked hard enough, I could improve my family’s situation and that I’d find some way forward. So I poured everything into that belief.
At the same time, I looked down on those who didn’t put in the same effort, not just those who were simply lazy, of course, but even people who were passionate about things that didn’t clearly lead to a future. I dismissed them as unserious or fools wasting time on fleeting pleasures. I was just a narrow-minded child, clinging to grades and studies because I had nothing else.” [Eleonora]
“Ah…” [Ryouma]
I found myself at a loss what to say. After all, I couldn’t just nod and say that I understood. Our situations and positions were completely different, but somehow, her words hit close to home.
It’s hard to fix things after you mess up making friends. It’s not like doing well from the start is easy, but that makes it harder to recover later.
“By the way, do you think things will go well with Yurdum-san? I asked him to assist you without knowing any of this.” [Ryouma]
“No need to worry. Regardless of my personal feelings, I won’t let it affect my work. But, I believe your question wasn’t about that, was it?” [Eleonora]
She paused in thought for a moment, then spoke again.
“First of all, I have no personal feelings toward him. Not only am I not interested, I barely even remember anything beyond his name. However, because of that, I do worry I might have treated him poorly in the past. I mean no offense, but someone like him is exactly the type of man I would have strongly disliked back then.
But that’s all in the past. We’ve only spoken briefly so far, but I haven’t gotten a bad impression of him. He seemed a bit reserved, but if he knew the old me, then that’s only natural. Just the fact that he spoke to me without trying to avoid me gives me hope that we can build a good working relationship.” [Eleonora]
“I see. I’m glad to hear you’re looking at it positively. Though, well, it is only the first day after all! I guess I got ahead of myself with that question. I apologize for that.” [Ryouma]
“Not at all. I appreciate your consideration.” [Eleonora]
“I’m not exactly the best at social stuff either, so hearing you say that really takes a load off my shoulder.” [Ryouma]
I wanted to tell her that if she ever felt uncomfortable about how I was approaching things, she should feel free to speak up, but depending on her personality and position, that might not be so easy.
Still, I felt like our conversations were starting to flow more naturally now. Hopefully we can keep this up and grow closer.
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