Chapter 411: Information Gathering, Preparations, and Invitation

―――― The 68th day of training.

Rimudo’s trial, the warp return, and the attack of Maria, yesterday sure was a busy day. Why do troublesome events occur when I’m really busy? If there is a God in this world, I would like to complain. I would tell him to stop slacking off and work for world peace. Well, Vakala and Maria have been doing whatever they want, so I don’t think it will change.

Now, let’s stop complaining. From today, From today, we are going to take immediate action to take back Crocus. First, I went to the town of Diana with Haru to gather information and make preparations.

「―― I see, so the airship Alezel was riding is really in Crocus, huh?」

「Yes. Also, please keep this matter confidential. I only told you because you and President are old acquaintances, but this is a matter known only to those with a certain level of authority.」

When I went to the Quitet Magic Item Store and asked Owner about it, it was confirmed that Alezel and Zeta were trapped in Crocus with the airship.

「I know. Well, the country won’t ignore this matter, and I will also do something about it.」

「Ooh, to think that the 『Black Iron』 Deris-sama is going to take action…! Then, is your wife too?」

「…… It’s a secret, okay?」

「Of course. I will cooperate with you in any way I can, so please tell me anything.」

「Ah, then, do you have any good scrolls in stock? The more tactics we can use, the quicker we can get Alezel out of there.」

I take advantage of the situation to fulfill my desire. Consider it an advance payment, my friend.

「Haru, you arrived first, huh.」

「Ah, Shishō, welcome back. The shopping went well. I’ve negotiated the prices, especially for the ingredients that haven’t fluctuated!」

I left the store and joined Haru, who has finished shopping to restock the ingredients.

「Where are we going next?」n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

「We’re going to the Adventurer Guild. I have a business with Giorgia and I’m going to pick up a few things.」

Thus, we quickly headed for our destination, the Adventurer Guild. The guild is as busy as ever, and the receptionist desk where Giorgia is in charge is as deserted as always. Well, it’s always empty, so it’s easy to meet him.

「Gramps, you haven’t grown senile, have you?」

「Haah!? Who are you calling a senile old man!? I’m always active―― what, it’s just Deris, huh. Why are you dressing like that? That’s not something you wear in the guild, you know? Did you finally lose your mind?」

「It’s dress code. I went to the Quitet Magic Item Store a while ago.」

「Oh, Haruna-chan, welcome. You can take your time. Hohoho.」

「Don’t ignore me!」

We exchanged light jabs instead of greetings, and Haru got a candy.

「So, why are you here today? Are you going to impose an unreasonable demand on Haruna-chan again?」

「Hey, don’t say something that will cause misunderstanding. Besides, the requests on the board won’t be training for the current Haru.」

「Yes! I’m much stronger than I was back then!」

「Yeah, I’ve heard a lot of rumors about Harunac-han, and I can vouch for her ability. Good grief, I wonder what kind of training did you make Haruna-chan do in the past two months….」

I’m sure that this old geezer thinks that I’m a bad master.

「I was just making her train according to her ability. So, about my business, have you heard about Crocus?」

「Are you talking about the wall? I know. After all, it’s troublesome for us as well. There are a lot of rumors about it among adventurers.」

「That makes it easy then. Giorgia, we are going to break the wall and beat the mastermind. Come on, get ready. You’re always active, right?」

「It’s too sudden, and don’t just casually invite me! I’m more or less the guild master, you know!?」

Because Giorgia suddenly started to make a fuss, the gazes gathered from the surroundings. Gramps, what are you doing? We are standing out because of you.

「Giorgia, you’re making it hard to talk. Now take responsibility for attracting attention and guide us to the drawing room in the back. This is seriously an urgent matter.」

「Giorgia-san, please! 」

「Ugh, you’re cunning that you use Haruna-chan…!」

「Kukuku, are you saying that now? Who do you think I am?」

Giorgia, you are weak against Haru. This is common knowledge.

「Um, Guild Master. Is something wrong?」

Hearing the commotion, a guild staff called out from the office at the back. Alright, nice timing.

「…… No, it’s nothing. Rather, please guide these two people to the drawing room. I’m going too.」

「Y-Yes. This way, please.」

「Pardon the intrusion!」

The staff guided us to the drawing room. When the staff offered us Gobula tea, Haru was laughing happily. Huh? I didn’t know that Haru likes Gobula tea.

「Then, I will take my leave.」

「Yeah, thanks.」

When the staff left the room, Giorgia made a serious face and turned to me.

「So, Deris. Tell me about it.」

「Yeah, it’s a long story――」

I roughly explained what had happened so far. On the other hand, Haru was sipping her tea.

「――Haa, I don’t know how what to say…. I will confirm it just in case, you’re not lying, right?」

「I won’t go out of my way here just to tell a lie. If you still have doubts, you can contact the government. Well, you will be formally appointed by the King himself later. After all, I recommended you!」

「Okay, I got it. I will trust you if you say it that much. Good grief, what do you expect from this old person? Just so you know, I’m a level 7 Swordsman. You can’t expect me to do much against the army of Maria Irygal, the Great Eight Demons and a very bad one at that.」

「Don’t worry. Level 7 is a realm where you’re quitting being a human. You can rival the Warrior King… if I said that, I don’t know if it’s amazing or not. Anyway, welcome to the Maria Subjugation Squad. Use your sword to keep slashing those vampires. If not, they will regenerate immediately.」

「Can you stop saying such outrageous things so lightly and while smiling? Also, that miser Alezel was alive, huh!? You bastard said that she died when you retired!」

「Kukuku. No, I never said that. The ones in the guild misunderstood it on their own. It wasn’t my fault!」

I evaded Giorgia’s verbal attack and drank Gobula tea. Ugh, it’s more bitter than I thought! And thanks to the stimulus in my mouth, I remembered another business. That was close. I have to say this too.

「Ah, that’s right. Actually, there’s one more thing I need to tell you. I will go all out in this battle. So, I’m thinking of taking along Ii and the others. Make sure that they won’t have dismantling work for a while.」