On the way to Vesparta, I’d galloped at full speed, switching horses along the way, but there was no need to rush when traveling back to Baltrain. I spent nearly double the time on the return trip. Frankly, if I’d hurried, my stamina probably wouldn’t have held out.
There was no tension on this trip either, so it was quite relaxing, allowing for plenty of rest for both body and mind. That said, I didn’t want to keep Mewi waiting, and there was the knights’ training to consider too, so I wasn’t able to take things too easy. The return trip was just relaxing in comparison to the sprint there.
I arrived in Baltrain about two weeks after the battle with Id Invicius. A few days after that, I figured I should at least check in, so I once more visited the master of the adventurer’s guild.
“So? How was your vacation in Vesparta?” Nidus asked.
“Very enjoyable.”
“Ooh, that’s excellent. We just happened to wrap up some troublesome matters as well. That’s why I just happened to have the time for a meeting today.”
“Good to hear. I’m sure you must be busy, given your position.”
“Ha ha ha. Well, I usually just kick back in my chair, so I have to put in some work every now and then.”
I had no idea how long I had to keep this farce up. Nidus was showing no signs of stopping, so I was just following his lead. It was quite difficult keeping up with the obligations of organizations and formal circumstances. I’d wanted to avoid ever getting involved with this stuff, but here I was—it’d been unavoidable in this case.
Thinking back on it, it’d been the same during the incident after meeting Mewi. At the time, I’d complained a lot about bearing the brunt of such reckless behavior, but looking back at it now, I understood why I’d been chosen to go against the bishop’s plan—a single misstep could’ve caused a war between nations. It made sense to use a convenient individual in an unofficial capacity to avoid such an outcome.
I would’ve preferred to remain ignorant of such things, though. I didn’t enjoy getting thrown into troublesome situations. It isn’t like they’re doing these kinda things to me for fun, though. Understanding that now was progress on my part, at least.
“Well, matters on our end were cleaned up thanks to some outside help,” Nidus continued. “I must think of some way to repay that aid...”
“Ha ha ha. I’m sure it’ll be fine to forgo a reward if the ones who helped agree that it’s not needed.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
“Yes, I believe it is.”
I really didn’t need any kind of reward. It would have been so much easier if I could just say that to his face, but we had to keep up appearances. This really was a huge pain. It had to be done, so I went along with it, but I would never take the initiative for this kind of thing.
I hadn’t intended to put the adventurer’s guild in my debt, but that was how things had ultimately ended up. They were endlessly grateful that one of their highest-ranking members had been saved from extreme danger.
However, I hadn’t gone to save a black rank. I’d gone to save Surena Lysandra. She just happened to be a black rank adventurer. If it’d been a complete stranger instead, I probably would’ve hesitated—even if the guild had asked me for help. I would’ve said that it wasn’t within my jurisdiction. I was frankly incapable of sacrificing myself for someone I had nothing to do with. That was why I didn’t need any reward, though had this been an official request, maybe it would’ve been appropriate to accept. Once again, if I’m able to see that fact, it means I’ve grown.
I had a premonition that he would pester me about a reward if I stayed here too long, so I said, “I shouldn’t keep you too long with idle chatter, so if you’ll excuse me...”
“Oh, is that so? Please drop by any time you like.”
“Thank you.”
If you were to rank my combat abilities, I would probably be placed closer to the top of the scale. I could understand why any organization would want to recruit me. However, I’d already had more than enough of that with Allucia’s invitation. Besides, training the knights took up a good amount of time. It was a satisfying job precisely because it was the only thing I had to focus on. (I was pretty hands-off at the magic institute by this point.)
Still, a situation like this one could easily happen again. I was worried about Surena, of course, but I was also curious about Joshua’s activities. And if something ever happened to Porta’s team, I wanted to help. Instead of cutting ties with the guild completely, it was best to keep an appropriate distance while maintaining a relationship. I had no intention of making enemies.
“Until next time,” Nidus said.
“Yeah. See you later.”
And with that simple farewell, I left the guild’s reception room. Unless there was something specific going on, I had no reason to visit this place. However, when that something specific happened, I would have to come here whether I liked it or not. I never thought I’d get involved with the adventurer’s guild to such an extent. You could say it was yet another connection I’d made by coming to Baltrain.
Around a year and a half had passed since Allucia had dragged me out of Beaden. My environment had changed completely, but even if it was somewhat exhausting at times, I wasn’t discontent. Life here was pretty satisfying.
“Haaah... Guess I’ll go home.”
I’d only come to the guild to report in, but I felt somewhat fatigued. My brain understood why this venture had been necessary, though. Surena’s status was too high for everything to settle nicely just because she was back now—there would be lingering repercussions from this incident.
Still, getting caught up in all that is just...you know. A part of me couldn’t help but feel frustrated, but there was no point in complaining. If anything, Surena should be praised for growing to the point where she had so much influence as an individual. I’d taken care of her during her early childhood, but I’d had no hand in her success after that. It was quite the shock that she’d grown so much as a swordswoman, but I could never deny her abilities.