Chapter 19: Let’s Explain Things at the Adventurers’ Guild

"Haah... I came to town trying to avoid trouble, and yet here we are."

『Thank you for earlier, Mr. Guard.』

"Um, thank you for earlier, Mr. Guard."

The guard was one of the men who had dealt with us at the town gate.

"What, it’s you again, young lady? What happened this time?"

『Probably the companions of those three from earlier came attacking us. They kept yelling about a duel.』

"Probably the companions of those three from earlier came attacking us. They kept yelling about a duel."

"A duel!? In the middle of a big street like this?"

"Yes, that’s what they said. They suddenly attacked us. What terrible people!"

Irina answered, visibly puffed up with anger.

Captain Hiyoko picked up the wallet the man had thrown away with his beak and returned to Irina’s shoulder with it still in his mouth.

『Boss, here’s the spoils.』

『Good work. Toss it into the gap in the backpack lid.』

『Roger!』

Using his wings skillfully, he lifted the backpack lid and pushed the wallet inside.

Captain Hiyoko, you really do excellent work.

"Phew. Guild Master, sorry about this, but I’ll be taking these collapsed men with me. Since they caused a disturbance in the middle of the street, we’ll need to take a statement. This young lady appears to be the victim, so we can take her statement later."

"Understood."

The man addressed as Guild Master answered in a grandiose manner.

He had a long, flowing white beard and equally long white hair. On his back, he carried two swords crossed over each other. A dual-wielder, huh?

"Then let’s hear the full story inside the guild first. Follow me."

Following the Guild Master, we entered through the large doors of the Adventurers’ Guild.

"Waaah~"

I couldn’t help letting out a sound.

This is it! The Adventurers’ Guild! That Adventurers’ Guild!

In isekai reincarnation stories, registering at the guild and making a name for yourself through adventurer activities is the standard way to live.

The world I fantasized about while devouring light novels is now right in front of me!

How could I not be excited!? Of course I’m excited!

"Yabe-sama, what’s wrong?"

I had gotten so excited inside the backpack that I started squirming, prompting Irina to call out to me. I need to calm down a bit.

There were quite a few people inside. Every single one of them looked like a proper adventurer!

Well, they are adventurers.

Oh, is that the request board where they post quests?

I want to see it! I really want to see it~.

"What are you doing? Sit down at this counter."

I sat down on the chair in front of the counter as instructed.

The receptionist motioned for Irina to move over, and the Guild Master sat across from us.

"Please show me your adventurer card."

Irina took out her adventurer card from her chest pocket and presented it.

"Hmm... Irina. F-rank adventurer, eh..."

The Guild Master returned the card and asked.

"So, why did that commotion happen?"

Irina explained everything in order — starting from when we were attacked by the three men in front of the town gate, all the way to the duel earlier.

"I see... Those guys will need some strict punishment. Still, it’s impressive that you managed to repel five people all by yourself. Especially those three, but the axe-wielder who leads has combat strength that could almost reach C-rank."

『Well, it somehow worked out.』

"Well, it somehow worked out."

"How exactly did it ’work out’?"

Hey, don’t press me on the details...

『More importantly, we hunted some magic beasts and would like to sell them.』

"More importantly, we hunted some magic beasts and would like to sell them."

"Hm? Ah, where are you keeping them?"

『I’ll take them out of storage.』

With that, I started pulling the magic beasts out of sub-space storage one after another.

In front of the counter, a pile quickly grew: Forest Wolves, Horned Rabbits, Killer Grizzlies, Giant Vipers... forming a small mountain.

"H-hey hey hey! You have storage magic!? And just how many magic beasts... wait, you even have C-rank monsters like Killer Grizzly and Giant Viper!"

『Please deduct the dismantling fees from the reward. How much do you think it’ll be? By the way, there’s still more.』

"Please deduct the dismantling fees from the reward. How much do you think it’ll be? By the way, there’s still more."

"W-what? There’s more!? Just how big is your storage capacity... Wait, did you defeat all of these yourself!?"

"Uh, yeah... I guess I did?"

"Why do you sound unsure!?"

『Don’t say you defeated them all yourself! Tell them most of them are from Master and you’re just here to sell them!』

"Ah, right. It’s not like I defeated all of them myself. Most of them are monsters my Master defeated, and I’m basically just running an errand to sell them."

"Y-Your Master?"

"That’s right! My Master is truly amazing! Yabe-sama’s greatness cannot be described in just a few words!"

"Yabe?"

『Heyyyyyy!! Why did you say the name!?』

"Ah."

"Ah? What do you mean ’ah’? You’re acting really suspicious, you know."

The Guild Master started eyeing Irina with suspicion. This is troublesome... what should we do?

As I thought that, I sensed magic power gathering around the Guild Master. It felt like swirling energy was concentrating in his eyes. So that swirling energy really is magic power. It’s much clearer when I see someone else using it.

"Gwaaah! My eyes! My eyeeees!!"

The Guild Master suddenly clutched both eyes and began suffering like some famous colonel. What’s going on?

It doesn’t look bright to me.

"W-what’s wrong?"

"Uuuu... This is ridiculously strong, damn it..."

Then, magic power gathered around the Guild Master again. The swirling energy condensed in his eyes even more strongly than before.

The Guild Master began trembling violently, like a newborn fawn.

"?"

Even Irina made a puzzled face. What’s wrong with the Guild Master?

"You... just what the..."

As he spoke, the swirling energy grew even stronger and once again dwelled in his right eye.

"Bufuh!"

The Guild Master’s nose burst with blood.

I thought I faintly heard the sound of some liquid dripping.

"F-f-f-f-fifty-three thousand...?"

Hm? What is the Guild Master saying?

"Is something the matter, Guild Master?"

Irina asked suspiciously, but the Guild Master ignored her and pressed on.

"You mentioned a Master...? Does this Master really exist? Or is it just a lie to hide your own power?"

The Guild Master, trembling all over but still trying to stand firm, interrogated her.

"That’s ridiculous! My Master, Yabe-sama, really exists! Due to certain reasons he doesn’t come to town often, but he’s truly an incredible person!"

For some reason, Irina passionately defended me with righteous indignation.

"...Then bring him here! Right now! If you bring this so-called Master, I’ll believe you! If you can’t, I’ll make you tell me all your secrets!"

...I see. He wants to interrogate her about her unnatural combat ability and storage magic. He probably thinks the Master is just a convenient excuse to hide her own power. Well, in reality, Irina is the one being used as a cover.

"Muuu! How dare you insult Master Yabe-sama like that! Fine! I’ll bring Master no matter what! And when I do, you’ll have to apologize to him!"

I have no idea why I need an apology.

『Please finish appraising the magic beasts while we go get Master.』

"Ah, please complete the appraisal of the magic beasts before we bring Master back. If you don’t give us a satisfying price, Master might refuse to sell any more magic beasts in this town in the future!"

Irina declared boldly and left the guild.

She’s pretty good at driving a hard bargain.

Still... Master, huh...? What am I supposed to do about this?