An Unexpected Adventurer

Perhaps it was because such an unexpected person had appeared.

I was a little flustered, but I didn't let it show on my face.

There were too many eyes on me for that.

Anyway, she wouldn't just disappear once the meeting was over, so I decided to just watch for now.

*Now that I think about it, she did show signs of wanting to leave Lemegeton last time...*

I speculated that perhaps she had achieved that wish and was now working as an Adventurer.

That's when it happened. The atmosphere inside the Inn, which had been rather dull, suddenly grew heavy as if cold water had been poured over it. It seemed there were a few Adventurers who recognized Nikki.

Tsk, looks like even that bastard joined... Who knows if that bitch will betray us halfway through.

It seemed her status as a Manifestor was also widely known. Even without straining my Hearing, their whispers were clearly audible. Nikki probably heard them too, but when I saw her act so nonchalant, it seemed she was used to such situations.

Ah.

She even had the composure to spot me and give a slight smile. It seemed I'd have quite a few questions for her later.

After finishing her introduction, she disappeared into the crowd, and the introductions continued. Aside from her, I didn't see any familiar or particularly impactful faces.

After the Companions finished their introductions, it wasn't long before my turn came. Just like Nikki had done earlier, I gave a short and simple introduction.

...Yor. Lancer.

However, unlike Nikki's, the reaction was quite enthusiastic.

Oh... Wow.

Small exclamations burst out from around me.

Wow, look at that face. He looks like he should be a Brothel ace, not an Adventurer. Why's he here? Ha, I was already getting annoyed because of the heat. But now it's suddenly all gone.

I even heard whispers like these in between. Indeed, perhaps because they were naturally rough people, their speech was quite vulgar. Still, the reaction wasn't bad, so I just let it be.

Although I did hear sounds like this in between...

"Wait, but there's a rumor that he's also a Manifestor?" "What? No way. Could there really be two Demonic Bloodlines here? That can't be that common." "No, it's true. He's quite famous in the Empire." "So what? *Fuck*, if he's handsome, everything's forgiven."

The atmosphere was definitely different from before. I grinned and looked towards Nikki. I saw the two pupils of the person who had been so nonchalant violently shaking.

I suddenly remembered what I had said when I first met her. When she asked why her reaction and mine were different, my answer was “a dick”.

See? This is the difference in our origins.

The presence or absence of a single 'stick' in one's lower body made such a huge difference.

However, the reactions weren't entirely positive, because some people started crossing the line after a while.

Hey! Since you're already out here, why don't you give us a performance! Pull down your pants, you bastard!

Puhaha! Laughter spread nearby. It was clear mockery.

"Those bastards...""Trying to make a laughingstock out of someone...!"

I could see my Companions frowning upon hearing that.

*...Hmm.*

I pondered for a moment. Honestly, I wasn't particularly offended, but if I left them alone, they would clearly keep crossing the line. But I couldn't just blindly charge in either. If a fight broke out, it could really escalate, since everyone here was an A-rank Mercenary or higher.

Having no other choice, I decided to just take down the loudest one. However, someone else stepped forward faster than I could.

Why don't you all stop?

It wasn't Nikki. Nor was it the voice of my Companions. It was a voice I'd never heard before, not loud, but heavy, as if pressing down on everything around us.

Turning my head towards the source of the sound, I saw a woman with dark green hair sitting calmly.

She was a beautiful, middle-aged woman who probably used to be quite popular in her prime. Although there were some wrinkles around her eyes, her well-trained physique and light bronze skin exuded a healthy beauty.

"..."

"...Ahem."

The entire assembly instantly fell silent at her single word, which wasn't even loud. As if their laughter from moments ago was a lie, everyone stopped upon hearing her words. Just from that, I could tell she was a significant person.

The woman opened her mouth again.

We're going to be fighting together now, so there's no need to get angry at each other.

...Master Yurgen, you've joined us here too.

Yes, I'm starting to run out of money for alcohol, you see.

The woman said that and laughed heartily to herself. The assembly still just stared at her in silence. Countless emotions could be felt in the people's gazes.

Fear, respect, wariness, and admiration—it was an atmosphere difficult to describe, but one thing was certain: all the Adventurers here were overwhelmed by this one Person named Yurgen.

*Who is she?*

Oh right, now that I think about it, I should introduce myself too.

As I tilted my head in confusion, the Opponent chuckled and said,

Yurgen. A Swordsman.

After that, the meeting ended without any trouble.

*

That person introduced herself simply as a swordsman. But when more was found out, she was even more known by another nickname.

Drunken Sword Yurgen. That was the name ordinary people called her. It seemed the nickname was given because her sword moved freely as if drunk when she fought. And it was said that she sometimes even fought while drinking.

But there was an even more important fact: the Opponent was the top Person in the Adventurer industry, a Person of a uniquely different caliber, even among the handful of S-rank Adventurers. Indeed, with such a reputation, even the Adventurers couldn't easily mess with her.

Certainly, finding information wasn't difficult, given how famous she was. Coincidentally, Nikki, whom I went to see after the meeting, happened to know that information well.

After finishing her explanation, Nikki smiled brightly and said something.

Anyway, it's good to see you! Wow, I never expected to meet you here. It's nice to see you after so long.

Her face was full of goodwill. I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of incongruity because she wasn't the type to greet me so brightly.

Every time I saw her, she seemed to frown first or get angry...

It seemed there was some change in her state of mind after getting out of her berserk state. Anyway, it wasn't a bad change, so I just accepted it.

After that, I asked her what I was curious about.

What are you doing here? You... that group isn't the type to operate openly, is it? Is it okay for you to be out like this? Ah... about that. I quit.

In other words, she was no longer affiliated with Lemegeton.

I had indeed expected it, but hearing it directly was still a bit surprising.

How did she even get out? A criminal organization isn't a place you can just easily leave, at least by my common sense.

Well, if she were a low-ranking Follower, maybe, but she was a High-ranking Executive. Moreover, she was an unprecedented person who had now escaped her berserk state.

She had discarded the disadvantages of Demon's Blood and only taken its advantages, so it didn't seem like the Lemegeton guys would just let her go.

As I was thinking this, Nikki replied.

They let me go easier than I thought. Of course, we had a huge fight, but... I followed the official procedures and quit.

Seeing things like this, I wonder if they're a criminal organization or just a company.

Of course, I can't go back now...

Saying that, Nikki looked quite bitter. It seemed like it was probably both, whether she still had affection for Lemegeton or if it was a lament for herself, now a Wanderer with nowhere to lean on.

Still, as I looked at her eyes, she didn't seem to have any regrets. Next, I asked something else.

Leaving is one thing, but is it okay for you to do Demon Hunting...? They probably wouldn't like it very much.

She, who was once part of Lemegeton, would inevitably be uncomfortable with Demon Hunting, even if it were I. Nikki shrugged and replied.

Amon doesn't matter. Didn't Sephiroth say last time...? The King of the South was violent, so even Lemegeton avoided him. Ah, that's right.

Hearing it, I remembered. Back then, it seemed like such a distant story that I quickly erased it from my mind.

Feeling unnecessarily awkward, I quickly offered her a handshake.

Anyway, I look forward to working with you. It seems we're working together again this time." "Alright."

Nikki smiled brightly and clasped my hand.

*

Just one day after that, the Extermination Squad immediately prepared to depart for the Burning Plains. Now that enough People had gathered, they intended to Exterminate it before the Altar's Seal weakened further.

Since they didn't know when the demon would descend, it was better to depart as quickly as possible. Before departing, I asked the Mage who was supposed to give us Buffs. Since he was a local, he would know the local geography well.

"How long will it take to reach the Altar?"

"It won't take that long. If you go fast, you can arrive in about a day. But there are quite a few monsters on the way."

Phew, hearing that, I let out a sigh of relief inwardly. My berserk state was not far off already, so if it had taken a long time, it would have been troublesome.

So I had even thought about joining Neria later if it took too long... fortunately, it seemed there was no need for that.

So we walked right up to the Burning Plains and received the Buffs from the Mages.

*Crackling...*

I could see the land stretching as far as the eye could see, burning. It was as if the entire world was made only of fire.

The scene of flames blazing was a spectacle in itself.

The problem was that I had to go in there.

*...I'll definitely need a Buff.*

As I was thinking that, the Mage assigned to me explained the effectiveness of the Buff.

This Magic greatly increases Fire Resistance for up to 5 days. It won't be able to block all the fierce fire spewed by Monsters, but... at least you won't get burned by the fire rising from the ground. ...It will be a bit hot, though.

When he cast Magic on the Adventurer before me, he certainly didn't explain it in such detail... It seemed he was unusually kind only to me, but I just accepted it and moved on.

"The Magic lasts longer than I expected." "Yes, because we also need to survive. We recently developed it hastily. However..." "However?" "Because we developed the Magic in a hurry, there are a few minor side effects."

The Opponent Mage said that, then briefly cast his gaze downwards, mainly towards my body. I was well-dressed at the moment, but the Mage seemed to be imagining beyond that.

But that was only for a moment... Soon, the Mage quickly averted his gaze and continued speaking with a slightly flushed face.

This Magic can't completely cover clothes, so... p-please, Sir, be careful... Ah.

That was another problem I hadn't thought of. Doesn't that mean my clothes could completely burn away?

Th-then, we're departing...!

As I was flustered like that, 3rd Knight Commander Vivian announced the departure laboriously. Anyway, since I've come this far, I can't back out now.

With that, I stepped into the Forbidden Land.