Chapter 6
“This is a shop that sells sweets and the like. They’re quite popular with the Knights, too.”
“Oh, sweets. Not bad.”
After leaving the Knights’ headquarters with Allucia, we walked together to a row of souvenir shops near the carriage stop.
In the end, Kurni stayed behind... Or rather, it seemed the gathering had only been called to introduce me, so she’d gone back to her regular duties.
The image of her looking like an abandoned puppy as we parted ways had stuck with me.
I felt a little bad for Kurni. Maybe when I had some free time, I could go for a stroll with her. Though that did bring to mind walking a dog.
“...Still, as expected of you, Allucia. You’re drawing quite a few stares.”
“The Leberio Knights are well known among the people.”
Allucia replied as casually as ever, showing no sign of nervousness. It was good to see she seemed to be taking things in stride.
It wasn’t very far from the Knights’ headquarters to the souvenir shops, but Allucia’s beauty and popularity clearly carried a lot of weight in Baltrain. We drew quite a few looks from people passing by. Most were looks of respect or admiration, of course, but some people were openly curious, too.
“Still, it must be awkward for you, having someone like me with you, right?”
“Not at all. You’re the one who’s worrying too much, Sensei.”
Most of the curious looks were directed at me.
Well, when the undisputed commander of the Leberio Knights has some unremarkable old guy at her side, of course people are going to wonder what’s going on.
No one had come up to talk to us, but I still felt a few curious eyes on us as we browsed the goods in the shop.
“...This is practically a da—”
“Hmm? Did you say something?”
“No, nothing. Oh, how about this?”
“Let’s see... Hmm, it looks tasty, and it should keep for a while.”
I thought I heard her mutter something, but maybe it was just my imagination.
The thing Allucia pointed to looked like some kind of baked confection. They were small, and my dad and mom would probably like them. The relatively low price was another plus.
“Excuse me, two of these, please.”
“Sure thing! Thanks for your business!”
If Allucia recommended them, they couldn’t be bad. Probably.
After making my choice quickly, I called over the shopkeeper. He cheerfully answered and swiftly packed the items into a bag, all the while glancing back and forth between Allucia and me. I guess a beautiful woman like her and an old guy like me really are an odd match.
“The famed commander of the Knights shopping with a man in tow? You’ve gone soft, haven’t you?”
I paid, then wondered what to do next. There was still a little time, and I thought I might take a look at some swords, when...
I heard an aggressive voice from behind us. It seemed Allucia had heard it, too, because we both turned around at almost the same time.
“...Risandera. What do you want?”
“Oh, nothing in particular. I was just thinking how relaxed you seem.”
The woman called Risandera didn’t change her attitude. She glared at Allucia, her voice and expression still as intimidating and hostile as before.
She was taller than Allucia, about as tall as me. She was quite tall for a woman. Her fiery red hair fell to her shoulders, and her eyes, just as blazing, gleamed fiercely.
She wore a breastplate that wasn’t as ornate as the Knights’ armor, but was clearly designed with practicality in mind. She had the bearing of a true warrior.
To put it plainly, she looked like a beautiful woman with a fierce streak.
To put it more simply, she was a handsome guy with boobs.
Two broad scabbards hung at her waist. They were probably for broadswords, but was she a dual wielder? That was a pretty unusual choice of weapons.
And pinned to her chest was a black plate identifying Risandera’s status.
In the Kingdom of Reberis—and throughout the continent of Galea—there was a profession known as adventuring.
Adventurers fell under the jurisdiction of an organization called the Adventurers’ Guild, which operated across national borders, and their work was even more varied than that of the Knights. They took on errands for ordinary citizens, guarded merchants, hunted monsters, explored ruins and dungeons, and even ventured into unexplored lands. It was a profession that let you roam the world without being tied to any one country.
It was certainly the kind of profession that could inspire dreams.
But not everyone could chase those dreams.
The Guild ranked adventurers according to their abilities. As a rule, they couldn’t accept requests ranked above their own. That was to prevent them from taking on jobs beyond their abilities and ending up seriously injured—or dead.
The ranks, from lowest to highest, were White, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Ocean, and, at the very top, Black.
In other words...
This woman, Risandera, was insanely strong.
Holy crap, she’s Black rank! Black! This is the first time I’ve ever seen one in person.
Adventurers had stopped by Bidden Village from time to time, but the highest rank you’d ever find in a backwater like that was Gold. There weren’t many Ocean ranks or higher, and they were usually traveling all over the world, taking on all sorts of impressive jobs, so you hardly ever saw them.
“I’d appreciate it if you stopped making baseless accusations. I’m still carrying out my duties properly.”
“Hmph. Is that so? You can’t see the world if you’re always holed up in the capital.”
The two of them carried on talking, leaving me out of it.
It seemed this woman, Risandera, didn’t think much of Allucia—or the Knights as a whole, for that matter. I had no idea what her motives were, but I wish they’d spare a thought for how it felt to be caught between two swordswomen ranked among the very best. The pressure was unreal.
“We’re not so idle as to have time for this. Let’s go, Sensei.”
“O-oh, right.”
Maybe Allucia had no intention of engaging with her, because she quickly ended the conversation and started to leave.
Well, I wasn’t exactly thrilled to have a Black-rank adventurer glaring at me, either... I’d do as Allucia did and make a clean getaway.
“Hmph, calling some man you don’t even know ‘Sensei’...—”
That was when Risandera and I finally met each other’s eyes.
Her gaze, which had been so fierce just a moment ago, quickly filled with uncertainty and confusion.
Huh? What’s with her? Did I do something? I’m pretty sure I didn’t do anything. I don’t deserve a look like that just for buying some baked sweets.
“Uh... ah... Beryl... Sensei?”
“Huh?”
Wait.
I don’t know any handsome guys with boobs like you!