Chapter 12
"Could you... tell us what your current skill level is?"
After we returned to the counter, this was the first thing Ren asked me.
I'd expected Ren to congratulate us on passing the test and ranking up, but why ask that all of a sudden?
"Uh, why do you ask...?"
"Karin, that instructor from earlier was at least an intermediate Expert."
Only then did Chris's answer make sense to me.
Since I'd knocked down someone on the verge of becoming a Master in an instant, there was no way they wouldn't react like this.
"Why are you so oblivious? Please think about what you're doing before you act."
"So you're saying I should've just stood there while that creep did something so disgusting?"
"That's not what I mean... I'm saying you went too far."
It had definitely been excessive, but I didn't regret it.
Chris, who was cautious about everything, wanted us to hide our true abilities, but I didn't see any particular need to.
Why bother?
"As Chris just said, Instructor Gult is a little handsy, but he's certainly skilled. I've never seen anyone take him down that easily."
I thought about it briefly, but since the cat was already out of the bag, I decided to tell them outright.
"To start with, I'm a low-ranked Sword Master."
Pretending to take it from inside my clothes, I pulled a dagger out of my inventory and wrapped it in an Aura Blade—the proof that I was a Sword Master.
"A Sword Master!"
"Big sis, you were a Sword Master?"
"Ho ho, a Sword Master..."
At the surprised reactions from the others and Ren, a question occurred to me. I didn't pay much attention to the ways of the world, after all.
"Why are you all so surprised?"
"You didn't listen to what your mother said the other day, did you?"
Lady Daphne had said there were only about 200 Sword Masters among humans across the entire continent.
These days, with the Crendel Empire having unified the continent, demand had fallen. But when the three kingdoms were at war, they didn't hesitate to offer even a count's title to recruit Sword Masters.
It wasn't as bad as before, but people of a caliber like a Sword Master were either made part of the emperor's personal guard or eagerly recruited by nobles looking to gain an advantage over one another.
And there were only two Grand Masters—the most powerful fighters—across the entire continent.
"There are Masters in the Adventurers Guild as well, but there are only three. Master is a fixed rank at Mithril, so the two of you will have to be classified as Mithril rank, too."
Ah... so that's what this meant.
"If people find out, it'll be a huge pain to travel around, you idiot."
Is it really that big of a deal?
"Ren, I'm sorry, but could you keep this a secret?"
"There's no need for that."
Tap, tap.
While I was sweating bullets and trying to convince Ren, someone came down the stairs and spoke to us.
"Now that you've joined the Adventurers Guild, no one will dare bother you just because you're Sword Masters."
A man in a crisp suit with a splendid mustache approached us.
His appearance was the very image of a butler, and I stared at him with curiosity.
"I'm Dinatrion, the Guild Master of the Adventurers Guild here in Gir. Please just call me Dion."
After introducing himself, Dion noticed all the attention on us and invited us to his office.
The office was quite neat, and the faint aroma of coffee filled the air.
They have coffee in this world, too?
"Please, take your time."
Dion handed us freshly brewed coffee, then sat down on an empty sofa.
"I could tell what you were concerned about from what you showed downstairs, but there's no need to worry."
"What do you mean?"
Dion answered Chris's question.
Adventurer insignias contained various kinds of information.
The basic information was name, gender, and age, though age didn't have to be listed if the person didn't want it.
Another thing that could be hidden was one's rank.
"Our Adventurers Guild uses magic and codes to conceal all information on the insignia except name and gender, so only we can see it.
Of course, if someone wants others to know, they can leave it visible, but that's usually what show-offs who want to brag about their abilities do."
Slump...
At the word "show-offs," I heard someone's shoulders droop.
Looks like there's a show-off here too, Mr. Dion...
"Anyway, I'm telling you that your secret is completely safe, so there's no need to worry."
Oh, then that's fine, right? Chris was worried we'd get dragged into trouble or people would come looking for us.
As I thought that, I glanced at Chris, who nodded as if to say that was fine.
"Then I'll take it that you agree to be promoted to Mithril rank. Could I see both of your insignias?"
We handed Dion the insignias we were holding.
Dion placed them on the desk, made a few gestures, then handed them back to us.
That's it? How was that so easy?
"But why are you being so..."
"Kind and quick about it?"
Nod, nod.
"It's out of respect for those who will become Mithril rank, and because it gives me a record of having recognized and recruited such talented people here in Gir."
Ah, so we count toward his achievements. Now I understand why he was trying so hard to persuade us.
"From now on, if you show these insignias at any guild in any city, you'll be provided with free lodging and meals at the highest level. Please keep that in mind as you travel."
Apparently, we don't even have to take on and complete quests to contribute to his accomplishments.
Wow... aren't we getting way too many perks? It's nice, but I feel kind of burdened.
"You don't need to feel burdened. You are that valuable."
Dion, who'd read my mind, told me to make use of the benefits without worrying.
Is he a mind reader?
Come to think of it, people had often responded to things I'd only thought in my head, or somehow noticed them.
"Big sis, your thoughts show on your face more easily than you think."
Nod, nod.
I was momentarily flustered when everyone nodded in unison at Eah's words.
Really?
"Yeah."
This is driving me crazy... So that's why Mom always figured out what I was thinking and tugged on my cheeks, even when I only thought it to myself...
I thought we'd be in for a rough two months, but thanks to that perverted instructor, things got settled easily.
Before we knew it, we'd reached Gir's main gate. Eah was standing on our side, and Schutz was across from us.
"Take care, now."
"Grandpa, I'm off. You stay healthy, okay?"
"Well, I'm nothing without my health."
Eah and Schutz hugged briefly, then let go.
"Please take good care of my granddaughter."
"Don't worry. We'll get her to Deus safely."
"Ho ho, with two Masters along, why would I worry?"
While we were saying goodbye to Schutz, Eah and Maria said their farewells.
Once we'd finished, we waved until Schutz and Maria were out of sight, then set off for the next town, Shadan.
We had nothing but good things happen in Gir. It was nice.
They say life can take unexpected turns. I hope this time around, it isn't all bad things, either.
We set off on the road. Since we matched Eah's pace, we were a little slower, but Aria's mission, which we'd been worried about, had already been completed, so there was no particular need to hurry.
We took our time, looking around and guiding Eah as we walked.
Wow, it's really peaceful.
Unlike when we were traveling through the forest, monsters hardly ever attacked us, and there weren't as many people as I'd expected, so it felt like a relaxing trip.
"Huff, huff... Big sis, I'm not having a peaceful time."
"It's all part of your training. Keep it up."
"But! I feel like I'm gonna die! Huff, huff!"
Right now, I was holding Eah by both ankles while she walked on her hands.
Chris no longer needed much physical training, but I hadn't reached that level yet, so I did a simple workout every morning.
Watching me, Eah said she wanted to get stronger too and asked me to train her.
I only did simple exercises to practice mana control and the fundamentals of elven swordsmanship, so I had plenty of time and readily agreed.
Though she complained like she was dying, I was proud of Eah for completing all the training I'd planned for her.
"Karin, don't push her too hard. She'll collapse."
"Huh? Isn't this way easier than what we used to do?"
"That's true, but..."
"Aaaah! I can't do any more!"
Chris chided me with an I-told-you-so look.
I'd been doing that for half a day before...
It's only been two hours now?
"Undine, Sylph."
At my call, the two adorable spirits rubbed their bodies against my cheek.
I set the two spirits on one hand and pointed at Eah, who was sprawled out.
Understanding what I meant, they washed and dried Eah.
"Ah, I feel refreshed. Thanks, you two."
The spirits disappeared after receiving Eah's thanks.
I crouched down and turned my back to Eah as I usually did; she climbed onto my back without a word.
"Hehe~"
Carrying a girl who was a little taller than me looked funny, but Eah had a truly happy smile on her face.
Seeing that smile made me feel good.
I hope days like this can go on forever.
After camping out and having a quick meal, I'd finished my own training and was working with Eah when I sensed a strange group of people approaching.
What was that?
Before they reached us, Chris and I took out our robes and put them on.
One of the people who approached us stepped forward, apparently the leader.
"Leave everything you have and I'll spare your lives."
Ah... bandits?
"Boss, that girl over there is pretty cute."
"And you, woman over there, hand her over too."
Wow, I've never seen bandits before. They really do say stuff like that.
I stared at the boss, genuinely fascinated.
Maybe he thought I was frozen in fear, because he grinned at me.
"That one's pretty cute too. Looks like she's got big tits, so leave her behind as well."
Oh, so that's not what I was looking at?
How dare these guys rob people on a main road like this, in a place where even monsters hardly ever come because they're afraid of people?
"There are two Experts?"
Chris's words made me even angrier.
What? You're both Experts, and you became bandits? I thought Experts were rare. Was all that a lie?
"What should we do?"
"What do you mean, what?"
I turned my eyes coldly toward the people in front of us.
I'd only been staring at them out of curiosity before, but I couldn't forgive people like that.
"Kill them."
Back then, when I had no strength, avoiding a fight had been the best choice. But not anymore.
"Hic!"
At Eah's hiccup, I charged at the bandits.
Eah's training wasn't over yet, but the corpses lying there were revolting, so we headed for Shadan for now.
While we were walking and chatting with Eah,
Rumble.
"Hehe..."
At the sound of Eah's stomach, her own little clock announcing lunchtime, we found a spot to stop and started preparing lunch.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
Until the sound of hoofbeats reached us.
"Hand over everything you've got! Hehe, and hand over those two girls, too!"
Oh, come on! What's with today?
Guess we were spoiled by all the nice people in Gir, huh?