Chapter 112 - Third Floor — Endless Forest (4)

That's that, and this is this.

I understand she didn't have the best relationship with Svetlana, but so what?

Is Naturalis branch that good at fighting?

This is a guild run by a Pioneer, after all?

Nothing to fear, right?

Besides, Conquerors had their own base in Grove City.

So they couldn’t be mortal enemies either, right?

"Blobel. If you want to pick a fight, do it another time. I'm on duty now."

"Oh, really? Hmm~ juniors?"

The Naturalis alchemist, who Svetlana called Blobel, roughly looked us over.

Her gaze stopped at Leaf with a meaningful hum before returning to Svetlana.

"They're from a subsidiary guild."

"Subsidiary guild?"

Blobel tilted her head at Svetlana's explanation and touched her chin with her index finger.

Well, her basic appearance was quite attractive so it wasn’t completely unfitting.

But isn't it a bit much for an adult woman?

Maybe for Mea who looked young despite her age, or Leaf who wasn't even 20 yet, but...

Rei is even more shocking.

Anyway, while my first impression of Blobel was drawing a real-time downward curve, the strange tension between the two women grew sharper.

"Already pushed down that far? Oh! Should I say you've grown up? Leading subsidiary guild chicks. The Blue Spear would be surprised."

At least knowing some limits, Blobel used proper honorifics for Svetlana's master, Sullivan Evans, even while openly mocking her.

Well, crossing that line would be openly provoking Conquerors to fight, so naturally it wasn’t crossed.

However, at the mention of her master, Svetlana's relatively calm expression visibly hardened and her voice lowered further.

"...Think what you want. Guild Master Roman, shall we go?"

"My~ How polite. Can't even remember your old self anymore?"

Svetlana was definitely a professional.

I was the person in charge here, and she was just a dispatch worker observing our guild and reporting evaluations to Conquerors Guild.

Her patience in not overstepping her role as the team leader showed her responsibility as Conquerors Guild's representative.

The rational decision here would be to respect Svetlana's consideration and patience by just moving on.

If we chose to leave, they wouldn't go so far as to follow and cause trouble.

Both for reputation's sake and because there was a difference between exchanging some trash talk in a chance meeting and openly going around criticizing—that would become a diplomatic dispute with Conquerors.

Honestly, it seemed like they had already crossed the line quite a bit. I wondered if it was okay.

Given the mentions of old times, they must have a deep history that made this level acceptable.

However, even if temporary, this was our team now.

Regardless of their relationship, those words were mocking our team too.

While I was briefly considering how to respond, someone proved their ordinary nature with a bold statement.

"Hey, lady."

"What...?"

"Could you tone it down? It's getting gross listening to you."

Raw displeasure without filter.

Didn't we just talk about how trouble with the Naturalis branch would be problematic...

Ah, Rei did ask if they were strong.

Though at least she was showing some restraint by not openly flaring her mana in a "let's fight if you've got a problem" way.

Fighting could lead to reluctant friendship.

Rei must have been annoyed by Blobel openly disparaging Svetlana.

Plus treating us like mere chicks too.

For Rei to not immediately throw punches showed she was trying hard to hold back.

"I don't know what your relationship is, but if you want to do this, do it when you're alone. Don't act petty in front of others."

"Who are you? Just looking at you, a Senior. Got to Senior young so the world looks easy? Or feeling special because you've got Conquerors backing you?"

Meanwhile, Blobel's patience wasn't deep.

Waves of mana rose stealthily.

Though alchemy had built a completely independent system after going through Cordelia Wollstonecraft, in the distant past it was a branch of magic.

Their mysteries also operated based on mana.

As the atmosphere grew ominous, Svetlana, who had been holding back, stepped forward.

"Bernadette Blobel. That's enough."

"Why should I? Saying I should tuck tail and leave because they're Conquerors' subsidiary guild? I'm not scared. Just getting scolded is no big deal."

"Right. If you go crying to your master, they'll smooth things over with the Guild Master."

Ah, as expected.

Deep connections indeed.

That's why she was so bold with her provocations.

"So?"

"If it was just us, that is."

Svetlana showed a winning smile.

With an excited expression saying, “You wouldn't have known this,” she opened her mouth.

"They're a joint subsidiary guild. Not just with us, but contracted with Frontier and Enigma too. In other words, if you touch them, you're not just dealing with us, but all three guilds."

"...You're not... the type to lie..."

The mana dissipated suddenly.

Blobel quickly processed this and soon accepted the reality that this was too big for her to handle.

Then, showing good awareness, she looked directly at me and spoke respectfully, "I apologize if I caused offense. I got too excited seeing an old friend. Calling you chicks was just a senior's way of expressing joy at seeing juniors."

"Senior?"

Since when do Explorers who've never met have such relationships?

That was only used between alumni.

People from the same guild or school.

One would need to at least form a temporary party to talk about senior-junior relationships.

"Not you, but that child."

Even though I clearly questioned what right she had to act like a senior, Blobel calmly redirected.

"You."

"Huh? Me?"

Surprised at being suddenly singled out, Leaf pointed at herself.

"Yes, you. Looking at you, you seem like one of us. Which branch? Even if we're from different branches, seniors, and juniors should at least greet each other properly, right?"

"Um... I'm a mage though? A Spirit Summoner."

"What? Then what's that staff you're holding?"

"It was given to me..."

The staff from Costin.

I understood.

Through that staff, Blobel must have thought Leaf was an alchemist, specifically from Golden Intellect.

If nothing else, Leaf's staff even had Golden Intellect's visitor permit.

She probably mistook it for a membership badge.

If Costin provided it, it would be different from normal guest passes.

At Leaf's words, Blobel's pupils dilated as if having some great revelation, and she completely changed her expression and tone to something sweet.

"Oh my! So you're our customer~ Oh dear. You should have said so. Must be a VIP customer? That level is rarely released externally. Chromatic Fiend leather coat? You must be really rich~ But you know, our Naturalis synthetic leather is really good too. Come visit separately next time. Here's my card!"

Leaf dazedly accepted Blobel's card.

Blobel then handed me a card too.

"I apologize for today. Though it's not much compensation, use this if you need help from our branch later. I'll help once with most requests. Or you can use it for discounts."

Blobel rapidly transformed the situation with her flood of words.

Her behavior suddenly made our location feel like a marketplace.

If this is talent, it's certainly something.

When she acted like this, it was hard to say anything.

Besides, anywhere else might be different.

It wouldn't be good to completely antagonize someone clearly high-ranking in the Naturalis branch, the established power of the Third Floor.

As Svetlana said, if it came to fighting, we'd have the advantage considering our backing, but such things always became debts.

"Since there's room for understanding, let's end it here."

"How magnanimous. Should I say those chosen by three guilds are of a different caliber?" Blobel said with smiling eyes.

I heard snickers from either Rei or Leaf beside me.

No, it wasn’t that I couldn't distinguish—it was both of them.

"Then let's go our separate ways. Looks like you're leaving."

"Yes, well. We have urgent business."

As we passed each other after settling things, Blobel left one final word for Svetlana.

"I'll go first. Too~ busy managing a big project. I'll let you know later."

Wink—

Blobel, even throwing a wink, was how should I say, trying too hard to act young?

Svetlana seemed to think the same, not appearing particularly damaged.

"Lucky."

I joined in with Mea's muttering after her silence.

"Not bad, in the end."

"No, that child."

What Mea pointed to was none other than the departing Naturalis branch.

From Mea's finger pointing at Blobel's back, Devil mana flickered like a mirage before disappearing.

Simultaneously, I saw it.

Even under the light filling the Third Floor, Blobel's small shadow wavered.

"If she had shot that mana at Roman, I would have killed her."

"...Please be lenient about that. Just subduing would be enough."

"...I'll consider it."

Well, we've had quite an initiation ceremony.

Now, let's really find lodging and rest.

§

After passing Roman's group, Blobel snapped irritably at the alchemist following her.

"Do you know who they are?"

"I'm sorry, but I also..."

"Then find out."

Blobel knew Svetlana better than anyone.

Though now she was playing the role of some strict, proper lady knight.

She knew how violent she was in her youth.

But some things hadn't changed.

The fact that she never lied.

So what she just said about those people having three of the five major guilds backing them must be true.

To think such a major incident happened and she still didn't know.

How ridiculous she must have looked to Svetlana.

Crunch.

The masseter muscles bulged in Blobel's cheeks as her teeth ground together.

With this project, I'll definitely surpass you.

She was confident.

Svetlana Gromadin who was always ahead of her.

Once this was finished, she would permanently become the one chasing after her.

For good reason.

If it's the Bird's legacy...

If it was Cordelia Wollstonecraft's legacy, it would surely lead her to the world beyond.