Defiled Hero Chapter 004

Defiled Hero

Guild Rank Promotion

The sound of the 9 o'clock morning bell rang clear.

The examination was set for 10 in the morning, but by dealing with the thief attack, the exam became unnecessary.

Though it was no longer necessary to go to the guild for the examination, the need to go to the guild still existed. There was the reward to collect.

On the way to the guild from the inn, I felt the people looking at me differently compared to the day before.

『Hey Izayoi. I said nothing was going to happen, and nothing happened, right?』 (Astrea)

(...Wrong.) (Izayoi)

『So why are you here?』 (Astrea)

I could hear Astrea's delighted voice coming from somewhere. Dealing with Astrea, I arrived at the guild. There were adventurers carrying weapons scattered about inside the guild.

There were normally few people in the guild, but the fight with the thieves last night resulted in many people being injured, and the few people with titles had gathered.

I could feel the gazes of the adventurers, but I ignored them and headed to the information counter. At the counter was the receptionist from before with the highly revealing pajamas, this time in a perfectly-fitting guild uniform.

Realizing that, I made a slightly dissatisfied expression.

「Good morning. Did you rest well at the inn?」 (Receptionist)

How not-friendly. I wonder why she's being cold to me.

『Rest at the inn!? Hold on, Izayoi, what did you do with that woman last night? Wait, don't say it. You really enjoyed yourself last night, right?』 (Astrea)

(You, shut up for a while.) (Izayoi)

I returned the cold attitude, only saying what was necessary.

「...My title and the reward.」 (Izayoi)

「Understood. You are now a 【Tier 1】 swordmaster, as promised. Taking into account the fact that you protected the town from the thieves, your guild rank has been raised from F to C. Is that acceptable?」 (Receptionist)

I couldn't feel any respect considering what I did, but whatever. There's no problem. I place my hand on the pedestal with the form I filled out previously.

With a *pish* sound, the paper disappeared, and my title and guild rank were updated.

「With regards to the reward, how would you like to receive it? Would you like a payment to your guild bank?」 (Receptionist)

「No, I want it in coin now.」 (Izayoi)

「C-coin? Now? That's 100 gold coins you know! Is that alright?」 (Receptionist)

「It's fine... Is there a problem?」 (Izayoi)

100 coins isn't that particularly bulky.

「...Everything that comes out of your mouth is foul, isn't it.」 (Receptionist)

That'll come back around to you, you know.

I want to say something, but I'll control myself.

「...What about me don't you like?」 (Izayoi)

「Your personality.」 (Receptionist)

「...More specifically?」 (Izayoi)

「Like how you only care about losses and gains.」 (Receptionist)

「That's what it means to work together. Nothing more, nothing less.」 (Izayoi)

「While you say that like there's no merit to acting otherwise, why did you act on my last request?」 (Receptionist)

「That is...」 (Izayoi)

『"—For your smile, that's why," would be a good answer I think.』 (Astrea)

(I would never say that, and it's not like that.) (Izayoi)

It's not like there was a reason. There is no reason. I killed some enemies. That's all it is.

「...Having money isn't a problem. I thought I should get some if possible, that's all.」 (Izayoi)

She didn't appear to accept my reason. Really... I saved you and instead of receiving thanks, I get a cold attitude and a lecture... Your character's the rotten one, woman.

「You're a man with a terrible attitude!」 (Receptionist)

「...Then turn a blind eye.」 (Izayoi)

Receiving the gold coins in a bulging sack, I began to leave the information desk, only to be called out to.

「I forgot to say this: An A-rank monster, Aspis, has been sighted a short distance from the mountain range. Other guilds have sent adventurers to suppress it, so please refrain from leaving the town until they are done.」 (Receptionist)

「Ah, got it.」 (Izayoi)

Aspis. The large snake with the deadly poison, huh? I've heard about them but haven't actually fought them.

『What will you do, Izayoi? Will you stay in town?』 (Astrea)

(No, I'll leave town in the middle of the night, and head to the water fairy.) (Izayoi)

『Is that okay? Even though you told the receptionist, 「Ah, got it」?』 (Astrea)

(I didn't say I wouldn't leave, she should understand that much.) (Izayoi)

Heading straight past the bar, I had a meal. I paid, and as I stood to leave, someone called out to me.

「Hey, you! Fight me!」 (Kid)

It came from a kid barely in his teens. Seems I've become involved with a troublesome fellow, but I guess it's better that it's a kid.

「A fight? Fine by me.」 (Izayoi)

Looking back, I swung the sack full of gold coins and hit him in the face.

「Ow! What was that for!」, the kid who had been knocked back said incomprehensibly.

「"What" you say, it's a fight. Did you mean something else? Like a game of tag?」 (Izayoi)

「Don't look down on me bastard!!」 (Kid)

Pulling out a short dagger from his waist, he turned to face me. Someone grabbed his arms from behind, restraining him.

「S, Sorry! My younger brother's caused trouble for you.」 (Adventurer)

「Let go of me! I'll beat that guy and become a 【Tier 1】 knight! Those examinations are for wimps!」 (Kid)

The kid's older brother was the one who lent me his sword to fight the thieves.

「What're you doing in the guild!? If you've got an issue, take it outside!」 the guild receptionist said, coming forward. It can't be helped. There are other people watching.

「Fine. Let's take it outside, brat.」 (Izayoi)

「You don't get it! You're completely uninterested!」 (Kid)

「...Those people from before didn't seem pleased, it doesn't feel good.」 (Receptionist)

「If they've got a problem, let them say it directly.」 (Izayoi)

Is that right? That's right. Let them voice their objections. Looking away from the brat, I stared at the receptionist.

「I think it's better to not say it.」 (Izayoi)

「Which is it, then.」 (Receptionist)

「Hey! Don't ignore me! Fight me!」 (Kid)

When the time for the examination came, the brat was dragged away by the older brother.

With the gold I had received in hand, I planned to go about the town preparing equipment, but...

「Well, first off is that dirty appearance. We have to get you some new, proper clothes.」 (Receptionist)

Do I have no choice but to go shopping with the receptionist?

「...is the guild alright?」 (Izayoi)

「Yes, because it's early in the morning.」 (Receptionist)

What's with her? She said she didn't like my character, and here we are shopping together.

『It's love.』 (Astrea)

(Love? What.) (Izayoi)

『It's the typical pattern, Astrea-chan knows. They'll come over the same day.』 (Astrea)

(Where did you hear that.) (Izayoi)

Because I decided to receive the money immediately, they thought I would spend it all today.

Wearing a white sleeveless shirt and hot pants, the receptionist guided me around. I was brought to a clothing store. As the receptionist separated from me to look at women's clothes, I chose to buy my own appropriate things. While the she was preoccupied choosing, I snuck out of the store.

Small shops were gathered together. If there's one problem, it's that I'll be caught up to. Going about a shop alone, I bought equipment. Next would be a weapon. From the entrance to the weapon shop, a shadow approached.

「Hey! Why did you leave me behind!」 (Receptionist)

「...I thought interrupting would be bad.」 (Izayoi)

「Please just say something... Is a weapon next?」 (Receptionist)

「Yeah.」 (Izayoi)

「Then let's think about it together.」 (Receptionist)

Thinking about it, I've never been in a weapon store. Before, Astrea's sword was enough.

「Welcome, Miss Lilia... Is that your boyfriend?」 (Store Clerk)

「No way! This is the adventurer that dealt with the thieves.」 (Receptionist → Lilia)

「You're the rumored swordsman, I see. You have my thanks. Please, take a look around.」 (Store Clerk)

I looked all around for a suitable sword, but none of them were appealing.

(Astrea. Are there any good weapons?)  (Izayoi)

『Yeah. The quality isn't bad, but none of them stand out... Wait, Izayoi. Did you forget about the sword you gave me?』 (Astrea)

The sword I gave to Astrea? Right. That's right. I completely forgot.

Astrea has a place to store various things. There should be some unused swords.

『You really did forget. They're better than the things in this store, so Astrea-chan thinks you don't need to get a sword here.』 (Astrea)

(Got it. I'll do that.) (Izayoi)

I'll use a sword Astrea has stored. Looking for a substitute weapon, I purchased two daggers that were as long as the length from your elbow to your wrist, and six throwing knives.

「Huh? Are those small swords enough?」 (Lilia)

「Yeah, because there aren't any good long swords.」 (Izayoi)

「Hold on, what are you saying in front of Damido! Isn't that rude? You're rude through and through aren't you!」 (Lilia)

The shopkeeper laughed, placing a hand on the receptionist's shoulder.

「He's the adventurer who got the reward for defeating the thieves. Of course the swords in my store aren't good enough.」 (Damido)

I also put my hand on the receptionist's shoulder.

「That's right.」 (Izayoi)

Knocking away my hand, she returned to her foul mood from before.

「I hate that side of you! I don't know you anymore!」 (Receptionist)

The receptionist Lilia said as much.

She then darted out of the shop.

「...I'm in your debt, Lilia.」 (Izayoi)

I quietly muttered that small goodbye to her retreating figure.

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