Volume 1 Chapter 4 Thus, We Set Out on Our Journey to a New Land
Lene and I completed the procedures for leaving the party and relocating our base at the Adventurers' Guild when the receptionist hurried off to summon the Guild Master.
Well, 2 Third Ranks were leaving.
It must be a serious situation for someone in charge of many adventurers.
"Hey, Ryuuji! Is it true that you're quitting <Berserk> and leaving town?"
"Yeah, that's right, Guild Master."
I casually replied to the elderly man, Mr. Emin, the Guild Master who manages the adventurers in Bechmer town, who had come looking quite troubled.
"What are you saying...? You're leaving Minori and Suzu behind? And Lene too... You, a talented alchemist, are doing this?"
"Haha..., thanks for saying I'm talented. But I was told by Marie that I'm not needed..."
Even though she had resolved her decision, Lene still seemed entangled in earlier thoughts, giving a frail smile with a complicated expression.
Mr. Emin has watched over the 3 of us──me, Minori, and Suzu──ever since we arrived in this town 3 years ago, and he has been a great help.
It pains me to bring him into this confusion, but I explained in detail about the disciplinary action Guy and Marie had informed me of earlier.
"...Well, the guild doesn't typically interfere in internal disputes, but are they stupid? Don't they realize how important Ryuuji and Lene are to the party?"
"Guy is such an idiot... I mean, he was bothering Minori. I guess I was just in the way as her brother. As for Marie, it seems like she's after money."
If I'm being banished, I have no choice but to leave, but for Minori and Suzu, who I'm leaving behind, I'm like a brother to them.
Ever since I left my hometown 9 years ago, they've been important little sisters to me.
So, I can't just part ways like this.
"Guild Master, take this. Please do it at a time when Guy and the others won't notice."
I took something out of my pocket and handed it to Mr. Emin, making sure no one around could see.
The Guild Master understood my intention and immediately tucked it away after a quick glance.
"...Ah, got it. Where are you planning to go from here?"
"...Well, I'm thinking of settling down in a town a bit far away and setting up a workshop for the two of us."
The truth is, we've decided to go to a port town called Sartzstadt, which is a transit point near the magic stone mines in the neighboring Beistein kingdom to the west, and set up our workshop there.
I'd be fine telling Mr. Emin the location, but I can't be sure where or whose ears it might reach.
I have my reasons for wanting to avoid it reaching Guy's ears.
"I can't believe you two have such initiative when you were just acquaintances until a moment ago..."
I was left speechless.
I can't say I don't understand what they're saying.
"Well then, let's pack our things and set off tomorrow. Take care, Guild Master."
"Thank you for everything, Mr. Emin. I hope everyone in the staff is doing well too."
I just waved lightly after finishing the procedures, but Lene, on the other hand, was bowing deeply.
It's hard to believe that all elves are proud.
I'm learning a lot.
"Ah, take care of yourself. I'll handle things with Minori and Suzu."
"Please."
It was a rather abrupt farewell, but Lene and I decided to start our journey to a new land after having a similar exchange at the Commerce Guild.
* * *
After discussing it together, we decided to walk to Sartzstadt to save on costs, and we set off the next morning after meeting at the west gate of town.
It would be a long journey of about half a month, but well, it couldn't be helped.
I never imagined things would turn out like this just yesterday morning, but perhaps that's just how life is.
It's not something a young fool like me should be saying, though.
"I see, Mr. Ryuuji was born in the far east, huh?"
"Yeah, in an empire called Sakura, which is at the eastern edge of the continent. The name of the country comes from the cherry blossom, which is also the national flower, and it's blooming beautifully at this time of year."
After leaving town, the two of us were teaching each other about ourselves.
Thinking back, we were just acquaintances as the guild master said, so I didn't know anything about the other person.
"Cherry blossoms, huh. I've never heard of that type of flower..."
"It's not just a flower; it's a tree. It has pink flowers and shows a magnificent view in spring. Well... there was a civil war, so I don't know if that view can still be seen."
"There was a civil war?"
"Yeah, when I was 12, I lost my parents, and I left the country with 2 younger sisters who also lost their families in the civil war. After that, well, it was a tough time for a while."
I struggled to find food and even resorted to stealing to feed Minori and Suzu.
And I was caught and received terrible treatment.
But the reason we're still alive like this is──
"After that, the 3 of us were picked up by 'Teacher' and taught the skills necessary to survive. 'Teacher' was strict, but they saw our potential to eventually work as adventurers, and that's why I'm practicing the art of enhancement. I thought it was a joke that I, with my big build, was supposed to become a magician, but now it feels like my true calling."
I let out a chuckle, and Lene looked at me with a curious gaze.
"'Teacher'?"
"In the end, I never learned their real name, so I just call them 'Teacher.' They were of the same elf race as Lene."
Yes, 'Teacher' was an elf.
That's why──
"...the fact that 'Teacher,' who helped me, was an elf might be why they couldn't just leave you alone. They couldn't stand the thought of you being treated poorly by those who didn't understand your true worth. So──I'm sorry for dragging you into my own self-satisfaction."
I instinctively stopped and bowed my head to Lene, who had also stopped.
When I raised my head, Lene was momentarily speechless, but suddenly her face turned bright red, and she looked away.
"W-wait! Please stop! We're both similar, so don't worry about that!"
"Huh? O-oh, got it."
Though she said that, she didn't seem angry; perhaps she was just embarrassed?
Her long ears were flushed bright red.
It seems that elves are shy.
This was a learning experience.
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