Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Adventurers' Guild
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Nameless rubbed the bump on his head and pouted his lips.
'Huh?'
What was that guy so aggrieved about, putting on such a one-sided victim act?
I was baffled by Nameless, who wasn't reflecting on his own fault at all and just wore that sulky expression. I poked his side.
"Ugh?!"
"Why the long face? Didn't you start it?!"
"...Yes, you're right."
I'd felt a bit sorry seeing the bigger-than-expected bump, but his reluctant admission made my blood boil instead.
'That little...!'
What kind of disciple brags about his height to his master out of nowhere?
And.
I'd only said nice, masterly things to him, but the disciple had ruined the warm atmosphere and even touched my reverse scale.
'I specifically told him not to bring up height...!'
Already short since my past life, I'd gotten even shorter after becoming a woman.
Of course I wouldn't like talk about height.
Just like Nameless, I pouted my lips too. No matter how I thought about it, he was the one in the wrong this time.
We walked like that for a while, both pouting. Then, in the awkward atmosphere, Nameless must have thought this wouldn't do—he stepped closer and cautiously patted my shoulder.
'I'd planned to ignore him for a bit, but...'
Wasn't I a grown adult?
He'd mustered up the courage to approach, so coldly rejecting him wouldn't be mature.
I'd already forgiven him.
I turned to face him with the kindest expression I could muster, looking at the hand on my shoulder.
"...Why'd you call me?"
"Master, we're leaving this village soon. How about deciding on our next destination?"
"Hmm, next destination..."
What? It wasn't to break the ice—he had actual business.
Embarrassed by my misunderstanding, I turned my head away to hide my flushed cheeks.
Still, yeah—a destination was important.
The world was much vaster than our mountain home, and we'd encounter all sorts of new things without a plan.
Plus, gathering info after picking a spot might reveal beautiful tourist sites or local specialties.
My mouth watered.
My body couldn't eat food, but Nameless kept cooking delicious meals, sparking a new hobby.
'Food is important.'
I nodded firmly.
"So, shall we go get a map now?"
"Master, how about visiting the Adventurers' Guild first instead of a map?"
"Guild?"
The Adventurers' Guild I knew was like mercenaries taking requests. Why go there?
As I tilted my head to gauge his intentions, Nameless grabbed my wrist and turned us in a new direction.
We were in the middle of the street, so lots of people passed by.
They weren't staring, exactly, but not ignoring us either.
Our unusual clothes played a part, but my fully Eastern features must have looked exotic to them.
Anyway, amid all that attention, Nameless practically dragged me by the wrist.
'Hmm, not embarrassed at all?'
A grown man walking hand-in-wrist with his master like a kid.
I couldn't even imagine doing that.
Not my favorite situation, but it made me smile anyway.
"...Why are you smiling like that?"
"Nothing."
Really, nothing.
'He's still a kid.'
I just found it cute how he relied on his master without a care for onlookers.
Nameless and I visited the Adventurers' Guild to decide our next destination.
It was even more eye-catching than I'd imagined.
Unlike us, people had hair in every color, muscular men and robed women wielding all sorts of weapons gathered in one place—it was a fresh sight.
But fresh or not, I couldn't think of a good reason for Nameless to come here specifically.
Taking requests, maybe? But knowing my personality, he wouldn't suggest that.
Nameless, still holding my wrist, led us to a corner of the guild.
"Hmm, can you really get useful info in a place like this?"
"Yes, Master. You'll see soon."
The spot he brought me to had a bulletin board.
Fresh crisp papers and worn ones were posted haphazardly, but they all shared one thing.
"...Requests?"
Each described a job and its reward at the bottom. Some detailed required personnel and ranks—definitely requests.
'Well, it's where adventurers gather.'
Of course there'd be requests.
But was Nameless really planning to take one?
I gave him a puzzled look, and he released my wrist, peeled off one request, and held it up to my face for easy reading.
"Yes, the requests here aren't just for this village—they're from all over the country."
"Hmm, I see."
"Yes, like the one you're looking at now."
I peered closely at the request.
[Request: Orcs nesting near northern Ellen are entering mating season. Requesting their extermination.]
[Reward: 2 silver per orc]
[Client: Lian Lionheart]
A lion seal stamped beside the client's name.
My brow furrowed as I read it.
'Orcs in mating season.'
Maybe unnecessary imaginings, but my body shivered.
"Eugh... Yeah, now I really don't want to go north."
"Exactly. Maps are great for locations, but without them, you can't know what's happening there."
"Indeed..."
Now I understood why Nameless suggested the guild.
Orcs and goblins were just viscerally repulsive.
Nameless put the request back on the wall.
"Hmm, so we're avoiding nasty places like that?"
But we couldn't just skip everywhere unpleasant.
Safe spots were fine for tourism, but our trip's root purpose was training.
Safety was great for sightseeing, but training needed some adversity.
I looked up at him meaningfully, but he slowly shook his head.
"At least let's avoid the disgusting ones."
'Fair enough.'
Even for training, seeking out mating-season orcs felt off.
I nodded and sat in a nearby chair.
"Hmm, then find somewhere you like."
"Pardon?"
"Pardon? What? Is my hearing going with age... Lately, my ears have been dull."
"...Understood."
I ignored his furrowed brow, set my bag on the floor, and took out a strawberry to bite into.
'He should look when I tell him to.'
I remembered exactly what he'd said to me.
'Handle the chores yourself, and act shamelessly.'
A master who heeds and remembers her disciple's words—Nameless was truly blessed.
I smiled proudly at myself.
Soon, Nameless returned to me, pouting again.
He looked dissatisfied, but that wasn't my concern.
"Mmmph, foun' a goo' on'?"
"How about finishing your strawberry first?"
-Gulp
"Find a good spot?"
"...Yes."
I tossed him the bag as he continued pouting suspiciously.
"Then let's go."
"...?"
"What are you waiting for?"
"...Nothing. But aren't you going to ask where it is?"
I stopped leaving the guild and turned to his puzzled face.
He wasn't being weird about it—just genuinely curious why I wasn't asking.
I smiled and spoke.
"Did you pick somewhere weird?"
"No."
"Then it's fine. Whose disciple are you? You'll have chosen well."
I patted his shoulder to show my trust.
"And not knowing the destination has its own fun, right?"
Hearing that, Nameless looked stunned for a moment, then smiled back.
"Yes."
"Then let's go!"
Thrilled with our destination set, I strode down the street with arms wide.
"Master, you'll trip."
"Do I look that clumsy...?"
"..."
"Nameless? Not answering?"