Chapter 75
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Alliance Party (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Scarlet shot a glare at the man who had cut in while she was speaking first.
"What the hell are you doing? Don't cut in line."
"Cut in line? There's no line anyway... Uh."
The man chuckled softly.
He had a well-balanced, muscular build that screamed vanguard, but the moment he laid eyes on Scarlet, his words caught in his throat.
"Don't you know any manners? We were here first."
"Uh, um. Y-yeah, sure."
"...?"
Scarlet had expected him to talk back.
But seeing him back down so easily left her puzzled instead.
'What's his deal?'
"Ateu, I told you not to rush ahead."
"Scarlet, what's going on?"
Ateu's apparent companions and Nellis approached the counter.
The group that came with the man.
A robed, glasses-wearing man who looked like a mage bowed his head politely.
"Sorry about that. One of our party members cut in."
"Oh? Is that right?"
"Y-yeah. Pretty much..."
"See? Ateu, hurry up and apologize."
"Yeah... S-sorry."
"...? Ateu is... apologizing?"
"Scarlet, he apologized, so don't give him such a hard time."
"Who said I was giving him a hard time?! Who do you think I am, some feisty bantam rooster?!"
"Ow! Ow! Stop poking my side!"
"What's going on?"
"Is something wrong?"
As Nellis was followed by Kalt and Aria approaching the counter, the young priest in cleric robes with narrow eyes and a sturdy build, who had come with the mage, bowed his head as well.
"Our group cut in midway. We're sorry. Please don't mind us and go ahead with your request."
Scarlet finished up her business first and spoke to the receptionist.
"The Indomitable Hero Nellis Party will take the orc extermination."
"Yes, registering you now."
The moment the receptionist finished, Scarlet spun around.
"Let's go."
Scarlet headed for the door, taking the lead.
The man called Ateu stared blankly at her retreating back.
"Ateu, what's wrong with you?"
"..."
"Ateu? Hey. Snap out of it."
"Hmmm~."
Kalt glanced back and forth between Scarlet and Ateu, moving only his eyes.
'Looks like I just witnessed a classic youthful love-at-first-sight moment. Though for that guy, it'll probably end in tragedy.'
Even to Kalt's eyes, this vanguard named Ateu was clearly smitten with Scarlet at first glance.
But Scarlet seemed utterly oblivious to it.
Besides, Scarlet was someone Kalt himself planned to train personally later on.
Kalt figured there was no way her heart would ever turn toward Ateu.
"What a weird guy."
As they left the guild, Scarlet mentioned Ateu.
"That guy from earlier."
"Yeah, I thought he'd pick a fight after cutting in, but he suddenly clammed up."
"Not everyone in the world bristles at people like you do, Scarlet. If he thought he was wrong, he apologized... Ow ow! Stop with the side pokes!"
"I don't do that to just anyone! Would you act nice to someone trying to cut in line?!"
"But that guy seemed a bit off."
"Oh, yeah, I thought it was weird too. He started to retort at first, then just went quiet. Wonder why."
"Maybe he got scared looking into your eyes... Ow!"
Watching the three of them—who had zero romantic experience but were reacting with such pure innocence—Kalt couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Pfft!"
"What? Why're you laughing all of a sudden?"
"No, I just didn't expect you all to be this clueless."
"Clueless about what?"
"Why that vanguard Ateu suddenly lost his tongue."
"Kalt, you know?"
"Of course~."
"Why, then?"
Kalt thought holding back would lead to fun reactions.
But then.
'Nah, spilling it might be even more entertaining.'
"Because he fell for you."
"...What?"
"Whoa!"
"My goodness."
Scarlet tilted her head in confusion, as if she didn't get it.
Nellis's eyes widened in admiration.
Aria covered her mouth and blinked.
Scarlet crossed her arms and demanded an explanation from Kalt.
"What kind of nonsense is that? Why would that guy fall for me? That doesn't make any sense."
"Why doesn't it?"
"Who falls for someone right off the bat? If you're gonna tease, at least make it believable. And aren't you supposed to tease your own teammates?"
Scarlet genuinely believed there was no way Ateu could have fallen for her.
Her reaction only amused Kalt more.
"Scarlet, you're denser than I thought. Anyone could see that was love at first sight."
"What?"
"Whoa! Love at first sight!"
"To think such things happen..."
"Hey, why are you two buying into this? Ugh, you guys are both so innocent."
Scarlet flicked up her right index finger while keeping her arms crossed and lectured Kalt like a teacher.
"Listen up, Kalt. Love at first sight? That doesn't exist. Falling for someone or loving them only happens after you get to know them and see their outstanding charms or merits. Falling at first sight without knowing a thing? Ridiculous."
"Well~, at least that guy seemed to know one thing about you pretty well."
"No, we just met today. What could he possibly know about me?"
Scarlet asked sincerely, truly baffled, so Kalt tapped his cheek and said,
"That you're pretty. Isn't your looks merit enough?"
"..."
'What pointless drivel.'
'Hah, look at her face. She's totally thinking it's nonsense.'
Scarlet had good reason to think that way.
In her view of the world, the most important thing about a person was their ability.
Combat prowess ranked first, followed by personality.
Looks weren't high on her list.
The idea that someone could fall at first sight over appearance? She couldn't accept it easily.
And coming from Kalt, who had a handsome face himself, it irked her even more.
Scarlet glanced at Nellis and Aria.
The two were looking at Kalt's words with the excited eyes of kids hearing a fascinating story.
'They're both falling for this idiot talk hook, line, and sinker. Ah, I get it. He's just messing with me to enjoy their reactions, huh?'
Scarlet knew teammates often traded silly jokes.
But she hadn't expected Kalt to pull one on her at a time like this.
Especially with his lips twitching like he was holding back a grin—it screamed teasing.
'Thinks he's got more experience as a hero party senior, so he picks on the juniors... Kalt's got his idiot moments too.'
No matter how reliable a senior and helpful benefactor he was, Scarlet reminded herself he was still human.
"Kalt, enough with the stupid talk. Let's hurry and go hunt some orcs..."
"Wait!"
Ateu came rushing out of the guild, shouting at Nellis's party.
"Huh?"
'What's this guy's deal, talking to us again?'
"Y-you guys are going for orc extermination too, right?"
"So?"
"We're heading out for orcs too! Wanna team up if you're okay with it?"
"What?"
Ateu stammered, looking nervous.
"I-I may not look it, but I'm a promising hero in the making! I'm the Strong-Arm Hero! Ateu Marcus! What do ya think?!"
"...Think about what?"
"Y-you don't see these thick arms? These pecs too!"
Thump thump! Ateu pounded his biceps and chest to show off.
"My blessing is simple and strong! Power enhancement! Any monster that gets hit by my fist is done for!"
"And? Orcs are plenty doable with just us."
"N-no, I mean, that's..."
"Ateu! Why're you charging ahead alone again?!"
Ateu's companion burst out from the guild.
"Makbels! I was just trying to find a party to team up with."
"Team up? You, who was always bragging we were fine on our own..."
"Hey! A real man knows when to cooperate sometimes! Right, Takeshin?!"
"Lord Ateu's words ring true. But I do wonder why you've suddenly become so cooperative. Heh heh heh!"
"What do you mean 'why'? I've always been a team player! Asking for help and offering it when needed—a reliable hero!"
"...You?"
"Tch! Makbels, why the nitpicking."
Nellis and Aria whispered softly as they watched Ateu bicker with his teammate.
"Whoa, Aria. Kalt was right. That guy's into Scarlet..."
"Yeah. Who'd have thought something like this would happen to Scarlet. Amazing."
"Officially certified by Kalt: the beautiful Scarlet. A femme fatale! She's captured a male hero's heart...!"
"I told you to quit with the stupid talk!"
"Ow~ D-don't pinch my cheeks~!"
On one side: Ateu trying to impress the smitten Scarlet, with his teammate sniping at him.
On the other: Scarlet still denying Ateu's love-at-first-sight and yanking Nellis's cheeks.
Kalt watched both sides and thought,
He wanted to see more of this comedic skit.
Kalt approached Ateu.
"Hey, you're the Strong-Arm Hero Ateu, right?"
"Huh? Yeah!"
"This seems like a good opportunity. We'll take you up on your offer to hunt orcs together."
"Whoa!"
"What!?"
Ateu's joyful shout and Scarlet's stunned cry rang out at the same time.