Volume 3 Chapter 92 Please Don’t Misunderstand
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Alright everyone, enough chit-chat. We need to focus on more urgent matters than my love life.”
”I’m pretty sure Lord Kian’s romantic entanglements have already turned into a dangerous diplomatic nightmare──with knives metaphorically pointed at him from all sides, if you ask me.”
”Calm! If we drag our feet, Rean and the others’ lives will be on the line! And if the Mr. Owl investigation team shows up, things could get really messy. Before that happens, we need to clear this quest completely. In other words, we have to decide──right now──who we’ll send through the teleportation circle to the other side!”
”Exactly what the Master said, everyone.”
Rufna snaps her fingers loudly and steps forward.
She keeps going.
”We’re seriously dealing with lives here. Once the crystal arrives, we have to jump immediately. We can only send 2 or 3 people──and whoever goes has to be flexible enough to handle whatever comes. Someone who can use teleportation and check on the sick, plus a scout who’s good at sneaking around and can fight if it comes down to it. Let’s nail this down, fast.”
”I’m going. And Ms. Priscilla’s staying behind.”
”Tch, you slipped away.”
”What was that?”
”Nothing at all.”
The silver-haired witch clearly said “nothing” in a way that screamed something, then backed away from Kian.
Her high-ranking ghost finally released its grip from Kian’s face.
”I will accompany you as well. It’s my duty as a retainer to protect my lord closer than anyone else.”
”Hold on. Milady’s role overlaps way too much with the Master’s. What we need is a witch who can teleport and treat the sick. That means it’s either me or other Milady.”
Rufna glanced back at Sarah.
Sarah nodded.
”I’ll go. I can handle swordplay, magic, scouting, and healing──all of it, without fail.”
”Oh? The golden duo reforming? Master, got any objections?”
”No objections here. I’d even want Serena to come along. She’s got razor-sharp instincts, and being Beastmen, she could help diffuse any conflicts if we get tangled with those mercenaries over there. We’ve got word that the ‘Storm Herd’ is on the battlefield, but…”
”It’s fine, really. I doubt they even give a second thought to someone like me who’s been exiled. More importantly, I want to join because I can track the ‘Lion’s Companion,’ spot enemy movements, and offer all sorts of support. I’ve been around the Nordende River plenty of times, so I know the terrain well.”
”It’s settled then.”
”It’s frustrating, but there’s no helping it. Lord Okina, Lady Serena, I’m counting on you to look after our lord.”
”Got it. If he tries to bother the village girls over there, I’ll make sure he get a proper scolding.”
”That’s not what I meant…”
Rufna shot Serena a look dripping with disbelief.
Priscilla casually poked her head forward.
”Lord Kian, don’t forget to grab some samples from the living dead, okay~?”
”Understood. One male, one female specimen suffices?”
Kian asked, and Priscilla shook her head firmly.
”I trust your judgment. We have 0 clue what these samples might look like, so I don’t want to get you tangled up in picky demands.”
”Got it. It won’t be easy, but I’ll find something suitable.”
”Good. I’m counting on you. As for the ‘Gray Bear’s Group’ on our side, consider it fully in our hands.”
”Leave dealing with Lord Owl to us at the Adventurer Guild. We’ll hold down this base tight until you all get back.”
Nodding in agreement with John’s steady words, it’s time to gear up in ‘Silver Ice’ and wait by the teleportation circle.
Now’s the moment to move before the ladies start rehashing that earlier conversation.
After excusing himself to John and the others, Kian stepped away from the group.
* * *
At the abandoned house in front of the temple where he’d been staying, he changed into ‘Silver Ice,’ strapped on the Windsong Blade and his backpack.
The Elixir was safely tucked away in the backpack, but with the food supplies dwindling, it seemed wise to head to the Guild’s tent and restock.
Rean and the others would be hungry too; might as well grab extra.
No harm in being prepared.
With these thoughts swirling, Kian stepped out of the abandoned house.
That’s when a surge of Lyritisse’s magic power washed over him, coming from the direction of the plaza with the towering statue of Erynys──the place where the Guild’s healers set up camp.
He halted, waiting, and soon enough, a woman with flaxen hair, carrying a basket filled with preserved foods in both hands, approached with precise steps.
Her rich hair was neatly tied back, and she wore a pristine white blouse paired with a sky-blue miniskirt and black tights──her usual Adventurer’s attire.
”Ms. Lyritisse, are you sure you should be up and about?”
”Good morning, Kian. I’m fine, really. Sorry to worry you.”
Where had the exhausted figure from 2 days ago vanished to?
In fact, she looked healthier than ever, with a rosy complexion that Kian had rarely seen on her.
The magic power surging within her emitted a strong wave that was all too familiar to Kian.
Once more, he was reminded of her skill──not just as a Witch, but as an exceptional one.
Unlike the slender Christy or Priscilla, Lyritisse, who roamed far and wide on adventures, had a healthier build.
Not bulky, but her form was curvaceous and sensual, with well-defined lines.
Her hips, strong enough to bear healthy children; her thighs, firm and muscular; the shapely contours of her calves.
The black tights she wore only fueled male desires further.
(And thinking like that is exactly why I’ll get an earful later. I’m a man who never stops learning. No more mistakes for me.)
”These are preserved foods. You’re about to be teleported, right? Should I put them in your backpack?”
She spoke with a brisk tone, devoid of the shadowy aura that Christy had.
There was a certain charisma in her expressions, posture, and speech that naturally drew people to her.
When she’s with Rean, Lyritisse always steps back, letting him take the lead while she supports from behind.
But deep down, she’s just like Sarah──just a fiery spirit waiting to break free.
”Yes. It’ll be me, Okina, and Serena making the jump. We want to avoid putting too much strain on the formation, so we decided to keep the group small, especially since we’ll want to use it on the way back.”
”I see. ──Um, Kian?”
”Yeah?”
She suddenly turns serious, tilting her head like she’s about to say something important.
Lyritisse meets Kian’s deep black eyes head-on and speaks clearly.
”Thank you. And… I’m sorry.”
”No, no. I appreciate the gratitude, but you don’t have to apologize. Everyone makes mistakes──even a Rank 1 Adventurer. The important thing is I’m glad we managed to keep you safe.”
”No, that’s not it. It’s just… you, Kian, lost your job before because of us. Even after you patiently taught us the ABCs of adventuring, we chose points and profit over you and discarded you like you were nothing. Looking back, that was unforgivable.”
”Unforgivable? Not at all. Money matters. When I was around, even though I was jobless in the party, the loot got split 5 ways instead of 4. For a rookie Adventurer, that difference──one-quarter or one-fifth──can mean life or death.”
When the rewards dry up, meals get stingy, and there’s barely enough left for weapon repairs or armor maintenance.
That’s why most lower-rank parties stick to 4 people──the max for bonus Guild contribution points.
’Lion’s Companion’ just did what everyone does.
Still, Lyritisse shakes her head, unconvinced.
”Sir Rean had his magic sword and enchanted armor. Vest and I had magic too. Only Ninini’s the expensive one. We could have split 5 ways and still gotten by comfortably. But for a few copper coins, we cast you out.”
”Even a handful of copper coins can make all the difference over a year of quests. Rean needs a backup weapon, just like you and Ms. Vestacia. I think the chances of survival were higher with me out of the party. Though, saying that myself feels a bit pointless.”
”‘Lion’s Companion’ quickly found its footing financially. Even as the meals we ate went from scraps of bread to lavish lamb, we never thought of calling you back. On the contrary, when we saw you wandering the streets, we deliberately looked the other way.”
”Well, I did look like a homeless person. Not my nickname, but I’ve been rummaging through trash like some cathedral rat.”
”Kian──”
He tried to joke it off, but Lyritisse’s scowl only deepened, turning colder.
”Please stop belittling yourself. It tramples on the feelings of those who care about you.”
”Do you think I’m seriously swallowing my pride?”
”Well… it doesn’t really come across that way.”
”Ms. Lyritisse, what exactly are you trying to say? If you’re worried about me quitting, don’t be. I’m not bothered. Just… let it go.”
”I’m not saying this because I want your forgiveness.”
”Then what is it?”
”No one brushes off losing their job without feeling anything. Why lie?”
”Hah. Would you be satisfied if I shouted that I hate you all? Truth is, I’m on a different level now. A few months ago, maybe. But now? The past doesn’t mean a thing.”
”……”
”Anything else you want to say?”
Lyritisse opened her mouth to say, ‘Why would you──’ but quickly shut it tight.
”Nothing! Thank you for your help this time! Please give my regards to Sir Rean, Vest, and Ninini!”
”Of course.”
After saying that, Kian added, almost reflexively, “That’s just my job,” as if he couldn’t help himself.
Sure enough, Lyritisse’s eyebrows twitched.
(Did it again, huh? This woman’s got some serious qualities worth respecting… but dealing with her still feels like walking through thorns.)
’It’s rare to hear you dislike women, isn’t it?’
(I don’t dislike her. I just… don’t get along well.)
’So which is it…?’
”Let me help pack food into the backpack.”
”No thanks. I’ll handle it myself. Ms. Lyritisse, you should get back to bed.”
Kian’s tone was completely uninterested, but Lyritisse’s sharp eyes twisted, nostrils flaring, as she dropped the basket right there.
He expected her to storm off in anger, but instead, she carefully pulled out the items, scorching their surfaces with magic to write labels like ‘Painkiller’ and ‘Dried Meat (For Sir Rean).’
”Put the backpack down. Start by packing stuff at the bottom first──things like dried meat that can be broken.”
”────”
”Don’t get me wrong. I’m just doing my job to keep the team safe. Yeah, ‘that’s just my job!’”
The head magician with flaxen hair kept dredging up Kian’s past words, repeating them back with a pointed smirk.
No feelings of like or dislike shifted, just an overwhelming sense of annoyance.
(I knew it wouldn’t work out. No matter how good she is, we’re just painfully incompatible.)
’Is that so?’
”Yeah.”
”What do you mean?”
Kian snatched the bag of dried meat from Lyritisse’s doubtful frown.
He smiled, softening his gaze with a flash of white teeth.
”I wasn’t talking to you. So don’t get the wrong idea.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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