Volume 4 Chapter 45 The Silver Shadow Goddess
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”I’m free now. Open up, I want to see what’s going on over there.”
’Understood.’
The moment those words were spoken, the door of the Love Hotel swung open.
It was Tifi who opened the door from outside the forest.
She was inside a tent.
Outside the Shadow Forest, an outdoor base where adventurers gather, it was a temporary branch of the Adventurers’ Guild.
In one corner, it seemed like a personal space for staff.
I step out alone.
This is a safe position.
Lifia and the others should rest for a while.
Emerging from the tent, I see a swarm of demon sardines dancing in the sky above.
Under the blue sky, they seem to swim through the air.
From below, their silver scales shimmer in the light.
Occasionally, a few dart off towards the forest, returning covered in blood.
It seems they’re hunting nearby monsters.
”Was it that dangerous, Tifi?”
I ask Tifi.
A few demon sardines always accompany her as guards.
There shouldn’t be a need to deploy them in a flock unless an unusually large number of monsters were attacking.
”It wasn’t that I was in danger myself, but temporarily, there were more monsters than expected, and the damage was about to spread to this area…”
Goblins, orcs, wolves, boars.
A myriad of monsters surged in like a flood.
They broke through the adventurers’ defenses and pressed in.
Adventurers are professionals who bet their lives on the line.
Their deaths are a part of everyday life.
Tifi is realistic about it.
But Guild staff are essentially non-combatants.
She couldn’t ignore the danger to her colleagues.
The demon sardines are a force acquired on the 5th Floor of the dungeon.
She would have preferred to keep them hidden.
”People already know you’re using them, right?”
”Right after I released them, it caused confusion with a new group of monsters, so I had to reveal that I was controlling them. I’m sorry.”
Walking through the base, the eyes of adventurers and staff alike turn to us.
Specifically to Tifi.
The way the adventurers look at her is not just as a guild receptionist.
Envy, surprise, or maybe caution.
You could see each one of them harboring complex emotions.
”It’s fine. If they believe Tifi is necessary, then that’s the right call.”
Her expression softens when I answer.
”Thank you. When I send out the demon sardines, I make sure not to reveal the door.”
”Then that’s not a problem. Well done.”
”Yes.”
The Command Bracelet used to control the demon sardines is a known item.
It’s widely recognized.
But demon sardines themselves are pretty rare.
And anyone familiar with the dungeon knows that demon sardines dwell on the 5th Floor.
Soon, it’ll probably become common knowledge that we’re active on the 5th Floor.
Well, whatever.
As long as no one knows the details of my ‘Love Hotel’ skill, we’re safe.
Out of the 31 heroes, only about 20 remain.
We’ve gotten much stronger.
We’ve even fought heroes before.
Now, even if the palace folks know how strong I am, it won’t matter.
The heroes left in the royal city might be stronger than before, but there’s no huge gap ── not enough to worry about.
”So, what’s their impression of this demon sardine?”
”Everyone’s gotten used to it now. They rely on it. Since the base is safer, everyone feels more at ease.”
”That’s good to hear.”
When I nod, Tifi’s expression tightens just a little.
”And… the branch chief wants to talk about the demon sardine. If possible, would you meet with him? Of course, no pressure.”
”Would it be better to meet?”
”Probably. The branch chief is a calm person. If we talk, I think he’ll understand.”
If she says that, then I’ll meet him.
I’ll report everything ── the cause of the rampage, the dragon zombie, the necromancer, and the Demon Race.
It’ll probably help settle this chaos faster.
”Alright, then let’s meet. Lead the way.”
”Thank you. This way, please.”
The guild’s temporary branch outside the forest, set up as a makeshift base.
Tents stretch across the area, with adventurers moving between battles ── some resting, some preparing ── everywhere I look.
The sky’s filled with swarms of demon sardines, swirling around, their slicing through the wind reaching my ears.
The adventurers’ eyes are on me, their gazes full of doubt.
Tifi’s already famous as the demon sardines’ master, but I bet they’re questioning why I’m walking next to her.
We step into a massive tent, bustling with activity.
Inside, tables and documents are cluttered everywhere, with numerous guild staff bustling about.
At the back, there’s a guy with a real presence.
He’s leaning over a desk, scanning through papers, but looks up when he senses us.
Sharp gaze, a body honed by battle – he’s a seasoned warrior, no doubt.
Yet he’s got class too.
It’s an odd mix.
”Branch Chief, I’ve come to explain about the demon sardine matter.”
Tifi steps forward to speak.
”Hmph, you finally decided to talk. Is that man involved?”
”Yes, this is Mr. Taro, who entrusted me with the Command Bracelet. He’s also my husband.”
The Branch Chief’s brow twitches slightly.
He seems intrigued by the fact that we’re a couple deeply involved in this case.
I step up and introduce myself.
”I’m Taro, a Bronze Rank adventurer.”
The Branch Chief’s eyes pierce right through me.
No hostility.
Just sizing me up.
”Izness Tiny. I’m the acting branch chief here at the dungeon base.”
He settles heavily into his chair and pushes a parchment on the desk aside.
”We’re saved thanks to the demon sardines. Frankly, I’m not happy that my staff was hiding such strength.”
He narrows his eyes.
He’s not hiding his discomfort.
Well, I get it.
You wouldn’t feel good if your underlings were hiding a powerful force.
Especially not in an emergency.
If we’d known, our strategic options would’ve been wider.
”It was my call to keep it hidden. I wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble.”
”I see.”
Izness slightly tucks in his chin and leans back in his chair.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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