Chapter 361: Roped Weekend

———Qyunda———

<11: 04 am>

“Hmm… So this is the place?” I said as we stepped foot in the town.

“It should be. A town known for the scandal involving one of those secret bases, and apparently a place of a formidable warrior. One that we have seen before.” Malk replied. “...Not a whole lot going on. I heard this is one of the places where no one really dared to invade.”

“Since it’s that woman, this place is very secure.” We all still remembered how strong she was. Both her and that guy were definitely a tier or two higher than we were with only Emmie matching or surpassing them. “I don’t think there are many places with people at her level. It’s convenient that she only lives one state above. I really want to see how strong she is now.”

“I wouldn’t get my hopes up. The few times we get any action is when the opposing side is causing unwarranted trouble. I don’t think anything like that will happen here.” Malk said. With that woman around, the amount of people trying anything stupid would be low, which means we might not get any pretext at all…

“Let’s test our luck, and at least check the dungeon here as well.” I said before taking the lead as we began exploring the town. It’s definitely nothing special, just bog standard stuff. “Hmm… I can’t feel her energy at all. If she let it out even a little bit this entire area would have been covered by her scent.”

“I think if she wasn’t careful with managing her presence her allies would probably be scared restless all the time, and perhaps this place will have a different reputation.” Malk remarked as we kept moving. “We can’t really feel the presence of others, so they are all at least good enough to have a proper resting state.”

“The whole guild was invited at one point, right? I don’t think they’ll be invited like that unless the overall quality is high.” I pointed out. Even the weakest member probably contributes to all the materials being sold… I still don’t know where they are being sent to with everything going on right now. “They are probably pretty strong if they have nothing better to do. Do you think their growth will be significant?”

“Probably not, they most likely don’t have the kind of stuff we have.” He dismissed the possibility. “No blacksmiths or any shady but reliable traders, at least as far as we’re aware.”

“We don’t even have the former.” I pointed out. We got traders coming out at night, but that’s about it in terms of weapon supply. We don’t need it, but the other adventurers definitely do.

“...That reminds me, didn’t Gregori try his hands at it at one point or another?” Malk asked. “I believe it ended in failure, right?”

“I think he got a few good results, but the weapons don’t last long since he was brute-forcing it with random materials.” I recap the event. “Ultimately it pales in comparison to what that elf managed to do.”

“That one was clearly a seasoned blacksmith. Probably thousands of years of experience, there is no way Gregori can compare with a holiday project.” Malk said with some amusement.

“You would think someone in our class would have a bit of interest in that. It is an important role in the grand scale of things, and clearly the big shots aren’t monopolizing it for a reason.” Someone like that elf can easily craft weapons for everyone. We might only get to look at her workshop for a bit, but it’s clear she has a lot of resources and connections.

“Sounds interesting, but I don’t think he’ll actually be keen on taking that profession. Wasn’t he gonna study robotics?” Malk pointed out.

“...Speaking of robotics, why hasn’t that little spy bot left by now? It’s not like she even has a cover at this point.” We rarely talked about her nowadays but that government plant is still walking around despite everything happening? It’s quite odd.

“Probably left out to dry alongside her handler. The whole operation is probably a wash at this point.” He speculated. “Considering they weren’t torn to pieces by the school’s higher-ups the moment their little mission started, they don’t need to fear them, at least. Probably could even live a semi-normal life in the town, seeking asylum.”

“I guess that’s true. That doll doesn't pose a threat to anyone, so no point in not letting that thing and the handler roam free.” Even if her presence is a bit grating, not much would be gained from getting rid of her. 

“Indeed… Hm?” Malk replied before noticing something. I believe that is the guild building of this town. Got the symbol and everything.

We can also sense the power signatures as well. When we’re in such close proximity to them it’s basically impossible for them to be concealed without actively suppressing it.

“Decent power in all of them.” I remarked as we looked through the glass wall. “We can crush them like those little pretzel snacks, but they are certainly above average, right?”

“I think the ones in our guilds are notably stronger.” Malk pointed out.

“Of course they are.” They also have access to some resources and conveniences that the other towns and cities don’t. It’d be insane if they were lacking. “Anyway, there are like a dozen of them hanging out in the lobby. That’s a rare sight.”

“Probably because she’s also here.” Malk pointed out. “...They’re having a lunch break right now. Odd.”

“...Monster meat?” I said, noticing a faint trace of mana in the meals. Those came from either ingredients born from magically-enhanced crops, or more likely, monster corpses. “No wonder they get some strength behind them. If it wasn’t for that cheap cheesesteak option people might not be tricked into eating it.”

“Do you think they know? I don’t think they do.” Malk asked.

“Probably not, but that’s not our problem.” I replied. “I guess we shouldn’t interrupt them right now, right?”

“Perhaps not. We can come here after one dungeon run.” Malk suggested.

“Now where are you two going?” Before we could continue with the conversation, someone suddenly called out to us. We turned to look at the source of the voice and see the blonde woman with green eyes staring at us. “Now what are you two doing here?”

…Does she recognize us? We didn’t really exchange words the few times we were in the same area.

“Not going to explain?” She said before she suddenly pulled out a giant sword from nowhere. It reflects light off its smooth white surface, and it looks almost as tall as she is.

“Whoa whoa whoa! Don’t do anything rash now!” I spoke up first as she paused her movement. We still don’t know what she’s capable of, and this is not an ideal place to fight anyway. “We’re just here to… sightsee? Right, Malk?”

“Something like that.” He said while maintaining a stoic expression, at least try to sound a little bit reaffirming!

“I see… But why here, of all places?” She asked. It felt like she really does recognize us with her tone and attitude. I feel like she would have been way more abrasive if she didn’t.

“Because you’re strong. We want to see what a place ruled by someone strong like you looks like.” Malk answered. I guess that’s not exactly wrong, but it also sounds a bit weird.

“...That’s a weird thing for two brats to do.” She remarked, clearly not taking us that seriously. “I can’t tell if I’m glad it’s at least not that mouse. She is a handful but at least her intentions are clear.”

“Just a bit of curiosity, making the best use of our weekend.” I said to justify our actions a bit. There’s not a lot to do on these two days anyway… Also, is she referring to Emmie? I feel like there was a conversation about that at some point?

“Hmph. Let’s hope that’s all there is to it.” She said before putting her sword away. Where did she put it? Some sort of pocket space, it seems. “Now then, why don’t you come inside in the meantime? Just to make sure you two aren’t wandering around aimlessly.”

“...I guess we’ll take up on the offer?” I said with Malk silently nodding along.

The three of us then entered the guild and ignored everyone still eating and minding their own business. Probably best for us to not interrupt them at such an important mealtime.

We all sat at the same table, and she rested one hand on her bag.

“So, have you two eaten?” She asked like a concerned parent.

“We did?” I answered while feeling a bit confused.

“Alright then.” She said before moving her hand off her bag. It looks small, if a bit wide. “Hmm… As I expected, that mouse is too much of an outlier.”

“You really shouldn’t compare her to anyone.” Malk pointed out. “How did you come to address her in such a manner?”

“It’s a bit of an old story. I believe our first encounter could be explained by her and that crowgirl she was with.” She said without elaborating any more. So Emmie and Kenni… I think I heard about it in passing, but with so little details it wasn’t worth bringing up. I guess that’s something to grill them about after the trip is over for today.

“Certainly something they need to elaborate more on.” Malk remarked before he looked around, observing the condition of the guild building compared to our own. “One of the nicer ones we have seen, that’s for sure.”

“...Just how many places have you been to?” She asked while squinting her eyes at us.

“Not that many. We couldn't even go anywhere last week because of that thing that happened.” I explained. “A lot has been going on. A nice trip to other places is hard to come by nowadays. This is one of the more peaceful places from what we know.”

“That is flattering, but the fact that you two are here even with everything going on makes that explanation sound weak.” She said, continuing to scrutinize us. “...No matter, let’s talk about something else for now. It’s hard to tell which of you two is stronger. You two are very close in strength.”

“Obviously I’m stronger.” I said with a smug face.

“Can you really say that with complete certainty?” Malk quickly tried to rebuke me.

“Wanna test that right now, big guy?” I said while staring at him.

“Hey, don’t start a fight here.” The swordswoman said with a harsh tone. “I suppose that’s not the best question to ask anyway. Fighting is way more than just raw strength, correct?”

“And I am better at that.” I insisted. I’m pretty sure I contributed more to that floating island expedition than Malk.

“And where is your evidence on that front?” Malk asked.

“Enough.” She said to shut us up again. “That’s my bad for thinking I wasn’t asking a hard hitting question. So what are you planning to do here, actually?”

“Anything fun, really.” I replied without thinking much about it. “Some action will be good, but you don’t look like you are in the mood for that.”

“Should I be?” She said, clearly finding the concept of fighting for fun to be foreign to her, or at least something she wouldn’t regularly indulge in. She then suddenly turned around to look at all the guys eating their early lunch. “Hmm… Extra hands wouldn’t hurt.”

“What are you planning?” I asked, feeling a bit nervous.

“Nothing nefarious. Just a bit of help for today.” She said while not elaborating on what is actually on her mind.

“Out with it.” Malk said, not wanting to be left dry.

“Hey, Lerim, who are these two?” A new face walked over with her lunchbox empty.

“Visitors from elsewhere. They’ll help your group train later today.” Huh!?

“These two? They look kinda young.” The black-haired woman commented.

“Doesn’t matter. You’ll see their prowess in a bit.” She spoke up before we could. “Do you need a refill? You can get an extra box."

“That’d be great!” She said before receiving an extra lunchbox from… her small bag? She then walked away to continue eating.

“You wouldn’t disappoint them, I presume?” She said with a smirk once she turned her attention back to us.

Do you seriously have to pin us down like that?

“Well… We do get to fight, at least?” I said, still bewildered by how bold she was. Looks like our schedule will be a bit full for the few upcoming hours…