Volume 3 Chapter 18 It's Trouble, But...
As we hurried back to the royal capital in a carriage, the atmosphere was tense. Despite the early hour, there was hardly anyone on the streets, and soldiers whom we rarely saw were bustling about, busy with their tasks.
"I'll go back to the clinic for now. It's going to get busy, and I need to restock the medicine."
After parting ways with Kyunei near the gate, we rushed towards the guild. As we passed by soldiers a few times along the way, their gaze shifted strangely between me and Mikage, captivated by her beauty and ample bosom.
'A typical reaction.'
We arrived at the guild while listening to Gram's murmurs. When we entered the building, it was overflowing with people like I had never seen before.
As soon as Mikage appeared, many eyes turned towards her. And as expected, the gaze directed at me was filled with suspicion and hostility, as if I were an intruder.
"Ah, should I wait outside? "
"...It would be better. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, so don't worry about it."
I smiled at Mikage, who lowered her head, and then I stepped outside the guild. If we continued to stay together inside the guild, I had a feeling that trouble would arise.
However, I wasn't just standing there idly.
"Gram, can you pick up on their conversation inside?"
'Yeah, leave it to me. I'll take care of it and relay it to you, partner.'
Even though I couldn't hear the muffled sounds from inside the building, Gram could sense them. Thanks to that, I was able to grasp the situation to some extent.
It all started yesterday afternoon. Right around the time we started fighting a pack of goblins.
Suddenly, without any warning, a large number of monsters appeared near the royal capital.
Recently, there has been an increase in monsters, but luckily, the security in the royal capital had been strengthened. Although the sudden situation was mysterious and its cause unknown, the "early" discovery of the monsters led to their defeat by the stationed soldiers in the royal capital without any problems.
However, it wasn't over yet.
New monsters started appearing from somewhere, and it wasn't just once or twice. As time passed, the number of monsters kept increasing.
At first, people suspected a Monster Rampage (Stampede), but that was quickly proven wrong. The types of monsters in the group were all different, so it couldn't have been a rampage.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the military requested assistance from the Mercenary Guild. As a result, the mercenaries joined the fight against the monsters.
The guild has decided to gather mercenaries of 2nd rank or higher who can be called upon urgently. As a result, Mikage, who was working in a place not far from the royal capital, received a summons order.
Gram summarized the conversation like this.
"But I didn't see any monster corpses or anything on the way to the royal capital, considering."
If they had defeated as many as they claimed, there should have been scattered corpses. However, the road we passed through in the carriage was clean, with no monster corpses at all.
'Well, that's because a large group of monsters appeared on the opposite side of the road we returned from the royal capital. So there should be piles of corpses on the other side.'
Now the appearance of monsters has settled down and is in a temporary lull. However, there is no guarantee that monsters will not appear again, and the state of alertness continues.
"But is it possible for a large number of monsters to appear in a place where there is nothing? Well, it's actually happening."
'Maybe it's some kind of 'summoning magic'.'
Was it magic that can bring distant objects or creatures close to you? I've only heard about it in stories.
'The difficulty of using this magic is extremely high, and it requires talent. Moreover, summoning just ten things is one thing, but summoning hundreds of them multiple times is quite a feat.'
"...Wait a minute."
As I listened to the conversation, I realized a more fundamental issue.
"If this 'summoning magic' you're talking about was actually used, does that mean this commotion is 'artificial'?"
'Yeah, well, whether it's 'artificial' or not is a bit questionable.'
If Gram's concerns are all true, then the arrival of these large-scale monsters must have some kind of intention behind it.
'Oh, partner, it seems like the rumored Brave-sama is hurrying to the royal capital.'
Gram, who had been continuously eavesdropping on the conversations within the guild, overheard some valuable information.
Relix and his companions are already well-known figures in the country. Relix himself is already a 2nd-ranked mercenary. Thanks to the other talented members, their team is considered on par with 1st-ranked mercenaries.
In fact, it seems that Mikage once formed a temporary team with Brave. She said that his skills lived up to the rumors.
'They say they'll arrive at our location within a few hours. With people like Yacco-san around, we don't have to worry too much.'
"...I hope so."
'Huh? You sound strangely suspicious, partner.'
It's not like I doubt Relix's abilities. Being from the same hometown, I know how exceptional he is. Although we haven't been seeing each other as often lately, every time we meet, I can feel an increasing sense of awe emanating from Relix.
However, as a Brave, there was something that bothered me a little bit in a completely different way.
Even though it's just a vague feeling, my heart doesn't feel at ease.
'And what about you, partner?'
"Well, let me think..."
Although I don't have many acquaintances in the royal capital, there are people who have helped me. It would leave a bad taste in my mouth to abandon them.
And above all, there's the matter of the "young lady."
Even though it has only been twice, I can't just silently let this royal capital, where I spent precious time with that young lady, be destroyed.
But at the same time, simply participating in a counterattack against the monsters doesn't seem right either.
I can't seem to find a suitable solution.
As I pondered, the loud sound of a bell echoed throughout the royal capital.
'We don't have time to hesitate anymore. It seems they have arrived.'
The guild was getting noisy even from outside the building.
Perhaps, the bell ringing now signaled the appearance of monsters. In other words, a large number of monsters were probably heading towards the royal capital right at this moment.
Just as Gram had said, there was no time to hesitate.
The guild's door was forcefully opened, and the mercenaries rushed out all at once. They were probably heading outside the gate to confront the approaching monsters.
"Yukina-sama!"
Mikage ran towards me through the wave of mercenaries.
"I understand the general situation. Are you going, Mikage?"
"Yes. As the 2nd rank, it's my duty, but as a martial artist, I can't overlook this kind of situation."
Mikage seemed determined.
And she's probably already decided how I'm going to respond to that.
So, I feel a little sorry for saying 'that' now. However, I've already given up.
"So, Yukina-sama--"
"I'm sorry, but I'll 'stay'"
"...Eh?"
I spoke again to Mikage, who let out a disappointed voice.
"I will remain in Royal Capital. I will not participate in the interception operation."
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