Volume 3 Chapter 3 It Feels Like DéJà Vu, But...
As I continue my training with Mikage and gain experience as a mercenary, Relix is on a different path.
Things seem to be going well for him. I've heard that he has become unbeatable within the castle, except for the generals and some elite fighters.
By mercenary standards, Relix already possesses the skills of a 2nd-ranking mercenary. He truly is amazing as a Brave-sama. We started our combat training around the same time in village, but he has grown into a much more powerful individual.
It's a bit frustrating to face someone I know so well. However, I understand that if he didn't reach this level, he wouldn't be able to embark on the journey to defeat the Demon King.
Recently, it seems that he has been going on "expeditions" not only around the royal capital but also to cities that are a few days' walk away. He seems to be taking on long-abandoned requests at the local Mercenary Guild, which is known as being "salted."
Originally, the Mercenary Guild's principle is to only provide job opportunities to mercenaries. However, they made an exception because the opponent was a 'Brave'. But it doesn't mean they were bowing down to Relix or the royal family behind them.
These types of difficult "salted" requests involve hunting down monsters, and the expenses for the mission can be high, making it not very appealing to mercenaries.
On the other hand, dealing with a 'troublesome opponent' can be a valuable experience that is not usually obtained from regular monsters.
If the sponsor is the royal family, there would be no financial difficulties, and it won't compete with existing mercenaries because it is a special request.
Furthermore, he can complete a request that nobody else wants to take on for a minimum reward, so it's not a bad deal for the Mercenary Guild.
──This happened a few days after hearing such a story from other mercenaries.
"Yukina-sama, please don't do anything reckless while I'm not here."
"Well, 'don't do anything reckless' is my line. Why am I being told that as the one seeing you off?"
"Well, you know, because you're Yukina-kun."
"That's not a proper answer!"
We were having such a lively conversation near the gates of the royal capital.
Lately, Mikage has been by my side all the time. She has been accompanying me on 4th rank missions, which has been incredibly helpful for me, but the Mercenary Guild sent a little warning.
Mikage, a 2nd rank mercenary, is a skilled fighter deserving of the title 'Ace' in the royal capital's Mercenary Guild. It's clearly a loss to keep someone like her stuck on 4th rank jobs.
So, because of that, she received a notice that if she continues taking only 4th rank missions, some sort of punishment will be given. It could be a fine at the lighter end, or worst case scenario, a 'demotion in rank'.
Mikage, despite being given a "demotion," couldn't just ignore it. So, reluctantly, she took on a 2nd-rank assignment and several 3rd-rank tasks, focusing on completing them for a while.
For a while, Mikage had to leave the royal capital for the "tasks" she accepted, some of which came from outside the royal capital.
Unfortunately, as a 4th rank mercenary, I couldn't accompany her on her task. That's why today, it's Kyunei and I who sees Mikage off.
"──Even so, given Yukina-sama's current abilities, he should be able to handle a 3rd rank request quite easily."
"Can I go that far?"
Well, thanks to the training with Mikage, handling 4th rank tasks had become much easier. Even the "Healing" technique I used to use frequently didn't have much of a role anymore.
I thought it was all because Mikage was with me.
"When you responded without hesitation, I knew my judgment was correct."
Mikage smiled confidently.
"Well then, Yukina-sama, I'll be going now."
"Take care, Mikage."
"Thank you, Kyunei."
These two had become close enough to call each other by their first names. They shared the same roof and the same man, after all.
But for some reason, Mikage seemed a bit confused.
Just when I thought she had forgotten something, she suddenly hugged me and kissed my cheek.
"Well then... I'll take my leave now."
Blushing, she bowed and left.
I stood there, stunned, watching her back for a while. Even though it was early morning, the gates of the royal capital were already bustling with people. I never expected Mikage to do such a bold act in the midst of all that.
"Hehehe, what a cute girl Mikage is."
Kyunei said, placing her hand on her cheek and smiling. She looked like a proud mother celebrating her child's growth.
Kyunei and I stayed in that place and returned to the royal capital.
"I'm going back to the clinic, but what about you, Yukina-kun?"
"I'll just casually stroll around the market."
Other than seeing Mikage off, I didn't have any plans for today. I didn't feel like taking on any new requests either.
After bidding Kyunei a temporary farewell, I headed out to the city in the morning.
Early morning is one of the busiest times in the market. The voices of merchants advertising their newly acquired goods echo through the air, giving it a lively atmosphere.
"Come to think of it, I haven't been alone like this in a while."
"Hey, hey, I can't have you forgetting about me."
The Gram on my back expressed his presence.
"...Tch, so you were here."
"Could you please stop sighing like that? It really hurts my feelings!"
"Just kidding."
Since I started living at Kyunei's clinic with Mikage, I have always been with either Mikage or Kyunei.
"It's been a while since it's just the two of us. Is it correct to say 'two' when facing a spear?"
"'One person and one spear' doesn't sound good, so maybe it's fine?"
"Is it okay?"
"Well, I guess it's fine."
Our conversation became incredibly unintelligent.
It feels like I'm having a silly conversation with a close friend. Well, it's fun, so let's leave it at that.
"Personally, I'm glad I can talk to you, like this, partner. Lately, it feels like we've been whispering behind the scenes."
"Ah, yeah, that's definitely true."
I haven't told Kyunei and Mikage that Gram is a weapon with a will. Mikage might have an understanding of it as a "weapon with special powers," but that's about it.
There's really no deep reason for this. I'm just being quiet for no reason in particular. If I had to give a reason, maybe it's so I can have a secret conversation with Gram without the two of them knowing.
"By the way, partner, what are we going to do from here?"
"I haven't decided anything yet... Oh, ma'am. Can you give me one of those fruits over there?"
I paid some money at a random store and bought some fruits. When I took a bite, the fruit juice overflowed from the inside.
"Living in the royal capital really makes your taste buds picky, huh?"
"After all, it's a place where everything from all over the country gathers."
If you overlook the fact that you have to pay money, the royal capital has a wide variety of ingredients. Back in my hometown village, we were self-sufficient and didn't need money for food, but there were limits to the ingredients we could get and the dishes we could make.
"When I was in the village, I didn't really have any complaints, but once you get used to the life in the royal capital, you can't go back. I kinda understand how those folks who want to leave the village feel now. Oh, boss. Can you give me some of those sweets over there?"
"You're still gonna eat more?"
The aimless stroll I started turned into an open-air food tour.
(Now that I think about it, the day I first came to the royal capital was like this too.)
Back then, Gram wasn't on my back, instead there was a "she".
"Oh damn, it reminded me."
It's not a bad memory at all. In fact, it's one of the most precious memories in my life. That's why it's painful to realize again that the wish I had at that time didn't come true.
"What's gotten into you all of a sudden, partner?"
"I'm savoring a bittersweet page of youth."
"Well partner, you're still young, right? You're getting mature too quickly."
"It's hard to tell if you're being serious or joking with that response."
As Gram and I were chatting, I noticed a troubling scene ahead.
Three sturdy-looking men and one woman. Of course, they weren't walking together, but it seemed like the three men were crowding around the woman. However, from this position, I could only see the backs of the three men, and the woman was hidden in the shadows and difficult to see clearly.
And then, a man suddenly grabs the woman's arm. It is clear to everyone that this is an inappropriate act for the woman. The vulgar smirk that can be seen from behind is evidence of that.
Although it cannot be seen yet, the woman must be very beautiful.
...What is this sense of déjà vu?
"No way, it can't be."
I shook my head to dismiss the 'possibility' that came to mind.
Just a while ago, I encountered a scene that reminded me of something, and now nostalgia is welling up within me.
──For now, I swung the butt end of the Gram at the man's head.
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