An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

Originally, Hajime and the others had been waiting here simply for identification. Since everything was cleared, there was no point in staying any longer, so Hajime asked Ilva for confirmation. However, Ilva's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Could you please wait a moment?" Hajime had a bad feeling about trying to keep them.

Ilva gestured to Det who was standing beside him, and Det took out a letter of authorization and handed it to them.

"Actually, I'm impressed by your abilities and hope you'll take on another commission."

"I refuse."

The moment Ilva proposed, Hajime deliberately rejected his suggestion and prepared to leave. Yue and Shia were about to follow, but when they heard Ilva's next words, they couldn't help but stop.

"Hmm, anyway, could you please listen to me for a moment? If you're willing to listen, I won't pursue this matter further..."

"..."

The implication is, "If you don't listen to me, you'll have to go through a lot of troublesome procedures regarding this incident, right?"

Based on the testimony of the onlookers, Hajime and the others should not be held accountable for their actions against Poom and the others. However, due to their tendency to be overly defensive, if the guild follows the formal procedures, it will take a long time for them to hear the arguments of both parties and make an impartial judgment.

Although Hajime and the others would likely be found not guilty, on the other hand, they foolishly spent time on the formalities for a clear outcome. If they evaded such procedures, they would be blacklisted, and it would be very troublesome for them to handle matters at the town guild in the future.

Hajime glared at Ilva for a moment, but then realized that Ilva wasn't asking for a commission, but rather for him to listen. If simply listening to him could avoid trouble, then it wouldn't be a bad idea. So Hajime changed his mind and returned to his seat.

"It seems you are willing to listen to me. Thank you very much."

"...As expected of a guild branch manager in a big city, you have a truly nasty personality."

"I think you're no worse than them. Okay, this time, the purpose of this commission is as stated in the letter of request: to search for a missing person. A group of adventurers accepted the commission to investigate the [Northern Mountain Region], but they didn't return after the scheduled time, so the family of one of the adventurers has requested that we conduct a search."

What Ilva said next can be simply summarized as follows:

Recently, the guild has received several eyewitness reports indicating that large groups of monsters were seen in the [Northern Mountain Area], and they hope to entrust the guild to investigate.

The North Mountain Range, just beyond the hilltop, is largely unexplored territory. While not as numerous as the monsters in the Great Labyrinth, they still harbor quite formidable monsters. Therefore, the commission ultimately fell to a high-ranking adventurer. However, a character who wasn't originally part of the group, somewhat forcefully requested to join them, and after some twists and turns, a makeshift team was eventually formed.

The newcomer is Will Kudeta, the third son of Count Kudeta. He has fled home, seemingly a runaway, intent on becoming an adventurer. Count Kudeta is said to have been secretly tracking his son's whereabouts, but after this investigation, even his liaison has disappeared. Sensing a serious matter, the Count has urgently requested a search from the Guild.

"Although the Earl has mobilized his family's resources and sent out his own search party, the more manpower the better, so he also submitted a request to the guild. This was all just yesterday. The team that originally accepted the commission is a very powerful adventurer. If something happens that even they can't handle, sending ordinary adventurers will only cause them to suffer again. We must entrust adventurers with considerable strength. Unfortunately, the adventurers who can take on this commission are all away. You have arrived at this time, so I am pinning my hopes on you."

"The premise is that we must have considerable strength, right? What a pity, I'm 'Blue', right?"

Hajime's implication is that he doesn't have that kind of ability, but Ilva doesn't believe him at all.

"You just killed Black's Leganido in an instant, didn't you? Besides... how could someone who could explore the Rasen Canyon with such ease not have considerable strength?"

"! How did you know... Was it the letter? But I didn't tell her..."

Hajime and the others hadn't mentioned their exploration of the Lethen Grand Canyon to anyone. The only way Ilva could have known about it was because it was mentioned in the letter. But that raised another question: how did Catherine know about it? Just as Hajime was racking his brains, Shia timidly raised her hand.

Hajime looked at Shia in confusion.

"What's wrong, Shia?"

"Um~ I was so excited chatting that I accidentally..."

"...I'll punish you later."

"!? Miss Yue clearly said that!"

“…Shia, you traitor.”

"You both will be punished."

It seems Yue and Shia are responsible. Hearing Hajime's announcement of punishment, the two pretended to be calm, yet cold sweats streamed down their cheeks. Seeing their reactions, Ilva smiled wryly and continued:

"Although the chances of survival are close to hopeless, they are not zero. The Earl and I have a personal relationship, so I hope to begin the search as soon as possible. What are your opinions? I can only rely on you now. Will you accept this commission?"

Ilva's pleading attitude seemed to carry feelings beyond the guild's mandate. He had a personal relationship with the Count, which meant he might also know the missing Will and was likely personally concerned for his safety.

"Even if you say that... our journey has a destination. We're only here because it's on the way. We don't have time to go to a place like the Northern Mountain Range. Please forgive me for declining."

As for Hajime, the lives of the three noble men were of no concern to him, so he refused without hesitation. However, perhaps anticipating the answer, before Hajime even stood up from his seat, Ilva had already offered a reward:

"I won't skimp on rewards, you know? The commission amount will be substantial, of course, but I'll also add bonuses and raise your guild's rank. With your abilities, even reaching Black shouldn't be a problem."

"No, the minimum amount of money is enough, and I don't care about the level..."

"Well, from now on, whenever you have a guild-related dispute, I'll directly back you up. How's that for? I'll have the support of the Fran branch manager. I consider myself quite influential within the guild, and you seem to have a strong affinity for disputes, so isn't this a bad reward?"

"You're really generous. Even if he's your friend's son, you're still a bit overly devoted, aren't you?"

Hearing Hajime's words, Ilva's expression changed for the first time—filled with regret.

"I recommended him... I was the one who recommended Will for that commission, and I was the one who negotiated the team that would take on the investigation. Although it's an investigation into an anomaly, I figured it would be fine as long as they went with a strong team, since there wasn't an actual disaster. Will wasn't used to being a noble, and he'd always dreamed of becoming an adventurer... but he didn't have the talent. So I had him accompany powerful adventurers, going to places that were a little dangerous but not too dangerous, hoping he'd realize he wasn't cut out for this profession. He's been close to me for a long time... and that's why I'm hoping to use this commission to get him to give up..."

Hajime listened to Ilva's monologue, then pondered it for a moment. He realized that Ilva and Will seemed to be closer than he'd imagined. Though Ilva appeared nonchalant during the conversation, his feelings were like a drowning man grasping at even the smallest straw. Will's chances of survival would gradually diminish over time, and Ilva's bold offer was evidence of his anxiety.

At first, I was starting to get tired of having to find excuses to prove Yue and Xia's identities every time I went to town. In the future, having connections that would lead to higher-ups would be very convenient for using town facilities.

After all, Hajime had absolutely no desire to appease the Holy Church or the Kingdom. If he did, there was no telling when he would be labeled a heretic. If he were truly deemed a heretic, it would be difficult for them to survive in the town. If he could rely on his personal connections to resolve that issue, that would be a good thing.

So, Hajime thought, since the metropolitan guild leader was willing to back them up, why not tell him about their secret and ask him to keep it confidential? He could use it if things got out of hand. He seemed to have a very good relationship with the man named Will, so if Will could be brought back alive, Ilva wouldn't easily go against his moral obligation.

"Since it's come to this, I can agree... but I have two conditions."

"condition?"

"Yes, it's not that difficult. First, I want you to help Yue and Shia create the status board, and promise not to leak the information displayed on it. Secondly, whether it is related to the guild or not, as long as we need you, you must use all your connections to respond to our requests and provide us with convenience. Those are the two conditions."

"That's too..."

"If you can't do that, then forget it. We're leaving."

Seeing Hajime getting ready to leave, Ilva and Det both expressed anxiety and distress. The first condition was perfectly fine, but the second was essentially asking the head of the guild to become an adventurer's subordinate. He had to take responsibility and couldn't just agree to it.

"What are you going to ask for?"

"Don't be so nervous. I won't make unreasonable demands. It's just that our existence is a bit special. If the church targets us... no, we will definitely be targeted in the future. I just think it will be more convenient to have connections. You just need to stand by us when trouble arises. For example, even if you are wanted, you won't refuse to let us use the facilities."

"Are you sure you'll be wanted? Well, I'm starting to get curious about your secrets. Since Teacher Catherine likes you guys, I don't think you're bad guys... So, I've received reports that Miss Shia possesses extraordinary strength, and Miss Yue wields unprecedented magic... Are those powers your secrets? And the Church will surely target them sooner or later... Seeing that you're not hiding anything, it means you've been prepared to oppose the Church from the start. That would make it difficult for us to operate in any town... That's why you asked me to make things easier for you..."

As expected of a guild leader in a large city, his mind was quick. After a moment's deliberation, Ilva met Hajime's gaze and replied, as if making up his mind.

"I will never aid in crime or respond to unethical behavior or requests. Whenever you make a request, I will need to know the details before making my own judgment. However, I promise to stand by your side as much as possible... Beyond that, I won't give in. How about this?"

"I think so... That's enough. Also, the reward will be paid after we complete the commission. Just bring back the young master or his belongings, right?"

For Hajime, the biggest goal was to obtain Yue and Shia's status boards. In this world, they were constantly being asked to show their status boards, and it felt very unnatural to be without them. Besides, having to find an excuse to visit every town was too much trouble.

The problem was how to prevent the person who originally created the status board from spreading the news... Ilva's existence solved this problem.

However, even if he verbally agreed to the terms, he would still be suspected of being a snitch. While Hajime and the others' uniqueness would inevitably be exposed, he didn't want them actively planning ahead of time. Therefore, Hajime requested that the status board be created only after the commission was completed. This way, regardless of the form of the answer he brought back, Ilva would likely not do anything to harm Hajime, who had resolved his concerns. That was Hajime's calculation.

Ilva probably sensed Hajime's intentions, and even though he had a wry smile on his face, he still seemed relieved to have found someone to take on the commission.

"I'm really starting to wonder about your secrets... But let's just consider it the pleasure of completing the commission. As Mr. Hajime said, no matter what form it takes, I hope you can find Will... Mr. Hajime, Ms. Yue, Ms. Shia, I'm counting on you."

Ilva gave Hajime and the others a final, serious look before slowly bowing his head in plea. For a guild leader in a metropolitan city to bow before a mere adventurer was something not many people could do. He was indeed Catherine's student; one could tell he had a fine character.

Seeing Ilva's expression, Hajime and the others stood up and replied in a relaxed tone without any pressure:

"Okay."

"……Um."

"yes!"

After receiving travel expenses, a letter of introduction to the lakeside town at the foot of the [Northern Mountain Range], and the investigation commissions received by the adventurers, Hajime and the others left the room.

There was a bang, and the door closed. Ilva stared at the door for a moment and took a deep breath. Det, who had been silent in the room, now asked Ilva worriedly:

"Branch Manager... Would you agree to that kind of reward, please...?"

“…It can’t be helped. This is Will’s life, and there’s no one else I can ask for help except them. And they promised that it’s up to me to decide whether to help them or not, so there’s no problem. Rather than that, their secret…”

"Is it 'information that is not convenient to show others' displayed on the status board?"

"Hmm... Det, did you know that each of the Heilig Kingdom's heroes has extraordinary stats?"

When Det heard Ilva's sudden words, he opened his narrow eyes wide.

"! Is the branch chief saying that he is one of the summoned ones... the 'Apostles of God'? But his tone makes it seem like he is against the church. Besides, the hero and his group are under the management of the Holy Church, right?"

"Yes, you are right, but...about four months ago, one of them died in Orcus. It is said that he fell to the bottom of the abyss with the monster."

"...Are you saying that person is still alive? Four months ago, the heroes and their companions were probably still immature, right? I don't know what the bottom of Orcus is like, but it's unlikely that person is still alive..."

Det shook his head in disbelief, denying Ilva's speculation. However, Ilva looked back at the door they had left with great interest.

"Yes, but if it really is him... why doesn't he reunite with his companions instead of traveling? What did he see and gain at the bottom of the darkness?"

"You got something..."

"Yes, whatever it is, it must be something that has made him determined to fight against the Church at all costs. This means that he is determined to become an enemy of the world."

"The world is my enemy..."

"Personally, I really want to build a relationship with such a special person. Even if he is hunted by the Church and the Kingdom in the future, it doesn't matter. Perhaps the teacher saw this and specially asked him to carry the letter."

"Branch Chief... please don't misjudge the timing of your withdrawal, okay?"

"Of course."

Despite feeling dizzy at the prospect of such a far-reaching conclusion, Det, still Ilva's secretary general, offered his advice. However, Ilva seemed lost in thought and only responded absentmindedly to Det's advice.

In the center of the vast plain, there is a road extending straight north.

Although it's called a road, it's simply a path naturally formed by countless tramples, devoid of weeds. Since carriages in this world lack suspension systems, anyone riding this road will undoubtedly rub their buttocks upon reaching their destination.

And on that unpaved road, a figure was speeding at an incredible speed. The pitch-black vehicle, equipped with only two wheels, effortlessly navigated the uneven road. Inside, three figures were on board.

It was Hajime, Yue, and Shia, hurtling down the road at a speed unmatched by their previous journey through the depths of the Rasen Grand Canyon, perhaps exceeding 80 kilometers per hour. With no force hindering their magical power, their magic-powered two-wheeled vehicle, the "Hydroxytifo," could fully unleash its full potential.

The seating order was the same as usual: Yue in Hajime's arms, and Shia behind him. Shia's bunny ears fluttered in the breeze, swaying comfortably.

The weather was clear, the sun shining warmly, and the wind pressure was adjusted by Yue's magic, making it perfect weather for a drive. In fact, Yue and Shia also felt the warm sunlight and refreshing wind with their whole bodies, squinting their eyes in satisfaction.

"Phew~ So comfortable~ Miss Yue~ Would you like to exchange seats with me on the return trip?"

“…No, this is my seat.”

"Hey~ Don't say that, how about we switch~ The back is also comfortable~?"

Shia begged Yue to trade seats with her in a drawn-out tone. Hajime turned to look at Shia's face, a disgusted expression on his face, and answered for Yue:

"Hey, you can't sit in the front? It's too much of a hindrance, especially those bunny ears. If they get blown back by the wind, they'll poke me in the eyes."

"Ah~ That's true~"

"...No, she's almost asleep."

It seemed that because she was too comfortable, Xia was already in a state of half sleep and half wakefulness. She leaned her head on Shi's shoulder, putting all her weight on him, and half of her conversation with Yue seemed to be a dream.

"At this rate, we'll be there in about half a day. We won't be stopping along the way, so rest as much as you can."

As Hajime had said, Will and his team's next area of ​​investigation was the Northern Mountain Range. Hajime and his team were only about half a day's journey from the town closest to the mountains. At this rate, if they continued without stopping, they would arrive before sunset. Hajime planned to stay overnight in the town and begin the search tomorrow morning.

The reason for hurrying on was, of course, that the longer they delayed, the lower Will and his group's chances of survival would be. However, even though it was clearly for the sake of others, Hajime was showing unprecedented enthusiasm. Yue looked up at him with a puzzled expression.

Seeing Yue in his arms looking up at him cutely with her head tilted to the side, Hajime gave a wry smile.

"...So positive?"

"Yes, it would be best if the person is still alive, as that would be a greater favor. There may be many troubles waiting for us in the future related to the country or the church, so the more shields the better. I don't want to deal with all those troubles one by one."

"……I see."

In reality, it's unclear how effective Ilva's shield will be. Honestly, it's more likely to be of no use, but the more insurance, the better. Besides, if you can gain something with a little effort, you shouldn't skimp on that little effort.

"Also, I heard the town we're heading to next is a lakeside town with abundant water resources. Perhaps because of that, the outskirts of the town are home to the continent's largest rice-growing area."

"...Rice cultivation?"

"Rice, yes. Back in my native Japan, rice is the staple food. I haven't eaten it since I came here. I'm not sure if it's the same thing, but I want to try it quickly."

"...Yeah, I want to eat too... What's the name of the town?"

Hajime looked off into the distance, thinking of the rice dishes. Yue looked at him with a smile, remembering that he hadn't heard the name of the town yet, so he asked. Hajime came to his senses and noticed Yue's gaze. He felt a little embarrassed and answered a little louder as if to cover up:

"The lakeside town of Ur."

"Sigh, I didn't find any clues today. Where on earth did Shimizu-san go..."

Shoulders drooping in frustration, walking dejectedly through the streets of Ur Town, was none other than Hatayama Aiko, a member of the Summoning Group and a teacher. Her usual cheerful demeanor had vanished, replaced by a gloomy air tormented by anxiety and worry. Even the streetlights seemed dimmer than usual, perhaps due to a hallucination.

"Teacher Xiao Ai, don't be too depressed. We don't know anything yet. There's no sign that his room has been searched. It's very likely that he left on his own. Please don't blame yourself too much."

"That's right, Aiko. You can't keep thinking about the worst at a time like this. You might miss clues you should discover or neglect what you should do. Besides, Yukiri is an excellent magician. Even if he's faced an unexpected event, he won't be easily defeated. As his teacher, how can you not trust your student?"

Seeing that Aiko was listless, it was Yuka and David who spoke out to comfort her. There were also familiar knights and students like Junshi around, and everyone came to comfort Aiko.