The party member serial killer allegations against me and the guild’s request suspension were immediately lifted.
Thanks to Amy and Bolton vouching for my abilities and character.
An archmage from the Magic Tower and a priest from the Goddess’ Order—talk about overkill for the guarantee of a mere steel tier adventurer!
It seems like having connections really pays off.
◆◆
“Thanks for the escort! The next time we meet, I’ll be an adventurer too, so I’ll be counting on you then!”
After leaving the Request Office, Amy extended her hand to me, saying she should head back to the Magic Tower soon.
“Well, that’s what I should be saying.”
I shook her hand lightly while smiling.
“They say once you’re recognized as a proper mage, you become a copper tier adventurer right away. But it seems like it’ll take me a little longer.”
Unlike Amy, who is practically a copper tier adventurer already, I still have a significant amount of time to go before leveling up.
I have the skills, but the experience is another issue. I’ve hardly been a steel tier long enough, to be honest.
To earn the copper tier badge, I’ll have to diligently complete numerous requests and build up my experience.
“Well, that’s not necessarily true, you know?”
Amy chuckled.
“You’ve taken down over ten Wights. I even brought proof to show you. If the guild’s upper management isn’t blind, they have to consider promoting you.”
Ah, I see what she’s getting at.
Thinking back, taking down that many Wights should count for something, even if my experience is lacking.
It’s a lot harder than just plundering a few low-tier dungeons!
“I’ll definitely follow you as promised, Amy. I need to see you destroy that necromancer’s tome.”
Bolton said as he subtly glanced at Amy’s backpack.
“Uh… so what about the loot distribution? Should I leave your share at the guild?”
While Amy could just head back carefree, we still had to sort out what to do with the loot we collected.
After selling off everything we’d scavenged from the dungeon, we needed to split the money evenly.
Even if it was loot, it was just rusty weapons and some odds and ends, so it probably wouldn’t fetch much anyway…
But we still needed to share, since that was the deal from the start.
“I’m fine with it. I’ll just pass everything over to Hilde and Kikel.”
However, Bolton lightly shook his head and declined the loot distribution.
That’s definitely not something you’d expect in a society full of adventurers eager to make every penny count.
“No, but still…”
“You don’t need to feel burdened. This is sort of my apology.”
“Apology?”
“You see, I was rude to suspect the innocent Hilde here as a murderer. I can’t just say sorry and let it slide. So, I want to apologize, even if it’s just a small gesture.”
So that’s what it is—a little compensation for the troubles. In that case…
◆◆
After gladly accepting Bolton’s apology, I shared one last farewell with the two of them.
Amy shrugged, saying it was a shame they wouldn’t have a party celebration if it wasn’t for the spellbook situation, and Bolton made the sign of the cross for our future blessings.
After that, we waved goodbye and parted ways smoothly.
“Let’s go, Kikel.”
“Are we buying a shield now? Excitement!”
I headed with Kikel towards the adventurer shop area at the back of the Request Office.
Everywhere was packed with stores aiming to fleece adventurers—blacksmiths, healing shops, weapon shops, armor shops, general goods stores, and magic item shops.
The forge specialized in weapons like spears and axes, while general goods and magic item shops exclusively sold tools for dungeon exploring.
None of them bothered selling regular clothing, food, farming tools, or basic necessities.
If you wanted those, you’d have to head to the bustling district instead.
The shops there were filled with stores catering to the city’s residents.
The reason why the adventurer shops and regular shops were distinct was simple.
Only by separating the adventurers’ shops from regular shops could they fleece adventurers properly.
Exorbitant pricing on regular folk would get them on the lord’s bad side and could lead to a financial disaster, but ransacking adventurers’ wallets was somewhat tacitly encouraged.
Why, you ask? Well, it’s obvious.
The more someone is in need, the more desperate they become, while the richer they are, the more relaxed they tend to be.
Adventurers are no different. Most of them, flush with cash, end up retiring carefree or squander their time away drinking and gambling.
On the other hand, those scraping by in the steel tier always flock to the Request Office daily to pick up whatever jobs they can.
They have to keep working to avoid starving, after all.
In simpler terms, financial struggle is the greatest motivator for adventurers.
Thus, to keep milking them, it was quite necessary to shave off some layers from their wallets.
Adventurers get to develop their skills, regular folks are satisfied with the town being safer, and merchants and lords rejoice at the increased revenue.
Isn’t that a world where everyone’s happy?
…Honestly, it sounds a bit crazy, but anyway, that’s how merchants justified ripping off adventurers.
Rumor has it that starting a shop here takes greasing palms with bribes to various guilds and others.
But either way, that’s why the adventurer-specific shops and regular shops are separated.
◆◆
“What’s that? A monster…?”
“Idiot. Don’t you know what a Lizardman is?”
We drew attention everywhere we went.
“Interesting. I heard they rarely leave the swamp.”
Maybe the giant Lizardman and the helmeted female knight made an intriguing pair?
Adventurers roaming around the shop district couldn’t take their eyes off us, chatting among themselves.
“The girl next to him… Ah, isn’t she that ‘Iron Mask’ or whatever? She was said to have murdered her party members like dogs…”
“She looks like she fits the description.”
Not exactly the kind of chatter I’d be pleased to overhear. If I wore a copper or silver badge, they’d have been more cautious. But considering I’m stuck as a steel tier, who would care?
In fact, if it were a steel tier with a reputation lower than dirt, they’d have no hesitation scornfully jeering.
As things stand, the fact that my innocence hasn’t been formally established, plus my current rank situation, made it too murky.
What would I gain from going on a stabbing spree just because some higher-ranked adventurers poked fun at me? It wouldn’t just not help my reputation; it would make it even worse!
“Carrying around a lizard, huh? Seems like you can’t party with humans anymore.”
“Guess she’s no longer satisfied with humans, huh? Hehe, what a fascinating lady.”
…Should I kill them?
Two warriors lightly armored, without a care for their own lives, just waiting to be butchered quietly…
…No. Calm down, the inner butcher.
If I start swinging a blade now, my reputation will truly plummet…!
I suppressed my hand that dared to reach for my sword, exhaling a deep sigh.
They weren’t shouting accusations at me directly; it was just some whispered harassment. I couldn’t afford to lash out.
Especially not in the middle of a busy street like this.
“…….”
So I’ll just remember their faces, and if we cross paths as party members again, then I’ll give them a taste of their own medicine or something.
◆◆
Ignoring the assorted noise, I was heading towards a blacksmith that seemed a little less unscrupulous.
“Hilde—uh, can I ask you something?”
Kikel, who had been walking quietly beside me, lightly tapped my shoulder and spoke up.
“Sure, what is it?”
I turned my head and looked at him while replying.
Kikel seemed to hum a bit, scratching his chin thoughtfully, before leaning closer to whisper in my ear.
Is this a question that shouldn’t be overheard?
“You’re the one from the Request Office, the butcher. Right?”
“……Uh.”
I looked at Kikel in shock.
It was definitely something that wasn’t supposed to be public knowledge.
“You’ve got the smell of murder on you, deeply ingrained. A lot of blood. Over a hundred.”
Kikel said, cackling.
…This is not a time to be laughing.
‘Did he catch me? The smell of blood? What does that even mean? Is it some kind of Lizardman sense?’
This was a shocking situation.
I thought I’d slipped past well enough, and suddenly to be caught now.
Of all people, I never expected it to be someone like Kikel, who looked totally oblivious.
“N-no, well, um…”
“Kakak! No need to be surprised. I won’t tell anyone. Just curious.”
Kikel seemed to find my flusteredness hilarious, laughing and patting my shoulder.
…So he’s not going to spill the beans?
Ah, I guess. If he were going to reveal it, he wouldn’t have gone quiet in the Request Office.
But why the silence…?
I don’t know. Did I need to keep it under wraps for some reason?
“…Why is that?”
I asked him, my voice low and laced with wariness.
“Kakak! People easily misjudge. Weak humans, poor humans. Not good people. If they grow, they become starving goblins.”
“Starving goblins…?”
“Right. They lose the will to think, steal women, steal money. If they’re alone, they steal everything. Just like goblins. And that’s you.”
Kikel pointed his finger at my face.
“You’re a good woman. You’ve got money. Probably alone. So, in the eyes of those kinds of humans, you’re food. They tried to take from you, and they died for it. Am I right?”
A true Sherlock Holmes is right here!
To read my appearance and perfectly understand the experiences I’ve gone through! This reptilian sage had profound insights into human greed.
“…Yeah, that’s right.”
I nodded in agreement, confirming his deductions. Kikel burst into laughter again.
“Kakak! Kakak! I was right. You have manners. You’re not someone who just kills!”
That’s why he didn’t call me out on my true identity.
He understood there’s a reason for my silence, but others would hastily label me a villain simply because I slaughtered weaker beings without knowing the whole truth.
“I see… thank you for your consideration, Kikel.”
I slightly bowed my head in gratitude and smiled.
I silently congratulated myself for being kind to him deep down.
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