Chap 81: Emergency Joint Request?

“It’s been a while since we’ve worked together like this, Crow. I’m happy.”

“Yeah, it has been.”

Right now, Ceris and I were riding in a carriage together.

This thing’s a fancy noble’s carriage—it’s super comfy.

Well, we weren’t the only ones in here…

“……”
“……”

When I glanced to the side, the members of Devil’s Triumph Nightmare and Red Rose were silently exchanging glances.

…Let’s just ignore that awkward atmosphere for now.

Right—this request is an unusual joint operation.

How we ended up like this goes back to a few days ago.

After we returned from Orphen Resort and I got princess-carried by Ceris…

…………
………………
……………………………

“Hey, Ceris… Sure, I did say that if Crow and the rest of Devil’s Triumph Nightmare came back, we needed them at the guild house immediately. But I never said to kidnap just Crow!! Don’t cause a pointless scene! I mean, depending on how it’s taken, this could literally become a life-or-death crisis! Cut it out!!”

Zois-san, the Guild Master, was shouting with a mix of anger and desperation, his voice echoing through the guild house.

In his line of sight were me—still being princess-carried by Ceris—and…

“Oh my, how rude of me. Upon hearing the Guild Master’s words, I simply thought I had to bring Crow here as soon as possible. Fufu.”

“Ceris, seriously…”

Yeah, she totally did that on purpose. She even laughed at the end.

I’m sure Zois-san realized it too.

I mean, no one in their right mind would randomly princess-carry a guy like me unless they were doing it as a joke or just being outrageous.

“Hey, Ceris. We’re already at the guild, right? So put me down already.”

I looked up at Ceris as I spoke.

Getting princess-carried by a woman… As a guy, it’s kind of awkward. I mean, it bruises the ol’ pride.

Even someone as ugly as me has some pride, you know?

More importantly, if Ceris’s fans found out she princess-carried me, it’d be terrifying.

They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, after all.

“Oh? Crow, are you uncomfortable being in my arms like this?”

“The problem’s not with being princess-carried. It’s more with how incredibly uncomfortable this whole situation is…”

I averted my gaze.

We were currently in the lobby of the guild house.

Normally, this place would be bustling with adventurers… but right now, it was disturbingly silent.

Actually, not a single adventurer was here.

It wasn’t like today was a holiday or anything.

The guild house is where adventurers like us get our jobs—our lifeline, basically.

If this place were closed, we’d be out of income. That’s how important it is.

So why was no one here right now…?

“—Ceris. Is there something you’d like to say to us?”

Crack. The air froze with an icy voice.

The one who spoke… was Lulu.

Behind her stood the rest of our team, each one armed and ready.

Yup. This is the reason why no one’s here.

Or more accurately—why everyone left.

A few seconds after we arrived at the guild house (with me still in Ceris’s arms), Lulu and the others stormed in.

All of them wore faces like demons and radiated pure “Rescue Crow!” energy from head to toe.

I mean, from the outside, it totally looked like Ceris had snatched me.

Maybe Lulu and the others misunderstood?

Though… we all know each other, so I don’t see how that could happen.

But anyway, with the super intense aura coming from Devil’s Triumph Nightmare, the guild house went from silence… to absolute chaos.

“Red Rose and Devil’s Triumph Nightmare are about to clash!”

“If those two fight, the whole country’ll be wiped out!!”

“No—the world will be wiped out!!”

“This is the end for me!!”

Adventurers were shouting stuff like that as they scattered like cockroaches.

Even the receptionist threw her paperwork into the air and bolted for the back room.

So, that means… the only ones here now are Ceris, Zois-san, and us, Devil’s Triumph Nightmare.

And speaking of Ceris, who’s the one that started all this…

“Ah, everyone at Devil’s Triumph Nightmare, I’m sorry. My misunderstanding made you all misunderstand things too.” “Oh, come on—you did that on purpose, didn’t you? And before any apologies, hand Crow over to us right now.”

Even as she said that, Lulu didn’t stop pointing her favorite gun. The muzzle was aimed right at Ceris’s head.

Even seeing Lulu like that, Ceris just smiled gently.

“To think you’d point a gun at me—someone with whom I once shared every hardship and joy in the same guild… Lulu, you’ve really become dangerous. But I did enjoy your reaction, so I guess I won’t tease you further.”

So, as expected, Ceris, you princess-carried me on purpose.

Ceris gently puts me down.

When I go over to Lulu and the others, everyone has already put away their weapons.
It feels like the tense atmosphere has eased a bit.

“Jeez… you guys really lose all your cool and mercy when it comes to Crow…”

Zois-san presses his temple and lets out a heavy sigh.

“So, Zois-san, did you have something for us?”

Originally, Zois-san did have some business for us—and it was urgent.
It’s rare for him to mention something like this outside of our monthly guild meeting with all the guild representatives.

“Ah, well, that’s true. Since it’s just us here… I’ll get to the point.”

Zois-san clears his throat and switches to a serious expression.

“The Guild Master himself has issued an emergency joint request to both Red Rose and Devil’s Triumph Nightmare.”

Those words made our eyes go wide.
Only Ceris seemed unfazed, as if she’d known about it all along.

“What I need you to go to is—Elf Country.”

Oh, elves…
Elves are essential in otherworld stories. Tell us more!!

“Elf Country is known for its dignified, long-lived, and magically gifted people. It’s also a treasure trove of various materials. In particular, as adventurers, you know it’s a major supply center for potion ingredients, right?”

Potions are that liquid remedy used to heal injuries and wounds.
We at Devil’s Triumph Nightmare have the ‘Ring of Revival,’ so we don’t need them, but for ordinary adventurers, potions are indispensable.

So… if Zois-san is talking about this, there must be trouble in Elf Country.

“In such a crucial place as Elf Country… there are rumors that a war between the High Elves and Dark Elves will break out soon.”

Wow, a war sounds dangerous.

“So, I want you to go check things out over there. More than that, I need you to stop the spark of war… Just don’t go and wreck Elf Country, alright?”

Then, Zois-san glared at us.
Yeah, it seems we’re not trusted at all.
I mean, I’ve never wrecked a country before…

“I get the situation with Elf Country, but why us too? If Red Rose, led by Ceris, is going, that should be enough.”

I ask Zois-san.
Ceris is overwhelmingly strong, and Red Rose has plenty of guild members—all women who truly adore Ceris.
It’s not just a fan club—it’s a full-blown Ceris Worship Club. Amazing, right?
I really think that should be enough.

Though, I really want to visit Elf Country.
I want to see real elves.

But my summer break ended with fierce battles against demons, so I’d like a little rest.

“Sure, normally I’d do exactly what Crow says. But… this time, it’s special.”

Zois-san takes a breath and continues.

“Both High Elves and Dark Elves excel at magic and are formidable in combat. That’s why I want to choose based on quality rather than quantity. Red Rose may have many members, but when it comes to real skill, there are only a few—mainly, Ceris, Sierra, and Ruela.”

Well, those three can definitely hold their own against our members.

“I see. So, you want us, Devil’s Triumph Nightmare, to bolster the numbers as well. Are we going all in?”

Everyone else is strong, sure—they’re more brawn than quality, I guess.

“No, bringing too many people would be a problem… and besides, I can’t send all of you.”

Is that a roundabout way of saying sending everyone would be troublesome?
Maybe it’s because of the Succubus Country, or something like that.

“Alright then… I want five people from Devil’s Triumph Nightmare.”

“Five, huh…”
So that means half, I guess.
Now I’m having trouble picking the members.

But if elves are good with magic, shouldn’t we definitely include members who are also skilled in magic?
Or maybe someone who can negotiate calmly with the elves?
First, we need someone with the social skills to get along with them, right?

“Well, Crow, this time you’re staying behind.”

“Ah.. yeah, that makes sense. I’m ranked 10th and the weakest in the guild anyway.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

“Huh?”

Eh, what? How do you mean?
While I tilt my head in confusion, Zois-san continues.

“After all, Elf Country is—”

“No, Crow, I’m taking you along. Absolutely.”

Before Zois-san could finish, Ceris interjected.
Looking at Ceris, she had a big smile on her face.
And then… the atmosphere oddly quieted down.

“…………”

Before we knew it, everyone had drawn their weapons.

“Hey, Ceris!”

“This time I’m being completely serious. So there shouldn’t be any problem, right?”

Ceris said that, but it didn’t ease the tension at all.
The atmosphere was on the verge of exploding.
Uh… this feels like it’s about to turn into an all-out war, doesn’t it?