Chapter 35: A Tale of the Past Between the Receptionist and the Guild Master, and a Picnic at the Sacred Peak

“…the Hero, who is supposed to come to my domain periodically, hasn’t shown his face at all for quite some time.”

The Adventurer’s Guild’s “Mental Health Consultation Desk.”

I was staring at the jet-black stationery on my desk, massaging my temples firmly.

A letter from the Anonymous Client.

Written there was a tough, middle-management-style complaint: “Because the Hero hasn’t come, my subordinates have too much time on their hands, leading to troublesome territorial disputes.”

Let’s try not to think about what kind of beings would have too much time on their hands without a Hero around. It’ll just make my head hurt more.

But to think the other party — who had been saying dangerous things about destroying the world — was actually ruining their stomach over the Hero’s schedule management.

“Hey, Nagi. Are you burdened with something troublesome again?”

Suddenly, a voice showered down from above my head, and a thick hand patted my shoulder.

“Guild Master…”

Looking up, a muscular giant with the scars of countless battles carved into his face — the Master who governed this Adventurer’s Guild — was standing there with an amused smile.

“Perfect timing. I’m handing down a special order to you.”

“A special order? I only have a bad feeling about this.”

“Recently, the periodic reports from the ‘Hero’ party, who are supposed to be heading for the Demon Lord subjugation, have ceased. Go take a little look at where they are and what they’re doing.”

I almost dropped the pen I was holding.

“Huh?! No, no, I’m just a receptionist at the consultation desk! There’s no way an ordinary civilian with zero combat power can search for the Hero!”

“You can do it. There haven’t been any reports of the Hero dying or being defeated by monsters. In other words, they aren’t being stalled ‘physically’.”

The Guild Master grinned and pointed at my chest.

“Crushed by the heavy pressure of being the Hero, or lost their way… In short, there’s a high probability they’ve shut themselves in due to a problem of the heart.’ If so, it’s your turn as the expert.”

“…!”

He struck right where it hurt.

It was true — in this world, where physical injuries could be managed with healing magic, if the Hero’s advance had completely stopped, the likelihood that it was psychological trouble was extremely high.

“…I understand. I just have to go, right? I’ll go.”

I let out a deep sigh and stood up from my seat.

Normally, it was such an unreasonable demand that I would absolutely refuse, but I simply couldn’t flat-out reject a request from this Guild Master.

— A few years ago. Around the time, I had just reincarnated into this different world.

I had absolutely no talent for swords or magic, let alone any cheat abilities.

Not understanding the language or common sense, beaten by the rain in a back alley, having reached my physical and mental limits, and wandering the streets, the one who gave me warm soup and bread was none other than this Guild Master.

“You don’t have power, but you’re abnormally good at reading other people’s faces. …Want to try working as a receptionist at our guild starting tomorrow?”

If it weren’t for those words, I would have dropped dead in a back alley by now.

He was my great benefactor who gave me a reason to live and a safe place to belong, which he called the “consultation desk.” If it was to return that favor, I had no choice but to take on something like searching for the Hero.

“Good that you’re obedient. …Ah, and also.”

The Guild Master used his chin to point at the brand new healing ward awning set up to surround the consultation desk, and the scorch marks carved into the floor — the traces of the heroines keeping each other in check.

“I’m grateful that you rehabilitated those dangerous girls… but lately, the guild’s equipment has been getting destroyed due to their internal conflicts over you.”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

“So, take those walking disasters with you. Let them hunt monsters to their heart’s content outside and blow off some steam. What was it called, something like Kakipi?”

“…It’s therapy.”

I see, so that was his true motive.

The exact moment I gave a wry smile, it happened.

“Work outside with Nagi?! I’m going, I’m going, I’m absolutely going!!”

Before I knew it, Lise had circled behind me and clung to my back in a tight hug.

“Fieldwork, is it? I will construct a perfect escort protocol to ensure Nagi’s safety.”

“A picnic with big brother! Luna, get the bento ready!”

“…Yes. I will exterminate all the pests that approach Nagi during the night.”

“I will not allow you to steal a march. I, your exclusive healer, will perfectly manage Nagi-sama’s health and peace of mind.”

Fran, Roux, Luna, and Serafina.

Having gained the grand excuse of “escorting Nagi,” the four heroines were completely in a picnic mood, their eyes sparkling.

“Hey, hey… We’re searching for the Hero. We aren’t going out to play, you know?”

“I know, I know! Come on, Nagi, let’s go!”

My protests were in vain as the heroines pulled me by both arms, forcibly dragging me right out of the guild.

A few days later.

We had arrived at the foot of an S-Rank designated sacred peak, where rumors said the Hero had been sighted.

“…Does the Hero really hang out in super dangerous zones like this?”

“I don’t know. But there are no other adventurers here, and I can monopolize Nagi, so I think it’s the best!”

“What a dim-witted answer. However, I agree.”

Lise and Fran walked ahead in high spirits.

Even though it was an S-Rank sacred peak, I hadn’t broken a single drop of sweat.

It was only natural.

Fran’s multiple barrier magic kept the temperature and humidity constantly comfortable, Luna’s enemy detection completely wiped out monsters before they even entered my field of vision, and before my legs could even get tired, Serafina sent a chantless Heal flying my way.

The zero-combat-power receptionist was climbing the mountain with the elegance of a royal taking a stroll, receiving excessively abundant buffs and protection from four of humanity’s strongest class fighters.

“Is this really a Hero search… It feels more like an abnormal feudal lord’s procession.”

It was right as I was advancing with a wry smile, approaching the open area near the mountain’s summit.

ROOOOAAAAAAARRR!!

Suddenly, along with a terrifying roar that seemed to shake the very air, a massive shadow landed before us.

A gigantic body that forced you to look up. Hard scales and sharp fangs.

The lord of this sacred peak — an Ancient Dragon, said to have lived since the age of mythology.

“Eek?!”

“Aw, man. It’s time for our bento with big brother, but a nuisance just showed up.”

“…Please cover your ears for a moment, Nagi. I will ‘purify’ it right away.”

Before I even had time to scream, Roux gleefully readied her dagger, Serafina prepared an ultimate light magic spell with an affectionate smile, and Lise and Fran entered combat stances in an instant.

Before searching for the Hero who will save the world, it seemed I first needed to save the life of this pitiful Ancient Dragon.