The Guild Master Whose Hobby Was Helping People Found Himself Surrounded by the Strongest, Overly Attached Members - 44

Chapter 44: I Really, Really Want to Take This Request 2

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I received the request form and returned to my own guild, thrusting it toward the members who were lounging in the lobby.

“―So, that’s why I took on this request.”

The first to bite was Sera.

“It’s rare for Master to accept a request on his own.”

“Well, yeah.”

Unless some old lady threatened me, the only reason I normally accepted requests was for money. It was still fresh in my memory how I had taken on a pile of tedious gathering requests and odd jobs to save up funds for the guild’s founding.

But this time was an exception. This request had purely piqued my interest.

“Our destination this time is the ancient city Vestia. Timed with the annual Thousand Lantern Festival, we’ll be transporting and delivering exhibition goods. Rare ores, magical herbs, and one slightly unusual small animal. It’s a pretty good escort job.”

The atmosphere instantly brightened at my words.

“My! Vestia is the city of cobblestones and colonnades, of history and art! In the social circles, it is praised as the ancient city one must visit at least once in a lifetime!”

Ceres fluttered her fan, her eyes sparkling like stars.

“The Thousand Lantern Festival…! That’s the one where the lanterns line the bridges, right?”

Iris clasped her hands at her chest, gazing at me with admiration.

“And, I heard they sell rare swords there…”

Leon interjected a little hesitantly. He seemed quite interested. It looked like even the village where the siblings lived had heard of it. As expected of its fame.

“…The Thousand Lantern Festival, huh.”

Rovan-san growled lowly, setting down his drink and glaring at the request form.

“It’s not a place you can go with a tourist mindset. Rumor is, bandit gangs have made it their den since long ago. It’s a city where your wallet and your life are equally light. …That said, they do have good local sake.”

You want to go too, don’t you?

All the gravitas he’d built up was ruined by that last line.

“In any case, work comes first. Delivering the cargo unharmed and getting the receipt stamp is our top priority.”

Though I said that to keep everyone grounded, truth be told, my feelings weren’t so different from theirs. Rather than sightseeing if I could while completing the request, the sightseeing itself was the actual main purpose.

Ever since founding the guild, my daily life had completely changed.

Before, I could head out whenever I pleased, drench myself in blood to feel alive, and return home quietly. Those were the best days imaginable. But now, from morning till night someone was always in the lobby, and even late at night there was usually someone still working. Mostly Lisette.

Having more comrades was reassuring in some ways. But living under constant watchful eyes―especially ones that weighed so heavily―was suffocating.

The ancient city Vestia. A city of art and history.

In my mind, I pictured the sight of lanterns illuminating the bridges on the festival night. Walking alone beneath them. Buying something to eat at a stall. Blending into the crowd, passing unnoticed. My lips nearly curved into a smile when, right in front of me, Ceres shot to her feet.

“Then it’s settled! I shall get ahead of the social world by acquiring knowledge of Vestia firsthand!”

“A splendid attitude, Young Lady.”

“Isn’t it! And if I could accompany Shin-sama, that would surely be the greatest joy of all!”

Stop it, old man. Don’t look at me.

Next, Ragnar crossed his arms, flexing his muscles as he bellowed.

“Leader! This Ragnar, truthfully, has an interest in art! Let us appreciate it together!”

Then Iris timidly raised her hand.

“Uum… Would it be alright if I made a bento? …If Shin-san would eat it…”

She looked away, her cheeks faintly blushing.

Ah, youth just has its way to squeeze your heart real tight, huh?

Finally, Rovan-san spoke from where he remained slouched in his chair.

“…In the chaos of the festival, thieves will be on the move too. I’ll keep an eye out.”

It was a cool line… Except he already had a sake bottle in his left hand. Clearly, he was planning more on drinking than keeping watch.

So, I understood. My chances of spending this quietly were next to none. The only opening to execute my plan would be fleeting at best.

“…Anyway, this time I’m thinking of taking myself, Ragnar, Leon, Iris, Ceres, and Rovan-san.”

Ragnar could keep watch over the wagon, the siblings were good at nimble fighting, and with Ceres I planned to… Well, wheedle a bit of pocket money. As for Rovan-san, leaving him in the guild wouldn’t get any paperwork done anyway, so I figured he’d serve as backup if nothing else.

Not taking Sera was simply a matter of numbers. Of course, Lisette would be the core support of the guild while we were away. 

But even that Lisette was….

“…I suspected as much, but you really are leaving me behind.”

Her voice was flat, without emotion, but her damp gaze stabbed into me.

“…Even though I was looking forward to going sightseeing with Shin-sama…”

“N-no, um… Lisette, it’s just better if you stay and――”

As I fumbled for an explanation, Sera whispered at my side.

“Master… Her eyes aren’t smiling.”

“I-I know…”

This was bad. Very bad. Flustered, I piled on excuses.

“L-look! If you don’t stay behind, no one can handle the guild’s reception desk or the guild’s finances, right? You have an important role.”

“…That is true.”

But persuasion along those lines no longer had any effect. I swallowed hard, steeling myself.

“…Th-then, when I come back from this request… Maybe we could… Maybe we could go on a date?”

The air froze. Lisette’s long lashes trembled, and she stared at me intently.

“…Is that true?”

“O-of course. You’ve been working nonstop, right? Even you need rest sometimes.”

I fumbled out a flimsy excuse, and she simply watched me in silence for a few seconds. Then her expression softened, just slightly.

“…Very well. Then, Shin-sama, please return safely.”

Her voice was still flat. But her ears had turned bright red, plain for anyone to see.

I’m safeeeee….

Just as relief washed over me, a hand suddenly clamped down on my shoulder. I turned to see Sera, grinning ear to ear.

“Master, I can’t go either, right?”

“Ah, yeah… That’s right…?”

“―You’ll go on a date with me too, won’t you?”

“…………Of course.”

I answered weakly. Sera cheered like a child, leapt up, and hugged my arm tightly.

“A date with Master~! Fufu, what should I wear~”

What I thought was one grave dug, turned into two.

“My! A date! What a wonderful sound! Naturally, I shall have my turn as well, correct?”

“W-wait a sec―”

“Leader! Go on a date with me too!”

Why is it that, among this group, Ragnar seems like the safest option?!

And so, we formally accepted the request to head for the ancient city Vestia… Though at the time, I had no idea we would soon be caught up in some incomprehensible incident.

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