The Guild Master Whose Hobby Was Helping People Found Himself Surrounded by the Strongest, Overly Attached Members - 48

Chapter 48: Surrounded

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I jogged down the main street, hurrying toward the delivery station marked on the map. In front of an old stone building, my companions were already gathered.

“Shin-san!”

Iris spotted me and ran over to me.

“…Sorry for worrying you. I got it back properly.”

When I raised the bag, Ceres pressed a hand to her chest and exhaled in relief, while Leon gave me a relieved smile. Ragnar, overcome with emotion, shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Captain! Thank goodness you’re safe!” 

Meanwhile Rovan-san merely gave me a small nod. We entered the delivery station and laid the goods one by one on the reception desk. A short clerk opened a ledger and nodded as he checked the items. 

“First, the rare ore. Moonsteel stone, yes?”

The bag was opened, and the ores inside were laid out on the desk. They gleamed with a bluish-white sheen, as though the night sky itself had been sealed within it.

“This ore is used as the core of lanterns lit during the festival night. It doesn’t crack under heat and allows the flame to burn long and steady.”

“Hooo~ You guys are putting something this valuable into a single lantern…?”

I muttered without thinking, and the clerk chuckled.

“The light is the symbol of this festival that has lasted a thousand years.”

Next, Ceres offered a bundle of herbs. Wrapped in white cloth, they released a gentle, sweet fragrance.

“Moontear Grass. If you brew this and mix it with liquor, it sobers you up right away. It’s indispensable for festival guards and merchants who tend to overdrink.”

That was a handy plant. I decided that I should buy some later.

Finally, Iris presented the wooden basket she had been carrying with both hands. From inside came a little squeak. It was the Round-Eared Rabbit (tentative name).

“Kyuu~”

“This Round-Eared Rabbit is—”

So I’d been right about the name.

“We planned for an event where children can play with it. They’re one of the highlights of the festival.”

As Iris stroked the basket fondly, the clerk smiled.

“Don’t worry. We’ll take good care of it.”

“…I’m glad to hear that!”

After such exchanges, all the goods were entered into the ledger, and the request was officially completed. When I received the request slip stamped with the acceptance seal, the clerk bowed deeply.

“Welcome to Vestia. Members of White Lamp, please enjoy the festival.”

We thanked him and left the delivery station together.

All right… It’s done. Mission complete…!

I pumped a fist in my heart.

“That receptionist was very nice.”

“Indeed! Let us take his advice and enjoy ourselves to the fullest!”

“The rabbit was so cute…”

“My, Iris-san, if you wish to keep it, shall I give one to you?”

“Iris, don’t trouble Ceres-san. …By the way, do you happen to have any giant beetles or something?”

The real festival was only just beginning. Behind me, my companions were already chatting idly. They were no doubt planning to tour the festival together as a group.

But from here on, it was my time. I would slip into the crowd and roam the stalls alone. With a drink in hand, gnawing on grilled skewers, I’d gaze absentmindedly at the lanterns drifting by.

Since becoming guildmaster—or rather, since the party had grown—I hadn’t had a single chance for this kind of “free sightseeing” by myself. Now that everyone was distracted by the joy of the festival, I could slip away without anyone noticing.

So I thought, as I took my first step—

“Shin-san!”

A voice clung to my back. I turned to see Iris hugging her purse tightly. Her face was lighting up in joy.

“I just saw it on the map! From that big bridge, you can see all the lanterns! Let’s go look together!”

Her eyes sparkled. A hand reached out. Before I knew it, her fingers had naturally clasped mine, halting my escape.

One hand’s still free…! If I move the other way right now—

Just as I thought that, a drill came from the front.

“My! Shin-sama!”

Ceres snapped her fan shut with a triumphant air, blocking my path. A human wall.

“It’s the perfect chance to dance beneath the lanterns! Naturally, you’ll accompany me, won’t you!?”

A radiant smile. As I tried to slip past her, the old man intercepted from the side. No escape route.

Damn…! The other side—!

The instant I desperately turned my gaze away—

“Shin-san! Looks like there are some rare swords over there! Won’t you come see them with me!”

Leon’s voice sealed off the alley. Behind me, my last hope, stood a tower of muscle.

“Leader! The festival skewers! They’re absolutely good for muscle!”

Ragnar’s biceps bulged.

So this is what they call ‘surrounded on all sides’…

Front, back, left, right— I was completely blocked. Up? No chance. Ragnar’s muscle tower would swat me down.

…Wait. There was still one person… The seasoned veteran who might smooth this over.

“Rovan-san! Say something to everyone for m—”

But when I turned, Rovan-san was gone. Looking carefully, I caught sight of a white head of hair slipping casually into a tavern down a side street. For all his cautiousness, it seemed he couldn’t resist the festival’s heat and the scent of liquor.

“…That old man.”

And so I was left alone, unable to escape the encirclement of youths, a noble lady, and a muscle head. My time alone vanished like foam.

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