The Kicked Out S-Rank Appraiser Creates The Strongest Guild - Chapter 160

Chapter 160   The Hero Leaves the Island Again

At the port, Wayne had Edgar pinned down in a mounted position.

“Huff, huff… You sure gave me a hard time.”

“Ugh… Let me go.”

“Give it up and accept your fate. You’re going to jail, right alongside Medes.”

“Screw that. Why would I be in the same place as that bastard…?”

“You brought this on yourself. Now, grit your teeth!”

“Guh!”

Wayne landed a strong punch on Edgar’s cheek, knocking him unconscious.

“Serves you right, you bastard. How does it feel? After enduring all that pain and hardship, I’ve finally gotten my revenge!”

With a face swollen with welts, Wayne pumped his fist into the air triumphantly.

If you ignored the surrounding scenery and focused just on his posture, he almost looked like a man who had fought hard and emerged victorious.

“Oh, please, give me a break,” Aina said in exasperation.

“If we hadn’t shown up, you’d have been in real trouble,” Lizetta added, nodding in agreement.

Both were clad in armor, equipped with a “Dragon-Piercing Bow” and a “Fire Spear.”

Behind them stood Rody and Aize, who had Gilbert bound tightly with chains.

Nearby, Pat was lying on the ground, being tended to by Lina.

Now, let’s recount what happened.

Wayne and Pat had initially charged at Edgar and Gilbert with great enthusiasm, engaging in a fistfight that was evenly matched for a while. However, gradually, Edgar and Gilbert began to gain the upper hand.

Just when they were about to lose, Aina, Lizetta, Rody, and Aize, having been informed by Lina that something seemed off with the two, armed themselves and rushed over to support them.

Frightened by the “Dragon-Piercing Bow” and the “Fire Spear,” Edgar visibly lost his nerve and gradually began to be pushed back by Wayne (Gilbert surrendered rather quickly).

With Aina and the others watching on with slightly amused expressions (since Wayne had insisted, “Don’t interfere. This is my fight”), Wayne finally managed to defeat Edgar and take a mounted position over him.

And so, Edgar’s scheme ended in failure.

Both he and Gilbert were sent back to the authorities along with Medes, and the money Medes had amassed during his time in the underworld was confiscated.

The shared assets of “Dragon’s Ember” were safely returned to the guild’s vault.

The next day, the “Spirit Alliance” returned to the town.

The people greeted their triumphant return with cheers, as they carried the dragon core of the “Giant Fire Dragon Grand Fafnir.”

The town was engulfed in joy over the success of slaying the “Giant Fire Dragon Grand Fafnir,” an achievement that had not been accomplished in over a decade.

Jill Irwin was awarded the title of Double S (even though Karla had assisted, it was determined that Jill’s contributions before encountering the “Giant Fire Dragon Grand Fafnir” more than met the requirements for an S-class subjugation).

Archie, Liz, Ike, and other adventurers who had been newly trained by Laurent were also duly recognized as A-class.

The fame of the “Spirit Workshop” would soon spread across the seas and resonate throughout the world.

In the town, everyone rejoiced on this celebratory day, engaging in a festive revelry of food and drink.

The bards composed songs to honor the adventurers who had defeated the “Fire Dragon” and they sang of their deeds.

As the banquet reached its peak, and the town’s excitement approached its climax, the end of Laurent and Jill’s adventure also drew near.

A ship bound for the “Adventurer’s Town” arrived at the port.

Karla came to the port to see Laurent off.

“I heard the restoration of the ‘Dragon Burial Clan’ is going well.”

“Yes. The success of the ‘Dragon Burial Ceremony’ has regained the attention and respect of the town’s people. Even the clans who had moved outside the island have responded positively. I think we’ll be able to hold an even grander ceremony next year.”

“I see, that’s great.”

“…Are you really leaving already?”

Karla said, her voice filled with reluctance.

She didn’t want Laurent to leave yet.

She wished he could stay longer on the island.

“I have to return to the ‘Adventurer’s Town’ and take care of all the internal affairs that have piled up. I’ve been away from the guild for far too long, and any longer would affect my reputation as an executive.”

“Laurent, the ship is ready to depart,” Jill, who had practically become Laurent’s attendant, said as he approached.

“Thank you, Jill. I’ll be there soon.”

As Laurent prepared to board the ship, Karla grabbed his sleeve, stopping him.

“Hey, why don’t you stay on this island just a little longer? There’s talk in town about honoring you as an appraiser. At least wait until then…”

“Karla, I’ve already received enough honors. The revival of the ‘Dragon Burial Ceremony,’ the restoration of the local guild, the establishment of a branch of the ‘Spirit Workshop,’ and the subjugation of the ‘Giant Fire Dragon Grand Fafnir.’ Through all these things, I’ve been able to help and support many people’s growth.”

“But you yourself, as an S-class appraiser, haven’t received any honor from the town yet!”

“Being able to help everyone is more than enough for me.”

Seeing Karla still reluctant to let him go, Laurent smiled and spoke gently.

“Karla, this is just the beginning. With the defeat of the ‘Giant Fire Dragon Grand Fafnir,’ the power of the dragon race has weakened, and new races are beginning to rise in the ‘Volcano Dungeon.’ To preserve the traditions of the ‘Dragon Burial Clan,’ you must continue to strive.”

“…”

“Until I return to this island, please protect the traditions of the ‘Dragon Burial Clan’ and the ‘Spirit Alliance.'”

“…Alright, I understand.”

Laurent hugged Karla and then boarded the ship.

Karla remained standing on the pier even after the ship had set sail, hoping to catch a glimpse of Laurent’s face for as long as possible.

Laurent and Jill stood on the deck, waving back at Karla and everyone else at the port, bidding their farewells.

“Farewell, Karla of the ‘Dragon Burial Clan.’ We will meet again. Next time, I will be sure to invite you to the ‘Adventurer’s Town.'”

Eventually, the ship disappeared beyond the horizon.

“Laurent, thank you.”

Karla whispered once the ship was out of sight.

From the town, Saki’s singing could be heard, accompanied by the music of the bards.

It was a song that everyone on this island knew — a song about the vanished hero, now arranged in a new style. It was a song that would likely be passed down among the people until the next hero appeared.

Once, there was a hero on this island.

He reforged the rusty alchemy, shone a light on the decaying guild, uncovered hidden talents, and defeated the ‘Fire Dragon.’

In time, the hero departed.

Ah, where have you gone?

Without accepting the honors that should have been showered upon you.

Unaware of the feelings of the dragon dancer.

Because of you, there is no maiden left on this island who knows love.

You took our hearts along with the calamity.

A hero will never appear again.

A hero like you will never appear again.

Author’s Note:

Thank you for reading this humble work all the way to the end.

With this, the story comes to a close.

To everyone who read until the very end, I truly have nothing but gratitude.

Regarding future volumes and the potential for a manga adaptation, I will provide updates through activity reports and on Twitter.

Thank you very much.