We’re going to the Adventurer's Guild and arrived just before noon, the sa ti as last ti.
As usual, the place was empty. The receptionist was not at her desk, as if she was not busy enough, and as soon as she saw Roland and , she sat down at the request counter with our docunts.
It wasn't a request, but the other seats were empty.
I walked up to the smiling receptionist.
"It's not a request. Is that all right with you?"
"Yes, please state your business."
"I'm trying to get in touch with a party of adventurers called "Battle Axe of Destruction". I would like to know where they are staying."
"Where they're staying? "
The woman pondered a bit and then whispered.
"I'm sorry, is there sothing wrong with your escort mission?"
"Hmm? Yes, you're the last one."
"Yes, I was your escort."
"Oh, right. No, it's not a matter of bothering the guild. The request has been completed without incident. I thought I'd invite them to my house to celebrate."
"Are they aware of this?"
"Of course, they have their reasons. I told them I would contact them later."
The woman at the reception desk nodded at my words.
"It's not a problem then. It is the Adventurer's Guild's rule that we do not disclose information about adventurers without permission, no matter who they are. Please be patient."
"It was a natural response. But don't you think I'm lying to you? You may harbor ill will towards them."
"I have been inford of your request. If there was a quarrel at that ti, it is the responsibility of the adventurer who did not report it."
That's a terrible thing to say with a smile.
If you follow the rules, we will follow them. But if you break the rules, we will not. It seems that the Adventurers Guild is a bipolar organization.
"If you'd like, I can contact them here."
The receptionist suggested with a quill in her hand.
This would be a pure act of kindness. After all, it was weird for the son of a noble to send his ssage to adventurers. If the guild is entrusted with the task, it won't offend "Battle Axe of Destruction", and it's the perfect ssenger. But that's not the only thing I'm concerned about.
What would happen if a noble called on ?
I probably wouldn't be able to refuse. No matter how inconvenient it is, I will change my schedule and co. Markant might not mind saying, "Oh, I can't make it that day," but my friends won't let do that. So I have to go myself. It's the polite thing to do.
"It's not necessary. It's only when I thank them for fighting with that the request is truly complete. Until then, I have to make my move."
The receptionist opened her eyes slightly in surprise and bowed deeply.
"It's a noble idea. I'm sorry I made such a poor offer. Please forgive ."
"I don't mind. It would be a pointless obsession."
"The "Battle Axe of Destruction", you asked about hasn't shown up at the guild since they ca to report on the day of their return. Where are they staying?"
"Yes?"
I couldn't help but ask back at the receptionist's words.
◇◇◇◇
After listening to the inn's na several tis, I left the guild with a subtle expression on my face.
I tell the coachman about the directions that I have been taught and look up at the signboard where you arrived.
Seriously, is that the na?
On the small signboard hung on the wall, the na "Fist Pavillion" was written.
"Roland."
"Yes."
"What do you think?"
"It's brave."
"I see…"
I wonder if there's anything more to it. Well, I've heard that British pubs have pretty strong nas. I've also heard that so pubs in England are nad after serial killers.
I wonder who ca up with The Fist.
I opened the door with a bit of caution.
The reception desk was on the right as I entered, and the entrance to the cafeteria was in front.
To the left was the staircase to the second floor, and a young woman was just coming down, smiling and greeting when she saw .
"Welco to the Fist Pavilion. Are you staying the night?"
It was the first ti in my life that a canned greeting sounded like a racket. I was relieved that she didn't seem to be trying to hit .
"I heard that "Battle Axe of Destruction" is staying here."
"Do you know them?"
"Three days ago, they would have been away for a few days. They were escorting during that ti. I completed the order, but I had so business to attend to."
"Oh, I didn't see you there. Markant and Valerie are in the room, I believe. I'll go get them."
The woman turned on her heel and walked lightly up the stairs.
After seeing her off, I peeked into the dining room at the back of the room.
Several adventurers were relaxing. They seed to be on holiday. A woman in her thirties and another young woman were running around between the kitchen and the custors. So far, the employees were all won. The chef is the old man with arms like a log.
"Alter!"
When I turned around. A man was standing over here who looked like he was about to go out too.
"It's been three days. I feel like it's been forever."
"Haha, exactly! So what's up today?
"I said I'd invite you to the house in four days. Are you free?"
Markant shook his head in disgust.
"Why don't you just send soone? You could have sent for soone and then asked for their schedule. It's not like you're a nobleman, except that you still act like one."
"If I'm going to be pompous, I'm going to be cocky."
"No way!"
Markant laughs.
If my life as noble disappears, all that remains is Mori Tenko. An eight-year-old child with a ntal age of 25 years old is determined to be cheeky.
"Then four days later. I'm not planning on it, but I think I can handle that."
"You're okay? I can change it if you need to."
"Oh, that's not what I ant. Valerie's a little under the weather. It's nothing serious, she'll be fine in four days."
Markant responded comfortably, but there was a hint of concern in his voice.
"You're tired from the expedition. I'll see you in four days. I'll see you in four days. I'll send it to you then. And now…"
"You're leaving already? I'm not tired. I was just about to co downstairs."
I hesitated to answer.
I thought we were getting to know each other, but I wondered if it would be appropriate to suddenly barge into the room of a grown woman. And just because Marchant says so, Valerie may not want to be seen resting. But I'm sure she's curious. With the healing potions, it's unlikely that her injuries have worsened. You may be tired, but at any rate, it's a relief to see your face.
"I understand. I'll at least say hello. But if you've been resting, I'm sure the woman has a lot of things on her mind. Don't force her to do anything. If you want to visit her, I can do it with just my voice."
"You're a weird noble."
"Call a gentleman. It's what a man should do."
We arrived at Valerie's room with Marchant leading the way who muttered that an eight-year-old kid was a man
"Alter and Roland has co to visit you."
Valerie replied imdiately.
We waited at the front of the room for a while, and with Valerie's permission, we entered the room.
The room was spacious, as one would expect from a C-rank inn. Valerie was sitting on the bed by the window, letting the sunlight and fresh air flow into the room through the large open window.
"I'm sorry to be dressed like this."
"It's my fault for barging in so suddenly. I hope you don't mind."
Valerie was wearing a thick cloak over her nightgown. She must have been lying down a while ago, her complexion is not good. She is certainly not feeling well.
"You look fine."
"Yes. I've been resting, and I'm feeling much better. Everyone is too worried."
Valerie wore an annoyed, yet happy expression on her face.
Then Markant slipped up and said, "It's just overeating.", and the room suddenly beca noisy.
I laughed at their argunt, but knowing it was rude, I activated "Appraisal".
I've never used it like this before. Do I know what it is?
I send a casual glance to the corner of my eye.
Oh, they've grown a lot since before we went on the expedition. It seems to have been a fierce battle for them as well.
Other than that, there are no other changes.
"…… What?"
"What's up, Boy?"
Roland asked from behind , and I realized that I had spoken out loud.
Still, I couldn't take my eyes off the information I was receiving.
When I finally looked away, I saw that everyone was staring at .
My eyes t Valerie's, who was tilting her head, and I was at a loss for words.
What should I do about this?
To tell her, I have to talk about "Appraisal". If it will go away naturally, then so be it. But there's no guarantee of that.
I looked at Marchant and Valerie.
I don't know what they think of , but I consider "Battle Axe of Destruction" to be a friend. Not only because I enjoy their company, but probably because of what I am. They are the sa age as I was in my previous life and this life combined. I guess I'm trying to relate my lost past life to them.
Slowly, I closed my eyelids.
I saw sothing bad with "Appraisal". And Valerie's illness. Neither was a definite future. However, I could easily imagine the worst possible outco for both of them.
There was no need to weigh them.
I made up my mind and opened my eyes.
"I have one confession to make, and you'll understand if I ask you to keep it to yourself. And Roland, too. Please don't report this to my father. I'll tell him if I think it's necessary. And I sincerely apologize to everyone for any disrespect I may have caused."
Everyone was confused as I bowed my head.
"But first, a confirmation. Do you know that Ash Vomiting Disease?"
Everyone shook their heads.
No one had heard of it, after all. If it was a common disease, we would have known about it by now. I hope it's not an incurable disease.
I took a breath and continued, "I have a confession to make."
"I can use "Appraisal""
""Appraisal" ……, wait a minute! You're not a basic appraiser, you're an appraiser."
"That's right. It seems that there are three people in this world. I'm the fourth person."
Markant was just surprised, and Roland was utterly disappointed.
Valerie understood the aning of the words before anyone else did.
"So I have that Ash Vomiting Disease?"
"I've never appraised a condition before, but I'm pretty sure."
I could see the words [Abnormal condition: Ash Vomiting disease] in my eyes.
When sothing goes wrong, it will be listed next to the na. I don't know if it's easy to understand or hard to understand.
"What kind of disease is that?"
"Wait a minute."
I focused my "Appraisal" on the words "Ash Vomiting Disease".
Na: Ash Vomiting Disease
Features: Caused by microscopic organisms that have entered the lungs. Repeated coughing, fatigue, fever, vomiting, hemoptysis, and gradual decline in physical strength. It takes about a week for infants and older people to die, and about half a month for healthy people to die. The disease is called "Ash Vomiting Disease" because the patient vomits gray smoke before dying.
Characteristics: Unknown
I quickly relaxed my face.
I knew that if my expression moved even a little, it would convey my shock and despair.
It leads to death – in other words, a 100% fatality rate. And in just half a month.
I read out the symptoms, my expression disappearing.
Except for hemoptysis, all of the symptoms fit, and Valerie's expression beca serious. Markant was still skeptical, however, since it was not that uncommon. It would be proof if I could read out his status, but that was probably not what he was talking about. He didn't want to admit it.
But still, when had she been infected?
She didn't develop it a week ago. At least if I knew its characteristics, I could have gotten so clues. Maybe I'll find out if I'm infected, but I don't even know how to get infected.
I read over it again.
Is the microscopic life form a bacteria or a virus? I don't know what the definition of a virus is in this world. If it's not treated as a life form, does that narrow it down to bacteria? Whichever it was, there were many opportunities to get injured during the expedition. It could have co from anywhere. That's strange. If it's a disease that Roland and Marchant don't know about, that ans it's not from around here. There may be so diseases that are not known, but, strangely, Valerie has it, as if she's been targeted.
Not around here – you said Eras Rhino and Tremble Cube live in the south. Is their northward migration the cause? No, rather, one of them is–
I jumped up and down on my face.
"Well, magic stone!"
I rembered the big blue magic stone.
"It didn't have a nucleus! So it was either a multicellular organism or a swarm – if it was a swarm with that ability, it was most likely a cellular sli mold. That's why it moved even after I detached its tentacles. And sli mold is–"
I closed my mouth, realizing that I had said it out loud.
Yes, sli mold multiplies by spores.
Microscopic life forms may be spores. But I'm sure the Tremble Cube didn't have that skill. No, that's fine. The skills of conception and lactation do not exist in humans either. We don't need skills for basic biological activities.
Valerie was coughing when we were burning down the Tremble Cube. That may have been the cause, but I can't be certain. It's also possible that the area was simply full of spores.
I appraised Marchant and Roland, but they were not infected. I wondered if the incubation period shifted depending on the amount they inhaled, or if other factors were affecting them.
I felt their eyes on and looked up.
My gaze t Valerie's, who was watching with bated breath.
I failed. I was so excited that I let my words slip out. It was just a guess, but I couldn't keep my mouth shut now.
If I'm going to talk about it, I have to choose what to say. As for the possibility of smoke, I can't imagine how Marchant would react. Let's not even ntion the half-month limit right now. We're not at that stage yet.
"This is a guess, and it may be wrong, so listen with that in mind. There's probably a Tremble Cube inside Valerie."
Understanding the aning, Valerie covered her mouth with a pale face.
"How could sothing like that ……–"
"There are so many possibilities. And there is no point in exploring them. We know the na of the disease anyway. We just need to find out what it is and treat it. Once that's decided, Markant."
Markant was at a loss for words, but my voice brought him back to himself.
We're going to the Adventurers' Guild to gather information.
"Hold on."
I was about to stand up, but Roland stopped .
"How about we start with the basics?"
"Basic?"
"If you get sick, you should see a doctor or a priest. If you get sick."
After a mont of stupefaction, I sat back down.
"You're right. It seems I've lost my cool."
"Yes, you're right. Valerie, have you had any treatnt so far?
"No, I just got sick yesterday, so nothing yet."
"Roland, which is the better doctor or priest?"
After a bit of pondering, Roland answered.
"They have different roles. I'm not sure. Doctors use herbs and potions to heal, while priests use sacred magic to heal the sick. There is no top and bottom, but if I had to pick one, I would say priest."
"What do you two think?"
"Yeah, that's fine. There are priests in this town who can use sacred magic. I was going to take him with if he hadn't recovered in a few days. All right, get in."
Markant bent his waist, but was refused with a flattened tap, "I can walk." You'll be in your nightgown before that. Since we didn't want to wait for her in the hallway, we went downstairs. After a while, Valerie ca downstairs to change into her normal clothes. When she went outside, she ran into Danil and Ose. They seed to have gone shopping for nutritious food to help Valerie get better. I explained everything to them, and they joined on the way to the temple.
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