TENKEN 475 (1456 words)

The Five with Antennae and Shells

触角と甲殻の5人

『It's probably the time for us to head to Alessa huh?』

「Nn」

A few days after the incident. Fran's job was already gone, and Gallus and the others had decided to move on. I think it's safe to say that we've almost finished our business in the capital.

As for me, I was thinking if we could stay a little longer.

「Finally, training」

Fran is motivated. Besides, I'm curious about what's going on in the north.

In the end, we decided to head to Alessa. I heard that we had to apply for permission from the guild before entering the Plains of the Demon Wolf.

There are no penalties for entering without permission, but if we have permission, we can get support from the guild in the worst-case scenario, and complete a request for investigations and such.

In particular, the Plains of the Demon Wolf is a Grade A magical area, so it's not easy to get permission to explore it solo unless you're a rank B adventurer or higher.

Come to think of it, I've heard a similar story about the Crystal Cage near Barbra. It seems that not only were they able to receive higher level requests due to their higher rank, but also the restrictions on exploring magical areas were lifted.

『We've already received our reward, so there's certainly no reason for us to stay in the royal capital any longer』

「Nn」

『For the time being, let's greet the guild』

「Okay」

In case you're wondering, we received bounties and special rewards from the guild and the country. But the amount we spent on Gallus' protection request and the auction. Also, considering the amount of money that Fran donated to rebuild the orphanage and relief center, we are completely in the red. Even so, we still have about five million goldes in our pocket.

Besides, it made Fran's reputation even stronger. Fran's reputation for not only saving people with her healing power, but also for investing large sums of money to help the weak, was now beginning to be known as the Black Cat Saint.

I've heard that Fran likes the Black Lightning Princess better because it makes her seems stronger. But in the royal capital, the name "saint" has become overwhelmingly more popular. Wherever she goes, she is called a saint.

Even now, on our way to the guild, she was being approached by many people. At that time, everyone would call her 「Saintess-sama」 or 「Saintess-san」.

Well, Eliante will be begging her to stay in the royal capital. As long as Fran is here, the reputation of the Adventurer's Guild will remain high.

That state of affairs was no different in the guild. Right now, it's just the royal capital, but sooner or later, the name of the Black Cat Saints might spread to the surrounding towns. Although Fran would be unhappy about it.

「Stellia」

「Oya, what can I do for you today?」

「I'd like to speak to Eliante」

「Then you can go up yourself. If it's you, we won't have to worry」

「Nn」

It was a complete face pass already. It's not so much that her rank has risen, but that her trustworthiness in the capital has increased. Although it was highly possible that Stellia thought it was a hassle for her to act as guide for her.

『There's a sign of someone coming from Eliante's room. Maybe she has a visitor』

「Nn」

I guess we'll have to come back later huh? Well, for the time being, we’ll just say hello and let her know that we'll be back later.

Fran knocks on the room door.

『Ooh. So, you're able to knock on the door now huh』

(Fufun)

I couldn't help but admire her, and Fran stuck out her smug little chest. No, it's not that big of deal. But for me, it was an event that made me feel that she had grown a lot. Because it's Fran, you know? She's knocking, right? Isn't that amazing?

「Who is it? Come in」

It didn't seem like an important guest. When Fran entered the office, she saw a group of familiar warriors chatting with Eliante. They were the half-insect kin mercenaries who had stood out during the incident.

「Ara, you've come at the right times. We were just talking about you」

「About me?」

「Yeah. These are old acquaintances of mine, members of the mercenary group Antennae and Shells」

「Hi, there. I'm Robin. I'm the sub-leader of Antennae and Shells」

The refreshing man who asked her to shake his hand is a half-insect kin of a hard shrimp. Unlike when he was in battle, his shell has disappeared, except for his eyes and antennae, he looks no different from a normal human. His ability is also much lower than in battle.

「I'm Hobbs」

「Effie...」

「I'm Anne!」

「My name is Shingen」

They introduce themselves in the order of locusts, dragonfly, fanged ants, and mirages clam.

Hobbs, in his boyish form, has a cool, rugged air about him. Like Robin, he has a human-like appearance.

Effie of the dragonfly looks like a rather quiet――or rather, shy type of woman. Anne the Fang Ant is a girl who seems to have a lot of energy. Shingen the mirages clam, as I felt about him before, is probably a gentle and powerful type.

「We usually active in the small nations to the south, but this time we happened to be working in the north. We were lucky enough to be in this city」

「Lucky?」

Isn't that the correct word for this is bad luck? You almost died, remember?

「It's luck. Thanks to it, we were in time for our friends in her predicament」

「Well, It was a good money too」

Robin seems to be a hot-blooded man, just like his image. Hobbs seems to be the oblique type.

「.....It was a good fight」

「It's been a while since I can rampage as much as I want」

The two women also seem to be the type to enjoy combat. They are happy to talk about fighting a pseudo fanatic sword wielder.

「I'm glad we all survived」

Shingen-kun. He looks like he's having a hard time, but hang in there!

「Eliante told me about you. She said she fought with you against a powerful enemy and saved her life. Thank you. Let me give you my gratitude」

「Wha, Robin! You're acting like a guardian!」

「She saved my friend's life. Isn't that a proper courtesy?」

「You're always so hot-blooded though!」

While saying that, Eliante's face looks not so happy. I guess there is a kind of bond that can only be shared between them.

「Th-then? What can I do for you?」

「Nn. Going to Allesa」

「Eh? You're leaving the royal capital?」

「Nn」

「Wha-wait a minute! I still have a lot of work for you to do!」

Eliante lamented, but Fran's resolve remained unchanged. It's a job that could be done by any other adventurer, and it's not like the nobles have completely stopped messing with us.

She must have understood that. Eliante nodded reluctantly with a pitiful look on her face.

「I understand then......So, when do you leave?」

「Tomorrow」

「To-tomorrow? C-can you at least stay for another weeksーー」

She was probably calculating in her head how to get Fran to complete the request before she left. But it was Robin, who had been listening to the conversation, who admonished Eliante, who was so shocked that he thought she might cling to her and stopped her.

「Eliante. Don't interfere with a warrior's departure」

「Uuh. You guys don't know how much work I do, so you can't say that!」

「We're going to stay in town for a while and take some jobs」

「Re-really? You sure about that?」

「Yeah」

「Yes, I heard that! I got your word! You won't get away with this!」

Hearing Eliante's words and actions, her friends gave her the same wry smile.

「Haah. You're the same as always huh」

「....Really」

「She never change huhー」

「You're right」

Eliante.....She is a deplorable person huh. She's a woman with a good appearance but her personality is pretty bad......

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