LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 113 - Chapter 113: The Adventurer's Guild in Frales
Chapter 113: The Adventurer’s Guild in Frales
As expected, the subordinates of Justin’s unit were the first to approach us when we returned to the square. They were probably tasked with gathering information from the surrounding area.
“Is the camp preparation complete?”
“It’s done. But more importantly, I think you need to explain something to us, Commander.”
Arnault asked with an overly cheerful smile. The other members of Justin’s unit nodded in agreement, and the subordinates of the other units were clearly eavesdropping.
“ *Sigh*. That guy… he parted ways with someone who looked exactly like Jest. He was an old acquaintance of mine from a long time ago… back when we looked completely different from now… I was surprised since I didn’t recognize him, but he seemed confused too. I decided to let him go for today.”
“But didn’t he call you ‘big brother’? Isn’t that guy, Alan, way older than you?”
“Yeah… well, that’s true.”
I hesitated at Simon’s remark, searching desperately for a good excuse.
“Did that person stop crying?”
While I was internally panicking, Jest peeked out from between the subordinates. I crouched down to make eye contact with Jest.
“Yeah, he cried because he saw you, who looks just like someone he knew who passed away without being able to say goodbye…”
I was happy to reunite with Yamato, but knowing I hadn’t been able to save him left me with mixed feelings.
“Oh, so that’s why you cried when Jest first transformed! Because he looked just like someone you lost as a child. Who said you cried because Jest was cute?”
“You did.”
“Ouch!”
Cassius’ comment was met with simultaneous head slaps from Elliot and Amedeo of the same unit. My subordinates were left stunned.
“Commander… cried…?”
Simon exclaimed in surprise, and the others were equally shocked. They hadn’t seen me cry because they were inside the tent at the time.
“Just like when Commander saved that child in the Taleraan Margrave’s forest, he has always been… different since then.”
“I like the Commander the way he is now.”
“I like Justin too!”
Hearing Simon’s words, Jest clung to my neck. Ah yes, this is how a ‘full-power’ hug is supposed to be. If Jest had truly hugged me with full force, I would definitely die. I hugged Jest back. Feeling the familiar size, I tried to replace the memory of Alan’s touch from earlier. In my past life, Yamato was even smaller than this Jest.
“Even though the days are getting longer, the sun is about to set. Everyone, start taking care of your horses and preparing dinner.”
With Jest still in my arms, I headed to where Eleanor was tied up. After taking care of Eleanor together, Jest and I headed to the adjacent adventurer’s guild, hand in hand.
“Justin, where are we going next?”
“You probably noticed the commotion, but we need to report our arrival to the Guildmaster and give a warning.”
“Hmm?”
As we entered the adventurer’s guild, All eyes turned to us. Even the ones at the attached tavern were looking at us. Many were sizing us up or grinning as if anticipating something.
They likely thought Alan had put me in my place. On another hand, some of them seemed to be waiting for Alan to handle things for them.
One of the guild staff noticed me and hurried out from behind the counter. He appeared to be a middle-aged man with a lot of stress, possibly the administrative head.
“Are you perhaps from the Third Knight Order?”
“Yes, I’m Commander Justin de Vandière, Count of Vandière. Although I’m a noble, treat me as just a knight for now. I came to inform the Guildmaster of our arrival.”
“I see. By the way… who is this child?”
The staff member looked at Jest. It seemed widely known that I had a dragon contracted as a familiar, but not that it could take human form. Responding to the staff member’s question, the people around us started heckling.
“Oh, the knight commander thinks he can handle monster slaying even with a kid in tow?”
“Come on, he probably cried after dealing with Alan!”
At the mention of Alan’s name, Jest tugged at my hand.
“Hmm? What’s up?”
“Hey Justin, is Alan the person who was crying earlier?”
“Yes, that’s right. But it’s not good to talk about someone crying without their permission. Alan might feel embarrassed later, don’t you think?”
“I understand. I won’t say it anymore.”
Jest let go of my hand and covered his mouth with both hands. Naturally, everyone around us was shocked by Jest’s words.
“Alan… cried!?”
“Wait, did that knight commander make him cry?”
“No way… Alan…?”
“That’s right. We were talking about this child. This is Jest. He’s using transformation magic right now, but he’s actually a dragon with whom I have a familiar contract.”
“””””””Whaaaat!?”””””””
The adventurers and guild staff present all exclaimed in shock, and their cries drew the attention of a burly old man who burst out from the door behind the counter.
“What’s going on!?”
“Oh, Guildmaster, the Third Knight Order’s Commander Vandière has come to report his arrival.”
The guild staff member introduced me to the Guildmaster, despite being visibly flustered.
“So, you’re the knight commander, huh? Thanks for responding to our request for assistance. But let me tell you, this town’s adventurers are led by an A-rank adventurer named Alan. Unless you get his approval, it’s doubtful that the adventurers here will follow your orders.”
The Guildmaster gave me a sly grin, as if testing my mettle. Jest tugged at my hand again. He had been listening intently to our conversation
“Hey, Justin, is Alan the one who called you ‘big brother’ earlier?”
“Wh, whaaat!?”
This time, the Guildmaster’s voice echoed throughout the guild.