Chapter 54.1 - Gray Hound Hunting Part 1
Translator: SFBaka
Editor: Thors Stone
The Previous Day
I have returned, Silas-sama.
Have those adventurers already settled at an inn, Karina?
Yes. Alan and his party have booked rooms in the Spring Wind inn.
Hou. They are quite affluent for adventurers.
Yes. It seems a bath is an absolute requirement for them.
I see. Well, paying attention to cleanliness is a good trait to have. I only realized this when I became older. Arista should be coming out of the bath soon. Ill hear your report then.
Understood.
Im back, father.
So Natalies with you too. Good. Let me hear your report then.
And so, Karina told Silas about all thats happened to them, starting from their departure from Sanza town to them being abducted by bandits.
I see. Im sure you already know, so Ill just say this. We have incurred a great debt.
Yes. I and Natalie will never forget our gratitude to them for the rest of our lives. An hour after we got abducted and taken to the bandits lair, all of the bandits inside the cave let out anguished screams simultaneously. They were all hit by Alan-sama and Elna-sans magic spells.
What? How many bandits were there? What magic spell did they use to incapacitate them?
We are not sure. It was probably fire magic. All of the bandits right shoulders sported burn scars.
Fire magic? And they did that to multiple targets simultaneously? I see. So they targeted their shoulders to rob them of the ability to fight back. And then?
We were taken outside the cave by Elna-san and looked after by the other ladies. After a short while, Alan-sama walked out of the cave as well, and treated Natalie and me using healing magic.
What!? That man can also cast healing magic?
Yes. And the recovery speed was astonishing. Both our injuries were all healed up in just ten or so seconds.
The more I hear about it, the more unbelievable it seems. How about it, Arista?
All they have related is true, father.
I see. Let us move on then. Go ahead.
We then discussed what to do with the bandits, and Arista-sama bought the rights to them from Alan-sama for our sakes.
I see Have you managed to regain your dignity then?
Yes, thankfully. Its all thanks to Alan-sama. Afterward, we went back to the highway. Alan-sama gathered the corpses of the dead adventurers and used earth magic to create a grave. It was my first time seeing a grave that large.
Earth magic? He can even do that?
Yes, there is no doubt. Alan-sama gathered the items of the dead adventurers to serve as mementos and buried them in a simple ceremony.
Fumu. Its rare nowadays to find people with such respect for the dead. Hes quite a character.
We then set out for Gantz. Along the way, we encountered a Gray Hound pack. Alan-sama and his party killed all of them.
Hou. How many were there?
There were ten of them.
What!? Were you unhurt!?
Yes. Alan-sama didnt even need to lift a finger. His party members were the ones to finish them off. They are all superb magicians.
I cant believe it I could only see them as a gathering of lovely young ladies!? And youre saying all of them are skilled magicians?
Yes, theres no mistake. Afterward, we decided to make camp, and Alan-sama created earthen dwellings for us to rest in using earth magic.
He created dwellings via earth magic?
Yes, they were definitely huts made using earth magic. And they were quite tough as well.
Huts!? He can really do that?
Even I would not believe such a thing was possible if I didnt see it with my own eyes, Silas-sama. And that dinner was just so
Dinner? What about dinner?
Ah, Karina, stop! My heart tightens up just from remembering them.
Just what in the Goddesss name happened!?
Alan-samas cooking was absolutely superb. Aah To think something so delicious can exist in this world
They were that delicious?
Yes! They were absolutely divine, father! It was my first time eating such delicious cuisines.
Now Im starting to wonder if you were just hallucinating from exhaustion.
Aaah It would have been better if that were the case. Then we wouldnt have to crave for those dishes so much.
Alright, fine. Continue.
We were told there was no need for a lookout and so we went to sleep. But we witnessed something surprising when we woke up in the morning.
What did you see!?
Alan-sama told us a group of orcs assaulted the camp so he went to intercept them. He then asked the others to help retrieve the magic stones from the corpses. We volunteered to help, and when we arrived at the place where the orcs died, we were surprised to see there were actually fifteen orc corpses lying around.
Fifteen orcs!? Did the entire party kill all of them?
No. The rest of the party members did not know of the location of the corpses either.
In other words, that adventurer called Alan managed to kill all fifteen orcs by himself?
Yes. And furthermore, all of the orcs had fatal injuries in the exact same spot. And the party members did not act surprised when they saw such a thing. It was as if such a thing was normal to them.
Umu. Its quite an unbelievable story.
Afterward, we continued to travel down the highway, and we encountered groups of monsters once again. This time, there were five Gray Hounds and fifteen Goblins. All of them were swiftly disposed of.
And then you finally reached Gantz huh. Fumu. It looks like they are no ordinary adventurers.
Father, I strongly suspect the party members Ria-san and Elna-san are members of the nobility. I can tell from their gestures and the way they carry themselves. Especially Ria-san. I am almost certain she is part of high nobility.
What!? Nobles, you say!? And high nobles at that! I cant believe it. However, you did undergo noble education as well dear, so if you judge it to be so, then it must be the case But to think they were nobles. Just why are they serving as members of a C-ranked adventurer party then? And they are even qualified magicians of presumably high rank.
Father, I did tell Alan-san and the rest to expect a suitable reward from us.
Well, they did save your lives after all. Its just natural that we reward them, so theres no problem with that. But what shall we do? Should we give them money or valuables? Right, how about high-quality magic swords? I noticed all of them were sporting swords on their waists, so magic swords would be perfect.
Silas-sama, all the party members of Shining Star already have magic swords.
What!? All of them have magic swords!? How unbelievable.
There is no mistake. All of their swords were shining in magical energy when we were recovering the magic stones from the orc corpses. Especially Ria-sans sword. It is probably made with Mythril and is a magic sword of considerable value and workmanship.
Umu. What rich adventurers.
Thats right. Their carriage was also custom made and the horses can be practically used as war horses. They also were in possession of light magic tools and a curious magic tool that emits warm wind.
Ah, that warm wind-emitting magic tool was so wonderful. Just how did they manage to procure one, I wonder, Arista sighed in admiration.
Well, this is a problem. They dont seem to be lacking in money, and I cant even begin to fathom what items they will find valuable. If so, then there is no choice but to invite them for dinner and ask them directly.
Father, I think inviting them for dinner is a good idea, but how do you intend to serve them?
Eh? Wouldnt preparing good meals and some nice drinks be enough?
That is out of the question! We do not know exactly who they are, but we will still be inviting at least two people of noble birth. if we just served them normally, the dignity of our house will be called into question. Lets see. How about preparing a banquet as a celebration for our safe return? What do you think, Karina?
I think thats a wonderful idea, Arista-sama.
Indeed. Alright then. Let us go ahead and start the preparations. Will that be fine, father?
Umu, I shall leave it to you.
The guild master, Kevin, saw the party members of Shining Star off as they left the guild building.
Hey, go and gather all information pertaining to the party Shining Star. Include the date of registration and quest history. Why are such skilled adventurers not well known at all? And why are they still C rank with such skills? Also, dont forget to process that General Orc head.
After an hour or so, there was a knock on the door to the guild masters office.
I brought all the records pertaining to Shining Star.
Oh, that was fast. Lets see It hasnt even been two months since they first registered!? And theres only one official request record I see. So they were all judged as C rankers when they took the evaluation tests huh. That means all of them have the abilities of a C rank adventurer, or possibly even higher. Alright then. Promote all the members of Shining Star to B rank, effective immediately.
Will that really be fine, sir?
Yeah. They are a party skilled enough to completely eliminate an orc settlement all by themselves after all. Theres no problem. There is no reason not to promote them, and we will be earning a little favor from them as a result as well.
Understood. We will do the necessary procedures straight away.