Chapter 49: Scout

“That’s a lie! That’s horsesh*t!” (Miguel)

　The day after defeating the Bronze Wolf, I went with Laius and Jill to report again to the village chief, and Miguel, who was present at the meeting, shouted out,

“You don’t have a fire attribute, it’s the empty void attribute. There’s no way you can defeat a Bronze Wolf!” (Miguel)

　Laius explained that it was my fire magic that put an end to the Bronze Wolf, so it was only natural that Miguel, who had received the “Nest Leaving Ceremony” on the same day, would want to protest.

“Nyango, you are not a fire attribute user?” (Laius)

“Yes, my magic is of the void attribute… But it was my magic that burned the Bronze Wolf’s head.” (Nyango)

　Laius, Jill, and the village chief are all confused, but only Mr. Zeol, who knows what’s going on, is smiling at them.

“What do you mean? Then, are you saying that you can use fire attribute magic in addition to void attribute magic?” (Laius)

“No, the only attribute magic that I can use is the void attribute.” (Nyango)

“But it was Nyango who put an end to Bronze Wolf, wasn’t it?” (Laius)

“Yes, I used void attribute magic, and fire and wind Engraving Magic.” (Nyango)

“Engraving Magic…?” (Laius)

　When I explained that the Engraving Magic is triggered when air containing magical elements is solidified in the form of a magic circle by void attribute magic, everyone except Mr. Zeol had their eyes widen.

　Even Miguel, who had been screaming that it was a lie, a lie, when I showed him how to activate the [Flame Lance] in the garden, gritted his teeth so hard that his face turned red and walked out.

　As far as the appearance of magic goes, fire magic is the flashiest and certainly the most effective against monsters.

　If Miguel had practiced magic seriously, he might have been able to use more powerful magic, but at the moment he is probably still just around throwing fireballs.

　And yet, he must have been frustrated because I, with my void attribute, used fire magic that was far more powerful than his.

　After I dispelled the [Flame Lance], Laius asked me a question.

“Could it be that you can use Engraving Magic other than fire and wind?” (Laius)

“Yes, there are other Engraving Magic that can be used, and once I learn the magic circle, I should be able to increase what I can use.” (Nyango)

“The only ones I can think of right off the top of my head are water and light…” (Laius)

　When I nodded, Laius looked at Jill and then seriously stared at my face.

“Nyango, I need to talk to you later, after I’ve finished this report.” (Laius)

“I understand.” (Laius)

　The leaders of Chariot and Bored Men, who were among the veteran party members in Ibouro, were all present at the report, and the village chief trusted the contents of the report and signed the proof of subjugation.

　Without a certificate of subjugation signed by the client, the village chief, no matter how much they claim they finished the subjugation in the guild in Ibouro, the results of the subjugation would not be recognized.

　So, even if Teodoro claims credit for the subjugation, as he did when the Bronze Wolf was killed, it will not be recognized.

　The guild in Ibouro will be informed that it was me, Chariot, and the members of the Bored Men who defeated the Bronze Wolf.

　The members of the Raging, with the exception of Teodoro, were involved in the search but took little part in the battle, so they will not claim the credit.

　The remains of Kirtland and the others, who were killed by Bronze Wolf, are said to be delivered to the guild and given to their families.

　And it seems that all of Teodoro’s actions during the subjugation of the Bronze Wolf will also be reported.

　Since no direct damage was done this time, it is unlikely that any penalties will be imposed, but his name will be placed on the guild’s watch list.

　When all the reports were finished, Mr. Zeol also joined the conversation.

“Hahahaha, I thought you were an interesting guy, but I never thought that you would kill a Bronze Wolf at your age.” (Zeol)

“Even if I say I did it, it was only because of Chariot and the rest of the Bored Men who did the dangerous work. If it had been just me, I would have followed Mr. Zeol’s advice and not gone into the mountains in the first place.” (Nyango)

“I don’t believe you. …If you decided to do something, you’ll go for it even if you have to trample on my words.” (Zeol)

“Well… it’s not impossible…” (Nyango)

　The reason I lost my left eye was the result of rushing past Mr. Zeol’s warnings, and the reason I got my current magical power was that I ate an orc’s heart without telling Mr. Zeol.

“Well, a man who becomes an adventurer is more or less reckless. In the first place, if you don’t go on an adventure, you aren’t an adventurer.” (Zeol)

　At Mr. Zeol’s words, Laius and Jill nodded their heads.

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　The two are looked up to by the younger generation, but they probably did some reckless things when they were younger.

　After the report was over, Laius invited me up to Chariot’s carriage.

　When I turned my feet to the encampment, I found that many adventurers had already folded their tents and were preparing to leave for Ibouro.

“It looks like some people have already left.” (Nyango)

“Yes. I’m sorry to say this, but once the Bronze Wolf was defeated, there will be no work in Atsuka.” (Laius)

　Atsuka is a small mountain village that is largely self-sufficient, and as Laius said, there is no work for adventurers to be asked to do, nor can they afford to make requests in the first place.

　Even if adventurers remained in Atsuka Village, the only way to make a living would be to change jobs to become hunters.

“Nyango, why don’t you join Chariot?” (Laius)

“Eh……?” (Nyango)

　Laius’ comment was not entirely unexpected, but it was said so abruptly before we arrived at the chariot that I gave a dumbfounded response.

　And the words that followed were completely unexpected.

“We believe that you have the potential to be rated as B-rank at present and an A-rank or higher in the future.” (Laius)

“Me, B-rank…?” (Nyango)

“Yes, you are.  You know what you lack?” (Laius)

“Experience… Right?” (Nyango)

“Yes, at your age, it should be in short supply, but it will remain in short supply for as long as you continue to operate in this village, you’ll still be inexperienced no matter how long it takes.” (Laius)

　Laius’ words are painfully factual.

　In Atsuka village, where there is no guild office to begin with, unless dangerous monsters appear, as they did this time, the only adventurer-like work is clearing out goblins’ nests before winter and taking down orcs that appear from time to time.

“Come with us. I don’t mean to brag, but we’re a well-known party in Ibouro, and Serge and Gad like you. We have a building where we are based, so you don’t have to worry about a place to live.” (Laius)

“Can you… give me some time to think about it?” (Nyango)

　The offer from Laius is as tempting as it gets.

　After two days of working together, I think the members of Chariot are trustworthy, and more importantly, it would be a great environment to make up for my lack of experience.

　Still, it’s hard to make the decision to leave the village of Atsuka right now.

“I don’t mind. I think you will need to do a lot of preparation even if you leave the village. This is the address of our base. Come visit us when you are ready.” (Laius)

“Thank you very much. I will consider it positively.” (Nyango)

　I received a piece of paper with the address of the base written on it and parted ways with Laius.

　I turned around and went back to the village chief’s house, and then went to the place where Mr. Zeol lived.

“Mr. Zeol, are you there?” (Nyango)

“Yeah, come in.” (Zeol)

　Mr. Zeol was lying on his bed and reading a book as usual.

　He closed the book and got up, gesturing toward a chair with his chin as if to say, “Well, sit down”, while he stood up and began to boil water to make tea.

　I had tried to help him before, but he refused, saying that he was particular about the process of boiling water.

　I called out to Mr. Zeol, who hummed as he began to prepare the tea.

“Um…” (Nyango)

“Go on.” (Zeol)

“Eh?” (Nyango)

“Were you scouted by Chariot?” (Zeol)

“Yes. But I haven’t been able to land a blow on Mr. Zeol yet.” (Nyango)

“Hmph, I’ll say it. You did well while hiding such great magic. If it was only staff arts, I would be stronger, but if it was overall strength, Nyango, you’re already better than me.” (Zeol)

“If it’s just limited to offensive power… Right?” (Nyango)

“By the looks of it, Laius must have told you that. Of course, he did, and that you can’t get experience in Atsuka village.” (Zeol)

“Yes……” (Nyango)

　He was present at the report to the village chief, so Mr. Zeol knew everything that was going on.

“Is it Grandma Carisa?” (Zeol)

“Yes……” (Nyango)

　The one who worries me the most about leaving the village is Grandma Carisa, the apothecary.

　She is hale and hearty now, but she lives alone and is also quite old.

　She still sometimes goes into the mountains to pick medicinal herbs, but she can’t seem to go as far into the mountains as she used to when she taught me.

　It seems that several people have become apprentices with the aim of becoming an apothecary, but it seems that they have not become full-fledged ones.

　Even now, she is teaching the children of the village about medicinal herbs, but she can’t get as deep into the mountains as I can.

　If I leave the village, there may be a shortage of medicinal herbs, and if that happens, I have a feeling that Grandma Carisa’s life will suffer.

“You idiot. Don’t try to solve everything by yourself. If the medicine for Grandma Carisa runs out, the whole village will be in trouble. If that’s the case, then all the villagers should work together to solve the problem.” (Zeol)

“If that’s the case, me too…” (Nyango)

“Hmph. The village boy takes a step forward for his own future, and it’s our job as adults to encourage him to do so.” (Zeol)

“Mr. Zeol…” (Nyango)

“Don’t worry. If push comes to shove, I’ll carry the old lady on my back and take her up into the mountains. So go ahead.” (Zeol)

“Yes, thank you.” (Nyango)

　As I bowed my head to Mr. Zeol, tears fell onto my lap.

　I will probably never be able to raise my head to Mr. Zeol.