Chapter 14: The Strongest Onmyoji, Recruited Again

The big man puts his feet on the table and fans his chest.

While looking at the situation, I say.

“This is a bar. Why don’t you order a drink? Zamlug -san.”

Lakana’s number one party, the leader of the Red Wings, Zamlug, looks at me with annoyed eyes.

“I don’t need it. How much money do you think I’ve been throwing here until now? I don’t want to complain about staying here for a while.”

“Perhaps that’s true.”

It’s not equipment for adventurers, but the clothes and shoes are fine. As he stands at the top of Lakana’s adventurer party, he seems to be earning a considerable amount of money.

“So, do you need me for anything? It’s hot today, so if possible, I’d like you to stay away from me.”

Zamlug lowered his foot and leaned forward on the table, staring me squarely in the face.

“You talk to me like that? You’ve got some balls, don’t you?”

“…..”

I silently looked back into his eyes, and eventually Zamlug leaned back in his chair and opened his mouth.

“I see. You’re a guest of my father’s.”

“Your father ……?　Oh, you mean the mayor?”

I didn’t think they were related. He told me that he is sometimes called that.

“It doesn’t matter, but I would like you to tell me what you want.”

“You’re a newcomer, and you seem to be in pretty good shape. Seika Lamprog.”

Ignoring my request, Zamlug said.

“When I heard that a kid from some noble family had become an adventurer with a woman, I bet with my comrades on how many days it would take to die, but…. It’s a big loss thanks to you.”

“That’s a pity. Well, I got lucky.”

“Luck? Nope. You’re the real deal.”

“…”

Zamlug paused for a moment, then changed the subject.

I heard you were solicited by that bastard Lloyd.”

“Yeah. I declined.”

“Why?”

“Why? I just didn’t share his views.

“Ha, of course not!”

Zamlug’s voice gets louder.

I scrutinize him and say.

“…… you apparently do, too.”

“Of course.”

The big man sniffs.

“A big party helping each other out?　What do you think adventurers are?.”

“I don’t understand, but what do you think is so important for adventurers?”

“You are free”

Zamlug asserts.

There was a sincerity in the rough man’s word.

“Do you know what freedom is? It means that you are not controlled by anyone, and therefore you do not need help from anyone. Because you are free, you can be loyal to your desires. Because you are free, you will work hard to improve your strength in order to survive. Lakana That’s how it developed out of desire and thirst for life.”

“….”

“The powerless die and the powerful survive. What’s so funny about that?　This city is a free city now because it has always been in search of power. If his spoiled party rules spread to all adventurers, the city will lose its desire and thirst for life. Lakana will eventually be swallowed up by the empire.”

“A party like that should not be at the top of Lakana. The guideline for adventurers in this city should be a powerful party. A party like the one my father once led. ……”

“I didn’t share Lloyd’s view.”

Fed up with the long story, I interrupted him rather forcefully.

“It’s the same with your pet theory, isn’t it?”

“What?”

“What in the world is free about being an adventurer?”

“What do you mean by ……?”

“Many adventurers have no choice but to drift to this town, and with no money, no contacts, and no information, they dive into dungeons in the dark just to survive. What part of this is freedom?　We are bound hand and foot, dragged along by our circumstances.”

“…”

“And in a situation like this, power is of little use. It’s just natural luck that determines survival. …… You and the mayor are in the position you are in now, not because you had power, but because you just got lucky, didn’t you?”

“You know,…….”

“Well, but I see today why you were so blind to Lloyd.”

I laugh, the corners of my mouth hanging open.

“You must have been …… jealous that your beloved mayor had someone you didn’t like serving him so well.”

I remember when Lloyd was called into Mayor Silas’s reception room.

For some reason, it seemed like he was always being asked to do something.

Zamlug’s face had lost its expression.

“…… is that an insult to me?”

Adventurers value face.

Especially when it comes to this man who stands at the top of Lakana’s adventures, he can’t let himself be insulted.

“Now… I don’t care how you perceive it.”

I didn’t really care if he hit me.

The only thing is, this guy must have something to do with it.

I had no choice but to add a few words to settle the matter.

“It’s just that he’s taken care of me several times.”

“… There’s no need to feel indebted to that bastard.”

Zamlug seemed to have sorted it out in himself, saying that it was a statement to preserve the honor of Lloyd, to whom he was indebted.

“And then we finally get to the point.”

“Join my party. Seika Lamprogue.”

“… Huh, you’re also soliciting?”

I’m disappointed with the unexpected business.

“It’s …… us four, and we’re supposed to join the Red Wings?”

“It’s not the four of you, it’s just you. The extra ones are just in the way. But I promise you that you will be well compensated. Even if you share it with your friends, you’ll make more money than you already do.”

“……I think you’re giving me too much credit. I’m just a porter and healer.”

“Don’t tell me a damn lie. How can a guy who comes from a Lamprog family and is the party leader of those women be a mere support worker?”

“…Certainly, I can handle some magic, but in any case, they refuse. My companions say it’s just uncomfortable to be babied . But only those girls. I’m a little worried about making them go on an adventure.”

“Are you their parent or something?”

Zamlug says suspiciously.

“Then fine. Once. Come with me on this adventure once. I’ll give you as much reward as you want.”

“Once at ……?　Where are you headed?”

“South to the mountains. I’m going to take down the boss.”

After a long pause, I open my mouth.

“Is that in response to …… Lloyd’s plan to take out the boss in the east?

“Yes, that’s right. I’m not going to let them monopolize the honor of defeating the boss. If the “Alliance of the linked Tree” stands at the top of all parties and a large number of adventurers fall in love with his ideology, this city will rot. As the number one party in Lakana, we must not allow that to happen.”

Zamlug continued.

“If we are a small group, it will be easier to attack the mountains to the south than to the east because of the terrain. The heat is forcing him to halt his plans, and now is the perfect time.”

“……”

“However, even with my party, it would be difficult with five people to subjugate the boss.”

“I’m sorry, but I refuse. ……”

Then, I suddenly stopped talking.

I glanced at Zamlug, thought for a moment silently, and reconsidered …….

I nodded with a thin smile,

“…… no, that’s fine.”

I’d like to take down the boss to the south with you.

*******

I left the guild and went back to my room, where Yuki poked her head out and said, puzzled.

“Um, Seika-sama?　Are you sure?　Even if we have defeated the boss in the south. Where is the story about the dragon vein ……?”

“I don’t think so. I’m not going to defeat the boss.”

“What?”

“The adventurer …… Zamlug is probably strong in his own right. If his friends and the personnel he’s gathering are about the same level,…… if it’s bad, he might really be defeated. I thought about leaving Lloyd’s alone, but this one is dangerous.”

“Uh, then ……”

“That’s why I’m going to sabotage them.  going to accompany them by saying that I will cooperate. As expected, this is a bad situation if I don’t get my hands on it.”

“Oh, but I think that’s a good idea!　but how?”

“Well, you’ll see. I have an ingenious idea.”

“I’m sure Seika-sama’s idea will work!”

Yuki said in a bouncy voice.

********

Incidentally,……, a few moments later,

Amiyu and the others really stormed into my room.

“Seika, please. Do me a cool one.”

As soon as she entered the room, she collapsed onto the bed, and I said half-eyed to Amiyu, who was rumbling and muttering.

“Go back.”

“Don’t say that!　Come on, you guys,” Amiyu urged me.

Amiyu urges Ifa and Mabel to follow her.

“I’m not going . Seika, can’t you do it……?

“Gosh, …….”

“I’ll do anything.”

“Don’t say ‘anything’ so casually.”

“Our room is very hot and drafty. That’s why I’ve been having a hard time sleeping lately. Please, please.”

Amiyu closes one eye.

After a short pause, …… I sighed heavily.

“I can’t help it.”

“I did it!　Thanks, Seika!”

“You’re sweet after all,…… Seika-sama.”

Yuki whispers in my hair in disgust, but I can’t say anything back.

The three of them, who had been energized, began to frolic as the floating Hitogata began to take the heat from the room.

“Hahahaha, this is the best!　Even the nobility wouldn’t be able to enjoy such luxury!”

“Hah …… it’s cool, Mabel-chan.”

“I’m so glad i’m alive.”

“That’s the best part.”

“I’m sleeping over here today!”

“Hey, are you planning on sleeping three people in that bed?　It’s only meant for one.”

“It’s big enough for one. You can sleep over here, Mabel. How is it?”

“It looks fine.”

“Okay, Ifa, you’ll sleep on this side.”

“Uh-huh. ……”

The three of them shared the bed, and they were ready to go to sleep.

“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve had a good night’s sleep,”

“Be sure to cover yourself with a blanket. Also, the magic will stop when it’s midnight. It’s not good to cool your sleeping body…”

“Okay…you’re kind of creepy sometimes…”

“Jeez, ……!”

“Wow. ……”

And before I could even turn off the lights, I heard someone breathing from the bed.

“…….”

Maybe they had a really hard time sleeping, or maybe they were just tired from playing with the kid during the day.

Well, at least for today.

“I mean, where am I supposed to sleep?”

I was at a loss when I saw the bed already full.

But once you’ve given in, there’s nothing you can do about it.

“I went through my belongings, thinking that I would lay out my cloak and sleep on the floor. Thinking about my childhood in the previous life and the journey across the continent, even such a bed is good enough for me.”

“Seika-kun…… sorry.”

I turned around at the sound of a small, apologetic voice and saw Ifa looking at me with her eyes turned to the side.

She continues.

“Seika-kun, it’s like we’re taking your bed.”

“What, did you wake up? “

It’s a bed robbery, you guys.

“…… want me to switch rooms?　I’m fine in that room over there. ……

I chuckled at her, and reached out to pat her on the head.

“ I’m sure Amiyu would beat me up if I slept there in the morning.”

“Hmm …… right?　But ……

“That’s all right. You three sleep well together.”

“…… yes.”

Ifa replied and pulled the blanket up to her mouth.

“…… Ifa.”

“What?, Seika?”

“Are you having a hard time right now?”

She blinked a few times, then she answered in a cheerful voice.

“I’m fine, I’m having fun. I can help everyone by myself. I was a little scared at first,……, but the people in town are all nice. I got a piece of fruit from Eik-san afterwards today, too. He said it was a thank you.”

“Really.”

I smiled naturally at that moment.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

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