Chapter 152 (2/2)

Once we've seen everything in Forestia, we could go to Bios.

「Selyse!」Selica called. More men gathered around them now, too many to handle.

「They're calling you.」

「I should go back. It's hard being a celebrity.」

「It's what you wanted, right? Can't say I feel sorry for you.」

「I have one last question, though, if you don't mind.」Selyse wore a serious look.「Giant Rock Vipers are basically snakes, right? Wasn't it strange how they attacked in groups?」

Hikaru thought that as well. But it was a tough question to answer. Their unusual behavior could be attributed to them simply being monsters.

「I don't know. Maybe something odd happened.」

「Yes, exactly. That's why there are peculiar monsters as well. Then there's the abnormal outbreak at Un el Portan. Have you thought that perhaps something strange is going on?」

Selyse had no points on “Instinct”. It was something she arrived at logically. As such, her speculation carried weight.

「I'm not an expert on monsters.」Hikaru said.

It wasn't as if he had no theories in mind. If there were only vipers around, he probably wouldn't have thought much about it. But they fought lizards too. Lizards could evolve into dragons, right? The abnormal outbreak in Un el Portan was caused by a subspecies of the Earth Dragon. Drakons and dragons. It seemed as though something strange was happening with these two species.

「Okay.」Selyse stood up and returned to her table. Whether she was satisfied with Hikaru's answer or not, he didn't know.

Paula returned with a jar of chili pepper and garlic soaked in olive oil, something used in Italian cooking.

「Thanks for waiting. Was Selyse here just now?」

「Yeah. The crowd made it hard to breathe, so she escaped here. Selica called her back, though.」

「What's wrong, Lavia?」

「I think Selyse just wanted to have a chat with you.」

「What do you mean?」

「It feels like she shows her true face when talking to you.」

「Oh, I know what you mean. She shows me her dark side.」

「That's not what I'm saying.」

「Hmm?」

「S-So she's a rival!」Paula cut in.

「A rival? I don't intend to compete with a rank B adventurer.」

「Lavisan, is Hikaru-sama the dense type?」

「He's actually quite sharp. But he's a bit slow with these kinds of things.」

「Wow, rude. I'll have you know I can tell what someone is planning based on their gestures and how they talk.」

Paula and Lavia exchanged glances.

「So Hikaru-sama is dense.」

「Gotta watch out.」

The girls were whispering to each other. Hikaru was glad they got along, but he felt alienated as well. He felt just a bit sad.

Anyway, I guess this “stormy” day is over. It'll be a while until I use the job cla.s.s again.

「Hey, let's meet up with Professor Mille and Katy tomorrow to discuss our next plans. I don't think we need to stay in Catford any longer—」

「Is the Four Stars of the East here?!」

The guildmaster showed up at the bar with an indescribable look on his face. Sensing something wrong, everyone gradually became quiet.

「What's wrong, guildmaster?」Selyse rose from her seat.

The guildmaster made a beeline for her.「You're from Ponsonia, correct?」

「Yes.」

「Do you know about the dispute between the Prince and the Princess?」

「We do.」

「We just received new info. I double checked it and apparently it's true.」

「What is it?」

Adventurers who didn't know the situation in Ponsonia were talking among themselves.「Seriously?」「That place sure sounds dangerous.」

The guildmaster nodded.「Einbeast has declared war against Ponsonia. They already marched their forces and are closing in on the fort city of Leather Elka.」

463'>

<script>