Chapter 100 (1/2)

Chapter 100 – Chasing the Forest Hermit

It had been about a week since we identified that Vi-Vi’s sister was involved in the zombification problem.

After the sun went down, all of the rest of the party gathered at my house.

Vi-Vi was playing with Moofy, and Cruz was playing with Shiggy. Femm was on the floor sleeping.

Yureena and Luka were drinking tea.

Just then, a sound came from Luka’s chest.

Ringringringring

A magical contacting item.

It was a very expensive item, but it wasn’t strange for Luka to have one as a higher-up in the guild.

Luka jumped up.

「Al. I think the forest hermit’s hideout has been found.」

「Really? Let’s go to the capital then.」

Luka’s magical item was used to transmit important information. However, it can only do it through a ringing sound.

In order to give correct orders to the army, several of these magical items are used.

When a foreign kingdom invades, or when monsters attack, it’s used as well.

This device was probably given to her to tell when the location of the forest hermit was found.

「I’m going too!」

「Moo mooo」

Vi-Vi and Moofy stood up.

When I stood up, Shiggy flew over to me. I put it in my chest pocket.

Femm got up without making a sound.

Cruz got up enthusiastically and said,

「It’s finally time, Al!」

「No, Cruz, you stay here.」

「Whaaa?」

Yureena grabbed Cruz from behind.

「Cruz, defending the town is more important.」

「I know, but…」

「Cruz, PLEEEEASE.」

「If Al says so, then I’ll do it!」

Cruz finally agreed. Yureena also would stay.

Whenever we split the party, it was usually Luka and I, and Cruz and Yureena.

Those combos provided the best party balances.

When we split three and one, I was the one usually left out of the party.

So Luka, Vi-Vi, Femm, Moofy, Shiggy, and I all went to the capital.

We emerged from Cruz’ mansion, and some adventurers were waiting. Luka probably arranged that.

The adventurers all bowed to Luka.

「Miss Luka, the forest hermit is in a tavern.」

「Thanks.」

We all ran.

I and Vi-Vi were both riding on Moofy, wearing our masks.

If Femm got larger, then it was certain we’d stand out.

「This forest hermit isn’t much of a hermit.」

「Seems to be the case.」

「If she’s not hiding anything, perhaps that means she’s not doing anything bad, Al?」

「You might be right, Vi-Vi.」

Vi-Vi’s thoughts were mixed with optimism that her sister wasn’t up to anything nefarious. But,I couldn’t deny that she might be right.

She didn’t hide who she was when she bought the zombification materials and she was staying at a public tavern.

You wouldn’t even think she was doing something criminal like making zombies.

There was an adventure party that had staked out the outside of the tavern. They were B-rank.

Since the capital was quite peaceful, a B-rank party was the most common.

「Miss Luka, she’s still inside.」

「Thanks.」

「No problem…it was an easy task.」

「Leave the rest to us.」

Luka went into the tavern.

I spoke to the two animals with spirit speech.

『Femm, Moofy, keep a lookout.』

『Understood.』「Moo.」

Then Vi-Vi and I went inside.

The customers and owner suddenly freaked out.

「Eeeek!」

「Monsters?!」

One of the customers reached for his sword.

They were being way to cautious. But…Vi-Vi and I did have the masks on.

I guess it was our fault.

「Relax, everyone. They’re with ME.」

And saying this, Luka presented to everyone her adventurer card.

The whole place seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Whoever was with Luka was someone to be trusted, regardless of how weird they looked.

「That’s the warrior Luka!」

「She’s beautiful.」

Those that were seeing her for the first time were happy that were able to meet her.

「Do you have a guest staying here called Vallimie?」

「Go up to the second floor and it’s the door right in front of you.」

「Thanks」

Luka ran straight up the stairs. Vi-Vi and I stayed downstairs.

—Knock knock knock

「Ms. Vallimie! I have something to talk to you about!」

There was no response to Luka’s voice.

「Haah!」

—CRACK