141 140. Meanwhile, at that time, the Epic Seeker.txt (1/2)

We travel from the Southern Sea of the Confederacy to Lauravia.

The place where I passed through the Connection is my old room. It's my old office at Epic Seeker Headquarters. I'm going to keep my Connection here forever.

It was supposed to be a drab, bare space with the bare minimum of stuff to focus on work - but the room has been transformed with just a little space to spare.

Piles of papers were placed everywhere and there was nowhere to step.

I sensed someone in the room and greeted them.

'Oh, good morning - ....... No, I'm back, is that right?

Then the woman who was huddled at the desk I used to use looks up.

'What, Master?　It's only been a few days, ......?

This is Teri Rinker, the wizard from Epic Seeker.

Apparently, she's in charge of the paperwork after I'm gone.

Tairi is stunned. I'm sure you'll be able to find it in your heart to be a good friend.

I didn't mean to say I wouldn't come back. I don't mind, but I'll keep talking.

...... I'm not a guildmaster anymore, so please don't call me that.

Nah, I'm just saying. The Epic Seeker Master slot is a permanent one. It's always been yours, Kanami.

Yes, why: ......?

It's easier for us to do things if people think Kanami is the one who rules behind the scenes. Will you let me use your name?

'That's fine, but ....... Using my name will only have a negative effect on you, won't it?　Maybe they're treating you like a kidnapper, right: ......?

'Sure, that's true. But there are a lot of popular criminals out there, you know?　So, you're a criminal, but you've become the star of Lauravia. The citizens of Lauravian will know that Kanami had a reason to be there. They're like, ”Oh, our Lauravian hero must have taken the princesses from their cages to save them from their suffering. Well, that's the truth. We, the Epic Seekers, are determined to spread the word.

Ha, ha. ......

It's hard to react to being called a popular (star). It will only have a negative impact on future labyrinth exploration.

''Hah, no, Kanami-kun. After all you've done, did you think it was nothing?　You're now the strongest of the ”Hero”, plus the ”Sword Sage” and the ”Guardian Killer”. You're the darling of all adventurers and explorers. You'll become a legend that will last for a hundred years. Although he is a guild master, he single-handedly participates in the Dance Tournament - after a mythical battle, he defeats the greatest enemy of the Confederation, the Guardian, head-on. The ”natural hero” who seduced the present gods and apostles of the nationalist religion, seduced the daughters of the four noble families, seduced many female spectators and contestants with his naturalness, and even seduced the former ”strongest”, ”the sage of swords”, and ”the son of the noble families”, and escaped from the ”Dance Contest” with his naturalness! --That's how it will go down. That's a good thing, Master. By the way, since the V'alfoura theatre ship started putting on plays about your exploits, the number of people who know about the legend is growing rapidly.

What's that?　You're probably too full of exaggerations, misconceptions, and prejudices about everything: ......!　It sucks!

'No, I don't think there's any exaggeration, misunderstanding, or prejudice here: ....... Anyway, I'm sure the traveling bards will be celebrating the battles in your 'dancing tournament'. The legend of Aikawa Kanami, the new hero born to the Confederacy: ......!　Uh-huh!

'Yo, okay, I'll change my name: ......!　If you don't know about heroes or anything else, I don't know: ......!

It was a moment when I could tell everyone what was going on and bring them back to Christ.

As I'm struggling to find a way to escape the unwanted honor, Teyri changes the subject.

'So what are you doing here?　Are you ready to marry Snow?　Oh, if you two have children, will you let me name them?

I can't. I can't. I'm here to ask you for a favor, .......

Huh, I'm curious about what you're asking for, Kanami.

I take out the converted ore from my 'possessions' and spread it out on the table in the center of the office.

''With the power of Rowen's magic stone, I think I can mass-produce any mineral I want. Is there any way I can convert it into cash somehow?　If possible, it would be helpful if 'Epic Seeker' would redeem the money against the larger institutions instead: ......

In front of the gold and silver treasures spread out in front of him, Teyri put his hand to his mouth.

''Wow, wow. ...... With a story this big, it's impossible for me to do it alone. But it's just right. There just happens to be someone in the next room who can handle the big story.

Anyone who might be able to respond: ......?

Teyri inhaled heavily and called out loudly for people.

'Glenn-san!　Hey, can you come over here?　And Volsak, just in case!

The name that came up was Glenn Walker.

It's surprising to see one of the strongest explorers in the Epic Seeker.

It's not long before the door to his office opens. It's like he really was in the next room.

Glenn, rubbing his sleepy eyes, appears. And Volzak-san is following behind him.

I'd like to have a break from this, Teri,” she said. I fell asleep just now, and I'm going to ......--!

The moment he brings me into view, Glenn's half-open eyes widen. Her eyes shine brightly and she grabs my hand with great force.

''--Ka, isn't it Kanami-kun!　Why are you here!

'Good morning, Mr. Glenn. I'm back in a bit to do you a favor.

'Kanami-kun, don't be such a stranger: ......!　Don't be shy, you can call me brother-in-law, okay?　So when is Snow's wedding going to be?　Phew, phew, phew ......!

Is this the Snow Supporters' Club or something like that ......?

At the first word, I was taken aback by the people who were trying to get Snow and I to marry each other.

At my question, Teyri nodded, as if to say it was natural. No, don't nod.

'You're right, you're not wrong. ...... And you're the president of the 'Epic Seeker' (Snow Fan Club), Kanami.

I wanted it to be wrong: ”....... By the way, the withdrawal is--

I can't.

I'm the chairman of the board, and yet ......

I start to cry at the ornamental position with no authority at all.

After all, while reaffirming that the members of Epic Seeker are somehow crazy, I pretend I didn't listen to the story and pose a question to Mr. Glenn.

'For that matter, why is Ms. Glenn here?'

Basically, I'm supposed to be the one to clean up after Snow's problem. Losing the title of 'strongest' has given me a little extra time. I'm going to be the youngest person in the Epic Seeker for a while.

'Oh, I see. Thank you.

It's our way of saying thank you.

I've heard that Mr. Glenn was in The Epic Seeker back in the day. As his brother, he must have been watching over Snow since then. The person in question doesn't seem to be aware of it at all.

'So what can I do for you?　You're here because of what's going on, aren't you?

It's this ore that I'm trying to get paid for.

I encourage him to look at the table.

Then Glenn's loose face tightens. His sharp gaze gives me a glimpse of the 'strongest'.

Is this the power of Rowen's magic stone?

...... You know exactly what I mean.

I've got good instincts.

Early on, Mr. Glenn figured out the identity of the ore.

He said, ”No wonder the big shots on the mainland are so interested in it. If this kind of power is in the hands of a private individual, it could easily tip the country over.

He picked up one gem and gave his insight as a hero of the past war who had fought in the upper echelons of the Allies.

''No, maybe you have a different plan. With this magic stone, maybe - or maybe not?

I stare at the jewels, repeating to myself as I stare at them.

However, he quickly remembers the main topic and turns his head towards me.

'Ah, the exchange of ore. Don't worry, I have a hand for you. I'll take care of it in Epic Seeker. If it's the honorary president of the Snow Fan Club and his son-in-law's request, there's no way we can refuse him.

...... Can I turn this into a request to the guild as an individual?

I was afraid that if I asked for it, I would establish a position that I didn't quite understand.

So I'll ask as an explorer, not as a guild master.

In that case, I'll have to pay a fee for the request. In that case, I'll ask for the child with Snow for my fee. By the way, I'll do whatever it takes to get the naming rights for the two children.

Glenn Walker, a hero of the past, was serious in his eyes. They were too serious, too serious to be anything but insane.

I couldn't help but nod my head, frightened.

''Gui, as Guildmaster, please. ......

Yeah, I got it.

With a sense of defeat, I accept the position of the honorary chairman and all that.

Then, I take out all the ore magic stone gems in my 'belongings' and start checking the numbers.

It's a split-up process, but it still takes time.

Along the way, small talk is naturally interrupted. However, most of the conversation was about Snow.

'So, have you made any progress with our Mr. Snow?

'Yes. More than anything else, that's what I want to hear.

I'm sure there are more questions that need to be asked, but with a serious look on their faces they both want to know what Snow has been up to.