Seeker 136

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Chapter 136. Aria-san's Request

The day after Aria-san, and my party escaped from the dungeon.

We then returned to the town.

It's only 95 days left until they can return to our original world. 

By the way, I wonder if that dungeon was in this world or our world. 

It doesn't matter. I don't know if it's worth distinguishing.

Let's put that aside for now.

Kazane-san, Yuzuki, and I woke up at the inn, went downstairs, and washed our faces before heading to the dining area for breakfast early in the morning.

The inn we are staying at has a tavern on the first floor and rooms for lodging on the second floor. 

Our breakfast was included in the accommodation fee.

We reserved a 4 person table and went to the counter to order breakfast from the inn's owner. 

"Alright, sorry to keep you waiting. Since you all look like big eaters, I made it extra large for you."

After a while, the owner brought us three breakfast servings on a tray. 

It consisted of bread, vegetable soup, sausages, scrambled eggs, a slice of orange, and a glass of milk.

"Oh, by the way, have you heard? About the Lord's condition."

"The Lord? Is something wrong?"

Yuzuki asked in response.

"Lord" refers to the noble who governs this town and the surrounding villages. 

There's a castle in one corner of the town where the Lord supposedly resides. 

This vague information tends to make its way to my knowledge as I live in this world.

For instance, the conversation the inn's owner was having just now.

"I heard that the Lord fell ill. It's an unknown and strange illness, they say."

"An unknown and strange illness...? I feel like I heard about that recently somewhere."

"Hotaru-chan, isn't that the same as Aria-san's father's illness?"

"Oh, right, Kazane-san. That's it."

I, too, recalled Aria-san's behavior from yesterday. 

After we escaped from the dungeon and returned to the town, we parted ways with Aria-san in front of the adventurer's guild. 

However, just then, an elderly man dressed as a butler appeared and whispered something to Aria-san. 

After that, she quickly left with the butler, only checking the inn where we were staying. 

At that time, Aria-san mentioned that her father seemed to be suffering from a mysterious illness.

"But, ma'am, is the Lord going to be okay?"

"Yeah, I'm really worried. You know, people say our Lord is a pretty good one compared to Lords from other towns. He keeps the taxes reasonable, and in other towns, they take a lot more. Besides, the eldest son, the heir, is quite problematic, right? If something were to happen to the current Lord, we'd be in trouble. I'm sure."

"...Ma'am, you're surprisingly shrewd."

"Haha, I let my true thoughts slip. Let's keep it a secret from the Lord. But honestly, I hope it's not a serious illness."

While listening to such gossip, we received our breakfast and returned to our reserved table. 

As Kazane-san picked at her sausages with a fork, she asked me.

"Hey, Daichi-kun, so that's the situation, right? Aria is the daughter of the Lord of this town, and that Lord, who is Aria-san's father, has fallen ill with a mysterious disease."

"Well, that seems to be the gist of it. With all these connections and clues, it's unlikely that it's unrelated."

"In that case, it seems like someone quite important was on the verge of dying in that dungeon. By the way, why would someone as well-bred as the Lord's daughter become an adventurer?"

"Who knows? From he acted like a butler, she seemed to be adventuring incognito. Could she be a spirited young lady, or maybe on a journey to save the world incognito..."

As we finished breakfast, we were imagining all sorts of things about Aria-san. 

We were about to leave the inn, ready to head to the Adventurer's Guild when suddenly...

"Ah...! Thank goodness, I made it in time!"

There stood Aria-san, the girl we had heard rumors about. 

She rushed towards us and grabbed my hand as if she wanted to envelop it in both her hands.

"I have a favor to ask of you, Daichi-san, and everyone! Instead of going to the Adventurer's Guild, I thought I should ask you directly... Hiiii..!"

However, at that moment, Aria-san let out a scream and let go of my hand. 

I noticed Kazane-san's icy stare piercing into Aria.

With teary eyes, Aria-san trembled as she shook her head at Kazane-san, her voice trembling.

"I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to. I won't deceive Daichi-san or anything... please don't kill me..."

"It's okay. As long as you understand, Aria-san. Or should I call you Althea-sama, as that butler did?"

Kazane-san smiled, but there was a hint of intimidation in her expression.

Ah, I know that. 

It's called the "Dark Smile of the Dark Ages" or something like that, isn't it?

"Anyway, back to the point! I have a favor to ask of all of you! If you accept, I'm willing to pay a substantial reward that matches your abilities as adventurers."

"Well, it depends on the details of the request..."

I couldn't give a straightforward answer. W

hile I want to help Aria-san with her request, what we truly seek as adventurers is not just monetary rewards.

But the experience points gained from completing missions. 

We also have a time limit, and can't afford to waste time on fruitless endeavors.

I had a feeling a notification sound would ring right about now.

As I was thinking that, Aria-san approached and hesitantly spoke.

"I'll explain the details later, but I need to tell you this now... inhales deeply ...Alright, here it goes. You see... Daichi-san and everyone, I want you to help me defeat a Dragon together!"

Oh? A dragon, you say?

I couldn't help but have my eyes gleam with interest.