Twilight Alchemist 15.2

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15.2. It's Surprising How Many Facts We Learn Afterward, Isn't It?

"Has it really been only half a year since we started pioneering here?"

"Yes, we welcome all of you!"

The village was in a festive mood. On that day, they began establishing a branch of the adventurer's guild and accepting new pioneers. 

Pioneers arrived with the movement of the adventurer's guild staff, and since they came with an adventurer party, they also served as an escort.

Representative Kyle approached the adventurer guild staff and pioneers, and when the adventurer party recognized my face, they rushed over.

"Hey! Craft!"

Surprisingly, it was Raidoc's party, who had formed a party with me in the early days as adventurers and served as escorts for the pioneering village.

"Raidoc! Another escort job?"

"Not just that. I've decided to operate from this village for a while."

"What do you mean?"

Raidoc's adventurer rank was C. Most members were probably C or D.

Such a capable party was settling in this pioneering village?

"What's your intention?"

"Well, around here, we won't run short on subjugation requests, right? In the past, there was no suitable base, so we couldn't come this far. But now there's a splendid village. We won't have trouble with supplies either."

"That's... it might be true."

Fortunately, rewards for subjugating common monsters are paid by the local lord. 

In this case, it would be Baylroad Frontier Viscount, Kyle's father. 

The adventurer guild handles the procedures, so I don't have to worry about anything.

"Well, to be honest, it seemed interesting."

"Interesting, you say?"

"A genuinely adventurer-like answer, don't you think? Weird?"

"No, it's just like you."

Raidoc paused for a moment and looked at the sky.

"Just a little. I regret asking you to leave the party."

I had formed a party with Raidoc in the early days of becoming an adventurer. 

At that time, everyone was a beginner, and no one complained about my magic.

However, as we climbed rapidly from F-rank to E-rank, aiming for D-rank, my hindrance became evident. The rank is given individually, not to the party.

But if the party doesn't have achievements, individual contributions are unclear. 

The party's success can be considered the success of the adventurer itself. 

We had to make a decision—to cut me off to move forward. 

In the end, I left the party at that time. 

After that, I joined various starting parties and repeated similar experiences. 

Those who couldn't speak ill of me called me a 'Finger Magician' or a 'Mouth-Only Magician'.

"Well, I don't bear a grudge. Forming a party without matching skills is dangerous."

"That's true, but do you know what they called you in the guild?"

"A 'Mouth-Only Magician', right?"

"That's only a few people. They're just loudmouths."

They had another name? I've been working as an adventurer for four years, and this is the first time I've heard of it.

"I was a veteran adventurer trainer. Some of the newcomers who received benefits don't say much because of embarrassment and gratitude, but that's what they call me."

"I've never heard of that. Such a story."

"Well, I guess so. Despite being raised by you, I had no choice but to kick you out of the party to move forward. I can't say it in front of the person with such a burden."

"... Well."

"Well, many people have looked down on you. That's the fate of adventurers."

"I know, but..."

Come to think of it, when I quit being an adventurer, there were few rookie parties, and I was often accepted into veteran parties or those from other towns. 

There were many veteran parties like Marlboro, who made fun of me, a newly arrived party leader.

"Well, that's not the only reason. If we excel, won't we be useful to this pioneering village? Can't we make up for it a bit?"

I couldn't help but feel a warmth in my eyes, but I bit my back teeth and resisted the sweat that seemed about to spill from my eyes.

"Yeah. Count on me."

"Leave it to me."

The handshake I exchanged with Raidoc was very firm.