Chapter 293

As Tatsuro placed his foot on the board and soared into the sky, he immediately thought of a more efficient way to fly and decided to try it out.

“Tsukuyomi, can you spread Secom-kun like large wings?”

In response to Tatsuro’s question, the core of Tsukuyomi inside his coat flickered brightly. From the water orb that had been deployed like a thunder drum, three pairs of slime-like wings emerged, catching the wind and gaining altitude.

The six wings automatically adjusted to the wind magic conjured by Amaterasu, riding it skillfully, so Tatsuro stowed the board.

“It’s like a paraglider. But this isn’t the time to be saying that. Let’s hurry, Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi.”

When the cores of the two entities flickered simultaneously, their flight speed increased, and they swiftly folded their wings to slip through the open window.

“Welcome back. How did it go, Tatsuro?”

“Leah is likely at the castle of the Lord of Lyusiten Territory. To confirm this, I’m going to have the Adventurer’s Guild analyze some evidence. For now, I don’t think Leah is in any immediate danger.”

At Tatsuro’s words, everyone visibly relaxed.

He then briefly explained the information he’d gotten from Aarenfrit.

“Got it. So, what happened to Aarenfrit?”

“I made him spill the info and gave him a piece of my mind for messing with my sister.”

“Nice one, Father!”

“Yeah.”

Tatsuro caught Nana as she leapt into his arms, gently patting her head.

Since it was uncertain whether they’d return, they packed up their belongings and decided to check out of the comfortable inn.

Descending slowly to the ground floor felt like a hassle, so they jumped out the window, landing at the entrance. Tatsuro went to the reception desk, returned the key, and got a refund for the extra payment.

Then, Tatsuro scooped Ai up in a princess carry, had Tsukuyomi spread its wings, and took to the sky.

Nana, in her True Form and Child Form, held Jeanne, while Cardina, also in True Form, grabbed Athena and followed Tatsuro.

“This way of flying is fun. If it weren’t for the situation, I’d be enjoying it.”

“Yeah. Once we save Leah and things settle down, how about a sky date, just the two of us?”

“Definitely!”

Since arriving in this world, Tatsuro had often been carried by Ai in a princess hold. But this time, with him carrying her, he felt a slight thrill.

In no time, they arrived above the Adventurer’s Guild.

Tatsuro and the others landed swiftly, ignoring the curious stares, and stepped inside.

Heading straight to an open reception desk, Tatsuro presented his Guild Card and stated his request bluntly.

“I need you to repay a debt.”

“-!? …This seems serious. I’ll report to the Guild Master immediately.”

“Thank you.”

Thanks to his history of helping adventurers, Tatsuro was well-regarded by the guild staff. Perhaps because of this, the male receptionist began moving without even asking for details and, as promised, quickly led them to the office of the Guild Master—a female dwarf named Hilde Weber.

After brief greetings, Tatsuro summarized the recent events, handed over a piece of a Wax Seal and a letter, and requested analysis. He also mentioned Aarenfrit, noting that while he wasn’t a threat to ordinary people, he was still dangerous, though unlikely to be caught easily.

“You mentioned repaying a debt, but we don’t consider this a debt.”

“Really? Even though it might involve taking action against a Lord?”

While Tatsuro and his group could resolve the issue by force, if high-ranking adventurers acted too recklessly, they risked turning the entire Adventurer’s Guild network against them.

To avoid this, Tatsuro wanted to ensure they were in the right and, if possible, leverage the guild’s authority. Their opponent was a Lord, albeit one on the verge of ruin. Getting entangled in national politics or power struggles was something Tatsuro wanted to avoid, so he planned to let the guild handle the messy details.

He even thought the guild might owe them more than they were owed, but Hilde dismissed that notion.

“While recruiting adventurers is generally permitted, inhumane methods like taking hostages are strictly forbidden and are explicitly stated in our contracts with nations. As long as our members follow guild rules, we are obligated to protect them. Thus, if Lyusiten Territory—or even Heldamdo itself—is involved, this could be considered an act of hostility by Heldamdo against the entire Adventurer’s Guild. First, we’ll analyze the letter’s contents, handwriting, and Wax Seal. If necessary, we’ll inform the king of this country to investigate their involvement. If they’re found guilty, we’ll withdraw all Adventurer’s Guild branches from this country. In the worst case, we might even consider conflict with the nation itself.”

“This just got way bigger than expected,” Ai said, her face souring with a “Seriously?” expression at the mention of potential war, though it was only a last resort and not something Hilde believed would actually happen.

“Based on your story, there have been several cases of coercive recruitment, which is a serious violation of our regulations. We cannot allow our reputation to be undermined. Therefore, we can offer you two options.”

“Two options? What are they?”

“The first is to wait here. If you entrust this matter to us, we’ll resolve it properly and ensure Leah Schleiermacher’s safe return.”

“How long would that take?”

“As an official organization, we’d need to verify everything, determine what’s true or false, and then act. It would likely take a few days to even begin moving.”

“And the other option?”

“That’s straightforward. You use your own strength to rescue Leah. However, in that case, we cannot take responsibility if Leah or any of you are harmed or killed. But if the letter confirms the involvement of the Lord of Lyusiten Territory, we’ll arrange for you to act immediately.”

“Use our strength, huh? How far can we go? If we’re told not to harm enemies who come at us, that’d be a problem.”

“Don’t worry. As long as no one dies, you’re free to do whatever you want. We’ll take responsibility for resolving any issues with the nation.”

Tatsuro considered the two options.

The first would have the Adventurer’s Guild officially handle Leah’s rescue, but it would take several days.

The second meant acting recklessly could endanger Leah, and any injuries or deaths would be their own responsibility. However, they could move today.

“What do you all think?”

“I want to go myself.”

“Peewee!”

“Neigh!”

“I, too, wish to save her with my own hands, Father.”

“I don’t feel right leaving it to others.”

Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi also conveyed their desire to help.

“I’m with Ai and the others. As soon as the analysis is done, we’ll move ourselves.”

“I see. From the guild’s perspective, we have professionals—even hostage rescue experts—and for safety, we’d recommend the first option… but somehow, I feel like you all could pull it off.”

Hilde didn’t fully grasp Tatsuro’s group’s true strength, but she knew they’d conquered a level 10 dungeon with just five people and two entities, without prior information, in a short time. They were clearly exceptional, and even if told they were all over level 200, she’d likely nod and say, “Makes sense.”

(Lyusiten Morrow. You should’ve gathered more information beforehand. It seems you’ve picked a fight with the worst possible people…)

While feeling some pity for Don, Hilde smirked inwardly, thinking that depending on how things played out, Holmes might soon replace Lyusiten as the territorial capital, potentially boosting her own status.

“But using the path for the magic train with a Tree Golem? We should take measures against that in the future.”

“Well, even without a Tree Golem, it’s a good path for charging through.”

As they discussed minor details, a male dwarf staff member knocked and entered, carrying documents with the analysis results.

Hilde skimmed the papers, summarizing the key points for them.

“The analysis confirms the handwriting is authentic, and the Wax Seal’s emblem undeniably belongs to the Lord of Lyusiten. The tool used for the seal is unique to each lord, and the results point to him. But… is this man so foolish as to leave such clear evidence? It’s almost unsettling…”

“A trap?”

“It’s possible. Anyone serving as a lord should know the consequences of this being brought to the Adventurer’s Guild. Considering your safety, wouldn’t it be better to leave this to us?”

Indeed, such blatantly foolish actions seemed suspicious.

But Tatsuro and the others didn’t hesitate for a moment.

“No, we’ll go ourselves. She may act mature, but she’s also a bit of a lonely kid at heart.”

“I understand. If it gets dangerous, know you can pull back and leave it to us. Good luck.”

“Thank you for everything.”

Hilde extended her hand for a handshake, and Tatsuro gently took it, expressing his gratitude.

With the Adventurer’s Guild’s support secured, Tatsuro and his group had nothing left to worry about.

If anyone tried to mess with them, they’d just crush them.

“Let’s go, everyone.”

“Aye, aye, sir!”

“Peewee!”

“Neigh!”

“Yes, Father!”

“Got it!”

Feeling the resolve of Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, Tatsuro sensed a pang of loneliness in their slightly incomplete rallying cry.

Shaking it off, they left the Guild Master’s office to head to Lyusiten Territory to rescue Leah.

Watching their determined and furious backs, the male staff member who brought the documents froze, sweating profusely, while Hilde’s face twitched.

“What a foolish thing to do… They won’t die, but my condolences.”

Hilde turned toward the north, where Lyusiten’s town lay, and quietly clasped her hands as if mourning the dead.

She vowed never to make an enemy of Tatsuro’s group.

***

Meanwhile, the person kidnapped the previous night…

Leah, transported carefully to Lyusiten by a Tree Golem while unconscious, awoke on a luxurious canopy bed fit for a noble’s daughter.

Startled, she sat up and was greeted by two women: a young cat beastman in an unfamiliar maid outfit and a woman in her thirties wearing a fine white robe.

The woman in the white robe spoke first.

“You’re awake. I know this is sudden and surprising, but you are currently under house arrest.”

“Huh? What? Huh?”

“It would help if you could remain calm.”

“What are you… -!?”

Leah tried to retrieve her Rocket Hammer and Grenade from her Item Box—but nothing happened.

Quickly activating her All-Seeing Eye to scan her surroundings, she immediately identified the cause.

(Item Box Nullification Field… So there’s a skill like that.)

“You seem to use some special weapons, but those have been sealed. I don’t know your combat ability, but care to try fighting in that state?”

“…No, I’ll pass.”

“Wise decision. Thank you.”

The woman’s level was 47, with Lightning Magic at level 11. Leah’s physical stats were higher, and with full use of her Item Box, she was confident she could win.

But in her current defenseless state, she wasn’t sure she could defeat her. The maid, at around level 20, was a warrior with Swordsmanship skills.

Since they showed no intent to harm her, Leah sat back on the bed and listened as the woman in the white robe explained the situation.