BSLFS 49

Chapter 49

I put in a bookmark.

Today as well, when I wake up, the first thing I do is head to the Adventurers’ Guild.

When I go inside, Temuzu-san—who is currently helping out at the guild—is sticking requests onto the wall one after another…

“Today there seem to be more than usual…”

When I say that, Temuzu-san replies, “That’s right,” and, since the noticeboard is already full, he places a chair, climbs on top of it, and starts posting papers up high.

From behind the counter, Riru-san calls out to me.

“We’ve been getting a lot of escort requests along the road from traveling merchants and wayfarers. It seems a lot of monsters have been appearing lately on the route that passes by Kiara and goes to the town of Luciddo.”

Speaking of “Luciddo,” when I first met them, Stefan and Raiga said they had escorted Temuzu-san from Luciddo to this town.

Luciddo isn’t part of any country—it’s a large independent town. Since it also faces the sea, Stefan said there are a lot of merchants there.

Riru-san let out a sigh.

“A lot of our adventurers have gone over there… and once they go, they don’t come back for a while. So we’re short on people for things like monster subjugation here, or collection requests from the Mages’ Guild. Maybe I should go to the field myself…”

“I’m free to help. Maybe it’s about time I did some monster subjugation too!”

I said that excitedly.

My job has mostly been offering prayers of warding before people depart, and I do think that’s important, but… I’d also like to try going into the mountains with Stefan and the others soon.

I’ve been going to Theodor-san’s church a few times and asking about the effects of prayer. —I still can’t clearly sense what you’d call the presence of spirits, but I’ve also been learning healing magic, and if it’s just a small scrape, I can now heal it if I take my time.

I’ve been eating a lot and sleeping well, and I feel like I’ve built up more stamina than before, too!!

“Monster subjugation isn’t something that fun, you know. Your clothes get all muddy… you get hurt sometimes… it’s exhausting… your hair gets all messy… and you get sunburned…”

With a long “Haaah,” Riru-san slumped over the reception desk and sighed deeply.

“Besides, when you pray for everyone before they leave, Reira-chan, there are fewer injuries, and it really helps.”

Riru-san straightened up, looking like she had pulled herself together, and gave me a wink.

“Please take care of that again today.”

It seems some people are leaving to escort merchants, so today I have to pray for more people than usual.

While I’m going down the line praying, I suddenly feel someone looking at my face from very close by. I stop the prayer midway and open my eyes.

“Wah!”

I can’t help but cry out. Right in front of me is the face of a red-haired girl wearing a black robe.
Maybe she was startled that I opened my eyes, because she also shrieked “Kyaa!” and jumped back.

“W-What is it?”

When I look up, the girl lowers her stance a little to meet my gaze.

“Up close, you really are just a child. So Stefan really does like little people, that ****.”

As I stare blankly, her mouth suddenly keeps moving without sound partway through, and she ends up like Noa-kun that time when he was hit with the Silence spell.

“Don’t go saying things out of jealousy, Sonya.”

Riru-san comes out from the reception desk, holding her staff, and says this in an exasperated tone.

“*******”

While the girl’s mouth is still opening and closing soundlessly, Riru-san taps her once more with the staff.

“****—ah, I can talk, I can talk! Th-that’s not what I meant!”

Sonya-san turns her face away from me with a huff and glares at Riru-san.

“Yes, yes. If you keep badmouthing people, I’ll report you to the Mages’ Guild for misconduct.”

Riru-san sighs and points to the man with a sword who seems to be Sonya-san’s companion.

“We went to the trouble of forming a new party for you, so stop making a fuss about unnecessary things and hurry up and get to work.”

“I know! We’re going! Jan, let’s go!”

Sonya-san shoots me one last glance, as if she still has something she wants to say, then pulls the swordsman along as she leaves.

“Ah, the prayer was still… in the middle…”

I mutter, completely confused.