Chapter 16 – 16 – Thank You Again, Thank You
There are now two risk factors that cannot be dealt with. Unidentified enemies, and Mithra’s paladins.
Judging by the attitude of those bastards, they are more likely to be a hindrance than a help. Of course, if it were a one-on-one duel, it’s unlikely that Eshen would lose to those lunatics.
However, if some of the Paladins try to force Eshen’s ankles, not only will his promotion go down the drain, but he could also get seriously injured. It’s even trickier because the Sun God Church’s backbone will try to smooth things over.
But now, even if one party is keeping us in check, there are two parties who are ostensibly on our side. If an infighting breaks out, the difference in numbers will cool their heads.
Tomko and Beurdin are, in fact, real big fighters whose names appear in the newspaper every time they are bored. The water we play in is different from someone like me who is just a porter. Those two people who are deeply intertwined with the power of a country would have no way of putting up with a brat who openly ignores them and tries to use them as a sidekick.
The bottom line is, they made a foolish choice, and we made a wise choice.
But, what is this anxiety that never leaves my mind?
I soon found out. It wasn’t about Eshen.
Eshen has definitely become safer. On the other hand, it was clear that I was attracting too much attention.
“Isn’t that a cross-dressing man, Captain?”
The milk I was drinking almost regurgitated. Sister Eshen and Monica, who were startled, patted my back as I was shaking.
The ‘Countess’s Handgun’ party members, who whispered as lowly as possible, seemed to have noticed my confusion. Because I quickly caught the guy who made the problematic statement.
“What will you do if you hear it, you bastard!”
“But that doesn’t mean it’s not true. I’ve been bitching at a dock window for over 7 years, and that doesn’t sound like a woman’s voice.”
“I’m proud, sailor. What do you use the term ‘neutral voice’ for?”
“It doesn’t make any more sense that that’s a man’s voice. Are these bastards’ ears soaked in the salt wind?”
What crime have I committed that I should be nervously eavesdropping on stories like that?
It sucks, really.
“The face is a bit confusing, but it’s pretty even. Are you saying that because of the body shape? I guess you must have gained a lot of muscle while working as a porter?”
“No matter what, that’s true…”
Some of the former pirates who were continuing their ignorant discussion implicitly asked our party members. How many people are there?
When they heard that there were 100 people in the party and that I was the only porter, they turned around as if they realized something.
“It’s worth building muscle.”
…That’s how I understand it. It feels like watching a parade of idiots.
Of course, I didn’t put much effort into dressing up as a woman, but most of the reason I was convinced was probably due to the ponytail wig artifact and scented candles applied to my body.
Additionally, female porters are really, really hard to find. In fact, people with sane porter characteristics tend to work in the logistics industry these days. Because working in a healthy business or at the top is much safer than working at a party.
At the party, he gets scolded by the warrior who is a professional monster slaughterer, acts as a pack mule, and sometimes has to take the risk of being bitten to death by monsters.
Moreover, an aptitude holder who is not a combatant does not know what will happen if his comrades have different intentions. Unless you are under the protection of a church or a magic tower.
Carrying luggage on a well-paved road is more convenient than crossing mountains or crossing water.
Anyway, from now on I’ll have to be more careful not to get caught. If you make gossip for no reason, it will only ruin the party.
Should I at least practice a female voice in a high tone?
Meanwhile, Sister Monica was having a friendly conversation somewhere, and she happily brought rye cake and milk for two.
“This is sweeter and more delicious than I thought.”
“···You still have a good appetite, Sister.”
She insisted that she was dealing honestly. Former pirates asked me to heal various injuries, so I healed four people and received compensation for two.
Well. Rather than being happy because my injury has healed, I think I’m obsessed with my sister’s heart.
The party members dressed as sailors, who were sharing the remaining two servings pitifully between the four of them, looked happy.
Those eyes filled with ecstasy when looking at Sister Monica. They seem to be amazed by the feminine mass that is revealed even from behind.
Feeling reluctant, I returned the food I had gotten to the person involved, and instead gave the extra food left in the bag to Sister Monica. The sister, who was almost in tears, was happy.
Then, I subtly lured Sister Monica inside so that she could not be seen from the other side and made her sit down.
Eshen, who realized my intention before Sister Monica, burst into laughter.
“Are you the son who protects his mother?”
“Then why did you take out more without asking for it? That was food to be shared among party members in an unexpected situation.”
“It’s in the middle of the city. I’m afraid I might get into trouble. Follow me for a moment. I have something to tell you.”
Suddenly, Eshen gestured for me to get up, and our party members froze in shock. And he stared at us, spilling bread crumbs.
···I don’t know how many times I’ve called someone quietly and made a fuss about them. Is it okay to be friends with Eshen?
I asked for understanding from the party members and followed Eshen.
And the moment I realized that the direction was the women’s bathroom on the second floor, my eyesight became a little dark. Can I go in with this?
Fortunately, instead of giving me a conflict, Eshen stopped at the entrance.
“I don’t think I should let them in. Is there anyone listening?”
“If you don’t feel like it, maybe.”
“It doesn’t seem like there is one. I have to tell you quickly before anyone comes. Why did you do that?”
“Why?”
As I spread her arms as if the result didn’t go well, Eshen glared at me for a long moment.
And as if he didn’t like something, he crossed his arms and subtly averted his gaze.
“I have another chance next time. Even if I can’t even see the devil this time, as long as I don’t make any humiliating mistakes, I can get another mission and try again.”
I heard that too. To Nenya, the elf who acts as the absent party leader.
It is said that catching a vicious mountain troll in the blink of an eye was a great help to Eshen’s career.
It seems that the woman who Eshen threw herself to save was the daughter of a fairly high-ranking nobleman. She says a troll rolled a boulder down a mountain, crushed a strolling procession, and kidnapped the princess in her most striking dress, and we happened to find it on the same day.
So Nenya was overjoyed. She said she might be able to get a new sponsoring family.
Being dispatched on such an uncertain mission in the first place probably means that Eshen and our party are highly evaluated by the party alliance.
The supervisor will also be paying attention to Eshen’s skills, so if he stands out this time, he will be guaranteed a special grade.
That’s roughly how I explained it. Eshen scratched his eyebrows as if he was dizzy.
“Why did you do that?”
“I told you. I applied because I got an estimate. I’m a rookie with some experience, so when I see a job in front of me, of course I have to rush in.”
“It hasn’t been that long since you joined our party.”
At the moment when I wondered if this was some kind of new trick, tears formed in Eshen’s eyes.
“Uh, wait…”
“During those few days, I did nothing but force you. To be honest, the only benefit I had for you was that we slept together a few times. I’m not even sure if you liked it.”
That’s another unexpected idea. I can’t believe I was reflecting without even questioning it.
I honestly don’t know if I liked it or not. I know you tried to satisfy your sexual desires.
“If I were to ask which side, I don’t think I suffered any loss.”
“···Are you saying you liked it or didn’t like it?”
“It was great. Even though it felt like my lifespan was shortened.”
A lisp of tension eases from Eshen’s eyes. I shrugged.
“It’s not like I helped you personally because of what happened between us. Your party is also my party now. If I can be of help to my coworker, I should be happy to do so.”
Isn’t it the same party? It is the porter’s burden that creates a sufficient environment for the warrior to demonstrate his skills.
“You’re on my side, right? We’re in the same boat, right?”
Eshen nods. Since you try not to make eye contact, you end up facing the top of your head.
I stroked his head. Eshen flinched.
“That’s enough for me right now. The fact that I can assist you in your fight.”
Seriously, that’s all you need. The last party members treated me as if I was a slave who had been captured after stealing from an enemy country. Really, that fact alone was a living hell.
“···Thanks.”
“It’s better if you know that you are grateful. Eshen, let me ask you a favor.”
Eshen raised his head with an expression filled with a sense of mission.
I glanced out the window on the second floor and said. Outside the window, where rain has already begun to fall, armor soaked in water and shining is getting closer and closer.
“The paladins of Mithra will be back soon, so please take care of our sisters.”
“Hee. Do you want me to act like a daughter-in-law?”
“Okay… Wait a minute. What?”
Eshen, who told the world’s most awkward jokes, felt my gaze and made even more awkward gestures. His face turned even redder than during the previous speech.
“No, it’s just like that.”
“What on earth is just like that?”
After thinking for a while about what kind of nonsense this incompetent guy had said, I quickly went downstairs.
I knew the paladins would return, but it wasn’t anything serious. The sound of a door being kicked open. And the sound of collapsing.
And a urgent cry.
“Doctor-! “Isn’t there anyone who has the aptitude for being a healer?”
————-
Grade is not necessarily proportional to skill. Because that’s just a qualification.
Even among combatants with special ranks, there will often be those whose skills are lacking compared to Eshen or other A ranks.
Somewhere in the world, there might be a B or C rank combatant who can defeat that great Eshen.
However, if a party member’s title is rated A-level, there must be a reason.
The name of the paladin who was arguing with her on her way was ‘Flo Rica’.
It was the pride of the Mithra Church, a rank A like Eshen, and on the verge of leaping to special rank.
And the group that included such warriors quickly fled and took refuge, no matter how long ago they entered the city.
Some of the paladins who came back in a hurry said as if they were screaming. Among them all, Florica’s injuries are the most severe.
They are paladins who have received the grace of Mithra, and among them there is a healer whom the god has pointed out.
However, the torn wounds on the back, with dark red smoke rising from them, showed no sign of being healed.
The priests who were emitting the golden light of Mithras roared.
“We need at least one more healer!”
You would even do it in this situation. The proud professors of White Horse Tower are squinting at the corners of their eyes.
However, no matter how bad the reputation is, rudeness and life are two different things. Two people from the pirate party and three from the lily party rolled up their sleeves and rushed in.
The sister’s face hardens. First out of trauma, and then seconds later out of responsibility.
I grabbed Sister Monica who was trying to run away. The sister looked at me in great confusion.
“You don’t have to.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“There are more healers than you.”
For just a moment, anguish was visible in the sister’s eyes.
I imagined the people wearing the sun emblem laughing as they killed my family. They say justice has been done.
Know. If you leave it like that, the chance of dying is very high.
And the probability that they are the same person as Monica’s enemies is similar to the probability of going to the beach twice and finding the same grain of sand.
But emotions cannot reject the possibility. The sister was clearly worried and trembled with fear.
Then, as a member of the sister’s family, shouldn’t I hold on to her at least once?
There is no need for you to toil in fear.
“···I think a part of me was hoping that someone would hold on to me. That I didn’t have to worry about it.”
The sister laughed hard. And he took away my hand that was holding me back and refused.
“But you know there aren’t many people as good as me, Tan.”
Okay. Sister is that kind of person.
If someone were to suffer because of their own shortcomings, they wouldn’t be able to endure it even for a moment. If she had been a follower of Mithras, she might have been revered as a living saint long ago.
I didn’t stop any further.
Sister Monica nodded her head and sat down next to Florica. And from her hand, a soft pink light emanated like her flower petals.
While she was busy with treatment, Eshen and I watched her back.
Florica soon came to her senses. The tired white magic cadets and professors cleaned up the black energy that was gnawing away at the cuts close to her penetrating wounds.
According to the mutterings of scholars, it seems to be a definite demonic energy.
Florica bowed deeply and expressed her gratitude to the wizards and healers who had helped her.
And when it came to her sister Monica, she got down on her knees and tried to kiss her hand.
“What is the name of your benefactor?”
After finishing her treatment, Sister Monica was sweating and her proud face froze in panic.
Kissing hands is uncomfortable, but holding hands tightly makes you feel suspicious and anxious. I quickly stepped forward and pulled his hand away.
“I’m sorry, but our healer is very shy. I think we can meet each other later to say thank you.”
I tried to make it look as natural as possible, but the confusion was clearly visible on Florica’s face.
···I hope that embarrassment is not acting.
Florica mumbled that she was sorry for her rudeness and she got back up. She then changed her approach.
“I have never heard of such a powerful healer, even within our church. He must be someone with a high reputation.”
I answered instead of the sister who turned around trying not to tremble.
“Thank you for the undeserved compliment. Sister, this way-“
“Excuse me. Which church do you belong to?”
Sister Monica’s legs became weak.
