Volume 6 Chapter 4
Volume 6 Chapter 4: Human Realm — How They Met
「I see. So, Ubume-san, you fought alongside Axel during the war?」
「Yes. Though it was only for a brief time—back when he was operating alone. But I saw his strength with my own eyes.」
At the inn operated by the Medical Guild, in the entrance lounge—
Saki sat at a table with Berzelia and a black-haired woman who introduced herself as Ubume Chantrelly.
「I get it now~ My Master told me he teamed up with lots of different adventurers back when he worked solo. So you must be one of them, huh, Chantrelly?」
At Berzelia’s remark, Ubume smiled gently and took a sip of the tea placed on the table.
「I wouldn’t say we’re that familiar. We merely fought in the same battles—we didn’t even exchange greetings. That’s how chaotic things were back then.」
「Most of the frontlines were a mess anyway.」
「Exactly. And he, in particular, was zipping around the battlefield at impossible speeds. …But let’s get to the point. Is he here?」
Ubume narrowed her eyes slightly as she asked.
Apparently, she had some business with Axel.
「Unfortunately, my husband is currently out.」
「…The first part’s just the delusion of the Hero of Magic, but the second part is true~」
Axel, who had saved the Spirit Realm, had contacted them a few days prior.
Something along the lines of:
『I won’t be able to return for a while, and I might be unreachable. Just relax at the hot spring in the meantime.』
That’s why the party was enjoying their time at the inn.
Ubume followed up.
「I see… Do you have any idea when he’ll be back?」
After briefly touching her hand to her lips, she asked again.
「That’s also unknown. I imagine he’ll return when he starts missing my body heat.」
「The first part’s Lysnoir’s fantasy again, but the second part is true. I’m sure our Master will come back before long—he’s easygoing like that. If you just chill around, he might show up sooner than you’d expect.」
Berzelia kept casually chiming in with her needless remarks. But Saki, too, didn’t expect it would take too long.
Even if it did, it would only make their reunion all the more passionate.
「If it takes longer, my love will only burn brighter. A reunion after longing builds is like seasoning—it only deepens the flavor.」
「Hey, Lysnoir! I know you’re in your own little fantasy world, but we’re talking to a new acquaintance here! Still… I do agree the reunion will be extra sweet~!」
Though they were bickering, it sounded like a shared sentiment.
While Saki was listening to their chatter, Ubume’s expression darkened slightly.
「…Hmm. I see. I had a request for him.」
「A request? For Axel? If it’s something we can handle, we’ll hear you out.」
They were in a party with Axel.
Each of them had different jobs, but they had agreed in advance that if one of them was absent, the others could accept jobs in their stead.
Hearing this, Ubume brought her hand to her mouth again, thoughtful.
「No, it’s fine. I’ve heard rumors that a majin has appeared in this region. I came to investigate—and if necessary, eliminate it.」
Her tone dropped with gravity.
That statement made Saki furrow her brows.
「…Is that true?」
「Of course. What’s the point in lying about such a thing. Though if my informant was wrong, it might turn out to be false—but the source is reliable.」
Ubume’s jet-black eyes locked onto Saki’s.
Saki couldn’t read truth or lies through eye contact alone, but her gaze said she wasn’t joking—she felt that much.
「Fumu… In that case, we’d like to cooperate.」
「Yeah. When it comes to majin, moving quickly is best. Even if it turns out to be false, it’s better to be on alert. We should inform the Medical Guild and the Hero of the Fist too.」
Berzelia nodded as she spoke.
This city had already taken a hit from the Ouroboros attack and the Spirit Path malfunction. Its people were weary.
If a majin showed up now, it would be a serious threat.
It would be best to contact the guild while there was still time.
Ubume seemed to agree.
「Yes, I’d appreciate that. If there’s a chance fighting could break out near the city, I should also introduce myself to the guild members. It’s my first time here, after all.」
「I see. Then let’s arrange a meeting for introductions and information sharing. …Though it looks like the Guild Master is already listening in.」
Saki glanced to the back of the entrance lounge, where the innkeeper—who also happened to be the Guild Master of the Medical Guild, Botan—stood.
She had been quietly in the background earlier, but as soon as the word 「Majin」 was spoken, she’d moved into plain view.
As Saki met her gaze, Botan smiled and approached.
…She had likely been listening in on the conversation from the start.
She was the master of one of the city’s guilds, moreover, one of the Royal Order Guilds—of course she wouldn’t miss a keyword like 「Majin」 Things would probably go smoothly from here.
「Oh, right. Ubume, are you part of any guild?」
Berzelia asked curiously.
「No. I’m a freelancer—just a wandering adventurer. Which is why I don’t have a good channel for sharing information with other guilds.」
Ubume chuckled a bit, then gave them a slight bow.
「I don’t intend to keep any information to myself. I’ll share what I know. I’ll be relying on you all for a while.」
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