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Chapter 55

「Are you E-rank adventurers who are our porters?」

As we entered the guild, a large man sent us a suspicious look right away.

「Yeah.」

I pointed at Lilith and continued,

「As per the request, she has a skill for an item box, and its level is maxed out. The request strictly involves transportation. So, the reward is for one person. I’ll personally escort her separately, but that’s the extent of my accompaniment.」

Seated at the table in front of us were three men and one woman: a warrior, a swordsman, a mage, and a priest.

They formed an orthodox party, presumably at a mid-level C-rank in terms of their overall abilities.
Individually, they are veterans at a lackluster D-rank level.

The leader, seemingly the warrior, a big man, stroked his chin beard in contemplation.

「We’ll be completing a several-day-long extermination request, and you guys are supposed to support us. In other words, naturally, you’ll also handle miscellaneous tasks.」

Lilith intervened in the conversation,

「That’s different from the job description. My role is a porter, and Lute is just an escort.」

The big man shrugged while pointing at Liz.

「We were recruiting E-rank adventurers. So what’s this? Are you planning to take this thing along? This isn’t child’s play, you know?」

He pointed at Liz, wearing a mocking smile towards us.
At that moment, Lilith’s temple visibly pulsed in irritation.

「Liz isn’t an object. Don’t refer to her that way.」

I restrained Lilith and addressed the big man,

「I’ll be providing security for this kid as well. She won’t be a bother.」

「If a skill user managing an item box dies, their belongings scatter on the spot. We intend to hunt prey that can’t easily be brought back. Why should we burden ourselves with unnecessary risks, bringing along someone who might put our essential porter in danger?」

「We won’t be participating in combat anyway. We’ll just watch you fight from a distance. If things get dicey, we’re not amateurs, and we’ll make a quick escape to safety.」

「Hey, you. We get what you’re saying. However, us taking on baggage is a reality. So, asking you to handle miscellaneous tasks outside of the job description—is that such an unreasonable request?」

Well… I suppose so.
Certainly, the initial porter recruitment request did specify ‘E-rank adventurers or above.’

「Ah, fine.」

「That’s a relief. We were thinking of getting an F-rank adventurer for the miscellaneous tasks. Escorting on an extermination quest is pricey. We want you to handle everything, from cooking and laundry to camping and disposing of waste.」

At that moment, Lilith chuckled—though there was no humor in her eyes.

「…I can’t make Lute do such menial tasks.」

「Just stay quiet, Lilith.」

「…But…」

「I said be quiet, didn’t I?」

Despite Lilith’s sullen expression, the big man seemed to have concluded the discussion with a clap of his hands.
Well, let’s make the most of the veteran C-rank party’s credentials.

Let’s rewind a few days to sunset.
The four adventurer party was enjoying fine wine at the tavern.

「However, Brother, you’re truly a genius! Recruiting for an item box skill holder at such a low rank… who’d have thought it could yield so much money, huh?」

The swordsman poured wine into the big man’s glass, presumably the party’s leader.

「Ha ha ha! That’s right. The item box skill is a rare skill. The rewards for requests are high, and it’s a way to save up some pocket change!」

「After all, I carry my entire wealth in my item box.」

The female mage, who had been silent till now, smirked.

「During an escort mission as a porter on an extermination quest… we pretend to be killed by monsters, then we kill the adventurers in our group. Then we’ll only take the treasure. It’s an incredible idea, isn’t it?」

「That’s right, sis! Being honest and risking our lives to hunt monsters is the foolish thing to do!」

However… the elderly priest began to stroke his chin.

「We’ve been using this method for a year now. Visiting various guilds each time, faking accidents for those with item box skills… but it’s about time.」

With a nod, the big warrior chuckled again.

「We can’t move our party strength up to Rank B. Age is catching up with all of us… Let’s make a killing for our retirement in one go! This time’s target has an item box skill at maximum level… It’s promising!」

And so, they each took their respective glasses.

「All right, for our final job… cheers!」

The clink of glasses was accompanied by a smirk from everyone.

A day before the adventurers’ toast.
Inside the adventurer guild’s master room…

「Hmm… a consecutive murder case involving item box skill holders, huh?」

The guild master, an old man, nodded with a solemn expression.

「Yes, they’ve been visiting guilds in various locations, so it’s tough to pin down the culprit… but it’s probably accurate. The motive is money. Indeed, adventurers with item box skills receive high rewards despite their adventurer rank, and many carry their entire wealth with them.」

「Well, for thieves, that’d be quite a prize.」

「Yes, exactly. In the thieving business, targeting adventurers with item box skills is difficult. However, when it comes to a joint request, the situation is different; they can recruit other adventurers under specific conditions.」

「But I don’t get it.」

「Don’t get? About what?」

「Aren’t veteran adventurers likely to carry quite a lot of money, fundamentally?」

「True, the rewards are high, but they are based on the assumption of danger… and many are careless with their spending. There are quite a few old-timers who approach retirement with despair.」

Well, that makes sense.
He sipped the cup of tea his secretary had brewed.

Despite his rugged appearance, he sure enjoys good tea.
You wouldn’t think he could tell the difference in taste from his looks.

「So, what’s the benefit of us accompanying such a malicious party of adventurers?」

「If the opponent tries to kill Lute or Lilith, handle it right there, either by countering or neutralizing them.」

「And then?」

「Lute’s party accompanied a C-rank class adventurer party.」

「So, what’s the benefit?」

「The veteran adventurer party unexpectedly encountered a larger number of monsters, beyond the scope of a Rank B extermination level, and put up a remarkable fight. But they were wiped out in a mutual annihilation with the monsters.」

I clapped my hands.

「I see… so it’s about taking the credit for their efforts?」

「Exactly. And under such circumstances, as per custom… the surviving escorts would be credited with the achievement of a Rank B-class request. Without any trouble, Lute’s party will likely be promoted to D-rank adventurers.」

I see.
It’s a way to stand out in a sense, but the method of a natural rank-up without any particular suspicious elements.

「Well, then I’m on board with that story!」