Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 235

That day, after visiting the Sword Fangs Legion to discuss security, I am on my way back to the office along the busy road connecting the second and third Districts when I suddenly stop in my tracks.

Sara, walking beside me, looks up and asks, “What’s wrong?”

I answer, “I just remember something I need to take care of, so I’ll stop by for a bit.”

“I see. Where are you going?”

“Oh, it’s just a short distance, so it’s fine.”

At that, Sara calls out to Kiriku, who is guarding a short distance away. “Wait a minute, Kiriku! Kenji is going out, so get ready!”

Sara’s behavior feels exaggerated. Is it because I have worried her too much? I am only stepping out for a moment.

“No, it’s just over there, so I can go by myself,” I say, trying to calm her down, but Sara is unconvinced.

“But it’s dangerous to go out alone, right? You’ve said so yourself that it’s absolutely not okay to act alone.”

She is unusually stubborn today, even though there is nothing to worry about.

“Is that so? Well, it’ll be fine.” I patiently try to reassure her.

Sara won’t change her mind and continues to question me. “What’s fine? Where are you planning to go?”

“Well, I mean…” As I begin to explain, I realize I don’t actually know where I am planning to go. “Well…”

What is happening? What am I trying to do?

Noticing my confusion, Sara calls out to her bodyguard, Kiriku.

“Kiriku! Be careful! Kenji, we’re going back to the office. Can you run?”

“Oh, yeah. No problem.”

It is broad daylight, and the streets are crowded, but Kiriku and Sara draw their swords and start jogging, flanking me on either side.

The walk back to the company may take only a few minutes, but it feels like I run for half an hour, and I burst into the office, drenched in sweat.

“Everyone, stay alert! It’s a magician!” Sara shouts.

◇　◇　◇　◇　◇

Chaos erupts in the company. All the windows and entrances are shut tight as the craftsmen bang on the offices and workshops with sticks. The guards from the Saber Fang Corps, including the replacement guards, spring into action—two stand guard outside, while two remain inside.

I am made to sit in a chair at the back of the office with the door closed, where Sara and Kiriku begin to interrogate me.

“So, what happened?”

I can’t answer that question.

“I don’t know what happened either. I can only think that nothing happened.”

“But you were acting strange, right?”

Sara presses on.

I can’t put it into words. “Well, when you put it that way, it does seem like it…”

Kiriku’s shoulders are slumped, which is unusual for him.

“It’s my responsibility. It is probably magic used in the crowd. I didn’t notice.”

Considering the responsibilities of being a guard, that makes sense. If the magic used had been lethal, I would be dead by now. So, I can’t simply console him.

“Well, yeah. But I was also naive. I didn’t expect someone would boldly attack in broad daylight…” The opponent is more serious than I had thought, and the attack is swift.

“But still, what was the magician planning to do?” Sara asks.

“Anyway, they likely want to create a situation where I am alone. If they can isolate me, they can kill me or kidnap me without any problem. No body would show up, and there would be no evidence left behind. Conversely, there would be proof that I disappeared on my own. If I claim I am kidnapped, no one would believe me. It is a clever plan.” I speculate with a somewhat detached feeling.

Just moments ago, I was on the verge of being kidnapped, but for some reason, I feel no fear.

“But…you nearly die! And in a way that nobody would know what happens to you! That’s unforgivable!” Sara bites her lip, her face pale and trembling.