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Chapter 145 (Self Edited) – Reporting the Completion of the Request to the Guild

When the wooden door was opened, a familiar sight spread in the field of view.

However, strictly speaking, the sight in front of him was slightly lacking compared to the one he had seen before, and that was the appearance of people. This place was a guild, and yet, what was lacking was the adventurers.

But then, it was normal that there were no adventurers. Even though they were able to complete the request smoothly, it had been about an hour since Soma’s group left this place. With that much time, it was enough to receive the request, finished the procedures, and started preparing for it.

Hence, a certain manner was displayed by the demi-human receptionist who they met by chance as soon as entering the guild. In a sense, it could be said that there was no other way. She gave a vibrant lazy look as if she convinced that people wouldn’t come at such a time. She instinctively tried to recover her appearance, but the changes were too excessive.

Anyhow, that was her mistake. It was a matter of course that her colleague, the other receptionist, looked at her in blank amazement. And Soma, who saw it, had no choice but to float a bitter smile.

“Are you alright?” (Soma)

“Ye-yes! I’m sorry to show you an unsightly figure!” (Emily)

“No, I don’t really care about that…” (Soma)

He meant that the receptionist didn’t need to lower her head, but… it might be that was her severe response to the situation.

The guild’s atmosphere and policies were basically different depending on the staff and the representative in charge. When Soma thought about it, it was a very intense atmosphere when he received the request. Therefore, that possibility was quite high.

Well, anyhow…

“So, what can I do for you this time? Perhaps, there was something wrong in the previous matter?” (Emily)

“Hmm? No, there are no flaws or anything. I just came here to report that the request has been completed.” (Soma)

“Eh… have you completed it already?” (Emily)

The receptionist was considering that he was amazing. Normally, the usual subjugation request would take at least one day. Depending on the location, it wasn’t unusual to take a few days. In fact, she thought that Soma would have to gather information first. Hence, it was surprising that he had completed the request in about an hour.

However, this was probably a mere coincidence. No, should she say that he was just lucky? That included the meeting with that girl.

“Well, I wonder if I was lucky.” (Soma)

When he looked back, the girl in question was looking at Soma suspiciously. It appeared that she still didn’t believe him.

Nevertheless since they had come this far together, there must be some room for consideration. Then, the rest was depending on the future.

“Lucky, is it? Wha!? Aren’t you…!?” (Emily)

The receptionist finally realized that the girl with Soma was Steina. Perhaps, this unexpected situation happened for the first time in her life, she was panicked and couldn’t confirm her presence.

Soma, who saw this situation, was surprised. On the way to the guild, he heard from Steina that she was summoned to this town to subjugate the monster. In other words, it wasn’t strange for Steina to get acquainted with this receptionist.

He also heard that Steina was a senior adventurer. If it was so, it was normal to remember.

However, it shouldn’t be a surprising matter for her to be together with Soma. No, the receptionist was probably surprised, but her reaction was a bit excessive.

Did the adventurers in this area not helping each other out? According to the story head from Sheila, even senior adventurers would cooperate if necessary.

“Well, thanks for her cooperation, I was able to defeat the target smoothly. By the way, why are you so surprised? Perhaps, is it rare for people to help each other? I don’t think that is the case, so…is it that Steina herself did something that made the receptionist to be surprised?” (Soma)

“Aren’t you being rude? There’s no way I did something, you know? I merely received a request. Well, I’ve been away for about two days, but if you consider the place and the target, this shouldn’t be a surprising matter.” (Steina)

“Th-that’s right. I… was surprised due to personal reasons, so you don’t have to worry about it.” (Emily)

“Hmm… In that case, I got it.” (Soma)

“Leaving that aside, rather than saying that it was a cooperation, it didn’t happen like that, am I right?” (Steina)

“Is that so? Well, there may be some misunderstandings, but I don’t think it’s a big deal.” (Soma)

“I don’t think there is a misunderstanding. …Are you guys thinking the same way as well?” (Steina)

Steina asked that to Sheila and Felicia who were at his sides. They probably wanted to agree, but they tilted their head when hearing that question.

“I would like to show my consent, but… I end up being the worst woman since I feel like I am a parasite for not doing anything. So, it’s difficult to agree… Well, at least, I think that you had cooperated more than I did, isn’t that right?” (Felicia)

“…Yeah, I also didn’t do anything. So, I think you did cooperate.” (Sheila)

“Dang it… you guys really think the same, huh? To begin with, I should have noticed when you agreed with his crazy suggestion to travel together with me.” (Steina)

“That’s awful when you’re saying it in that way. I don’t think it’s bad at all, right?” (Soma)

“It’s precisely because it’s not bad. However, there is a motive behind that. Isn’t it obvious to doubt you?” (Steina)

Even if Soma was told that or being looked at by reproachful eyes, he had no choice but to shrug his shoulders. Although Steina couldn’t say that she was certain with everything that he told her… he basically wasn’t wrong in general.

Soma invited Steina, who was about to leave, to travel together. Soma defeated the Giant Frog, which was the target of subjugation before coming here, and he had only one reason for this.

He just wanted to return the favor. That was all to it.

Soma didn’t know how the person in question felt, but the advice he received from Steina in the Elf Forest was enough for him to deem it as a favor. Of course, the favor couldn’t be returned with her help on the Giant Frog, but he judged that there was no problem even if she felt a bit suspicious about him.

Yeah, it was inevitable and Soma had a good idea why Steina was suspicious of him. Even if it wasn’t done unnecessarily, it was something that couldn’t be done at some level.

But, that was all about it. Soma understood that he had been helped, so he thought that he should return the favor by inviting her to travel together.

Perhaps, it should be said in that way from the beginning. If Steina thought that he was someone suspicious, then she should keep observing him.

That was the main idea in general. Certainly, she was wary of him, but… the point of traveling together wasn’t bad at all, and she might have some circumstances as well. When Soma met her again this time, that feeling became stronger.

Was it too much to think that he could verify her circumstances? Was he haughty enough to think that he could handle her problems?

However, she obviously felt more suspicious when it came to Sheila and Felicia. Furthermore, Steina wasn’t aware that she had helped those girls. It was natural since they weren’t talking about the matter when Soma met Steina in the Elf Forest. Therefore, there was no reason for Sheila and Felicia to agree with Soma’s suggestion. The fact that they showed consent meant that they also didn’t think that Steina was a bad girl, and it seemed they took Soma’s thought in consideration…

“Well, as a matter of fact, your concerns are justified. Are you saying that you are unwilling to be treated by Soma-san?” (Felicia)

“Then, why did you agree with him at that time?” (Steina)

“I think it is pointless to disagree with him. After all, this is Soma’s suggestion. If I don’t agree with him, I will let him know clearly and state my reason.” (Felicia)

“…Yeah, I also concur.” (Sheila)

Were they also agreeing to this…?

“Aah… I feel like I can somehow understand you guys. If that’s the case, it was certainly not nice to be treated in the same way.” (Steina)

“No, I understand what you mean.” (Felicia)

“…Yeah, since it’s Soma, it can’t be helped.” (Sheila)

“Eh? Why do I feel that you girls are not on my side?” (Soma)

Soma muttered, saying that he couldn’t understand them, but… since a smile could be seen from Felicia and Sheila, they were probably half joking. Even if they were half serious, it was good enough as long as they agreed with his suggestion. Soma just believed in his intuition, the girls’ judgment and… Steina as well.

While thinking about that in various meanings, Soma shrugged his shoulders.