Chapter 484: Confrontation
"What a crowd! I wish I could show this sight to my mom!"
"Is your mother well?"
"Yeah! She's completely better now and is with Dr. Toui! She said to say hello to Master."
"I should drop by to greet her when I get the chance."
While walking down the main street of the Imperial Capital, Chloe and I were having such a conversation. No-name did not join in. She just quietly walked beside us.
"Even if we're touring the capital, as long as you remember this main street, there's no problem. From here, you can go to all the gates and even to the castle."
"What about the tourist spots?"
"Are you just here for sightseeing?"
"Good grief... Even after being promoted to rank S, you still seem rather carefree."
"I'm not carefree! I'm being cheerful!"
"It's the same thing."
"It's completely different!"
Chloe raised a voice of protest while asking questions about each distinctive building we saw. As I responded, I occasionally glanced at No-Name. She was quietly observing her surroundings.
"Interesting. I thought there was some sort of protective barrier, but it's a misrecognition barrier, isn't it?"
"You and I are walking together, but no one is paying attention to us which should normally be impossible. They must be seeing us as ordinary people, right?"
"That's right. Well, it only works on very ordinary people, but it should be enough for walking around town."
I'm famous even in the Imperial Capital and No-name stands out from her appearance. Well, the reason we stand out is just a trivial matter; it's simply because both of us are wearing masks. That's why I have put up a misrecognition barrier around us. What's surprising is No-name's observation ability. She didn't know magic but she inferred it from the reactions of the people passing by. She's not an SS-rank adventurer for nothing.
"So that's why. I didn't notice at all."
"What did you think was happening?"
"I thought maybe the people in the Imperial Capital were used to my master."
"The people of the Imperial Capital are thick-skinned, but they are not thick-skinned enough to tolerate a masked man."
"Haha! That's right!"
While laughing, Chloe moved closer to No-name and linked arms with her. No-name seemed baffled by the sudden action but went along with it.
"Do we look like friends when we're , Master?"
"But! No-Name, we're friends."
"Oh! There's something over there! Let's go check it out!"
Chloe, never losing her smile, pulled No-name along. Some background information must have been provided, but there's no ulterior motive in Chloe's words and actions. She seems to be enjoying this situation and is happy to be with No-name. Having always been a solo player, she may be simply happy to team up with someone. That purity probably makes it hard for No-name to refuse. It's a good trait to have. ℞ᴀ𐌽𝐎𝐛ĘS̈
Just as the tour of the capital was about to end, I was guiding two people to a particular location. It was a large mansion within the imperial capital.
"What is this place?"
"This is the mansion of the Amsberg family."
When I explained, No-Name nodded as if she understood. It looks like she doesn’t have plans to suddenly invade here, suggesting that surpassing the Amsberg family was still a cherished goal for her clan. It was something she had to accomplish, not necessarily something she wanted to do. There is always a possibility for that. As I was thinking about it...
"What are you doing in front of someone else's mansion, Silver?"
I heard a familiar voice from behind. Strange, I thought she was supposed to be on guard at the castle today...
"Good day, Elna Von Amsberg."
"I'm not particularly happy. I was suddenly pulled out of my work and ordered to stand by the mansion. Are you the cause?"
"Perhaps. Allow me to introduce you to them, the other masked person here is the SS-rank adventurer, No-Name. And this is..."
"I am the S-rank adventurer, Chloe! Silver's disciple!"
Chloe introduced herself with a smile. However, Elna looked puzzled upon hearing this introduction.
"Yes, what about it?"
"Someone who doesn’t even show your face to others would still teach someone your magic? If you can do that, why not reveal your face?"
"Everyone has their own circumstances. That aside, I guess you've been ordered to wait so you can respond to any changes in the capital at any time. Being on duty can sometimes make it impossible to move."
"It's a nuisance. Why are there two SS-rank adventurers in the capital?"
"I'm going to be away from the capital for a bit. These two will take over for me during that time."
"You move around as you please, don't you? How nice."
With that, Elna walked past me. She probably planned to return to her mansion. However, No-Name stopped her.
"What is it, No-Name?"
"...If I were to propose a one-on-one battle here, would you accept it without running away?"
Without running away. That was an insult to the lineage of the brave. The Armsberg family never fled from a battle. But...
"I must decline. I have no intention of causing trouble with the adventurer's guild. We both have our positions to maintain, don't we? I have no intention of accepting a match that will cause problems no matter who wins." For original chapters go to novel※fire.net
Elna, with surprising maturity, declined No-Name's challenge to a one-on-one battle. Nevertheless, No-Name must have expected that it wouldn't be that easy. She silently watched Elna as she returned to her mansion.
"The agreement was that we're just scouting the enemy, right?"
"The best way is to engage in a skirmish."
"Do you intend to destroy the capital? If that's your intention, I'll be your opponent before she is."
"I intend to maintain the bare minimum of decorum. I won't involve the civilians."
With that, No-Name turned on her heel and turned her back on the Armsberg mansion. After Chloe and I exchanged glances, we shrugged and followed No-Name.
"No-Name, do you know where our inn is?"
"There are only a few inns where an SS-rank adventurer and an S-rank adventurer would stay. It's probably a luxury inn near the castle."
"You're wrong. It's a regular inn near the Imperial Capital Branch. Don't be extravagant."
"...But I was always treated like royalty in the kingdom(1)?"
"This is the empire, and the Imperial Capital Branch is currently footing the bill. Endure it."
"...I'll pay for it myself."
"It's hard for the guild's staff to come near the castle. Considering communication, it's the best place. You're not one for unnecessary luxuries, are you?"
"It's not like that, but..."
"I'm okay with anywhere!"
Hearing Chloe's bright voice, No-Name gave up on protesting further. She seemed to desire only extravagance. As I tried not to laugh, I opened a portal to the inn.
(1) I think No-Name meant the Sokol Empire since she was based there before the transfer.... Anyway, I won't be able to update the links until later since I will be outstation for work so yea... this is a scheduled chapter
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