Ever since entering Pars, Sera had been in a state of constant excitement. Everything she saw was new – the city, the crowds, the people.
“Kelvin, what’s that?”
“That’s a fruit shop. At this time of year, there are many ripe and sweet ones.”
“And this one?”
“That’s a weapon shop. They handle everything from standard swords to staves for mages. I haven’t used it much since I learned blacksmithing, though.”
She peppered me with questions like this. To an outsider, we might have looked like a giant child and her caretaker. Still, it was better than being nervous.
Incidentally, Sera had changed from her rough clothing into a typical outfit made by Efil. She’d stick out in town dressed like she was. Efil had measured Sera during a break on the journey here and quickly made the clothes with her sewing skill. Even so, they turned out to be Rank C class. Moreover, they were designed with such care that they could accommodate her wings and tail, which were hidden by a fake hairpiece. Efil, you’ve improved again.
As Efil and I continued to answer Sera’s questions, we arrived at the Spirit Song Inn.
“Efil and Sera, you two rest at the inn first. I need to report to the guild.”
“If Master is going, then I should too…”
“I can’t leave Sera alone, can I? I’ll explain the situation to Claire-san, so I’m counting on you to look after Sera.”
I could have returned her to my magic, but I wanted her to interact with people other than allies.
“I’m not a child anymore, you know?”
“Understood. Leave everything to me.”
“Hey, Efil, are you listening? I’m older than you!”
Sera looked displeased, but I needed her to bear with it for now. Honestly, if I brought Sera along, I wasn’t confident I could hide her true nature from Gerard. It’s difficult to compete with elders who have a lot of life experience, especially in terms of mental fortitude. Maybe I should look for a negotiation skill later.
***
– Spirit Song Inn – Tavern
When I returned to the inn after reporting to the guild, adventurers who frequented the Spirit Song Inn were gathered there. Confused, I looked around and saw Efil and Claire-san making a large amount of food in the kitchen in the back. Sera was seated at the place of honor, surrounded by a crowd of adventurers. What was going on?
“It’s a party to celebrate Kelvin’s promotion to A-Rank!”
“Whoa, Ange, when did you get here!?”
Before I could even ask, Ange, who had suddenly appeared from behind me, answered. Even with my presence detection off, she was able to stand behind me without a sound… Is Ange secretly an adventurer as well?
“Hahaha, it’s lucky I’m having such a good day to see Kelvin surprised.”
“No, I’m seriously surprised. Ange, did you take a stealth skill?”
“No, no. It’s just raw talent, Kelvin-kun.”
“Oh, you’re quite confident, aren’t you? So, how did you know I was promoted to A-Rank? I was only just informed myself.”
When I reported the recent incident to Guild Master Gerard, I was informed of my A-Rank promotion. Apparently, if the demon discovered this time had been a target of subjugation for A-Rank or higher, they had intended to proceed with it as a promotion exam. Of course, we weren’t told any of this. …And it was an S-Rank demon, Victor.
“Well, I was so happy that I told Claire-san first. And then, this party was put together.”
“You’re skipping way too many steps!”
Just then, Sera sent me a telepathic message.
“K-Kelvin! H-Help me, so many unknown people are talking to me!”
Oh, Sera’s starting to use telepathy effectively. Her face is as red as her hair from embarrassment, and she’s flustered, but she seems alright.
“Don’t joke around!”
Even so, setting aside her true nature, her appearance is that of exceptional beauty. Of course, she’s going to stand out and people will approach her. Still, for someone trying to get used to people, this is a bit much. I should probably help her soon.
“Efil, Sera. I’m back.”
I spoke deliberately loudly.
“Ah! Welcome back, Master.”
Efil noticed me and bowed her head. The adventurers, who had only had eyes for Sera until then, all turned towards me.
“Oh, hey. Kelvin-san is here!”
“Kelvin-san, we heard! Congratulations on your promotion to A-Rank!”
“Who is this beautiful woman!? Efil-chan isn’t enough for you!?”
“Kyaa, please give us your autograph!”
The adventurers shifted their target from Sera to me, bombarding me with questions.
“W-What is this commotion!?”
“Naturally. Kelvin is the first adventurer in Pars’s history to be promoted to A-Rank. Kelvin is now the hero of Pars’s adventurers.”
“Ehhh…”
I’m hearing this for the first time too…
“Oh, the star of tonight has arrived. Kel-chan, I heard you were promoted to A-Rank.”
“Congratulations, Master.”
Claire-san and Efil emerged from the kitchen, having finished their cooking.
“I was just told myself. It seems Ange got ahead of herself.”
“Hahaha, my apologies.”
“It was all for Kel-chan’s sake, you know. Tonight’s meal is my masterpiece. Enjoy it to your heart’s content.”
“That’s right. Today, I’m confident I’ve surpassed Claire-san’s cooking.”
“Fufu, you’ll be defeated again.”
Sparks flew between Efil and Claire-san. Are they planning to start a cooking battle?
“KELVIN!”
Sera suddenly put her arm around me from behind.
“Why did you leave me alone!? (Efil started cooking again, and I was surrounded by strangers, so) I was lonely!”
My neck was being squeezed tightly. S-Stop, Sera. If you squeeze with all your strength, it’s not funny.
“Oh, you’re already this far along…”
“As expected of Kelvin-san! Your speed in taking action is also extraordinary!”
“What gives… Kelvin-san has Efil-chan with him, doesn’t he…”
“After your autograph, could you write ‘To Suzu-chan’?”
The surrounding noise didn’t reach me. Danger, I’m going to pass out…
“Hey, young lady. If you keep that up, Kelvin will die.”
Just in time, I heard a heavenly voice, or rather, Uldo-san’s voice.
“Ah! S-Sorry!”
I was freed from Sera, who was in a hurry. This was the biggest crisis I’d faced since coming to this world.
“T-Thank you for saving me, Uldo-san. You are my life saver.”
“No, that’s an exaggeration…”
Considering Sera’s status, it wasn’t an exaggeration or a joke.
“Oh, you’re back, are you?”
“Yeah, sorry for being away so long.”
“It’s nothing new, so I don’t mind.”
“You should mind a little!”
Claire-san and Uldo-san started talking. It was like a married couple’s comedy act… Wait, married couple?
“Um, Claire-san, is your husband perhaps Uldo-san?”
“Hm? Yes, but I haven’t mentioned it before?”
“I’ve lived here for a while, but this is the first I’m hearing of it.”
Uldo-san, you’ve neglected your home too much…
“Hahaha, I was hospitalized for a while due to Efil’s promotion exam.”
“My apologies, it was my maid’s fault!”
“More importantly, I heard you were promoted to A-Rank…”
“You’ve gone through that sequence so many times, it’s fine now.”
“Let me say it…”
A burst of laughter erupted. As the comedy act wound down, the food was brought out.
‘King, may I also participate?’
‘Hmm? Is that alright?’
It’s unusual for Gerard to want to leave his summoner.
‘Actually, perhaps due to the effects of evolution, I’ve gained the ability to materialize my body.’
‘Oh, really!’
‘Ah, now I can finally taste Efil’s cooking!’
Is that your purpose…
‘However, I won’t take off my armor, okay? It’s my soul hence.’
‘I-I see. Do your best to eat skillfully…’
Gerard’s participation in the banquet is decided.
‘Your Highness, don’t you think it’s about time I could be summoned too? Shall we try it just a little?’
‘It’s impossible here, isn’t it? We can try it tomorrow.’
‘Ugh, Efil’s special dish…’
To debase a god this much… Efil’s cooking has a deep sin.
“Kel-chan, we’re thinking of starting soon, is that alright?”
“I don’t mind.”
The preparations were completed unknown to me.
“Well then, you, please lead the toast.”
“Ah? Me?”
Uldo-san was bewildered by the unexpected nomination.
“I would appreciate it if you would.”
After all, he was my life saver.
“R-Really? Ahem… Then, let us raise our glasses to our pride of Pars, Kelvin and his party, who have achieved their first A-Rank promotion!”
” ” ” ” “Cheers!” ” ” ” ”
– Clang!
“Ngh, did I miss it!”
Gerard, whom I had summoned in the alley behind the inn, was late.
