The first visitor to Nina Castle was a surprising one.
“Ah, it’s you, the Master of the Underground Information Broker!”
He was the husband of Ms. Cheer, who was currently at the West Adventurer Guild’s Hero Exclusive Reception. He had come all the way here… does that mean he was an S-Rank Adventurer, or…?!
“Why are you here, Revan? Is everything alright?”
“Ah, Nina. I received important news, and it was on my way anyway.”
He looked at me. So his name was Revan. I felt like I had heard it somewhere before, but then again, having the same name isn’t that rare in this world. For example, the name Helen is popular, and there are quite a few of them.
“First, Nina and you, Derus, have been registered as High-level Heroes in Adventurer Guilds all over the world.”
“Already? That was fast.”
“Huh? High-level?”
“It means your location will be shared with Adventurer Guilds around the world. You’ve been branded with a big mark.”
I didn’t like the sound of that at all.
“Well, it can’t be helped. It’s late for Derus, even if it’s on time for me.”
“It’s probably because you obtained a Porter License using the Hero Porter system. It must have caused some confusion.”
“Ah, if that’s true, I should have retired as a Hero back then.”
Using an Adventurer Card concurrently with a Hero License wasn’t exactly a praiseworthy act.
“It’s beneficial for the Adventurer Guild to have an Adventurer who is both a Hero and a Porter, so it’s probably fine as it is.”
“Thank you.”
For some reason, I ended up bowing to Mr. Revan. I should bow to Ms. Cheer too, and in my heart, to Madam Butterfly as well.
“So, things might become a bit cramped. Many Heroes who disliked this have fled to the Shamanias Continent.”
“Isn’t that a monster-infested land? Can that be called escaping?”
“For adventurers who value freedom, and for High-level Heroes, I suppose so. Rumor has it that some have abandoned their fiancés and built Harem of monsters.”
Ah, I somehow pictured myself with Helen’s Summoned Succubi, seven of them, fawning over me.
“Because of that, your requests will increase. Please consider it the destiny of an S-Class Adventurer Party.”
“Understood. However, I will refuse requests that don’t appeal to me.”
“Ah, Nina, you should do as you please. And Derus, I have new information, whether it’s good or bad.”
Did you steal it again from the Adventurer Guild through Ms. Cheer?
“Yes, what is it?”
“Do you know the Derus Flyers, a party from the Milishitan Continent in the East?”
At those words, my heart pounded violently.
“…Yes.”
“That party has completed their punitive Adventurer activities.”
“Wait, punitive?”
Did they do something bad?!
“As I suspected.”
“Ms. Nina, what do you mean, ‘as you suspected’?”
“They were acting as Django’s hands, who was impersonating Crow. No matter how much they were deceived, they can’t be entirely innocent.”
So, Ric and the others were accomplices too.
“Ah, so they were forced to do difficult requests as punishment, and it seems they’ve all finished. They inquired about Derus’s location, but since you weren’t a High-level Hero at that point, they weren’t told. Not then, anyway.”
“Th-then, if they ask again next time?”
“They will be told your location. Being a former member, it’s only natural. What do you want to do? You can still request secrecy now.”
I looked at Nina imploringly!
“Keep it hidden.”
“Y-yes.”
“There’s no need to inform them. If they truly want to meet you, they should find you themselves.”
Yeah, that’s right. Besides, she’s my ex-fiancé now.
“So, Mr. Revan, or rather, Ms. Cheer, please.”
“Understood. However, if they ask at this exact moment, you might be informed.”
Between the moment I became a High-level Hero and the notification of secrecy…
“That can’t be helped.”
“Indeed. I don’t think you’re that unlucky a man, but my Derus is…”
Nina pulled me into a tight hug. She was strong, and I felt a comforting maternal instinct from her womanliness.
“Lastly, Derus, perhaps due to your past education, you are too kind-hearted. You are excessively good-natured.”
“Ah, Ms. Nina, you’ve cautioned me about that before too.”
“On top of that, you’re also a bit scatterbrained. Well, maybe that’s what makes you attractive to ‘strong women’.”
Is that the kind of thing that stirs maternal instincts? Ric and Frau often said that to me.
“Because of your kindness, there’s even a risk of your entire life being taken without you realizing it.”
“Ah! I’m already being targeted for that, by a Dwarf Princess.”
Although, it all started with my impure thoughts.
“Listen, you need to stand firm for yourself. If you can’t do that, then let someone you trust protect you.”
“Yes, I already have three fiancés.”
Nina and Clarice, who watch over me, and Anju, who floats around and clings to me. I can’t betray any of them. That’s why I need to have the resolve to protect these fiancés of mine.
“Don’t worry, Derus. You belong to no one else. You are already mine.”
“That’s right, Derus-sama and I, Clarice, are bound by the red thread of destiny.”
“I’ll never be separated from Derus-kun for the rest of my life! Wherever you go, I’ll fly to you!”
Yeah. Even if I become this so-called High-level Hero, my fiancés won’t change. And Helen, who looks a little worried, she likes me, right?
“Helen-san.”
“I’ll work hard to be included as a fiancé, too.”
“Um, for now, please continue to take care of me, okay?”
Still, she’s a slave. Well, I’ll think about future developments later.
“Alright, that’s all. I’m returning to work. See you.”
“Ah, yes. Please do your best. Say hello to Hyō for me.”
“Then, I, myself, will also depart! Excuse me!!!!”
Mr. Revan and Ms. Cheer left. In the end, Mr. Revan remained a mysterious person…
“Now, Derus. Once we’re ready, shall we say our temporary goodbyes?”
“Yes. To everyone who will be staying behind, though I’ll be back soon.”
I’ll have to explain that to everyone, including the slaves.
