Kidnapped the Saintess of the Hero Party

26 – Recruitment Proposal

“That’s quite a unique goal.”

The Black Rabbit’s eyes were gleaming.

The desire to explore the unknown is the same for both wizards and adventurers. They were races that dedicated their lives to ‘discovery.’

Although it wasn’t a fact that I would explore ruins, it wouldn’t be a bad idea if it happened.

An expedition for exploring ruins would eventually be helpful in the conquest against the Demon King.

“It seems like you’ve found your answer.”

I calmly inquired, and the Black Rabbit gave an uneasy response.

“The answer is yes. But…,”

The Black Rabbit paused, as if it hadn’t come solely to answer that question.

It was a rare sight from the Black Rabbit. Well, that monster can casually slit a person’s throat.

Why does the Black Rabbit, who laughs in the face of death, hesitate like this when lifting its head?

“Will you not join the Black Claw?!”

Oh.

This was the first time I’d seen the Black Rabbit like this. However,

“I decline.”

There was no immediate need to join.

Direct proposal from the largest guild in the Panatia region.

In truth, there was no reason to refuse.

But I wanted some degree of freedom. Above all, I didn’t want Lucia to be caught up in the unstable currents. Even if she were to be caught up, I hoped there would be at least one control device.

The area around the Black Rabbit is dangerous.

The Black Rabbit I know carries incidents and accidents wherever it goes, and death always lurks near Kanan. I don’t understand the principle, but it’s okay to think of it as carrying misfortune.

It’s not just me who thinks that way; anyone in the Osland region considers the Black Rabbit a symbol of misfortune.

In Panatia, the perception is slightly better, thanks to Kanan. But when going to other regions, the recognition of the Black Rabbit is not good enough, sometimes to the extent of being chased away as unlucky.

In reality, the Black Rabbit stepped into places where incidents occurred.

Regardless of the cause and effect. It was a fact that the Black Rabbit was present at the scene of each incident.

Actually, it was just running quickly to investigate and organize the incidents, but I couldn’t go around saying the purpose was to investigate.

Therefore, a compromise was needed.

‘In reality, the Black Rabbit seeks out crises.’

I couldn’t leave Sia in a moment of crisis.

“We, haven’t even registered as adventurers yet.”

The Black Rabbit’s eyebrows sharply rose.

“So?”

Seems like they caught on that I’m trying to stall for time.

“I’ll help. Come to the guild tomorrow morning. I’ll go with you. It’ll be much faster to handle it that way.”

Grateful words. Even though it’s considered the outskirts, with Panatia’s population reaching nearly 300,000 and the adventurer guild handling almost all errands, it’s quite crowded. Still, I want to handle the dirty work around the Black Rabbit alone.

“That’s appreciated.”

“And what else?”

It seemed like convenience would cover all conveniences. Probably indicating an urgent matter. The Black Rabbit doesn’t engage in losing propositions. Clearly, they’ve taken on a risky task. In fact, from the Black Rabbit’s perspective, our very existence is a risky affair.

It should be easier to manage if it’s under my control.

The priest isn’t a fearsome being, at least not for me. Even if I alone were to join the Black Claw, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

Though the order has reversed from before, with me entering the Black Claw first and recommending Shia as a priest for the sect.

However, I needed to consult Shia’s opinion as well.

“I need some time to think. Let’s meet tomorrow and discuss it again.”

Thanks to our somewhat aligned interests, the Black Rabbit didn’t push any further. That’s how we decided to part ways for a while.

#

After returning to the inn, I sat down with Lucia for a conversation.

Lucia, who observed the Black Rabbit and his subordinates like I did, seemed quite tired, not less than me, despite the healing time with Harold’s fluff. If Shia weren’t a priest, she would have separated them right away. No matter how much Harold liked it, burying your face in fluff like that could lead to catching a cold.

“Tired?”

“Yeah.”

A weak voice.

“We need to move busy tomorrow morning… Hey, Lucia. Are you listening?”

Lucia pulls her face out of Harold’s fur and glances at him. She sees his sky-blue eyes, with a hint of gold shimmering. The time of awakening is approaching.

When she becomes a saint, her eyes will completely turn gold. Regardless of the color, they are beautiful. The atmosphere changes quite a bit, becoming more mature.

Since she tied her hair back with a headband, her forehead is clearly visible. Her skin doesn’t easily burn even in the sunlight. Thanks to the protection of divine power, she always has fair skin. Because of this, priests often mistake her for a beauty, with her face showing signs of being well-raised.

However, unlike the nobility that Sia possesses, Lucia doesn’t wear any accessories and her clothes are closer to dirty rags than anything else.

It would have been nice to live in a comfortable mansion like others and prepare for academy admission. But we were poor, and we had to jump right into the battlefield where blood is shed.

It was both for survival and for quick success. We had to move forward.

“How did the rabbit we met earlier look?”

“It was cute. And it had quite a bit of divine power.”

“I see.”

I wonder how divine power looks to that common guy. I wish I could borrow Lucia’s eyes to see. But that’s another matter.

“I think I should go into Hekgalqui.”

“Hmm. I’m fine as long as Lucion goes.”

Damn it. He agrees with whatever I say. Maybe it’s because he’s tired. But I can’t allow that right now.

“But I’ll be the only one going in.”

“Hmm. …What?”

Lucia’s pupils, which seemed like they could fall asleep any moment, widened.

Lucia looks at me with the eyes of a child left alone when her parents leave.

“Why?”

Creating a safe situation and going into a dangerous place without knowing anything make a world of difference in terms of risk. So, I planned to create a safe situation and stage a crisis there.

To continue training the still delicate Lucia.

“Dangerous. We don’t even know what Black Claw is up to. Besides, Lucia is committed to being a priestess for life.”

Even if you wanted to register as an adventurer, you had to specify your basic occupation.

You had to determine for yourself whether you would write down priest, warrior, or magician in the occupation section. Of course, qualifications were only granted to those who reached a certain level according to strict tests and criteria, but in general, one wrote down their own occupation. There were even those who had multiple occupations.

For Lucia to register as an adventurer, she had to undergo a test to see if her skills as a priestess met the passing mark. She had to confidently declare herself a priestess.

Of course, I was in the same situation.

Even though in this life, I had decided to master swordsmanship to stay by Lucia’s side, registering as a magician was more advantageous to become an adventurer.

Because promotion for a swordsman was dreadfully slow.

Magicians were promoted immediately upon demonstrating their skills. It was a straightforward progression based on research achievements.

On the other hand, swordsmen had to show results. So, I couldn’t reach my goal as quickly as I wanted.

Thus, those with exceptional talent mostly started as magicians.

So, even though my purpose was to train in swordsmanship, I planned to register as a magician. Complaints about the unfairness of this decision were consistently received, but the words of those who trained in swordsmanship didn’t carry much weight in real life, and magic was proving to be much more helpful overall. So, the arguments of those who trained in swordsmanship weren’t well-received.

Moreover, the pay for magicians was higher. Even though swordsmen were said to have an advantage in actual combat, in most cases, it was better to register as a magician.

“It’s easier to deceive when the time comes.”

I remember there was a swordsman in my past life who pretended to be a magician. It had been quite an effective means of self-defense.

Stories about assassins who thought they were attacking a magician only to end up sliced into pieces had circulated for a while.

So, let’s register as a magician.

Lucia seemed to be pondering for a moment before nodding.

“Because it’s Lucia, there must be a reason.”

This guy. It seems like he’s casually speaking because he’s sleepy.

Lucia was already lying down, her hair spread out in a fan shape. Howard, who was inside her arms, seemed annoyed, but Lucia needed the cushion, so I’ll let it slide.

‘Come to think of it, I have to sleep on the floor.’

There’s only one bed.

Despite seeming to receive more trust than necessary, Lucia appeared too exhausted for further conversation. Judging by the worn-out look on her face, she might have endured quite a bit of stress during our camping.

From my perspective, I can’t know everything about Lucia.

Considering going to sleep after this much, but Lucia speaks as if throwing a tantrum.

She stared at the ceiling with her eyes.

“But, Kanan is quite young, huh?”

Why is she asking this?

I thought about how much information I should reveal and replied, “Yeah. I’ve heard bits of what people around say. He’s in his late twenties, and they call him a candidate for Archmage.”

“Wow.”

Sia nodded her head.

“Wouldn’t he be as amazing as Lucion?”

Wasn’t she sleepy?

I answered calmly, “I don’t think I can become a candidate for Archmage.”

“Oh… I see.”

Lucia’s words lacked vigor. She seemed quite tired.

“Yeah. …I think Lucia could become one, though.”

“Really?”

“Yes. So let’s go to sleep now. We have a lot to do tomorrow.”

“hehehe.”

It seemed like my mood had improved.

I was relieved.

First, should I put her to sleep?