Overlimit Skill Holder (Web Novel JP)

Vol 3: Chapter 2

My first impression was that it was a very murky place.

After parting with Muge-san, we, as foreigners, arrived at a place surrounded by walls high enough you have to crank your head up to see the top—a place as wide as a school ground.

There was a somewhat open square in the center, and only about 10 buildings in the whole place. Each building was also just a one-story, compact, stone building.

It seems that this was as far as foreigners can enter into the Lev Magic Empire.

However, there was quite a fair number of people. Nearly 100 people. Almost all were armed like adventurers.

…They are not Lev citizens, so they shouldn’t be able to enter inside. Are there really a lot of jobs in such a small space?

“The delivery to the guild is over.”

Dante-san came back.

Our job this time was to deliver a letter to the Adventurer’s Guild – a building which would fill up if even 10 people entered, and was operating through window counters.

「Here you go, Reiji.」

I received an Adventurer’s Guild plate from Dante-san. It was the one I had issued before reaching this place — come to think of it, this is my first ID in this world.

『Adventurer’s Guild: Kruvan Holy Kingdom Arsanyu City Adventurer Guild Issued

Name: Reiji

Rank: Bronze

Party: Silver Balance

This registration card is to prove the affiliation of the above-named person to the Adventurer’s Guild. In addition, the above-named person should be allowed to pass without delay or hindrance into the country or territory in subject. 』

I’m a bronze-rank newbie. Dante-san and the rest are in the Silver-rank — they were demoted the other day — so it’s a long way to catch up then. However, I’m still happy to have a guild certificate with the same party name as everyone else.

On a side note, Zerry-san has also joined the party. She was already an Iron-rank adventurer, one rank below Silver and two above myself. I will never forget the fact that she annoyingly pestered me, “Bocchan, from now on you have to call me ‘senpai’, ok〜?”

Zerry-san wasn’t around right now, as she went for a walk when we arrived here.

「…The atmosphere inside was a little bizarre.」

「Bizarre? What happened?」Mimino-san asked.

「That’s… well, let’s finish Reiji’s business before that.」

I’m aiming to meet Lulusha-san in the Empire. The reception for visits to the Empire was held in a different building, which was also crowded—there was a line of about 10 people lined up outside the building. They were not adventurers but merchant-like people.

「I’m talking about why adventurers are gathered in a place like this… Apparently, they are looking for adventurers to enter the Empire.」

Dante-san said, as we queued up at the back of the line.

「Eh? To enter?」

「Yeah. I didn’t ask for details because we have to prioritize your visit, Reiji.」Dante-san said.

「We got into the Empire once, but that was only by chance because we happened to receive a similar request from the guild.」Mimino-san said.

「That’s right. Other people around us seemed quite envious at the time.」Non-san added.

Silver Balance has been here before. They entered the Empire at the request of the guild. It seems rare to be able to enter the Empire, but not impossible.

But looking at this crowd of adventurers, it’s probably not normal.

「Hmm, gathering this many people… is it for a big subjugation?」

Just when I asked that,

「ーIs that really you, Dante?」

A sudden voice called out.

Dante-san surprisedly looked back. There was a party-like group of seven adventurers.

The one who called out was an adventurer with reddish-brown swept back hair, seeming to be in his late twenties. He was tall and the armor he wore was a simple metal protector combined with monster leather.

His cloak was the most eye-catching of all. The bright yellow cloak looked to be brand new, and the other members were also wearing the same cloak.

「Leon…?」

「That’s right! Hey, your petrification is healed? Seriously? How did you do it?」

The man called Leon had amicable eyes… His tone of voice sounded friendly, but the way he was tapping Dante-san’s left arm over-familiarly seemed almost bordering on shameless.

Dante-san had a complicated look on his face.

「–Oh, that shorty over there… is that you Mimino? Man… hahaha. You guys were hanging out together, huh… Mimino, I haven’t forgotten about the money you stole from our party. Just as you would expect from a halfling.」Leon said, raising an eyebrow and glaring at Mimino-san.

Wait a minute. “Stole”? Mimino-san wouldn’t do that.

Mimino-san was looking back at Leon with flames of anger burning in her eyes, an intense look that I had never seen before.

「Stole?!! Look at you running your mouth! If so, I can say you guys “stole” Dante’s future!」

「—Mimino-san, please calm down.」

Non-san got in front of Mimino-san, and I got beside Mimino-san.

「That’s right, Mimino-san. You don’t have to get agitated… By the way, is it okay if I punch this rude man in the face?」

「Hey, Reiji-kun!? What are you saying?」Non-san said flusteredly.

The man named Leon blinked in surprise.

「…Kukukku, ahahahahaha! What a funny kid. What, Mimino. Are you escorting around such a mad dog-like kid or something? Something like that isn’t going to rile us up. You might not know this, but we have become Gold-rank adventurers—we are the Golden Brigade!」

Ah, I see now. I understand.

This is the guy. He was the companion that Dante-san protected in the past, and he was also the companion who abandoned the petrified Dante-san at that time.

Of those who wore yellow cloaks, three didn’t seem to understand what was going on, but the other three—had a look mixed with anger, guilt, and other various such emotions.

「Dante… it’s good that you’re completely healed. Come back under me. You were the best at handling shields. We’re only seven right now, but we’re going to gather more Gold-rank adventurers and become a top-class party. I’m sure you can keep up, right?」

「…Leon.」Dante-san called out, with a sigh.「Apologize to Mimino.」

「…What?」

「If you say Mimino stole the party money, then what about the rule that said “a party member’s injury should be treated with the party money”? Not only the party money, but Mimino used up all her personal savings for my treatment. But even that wasn’t enough, and she ended taking loans and fell into debt.」

「Well, I mean… you left the party. Which means you were not an “injured party member”, right?」

「Because I was petrified and thought I would just die without being able to do anything. I didn’t want to drag everyone else down with me.」

「If so, then–」

「–She was the only one who remained by my side all those while. Do you understand how grateful I am to Mimino? So, no matter who speaks bad about Mimino, I won’t forgive them.」

「!」

Leon immediately took a distance, as a fiery fighting spirit emanated from Dante-san’s body. That reaction speed, even rotten he’s still a gold-rank adventurer I guess.

「And you’re wrong.」

Dante-san came up next to me and put his hand on my shoulder.

「This kid you made a fool of… Reiji, is stronger than me.」

「…What?」

Leon directed a doubtful glare towards me.

But that’s not true though, is it, Dante-san? Even I don’t think it’s possible to break through your iron wall. Your defense is almost foul-like, you know?

「I’ve told you many times in the past that it’s a bad habit to look down on someone just by appearance. You don’t seem to have changed… your rank growth is of no importance.」

「Dante… do you think you can just walk away after making a fool out of me?!」

「Okay, that’s enough.」

Right then, one of the yellow cloaks—a woman with a slender body and hood low over her eyes, came in between us.

It was one of the three who looked like they didn’t know what was going on.

「You didn’t come all the way here just to get into a fight, right? Leader, I’m not getting involved in unnecessary trouble.」

「…Tsk.」

Clicking his tongue, Leon turned his back to us.

「Just you wait, Dante. We’re going to reach heights you can never reach.」

Leaving that sharp parting remark.

The hooded woman glanced at me, her emerald green eyes keen with interest, but soon followed after Leon.