After showing her the property that would serve as both her home and office, we boarded a shared carriage once again, this time heading toward the city center.
"As you can see, there are a lot of tall buildings in this area," I explained. "If you ever lose your way, just find the main thoroughfare and head toward the heart of the city; you'll eventually find this spot. You can use these buildings as landmarks if you're ever unsure of where you are."
"Between that house and what I've heard, it seems the majority of the shops and facilities you manage, Master Takebayashi, are concentrated in the northeastern district," she noted. "Once I reach this area, I should be able to orient myself fairly easily."
"The roads are much clearer now than they used to be thanks to the recent redevelopment," I replied. "Unless someone is truly hopeless with directions, they should be fine. Besides, the branch offices for the various guilds are clustered around here, and I have quite a few personal acquaintances I’d like to introduce you to."
With that in mind, our first stop was the nearest building: the Adventurer Guild.
When we stepped inside, there weren't many adventurers around, likely because it was a bit late in the morning. There were a fair number of people who seemed to be killing time because they couldn't find a suitable request or were simply on break, but the reception desk was clear.
It was rare for an ordinary woman—especially one as well-dressed as Eleonora-san—to visit an Adventurer Guild filled with rough-looking men, so she naturally drew a lot of attention. Since no one was waiting, I decided to finish our business quickly.
"Oh, if it isn’t Ryoma-kun."
The one who called out to us was Meilyne-san, one of the guild's receptionists. She appeared to be in the middle of some paperwork at the counter. Since the timing was perfect, I greeted her and introduced Eleonora-san.
"—And that’s the situation," I finished.
"I see. So if anything comes up while Ryoma-kun is away, I should contact her instead," Meilyne-san said. "Eleonora-san, I look forward to working with you. Even if it’s not about work, feel free to come by if you’re ever in trouble. If you’re okay with it being me, I can at least offer a listening ear."
"Thank you. I look forward to working with you as well," Eleonora-san replied.
"Oh, right. Do you want to see the Guild Master? I think he’s finished with his current work, so you should be able to meet him."
"Hey, hey, hey! What have I been listening to for the last few minutes, huh?"
While we were having our peaceful conversation, a man suddenly shouted. He glared at us with suspicious eyes as he slowly approached from the bulletin board against the wall. He was a complete stranger to me, but his words were clearly directed our way. And they were anything but friendly.
As a tense atmosphere filled the room and others began to watch, my concern shifted to Eleonora-san. She was casually checking her bodice. She likely had a self-defense weapon or something similar hidden there.
However, the man in question didn't seem to notice at all. He kept his eyes fixed on me as he drew closer.
"Bringing a woman to a place like this... I thought you were a client, but a brat like you is an adventurer? And you’ve got a secretary? Don’t play at being an adventurer as a hobby just because you're some rich brat! We’re putting our lives on the line every day!"
"Wait, you—" Meilyne-san started.
"That goes for the woman, too!" the man barked, cutting her off. "What’s this about 'meeting the Guild Master'? Does this guild let people meet him that easily?! You flattering the rich now?! Huh?!"
The man began to harass Meilyne-san as well, but his words gradually lost their focus. At first, he was just hurling insults at us, but I soon realized he was likely an adventurer who had just arrived in the city and whose work wasn't going well... To put it simply, his rant had devolved into nothing but venting.
Getting picked on at the guild is a cliché event in stories, but I wondered why it was happening now of all times, and over something so trivial... Come to think of it, the guys who act like my underlings now started out picking on me too, so maybe it's just that adventurers are a rowdy bunch. Let’s just go with that.
"Seriously, this city is full of annoying people! Even that shop that only does chores like laundry kicked me out!"
"A laundry shop? You mean mine?" I asked.
"Yours?"
The words slipped out before I could stop them. He reacted instantly.
As far as I knew, mine was the only laundry shop in Gimul. If he had been "kicked out," then this guy must be... the pathetic guy Calm was talking about!
"So you’re that troublesome drunk who was banned," I said.
"If you know that, then you really are involved with that shitty shop! Making a fool out of a customer like that!"
The man began to shout selfishly about everything he hated. He seemed focused on his rant for the moment, but his intensity was such that he looked ready to lung at any second. Beside me, Eleonora-san was already shifting into a combat stance, prepared to step forward.
Honestly, I didn't feel like the man in front of me was a threat. I don't think I would have been particularly scared of someone at this level before, either, but perhaps it was because I had seen monsters and a truly powerful adventurer like Glen-san in the Sea of Trees. He seemed even less threatening than before.
To be blunt, Eleonora-san looked stronger than the man in front of us... Her fighting style would probably focus on magic like Big Sis Remily's, but she looked like she could handle him without any trouble.
However, it would be easier to settle the aftermath if it was treated as a "brawl between adventurers," so I decided to ask her to step back, even if I felt a bit bad about it.
"Eleonora-san, I’m fine. Please leave this to me."
My statement, which showed I was more concerned about Eleonora-san than the man himself, must have struck a nerve.
"You brat! Don’t go acting tough just because you’re in front of a woman!"
The man’s face flushed red as he swung a fist—but he was slow.
His sloppy punch wasn't much different from Glen-san’s, but unlike Glen-san, I could see his movements with perfect clarity.
I brushed aside the fist that came flying sluggishly, parrying it with just enough force—it was weightless.
It was incomparable to Glen-san’s strikes; I could easily redirect it with just my arm, let alone my whole body.
Finally, I slammed a kick into the man’s stomach, which was left wide open after his swing—he was brittle.
Leaving the sensation of armor shattering and a foot sinking deep into flesh, the man was sent flying back toward the wall... Wait, brittle?
"Crap! I was thinking too much and messed up my restraint!"
It wasn't quite as bad as when I was facing Glen-san, but I had kicked him with far too much force. The man slammed into the wall and collapsed, motionless. He was unconscious, but as for his injuries... whew, safe! They were within a range that could be managed with Healing Magic!
After casting Healing Magic about five times...
"That should do it!"
"What should?" a voice asked.
"Whoa!?"
When I finished the treatment, Wogan-san, the Guild Master, was standing right behind me.
"How long have you been there?" I asked.
"I arrived right when you kicked that guy into the next week. I came over thinking some troublemaker had appeared just when my paperwork was finally settling down, only to be surprised by the sight of a grown man flying through the air."
"Sorry for the commotion."
"Well, I heard the details from Meilyne. This isn't the first time he's caused trouble, so I won't blame you. At most, consider this a light warning to 'watch your strength.' I'll handle him and the rest. It’s okay to move him now, right?"
"Yes, he's perfectly healthy now."
"Right. Toss him in the back room until he wakes up! Someone give me a hand!"
"On it!"
"Good grief, what a mess. Why did he have to pick a fight with Ryoma, of all people?"
"He looks like a kid, so he doesn't seem strong at first glance. Wait... I smell alcohol."
"He's been like that since he first showed up. He’s always got a bit of booze in his system."
"Humans might not notice, but it’s obvious to us beastkin by the smell."
"Can't go without a drink? That makes him even more of a loser..."
"Well, I can understand being jealous of him having a beauty with him, though."
"That's for sure."
"Hey, Ryoma! I'm jealous!"
At Wogan-san’s call, several adventurers who had been in Gimul for a while grabbed the man by his arms and legs and carried him off roughly. Half-teasing, half-booing voices were directed my way during the process, but the problem was settled for now.
After that, I introduced Eleonora-san to Wogan-san again, and then to the adventurers who happened to be at the guild, before we finally took our leave.
"Man, things got a bit hectic even though I’m just showing you around the city. Are you tired?"
"I was a bit overwhelmed by the number of people who spoke to us, but I am not tired," she replied. "You have many friends, Master Takebayashi."
"That surprises me, too. Before I came to this city, I never would have imagined I’d be involved with so many people. Sometimes—really, just sometimes—I even wonder if I’m communicating properly. This city really does have a lot of good people."
I truly hoped Eleonora-san would be able to feel that for herself someday.
"By the way, Eleonora-san, thank you for earlier."
"What are you referring to?"
"When that man harassed me, you were trying to protect me, weren't you?"
"Oh... it turned out to be unnecessary, though."
"I appreciate the sentiment regardless. I judged based on the general atmosphere, but you’re quite strong, aren't you?"
"I am not as capable as you, Master Takebayashi, but in the household I married into, I belonged to the Territorial Army and led a unit."
"Wait, really?"
Come to think of it, when I first met her, I thought she had the air of a member of the Guard Force or a soldier despite her maid uniform. So she really was a military woman.
"Due to my position, I only assumed that rank by circumstance, so I am not as honorable as a true soldier. However, I have gained a fair amount of actual combat experience, and I am confident in my magical skills."
"Speaking of magic, I heard you graduated at the top of your class from the Magic Department of the Academy in the Royal Capital."
When I said that, a shadow seemed to pass over her expression, but it was so brief I couldn't tell if I had hit a nerve. However, she didn't seem like she was trying to avoid the topic.
"It is an embarrassing story now, but at the time, I was known as the 'Witch of Roaring Thunder.' I specialized in Thunder Magic, specifically Lightning, which possesses immense power in a single strike."
"So they give out monikers like that at the Academy, just like they do for adventurers."
"The desire to feel special is the same whether one is an adventurer or a student," she said. "Both tend to show off, and nobles prefer poetic and indirect expressions. In that sense, my moniker was quite simple... but thinking back on it at my age is still mortifying..."
Eleonora-san seemed truly embarrassed, her face turning a light shade of red. However, she must have been given such a moniker because her skills were the real deal. If she was that good at magic, she must have a wealth of knowledge, and I wanted to hear more about it when she had the time.
Thinking that, I asked if I could talk to her about such things someday. She looked a bit puzzled, but she agreed without appearing to dislike the idea.
"By the way, if you don't mind me asking..."
"Anything."
"Was it that man from the Verdure family who told you I was at the top of my class, Master Takebayashi?"
"Ah... yes. It was indeed Yudum-san, but I only heard that you were the top student and that you were good at Thunder Magic. Nothing else. He said he wasn't familiar with your personal circumstances, so it would be better to ask you directly if I wanted to know more."
"I see. He is still capable of such consideration, just as he was in the past."
Just as he was in the past? Did she know Yudum-san from before?
Perhaps sensing my question, she explained before I could ask.
"Even if he was in a different year, he was famous among the female students."
"Was Yudum-san really that popular?"
"I had no interest in romance and couldn't understand it at the time, but young ladies whose fiancés hadn't been decided by the time they entered the Academy were desperate to find a future partner there. It is only natural that attention would gather on a man who was already promising just by belonging to the Knight Department, and who was also friendly and considerate toward others."
Eleonora-san spoke as if it were someone else's business. Her record of being the top of the class couldn't have been achieved with half-hearted effort, so she must have put all her energy into her studies during her student days.
When I said "That’s impressive" with sincere honesty, she quietly shook her head.
"I did make an effort. However, it would be more appropriate to say that my past self was 'dependent' on academics and effort. I poured everything I had into it, believing that if I worked hard enough, the situation of my family would improve or that I would find some kind of solution. On the other hand, those who did not make an effort... needless to say those who were simply lazy, but I also looked down on those whose passion was not directed toward something that clearly connected to their future. I saw them as insincere or as fools indulging in fleeting pleasures, and I cut them off... I was a narrow-minded child who had nothing to lean on besides my studies and grades."
"Ah..."
Since our situations and positions were different, I couldn't lightly say I understood how she felt, but her words struck a chord with me. Failing to make friends is hard to recover from... It’s not easy to do it right from the start, but it's especially hard later on...
"By the way, do you think you’ll be able to get along with Yudum-san? I asked him to be your assistant without knowing any of that."
"Do not worry. Regardless of my personal feelings, I will not let them affect my work. However, that was not the intent of your question, was it?"
Then, after pausing to think, she spoke again.
"First of all, I have no particular feelings toward him. Far from having an interest, I don't even have any memory of him besides his name. However, because of that, I am concerned that I might have been rude to him in the past. If you’ll excuse the bluntness, I believe he is the type of man my past self would have surely loathed. However, that is only a story of the past. Although we have only spoken briefly, I do not have a bad impression of him. I saw some hesitation, but that is only natural if he knew my past self. The fact that he was able to handle me without showing signs of avoiding me makes me believe there is plenty of room to build a working relationship."
"I see, I’m glad you’re thinking positively about it. ...Wait, I guess that’s a lot to ask on the first day we met! My question was a bit too hasty. My apologies."
"Not at all. I appreciate your consideration."
"I’m not very good at socializing either, so it helps to hear you say that."
I wanted her to feel free to tell me if she truly had trouble figuring out how to close the distance, but would that be difficult given her position and personality?
Still, it felt like my conversation with Eleonora-san was starting to flow more naturally.
In this manner, I wanted to close the distance between us one step at a time, being careful not to push her too hard.