Act 2: Chapter 13: Pass
「I never expected that Pomera-dono would come personally to 《Mithril’s Cane》. Though I might not necessarily have specific business with you, I can’t help but want to know more about Pomera-dono in person.」
Gannet, the middle aged magician, spoke gently to Pomera.
「N-No, Pomera just… Pomera isn’t such a big shot…」
Pomera stuttered with her speech.
Maybe she got really confused by this sudden development.
Hearing that, Gannet became even more delighted.
「OOh! It seems you really are as humble as the rumors said. But, you’re being too humble you know. Because the number of the humans who can drive out 《JinMaRyuu》 from the city can be counted on one hand. And I only know of one such person who happens to reside in this city where mages all over the country have gathered, with you now being the second one.」
The more Gannet spoke to Pomera, the more the expression of the receptionist and Kevin paled. They’re literally sweating like waterfalls.
「I think the one who drove out the 《JinMaRyuu》 is another person… Pomera was just doing her best to suppress the damage. And Pomera thinks that person who’s far more amazing than Pomera is… close by.」
Pomera sent a glance to me and Philia.
「Hoo~… I see, you must have some sort of extraordinary circumstances for you to be such a humble person despite having such strength. Don’t worry, I won’t press you more about this matter and my apologies if my previous remark made you feel uncomfortable.」
Gannet apologized while bowing his head, and then took a deep breath.
「As a matter of fact, I’m not hostile towards Pomera-dono. I just wanted to confirm the rumours about Pomera-dono. I mean, I’m what you might call the representative of this city. I have no more intentions other than introducing myself. That’s why you can put more trust in my personality.」
Though Gannet’s move was a bit too fast in my opinion, it seems he only wanted to meet the person who could potentially become an S-rank adventurer in person.
Maybe he wanted to prevent the relationship between Pomera and this city from worsening.
The personal level disparity of each person in this world was way too big after all.
I mean, even someone like 《Evil God Apostle; Notes》 was a designated disaster individual who could single-handedly wipe out Aarburg city from the map.
That’s why there was no such thing as being too vigilant.
「E-Eh… I see…」
Pomera seems to be having a hard time keeping up with this kind of conversation.
She might be hesitating over whether it was okay for her to talk about me.
Well, I was bound to get involved in trouble once my level was known.
I feel sorry for her to be the only one who carried such a secret, but it would make things easier for me to deal with any foreign enemy aiming for Pomera if I remained outside of their radar.
Well, this matter about Pomera didn’t seem to be a big deal for anyone outside of Aarburg at the time of the incident.
There’s no need to increase the risk anymore.
A battle junkie like Lovis might come to challenge Pomera, but the one who might come for my life might be an extremely powerful being such as Zorophilia, or worse, a Lunaire-level being.
「Pomera-dono, have you and your companions come to get a pass to enter 《Mithril’s Cane》? 《Mithril’s Cane》 is the heart of this city. That’s why it usually takes quite some time before someone can get a pass but… if it’s Pomera-dono and co. I can provide an exception for my acquaintances to get the pass, but please forgive me since I would be unable to show the manufacturing process. Is that enough for you?」
I gulped hard.
That was all we needed for the time being.
「But, uhm, we’re lacking knowledge in this matter… don’t we need to be at least B-rank adventurers or above to get the qualifications to apply for the pass?」
Upon hearing Pomera say those words, Gannet was glaring at the receptionist whose face became darker and darker with each passing second.
「… So your request got rejected. This might be an unavoidable incident due to Pomera-dono’s humble nature but… did you say something impolite to them?」
「N-No! I- I was just explaining the rules to them! I-I never expected that they would turn out to be…!」
The receptionist was clearly trembling in fear right now.
Gannet squinted his eyes and by the time he was facing Pomera again, he was already smiling ear to ear toward her.
「My apologies, Pomera-dono. The majority of Manarak’s citizens regard themselves as superior, resulting in them having the tendency to look down on outsiders… Please, don’t take it to heart, Pomera-dono.」
…. I see.
We’ve been visiting several magic item stores in Manarak with 《Witch Ring》 as the best one but, my impression of their treatment toward us was unfavourable.
They might’ve grown conceited since their research in the field of magic was more advanced than the other city.
「Your adventurer rank is not high enough, huh. Well, no problem, let’s make a special exception in this case. I wish that Pomera-dono will stay for a long time in this city, after all.」
Gannet’s voice when he spoke to Pomera was completely different compared to when he spoke to the receptionist.
… Looking at Gannet’s situation, I guess the big shots of this world were truly a big deal.
「Kanata-san, you’re happy that we can enter, right?」
Pomera asked me such a question.
I nodded to her with a humble smile on my face.
Honestly, I was really happy to be able to enter this place.
I mean, if we fail to get the A-rank item, 《Spirit Tree’s Droplet》 and S-rank item, 《Adamant Ore》 in this place, I might have no choice but to pick it up right from its source myself.
「Then uhm… Gannet-san, if possible, can you please make it for Kanata-san too?」
「EH, of course it’s possible. If Pomera-dono wishes for it, I shall prepare three passes!!」
Gannet nodded with a smile on his face.
「Gannet-sama… is that including… the child, too?」
The receptionist asked timidly.
Gannet sent a silent glare toward the receptionist.
「I-It’s nothing!」
The receptionist quickly withdrew her remark and bowed to Gannet.
At any rate, it was thanks to Gannet that we could enter 《Mithril’s Cane》.
I heaved a sigh.
「… Eh, the one who led you guys is…?」
I finally remembered our guide when he asked.
It seems he regarded Kevin as one of Pomera’s followers.
「Gannet-sama, that man over there is just the inhabitant of the magic city who guided them to this place.」
Upon hearing that, Gannet went towards Kevin.
「Uhm, I see now. Good job in guiding Pomera-dono. Sorry for the trou-…」
Gannet stopped before he finished his sentence.
「… Almost all citizens of this magic city should’ve known that almost all outsiders who apply for the pass will be rejected and yet why did you guide Pomera-dono to this place?」
「A-A-A-AA, I… I just…」
Kevin was sweating like crazy, colour quickly draining from his face.
Gannet then looked at the receptionist, mine, and Pomera’s face.
A wrinkle appeared on his forehead as he guessed the general situation, and then, he glared at Kevin.
「It’s because of scoundrels like you that Manarak got an infamous reputation as a city filled with haughty people. Shame on you, how are you going to compensate if your actions ended up hurting Pomera-dono? 」
「N-No, I-I just…」
A small puddle of sweat was already forming beneath Kevin’s feet.
「Enough, get out of this place. I will remember your face. Though I won’t go as far as kicking you out from Manarak, you must never show your face again in the vicinity of 《Mithril’s Cane》.」
「Y-YES!」
Kevin left in a hurry, as if trying to escape from calamity.
Though Gannet kept glaring at Kevin’s departed back, his face was smiling again when he turned his face toward Pomera.
「Let me guide you around this place after we’re done with formal procedures for the pass application.」
Though his adaptability in showing kindness is spot on… he was a scary person.
It has a peculiar impact.