Chapter 152
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Ideally, I’d set off some flashy smoke signals with magic tools to call for a welcome and then leisurely chat, but time doesn’t allow for that. I hoist Angelica onto my shoulder and dash back at full speed.
「It’s a bit rough, but bear with it for now.」
I’m sprinting full-out. To say she’s just 「shaking」 would be an understatement.
In fact, I’ve been hearing strange groaning sounds from my shoulder: 「Bi, biddan, boroji…」
「Close your mouth or you’ll bite your tongue.」
Despite my warning, Angelica—continues to emit mysterious sounds from her throat.
I told you to keep your mouth shut…
After about half an hour of this, we finally reach the town of Boldaf.
I could have carried her all the way to the Guild headquarters like this, but she starts tapping my back insistently. Even I’m not dense enough to miss that hint. This must be that thing where she’s going to say it’s embarrassing to be carried like a princess or something.
「Fine, fine. Here you go.」
This is what you wanted, right?
「Hey! Stop it! Everyone’s looking at us! What kind of way to carry someone is this?! Put me down!」
「What kind of way to carry someone,」 she says?
I can’t believe Angelica doesn’t understand something so simple.
I let out a sigh at Angelica, who’s sitting on my right shoulder, and explain concisely:
「I’m Toguro’s little brother, you’re Toguro’s big brother.」
Apparently unsatisfied with my explanation, Angelica’s forehead veins pop out as she forcibly jumps down to the ground.
「What do you mean Toguro?! Are you out of your mind?!」
You’re right!!
Now that she mentions it, I’m starting to feel like I might be a bit crazy myself.
「Why are you clapping your hands like you just had some grand realization?!」
After shouting for a bit, she exclaims, 「Ahhh!! Geez!!」 and then says, 「No!! This isn’t what I really wanted to say!!」
I brace myself, thinking, 「Oh boy, here comes the barrage of insults?」 But she waves both hands dramatically as if to deny that notion.
「Setting aside the fact that you ran away from the party like a coward for now—」
I’m about to get indignant at being called a coward who ran away from the party, but—
「—Thank you for saving us in the Sealed Dungeon.」
Angelica takes off her hat and bows her head to me.
「If it weren’t for you, Mika, Eris, and I would all be dead.」
That’s right!!
「I can’t thank you—no, all of you—enough for helping us survive this ordeal.」
I’m really glad.
If her feelings of gratitude and apology had been directed solely at me, I would have been left with a lingering uneasiness in my chest from this point on.
Furthermore, she clutches her hat to her chest and continues earnestly:
「I want to apologize directly to Holy Knight Ashley for looking down on her.」
Angelica, who had been belittled herself, had said she would never do such a thing to others. I felt like I was seeing a glimpse of the Angelica I used to know—the one who stood by my side back then.
「We have all the time in the world. As soon as we wrap up this whole Sealed Dungeon business.」
My words seem to give her pause, and she lowers her gaze.
Pretending not to notice, I tell her:
「Let’s hurry to the Guild.」
She pulls her hat down low over her eyes and follows me as I start running.
○○○
Entering the Guild, I head straight for Anon’s assigned room—he should definitely be there at this hour.
「Yo.」
For a moment, he looks dumbfounded, then—
「Ichiro!!」
Anon leaps up and hugs me tightly.
「I’m so glad you’re safe!!」
「Yeah! Not a scratch on me!!」
Noticing Angelica behind me, Anon asks:
「What about the others? Are they safe?」
In an instant, he composes himself and asks the question he’d steeled himself for.
「Yeah, they’re all more or less okay.」
「What’s with that vague answer? Is there something you’re not telling me?」
Anon senses something’s off and presses further.
「We don’t have time for details, so I’ll keep it brief.
The Sealed Dungeon that appeared in Noble has been neutralized, but the dungeon itself hasn’t disappeared. Virtuous is probably facing the brunt of the battle right now.」
He listens silently, urging me to continue.
「I’m heading to Virtuous with Angelica now. So, Anon, I need you to prepare Crane’s Guidance as quickly as possible!!」
It’s a terribly convenient explanation.
But I know he’ll understand with just this much information.
「Understood, Ichiro. Leave everything to me. It’s no big deal, given our friendship.」
He grasps my intentions without asking any questions.
I really, really love Anon.
「But Ichiro, it’ll be tough with just two of you going as backup. Alright! I’ll find some suitable members to join you.」
Given the limitations of Crane’s Guidance itself, we can probably only take one or two more people.
「I’ll go prepare everything and gather the members. Just wait here for five minutes.」
Anon dashes out of the room.
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And so, in less than five minutes, Anon returns, having completed all the preparations.
What’s more, he’s brought along an incredible ally.
「This is the famous dual-wielder—Orphelia Verite, known as ‘Sword Dance’. She’ll undoubtedly be a great asset to your team.」
He says, introducing the dual-wielder standing before us and puffing out his chest with pride.
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