Published: March 21, 2026
Mock exams are basically for sleeping, right...
"Wait a moment!"
Amelia said, grabbing Crow's hand.
Crow sighed and stopped.
"What do you want, princess of the elf"
Amelia swallowed.
That glare that pinned him down was not the look of an ordinary blacksmith.
"...I wanted to make sure."
Amelia bowed her head and forced out the words. Crow tilted his head.
The blade of "night blade god" in Crow's hand was wrapped in white cloth, the contrast of black and white drawing the eye.
"You... were you perhaps a member of the previous Hero's party..."
The previous Hero's party had failed to defeat the demon king; only the Hero and the Beastmen representative returned. The Human race and the Elf race fell just short.
Crow sharpened his gaze.
"And?"
Enduring Crow's cold look, Amelia lifted her face and stared straight into his eyes.
"Teach me how to fight."
After Amelia left, Yoru sluggishly rose from the bed.
"Master, you didn't have to chase after her?"
I sheathed the black scabbard, hilt, and guard of the "night blade god"—the bladeless "night blade god"—into my chest. Here it was safe from being taken, and unless someone cutpocketed me, it wouldn't be stolen. Well, even if it were taken, without a blade it wouldn't be worth much.
"Amelia has her reasons. Besides, that Amelia wouldn't do anything to put us at a disadvantage."
I checked the number and sharpness of my hidden weapons and stowed them in various places.
Yoru shrank and jumped onto my shoulder.
A single piece of paper fluttered into my palm.
"Let's do our job... Yoru, go stay with Amelia."
Yoru, who was absolutely set on coming with me, sagged skillfully on my shoulder.
"Master, wasn't that clearly the start of an adventure with familiar and master?"
I grabbed Yoru by the scruff and lifted him up in front of my face. I only just noticed that when he's in cat form, being held like this makes him go limp like a normal cat. In dragon form, he apparently keeps his pride intact.
"Wherever you and I are, we remain connected. Amelia doesn't have that luxury. Besides, if there are demonic beasts, she could probably hunt them easily in the Beastmen labyrinth, and fortunately the labyrinth is in this town."
Yoru pouted. He seemed to understand what I meant.
"Stay by Amelia's side until she's satisfied... Ever since we entered this continent, I have a bad feeling. Also, tell her to come back by dinner."
His golden eyes stared at me silently, then closed gently.
"As you command, master."
I set Yoru down and left the inn.
Yoru headed in the opposite direction, following Amelia's scent.
I went straight to the Adventurer Guild.
When Amelia and Yoru weren't with me, I didn't stand out much—I attracted no attention at all. Saying that about myself felt a bit sad.
Still, it would be annoying if I were noticed.
I didn't remember exactly where the Adventurer Guild was, but I followed the direction where armored adventurers were walking and soon found it. Probably thanks to my Extra Skill "Luck."
Inside the Adventurer Guild, unlike when Ringa and I came, the attached tavern was lively, and crowds of adventurers thronged in front of the request boards organized by color.
And it smelled strongly of alcohol.
"Excuse me, where do I register?"
I used as polite a tone as I could and called to a guild clerk named Mile, the one who brought us drinks when we first came.
"Oh, registration is right here."
He gave my face a quick glance but showed no reaction—so I hadn't been remembered. From the perspective of an Assassin, that's just perfect. But as a person, being forgotten by someone you've met is a little sad.
When I met this clerk Mile, the guild master had been with him, so he should have left a strong impression. Yet he didn't remember.
...Great. Damn it, I'm happy.
"Can you write? I can fill it out for you if you want."
Unaware of my inner thoughts, Mile handed me a sheet of paper and what looked like a pen.
"No, it's fine. Is name, occupation, and race all you need?"
After confirming Mile's nod, I wrote the necessary information on the paper.