Oh, Iyer! Iyerpol! – Chapter 50

—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
—————————————————————–

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

 
“It’s rare for the Royal Family to issue a summons.”

A lord’s right of summons was for eliminating threats to their territory.

This applied to soldiers, reservists, and adventurers within the territory, all obligated to defend its safety.

The Royal Family’s right, however, was reserved for situations perceived as threats to the nation itself.

It applied to every warrior in the kingdom.

The Royal summons held immense influence.

The problem was, resembling conscription, it was met with strong resistance.

Many fled the kingdom, making it a power the Royal Family couldn’t use lightly.

Historically, the Kalak Royal Family had exercised this right only a handful of times.

“Does the Royal Family consider the current situation that serious? A national crisis?”

“It may not be apparent yet. But I believe it’s a precursor to one.”

“……”

Wolf fell silent.

From his few encounters with Marcel, he knew the man to be intelligent and perceptive.

If Marcel believed it, there was likely some truth to it.

‘Come to think of it, Wagner mentioned an entire village disappearing near Begalo Vegas…’

He recalled Wagner’s story during their recent drinking session.

A village near Begalo Vegas had become a ghost town overnight.

A rumor circulated that the villagers had vanished without a trace.

At the time, he’d dismissed it as an exaggerated tale, but… Marcel’s words suggested something more sinister.

Three villages in the Jenat territory had fallen to monsters.

While civilian casualties were unfortunate, the complete destruction of villages demanded a response from the Royal Family.

The destroyed villages in Jenat.

The rumors from Begalo Vegas.

It was too much to simply attribute to monster activity.

Wolf frowned, crossing his arms.

“The Royal Family wants to nip this threat in the bud. That’s why they’re deploying forces from the safe zones.”

“I understand.”

“Don’t worry too much. The territorial army isn’t heading into extreme danger, and your role isn’t frontline combat. Given your expertise in monster combat, you’ll be participating as tactical advisors, not direct combatants.”

Wolf nodded, then glanced at Guinness.

She still stood by the door, hand on the knob.

He couldn’t see her face, but he sensed her hesitation.

Not a summons from the Feiler family, but from the Kalak Royal Family.

Refusal meant Guinness would likely be barred from working as an adventurer, not just in Tillasden, but throughout Kalak.

Her only option would be to leave the country.

‘Not long ago, that wouldn’t have been a problem…’

But now?

Could she, now involved with Iyer, leave the country?

Could she ask Iyer to go with her?

“…Hmph.”

A troublesome woman.

Wolf scoffed.

He crossed his arms, his bulky muscles straining against his white fur, and addressed Marcel.

“I’ll go alone. The lizard girl isn’t needed.”

“Wolf Who Chases the Wind?”

Marcel frowned.

He couldn’t see her, but he imagined Guinness’s surprised expression.

“The lizard girl is too weak. She’ll be a burden. I’m better off alone.”

“That’s not your decision to make.”

“Then whose is it? Is there anyone in the territorial army with more experience in monster combat than me? Among the adventurers?”

Wolf bared his sharp teeth.

He exuded confidence, his arms crossed, his powerful muscles on display.

“I’ve been an adventurer for fifty years. If there’s anyone who understands monster combat better than me, let them step forward.”

“……”

“If not, then accept my judgment. The inexperienced lizard girl is as good as useless.”

Marcel remained silent, his brow furrowed, his eyes reflecting his internal conflict.

Even as a retainer, practically a noble himself, he couldn’t easily dismiss the words of the most experienced adventurer in Tillasden.

Refusal might lead Wolf to reject the summons altogether.

Wolf turned his head towards the door, meeting Guinness’s gaze.

As he’d expected, her eyes were wide with surprise.

“Wolf…”

Surprise, confusion, and worry.

A mix of emotions flickered across her face.

Wolf scoffed, a cruel smile twisting his lips.

“You’re weak. Stay home and cling to your man. You’d be nothing but dead weight.”

“……”

With that dismissive remark, Wolf turned away.

Marcel continued to frown, but Wolf met his gaze with unwavering confidence.

A brief battle of wills ensued.

Marcel, sensing Wolf’s unwavering resolve, finally broke eye contact.

“I can’t give you a definitive answer. But I’ll consider it.”

That was enough.

They would likely follow Wolf’s suggestion and exclude Guinness from the deployment.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Guinness would remain in Tillasden.

Marcel, his face etched with fatigue, removed his spectacles.

He now had the added task of ensuring Guinness wasn’t drafted, increasing his workload.

As he cleaned his spectacles with a cloth, Guinness approached, her footsteps heavy.

“Marcel, I have a question.”

“What is it, Guinness?”

“……Is this summons going out to others besides us?”

Guinness’s narrowed eyes met Marcel’s tired gaze.

Her narrowed eyes were her usual expression, so Marcel didn’t notice the underlying worry.

“Of course. Wagner has already accepted the summons and been deployed elsewhere. Many other adventurers have joined the territorial army.”

“Then Iyer… Iyerpol?”

Iyerpol?

Marcel, replacing his cleaned spectacles, met Guinness’s gaze.

“Even a Royal summons can’t deploy every available force. Iyerpol… he’s certainly skilled. However, sending an adventurer with virtually no subjugation record in over a year and a half wouldn’t reflect well on us. The Feiler family debated between Kundt and Iyerpol, and ultimately chose to keep Iyerpol in Tillasden.”

“……I see.”

“Iyerpol, with his skills and character, has become a symbol of peace in Tillasden. His deployment would unsettle the citizens. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he will remain here.”

Guinness closed her eyes.

She couldn’t show it outwardly, but she breathed a sigh of relief.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

The first thing the girl did upon entering Tillasden was approach the citizens with a single question.

What was it?

She wanted to understand the “adventurer market ecosystem.”

“Who is the best adventurer in Tillasden?”

She asked a fruit vendor, who replied,

“Wagner. ‘Wagner of the Greatsword.’ Haven’t you heard of him? He’s skilled, has a good character, and is the leader of the most successful party in Tillasden.”

“Wow…”

“The Feiler family always calls on Wagner when they need adventurers, so his influence extends even to the nobility.”

A dog beastman passing by interjected.

“What are you talking about? The best adventurer should be the strongest, like Guinness or Wolf Who Chases the Wind.”

“Guinness and Wolf Who Chases the Wind?”

“Wagner is strong as a party leader, but individually, no one can match the crazy Dragonewt Guinness or Wolf Who Chases the Wind!”

The fruit vendor, indignant, stood up.

“How can you call those reckless individuals true adventurers?! Wagner is the epitome of a true adventurer! He’s the best in Tillasden!”

“So, could Wagner beat Wolf in a one-on-one fight?”

“What?!”

“Answer me!”

“……”

The fruit vendor and the dog beastman began to brawl.

The girl, watching their escalating argument, quietly slipped away.

“Who is the best adventurer in Tillasden?”

“The best adventurer in Tillasden?”

Who would know adventurers better than a blacksmith?

She approached a blacksmith working in his noisy forge.

“I believe it’s Kundt, the Hammer Master.”

“Kundt, the Hammer Master.”

“He embodies the true spirit of an adventurer. Silent, always prepared, and unwavering. Even a blacksmith like myself admires his dedication.”

“I see… Thank you for your answer.”

The girl bowed and left the forge.

She had asked many people, received many answers, but she was still unsure.

“What makes an adventurer the ‘best’?”

Was it leadership, like the fruit vendor suggested?

Or raw power, like the dog beastman claimed?

Or unwavering dedication, like the blacksmith believed?

None of the answers resonated with her.

None fit her image of the “ideal adventurer.”

She continued her quest, asking more people throughout Tillasden.

While “Wagner of the Greatsword” received the most votes, she remained unconvinced.

“Sigh…”

She sat on a bench in the square, massaging her tired legs.

She looked out at the bustling city.

Tillasden, a major city.

A hub of commerce and wealth, it attracted a large number of adventurers.

The sheer number of people bustling about was unlike anything she’d seen in her small village.

She had hoped the city’s most renowned adventurer would be her ideal, but…

“A young lady shouldn’t sigh so deeply.”

“Oh, I’m sorry…”

An elderly woman sitting on the next bench chuckled, waving her hand dismissively.

She seemed to be enjoying the fresh air and people-watching.

The girl, struck by a thought, decided to ask her.

Perhaps a long-time resident of Tillasden would have a different perspective.

“Madam, who do you consider the best adventurer in Tillasden?”

“The best adventurer…”

The elderly woman pondered, her eyes half-closed.

“Most people would say Wagner. Or Guinness or Wolf, for their strength. Some might even say Kundt, for his stoicism.”

The same answers.

The girl felt a pang of disappointment.

It was rude to impose her expectations on others, but she couldn’t help but feel let down.

‘I came all the way to Tillasden…’

She hung her head, dejected.

“But I believe the best adventurer in Tillasden is Iyerpol.”

“……Iyerpol?”

The girl looked up.

She saw… admiration in the elderly woman’s wrinkled face.

“He doesn’t let his disability hold him back. He’s strong, but he never turns away the weak.”

“……”

“He gives freely to those in need, and offers a kind smile to those who are suffering.”

The elderly woman’s expression reminded the girl of someone describing a fairytale hero.

It didn’t matter how old you were, the allure of fairytales remained.

“He’s selfless in his kindness… a true hero to ordinary people like us.”

“……”

The girl felt a surge of admiration.

As a child, she had dreamt of becoming an adventurer like the heroes in her fairytales, traveling the world and helping those in need.

Strong, just, and endlessly kind.

Powerful, yet compassionate.

The ideal adventurer… someone to be admired.

“Iyerpol…”

She whispered his name.

She placed her hand on her chest, feeling the faint beating of her heart.

This is him.

The girl, Belle, was certain.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

[Can Wolf ever stop being the GOAT? I say NO]