Master’s Smile

C78 – Forked Road

“Onii-chan, don’t push yourself too hard. Also Doctor-san, please don’t do anything rash too.”

Saying so, Lucica sent us off to look for the elixir once again.

I felt warm seeing her showing an appropriate emotion for her age as she smiled apologetically yet a little happily.

Lucica had a question mark over her head as to why I… a supposed doctor, would be heading out on a dangerous task, but I managed to properly deceive her.

I said that it was for medical research or something like that.

“It’s not as if Master would do something unreasonable for your sake, rather we won’t let him.”

Sorglos seemed to be dissatisfied with some parts of what Lucica had said and muttered so, but she didn’t tell Lucica directly, so it was still acceptable.

I guess this is the point where she differs from the childish Laladi.

Well, that’s how our night ended after we were allowed to stay at Lucille’s guild.

In the end, I didn’t manage to contact the other guild members….

I’ll apologize to them when I get back.

With that in mind, Lucille’s group and I went back to the forest where we were told by World Eye-san that we could find the elixir.

As I was getting ready to enter the forest, Apollo spoke to me.

“Hey, Master. I have a little suggestion for our search, mind if I ask you to listen?”

A suggestion?

Of course I’d like to hear it.

It might help our current situation so I’ll gladly listen to anything.

As long as we don’t know where to find the elixir in this dense forest, we won’t know how long it will take for us to get one.

I’m also a guildmaster, so I can’t help them for a long period of time.

And I don’t know if Sorglos, who might have been forcing herself to do this, could stand the thought of joining another guild any longer.

“We don’t really mind (assuming Master will be around, of course).”

Perhaps having to have read what was on my mind, Sorglos said such dependable words.

I see, Sorglos has grown up too.

In any case, it’s definitely better to have less burden, so I nodded to answer Apollo.

“This forest is huge, right? So why don’t we split up instead?”

Apollo saw me nod and explained his proposal.

I see, splitting into two groups, huh….

It’s true that looking for the elixir, which is already in very small quantities in this vast forest, will be very time consuming.

Especially if there are only four people if you didn’t include me and Sorglos.

Therefore, I think Apollo has a point, but….

Aren’t we forgetting the fundamental problem?

In the first place, it was already difficult for them to explore this forest alone, so they asked us, members from a dark guild, to find the elixir, right?

Though, what I could think of is for Sorglos and I to split up and lead each group….

“We don’t care to follow any back other than Master’s.”

Sorglos declared so and refused to budge.

Yeah, I guess that’s already expected.

I’m aware that she was still pushing herself rather hard, so I can’t force her to do so.

…No, it’s not that I’m soft on my guild members or anything.

“Aah, I already expected that, so let’s split up between you guys and our guild.”

Apollo seemed to have gotten to know Sorglos in this short period of time.

But, wouldn’t that prevent you from finding the elixir then?

“It’s just what Master said. So, I’m sorry, but we would like to go explore the relatively shallow parts of the forest instead.”

Apollo asked apologetically and I agreed.

I see. It’s true that the deeper we go into this forest, the stronger the monsters we will find.

Hence, there are only less powerful monsters in the shallow areas.

…Yes, I think it’s a reasonable idea and I don’t mind it at all.

What about Sorglos?

“Umu, we feel like we’re being forced to do the difficult part, but if Master says it’s fine, then we have no objection, yes.”

Soglos seemed to be slightly unconvinced, but she respected my opinion.

It looked as if she was being forced into a troublesome task, but in reality it was not.

That is because the scope of finding the elixir in the shallow areas will be more extensive.

The reason for that is simple; the places where I used to take walks from time to time were all deep inside the forest.

I’m aware that I’m a master of a dark guild, so I thought it would be best not to go out in places where I might run into people recklessly….

There are not many people who know about our guild, but there are still some cases like Longmann, who was a friend of Maho and Yuuto as well as someone who attacked me and Laladi.

It would be better to be on alert, just in case.

Hence, that’s why Sorglos and I will be dealing with the relatively powerful monsters.

Each group has their own disadvantages just like how Lucille’s group has to search the wider area.

…Alright, let’s go with Apollo’s idea then.

“Okay, then we’ll be-….”

“Wait a minute! I want to go with Master’s group too!!!”

Apollo was about to give instructions to his guild members when Lucille proposed so.

“O-Oi, Lucille. We’ll be a liability to them so we decided to split up, didn’t we?”

“But it’s not like we’ll get the chance to work with someone as strong as them everyday, you know? We won’t know when the elixir will be found and our contract ends, so it’s better to observe them when we can!”

Heroro hurriedly refuted, but Lucille’s feelings didn’t seem to change.

He’s right about us not working with them anymore after this search was over.

We’re a dark guild.

No matter how cozy and warm the guild is, there’s no way normal guilds will understand us.

Even if Lucille and the others covered for us, they are still a tiny guild.

They also won’t be able to operate normally as they would be scorned by not only the big guilds, but even medium ones like that “Shield of Pride (Prishield)” who attacked us yesterday.

In any case, I don’t think my power is as strong as what Lucille would have imagined.

But Sorglos’ power is certain, so it wouldn’t hurt for him to watch.

“Ha? We are very much against it. You’re a hindrance.”

“Don’t say that~ I won’t cause you any trouble~”

“We’re saying that Lucille-dono’s very existence is a hindrance, yes (and our time alone with Master will be at staaaaaake!!!).”

Sorglos coldly rejected Lucille who was trying to get close to her.

Certainly, I can’t bring Lucille along without Sorglos’ permission, but as for me… I don’t really mind it at all.

It might provide him some motivation to be able to see how Sorglos fights.

Besides, compared to other Yelquchira members, Sorglos is quite understanding with people outside the guild.

She should also try her best to overcome one of her weaknesses here.

“Understood, yes.”

That was a quick reply.

I was the one who suggested it, but are you sure about this?

“Of course. Our opinion is like a speck of dust before Master’s will, yes.”

Sorglos replied as if it was already obvious.

…I see. I’m glad that she values my opinion like that, but I would like her to still value her own as well.

This is true not only for Sorglos, but for all the members of our guild.

It’s not like I can be around to give them advice all the time.

“Alright!”

As I was thinking so, Lucille’s joyful voice brought me back to reality.

“Oioi, seriously? Are you sure you want to leave Lucille in your care? It’s true that he’s not that weak, but he’s not strong enough to keep up with you guys, you know?”

I nodded with a smile to Apollo, who looked apologetic.

Don’t worry. I’ll guarantee Lucille’s safety.

You can leave him to me, father.

Apollo blanked out with his mouth open due to my tease and he then laughed shyly.

“I don’t want that kind of rowdy kid!”

Apollo said so, but he seemed to be pleased.

“O-Oi Apollo, are you sure about this?”

Heroro asked a little impatiently.

“Yeah, Master said that it’s fine and Lucille also wants to go with them. There’s no reason to say no, right?”

“…I agree.”

…?

“Then, let’s go now!!”

“Hey, hey! Don’t drag Master or I’ll send you flying!”

Lucille pulled on my arm so happily that I took my eyes off of Heroro.

I looked at him once again, but there was nothing strange about him.

…Am I imagining things?

“Let’s meet again at noon. How about in front of the lake we found before?”

I nodded at Apollo’s suggestion.

Sure, I have no objection.

“Alright… Oi, Lucille! Don’t trouble them, okay!?”

“I won’t!!!”

“It’s possible….”

“It isn’t!!!”

Apollo and Rieg called out to Lucille for the last time.

Lucille was pissed off, but he seemed to be enjoying it.

“Well then, my bad but I’ll entrust Lucille to you.”

Apollo said so and finally walked into the forest with Rieg and Heroro.

Yeah, you can count on me.

After seeing them off, I looked towards Sorglos and Lucille.

Alright, shall we go, too?

“Understood.”

“Ou!”

And so, the three of us also entered the forest.

(TLN: Man, Heroro is really sus since s, don’t you think?) (EDN: Wasnt he just drunk the other chapters? dunno)