"H-Huh!?" I slammed the table in front of me and screamed.
"Please, Eria! You're the only person we can ask for this!"
Are they serious...? Are they seriously asking me to escort Chester back to the capital!? Just how unreasonable the guild could be!? That would be a hassle!
"But isn't the capital two cities away from here!? That would take me too long! I would rather you ask me to defeat a dragon!"
"Relax, Eria! We'll provide you with a carriage! We will also assign you some helpers. You'll only have to bodyguard Chester-sama!"
"Still! Even with a carriage!"
Even if we took the minimum amount of stops, we would still take at least two weeks to get there.
"B-But I thought you're used to moving from one place to another? What's the difference with this and your usual trips?"
"Well, first of, I usually travel alone. I don't have to worry about anyone! Second of all... Why does it have to be Chester...? I hate his guts..."
"You know I can't do anything about that..."
"Grr..." I growled.
I can obviously refuse, but knowing where the request came from, I can't help but reconsider it. As I was informed, the request to send Chester back to the capital came from the Royal castle. That means that the request directly came from someone with one of the highest positions in the country. I doubt the king would bother to do it, so my main culprits would be Chester's father or the prime minister.
Since Chester came here as a direct reprentative of the castle, it would only be natural for them to pay him so much attention. But if that's the case, then why didn't they just send some Royal knights to take him back. I smell a conspiracy...
"Please, Eria! The two adventurers who escorted him to this town got injured. We have no replacement for them who are just as strong."
"Bring them here then! I'll heal them!"
"E-Eh...!? W-Wait a minute, Eria! The town's priests are already dealing with them! You don't need to anymore!"
A-As I thought! They're really intentionally targeting me for this mission. If not, then they would immediately allow me to heal Chester's two former escorts.
Confirming my suspicion, the assistant guild master began to horribly sweat. She can't even hide the anxious expression on her face. She's clearly panicking.
"Is there really no other way?" I asked, deeply frowning.
"Hmrr... Yes. I know I'm not supposed to point it out, but the reason why they also haven't sent any knights to take Chester-sama back was because they've already decided for you to do it instead."
So it really is just as I thought...
"Sigh..."
Well, I'm acting flustered and all, but except for the fact that the capital was too far away and the person I'll be escorting was Chester, I don't have any other issue regarding the mission. It would be a hassle, but I would be able to easily do it.
In fact, thinking about it with a clear mind now, it would be a great excuse for me to finally visit the capital and get away from all the attention I'm getting here in Root. It's undoubtedly the best place in this country, so I'll be coming there sooner or later anyway. Fin would also be there, so I can visit him any time.
"Can you give me some time to think about it?"
"We would appreciate it if you could give us your answer now. Hehe..."
A vein popped in my forehead when I heard her blunt answer.
"Hmph! I'll talk to Chester first. I'll give you my answer until then."
"I'll settle with that..."
"So, can I go now?"
"Wait a minute, Eria. I still have to talk about your would-be companions for this quest. They'll arrive any minute now, so if you could just wait..."
"You'll introduce them to me now...?"
I haven't even accepted the quest yet, so what's the point of me talking to them now?
Just when I was thinking that, a knock suddenly came on the door.
"Great timing!" the assistant receptionist's smile widened, as if she just received her saving grace.
Who entered the room were three people I am very familiar with. They were none other than Kai, Erika, and Harry. The trio of rookie adventurers nervously presented themselves.
"Please take care of us, Eria!" they all said and bowed in unison.