Disciple of Immortal

Act 2: Chapter 11: Sticking Out Like a Sore Thumb

「Thank you very much for guiding us all the way to this place, Kevin-san.」

I spoke to the man walking in front of us, guiding us who were at a loss in Manarak.

Apparently, his name was Kevin. He’d introduced his name to us along the way.

「Don’t worry about it. Well, you seem like a high ranking mage, it’s only natural that you want to go to 《Mithril’s Cane》. It’s not like I’m losing anything by extending this kind of debt of gratitude, right?」

Kevin turned around as he spoke with a wide grin on his face.

For some reason, I felt a little bit of malice behind that grin.

「Ahahaha… I’ll definitely return this debt when we meet again…」

「Don’t mind it, I’m just joking. I’m not that petty.」

Kevin turned around to look ahead again upon seeing my bitter smile.

Though he looks a little suspicious, he might be a good person… right?

No, I know that he’s a bit suspicious, but let’s not simply take it as that since we have a debt of gratitude towards him.

… Maybe.

「K-Kanata-san… that, Kevin-san, is he really a good person? Pomera… Pomera feels something is wrong with him…」

Pomera whispered in my ear.

I feigned ignorance with a wry smile.

Pomera looked anxiously at Kevin.

Well, it should be alright… right? This is a bustling city after all and it doesn’t seem like we’re headed to a deserted place.

I’ve already confirmed Kevin’s status using 《Status Check》and  he turned out to be an extremely normal adventurer. I don’t think he has some sort of connection with atrocious people. He should just be your normal, average Joey.

Finally, we arrived at a tall and refined white building.

「This is the place. This is 《Mithril’s Cane》 building… you might even say that this is the heart of this magic city Manarak. The ground floor and 2nd floor aside, only executives can enter the floor above the 2nd floor.」

Placed high on the building that looked like a square tower was a huge clock. It resembled Big Ben. Additionally, there were angel-like reliefs around the clock.

「This is the place huh. Somehow… the building gives a majestic atmosphere.」

There were two gryphons at the entrance of the building, shining with glistening silver colour.

I expected to see more people since I’d heard they sold their own products, but it looks too deserted for a place of transaction.

Or rather, literally no one was passing by the entrance.

Can we really enter such a place?

I ended up feeling quite nervous.

Honestly, it felt like we were going to stick out like a sore thumb.

Though I felt the same sensation when we’re in 《Witch Ring》, this place couldn’t be compared with that store.

This isn’t that half-hearted store.

In the case the other alchemist’s research institutes hit a wall with their research, their big shots would come to this place, bowing their heads to ask for this place to share their research.

Well, I would undoubtedly do the same if the item we needed was really in this place but…

I sent a sidelong glance behind.

Pomera was looking up at the tower with a face that looked like she wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

I’m really grateful to Kevin for showing the way to us to this place but to be honest… I didn’t wish to enter this place either.

「So pwetty~! It looks fun!」

Philia was the only one amongst us who looked at that building with sparkling eyes.

「Is something the matter? You won’t come in?」

Kevin then came and asked us.

Pomera signalled with her eyes, saying 『Let’s not enter this place』 to me.

「N-No, that’s…」

「You won’t go in even after I showed you this place?」

Kevin asked so, seemingly having fun with this situation.

But, his eyes were scary.

Pomera approached us and signalled to me with her eyes as if to say 『Please refuse』.

I averted my gaze from Pomera.

「… I think we should go in and treat it as an observation trip.」

「Well, since we have already come so far together, I will at least accompany you until the entrance.」

Kevin spoke with a malicious smile on his face.

「K-Kanata-san! W-We absolutely mustn’t enter this place! That person… I think he’s trying to make you into a laughing stock, Kanata-san! And Pomera doesn’t like him…」

Pomera approached me and whispered her opinion.

「… Sorry, actually, I feel bad for refusing his request. And if he turns out to be a good guy…」

「He doesn’t like one to me right now!」

「Erm… it’s not like I can’t understand your feelings, but it feels awkward if we suddenly parted ways with him at this point, right? I mean, I can’t bring myself to waste his efforts too…」

Pomera heaved a sigh upon hearing my remark, crestfallen. She then raised her face as she stared into my eyes.

「Kanata-san… is surprisingly a happy-go-lucky person huh…」

「… Sorry. I’ll go inside by myself. Please wait for me around this place…」

「… If Kanata-san’s decided to go, then let Pomera to go with you.」

「Sorry for involving you in this, Pomera-san…」

I bowed lightly while apologizing to Pomera.

Though I saw Keving grinning ear to ear upon seeing our conversation from the corner of my eyes, he averted his gaze when I raised my face.

「Philia wants to touch that relief! … Are they going to be mad?」

Philia was frolicking by herself as if she really enjoyed this situation.

We passed the gryphon statues and entered the building from the front door. There, we saw a woman wearing a grey robe standing just across the counter. The robe had a cane-like image sewed on it.

It seems she was the receptionist of 《Mithril’s Cane》.

「… Uhm, may I ask for your business?」

The receptionist asked so while looking at our mismatched appearance.

「Ah, I’m just a guide.」

Kevin was taking two steps back with a flattering smile on his face.

The receptionist was squinting her eyes upon hearing Kevin’s remark.

And then, she heaved a sigh before looking at I, Pomera and Philia in turn.

I’ve already had this suspicion but, maybe half of the reason why Kevin guided us all the way to this place was… for harassment.

At this point, I already wanted to escape from this place.