I Stayed Loyal When My Teacher Was Betrayed

9 – Adventurer’s Hope, Part 1

The conversation between the teacher and the shop assistant was becoming longer than expected.

During that process, the surrounding interest in us started to decrease rapidly.

At first, we were quite surprised, but soon, as most of the adventurers returned to their original themes, or began to deal with their own matters, the attention towards us dwindled.

In the midst of this quiet surroundings, I obtained permission from the teacher and sat in a chair a little away from her.

Originally, I thought I would stand quietly by her side and listen to the conversation.

However, the teacher showed a hint of concern towards me.

Even though I was her student, it would be impolite to eavesdrop on a conversation she wanted to keep hidden.

So, I ultimately decided to wait a little away until the teacher’s conversation was finished.

And by my side was the same woman as yesterday, Bernie…

“It’s a strange encounter, meeting you here again so soon after yesterday.”

“It seems that way.”

Bernie laughed cheerfully as she spoke.

I wasn’t sure what was so enjoyable about this situation, but her laughter didn’t feel bad in any way.

After becoming a demon, people either shunned me or regarded me with suspicion, but I didn’t feel that from her at all.

“Speaking of which, I’m really grateful for yesterday. I could have been in big trouble, but thanks to you, everything went well.”

“As I said, helping someone in distress is only natural. Don’t worry about it.”

“But still…”

Bernie expressed her gratitude again by bowing her head to me. I tried to give a meaningful response like I did yesterday, but even as I spoke those words, I couldn’t help but feel a little uncomfortable.

The reason I helped her was simply out of sympathy, but everything that followed was a risk of using the situation to my advantage.

Revealing my true identity as a demon to reduce people’s antagonism towards me.

In that sense, my words were obviously a lie, but the woman in front of me seemed to believe it without question.

“She looks so innocent, just like she appears. It feels like she might easily be deceived in the world today.”

A slight feeling of unnecessary worry.

While doing so, I suddenly realized that her condition was very different from yesterday.

Unlike yesterday when she was dressed as a maid, she was now wearing a bluish-green military outfit.

Looking at this, I could guess why this woman was here.

“That outfit… Could it be that you’re also an adventurer?”

“Yes, to be precise, I can say I’m someone trying to become an adventurer. I just finished registering and I’m waiting.”

When one becomes an adventurer, they receive a distinctive identification mark.

Like the identification marks on a battlefield, it serves as a way to recognize their status when they face danger.

And at this moment, the identification mark hanging around her neck was the lowest rank, Iron grade.

One could say she was like a newly ripened apple who had just started her work.

“I see… Do you have any fellow companions you’re planning to join?”

“No, the guild will assign me to a team. That’s why I’m waiting.”

“I see. How much fee did you pay for this?”

“…Fee? What do you mean?”

“Ah…”

I couldn’t help but wear a slightly dumbfounded expression at Bernia’s words.

Usually, an adventurer who starts alone is randomly assigned to a team by the guild.

They can also be matched with other novice adventurers or fill in vacancies in existing adventurer teams depending on the need.

Which team they enter is a crucial factor for living as an adventurer…

But the process is entirely decided at the discretion of the adventurer guild.

For this purpose, it is customary to give bribes beforehand.

However, the innocent girl in front of me seemed to have no knowledge of such things, no matter how you looked at her.

“As expected… The more I see, the more worried I become…”

With that thought, I briefly explained the situation to her,

However, upon hearing it, Bernia began to look embarrassed.

“But I don’t have much money. I’ve almost used up all my travel expenses coming here from my hometown.”

“Hmm… Then, you were working as a maid yesterday?”

“Yes… I was planning to do odd jobs along the way, even washing dishes if necessary. Although my salary was slightly reduced due to some unexpected events.”

Bernia showed a tough side in various ways.

Feeling sorry for her situation, I spoke words of comfort.

“Unfortunately, honestly speaking, you haven’t done anything wrong…”

“Well, that’s how things are in the world. Judging right from wrong is determined by whether you have the power or not.”

“I see that you know it well.”

“Hehe, I’ve experienced it a couple of times myself, you know.”

With those words, Bernier smiled brightly.

Although she said that, her smile still gave off an innocent vibe.

As I thought about the future, I felt a sense of regret,

But at the same time, seeing her in this unusual state that felt different from others, I found myself smiling slightly with bitterness, without even realizing it.

“By the way, there’s something I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“It’s… why is Edmund a demon and yet works for a witch…”

At that moment,

“Sorry for taking a bit long.”

“Are you finished, Master?”

“…Tsk”

As my mentor’s voice returned, I immediately stood up.

Though it seemed like I heard something for a brief moment, I didn’t pay much attention to it and asked her right away.

“Did it go well?”

“For now, we have to wait a bit. It’s not a simple task, you know. And…”

Along with those words, my mentor’s gaze slowly shifted downwards.

At the end of it was the woman who still wore a bright smile.

It was Bernier.

“Oh, so she’s the girl we saw yesterday. I never imagined she would be an adventurer.”

“Yes, she just started recently. She plans to receive team assignments soon.”

“Oh really? …Considering that, she seems quite relaxed. Starting a journey requires more than one or two preparations. Yet she’s engaged in idle chatter like this.”

“Well, of course, I’ve already finished most of the preparations. You don’t need to worry about that, I assure you.”

“It’s quite shocking that someone like her didn’t even know how team assignments work, isn’t it?”

The conversation between the two seemed strained, as if the atmosphere around them was heavy.

Although my mentor had a sharp demeanor to begin with,

Even Bernier, who was extremely innocent until just now, seemed to have undergone a change in attitude.

Meanwhile, to my surprise, the teacher was listening to our conversation.

“Hey… Masx…”

“Be quiet. We’re still talking over here.”

“Yes. I understand.”

The teacher’s strict words made the situation difficult for me to handle.

“I’m sorry, miss, but this ground is not a place to take lightly. If you plan to handle it with a half-hearted determination, it’s best to stop immediately.”

“I don’t want to hear that kind of talk from someone who isn’t even an adventurer. I don’t know how amazing you might be, but at your age, trying to proceed with tricks is nothing to be proud of, is it?”

Bernie pointed out the recent situation with a smiling face.

“This contemptible girl… how dare you…”

At this, the teacher’s forehead twitched for a moment…

“Well, what can I do, old woman.”

Bernie also smiled, but it was clear that he was not feeling good.

Somehow, the atmosphere became darker in real time, following a slightly childish flow.

Sensing this, I felt the need to intervene, even if I had some reservations in mind.

And then…

“Hey, over there!”

“…Huh?”

“…Tsk.”

Suddenly, a disturbing feeling, accompanied by loud noise.

The teacher and Bernie slowly turned their gaze towards the direction of the noise…

As the arrow flowed in a different direction, I suddenly began to feel a strange sense of relief, separate from the sudden commotion.

*

A crowd of adventurers surging into the building.

With their rugged appearance reminiscent of bandits, every single one of them,

with a look of boiling hatred, stood before the three of us in an instant.

“We finally found them! It’s definitely these guys!”

“Demon and witch, for sure. These bastards are unmistakable!”

“You dirty kids! How dare you step into the adventurer’s guild? We won’t just let you go!”

“Thanks for letting us know where we could die. You must be ready for it, right?”

The ones who screamed in anger.

Watching this, the witch with red hair frowned and spoke in a cold voice.

“What are you guys?”

“Foolish beings! Are you saying you don’t even know that?”

“We are Gloth’s subordinates. The bastards who attacked our boss yesterday, isn’t that you guys?”

“Not only did you use dirty tactics to bring down our boss, but you also dare to do such things? Know that today is your last day!”

With those words, the adventurers began preparing for an attack, ready to strike at them without merely resorting to simple physical violence. With weapons imbued with magic, they sincerely intended to beat down and kill the ones standing before their eyes.

At that moment…

“..Sigh.”

A demon sighed softly.

Then, with a firm expression, he stepped forward to face the adventurers.

However, right then…

-Bang!

“…!”

“…”

In the next moment,

Gloth’s subordinates suddenly found themselves slammed against the ground.

As if an invisible hand struck and pressed on their heads,

The ones at the front couldn’t even resist and were knocked unconscious, helpless.

And among them stood one person.

The witch with red hair.

Rosemary, without even drawing her staff, infused magic into her bare hands.

She spoke in a cold voice.

“I’ll take care of them. Don’t interfere.”

“Ah… Y-Yes. Understood, master.”

Her voice was extremely heartless.

Upon hearing her, the demon expressed slight perplexity,

And a young adventurer watching from the side began to gaze at her with an unsettling look.