The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet

Chapter 296: To stop the tears

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

While shedding tears, Rifa lowered her head.

It seemed like Rifa had been under a lot of pressure. Carrying the mission of having to do something about her comrades in a pinch... She had been working hard alone, enduring it all... She must have come to me with a desperate hope.

And now, her emotions had reached their limit, overflowing all at once.

Thinking of her comrades, her family, her friends... she cried.

I strongly wished to stop those tears.

"It's okay."

I gently wiped Rifa's tears with my fingertips.

"I've accepted your request."

"You'll help...?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Really...?"

"Really. If you're in trouble, if your family or comrades are suffering... I want to help. I can't promise I can do everything, but I promise to do everything in my power."

"...Thank you."

Rifa sniffled and stopped crying. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand...

Then she hugged me.

"Thank you."

She repeated the same words once again. This time, it felt like there was kindness in them.

"Um..."

As Rifa backed away, I looked at everyone once.

"That's why I'm going to take Rifa's request. I decided on my own without hearing everyone's opinion, but..."

"You want us to help, don't you?" Tania preempted my line.

"And, so please grant me your strength..." Luna even anticipated my next line.

"Heh, spot on, huh?"

"Well... but why?"

"We've been with Rain for a long time, right? We can somewhat predict Rain's thoughts and what he's about to say."

"There's no need to ask for help or anything like that. Since Rain is our leader, I think it's okay to be a bit more forceful. For example, 'Follow me...'"

"A forceful Rain... That's also okay!"

"Don't derail the conversation, you daydreaming cat."

"Daydreaming cat!?"

Lately, it seemed like Tania was often teasing Kanade.

Could these two put on a show and earn some tips?

"Um, well then..."

"We're totally okay with it."

"We want to help Rifa."

Moved by Rifa's tears, everyone smiled and agreed to take on the request.

Hearing everyone's responses, Rifa began to cry again.

"Thank you. I'm really grateful."

Managing to hold back her tears somehow, Rifa bowed her head.

At first, she seemed like an expressionless doll...

But that wasn't the case; she must be a very emotional person. She just had trouble expressing her emotions outwardly.

"Well then... Rifa. I'm sorry, but could you accompany us to the Adventurer's Guild?"

"Why?"

"When submitting a request to adventurers, you need to report it to the guild properly."

Before, I sometimes simplified procedures or postponed them, but now that I'm an A-rank adventurer, I don't want to do things half-heartedly. I have to act like a proper adventurer... And unless it's urgent, I want to follow the proper procedures.

"Is Krios still holding up?"

"Yeah, it's fine."

After a little thought, Rifa nodded.

"Everyone is strong. As long as we aim to endure, we'll be fine. That's what they said, anyway."

"I see. Well then, sorry, but I'll handle the procedures at the guild. It shouldn't take too long."

"Okay."

"Tania can come with me and Rifa, would you go together?"

"Yeah, sure."

"The rest of you, prepare for the journey. Food and water. Other necessities and equipment if needed. Also, arrange for a carriage."

"A, a carriage..."

Upon hearing about the carriage, Sora and Luna's enthusiasm plummeted. They seem to get motion sickness easily, so they're probably worried about getting sick again.

"I'm, uhh... mmm... uuhhh..."

Luna made a troubled face and moaned.

Sora, being a twin, had a similar expression.

Their traumatic experience with carriages must be quite severe.

"Oh, that's right."

With a bright expression, Luna seemed to have had an idea.

"Rain. Essentially, as long as we secure a means of transportation to Krios, it doesn't have to be a carriage, right?"

"Yeah, that's true, but... Do you have any other ideas?"

"I'm not a carriage."

"That's a joke."

"It must be a lie."

Probably, Tania thought it was inevitable and planned to let us ride on her back without saying anything more.

"In the end, what are you planning to do?"

"I'm thinking of going through the Spirit Clan's village."

Sora answered instead of Luna.

"I remember there being an entrance to the Eastern Continent just after entering the village. If we use that, we can travel to the Eastern Continent without riding a carriage. After that, we might have to walk a bit... Well, I think it's faster than traveling normally."

"But, is it okay? Using the Spirit Clan's village just as a means of transportation..."

We couldn't do such things, so we had used carriages or walked until now...

"It's fine. Even if the elder opposes it, I'll persuade them."

"To be put on that demonic contraption called a carriage, I'll do anything to avoid that!"

They went as far as saying that huh...

The two of them really hated carriages from the bottom of their hearts.

Well, motion sickness is said to be quite painful. Some say it's worse than a hangover. Considering that, it's understandable, I guess.

"So, Sora and I will go back to the Spirit Clan's village and sort things out."

"Can we skip the shopping?"

"Yeah, it's fine. As long as I'm here to carry the luggage..."

"I'll handle the shopping. I'll haggle properly and bring back good products."

"I'll... do my best to help too..."

Everyone is full of enthusiasm.

They all seem to want to help Rifa.

Not just me, but everyone is considering Rifa's situation earnestly...

It makes me really happy.

At times like this, you feel the bond of friendship, or rather, the connection with your companions.

"Thank you."

Rifa seemed to have sensed those feelings as well and expressed her gratitude once again.

Her face was smiling softly.

――――――――――

Taking Tania and Rifa with me, we headed to the Adventurer's Guild.

It's getting close to evening, but...

We won't take too much time, and the reception should still be open.

"Hello..."

"Ah, Mr. Shroud!?"

As we entered the guild, I made eye contact with Natalie.

And then, she rushed towards us with incredible force.

"I'm so glad! We were just about to send someone to your  house... I never expected you to come to us! I'm glad, we can save some unnecessary time now."

"Woah... calm down. Why are you so flustered?"

Contrary to her usual calm demeanor, Natalie was in a panic.

Her face was pale, and she was sweating profusely.

With a look as if she had seen something terrifying...

I had a bad feeling.

Upon closer inspection, the guild was in a state of chaos, like a battlefield.

Guild staff were running around...

And there were many adventurers gathered.

"What's going on?"

I wondered aloud, looking at Natalie with curiosity, and she quickly explained.

"Mr. Shroud, please lend us your strength! A stampede has occurred near the Horizon!"

TL Note- I name this arc, Stampede.....

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