Chapter CLVI - Is It Really A Crisis? (part 1)

Ever since that day, Cane returned to normal. 

His previous apathetic self and cold behavior is no longer to be seen, and he started talking with others normally again. He also shaved his beard and mustache, and now he looked exactly like he was one and a half years ago.

Everyone was quite shocked to see Cane like this, but when he was asked, he simply said he found a source of 'inspiration'.

Well, I did make him change his mind. I guess I can't reject that now.

I was also quite surprised. If it were me, I would have just stopped fighting completely and sulked in my inn until I died from hunger. For Cane to be able to still walk and fight as a White ranked adventurer after all that… simply proven how strong his soul really is.

That, or he was just an idiot. Either way, I'm amazed.

The whole thing with the crying child was all an act. The kid was a paid actor, and his father was actually okay. The house that exploded was actually detonated by the kid himself using a hidden remote, which I didn't detect because I was not expecting it.

The house was bought by the millionaire White ranked adventurer, and the child was simply a paid actor. Cane really knows how to create a play using his money. 

And for the next few days, I have been on the same team with him. I couldn't let him turn back into his usual self, so I decided to stick with him until he is absolutely back to normal. I made sure he doesn't go back to his lunatic arc again, straightens the way he does things when he works, and how to not get himself overly wounded every single time.

I apologized to Fran, but she understands. She needed Cane to change as well, because all White ranked adventurers need to be on deck if some emergency happens.

And guess what? An emergency did happen.

It was on a Sunday, and I just finished a healing act at the church.

Yesterday, I came to the church to join in on the healing act. Everyone was quite shocked when they heard I have a King tier healing magic, but I simply said it was all thanks to the education by the academy.

When the news about the saint healer had returned, the church became crowded again the next day. It wasn't all that crowded the past one and a half years because I was away. Apparently quite a lot of the people were actually looking for me, and I felt sorry for them.

But I have an even larger amount of magic points now. Healing all of them in an instant is a breeze.

Today, there were over five hundred people lining up, and it finished in just two hours. I requested the nun to bring in five people at once, so I can train my healing magic some more. I used King tier magic on each and every one of them, and as a result, the process became much faster and much more effective.

But, I became tired as hell.

"Ah... You pushed yourself..."

Khel said when I nearly fainted. It wasn't really faint, but more like it was so heavy just to keep my head up that I lowered it a little too much.

"Thanks... I was actually training."

"Training? But your magic is already this strong."

"Not enough. I need the Emperor tier. It is very near, I can feel it."

"Ah... You are crazy."

We both laughed as Khel helped me as we returned to her room. I changed into my adventurer's clothes and left the church.

I do feel tired, but my magic energy will regenerate in no time. Right after I eat of course.

Hmm… I'm feeling kinda ice creamy.

I entered Hod's restaurant, expecting the guy to be on the counter. He was, but he immediately changed into an expression.

A really… really panicked one.

"Rize!!"

He suddenly shouted from behind the counter, surprising both me and everyone else on the first floor.

"W-Wha-"

"Go to the Office… Now! Emergency!!"

"C-Can I at least have ice cream??"

.

I did not get an ice cream.

After making me a barbeque chicken on the go, Hod casted me out of the restaurant and sent me to the Office, where an 'emergency' seemed to be happening there.

Dear lord, it had to be on a Sunday…

There goes my hope for ice cream.

Even before entering the Office, I can tell the inside has become quite populated. I entered by pushing myself through the sea of people, and I can see some adventurers are banding up on the diner.

I can see Fran and Cane sitting on the same table at the diner, and some adventurers are talking with them. Brod, Emily, and Rath are also on the same table, listening to the two adventurers. Everybody else watches and surrounds them.

"Hey, pal. What's going on?"

I asked the small adventurer next to me. When he turned his face to me, I couldn't help but notice that he was a dwarf. He turned his head up and glared at me.

"A Yellow ranked dungeon was sighted. And they are discussing things right now."

"Ahh... I see…"

A Yellow ranked dungeon? That's not nostalgic at all.

I kept on watching while Fran and Cane talked with the adventurer in front of them. The adventurer was the one who found the dungeon, and he is explaining everything to the two, who are the currently present White ranked adventurers.

"... I see. So we are dealing with Gargoyles, Lamias, and possibly Misoh again."

Fran mumbles as she listens to the adventurers explanations, while Cane lets out a sigh, knowing that we are dealing with Misoh again.

"It's a lot better than hell hounds."

"I know, I know... I just can't help but feel nostalgic, that's all."

"... Same here. So how will we do it?"

Fran asked that question, but asking Cane was a mistake. She decided to forget it and think for herself. Her eyes peered through the group of adventurers next to the diner, and they finally dropped on the particular red haired lady, who was watching them from the crowd.

Ah… she found me.

Fran suddenly stood up, startling Cane and immediately walked towards me. She arrived in front of me in no time, and she grabbed my hand.

"Come with me."

"W-Wha-Hey!"

Fran just pulled me into the spotlight, and we sat together at the table. 

Uwaa, there's so many eyes…

"Now, explain it to her again."

"R-Really? I mean, sure."

The adventurer re-explained everything to me. I felt bad for him because he had to speak twice. And after hearing the explanation from him, I put on a poker face.

"What the hell? That wasn't dangerous at all."

"R-Rize!"

Fran scolded me and I tried reasoning with her while everyone around us murmured.

"This is a Yellow ranked dungeon. We have to take it seriously!"

"Huh? Why? You guys are White ranked adventurers. We are far stronger than before, we won't die."

I stood up, placing both my hands on Cane and Fran's back collar and lifted them up like cats. After they stood up, I pulled both of their hands and walked.

"Don't worry everyone! We'll take care of it!"

I said cheerfully at everyone while the adventurers made way for me and the two I am pulling. Brod, Emily, and Rath also ran following us, leaving everyone in great confusion.

Meanwhile at the receptionist desk, Keila spoke to everyone.

"Don't worry everyone! We have two White ranked adventurers! It won't be a problem!"

Hearing her words, everyone also became relaxed. This is White ranked adventurers they are talking about. The most powerful adventurers there are.

But really, what is calming Keila down is the fact that I am with them.