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Volume 2 Chapter 7 - Various Reasons

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As Allen stared at her with a serious expression on his face, Iseria tilted her head and responded.

“Is it about the talk about the compensation for keeping your secret?” (Iseria)

“That’s right.” (Allen)

“In the first place, I’ve told you that I don't need anything since Nella-sama is my lifesaver. But you insisted, so I said I’d be grateful if you could teach me your knowledge as an adventurer, but I still think this is too much.” (Iseria)

“Ugh, I guess that's true, but.” (Allen)

Allen couldn't help but groan as she stared at him with pure eyes that showed no evil or ulterior motives. In fact, it was Allen who accidentally revealed Nella's true identity in the Dragon Dungeon.

At that time, Allen asked Iseria to keep his true identity a secret, but he couldn't think of anything to give in return.

Allen did think that giving hush money for this would be common, but he also knew that Iseria was not worried about money at all.

Of course, Allen knew that there were people who’d resort to illegal methods such as violence, but Iseria did nothing wrong at all anyway, and above all, there was no way Allen could do something like that.

As Allen was thinking about what to do, Iseria said that she didn't need anything, but after Allen insisted on giving something and discussing it with her, they came to the conclusion that what Iseria wanted was for him to teach her the knowledge she needed as an adventurer.

From Allen's point of view, that suggestion made him wonder if that was really good enough.

“I understand a little how you feel, Nella-sama. You haven't met me for a long time, so you can't trust me, so I'm sure you can’t feel at ease unless you give me good enough compensation.” (Iseria)

“No, it's not that I don't trust you. I think you’re basically a good person anyway.” (Allen)

When Iseria answered in a way that seemed to dismiss her own existence, Allen hurriedly waved his hand in denial.

Although Allen had only been with Iseria for a short period of time, he still had no doubt that Iseria had good nature. That said, Allen wasn't young or naive enough to trust everything based on his impression on her alone.

At Allen's response, Iseria let out a deep breath, and her cheeks, which had been a little stiff, began to open.

“I was actually a little shocked, you know. I thought you didn't trust me. But what you just said reassured me a little.” (Iseria)

Looking back at that soft smile, Allen smiled as well.

Looking at Iseria's smile, Allen realized that at least Iseria's desire for him to teach her how to be an adventurer was genuine, and that this was sufficient compensation for keeping Nella's true identity secret.

“I got it. I'll make you a full-fledged adventurer. I said that, but don't get your hopes up too much. I really can only teach you common adventurer knowledge. I can only teach you what any veteran will know if you ask them normally. Don't ask for specialized or special knowledge. It's impossible.” (Allen)

“How should I put it, Nella-sama is really subservient sometimes.” (Iseria)

“Leave me be!” (Allen)

Looking at Iseria, who was laughing like a bell, Allen pouted a little and sulked.

‘I’m just an eternal iron class adventurer anyway, or rather I’m a wood class now, so I’m not even an iron class,’ Allen thought, beating himself down even more, but once he let out a big breath, he was able to easily change his mood.

The rift between Allen and Iseria has disappeared, albeit a little, and the two continued walking towards Lilac City with a softer atmosphere than before.

There was still no one around, and only the sound of the two treading on the ground echoed around them.

“Come to think of it, Nella-sama. I would like to ask you something related to what we talked about earlier. Why are you hiding your true identity?” (Iseria)

‘What are you talking about?’ Allen replied in a tone that seemed to be filled with exasperation, and Iseria shook her head.

“That’s not what I’m talking about, I mean why are you trying to maintain a normal life? If you have that power, would you not be able to have all the wealth and fame you want?” (Iseria)

‘I see,’ Allen nodded in response to Iseria's words and began to think about something he hadn’t really been conscious about.

And after thinking about it for a while, he easily came to the conclusion that what Iseria said was certainly true.

Allen's strength that exceeded 5,000 in all stats, when he tried to compare it to the mithril class adventurers he had seen during the stampede before, was so far apart that they could not even be compared, Allen realized it again at that time.

However, in reality, even mithril class adventurers have gained enough wealth and fame.

Of course, there are individual differences, but the number of mithril class adventurers who have earned enough money that they don't have to work for the rest of their lives if they retire and enough fame that allows them to make a living through minstrels who sing about their exploits is not few.

Considering these things, it was self-evident that if Allen were to thoroughly demonstrate his power without restraining himself, he would at least be able to achieve more than that, and he’s sure that he could do it as Allen himself, he calmly judged.

‘However...’ Allen thought.

Once he thought about it, since that time when he reached level 500 and was surprised by the power of the Fireball, or maybe when he was able to defeat the boss of the Demon Dungeon, the ogre king, by himself, Allen realized.

That his powers had become extraordinary, far beyond those of ordinary people.

Even so, Allen did not abandon his position as an employee of the Adventurers’ Guild, not simply because he didn’t want to get dragged into trouble...

“Hmm, because Allen is important to me, as the place to return to... I guess?” (Allen)

“I'm sorry. I don't understand what you mean.” (Iseria)

“Sorry. I myself can't find the words to say it properly. I may have acquired this power by chance, but it’s not like the 29 years I've spent so far will disappear. My essence is that of Allen. And I don't want that to change just because I gained power. No, well, I'm honestly happy that I can go on adventures. I'm not saying that I haven't changed, because I've become a little more extravagant, like eating out, and making my house more livable.” (Allen)

Struggling to get his words together, Allen continued to speak, trying to convey his thoughts somehow, and Iseria listened in silence.

As he continued to think about it, the image of his four precious younger siblings came to his mind. At that instant, the hazy feeling he had just a moment ago cleared up as if it was a lie, and Allen smiled.

“So that’s how it is.” (Allen)

“What is?” (Iseria)

“Yeah, the reason I didn't want to change from Allen was because I wanted to make sure that anyone who wanted to come back to that place could come back anytime they wanted. I’m sure I didn't want to do anything that would paint over the place of everyone's memories called Allen, the eldest son filled with so many memories of his younger siblings.” (Allen)

Not knowing much about the situation, Iseria could only understand about half of what Allen said, but she could still guess that it was important to him.

Because, although she couldn't see his face directly because of the mask, his bright atmosphere still reached Iseria.

“Then, Nella-sama will continue to maintain this lifestyle from now on, right?” (Iseria)

“I guess so. If they really came back, it’d be a problem in a different way, but I think it's my role to show my younger siblings that there is a place they can come back to with peace of mind. Normally, I'll just be Allen, but when I go on adventures, I'll enjoy it as Nella. Sorry for being so troublesome.”

As Allen said so apologetically, Iseria smiled while shaking her head in response.

“No, it's not a problem. Still, so you think about different things as you become old.” (Iseria)

“You, old, you say?! No, I know that 29 is old from Iseria's perspective, but.” (Allen)

“Ah, that’s just Ojii-sama’s favorite phrase. Um, I don’t mean that in that sense, but in the sense of accumulating life experience...” (Iseria)

“Getting a follow-up just makes it more painful.” (Allen)

Hurt by the fact that Iseria, a beautiful girl, implicitly called him old, Allen’s pace dropped just a bit. Iseria also tried to give a follow-up, but it was all in vain.

While doing those kinds of exchanges, the two of them headed toward Lilac’s gate that was now looking bigger.

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