The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick up Trash - Volume 2 - Chapter 80

Chapter 80:

From Happy to Sad

“IVY, SORRY TO CHANGE the subject, but…” Rattloore began.

“Um, yes? What’s the matter?”

Does his voice sound a little shaky? I glanced over at him, but it seemed he hadn’t noticed.

“Your plan is to travel to a town near the capital, right?”

“Yes.”

“Is there a time limit on that goal or anything?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Then how about you stick around in this town for the time being?” he offered. “Uh, y’know, once we’ve taken care of the current problem.”

“Umm…”

“About a year ago, the guild set up a new program called the acting guardian system. The point of it is to protect kids who’ve run away from their guardians or lost their parents. Kids without guardians are the most likely to be targeted. In the previous guild system, blood-related parents always had power over their children. But if you have an acting guardian, information on you won’t go to your birth parents even if they try to find you.”

The adventurers’ guild must be even more incredible than I thought. But…

“Register at the guild,” he continued, “and if something happens, they’ll protect you. Though it’s not instant—you’re not fully registered until a year after you apply. That’s how they ensure you’re not just using someone’s name to get a fake guardian.”

Rattloore’s expression was sincere as he looked into my eyes. It was heartwarming and heartrending at the same time…because I knew I couldn’t agree to it. Before I could say anything, I felt tears welling up.

“You can choose safe jobs and earn a stable income if you work hard. You’ll be able to make a name for yourself and build up a reputation. Heck, you can even join or form your own team. Think about it, okay?”

I remained silent.

“Honestly, I’d love it if you could join our team, but Seizerk says you’d push yourself too hard for us. Still…at least consider it?”

I shook my head in refusal. Then, doing my best to stop my voice from wavering, I said, “I’d only hold you back. Besides, I don’t belong with veteran adventurers. I can’t even protect myself.”

“Aww. You could stay in town…or, I guess not. Sorry, I’m just stressing you out.” He sighed.

“I’m sorry. I appreciate the offer, though.”

“Seizerk and Bolorda both told me not to bring it up because it’d only burden you. This is just my personal wish, okay? I’m burdening you, right? Sorry.”

I smiled and shook my head again. It was tough to think about, sure, but I was happy he mentioned it. I could tell they all cared about me. But if I needed to tell them my skills to sign up, then I could never, ever register at a guild.

“Thank you for asking me, though. I’m not in a rush to complete my journey, but I don’t plan to stay anywhere for too long.”

If I didn’t have to worry about someone finding out about my skills, I might’ve jumped at the chance. But I couldn’t. When we’d passed the church just now I’d spotted someone in priest’s robes. After I saw him, a shudder ran through my whole body. The words of the priest who’d been first to see my skills echoed in my mind.

“Cursed child who dares to blaspheme against God! Who are you to enter my church? You aren’t even worth the filth that stains your soul!”

I could never forget those booming accusations. Nor could I forget the way I’d trembled, and the way my father’s face went from confusion, to despair…and finally to naked hatred.

My father took the church’s teachings very seriously. He’d seen me as a strange child before then, probably because Past Me’s memories influenced my actions even at a young age. But when the priest called me a “cursed child,” that was the last straw. That was all it took for him to abandon me.

“Ah… So it’s a firm no? Well, think about it for me, won’t you?”

Rattloore’s kindness made me happy and sad at the same time. My voice was starting to falter, so I managed a smile and nodded. I clenched the basket that held my damp clothes. I’ll be okay, I repeated over and over in my mind. I’ll be okay.

When we returned to the plaza, I looked toward my tent—and I froze in place. Rattloore and I glanced at each other in shock. There was Mira next to my tent, waving us down with a grin. Next to her were two people I didn’t recognize but who seemed to be adventurers. We hadn’t expected her to come to us directly so soon. This kind of move didn’t track with what I’d understood about the organization. Was there something going on behind the scenes? Had the failed crackdown actually hurt them more than we’d thought? Wait, I don’t have the time to think about this now! I don’t know what she’s up to; I have to focus.

“You okay?” Rattloore inquired.

“Of course.”

For some reason, Rattloore seemed even more tense than me. It was kind of funny—a giggle escaped me. He chuckled as well. Together we took a deep breath and strode over to the tent where Mira and the others were waiting.

“Ivy! It’s been a while!” Mira greeted me.

I managed to flash a natural-looking smile at her. “It has.” Phew.

“Heya. Two whole days, right?” Rattloore chimed in.

“Yep. I told my friends here about Ivy, and they said they wanted to meet him! So they tagged along.”

“Friends?” I looked at the two people standing with Mira.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Callua.”

“Hi there! My name is Luiseria. Mira sounded so proud when she told us about you! Sorry if it’s sudden, but I just had to meet you.”

“Oh, um…so proud?”

Letting them lead the conversation was a bad idea. I needed to calm down a little before this conversation went any further so I wouldn’t mess up. Hmm…okay.

“Umm, I’ll make tea,” I managed to say. “Wait just a moment.”

“Great idea! Thanks, Ivy.” Rattloore promptly agreed.

“Ooh, yeah! The tea Ivy makes is delicious, y’know.” Mira gave her assent as well.

After checking that everyone had found a seat, I slipped into my tent to fetch the tea leaves. When I emerged, Rattloore had gotten the fire going and filled a pot of water for me. 

“Thanks for your help.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Rattloore even brought the mugs. He sure was a fast worker. Once the water came to a boil, I dropped the leaves in and let them steep. Finally, I poured the tea into mugs for the three guests, Rattloore, and me.

“Sorry for the wait,” I said to them.

“Thanks for this.”

“Ooh, that smells great.” Luiseria seemed to enjoy the fragrance, while Callua sipped quietly from her mug.

“Right?!” Mira piped up. She turned to me, “Ivy, do you have any plans for tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yeah! Wanna go on a sweets-tasting adventure with me tomorrow?”

“Ooh, me too!” Rattloore butted in.

“I wasn’t asking you.”

“You know I love sweets! How could you leave me out? How cruel!”

“Ugh…” Mira pouted. If I didn’t know the truth, it would have been cute because she was so pretty. But no matter what she did now, she was just terrifying.

“Why don’t we all go?” Callua suggested in a soft voice.

“I guess that could work…”

“Then it’s decided!” Rattloore interrupted loudly. “Let’s go to Puff-Puff or Sweetalicious!”

“Huh?! Why are those the only two options?!”

“Well, I was showing Ivy around town earlier, and we were already talking about checking them out.” We hadn’t talked about it at all, but he must have had a reason to lie.

“That’s right,” I lied as well.

“Aww. I’m more a fan of Mama’s Treats.”

“Mama’s Treats is okay, but they never have anything new—it’s always the same stuff.”

“…Yeah, I guess.”

Huh? I feel like Mira is acting strange. Is it just me?

“God, does it really matter where we go?!” Luiseria barked out suddenly. Why’s she so angry?! That scared me. “Let’s just do Puff-Puff or Sweetalicious. We can do Mama’s Treats the next day.”

“All right,” Mira replied. “Let’s do that.”

Something’s off… Is it my imagination? Oh! Maybe there’s something about Mama’s Treats? But why is she in such a hurry? Seizerk and Bolorda said the organization is really resourceful, but they don’t seem like it… This is making me a little nervous.