After getting the girls treats from a vendor, we headed the rest of the way to the Adventuring Guild. I had a slight worry that the Church would be there waiting for me, but when I entered the building, I was relieved to see that they weren't locking down the city to find me yet. Perhaps, it wasn't a big deal and I was making it more problematic than it truly was. I didn't really know why they wanted me. They could be wanting to pat me on the back for all I knew. However, considering what happened with Carmine, I had a bit of distrust when it came to them.
"You took enough time!" the Blue Mage grumbled when we approached him.
The transport usually occurred in the Traveling Guild, but since this was a special request, it was occurring in the Adventuring Guild. The Blue Mage was being paid handsomely to see us on a special trip outside of the typical requirements. Being a Blue Mage was truly a revered position in a city. He had already set up the circle and appeared irritated. Well, we were never given a particular time to arrive. Getting ready took time. The sun was just above the horizon now, so maybe we took a bit too long.
"Hello, I am Raissa, I'm your… ahhh! It's you!"
A girl turned around and started to politely introduce herself, but she suddenly shouted and pointed at me. She looked familiar to me, but it took a moment before I recognized her.
"Ninja girl!"
"I'm not a Ninja! I'm a Dungeon Diver!" She stomped her foot angrily.
I coughed. "Yes… that's right. Apologies."
She suddenly blushed and looked away. "When I woke up, you were gone suddenly. I didn't know where you went."
"Ah, sorry, we were in a hurry." I noticed now that she still had the necklace on her neck that I had given her.
"Even so!" she said, looking uncertain. "Y-you didn't take responsibility!"
That whole unfortunate event was starting to come back to me. My eyebrow twitched.
"I paid you, didn't I?" I glared back.
"I'm confused, is this a whore Master hired?" Shao asked, and then sighed. "I should have expected it. As soon as they find out women accept coin in this world, what man wouldn't pay for a little side action."
"Please, Shao… we don't call them whores, we call them fiancées," Lydia admonished Shao.
"Tcht… to their faces," Miki snorted.
"The Princess, I could accept. With royalty comes money and power, but now even this commoner? What does she offer Master?" Shao demanded.
"Eh… th-that… your slaves are very vocal…" Raissa's face had turned completely red.
"Haha…" I was starting to get used to laughing off things that were probably serious if I spent too much time dwelling on them.
"Are you done? I don't have all day!" the Blue Mage interrupted.
Thank you, Blue Mage, you saved me from an awkward conversation!
"Let's go, everyone," I announced, ushering everyone on to the teleportation platform.
"W-wait!" Raissa tried to protest.
"There are lives to save! We can't afford to waste time!" I responded.
"R-right…" Raissa finally gave a defeated look and moved to the platform.
The Blue Mage started a chant and a few moments later, we appeared in a new city. Between having awkward conversations or venturing into the unknown, any anti-social guy like me picked the unknown every time.