The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"Once again, I apologize. My sister has caused you great inconvenience."

The one bowing deeply was the young lute player.

We had moved to a nearby restaurant and rented a private room. As soon as we settled around the round table, the boy immediately apologized.

...Sister?

"I'm Nichika's twin brother, Suimoku."

"Her brother! No wonder I thought you looked similar!"

Saaya clapped her hands together with a smile.

Indeed, Suimoku was also a beautiful boy with a pretty face, and his eyes looked exactly like his sister's.

The famous sister was busy alternating between staring intently at me and glaring at Saaya, not paying any attention to her brother.

"I'm sorry for the trouble. If you don't mind, could you tell us about yourselves? Especially you, since it seems my sister has been looking for you for a long time."

"For a long time?"

"Yes. She's always said that she became a dancer to find someone."

"And she became the kingdom's top dancer because of that. That's amazing."

Saaya let out an impressed voice.

Nichika immediately puckered her lips.

"I'm not happy being praised by you."

"I don't remember any reason for a popular person to dislike me, so make sure to explain why later."

"Hmph!"

"Anyway, let's start with introductions. I'm Ruruk. I'm the leader of the adventurer party [Rozewill]."

"I'm Saaya Schreine. I'm also an adventurer."

"Eh?"

Nichika and Suimoku froze.

"Wait a minute! Ruruk-san and Saaya-san!? Aren't you the most talked-about people right now!?"

"...Are we that famous?"

Saaya frowned, looking displeased.

Suimoku spoke with enthusiasm.

"Of course! You're the famous adventurers who defeated many demons at a young age and achieved SS-rank quests to reach S-rank! Led by the 'Child of Mystery' Ruruk and the 'Sheep of Destruction' Elenora, the duo who conquered the deepest parts of the dungeon! And Saaya Schreine, the youngest S-rank adventurer in history! And now your new companions include the strongest dragon princess Seori-sama, the talking slime familiar Punisuke, and the small sword user Nagi! I'm also active as a bard, and I've been singing about your stories since your duo days! I've been going to the information guild every day wanting to know the latest news about you!"

Suimoku leaned forward with sparkling eyes.

The pressure was intense.

"Oh, is that so..."

"It's an honor to meet you! And to think that Ruruk-san was the person my sister was looking for! Wow~ I'm so happy!"

"Th-that's great. Shall we continue with the introductions for the rest of the group?"

"Yes, please!"

Seeing a beautiful boy of the same age so excited made me feel a bit squirmy.

Pulling myself together,

"Then let's continue with Elenora."

"Mm. Elenora."

"Hello! I'm Punisuke! I'm a talking slime~"

"I am Seori Bargiria! I am the servant of my lord and of the supreme race with the strongest scales!"

"I'm Nagi. I'm a swordswoman."

"Well, these are the members of our [Rozewill]. So, what's the reason Nichika-san has been looking for me all this time?"

"............"

When asked, Nichika fell silent.

Rather than being embarrassed, she seemed unwilling to say.

"I'm sorry. She's never told me the reason either."

"I see."

If she doesn't want to say, I won't force her to.

Anyway, now that everyone's introduced themselves, let's eat first.

I heard that Nichika and Suimoku were treating us, and our companions' eyes lit up as they ordered. Even though we ate plenty at the food stalls, they're still as voracious as ever.

As I watched more and more dishes being brought out, I asked,

"By the way, Nichika-san, how long have you been looking for me?"

"............"

"Since my sister was little. It's been over 10 years now."

"Oh, is that so."

"Are you from Mataisa, Ruruk-san? Do you remember meeting my sister somewhere?"

"I am from Mataisa, but I was confined to my house since I was young. I hardly ever met outsiders. It was a town far from here, so I probably never met her."

"I see..."

Suimoku looked puzzled.

I had a lot of things I wanted to ask, but the food was mostly ready, so that can wait.

The hungry ones are getting restless.

"Well then, let's eat. Cheers to meeting Nichika-san and Suimoku-kun!"

"Cheers!"

We clink our glasses together.

By the way, Suimoku, Nichika, and Nagi are drinking alcohol. The rest of us are having juice.

"Ruruk-san, can I hear about your adventures?"

"Of course. What would you like to hear?"

"Everything... is what I'd like to say, but I really want to hear about your Stoania adventures! I don't know much about the dungeon battles."

"Alright, shall I tell you about the unicorn we encountered on the 77th floor?"

"Please do!"

"It was when we found a hidden room in the labyrinth. We heard a ridiculous line from beyond the wall saying 'I won't allow anyone but virgins!'--"

I chatted animatedly with Suimoku.

I hardly... no, I have absolutely no acquaintances of the same age and gender outside my family, so with the ulterior motive of wanting to become friends with him through this opportunity, I talked about anything I was asked.

Across the round table, there was one dancer who kept glaring at Saaya while silently eating her meal.

"Hey, why are you so hostile? Did I do something?"

"...It's nothing."

"I don't think we've had any connection before."

"We have, that's why I'm saying this."

"Where? Are you perhaps a noble too? I did attend some parties when I was little, but..."

"I'm a commoner though? Are you bragging?"

"That's not my intention. Hey, Nagi, help me out here~"

Saaya appealed to Nagi for help.

"Deal with it yourself. Don't involve Nagi."

"Even if you say that~"

"Nagi has nothing to do with this... What's wrong, dancer?"

Nichika stared intently at Nagi, who had brushed her off lightly.

"Is there something on Nagi's face?"

"N-no way... why... I'm not even second, let alone first..."

"What are you talking about?"

Nichika was dejected, while Nagi and Saaya tilted their heads in confusion.

After that, everyone continued with trivial conversation until the meal was over. Nichika didn't try to talk about the reason she had been looking for me, and I got caught up in conversation with Suimoku.

By the time the meal was over, it had gotten dark outside, so we left the restaurant without overstaying our welcome.

"Is it this late already? We have a curfew at the dormitory, so we should be heading back soon."

"I see. I still have a lot I want to talk about though."

"Me too! But we can't break curfew without permission..."

"I understand. Suimoku, you're always in the royal capital, right? Where can we meet you?"

"On days when school is closed, I'm active in the plaza like today. Otherwise, you can always find me if you visit the Magic Academy. Where are you staying now, Ruruk-san?"

"I just rented a house in the southern district. If you need me, leave a message at the Adventurers' Guild, and I'll come meet you right away."

"Understood!"

While reluctant to part with Suimoku, we shook hands.

This beautiful boy turned out to be a really nice guy when we talked. Although he's active as a bard and lute player, it seems both he and his sister are primarily students at the Magic Academy.

I'd like to stay friends with him from now on.

"Um, Ruruk-san! Would you accept this?"

"Hm?"

Nichika pressed something into my hand.

It was a shell necklace.

"What's this?"

"I-it's a handmade accessory."

"Oh. Why are you giving me this?"

"In this country, when a woman gives a gift to a man, it's common to choose something wearable..."

"I see. Then I'll accept it without reservation. Thanks."

When I accepted it straightforwardly, Nichika smiled happily.

In the end, I couldn't find out the reason why Nichika had been looking for me. I didn't want to press the issue, and she didn't seem inclined to tell me.

After I put the present in my item box, Suimoku and Nichika waved goodbye and left.

The Magic Academy dormitory has an early curfew... Alright, I'll remember that.

Once the two of them were out of sight, Saaya tilted her head.

"Hey Ruruk, are you sure you've never met Nichika before? I'm certain I haven't."

"I don't think so."

"I thought so. Aren't you curious?"

"I am curious, but I don't think we need to worry about it. She seemed like the type who sees things that aren't there."

"True, she does seem to have strong convictions..."

There's no point in worrying about it.

More importantly, I enjoyed my first time in the Mataisa royal capital. We had new encounters and got to experience the atmosphere of the city.

"Starting next week, Ruruk will be a teacher~"

"It's a dungeon class, they say. I'm wondering whether to be strict or gentle."

"You'll probably be soft on the girls. Don't casually flirt like you usually do, okay?"

"Huh? I've never flirted with girls though?"

"Eh?"

"Eh?"

"Saaya, it's about time you woke up. This plain man is an oblivious scumbag."

Nagi pokes me in the side.

Isn't "scumbag" a bit harsh?

"...Well, I guess it's better than being self-aware."

"Sigh. That dancer is pretty bad, but Saaya is even more hopeless."

While having this conversation, we walked back to the house we rented.

By the way, what we rented was a small two-story detached house.

I rented it as a base for teleportation, but eventually, I plan to make it livable, not just for camouflage. Once we finish conquering the Bargia dungeon, I want to conquer the Mataisa dungeon too.

"It looks like it'll be a while before we return to Stoania."

"Mm. Don't want to leave the dungeon."

"Yeah. Let's take our time."

I want to resume our dungeon conquest, but training our members comes first.

That day, after returning to the mansion in Bargia, we went straight to bed.

"I'm Ruruk from [Rozewill]. We'll be active in Mataisa for a while, so I've come to greet the Guild Master. Is the Guild Master in?"

Three days later, at noon.

Leaving Elenora in charge of training Saaya and the others, I visited the Adventurers' Guild headquarters in the Mataisa royal capital.

The guild was quite spacious, and the adventurers' expressions were bright.

The attached tavern is cleaner compared to other countries, and there are no adventurers drinking in the daytime. In Stoania, there would always be at least five groups drinking.

The receptionists were all young and healthy.

When I lined up at the counter of a sister without any makeup, the receptionist stood up as soon as she saw my face.

"Oh, Ruruk-kun! It's been so long!"

"Eh?"

As I searched my memory, wondering where we had met, I remembered one person.

"Ah! The sister from Freia town!"

"You remember me! I'm so happy~"

She was the receptionist I met in Freia, a town at the southern edge of Stoania, when I had just become an adventurer.

The kind sister who straightforwardly worried about me and Elenora during the wolf incident.

"I'm sorry I didn't recognize you immediately. The already lovely flower has become so beautifully radiant."

"My, my. I thought you'd become a fine man, but you've become smooth-talking too!"

The receptionist laughed cheerfully.

"You've grown taller too~ ...though still shorter than me."

"Sister, weren't you assigned to the Stoania guild? Why are you here?"

"I ended up transferring after that. My hometown was originally Mataisa, and I thought it would be dangerous if the Grey Wolf pack came back."

"I see. It's an honor to meet you again."

"Me too. Ah, the Guild Master, right? I'll go call him, so wait a bit."

The receptionist hurriedly went up the stairs.

She came back in just a few minutes and beckoned to me.

"Ruruk-kun, come to the room! It's your first time, so I'll guide you!"

"Thank you for your trouble."

"It's fine, it's fine. It's my job."

Led by the receptionist who hadn't changed at all in five years, I was guided to the Guild Master's room on the third floor.

The receptionist knocked on the door and opened it. Inside the room were a middle-aged man and an old woman.

"Guild Master, I've brought him! Well then, Ruruk-kun, I'll go back to the reception."

"Yes. Thank you very much."

"Okay. Come to my counter when you have a quest~"

"Of course, I will."

After seeing the receptionist out of the room, I let out a small sigh.

"...So, why are you here?"

"Why indeed, I still have my adventurer qualifications, you know."

The person in the Guild Master's room was none other than a blind old woman.

Yes, it was Verugana.

"It's been quite a while, and that's the first thing you say to your teacher?"

"...I apologize. It's been a long time, Verugana."

"Kakkakka! I'm glad to see you're doing well, young master Ruruk."

It was a nostalgic face.

Our first reunion in five years since I left home. I wonder if today is a day for meeting old acquaintances.

"Verugana, you seem the same as always."

"Kakaka. It's not bad to reminisce about old times, but if I keep talking, I'll feel killing intent from behind. Come on, greet him."

Behind Verugana, as she said, was a middle-aged man covered in scars.

Short red hair, sunglasses, and countless scars all over his body. Perhaps to hide the scars, he was covered in tattoos.

No matter how you look at him, he seems like a dangerous person, doesn't he?

Nevertheless, he must be the Guild Master. I quietly bow my head.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Ruruk, the leader of [Rozewill]. I've come to greet you and discuss our plans as we'll be active in Mataisa for a while."

"So you're the third son of the Muuteru family. I've heard about you from Verugana and Cardel."

His voice is gruff.

He really looks like a dangerous person...

"I'm Daisoma. I'm sure I don't need to explain, but I'm the Guild Master overseeing the Mataisa area. Welcome, I greet you on behalf of the guild."

"I'm honored."

That's such a cool name.

He must be a predator type. I wonder if he kills and eats monsters with his bare hands?

"You're thinking something weird, aren't you? Dina is a skilled shield user, specializing in defense."

"No, no, not at all."

Don't read my mind!

But he's a shield user, huh. No wonder he's covered in scars.

"By the way, Verugana, what's your relationship with the Guild Master?"

"He was a member of my party when I was an adventurer. Dina was the youngest."

"I see."

No wonder they don't hide anything from each other.

Well, if they know I'm a member of the Muuteru family, that makes things easier.

"Then do you know the reason why I'm back in Mataisa?"

"You're going to be a dungeon instructor, right? I heard from Cardel. I know about your transfer skill too."

"I see. That saves me from explaining."

"Still, to think that young master Ruruk would transform this much... So, what happened to your master?"

"...Um, about my master, well..."

The words got stuck in my throat.

Verugana was not only my teacher but also Roze's disciple.

There are many people who were helped by Roze, and all his disciples probably adored him as much as I did.

To tell everyone that we lost such a Roze because of me... it took a lot of courage.

"Master... Roze,"

"I see. She was finally able to pass on properly, huh."

Verugana understood everything just from the trembling in my voice.

"Don't worry. We knew that our master was traveling to die. We understand that the time has finally come. In fact, dying was our master's earnest wish. Us disciples not wanting to lose our master is a separate issue."

"I'm sorry, but it was because of me..."

"Don't cry, you fool. I thought you had become a bit stronger, but you're still just a kid."

Even as Verugana said this, there were faint tears in her sightless eyes.

"Anyway, Dina, this snot-nosed brat is still immature. Train him hard."

"I'll do my best."

"And about why I'm here? Well, it's simple, I'm currently staying in the royal capital. I'm in charge of guarding the mansion here."

"I see... Is the main residence in Muuteru territory okay?"

"The maintenance there is left to the maids. In the first place, it's only used now when young Digray returns home."

Come to think of it, that's right.

All the men except me are working as knights in the royal capital, and Lilith is also in the royal capital as a student at the Ladies' Academy.

In other words, even if I return home, there's no family there.

"I came to have tea today because it's my day off. It was lucky that it coincided with young Ruruk's visit."

"It was unlucky for me."

"Geez, you're still such a cheeky brat."

As we were casually exchanging such banter, the Guild Master who had been watching us muttered softly.

"Lord Ruruk, didn't you come to align schedules regarding the dungeon training?"

"Ah, yes, yes. I'm sorry, I completely forgot."

Originally, coordination with the guild managing the dungeon is essential for dungeon classes.

I came today to greet them and discuss this as well. Seeing Verugana's face made me completely forget.

"I heard from Lady Cardel that I should consult with the guild in advance about the class content and the planned conquest floors. What specifically should I do?"

"This happens every year. We have prepared the guidance documents here. Please wait a moment."

The Guild Master said this and brought several files from the shelf.

Then, while chatting casually, we slowly made lesson plans over tea.

Thanks to Verugana's presence, we ended up talking until evening.