Chapter 54: Debt 54 - The Viscount Wants to Meet the S-Rank Group

Ryan had decided to step into the small mess brewing at the inn. After he knocked out the foolish adventurer and the girl thanked him, two Holy Knights had introduced themselves.

But what exactly did it mean to be a Holy Knight?

There were still many things about this world that Ryan didn’t know. He couldn’t help but think about how poorly people would take it if he openly asked what kind of group or organization held such a flashy title.

Judging by the crowd’s reaction when they introduced themselves, he deduced they weren’t exactly considered ’holy’ by everyone.

’Or maybe they’re like those cults from my world that bother people because of their pushy beliefs.’

He decided to set that question aside for later. With Karol’s knowledge, he was sure he could get the information he wanted without any awkward questions.

"Anyway, can you call someone to deal with this guy?" Ryan asked, turning back to the receptionist.

"Yes!" She started fixing her uniform sleeve, about to head out, but one of the knights stepped in.

"If you’ll allow us, we can take care of it. We’ll bring him to the guards; perhaps a few days in prison will give him time to reflect."

’Now they want to help...’

Ryan placed his hand behind his head, a bit annoyed.

"I don’t care. Though, will this cause me trouble with the city’s guild?"

"This city’s?" the Holy Knight murmured.

"Don’t worry about that. Everyone here witnessed you helping me," the receptionist said with a kind smile.

He looked around, and the rest of the inn’s customers nodded in agreement. The girl spoke again.

"In fact, when my father arrives, I’ll go to the guild to report what happened. You won’t have any problems at all."

With that settled, the Holy Knights left the inn, carrying the foolish A-rank adventurer. They said goodbye to the girl and Ryan with a phrase Ryan found particularly irritating.

"I hope we meet again."

’And I hope we don’t.’

Finally, they were gone.

As Ryan sat down at one of the available tables and prepared to order some food, a voice called out from behind him.

"Brother!"

Ryan turned around. It was one of the adventurers he had saved just before being transported to the 75th floor of the dungeon.

"Ah, it’s you," Ryan said. He recognized the man’s face, though they hadn’t actually introduced themselves. In his mind, he labeled him as:

’Part of the survivor group.’

"I wanted to thank you back then, but you were teleported away by that demon."

’How useful these epic earrings would have been earlier. They would have saved me so much trouble.’

"Don’t worry about it. Though, according to Alina and Dalia, almost no one made it. I’m sorry my group couldn’t save everyone."

"No! That wasn’t something you were obligated to get involved in anyway. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for saving us."

He paused before speaking again.

"Until a few moments ago, Lady Alina and Lady Dalia were speaking with the Viscount. The Viscount requested the favor of you and your group coming to see him."

’What a pain. These constant meetings with nobles... I just can’t get used to them. Though it would be bad to refuse; after all, we were invited by him, and now I’m A-rank.’

"Fine. I can go, but you say they sent you? How did you know I’d be here?"

The adventurer gestured with a finger over his nose and a smirk.

"That’s because this is the closest inn. It was easy to predict you’d come here first. Although I was planning to check the other inns if necessary."

Ryan looked at him with an awkward smile.

"Heh... well, I get it."

"So, can your group go right now?"

Ryan rested his elbow on the table, leaning his face against the back of his hand as he faced the adventurer. He began to look around toward the inn’s entrance.

’No sign of Karol or Mirian... what the hell are they doing? And Helen is probably still asleep...’

"Sure, but only I will go. If you’re okay with that. My companions are out on important business that needs their attention."

"Yes! In fact, the Viscount said the one he wanted to meet most was you."

Once they agreed, Ryan and the adventurer left the inn and walked toward the Viscount’s house. On the way, they only talked about the problems the demons had caused in the dungeon.

The adventurer told him that if his group hadn’t been there, the demons would have sealed the dungeon and they likely would have lost two S-rank heroines. He said that last part with quite a bit of frustration, like someone feeling helpless for being unable to do anything.

’Demons are a huge problem, but they’re also a great source of experience. Currently, no one in my group is normal; they can fight Principalities without issues. But that’s not the case for A-rank adventurers; they’re practically on equal footing.’

They continued walking for about thirty minutes. Then the adventurer pointed.

"Brother, we’ve arrived. It’s there."

They stopped in front of the gate, but no one was there. The adventurer casually mentioned that before he entered the inn, he saw an adventurer leaving with two other people. He thought about asking who they were, but when he saw Ryan, he forgot all about it.

"I see. Well, that was actually an adventurer causing trouble. Those two people took care of it; I think they said they were Holy Knights."

"Holy Knights, really? And what business would they have here?"

"Is it unusual for them to come here?"

"Of course it is. They are..."

"Are you here to see the Viscount?" a voice came from behind.

A mansion guard stood before them.

"Yes, the Viscount sent me for this young man," the adventurer said, pointing to Ryan.

"Understood. We were indeed expecting him. But is he alone?"

"Yes, his group was already busy and couldn’t be reached."

"Very well, you may enter," the guard said, looking at Ryan.

"Brother, then we say goodbye here. Thank you again for everything."

Ryan nodded and entered the mansion.