Tenkomori: The Homecoming Club Conquers Another World

Chapter 96.2 - The Second Year at the Academy - Attacker on the Ranch (2)

To the east and south of Selene, there are expansive grain fields and pastures.

Due to the interspersed fallow land, it's not clearly distinguishable.

But mainly, the east is used for grain fields, and the south for pastures.

My companion and I headed south from the south gate, passed through fields and pastures, and arrived in an area with ranch facilities.

This area, separate from the livestock barns adjacent to the outer wall, was newly established in a later era due to population growth.

While most livestock are along the outer wall, here, too, hundreds of heads are being raised.

Under the gentle early summer sunlight, I surveyed the pastoral scene. Cows and sheep leisurely grazed, and a shepherd was working in the distance.

I've explored various parts of the forests around Selene, but grasslands with few monsters or materials are scarce.

I rarely traveled this far south on the road as I usually head into the forest promptly.

"At first glance, it seems peaceful."

"But it was attacked. Twice."

One of my companions, Nails, responded.

After breakfast, when I went to the guild, I witnessed Ted and Rebecca arguing.

Upon questioning after pulling them aside, they claimed that the ranch's livestock had been attacked.

The ranch is Nails' mother Dana's workplace.

For a moment, I thought the guild was not responding and protesting, but the situation was a bit different.

The request had already been accepted, with a D-rank or higher designation.

Naturally, Ted and the others with E-rank couldn't take it, and they couldn't get any information.

As a result, it escalated into an argument.

So, I, as a D-rank, asked questions, but for some reason, Rebecca remained silent.

"So, where is the C-rank adventurer who took on the request?"

Rebecca remained silent because the recruitment had already closed.

Moreover, the C-rank adventurer who took on the request would be celebrated by the administrative government.

Even though I looked around, I couldn't see any adventurers nearby.

A few armed men were walking in the pasture, but they were security guards.

"That building looks like the management office."

While searching together, Elliot pointed to one of the buildings.

It looked different from the lined-up livestock barns.

Thinking it would be faster to call the shepherd, we decided to head there.

When I knocked on the management office's door, a middle-aged man soon appeared.

He was initially surprised by a group of children, then surprised again when he realized we were armed.

"Who are you guys?"

"We heard that a C-rank adventurer is here. Do you know where they are?"

"They're here, but… Are you adventurers too?"

"Yeah. I'm D-rank Tenko. They're E-rank adventurers."

I showed the adventurer's card hanging around my neck to the man.

"At such a young age and D-rank. Is it a request from the guild?"

"No, it's for personal reasons, but…"

"Nails?"

In response to a familiar voice, I turned my face and saw Dana.

Coming out of the livestock barn, she approached quickly with a pitchfork in hand.

And as soon as she realized I was at the forefront, she exclaimed.

"Alter-sama!?"

And dropped the pitchfork.

It's not good to handle work tools roughly.

"Why are you here in a place like this…"

"I heard about it from everyone. I'm always grateful, and I wanted to help."

When I answered, Dana shrank back

"It's disrespectful."

Then she shifted her gaze and started scolding Nails, who had been involved.

Even if I'm not involved, I'm accepting it immediately.

Indeed, I'm always grateful.

This morning's meal was also leftovers from the dinner Dana brought.

I don't understand it well, but Dana occasionally brings me food.

Maybe because I live alone.

Also, when she's busy, she asks for exchanges of alchemical solutions.

I pay for the exchange fee, but it's quite helpful.

Having seen the exchange between the parent and child, the middle-aged man looked anxious, moving his gaze several times.

"D-Dana… What about this person?"

"Alter-sama, the son of Baron Reedwald."

At Dana's introduction, the middle-aged man jumped.

"I apologize! I am the field chief, Patrice!"

"Nice to meet you, Chief. And for now, I'm D-rank adventurer Tenko."

"Tenko, sir…?"

"For personal reasons, I go by that name. Please don't use my real name. Of course, ‘sir' is not necessary."

"Then, Tenko-san—may I call you that?"

The chief said hesitantly.

"Sure, call me that."

"Shall we go back to the topic? Nails is worried about his mother Dana. He went to the guild, but they said the request had already been accepted, and they wouldn't tell him the details. So we decided to come and ask directly."

Seeming to grasp the situation, the chief nodded repeatedly.

"I see. If you've taken the request, you're investigating the western forest. I think they'll be back eventually, but—will you wait inside?"

"No need. Can we take a look at the ranch?"

"Of course. Dana, please guide them."

Approvingly, Dana was about to agree.

But I stopped her with my hand.

"Not necessary. I don't want to interfere with your work. Also, don't treat me too politely."

"Very well—no, understood."

After that, we awkwardly got the damage overview from the chief and left the management office.

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