Kidnapped the Saintess of the Hero Party

28 – Entrance

Lucion and Lucia’s mornings were quick.

Watching the sunrise was a daily routine for the priest.

About twenty people were already having their meals in the hall.

The inn, [Lafina House], located conveniently close to the guild. Many adventurers were afraid of the night. The innkeeper named it Lafina after the angel of peace, implying that they could at least sleep comfortably in the inn.

“That’s how it was.”

Sia said.

There didn’t seem to be much time for conversation, but Sia had quite a conversation with the innkeeper. Lucia seemed to be more talkative than Lucion thought.

It’s not a bad feeling. Lucia’s happy appearance felt cute.

“Don’t laugh.”

“Then what?”

Pouring the soup, she asked, “These people seem really excited.”

Breakfast consisted of dry bread, vegetable soup, and chunky boar neck.

“Look at them, so lively,” Lucia remarked while sipping her soup.

Until now, mornings were only greeted at the orphanage and in the forest. This bustling morning was a first.

Lucion also felt a somewhat refreshing sensation.

“The border residents had a strong sense of laughter to survive.”

People here were truly enjoying life.

Adventurers proudly displaying scraped wounds. “I got scratched a bit while catching boars yesterday.” They enthusiastically shared such stories with fellow adventurers, unsure of how fortunate they were that it ended there.

Adventure tales became their own history.

A way to live through the day.

Because that’s the life of an adventurer.

However, adventurers often spent uneventful days, to the point where catching a boar became a notable story.

This was a characteristic of Panachia’s location.

Even though it was on the outskirts of the kingdom, monsters didn’t appear that frequently. Moreover, the central guild wasn’t interested in hiring novice adventurers. Those affiliated with the large guild were mostly beginners. They wouldn’t even assign tasks like large-scale subjugations.

So, when people mentioned ‘adventurer,’ they generally meant odd jobs.

Collecting herbs in the forest, occasionally hunting wild animals that appeared. Sometimes finding lost cats or taking care of dogs while the owners were away. They even did the noble’s macaron shuttle.

If one wasn’t interested in such tasks, they could move to the Altan region in the northwest or head to Karanolo in the northeast. However, going north often involved risking one’s life in numerous subjugations.

Once becoming a high-level adventurer, they might handle tasks like guarding nobles or forcibly inspecting mansions.

Still, without a guild, they couldn’t take on large-scale missions.

The adventurers staying at the inn are those who don’t belong to a guild. They mostly appear to be closer to day laborers. They don’t belong to medium-sized guilds, nor are they beginners. They seemed to be in a somewhat intermediate position.

Even so, their lives must be tough.

All of them.

“They’re smiling.”

They looked joyful.

With a mindset of just enjoying and passing through life, leaving after a short visit and shedding all worries and troubles.

“There were many like that among adventurers. Living for today.”

Otherwise, they would have to establish their own businesses, whether it be a restaurant or a tailor shop, in order to make a living.

But no one ignores them. Success isn’t everything.

They are the ones who can go to the battlefield at any time.

If a fire breaks out at home, they run out before the fire brigade arrives.

If a thief or a robber appears, they step forward before the security team.

Living as they please.

They are the ones who live with a happier face than anyone else.

Those were the adventurers.

Lucia felt tense in an unfamiliar atmosphere. However, she didn’t seem to dislike the macho atmosphere. Rather, like other adventurers, her enthusiasm seemed to rise, showing a determination to roll up her sleeves and fight.

Lucion found Lucia cute for that reason and smirked.

“I told you to stop laughing all the time.”

“You should say I’m cute.”

“…What did you say?”

The black rabbit awaited Lucion at the inn entrance, standing there to greet his arrival.

Lucion glanced at the black rabbit with a somewhat displeased expression.

“A stalker, perhaps?”

“What are you talking about?!”

Kanan shouted in response.

The sound was so loud that the dust on the floor scattered as if propelled by a force, creating a sudden whirl.

Lucia’s expression cooled off icily.

Originally, Lucion had a somewhat amiable side. However, with the black rabbit, there was a sense of familiarity that went beyond mere acquaintance, as if they had known each other for a very long time.

‘Could it be destiny… is that something you can say after witnessing this?’

Watching the two glaring at each other without any sign of retreat, Lucia realized her heart was pounding oddly fast.

She placed her hand over her chest.

Something. It felt stifling.

The scene unfolding before her was dazzling beyond description.

Why, though?

Lucion, with his blond hair and clear blue eyes, an undoubtedly handsome figure.

Next to him,

Cute rabbit ears and black hair that reached down to the waist, slightly curled at the ends.

In her small face, beautiful golden eyes sparkled. How are her lips so…

Wearing form-fitting clothes, yet exuding confidence, she was the influential figure in this region.

Leader of the Black Thorn Guild and the next candidate for the Black Magic Sorcerer, the Dark Rabbit Kanan.

In stark contrast to Lucia, who had nothing, he seemed to naturally distance himself from her.

Thump!

What caught him was Lucia’s hand.

#

“Lucia. As expected, this Dark Rabbit is dangerous.”

Lucia was at a loss for words.

Because of Lucion, who looked at her with concern.

In fact, as Lucion, it was a strong gaze filled with the worrying thought, “I hope Lucia suspects everyone.”

Coming here in the morning to build intimacy, it seemed difficult to keep a distance from Lucia than she thought.

“Dangerous…”

Lucia nodded her head as if pretending to know even though she couldn’t understand the difficult problem.

Even if she couldn’t understand, Lucion’s words would be right.

But more than that…

She focused more on the tightly held hand. Even when she cradled him and put him to sleep, she didn’t feel this excited.

The Dark Rabbit scolded Lucion as if he couldn’t believe it.

“You clueless fool!”

“Fool? Is now the time to argue about that? How did you know where we were staying? What urgent matter brought you all the way here to wait?”

The black rabbit proudly puffed out its chest. Its arms were bent, resting on its hips.

– For a small stature, not bad at all.

– …I might as well die if I stay by your side.

The black rabbit often heard such remarks even from its subordinates.

Perhaps because of this, the black rabbit exuded confidence.

Lucion understood. The black rabbit had already reached the point where its subordinates enjoyed making fun of it.

‘So, I thought a lot like this in my past life.’

Damn old rabbit. So it said.

A stubborn rabbit is not easy to break.

When giving orders, it was quite helpful, given its stubbornness based on thorough analysis as a magician.

Anyone living in Panatia would admit that it was the black rabbit’s stubbornness that put Blackhook in its current position.

So, Lucion asked.

What on earth is this determination?

What conviction drives such stubbornness?

“Still. Until the guild opens, there’s time, isn’t there?”

The black rabbit showed an utterly sincere smile with no falsehood.

Like revealing a hidden trump card, it spoke clearly.

“Clothes. I’ll lend you guys clothes.”

Oh.

This time, Lucion sincerely thanked the black rabbit.

If the Black Rabbit hadn’t come to meet him, Lucion would have spent money to buy clothes.

He couldn’t go to the guild for the test wearing tattered clothes.

“But is it really okay?”

In truth, Lucion was not okay. He was trying to gauge how much he could trust the Black Rabbit.

“Do I look like I have any skills?”

Well, you’re a candidate for Archmage. You’re the Guild Master of the largest guild in the Panachia region. It’s impossible for you not to have any skills.

But Lucion knew.

– You should buy some clothes for yourself.

– I’ll take care of it.

– You’re getting older. What are you going to do? You’ve been wearing those clothes for a year now.

– Don’t you know? How many people have I already replaced?

– Huh? Our leader?

The Black Rabbit often changes her appearance due to the nature of her work. She doesn’t care about rumors, but the upper class of society often clings to her. Of course, she doesn’t really socialize with anyone.

She also tries not to spend money as much as possible. Unlike the glory of the guild, their finances are not that great.

The cost of renting the building, feeding the guild members, and the expenses of missions were not insignificant. No one knew that all the money came from the Black Rabbit’s pocket.

She was a rabbit that sacrificed herself for others while being harsh on herself.

Some might call it foolishness.

She could have lived her life like other adventurers.

But she worked hard for the preservation and prosperity of Panachia, as if she were being chased by something.

She had lived a life of sacrifice in her previous life as well.

The black rabbit took the lead and headed towards the guild.

Lucion locked eyes with Lucía.

Just follow him.

Lucía seemed reluctant, but following the black rabbit would make their journey much easier.

The black rabbit went ahead, then glanced back.

“What are you doing? Don’t just stand there, quickly follow!”

Lucía spoke in a hushed voice, as if testing how much the black rabbit could hear.

“The boss said not to follow suspicious people.”

The black rabbit stopped abruptly.

Lución marveled. So, he can even hear whispers. That’s the expression on his face.

The black rabbit mechanically turned his head and looked back. Perhaps sensing danger, Lución also spoke mechanically. His response was impressive.

“But Kanan, even though he seems suspicious, he seems like a good person. Cute and pretty, don’t you think? I think it’s okay to follow him.”

“Is that so? Just an ordinary kid… No, more like a black rabbit.”

“Hey!”

The black rabbit turned back completely upon hearing Lución’s words and ran towards them, grabbing their wrists.

Before Lución could react,

“Don’t blabber! Let’s go quickly!”

The black rabbit led the two of them, holding their wrists.

#

In reality, Lución felt a strong internal closeness to the black rabbit, almost reaching its peak.

Lucia is the one who worries me.

She might be someone I have to let go of someday, or she might be a betrayer. I’m afraid of getting hurt.

Lucia has never shown any signs of doubting people.

Maybe it’s her nature as a saint.

But it was still quite enjoyable to see the two of them bantering.

“More than I thought… She doesn’t seem to trust the Black Rabbit that much, does she?”

As someone like Lucia, who knows nothing about the hierarchical system, it was okay to treat the Black Rabbit just like a friend. Even so, Lucia treated the Black Rabbit somewhat mechanically.

“Well… You are my older sister, aren’t you?”

“Well… I guess that’s true.”

A twelve-year age difference.

Quite a significant gap.

In her late twenties, the Black Rabbit is actually quite old for a rabbit demi-human. The average lifespan of a normal rabbit demi-human is around 60.

“I see. But why do you seem so childish?”

Even Lucia feels it’s a teasing remark. The Black Rabbit calmly replied.

“Do I seem that way? Thanks. But it’s better not to say that I look young when praising a rabbit demi-human.”

It’s familiar.

Looking young.

Cute.

Words that I’ve heard to the point of being fed up.

Everyone apologized and it ended after experiencing a close call with death.

Lucia didn’t do that.

If you had to point out, the urgent one was the Black Rabbit.

For a priest, calling it by “Black Claw” was worth a lot.

However, excessive kindness beyond necessity always raised suspicions, as it did this time.

While the Black Rabbit was opening the guild’s door, Lucia came and whispered.

“You won’t tear it up more later… will you?”

Lucion replied calmly.

“Don’t know. But let’s be careful.”

#

As the largest guild in the Panatia region, the guild building was also located around the adventurer’s guild.

The building’s height remained consistently at four floors.

All the surrounding buildings were three floors, you see.

Lucion recalled memories from a past life.

The first floor was a vast hall.

The second and third floors were used as makeshift dorms for guild members, training rooms, and conference halls.

The Black Rabbit’s room was in the far corner of the fourth floor. In Lucion’s past life, he had stayed right next door to the Black Rabbit.

Because of the Black Rabbit barging in whenever bored, Lucion had quite a hard time.

It was a long time ago in the pitch-dark. A somewhat enjoyable memory.

“Miss those days.”

Squeak—.

The black rabbit thumped as it opened the guild’s door.

Despite being disproportionately large, the black rabbit always had to lift a crowbar even when opening its own house’s door.

Of course, for guests, it would be through the main entrance. But usually, it hopped and leaped agilely, using the terrace windows to get into the room. Being a magician, it could even briefly soar through the sky using wind magic.

And perhaps that’s why.

Seeing the black rabbit opening the main door, guild members couldn’t help but be taken aback.

“Huh? Leader? Is it really the leader?”