51 [VI] Strongest Party

The sudden person, Quinn told Walter his story for the longest time, and curious, he listens to it from the beginning to the end; understanding his situation and why he is here.

Apparently, he is not a local of this city, but a commoner who lives in a small town outside Arthur's territory. The said town is the certain destination of the army of orcs, so to prevent it from getting destroyed, he was sent here to ask for help.

However, base on what Walter has learned from his story so far, it seems that his job isn't really going that well.

[ Did anyone consider taking it yet? ] curious, he asked. And again, he receives an instant reply from Quinn whose expression didn't change one bit.

[ There is one party, but they said that they wouldn't be able to handle it themselves. ]

[ Is that so? Then, what are you planning to do now? ]

[ I will continue asking people like you. ] with his unblinking eyes, he stared straight at him. Walter doesn't really know what's with him, but there's definitely something odd about the way he acts. He was supposed to ask or beg for his help, yet his expression was unchanging and he seems to lack emotions in the way he talks. It was like he was a robot or something. Regardless if he was one, it would be rude to not reply, so treating him like how he treats anyone else, he gave his response and suggestion.

[ Mm... Personally, I think no one would have the ability to accept this... Orcs are supposed to be tough monsters, with this many, a single party would just get overwhelmed. ] replying, he spat out the truth.

[ How about you? I heard from the stories in this guild that you are strong. Would you be enough to handle it? ]

[ What are you saying...? There's no way I can handle an army myself... ]

[ Then, if I was able to find someone that will accompany you, will you accept? ]

[ I-I guess so... ]

[ Umu... I will look for someone. Please wait here. ] saying so, he immediately turns the other way around and left without anything else to say.

***

After a short time, the expressionless Quinn came back, hauling over three people behind his back.

[ This person is...? ] one of the three people who came murmurs. It seems that she recognizes Walter and was surprised to see him.

Walter's identity isn't really a secret to the guild and its adventurers anymore. From the few days he has been taking tasks, he has already become a normal part of the daily lives of the adventurers. It doesn't really surprise them anymore to see him walking inside the guild and there are even times when his identity is being completely ignored.

But that - in any case doesn't mean that he was treated the same as the others. In reality, the only reason why some of the adventurers ignore him was because of how different their abilities are. If they could compare to him even to the smallest amount, then they will at least be able to try and approach him, but after witnessing his debut with Guro, they just couldn't compare themselves to him anymore, hence, no one comes after him.

[ Walter... sama... I didn't expect it was you this person was talking about. ] not used to giving respect or honorifics towards fellow adventurers, the female struggles to address him.

[ My name is Alicia, it's a pleasure to meet. ]

[ You can call me Walter, it's much simpler. ] shaking hands, Walter replied.

[ A-Are you sure? I heard you're a famous noble... ]

[ In the guild, I'm just a normal adventurer; please treat me like one. ]

[ I guess so... ]

After that small introduction with the leader, Quinn positions himself in the middle to introduce the rest.

[ Walter-san, if you haven't heard yet, Alicia's party is the strongest in this city... Individuality, she and these two are all diamond-rank adventurers. ]

[ My name is Francis. ]

[ It's Yuri. ] the other two introduce themselves too.

( The strongest, huh? They're definitely looks so. ) he murmurs to himself as he observes the three of them.

Their matching outfit does differentiate them from the other adventurers, the same as for the quality of their weapons. It's not really common for a single party to have all its members have a good set of items, but since they are called the strongest, it might be possible.

With these random thoughts, Walter continues the conversation and introduces Ayla as well.

[ Un, then, let me introduce my partner, too. Her name is Ayla, she's usually my servant, but right now, she acts as a fellow adventurer. ]

[ It's nice to meet you. ] Ayla spoke as she was introduced.

[ A female demi-human, huh...? I thought for sure he was a young boy... ] the leader of the other's party, Alicia, mutters in disbelief. It's really a surprise since anyone who would see Ayla's appearance would think that he was a man instead of a woman. The attire she's wearing is not really the attire female adventurers usually wear - with the same style as of Walter, he looked more like a boy; and paired together with her pony-tailed hair, it would be hard to guess that she's of the opposite gender.

[ How about it, Walter-san? If you guys can team up, you would accept, right? ]

[ Wa-Wait! What do you mean team up...!? With this person? ] suddenly, the female leader panics and pointed at Walter. Base on her sudden complaint, it seems that Quinn didn't tell her the entire situation and has only taken them here to satisfy Walter.

But in the middle of her bickering, Walter spoke again as a response to Quinn's question.

[ The strongest adventurers... If that title says the truth, then I think they would be enough... But if they do not agree to it, then it wouldn't matter. ]

[ Mm... Just so you know, Walter-san... Just as what our title says, we are the strongest party in this guild, don't mistake otherwise. ] suddenly becoming serious, Alicia responded to Walter's murmuring thoughts.

[ We can always prove it to you, but teaming up wouldn't be the way to it. ]

[ Don't worry, I didn't really mean it that way. Regardless... I don't care if you're the strongest, what I care about is if you would accept or not. ]

[ Ohho~ You don't care if we're the strongest, is that it? ]

( Eh...? What's wrong with this person? ) feeling the tension suddenly weighing up into the air around Alice, he couldn't help but wonder to himself what is she thinking.

Did he tug a switch on her or something? He wonders, but soon, that question was answered by one of her members.

[ Please don't think about her too much, Walter-san... She's just always like this, she prides herself as the strongest adventurer so she always becomes like this if she wasn't recognized by someone. ]

[ Is that so...? ]

[ Fine... We'll come... I've seen how strong you were; it wouldn't be a surprise if you would look down on us like that... ]

[ I didn't mean it like that. ]

[ Walter, we'll prove to you we're the strongest - so we accept. ]

[ Are you sure. ]

[ I am. So, what is the task about? ]

( Seriously? Quinn didn't tell them yet...? ) confused, he shifted a cold gaze at Quinn.