So, what's the request we're going to do today?
　What do you know, I've already decided on the job I'm going to take today, actually.

Excuse me, I'd like to take this job.

　I shred a piece of paper with the request on it and head down to the receptionist, Elma.

''Good morning, Lex-san. Today's request is for this request........eh?

　Elma's movements froze as she greeted me with her usual beaming smile.

''Um, can you take this?''

　What's Elma's problem?　He looks at me as if to say.

''Because the job of a rookie adventurer is to slay goblins, collect herbs, and...''

　I also respond with a smile.

"You're a dope fiend, right?

　Ditch-snatching, it's the most hated job in an adventurer's job, by far.
　Basically, we use water demon methods to deal with the dirt in irrigation and sewage.
　However, there are areas where small debris can't be cleaned by the Water Demon Method, so the town asks adventurers to deal with those areas.

　However, it's cheap and stinky and nobody wants to do it, so it's just a penalty job for the adventurer who caused the problem.

　I decided to accept the request.

"Lex-san is a D-ranked adventurer, so there's no need to take a job like this...

　I know what you're trying to say, Elma.
　I think she's trying to say that now that you've risen in rank, you should do a better job.

　But I didn't become an adventurer to make money.
　Of course I need to make a living.

　What's important is that I have the freedom to have an adventure.
　That's the main reason why I became an adventurer.

　That's why I want to take on all kinds of requests.
　Some of them are unpleasant jobs that the adventurers in the story got fed up with.
　That's why I want to take the job of kidnapping dope.

Oh, I see. Receiving your dope snatcher request. Fortunately, Mr. Lex is not currently in need of money.

　And yes, it's nice to have more room in my wallet thanks to the Evil Boa.
　I'll get the dragon and the rest of the Evil Boar rewards after this.

''Well then, let's go on an adventure.

"Oh, you're going on an adventure too?

　I thought I heard a familiar voice say...

Isn't that Gyro-kun from Team Dragonslayers?

I'm sorry, could you give me a break?

'Huh?　Did you drop your team name?

　It was so cool.

No, I mean, it reminded me of my own overweening sense of selfishness...

'What?　You know, just the other day you were saying, "I'm going to be an adventurer and win the world!　You're gonna need to learn how to take down a dragon for that to work!　That's why our team name is the Dragon Slayers! You said it.

　Gashfully, Jairo-kun's arm was wrapped around his neck by his teammate, Wizard-san.
　The monk and bandit who came late greeted me with a bail, so I returned the greeting as well.

''Gyaa!　Stop!　Don't say another word about that time!

'I'm the one who's embarrassed!　People were grinning every time they heard your embarrassing team name!

Ughhhh!

　You guys are really close.

"Yeah, so what's the deal today, bro?

　Oh, I digress.

I'm taking a dump today.

Annie..........huh?

　Jairo-kun's eyes, which had been sparkling just a moment ago, widen into a full circle.



Yeah, dope.

What's that?

Yeah, I mean,

Smelly, dirty, and cheap, all three?

Yeah, that.

"What the hell?

　!" he shouted.

"Why not, bro?　Why are you going to steal the dope?

　Jairo clutches his head in his hands, saying he doesn't understand.

"I'm sorry, honestly, we don't understand it either, but is there a reason for that?

　'I'm sorry,' said the monk who was standing behind him, questioning him.

'Oh, excuse me. I'm late to introduce myself. I'm Norbu, and as you can see, I'm a monk. Well, even though I'm a monk, I'm only a hair's breadth away from being an apprentice. And thank you for helping me the other day.

'Lex. No, no, I was just doing the obvious. How's he doing since then?　Are you in any pain?

　I only treated you with remote magic the other day, and I didn't get to see your injuries in detail, so I was a little worried about you.

''That's it!　Thanks to your recovery magic, I'm healing nicely.　You must be a very religious person to be able to use such a high-level recovery magic!

Ha-ha, not so much.

　Monk-type people believe that the more faithful a person is to God, the more powerful their recovery magic is, the more powerful recovery magic they can use.
　But the truth is that recovery magic is just like ordinary magic, and it can be explained by theory.

　But I won't teach it to you.

　Because if I taught that to the High Priest in my previous life, it would be an evil idea!　The divine power given to us by the gods cannot be understood by human minds!　I'm not going to be the only one who's been in this situation.

　So, in order to avoid saying unnecessary things and causing unnecessary feuds, let's keep the details about recovery magic to my mind.

It's time for us to introduce ourselves. I'm Mina the wizard and this is Megri the thief. It's nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

　Mina and Megri, huh?
　And Megri-san is a man of few words, isn't he?
　I greeted him, but he just fell silent.

It's nice to meet you, Mina and Meguri-san.

So, um, what I was saying earlier.

"That's right, bro, why do you want to kidnap a dope?

　Norbu and Jairo-kun came back to the subject of the dope snatching.
　It's not a problem.

You'll find that it's not a very good reason. Do you all know the story of the great swordsman Rygard?

Of course I know that!

Yeah, my parents used to tell me that when I was a kid.

'I've heard about it from my grandfather, too.

I know.

　The Great Swordsman Rygard, the name of a great adventurer who used to be a master swordsman, as his two names suggest.

Rygaard is now called the Great Swordsman, but in the beginning, he was a sniveling little fellow who got in trouble for his talent.

'Yeah, yeah, that's where it starts when you talk about Reigart, right?

　Jairo-kun and the others nodded in agreement.

The guild leader finally reached the end of his patience and ordered Rygaard to be a dope kidnapper for a year. He threatened to take away my adventurer's license if I skipped the dubbery.

　That's how selfish Rygaard was, he was so selfish and out of control.
　It's a far cry from me, who was being used by the people around me for their own good.

The first time he started snatching up dope, he almost violated people who ridiculed him for his miserable work. But Rygaard, who has no other choice but to live an adventurous life, perseveres and continues to steal dope.

　And his appearance affected the hearts of those around him.

People began to thank Reigart for his silent dope raiding. "Before long, people began to thank Rygaard for his silent dope hijacking, saying, 'Good job, you've had a tough day. Reiguard, recognizing the voice, was ashamed of his past actions and changed his mind. So this is the first story of what I would call a setback for the great swordsman Rygaard.

　Every kid has heard the cautionary tale.
　A lot of people prefer Reigart's adventure story because it's a somber story, but I love this one too.

'I see!　You're just going to train your mind to be a dope shark like Reigart!　That's my brother, man!

　No, no, if anything, I just want to experience the work that Rygaard went through, too.

'You guys are going to work now too, Gyro?'

'Oh!　I'd say, but we work at night, man!

Night?

　That's unusual, even though adventurers work more during the day when the demons aren't active.

'There's a rumour going around lately that you can hear eerie moans in the streets at night.

　Mina explains.

'So I got a request from the town's residents for the guild. They want us to find out what's causing the moaning.

　I see. So that's why you work at night.

Well, it's all about making rounds. But it's a night job, so I get a good rate.

　Oh, so the conditions are better at night?
　There's a lot of things for an adventurer to do.

Hey, bro, can you show me how my brother works?

　And then Jairo-kun made a strange suggestion.

'What?　But it's just a regular dope snatcher, right?

Yeah, yeah, I know, but I just thought, you know, if it's a job you're doing, there's a silver lining to it.

　Hey, a hint to get stronger.
　I don't think there's any hint to this whole dope raiding thing.

It's okay, but it's not going to be any fun, is it?

'Thank you, brother!　Let's go, guys!

'What?　Us too!

　Mina-san makes a troublesome expression.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it's a good idea to leave Jairo-kun alone. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing. Hey, Megri-san.

Mr. Norbu asks Mr. Megri to agree.

'I hope it doesn't get too late because I have to work at night.

All right, let's go with my brother.

　So it's not that interesting.

　◆.

So let's start here.

　When I came to the town's canal near the guild, I looked at the canal from above.
　It seems that this area is not easily cleaned by water magic, so sludge will quickly accumulate in this area.
　Indeed, compared to other places, I can see a black sludge at the bottom of the water.

"Oh, so we finally get to see my brother's ditch-snatching!

So it's not much of a job.

Oh, you're a dope fiend. That's a very noble attitude for a young man. Good luck to you, young man.

　And as I was about to start working, a passerby cheered me on.

'Yes, I'll do my best!'

　I guess the people of this town are kind to adventurers who do their dirty work.
　Yeah, I feel like I'm a righard.

I'm going to go then.

Hey, bro, what's up with the dope raiding tools?

'What?　I don't use tools, okay?

What?　Then how are we going to get rid of the dope?

　Jairo-kun tilts his head.
　Mina and the others behind him are also tilting their heads.

''It's like this, Full Clean Purification!

　Holding my right hand in the direction of the ditch, I activate a wide area purification magic.
　The entire channel, including the surrounding water, shines brightly as the black sludge crumbles away.

"Whaaaaat?　What the hell?

　A scream comes from the gyros behind me.
　Oh dear, I should have explained it to you first.
　Well, let's forget what's past.

　The waterway that had been shining through the purification magic slowly lost its light and was later transformed into a shiny waterway with all the dirt gone.

''What's this?!''

　Gyro-kun and the others rolled their eyes in surprise.

It's a wide area purification spell. This magic cleansed all the sludge and other dirt in the channel.

A wide-area purification spell?　What's that?!

　And that's when Norbu bites into the magic.

"Huh?　You don't know?　It's just magic for cleaning up big cities and stuff.

I don't know about that magic.　And the light now is the light of purification, or holy attribute magic, right?

Yeah.

　I used the power of purification of holy attributes in my previous life to create an effortless cleaning spell.
　Come to think of it, the nobles and townspeople were happy to see me, but the people in the church had delicate expressions.

''This, I can't believe you can use such amazing magic...''

　Uh, Mr. Norbu?　This isn't very good magic.

It's like this: it cleans up all the sludge in town.

"..........

Huh?　You seem a little slow to respond, don't you?

'Brother, you know, I don't think that's what Rygaard is talking about.

"'Mm-hm,

　Huh?　Did I do something funny?

Hmm, well, okay. I'll go cleanse the next place.

You sure you want to do this?

He's... strong.

　I feel like I'm being told what to do, but that's okay.
　Let's get this place cleaned up.

"Full Clean Purification!

　The light of purification envelops the channel again.
　That's when it happened.

"Gahhhhhh!

''What!?''

　The tremendous scream that suddenly echoed across the air caused everyone to shout in surprise.

''There! In the canal!

　Megri-san pointed to a point in the waterway.
　Beyond that, in the waterway that glowed with purification magic, there was one spot where a shadow wriggled in pitch black.

''That's a dark blob!''

"What's a dark blob, bro!

It's an indeterminate demon of the dark attribute. They look like sludge, so it's hard to find them in a swamp, and a lot of soldiers have been caught off guard underwater and seriously injured!

We've got to get rid of it.

　Mr. Norb turns to Darkblob with his mace at the ready.

'Oh, it's all right,'

What?

　Without needing to answer Norbu's question, the dark blob grows smaller and thinner.

'The demon gets smaller and smaller.'

'I'm purifying the dark blob with Full Clean Purification. This magic can easily repel any weak demon.

　Dark blobs are afraid of being caught by surprise, but if you fight them head on, they aren't such a scary demon.

''Yeah!''

　While saying such things, the dark blob grew smaller and smaller, and in the end it disappeared.
　All that's left is a purified and clean waterway.

''I knocked it down.''

　Mina's mouth dropped open in a pout and she was stunned.

'It's more of a problem that the demon was in the town.

　As expected of a bandit, Megri-san had not yet let down her guard.
　It's because the guards and adventurers are usually in the town, so it's thought that the demons can't come in.

''I'm sure they must have come along the channel in the dark of night and hid in the sludge during the day.

　That happens occasionally in towns with waterways.
　Even in a previous life, there were incidents of demons attacking the city through the canal.
　It's a good thing we were able to exterminate them before they attacked humans.

Oh, I wonder if the moans you hear at night are the demons you hear now.

With a pop, Mina pointed to where the dark blob had been.

'I think it's probably so.'

　The dark blob emits an eerie sound that sounds like a moan.
　I'm sure Mina's guess is correct.

'Well, that's my brother!　You solved our case together!　My brother is awesome!

　Jairo, you innocently admire me.
　I'm kind of embarrassed.

'But doesn't this make us a failed request?　I didn't do anything.

""Oh."

　The air in the place froze in an instant as Megri-san said the muffled but fatal statement in her words.

''Gee, I'm sorry.''

　Wow, I didn't do that on purpose.

　I didn't mean to do it on purpose!

　My name is John.

　I'm a butler in the service of Viscount Grimoire, who governs this town and the surrounding lands.
　Since I've been in his service since his predecessor, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I'm skilled in all the tasks of the Viscount's family.
　No, that's indeed an exaggeration.

　Today I was heading to the Adventurer's Guild on behalf of Viscount Grimoire, who had gone to the royal capital for the auction.
　The reason for this was to meet the adventurer who refused Viscount Grimoire's invitation to dinner the other day.

　To punish him?　No, no, no, I won't be foolish enough to make an enemy of someone good enough to slay a dragon.
　I just want you to get to know each other a little better and establish a friendship with my master.
　It's just that I want you to make friends with my master for a bit, to counter the recent unrest.

　According to the Adventurers' Guild, he had some reason to reject their invitation to dinner, but as an adventurer, he can't afford not to think about moving up the ladder.
　So if I, as the lord's personal steward, call on him, the adventurer will change his mind.
　This gives us an adventurer who can defeat the dragon, and the adventurer has the backing of Viscount Grimoire.

　We would have the backing of Viscount Grimoire, and our relationship would be mutually beneficial.
　And if I refuse?
　Yes, if there's a possibility of hostility, we'll have to take appropriate action.
　I hope it doesn't come to that, though.

　Just then, a young man called out by the waterway.

'Well, let's start here, then.

　You're young, you look like you just became an adventurer.
　Hmmm, isn't that smiling.
　There was a time when I too was full of dreams and hopes, you know.

"Oh, we'll get to see my brother drained at last!

So it's not much of a job.

　What a surprise, he chose to work as a ditch sweeper at such a young age, but looking at his attitude, he doesn't look like he's being forced into a problem.
　Choosing to do the dirty work of cleaning up the town voluntarily, it's not easy to do.　
　I was impressed by the young man's appearance and called out to him.

I called out to him, "Oh, you're a dope raider. It is an admirable attitude for a young man. Good luck to you, young man!

Yes, I'll do my best!

　The primitive young man replied back cheerfully.
　''There are pleasant young people in our territory too.
　This is also a testament to Viscount Grimoire's humanity.

''Whoa!''

　What?　What's all the noise back there?
　And it seems to be dazzling and divine.
　Hmmm, the freshness of today's youth probably improves the atmosphere of the town.

　I have a feeling we're going to find this adventurer soon.
　I'm John, a capable steward in the service of Viscount Grimoire.