Chapter 270

“Mr. Kurt. Have you finished your business?”

Upon returning to the Adventurer Guild, Kurt was greeted by Yuri Blossom, a trainee adventurer who had been following Arisa’s group for training.

“Yuri? You haven’t been around much lately because of your training. What’s up? Is your training done?”

“Ah, not exactly…”

Recently, Yuri had been shocked by her lack of contribution during their visit to the Ancient Ruins. Since then, she had been training seriously on her own, reducing her time with Arisa’s party.

Considering her age and status as an academy student, this was natural, and in some ways, even impressive. But Yuri, oblivious to such trivialities, was determined to become a full-fledged adventurer as soon as possible to be of help to Arisa’s party.

Compared to her naive self when she first joined the Adventurer Guild, only chasing the romantic ideals of being an adventurer, her current dedication was a remarkable improvement.

“So, what’s the matter?”

“Actually, someone asked me to introduce you today. I came to introduce that person to you.”

“Introduce…?”

The word “introduce” reminded Kurt of Mina Silverheart, who had recently connected him with the Coconut Company.

And indeed, standing next to Yuri was a girl dressed in expensive-looking clothes that didn’t quite fit the Adventurer Guild.

Her attire was even more luxurious than what Mina had worn when she first visited the guild, resembling more what Yuri had worn during her initial visit.

“An academy student, and a noble at that.”

Kurt immediately deduced her status, and the girl, acknowledging his deduction, greeted him with a graceful, noble-like manner.

“Nice to meet you, Adventurer Kurt. My name is Rosemary Astram.”

“…Astram?”

But what caught Kurt’s attention more than her noble demeanor was the name she mentioned.

Hearing that word, Kurt paused and expressed his doubt. Rosemary, as if expecting this, smiled elegantly and explained.

“Fufu. Yes, that Astram. The Astram County, governed by the great noble Count Astram. Count Astram is my father.”

“I see. And what business does such a distinguished noble lady have with me?”

“Actually, I came to deliver a message from my father to you.”

“Your father, Count Astram?”

Rosemary hesitated for a moment, seemingly uncomfortable with Kurt’s words.

But soon, she regained her composure and delivered the message.

“…Yes, a message from Count Astram. To put it simply, your name has become quite famous in Astram recently, and he would like to meet you. In other words, it’s an invitation to a meal. So, let’s depart immediately.”

“No, I’ll have to decline.”

“But the carriage is already outside… Why!? Count Astram is the most powerful person in Astram County! How can you refuse an invitation from such a person!?”

Rosemary, who had never imagined Kurt would refuse, raised her voice in shock.

“I didn’t make any prior arrangements, and you suddenly show up asking me to follow you. Of course, I’d refuse.”

“Why!? Mr. Kurt!”

But it wasn’t Rosemary or Yuri who protested Kurt’s refusal.

It was Mari, who had somehow joined the conversation.

“That’s right! Mr. Kurt! It’s an invitation from a Count’s family!”

“Yeah. You should at least pretend to think about it before refusing.”

Not just Mari, but Karina and Serena also chimed in, opposing Kurt’s decision.

Though one of them was a bit ambiguous in her opposition.

“I’ve already decided on today’s menu, so there’s no helping it. Oh, and since you’re here, could you run an errand to the market for me?”

“Huh? An errand? Didn’t we just go shopping?”

“No, we only did half. So, here’s the list. You guys should go.”

“Ugh… Fine. Mr. Kurt’s a celebrity these days, after all.”

Reluctantly, Mari took the shopping basket from Kurt…

“Wait, isn’t this conversation going off track!? Is my father’s invitation just going to end like this!?”

“Yeah, it’s over.”

Kurt responded to Rosemary’s question as if there was nothing more to discuss. Seeing his expression, she realized he was serious and raised her voice again in disbelief.

“But it’s an invitation from the most powerful person in Astram! How can a mere adventurer…!”

“Ahaha. Sorry, Miss Rosemary. I’d love to accept the invitation, but if Mr. Kurt refuses, there’s nothing I can do. How about we arrange another time?”

“We’re not obligated to accept just because we were invited.”

“This is why adventurers are…! Yuri! Help me persuade him!”

“Sorry, but I can’t do that. My only task was to introduce you to Mr. Kurt. If you’re causing him trouble, I’ll have to stop you as the one who introduced you. And your tone is a bit rude to Mr. Kurt’s party, don’t you think?”

“Y-Yuri! You too…!”

Rosemary, seemingly shocked by this treatment, blushed in humiliation, on the verge of tears.

“Our family is the greatest noble house in Astram… And yet you disrespect us…”

“Ah, no need to cry…”

“I’m not crying!”

Despite her words, she was clearly on the verge of tears. But with no way to force Kurt, she could only stomp her feet in frustration.

Then, someone stepped in to support her.

“Mr. Kurt!”

“Huh? What?”

“Even so, isn’t it impolite to refuse an invitation from a Count’s family?”

Karina, with a worried expression, looked up at Kurt as she spoke.

She seemed anxious, as if there was a reason Kurt shouldn’t refuse the invitation.

This was unusual for Karina, who usually remained neutral or passively agreed in such situations.

Kurt, noticing her behavior, soon realized why.

‘Ah, Karina dreams of becoming a noble lady.’

Whether that dream truly represented a noble lady’s life was another matter.

“So, I’m not saying you absolutely have to go… It’s entirely your choice, but… Ignoring an invitation from Astram’s greatest noble is…”

“Finally, someone who understands!”

Karina, unable to outright demand Kurt to go, tried to steer the conversation subtly.

But her occasional glances at Kurt betrayed her true desires.

For someone dreaming of becoming a noble lady, the chance to observe a real noble’s life was undoubtedly a precious opportunity.

Especially a high-ranking noble like a Count, akin to a chef-in-training visiting a Michelin-starred chef’s kitchen.

Ultimately, under Karina’s gaze, Kurt sighed and raised the white flag.

“Haah… Fine.”

Truthfully, Kurt had no personal feelings toward Count Astram.

Refusing the invitation was more of a venting of frustration.

People approached him with curiosity or goodwill, but for him, each interaction added up, becoming overwhelming.

But he couldn’t just lash out at them, as they meant no harm. Thus, his nerves had become sharper than he realized.

So, when an unfamiliar figure summoned him without even showing their face, he felt annoyed and refused.

But…

“So, you’ll go…?”

“Yeah. Thinking about it, I overreacted. Let’s go. To that meal invitation.”

“Fufu! As expected, even a mere adventurer can’t resist the authority of Count Astram! A wise choice! Ohohoho!”

Rosemary, who had been on the verge of tears moments ago, quickly regained her composure and laughed like a proper noble lady.

Seeing this, Kurt’s party shared a common thought.

‘She seemed like a proper noble lady at first, but like Yuri’s friend, she’s not exactly normal.’

‘Wow, this dignified laughter! This is what a real noble lady is like!’

Except for one person who thought Yuri might find such thoughts rude.

And so, Kurt’s party was invited to Count Astram’s mansion.