On second thought, it wasn't such a bad idea to continue living under the name Riehen Schuitz. With my current specifications, even if I hid some of my powers, I could earn enough money to retire with just a few more years of work. Of course, in that case I would have to give up coming back...
But so what?
I had already adapted. This world was no longer as terrible to me as it once was, and in recent days I had even begun to think that it was better than my old life. Here, I had people I could trust and people who believed in me, connections I never had while living like Hansu Lee.
But... There are no guarantees that I will be able to hide my identity forever.
I wondered how long I could live like Riehen Schuitz. No matter how careful she was, it wouldn't be forever. Not only was life unpredictable, but there were already too many witnesses. In the end, word would spread about Riehen Schuitz. Even if Raven made a false report, Clown had been there. He would probably tell it at the Round Table, about the interesting guy he met. And since Deer was also part of the Round Table, the news would inevitably reach the palace.
Also, I showed him the Gachabone essence.
Although it was a little-known essence, after doing some research I would be able to identify this essence and discover the increase in Bone Density it provided to users. At that moment, he would realize that he was originally much taller. But the most decisive factor was another.
Auril Gavis.
I still didn't know what that old man had done to me by giving me this superficial gift. Simply put, even if I hid my identity and lived in the shadows, I couldn't guarantee my safety that way. So the conclusion I came to was the same as always. Just as the shaman told me when he predicted my chaotic destiny, I had to become stronger to be able to face whatever came my way.
***
¡Whooom!
While we were busy discussing the future in the office, the crystal ball on the table began to vibrate.
«It is a message stone for military use connected directly to the command center. I guess we'll have to end this conversation another time».
Well, Raven couldn't dedicate all her time to us during a war. Honestly, I had also started to wonder if it was okay for us to sit around talking like that.
«We will be outside.»
«No. There is no need. You are my escorts, after all. Please stay quiet while I'm on the line.»
«If you say so.»
Raven answered the command's call and spoke with them in a business tone, then summoned all the officers of the unit.
«Deputy Commander, we are…».
«Don't worry about them. They are my escorts».
«But, we're in a meeting...»
«Are you going to make me repeat it?»
Wow, he was really born to be a commander. It's wonderful how such a harsh voice can come from someone so small.
«Then let's start the meeting. I just received orders from Command. They say they have detected no signs of enemy life within the walls».
Anyway, while staying by Raven's side, we were able to get an idea of how things were developing. First of all, it seemed that the enemy troops surrounding the lake had risen and disappeared. This occurred two hours after the entire body was removed to the warships.
«It could be a trap. To get us to abandon ships of our own free will.»
«I'm not sure. I think the theory that they retired has more weight».
«Everyone, please, silence. Theorizing doesn't make sense. The command has decided to mobilize troops from each unit to carry out a search.»
It seemed like Raven had already thought about who to send because, without hesitation, she selected the members and sent them to join the search team. A while later new information arrived from the newly formed squadron.
«There is nothing visible on the lake shore».
First, the shore of the lake, which had been filled with undead Clown creatures just a few hours ago, was completely empty.
«The second search team has discovered traces of large-scale magic in the area».
Confirmation soon came that it was a Multiple Teleportation circle. Once the Golden Wall was activated, people could not teleport inside, but the opposite was still possible. The command center concluded that the enemy had retreated.
«Another waiting order has been issued. It may be uncomfortable, but we will wait on the ship until the Golden Wall disappears and the main unit returns. Our alertness will also remain at this level».
«Yes ma'am! I'll pass that on to the adventurers too!»
Under the command's orders, all troops remained on board and did not venture to the lake shore.
¡Shaaaa!
Eventually, the Golden Wall ran out of power and disappeared into mana dust, and we met up with the main unit once they returned from their expedition. Only after that did we go out to the lake to clear the battlefield. The main unit waited about a day to confirm that the area was safe, and left behind some additional troops as they headed for another campaign.
«The objective of the main unit is to find the base of Noark, true?»
«Yeah. The entrance, to be exact. It is most likely connected to a specific area, such as the center of the Crystal Cave. If we can find that place and occupy it, we can study how it was possible for them to get here in the first place.»
Wow, being part of the main unit must also be hectic, if they are going to register the seventh floor as such a large army.
Just as he thought this, Raven let out a long sigh. «Still, I'm glad this ended without any major casualties».
It wasn't without major setbacks, but at least no one had died or anything like that. Now that this particular mess was resolved, I was beginning to feel like it was finally over.
«I really hope nothing else goes wrong before we return to Rafdonia».
Hey, be careful what you say out loud.
Raven's growl left me uneasy, but I was sure nothing else would happen. Now we had many troops.
Just then, a line written on one of the documents on the table caught my attention. «...Patrol squad?»
«Oh that? I guess the superiors had a lot of opinions on this incident. Even though it was a small team, no one noticed the enemy until they had already infiltrated our base.»
«So you decided to deploy patrol squads?»
«Yeah». Raven gave a short answer, since she was busy, and then went back to her paperwork.
Aren't you bored of staying locked up here? I'm getting so sore that my saliva is starting to taste sweet.
«Sir, are you bored?»
«A bit?»
«So, do you want us to take a walk together?»
«So who will protect Raven?»
«There will be no problem. That woman will be left behind, anyway».
Erwen's words provoked Amelia. «...Who says it?»
«How susceptible. You can go rest when we both get back».
Ugh, they're going to end up fighting again.
«Both, enough. I don't want to go for a walk». I mediated between the two and then collapsed in my chair to pass the time. Boredom set in even more.
Anyway, a patrol squad, huh?
It may have been an impulsive idea, but it seemed better to me than sitting here like this. At least he'd be out walking while patrolling. And since I would run into a lot of monsters, it would give me the XP I was missing.
It could even reach level seven.
I didn't have to think about it much. «Raven, what do I have to do to join the patrol squad?»
«...You can't.»
"¿Hey,
«We have already elected all the members. Furthermore, in general, a mission cannot be changed once assigned: it is a matter of principle. Otherwise, everyone would just accept the easy missions. There is also the question of equity».
Ah, of the veo.
I nodded and asked another question. «But isn't it still far away?».
«...Mission reassignments are possible at the discretion of the unit commander».
What... were you kidding me? How petty.
«That commander is you. You can change it-»
«I said no. I'm not going to do it».
«…¿Eh?»
«I said I'm not going to do it for you. Who knows what trouble you'll cause out there». Raven put her foot on the ground without even looking at me.
Of course, that wasn't a big deal. I wasn't one to give up like that. «Hahaha! Is that what worries you?». When I laughed like nothing he had said was much, Raven looked confused.
What is that look? This is the problem with nerds. It's as if their brains are so dense that they can't think flexibly.
«The problem is that you wouldn't be there. So we can go together».
When I offered him a solution, Raven narrowed her eyes and looked me up and down. Then he asked an unexpected question. «I'm just asking out of curiosity, but is there a race similar to barbarians in your world?».
Ah. Ugh. Um...
In the end, I managed to join the patrol squad. This was because Raven was a pragmatist.
«Let me join!»
Silence.
«Let me join! I promise not to cause problems!»
More silence.
«Let me join!»
This was Barbarian Parrot Mode. Once I used the technique to which I owed much of my success in the Crystal Cave all those years ago, Raven was forced to stop ignoring me and react little by little.
«Ugh, why are you so stubborn about the strangest things?!»
«Then let me join!»
«I said no! And if I haven't said yes in more than four hours, you should know how to take the hint and stop!».
«I don't know anything about that, just let me join!»
Sigh ...
Once your opponent stopped expressing his anger and sighed instead, it was a promising sign that he was resigning. I continued to exploit that openness and Raven finally gave him permission, probably concluding that this was better than being distracted from his work for the rest of the mission. However, that didn't mean I succumbed solely to my tenacity.
«Ugh, really! Why are you so stubborn?! You just have to stay a few more days».
«... Because there are monsters outside.»
"¿What?"
«I already told you. I have to get stronger.»
«Ugh, really... What am I supposed to do if you say that?».
And that's how they gave me the OK. Of course, I didn't get Raven to accompany me. I told her that I preferred to go with her, but the Command did not allow it.
«I'm the only wizard who can use Golden Wall here. I have to stay in case something happens».
Come to think of it, she was a valuable resource. «Then I'll leave Emily or Erwen here.»
«If it's to keep an eye on me, it's not necessary. I was fine without you, Mr. Y-I mean, Mr. Schuitz».
Hmm, I'm still worried, though...
«I'm fine, really. Just don't cause trouble out there. In particular, don't use gigantization. And don't neglect your patrol duties just because you're killing monsters. Y....»
I had to listen to a long list of warnings as if I were an apprentice before Raven contacted her superiors to change my mission. Only then was I able to get out of the barracks. Coincidentally, there was a patrol squad about to leave.
«You must be the new additions. It is an honor to meet you, Miss Tersia». When we arrived at our destination, the patrol squad leader began by confirming our specifications. «Blood Spirit, since archery and elemental spirit magic are your specialties, you can place yourself at the center of the formation... Are you both close in combat?».
«That's right.»
When I nodded, the team leader asked about our skills in more detail. Amelia, who was an Agility-based damage, was placed on the left wing of the formation.
«Judging by your heavy armor and shield, it looks like you were in charge of the vanguard».
Excuse me, how could this little body take a beating?
Before they called me a tank, I rushed to cut him down. «Usually I'm the one who destroys things».
«...Sorry? So your shield?»
«It's just for decoration». I put the shield into subspace and grabbed Kraul's Demon Crusher with both hands. «I'll stand on the right».
After all, it wasn't like I could let go and use gigantization if we got into a fight. So I deserved to sit well and enjoy a close range damage dealer position at least once, right?