Chapter 29: Confession

 

"...!"

 

Grave, who had expected that Milia would be just as tight-lipped as Lisha and Rain, was caught off guard by her reaction.

 

"Oh? Let's hear it then."

 

Grave leaned forward and glared at Milia.

 

"The truth is, I am actually Hero Milia."

 

Milia's confession was not about the 'Blade of Black Mist' but about her true identity.

 

In the lonely cell, she had decided to reveal this in an attempt to resolve the situation.

 

However, Grave had no way of knowing the internal struggle Milia had gone through.

 

"...Huh?"

 

Grave, taken aback, couldn't help but let out a confused sound.

 

"As I said, I am Milia, the Sword Hero. Due to certain circumstances, I registered under a false identity."

 

"N-no... I won't be deceived by such a lie. The Hero Milia was supposed to have died during her journey."

 

"That's not true. Hero Milia contracted the 'Curse of Magic' and was abandoned by her companions. Rain was the one who saved me when I was on the brink of death. I have proof."

 

As she spoke, Milia showed her guild card with her real name to Grave.

 

"T-this is absurd..."

 

Grave's hands, holding the guild card, trembled.

 

Then, with a magnifying glass, he cautiously verified its authenticity.

 

"W-what? It's undeniably real... So that means...?"

 

"Yes, I am Hero Milia. I swear to the king that I would never betray him, nor would I associate with anyone who harbors such thoughts. Have your doubts been cleared now?"

 

Grave was bewildered by Milia's sudden confession.

 

However, if it was true, it explained many of the suspicious points.

 

Despite being a newcomer, she and Rain had defeated an area boss together. Rain's accomplishments did not match his background, and they had added a high-ranking adventurer like Lisha to their party.

 

If she had hidden her identity for some secret mission, then detaining them was a grave mistake.

 

Grave broke out in a cold sweat.

 

◇

 

Since there was nothing else to do, I had been taking a nap when the guard woke me up.

 

For some reason, the guard's demeanor was different.

 

Just a while ago, we were treated like criminals, but now they were being excessively polite.

 

The magic-restraining device had been removed, and I was free. They said we were being moved from the underground to the surface.

 

Does this mean our innocence has been proven...?

 

"Rain-sama, this way, please. Watch your step. Oh, there's a step there!"

 

"Uh, okay..."

 

Even if our innocence was proven, this sudden change in treatment was suspicious.

 

"What's with the sudden change?"

 

"My apologies for the earlier rudeness. Grave will explain everything."

 

"I see."

 

It didn't seem like the guard would answer any further, so I followed him to the surface.

 

Inside the guild building, Milia and Lisha were already there.

 

Both had their silver restraints removed and were free.

 

It was still not dawn yet; the sky outside was still dark.

 

"Rain!"

 

"Thank goodness you're safe."

 

"Yeah, I'm glad you two are okay as well."

 

While we were locked up, I was worried about them.

 

We hadn't been together for very long, but my companions were special to me.

 

"So, what is all this about?"

 

I asked the guild master, Grave.

 

For some reason, Grave, looking pale, dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the ground—a full prostration.

 

"Huh?! What are you—"

 

"I-I am deeply sorry!! I-I didn't know! I had no idea you were Hero Milia and her companions! Please forgive me...!"

 

...Huh?

 

Hero Milia...?

 

I glanced at Milia.

 

"I told them...!"

 

I see.

 

So, Milia revealed her true identity to prove we weren't suspicious.

 

"Was it okay to tell them?"

 

"Yes. I'm fine now."

 

"I see. If you're okay with it."

 

Milia had said she was scared to face the hero party that had abandoned her.

 

I understood her feelings and had suggested she use a false identity, but seeing her expression now, it seemed my worries were unfounded.

 

She was stronger than I had thought.

 

"Master, please raise your head. We were hiding our identities too, so it can't be helped. Milia isn't worried about it anymore."

 

"As Rain said! It's fine now!"

 

With Milia and me calming him down, Grave finally stopped his prostration.

 

"I didn't think it was a secret mission... The world is full of surprises..."

 

Huh? A secret mission...?

 

Ah, maybe Grave misunderstood that Milia was hiding her identity for some job.

 

Well, explaining it would be a hassle, so if he wants to believe that, it's convenient.

 

"As long as you keep it a secret, it's fine."

 

"Y-yes...!"

 

"Yeah, that's right..."

 

Milia and Lisha played along.

 

For now, let's just get through this.

 

"You are truly kind... Even though I treated you so poorly... I have the utmost respect for heroes. Hero Milia is exactly as I imagined..."

 

I wonder what kind of image he has...

 

In this world, to prevent the Demon King's army from obtaining information, very few people know the faces of heroes. Because of this, the image of heroes is often idealized.

 

"If there's anything I can do to apologize, please let me know. How about it?"

 

An apology...

 

I looked at Milia and Lisha.

 

"In that case... It would help if you could prioritize our requests so we can become A-rank adventurers as soon as possible."

 

Milia understood well.

 

What we need most now is to rank up.

 

Fighting stronger monsters to increase our abilities, but as low-rank adventurers, Milia and Lisha wouldn't gain much experience, and it's not enough for me either.

 

If we can rank up to A-rank quickly, we can start progressing ideally.

 

"I see, that's no problem at all. In fact, considering your abilities... I can issue a special request under my authority."

 

"A special request... Like the exception made when obtaining the adventurer qualification?"

 

"Exactly. Complete one task, and I'll raise your rank to A immediately."