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「In that case, you get the herb instead. You feel bad for my boy, don’t you?」

When the mother approached us while saying so, I couldn’t forget her indescribable expression.
Immediately after, she was taken away by the guild staff. Left being unable to do anything, we―Shelate and I―were brought to a room that only had chairs and a table and told to stay there until things settled down.

「Were we wrong in doing what we did…」
「No, you did the right thing. Because of your action, at least one life was saved.」

Hearing my exhausted mutter, Shelate responded. Certainly, she has a good point. She―Ailneige didn’t seem intent on giving away the medical herb back then. We weren’t there from the beginning, but from how it looked, it seemed like she planned on leaving without accepting the request.
Besides, the lady―the attendant―who was with her was glaring at the mother with discontent.

As Ailneige mentioned, even if the medicinal herb were given to the mother, there’s no assurance that the boy would be saved. The medicine needed appeared to be special, so it’s probably not easy to make.
In that case, she should’ve accepted the other request from the start. Ignoring the matter of rewards, she must have already known that the client of the other request was capable of producing medicine from the very beginning.

Perhaps because I silently retreated to my own thoughts and she couldn’t bear the silence, this time, Shelate let out a mutter.

「However, there certainly were some points to reflect on.」
「Which is?」
「We should have asked about the female client’s situation first. I would have never thought that she had no knowledge of how to properly utilize the herb she needed.」
「That’s… Certainly true.」
「Additionally, it was wrong of me to have treated people differently because of their financial status… as an acolyte who stands for equality, I feel ashamed of myself.」

Saying so, Shelate hung her head. She seemed to be genuinely ashamed; her expression was glum.

「I―I understand that feeling, Shelate. The place I was born in wasn’t that prosperous of a place, you see? I’ve seen a good number of people dying to diseases because they didn’t have the money for the cure, so I really wish for a world where even those without money can be saved.」
「Right―I feel the same way as well. I’ve seen the less fortunate suffering due to not having the money to pay many times in the past, as well as those that flaunt their money to get whatever they want.
However, there’s a limit to what the church is capable of curing, and there are medicines that even the wealthy cannot easily acquire.」
「And she―Ailneige knew that?」
「That… Perhaps she did. However, she declined your request, didn’t she?」
「That’s… That’s right.」

Before the start of classes, I asked Ailneige a favor and she declined.
While we’re both hunters, I grew up being taught that cooperation is important; in fact, I’ve been helped by many people, so I really didn’t expect to be refused, and it left a strong impression on me.

Becoming a hunter at such a young age, she must have received the help of many people as well, so I felt a bit upset about her refusal. However, it’s not like people like her are uncommon. There were hunters that only focused on their work and wouldn’t turn an eye on troubled young hunters, after all.
I haven’t really interacted much with those kinds of people, so I don’t have much to say about them. But honestly speaking, I don’t have a good impression of them.

That’s why I feel a bit disappointed at Ailneige.
Being already an E-rank hunter, I’m sure she has the ability to help our fellow classmates if she wanted to. With her capabilities, I just can’t help but think she could be more helpful towards other people.
I try to reach out to people who seem to be in need, and I never hesitate to help when people ask me for advice.

I was told by many that growing strong and reaching out to other people is the best way to repay those that helped me in the past.
When I previously asked how I could pay back the veteran hunters that helped me, I was told to just help others like they do. It wasn’t only 1 party, but many hunters who have been of help to me.

I was deeply moved by this, so I want to be like them as well.

「About that medicinal herb, how much do you know about it, Shelate?」
「The one Ailneige had―the Rifolgo grass, right? I don’t know much about it, but it apparently has the ability to improve the potency of medicine. I recall reading that it’s very rare as it only grows deep inside forests crawling with B- and A-rank monsters.
It’s a well-known medicinal herb, but considering its scarcity, it wouldn’t be strange if it’s generally thought of as an all-cure in the public perception.」
「And since it’s a herb collection request, the people who don’t know much about it will think that, other than it being difficult to find, it should be just an easy request.」

When we were told to find the medical herb instead, I was personally fine with agreeing, but before I could respond, the guild staff took the woman away. After that, I was then taught that that request was something not even high-ranked hunters would readily undertake.

At the same time, I felt afraid of the woman for posting that request.
Still, not being able to do anything for someone in need makes me feel restless.

「Rifolgo grass, was it? Maybe we should at least try to find it.」
「Let’s see―」

Rather than doing nothing, I want to at least try. Hearing my answer, Shelate was about to say something in response, 「Now I can’t allow that,」 but she was cut off by a harsh, gravelly voice.
Turning to the origin of the voice―the room’s entrance―a tall, bald man with clothes outstretched by his muscles was standing there with a threatening look.

「On whose permission were you allowed inside here?」

It was so sudden, but I stepped forward to hide Shelate from the man and responded with a low voice to level with him.
The man let out a heavy sigh before sternly staring at us.

「I’m the leader here, the guild master; I gave myself permission to come here. This is generally a staff-only area; you were only brought here because the situation called for it.」

Hearing that, there was nothing I could say. Now that I think about it, the only people who would be allowed here are the people of the guild.
As I was lost in thought, perhaps due to knowing the man’s identity now, Shelate stepped forward and commented.

「Even so, I don’t believe you should be eavesdropping on people’s conversations.」
「You call it eavesdropping when you’re just speaking out loud inside the guild premises? If you really don’t want to be overheard, then minimize your voice wherever you may be.
In the first place, the reason you were brought here is, other than you attracting too much attention, to talk about what happened today and to prevent more thoughtless actions. Like, for example, attempting to complete a request with a risk level far above your rank.」

To the guild master’s response, Shelate was at a loss for words. What the guild master said was correct, so I can’t argue either.

「And for this incident, depending on your behavior, we might have to penalize you.」
「Why!?」
「Just listen first.」

Hearing that we’ll be penalized, I couldn’t keep my cool. Why do we have to be punished when we haven’t done anything wrong?