"Hey, I thought I had assaulted a woman, so I was seriously worried!"

"Regardless of gender, your actions are not something to be praised."

That was true.

Qiong Xing had been carried under one arm more times than he could count, and he had also been slapped hard enough to make him choke on several occasions.

Even so, the fact that they had accepted him like this meant more than anything.

"Eat more. Put on some meat!"

He had started sounding like a neighborhood aunt.

Rohen tried to stop him with an exasperated expression, but the training-loving old man showed no signs of stopping.

"You are so scrawny that I ended up misunderstanding you. Since you do not seem like you will get any taller, at least do something about the rest of you."

"Am I being indirectly insulted right now?"

Rohen apologized on his behalf, but Qiong Xing could not help feeling a bit drained by being told such things so directly.

"Then, to prove I am a man, how about we solve this with a good old fist fight?"

Despite the difference in build and strength, Qiong Xing had magic, so he had a chance.

Just as he was about to suggest trying it, everyone present immediately stopped him.

"Dungeon?"

"Yes. As part of training, we enter dungeons several times a year. We also have a few adventurers from the guild assigned to assist us."

He omitted unnecessary explanations, assuming any adventurer would understand.

"So you are asking me to go into that dungeon with you?"

"No, it is less that you can go, and more that we are asking you to come with us..."

Finding the phrasing odd, he looked toward Sarin, only to see him giving a wry smile while glancing at Qiong Xing seated beside him.

"Sorry about that. His rank is still F. He also does not usually do things like herb gathering."

"Eh?"

Qiong Xing looked back at them with a gentle smile, seemingly not understanding the situation at all, tilting his head as if to ask what was wrong.

Rohen’s face twitched.

But it was not his fault for reacting that way.

Even having let his guard down, the man had defeated the captain earlier, and with magic like that, it was natural to assume he held a much higher rank.

The request Rohen had made to the guild this time was for adventurers to assist in training soldiers inside a dungeon.

High-ranking soldiers often entered dungeons as part of their routine, so they regularly requested guild support for such exercises, but...

"Qiong Xing... have you perhaps never been to a dungeon before?"

"?"

"Yes."

Qiong Xing lost all strength and collapsed onto the desk.

Sarin, probably, patted his shoulder gently as if to comfort him.

"I should have told you in advance as well. But I think this child’s abilities will be fine."

"...Um, was I not enough?"

Seeing Qiong Xing look apologetic, Rohen could not bring himself to say that his rank was insufficient.

"His rank is low simply because he has not taken high-rank requests. He himself does not care about rank and only does the herb gathering he likes. He may not have much physical strength, but he can use magic to a reasonable degree... so yes, why not try something like escort training instead? He should at least be able to protect himself, so there should be no risk of injury, right?"

I see. A change in perspective.

Soldiers fight in war, but at times they must also become shields to protect the country and the king.

Rohen acknowledged Captain Narka’s strength, but he was the type to charge into enemies with brute force rather than think strategically.

In that sense, Rohen would be better suited for escort duties.

Since their training mainly focused on physical conditioning, this might actually be a good opportunity.

If they were to bring a noble for training and let them get injured, it would defeat the purpose.

"That sounds good. Then please arrange it that way."

Given that Qiong Xing often visited their unit, he was unlikely to provoke fights with soldiers.

Some hot-headed adventurers would forget it was a request and end up arguing with soldiers every time, or in the worst case abandon the job and leave.

In that regard, there was no need to worry about Qiong Xing.

In fact, he seemed like the ideal escort target who would be calmly protected.

"Is that alright with you, Qiong Xing?"

"Um? What exactly am I supposed to do?"

"It’s not exactly ’do nothing,’ but we would like you to be protected by us. If danger arises, someone like you who can also defend yourself should be able to avoid any worst-case situation."

Qiong Xing silently hoped that nothing would go wrong, but there was always a chance something unexpected could happen.

If he completed the escort safely, the request would be fulfilled.

"Hmm? Understood. Um, is this request only for me? Can I bring Albe with me?"

"Yes, that is fine. He seems like he would properly protect you. And even if we told him to wait, he would probably worry too much to stay still anyway."

"He is quite the worrier. Albe, my mates, and even my children."

Even while saying it was embarrassing, Qiong Xing looked genuinely happy.

After that, they continued discussing what items would be needed...

"Huh, is that all you eat?"

"Yes, that is correct..."

Dried meat that lasted long, hard bread, and water. Nothing unusual, but Albe seemed quite surprised.

"That is normal for adventurers as well. It lasts longer and keeps the luggage relatively light."

Sarin nodded as if to confirm that.

"I see... um, does this request finish in half a day?"

It seemed the food situation was quite harsh for him.

"No, ideally we would need one or two days."

Qiong Xing shrank slightly at that answer, and Rohen felt a strange sense of guilt, as if he had just bullied a small child, even though he had done nothing.