Setting aside the Yelantiel Holy Woman issue for now, how should I respond to Lakyus's invitation to join Blue Rose?
From Iri's own perspective, having the identity of an Adamantite-ranked Adventurer team member would make everything more convenient.
At least she wouldn't need Arshe's help to enter a city every time she caused trouble. Ainz-papa wanted the Steel Rank identity back then precisely to gather information more conveniently.
So, joining Blue Rose would make her just like Ainz-papa, wouldn't it? And now she even understood why Lakyus would suddenly invite her. To her, Iri should be someone of unknown identity and origin. What was her purpose in letting someone like her join the team?
It's better to figure that out first before deciding! Iri thought, completely oblivious to the rather strange look in Lakyus's eyes.
At Irubyue's reminder, standing at the door like this wasn't ideal. So, Lakyus suggested they go to the inn where they were staying to meet the other Blue Rose members and talk further.
Other members, huh? Gaguran and the Twin Ninjas, right? What were they doing?
As the captain, Lakyus was hiding alone in this place. When she met Irubyue, she also looked like she was returning from outside. Generally, aren't Steel Rank Adventurers quite free? Did something happen?
After tidying herself up, Lakyus then led the questioning Iri and the bewildered Arshe back to the inn that the Boss had previously disliked. This time, since Lakyus was bringing Iri back, so...
"Lakyus-onee-chan, just now... when I came to find you, this really mean uncle chased me out. If I hadn't met Irubyue, I probably wouldn't have seen you." Iri hadn't forgotten how she had been treated just now.
"Uncle! I've told you many times! Stop chasing away my clients! This one might be a new member of Blue Rose in the future!" Lakyus immediately flared up at the Boss when she heard Iri's complaint. It seemed this wasn't the first time.
"Hey, hey! Lakyus, you can't just 'randomly' say that, can you? Hmm? Is this little sister the Holy Woman you mentioned?" Just as Lakyus was scolding the innkeeper, a very cheerful auntie's voice came from upstairs. Needless to say, it had to be Gaguran.
It wasn't just Gaguran who came down, but also the Twin Ninjas, Tia and Tina. If she remembered correctly, the Twin Ninjas were from the Empire, so she needed to pay attention to that.
"Yes, this? Little sister... is the rumored Yelantiel Holy Woman." Lakyus ignored the Boss directly when she saw Gaguran and the Twin Ninjas return.
"I told you I'm not some Holy Woman, and you can just call me Iri." Iri said discontentedly.
Why do people always misunderstand that she is that Holy Woman? Just now, Arshe also said she was that Holy Woman. How could that be?
"Although she is very humble and doesn't admit it." Lakyus said with a smile.
No, no, this is not a question of humility at all. I already said I'm not! Lakyus must have misunderstood something. Well... although she was somewhat unwilling, she would just use this 'Holy Woman' reputation for now!
"Tina, Tia, how are things?" After that, Lakyus directly pulled Iri and Arshe to their private reception room. Can it be said that they are indeed a Steel Rank Adventurer team?
Having a private reception room in an inn... Is this really a case of 'city people know how to play'? But that wasn't the point. The point was the question Lakyus asked the Twin Ninjas as soon as she entered.
"The situation is not optimistic, Boss." One of the Twin Ninjas replied, the other nodding.
Honestly, their appearances were identical, and Iri couldn't tell them apart. But that wasn't important. The key was what situation they were talking about? Why was it not optimistic again?
"Let's not talk about that for now, Lakyus, what's this about the new member you mentioned?" Gaguran interrupted Lakyus, who wanted to continue questioning the Twin Ninjas.
"..." The Twin Ninjas' questioning gazes also focused on Iri.
"You must have heard the rumor, right? The Holy Woman who single-handedly eliminated two Stone Poison Lizards, even created a large hole directly in the mountain, and can also use sixth-tier healing magic. She would be very helpful in boosting our combat power, wouldn't she?" Lakyus said.
Uh... What about my own wishes? Aren't you going to ask? Iri complained inwardly. She hadn't agreed to join them yet, had she?
"After all, that's just a rumor, right? Not to mention single-handedly eliminating two Stone Poison Lizards, can she use sixth-tier healing magic?? This little sister?" Gaguran looked Iri up and down and said.
Gaguran's suspicion was not without reason. Gaguran had personally seen the holed mountain near E-Rantel and the mark cut through the forest. Those feats should have been accomplished by a powerful elemental magic 'caster'.
Given the existence of Black Warrior Feifei, who defies common sense, it's one thing to consider whether this seemingly frail little sister in front of her is an extremely powerful magic 'caster'. But to also be able to use sixth-tier faith-based magic is beyond imagination. Even Lakyus, a descendant of the Thirteen Heroes, couldn't do that.
"Of course I can!" Iri, upon hearing Gaguran's doubting tone, immediately became displeased. Her earlier caution about Lakyus's intentions to recruit her, and so on, all went out the window.
"..." Irubyue, who was watching the show from the side, also harbored doubts about this, but she didn't say it explicitly.
Although she knew that Elizabeth was Feifei-daren's younger sister, and Feifei-daren was so powerful, his sister shouldn't be weak either. However, being able to use such destructive 'offensive' magic and also high-tier healing magic was really outrageous. She had lived for so long and had never seen such a person. Moreover, was it too hasty to recruit someone into Blue Rose based solely on a rumor?
"Even she herself said she can, right? So..." Lakyus continued, and then was interrupted by Gaguran again.
"You wait a minute, you're not seriously thinking of recruiting this little sister just because you heard a few rumors, are you?" Gaguran said.
"Mm-hmm!" Lakyus showed a sparkling expression and nodded, only to see Gaguran holding her forehead, looking troubled. Seeing Gaguran like this made Iri even more displeased.
"I say, Lakyus... we are a Steel Rank Adventurer team, and the missions we accept are high-risk missions... Although she is Feifei-daren's sister, letting her join the team based solely on rumors..." Irubyue's attitude on this was similar to Gaguran's. She was also worried about what would happen if Feifei-daren's sister, so hastily brought into Blue Rose, encountered danger? How would they explain it to Feifei-daren?
"Eh? Irubyue, what did you say? This little sister is Fei Fei's sister? The sister of that ridiculously exaggerated good man?" Gaguran immediately noticed the key point.
"That's right, Fei Fei is indeed my older brother!" Iri declared proudly. This way, they wouldn't doubt her abilities, right? Iri thought.
"This is truly unexpected!" Gaguran had a surprised look on her face.
"And she's Fei Fei's sister! Irubyue!" Lakyus suddenly pulled Irubyue over, turned her back, and lowered her voice to speak to Irubyue.
"Since she's Fei Fei's sister, if she's in Blue Rose, won't you have more opportunities, Irubyue?" Lakyus whispered.
"!" Irubyue suddenly had an epiphany. That's right! If Feifei-daren's sister was a member of Blue Rose, wouldn't it be easier to get close to Feifei-daren?
Her strength didn't matter. Anyway, she was Feifei-daren's sister, and she would definitely protect her with all her might. In fact, the weaker she was, the better, wouldn't that allow her to better show herself off?
"Gaguran, I think there's no problem with Elizabeth joining the team!" Irubyue turned around and said, feigning composure.
Uh... as expected, women in love have no brains, even old women who have lived for hundreds of years are the same, Iri complained inwardly.
Iri, whose hearing was always excellent, naturally heard the whispers between Lakyus and Irubyue. What exactly was Lakyus trying to do? What was her intention in wanting her to join Blue Rose so badly? Iri became even more wary.
"Then how about this! If the little sister can beat me! Then I'll have no objections!" Gaguran snorted.
As expected of a physical combat type. It's always about strength. It's just... before that, did you overlook my own wishes? Iri couldn't help but complain inwardly. She had never said she wanted to join them, had she?
"Ah... Gaguran, you see, Iri-meimei is a faith-based magic 'caster', right? Isn't it a huge disadvantage to go against a warrior like you? That..." Lakyus immediately became anxious when she saw Gaguran propose a fight.
Oh... so Lakyus didn't actually think highly of her? Then why did you want to recruit her? Iri understood even less.
"According to that rumor, didn't Iri-meimei eliminate two Stone Poison Lizards by herself? With that kind of combat power, dealing with me should be easy, right?" Gaguran retorted.
"That... this... it's a rumor! You can't believe all rumors, right?" Lakyus said, looking guilty.
Hey, hey!! Lakyus, what do you mean by this? What exactly do you want? Iri understood Lakyus less and less. If she had so little confidence in her, why recruit her into Blue Rose? Iri's temper also started to rise, seeing Lakyus's attitude.
"It's fine, if Gaguran-onee-chan wants to test me, I'm ready anytime." Iri said.
Regardless of whether she wanted to join Blue Rose or not, being underestimated to this extent, she definitely couldn't tolerate it. She'd teach them a lesson first, and then decide whether to join or refuse based on the situation after the fight. That's what Iri was thinking.
"Onee... Oh, oh! Iri-meimei, you're quite sensible, then fine! Without further ado, let's quickly find a spacious place and have a good fight!" Gaguran laughed heartily and patted Iri's shoulder several times with great force.
"Okay!" Iri, who had taken several 'heavy blows' from Gaguran, responded as if nothing had happened.
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