"A C ranked party… Are you sure?" Dara asked.

Wait, that's what so surprising about this?

I mean… Sure, we're a C ranked party but you know… That wasn't even a full fledged dragon. We've already fought other dragons before anyway so… What's the big deal?

"But… The way you fought… It felt like I was watching a veteran party working together. And the dragon was even at a disadvantage against you… Just… How?" Dara muttered.

Oh… I think I've forgotten that my party is basically a little out of the norm… So I guess when we're compared to other C ranked parties, we're basically doing the impossible.

I cleared my throat, "Ahem… While it's true that we're C ranked Mercenaries… We have been training ourselves by fighting more dangerous monsters before. So… Our Mercenary rank doesn't really reflect our experience."

Dara quickly lowered his head slightly, "Ah, I understand. I apologise sincerely for my rude assumptions."

Rude assumptions? I don't understand… What does he mean by that?

Katsuki's voice then spoke in my head, 'Mistress… They had been thinking you were a fraud.'

I couldn't help but make a face when I heard that.

'Fraud? How would we even lie about this? He literally saw us fight the dragon didn't he? What? Did he think we got someone to transform into a dragon and then killed them or something? Or like the dragon was fake?' I retorted through our telepathy.

'They were thinking that someone else might have already been fighting the dragon and weathered it down and we only came along to finish it off.'

'I mean… Even if that's the case, they can't deny that we actually managed to fight it right? They can't deny that!'

'As I mentioned, Mistress. They believe that the dragon might have been weakened by another party and we basically came in and stole their kill.'

'Ah… And I guess doing something like that is considered taboo?'

'Especially when the other party is still after it, Mistress. And then you claim that kill for yourself, it is considered quite rude and unethical. And if the monster is of a really high rank, you might even be penalised by the Guild for claiming the kill, sometimes even an expulsion.'

That serious huh…

Wait… If we're going by that train of thought… Why do I have a feeling I know what is about to happen next?

And as if to confirm my fears, someone stood up from one of the tables in the crowd of Guild members.

"I call her a liar! There's no way what she said is true! A C rank group beating an A rank monster?! If that really is the case, I might as well be an S rank!! I challenge her to a duel to prove that she's actually capable of fighting that monster!"

Yeah… Figured that someone would try to challenge us…

Dara spoke up for me, "It's alright! I can vouch for her! I saw how her party fought the dragon from a distance and they indeed have the skill to fight a monster of that calibre! I was just momentarily distracted by their rank and forgot about that which made me doubt them! There's no need for this!"

The accuser pointed a finger at Dara, "Oh yeah?! How do we know that you aren't in on this? Maybe you got paid off by them to lie for them! I ain't buying it!"

Dara opened his mouth again but I placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

He turned to look at me and I shook my head to show that it was fine.

I let out a sigh before turning to the challenger, "Very well. If it would put this matter to rest, I accept your challenge. How would you like to challenge me?"

"What are you proficient in?!"

"I can use both magic and swords, which would you rather challenge me in?"

"What did you use to fight the dragon?!"

"My swords."

"Then I challenge you to a melee duel as a dual axe wielder!! Right now!"

He stepped away from his table and the surrounding people stepped back to make space for us while he pulled out his two axes from his back.

Alright then… Let me just do this…

I materialised both of my swords in my hands and activated both of their enchantments at the same time.

I also wordlessly activated [Strength] to buff myself and also used my Electromancy to let a little spark of lightning spark around my body, making myself look more menacing.

I think I made quite the sight with my Light Sword being illuminated by its enchantment and my Shadow Sword burning with its black coloured flames.

That, coupled with the lightning that was periodically sparking out from my body, really made me feel quite menacing even if I say so myself.

And I wasn't even the only one to think so because the guy with the axe paused and stared at me in surprise.

Well… I also heard some distinct moans coming from behind me but I chose to ignore to watch the axe guy instead.

Come on girls… Control yourselves… We're in publ-- Oh wait, they don't care about public indecency… Nevermind.

I was expecting the axe guy to make the first move but he unexpectedly dropped his weapons and raised both his hands in surrender.

"I… Please forgive me… I surrender… I really had no sense at all… I can't believe I even doubted you… Please let me off…"

Well… That's a surprise. I was sure that he would at least attempt to fight to save some face but it looks like he just gave up.

I turned to the others in the room, "Anyone who isn't convinced?"

No one else said another word.

I deactivated my enchantments and spells before I stored my swords away, dusting my hands for a moment before turning back to the Guild staff.

"So… Where were we?"

Dara actually let out a rather feminine giggle, "Fufu~ I believe we were just in the midst of registering you as the party who completed this Request."

The Guild staff shook herself out of her stupor and quickly nodded, "Y… Yes! That's right! Please give me a moment to process this!"

The Trasif quickly got to work and we were credited with the completion of the Request and granted the reward for it.

With everything settled, Dara told me that his party would be staying in town for a few days and if I wanted to, I could look for him and we could have a meal together.

Before he could say anymore, my girls appeared around me and pulled me away, telling him that we would think about it before we left the Guild without a second glance back.

I'm guessing Dara was trying to ask me out for a date and my girls wanted to pull me out of there before I could agree to it.

Come on girls… You're not giving me enough credit… Of course I wouldn't say yes to that!

… Unless he mentions that there's sweets or something… Than maybe I might be tempted to…

Ahem… Anyway!!

"I suppose now… We should head to the inn? Or should we find a shrine to Drebann first for me to report about… Whatever we found out?"

"We might as well just go to the shrine first, Aster. In case things don't turn out the way we hoped and we have to leave the town instead of staying the night," Minnera suggested.

I understood that she was indirectly stating that Ira might still be watching and we might have to evacuate from the town in case she decides to attack us or something. If we didn't leave, we might end up dragging the rest of the town into that mess.

I nodded, "I suppose we should do that… Where is the nearest shrine dedicated to Drebann?"

Emilia was the one who raised her hand, "There is one near our accommodations, Boss. If you would allow me to lead the way?"

Well, that's convenient.

Emilia took the lead and we moved through the town once again. Judging by the direction we were heading in, it seems like we were going to the very centre of the town itself.

Eventually, we reached a tree that was curiously smaller than all the other trees around it but it was still bigger than a building which allowed the Trasifs to turn it into a shrine of sorts.

Unlike the temples that I have come across so far that had an interior area for people to pray in, this one only had an outdoor area with the entirety of the tree's interior dedicated to carving out what was supposed to be Drebann in the wood of the tree itself.

The girls hung back as I approached the statue, wondering if I had to use my Divine Communication Stone to meet with him.

I decided to just try and pray to him first before I did that so I clasped my hands together to pray to Drebann.

Any moment now, I should be opening my eyes to see him, right?

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