I Became the Burden of a Conscienceless Party

57 – XX Tina (2)

XX Tina (2)

Although Tina became the successor and was reunited with the dean who had brought her in, the overall picture did not change. She continued to gain knowledge and explore ruins.

The only thing that has changed is that I meet La Pa more often.

I didn’t even know what the name stood for and I didn’t care.

“Yeah, how are you doing these days?”

“Well, what’s special about it? I just sit at my desk and study, and sometimes when I hear that a relic has been discovered, I jump out and look around.”

“My daughter, you still haven’t gotten rid of your pickpocketing habits and are still a grave robber?”

“Why is exploring relics with permission from the country considered grave robbery?”

“Indeed, this is legal grave robbery.”

“No, if you say it like that, I guess I have nothing else to say… … .”

Tina also thought that was why she was suited to archaeology. She couldn’t resist the opportunity to legally rip off the old heritages, as they say, a dog’s natural instincts don’t change.

Of course, even if the relics were found, they would not belong to her and would end up in the hands of the Imperial Cultural Administration.

If the reason other people search for relics is because of their endless curiosity, then Tina’s reason for searching for relics is not because of fun. She is fundamentally different from other people.

“In a way, you could call that a curiosity too.”

“You pack better than me.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t be the dean for nothing.”

“I’m asking because I have a question. Why are you hiding your appearance like this?”

“Huh? Me? No… … I never really hid it. As you can see, I look ordinary. Isn’t that why everyone thinks I’m an employee?”

“No, so why do you deceive people like that?”

“Oh, that’s the story.”

The atmosphere changed as if Rapha had just remembered.

A feeling of pressure that makes your body tingle.

Even though the shape of her pupils had simply changed to vertical, Tina felt breathless.

“Now that I think about it, you saw through it, didn’t you? I forgot.”

But it wasn’t as frozen as when we first met.

Because she has been training too.

As an archaeologist, traveling through ruins carries with it risks.

Basically, the ruins she explores are often of the royal tomb type, so there are plenty of traps and guardians to protect against grave robbers.

Among them, there were many dragon ruins, so it was necessary to have some training to survive the danger.

“Hey, you’re not scared anymore?”

“It should only happen once or twice.”

“Hmm, hmm. It seems to be ripening to a suitable degree… … .”

Tina let out a deep sigh as she saw Rapha getting up from his seat and walking around Tina to check on her as if he was evaluating her.

The pressure is still there, but she is no longer scared. She knows that Rapha really thinks of her as a daughter, regardless of how strong she has become.

This is also her feeling.

At least he was confident that Rapha would not be a threat to him.

“Yeah, I think it’ll be okay.”

“What?”

“This is a gift.”

That is why Tina accepted the gift from La Pa without any doubt.

A red orb, with flames flickering inside like eyes.

“What is this?”

“gift.”

“No, I’m asking what it is used for.”

“It’s a shame that scholars ask for answers without any intention of investigating.”

“Then it’s not a gift, it’s homework.”

“Haha, who the hell calls a kid like this a genius?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

La Pa was the only one who understood Tina. Wasn’t it her who had recognized her intuition and brought her here in the first place?

“Then, should I teach my daughter who finds studying annoying?”

“Hmm?”

Tina listened to La Pa’s words as she held the red orb in front of her eyes and looked inside it.

Then Rapha grabbed Tina’s chin and pushed the marble into Tina’s mouth.

“It’s an elixir.”

“Crap! Ku-ku!”

Tina coughed repeatedly as if possessed by a red bead suddenly running down her throat.

Rapha looked at her as if she was enjoying the sight, while Tina looked at her as if she was resentful.

A red jewel that has permeated everyday life like a joke.

“Haa… … So what kind of elixir is this?”

“Huh? You can check it out yourself later. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“Tsk, it’s annoying again… … .”

Tina couldn’t help but sigh at Rapha’s usual playful behavior, but she didn’t doubt it.

“Oh, that’s right. You’re on a mission this time. That’s why I called you today.”

“No, you’re telling me you’re getting to the point now? I thought you called me here just to have some small talk again… … .”

“If you talk about work while eating, the meal will become less enjoyable.”

“Oh, yes… … . Let’s do something like that.”

Tina scratched her cheek.

Because I thought that wasn’t something that someone who shoves beads down someone’s throat while they’re eating should say.

“Have any ruins been discovered? Finding an entrance? Dismantling a trap? Or interpreting a mural?”

“Well, unfortunately, this time it’s not about the relics.”

“Well, is that a difficult problem to solve? Do you know how much basic knowledge is needed to solve just one of those?”

“That’s not it either. I think you’ll like this job quite a bit, right?”

Rapha gave Tina a mission with a mischievous smile.

“You will now join the warrior party.”

“Hero Party? Hero… … . What?! Hero?! A hero appeared?!”

“Yeah, a while ago.”

“I’m hearing about this for the first time. It wasn’t in the newspaper or anything.”

“Haha, our information power is pretty good, right?”

“No, there’s no such department. They’re all just nerds who are good at just sitting at their desks and scraping the fan. Aren’t most of them just good at fiddling with the fan?”

“Well, that’s true. Then should I say that this information network is under my direct control?”

“hmm…….”

Tina sniffled.

Even though they are this close, she still doesn’t know what La Pa does. Is that all? She has never heard of his proper name, other than the abbreviation she taught him.

A line drawn clearly, a sense of distance, while seeming to be intimate.

Would it be okay for her to ask what kind of information network that was?

I think he is a successor.

Of course, her senses aren’t sounding any alarm bells.

It’s either possible or impossible.

Neither of them.

That’s why Tina felt like she shouldn’t ask.

Rapha noticed this and leaned back on the chair and said.

“Haha, I’m worried. Then how about this? I’ve found the location of the Holy Sword using the power of the great god. Ahem!”

“Oh, yes.”

Tina decided not to ask.

Even if I asked anyway, I didn’t think I would get a proper answer.

“Then what should I do? Should I just steal the Holy Sword?”

“… … Tina, you are a scholar. I hope you don’t forget your duty.”

“Are you kidding?”

“Huh, really? But there’s only one order I can give you.”

Rapha said, sticking his finger right in front of Tina’s eyes.

“Be friends with the warrior. And with everyone in the warrior party.”

“That’s it?”

“Yeah! Oh, no. Let me explain in a little more detail this time. The warrior’s companions include those who might join later.”

“Hmm… … Well, okay. I don’t know if we can be friends though.”

“You would do well, right?”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, that’s my feeling. I have a feeling you’ll do well.”

Rapha answered with a confirmation, removing his finger from Tina’s eyes.

Tina’s pupils, which La Pa had been pointing at, had now become exactly the same shape as hers.

“Then take care, Tanha.”

“So that’s because I’m Tina, not Tana. Do you have dementia?”

***

Tina joined the warrior party and eventually became friends with Esmeralda.

I think she would have become a friend even if it hadn’t been an order.

No, wasn’t the order just an excuse in the first place? Wasn’t it just La Pa’s consideration for Tina, who was the only one among the scholars without any friends her age?

Esmeralda was a funny girl.

A friend who has a bit of a naive side, but is serious when fighting and willing to sacrifice himself for his comrades.

I think he is a friend with a personality and character worthy of a warrior.

Saint Irina is innocent and seems to be ignorant of the ways of the world, and Milia is not very talkative, but is a good friend.

And what about the luggage?

Although he’s been having a hard time lately, he’s a friend who stands out for his sincerity and always quietly does his work.

“Haam… … .”

While Tina was dismantling the traps in the ruins and other scholars were investigating the architectural styles within the ruins.

I couldn’t control my loneliness and just yawned.

“What would the kids be doing now?”

Her friends.

Tina, although sometimes mischievous, was a rare conscientious person who genuinely cared for her friends.

Of course, because of her bad hand habits, she often makes mistakes.

All she has are good people who forgive and understand her.

“I want to finish work quickly and meet you.”

Tina was kind.

He was the epitome of innocence, without any ulterior motives and simply believing what his friends showed him.

Of course, there were many problems with her background and surroundings.

At least she was always sincere.

“Huh? Who’s coming?”

Tina, who was yawning and blankly watching the water droplets falling from the ceiling, sat up at the slight vibration she felt behind her.

Scholars basically work in groups of three because it’s efficient.

However, there are seven people approaching here now. That’s one too many to fight in two groups, and two too few to fight in three groups.

A situation where it is clear what has happened.

Tina quickly moved and headed in the direction they were coming from.

and…….

“oh……!”

She smiled brightly and sincerely at the sight before her eyes.

In addition to a group of scholars, she had friends.

She could easily infer the current situation by thinking about Esmeralda’s personality.

‘You guys, you came here without saying anything just to surprise me.’

Tina was impressed by him,

“First, let’s tie her up so she can’t do anything stupid! Millia! Tentacle attack!”

“Uh, yeah! Got it.”

“Hey hey hey hey hey hey?!”

Her friends first subdued Tina, who knew nothing about anything.