Adventurer’s Guild

The adventurer’s guild was more modest than I had imagined.

Located in the center of the village, it was a simple two-story wooden building that was surprisingly humble for such a central location.

With only a few windows and a sign, the exterior looked like an ordinary house.

If not for the guild sign, I might have passed by without noticing.

“Hm? Is this the adventurer’s guild? It’s smaller than I thought…”

I had envisioned a grand, bustling place filled with adventurers.

“Is this all?”

I asked, slightly disappointed.

Evan looked embarrassed and scratched his head.

“Our village isn’t a big city, so it’s difficult to establish a large guild branch here. The Shia Kalt Mountains are a dangerous region.”

As we entered the guild, an even more surprising sight unfolded.

The interior was completely empty.

Only a young woman sat at the reception desk, and there were no signs of any adventurers.

“Is it usually this quiet?”

The woman at the desk startled at my question.

She had neatly tied brown hair and wore the guild uniform.

Her name tag read “Lina.”

“Where are the Brian and Arthur parties? I wanted to show them my human form.”

Evan looked uncomfortable and replied.

“I just returned to the village, and I heard they’re out on a quest.”

Ryandel nodded in agreement.

“When we arrived in the village, there were hardly any adventurers. Most were out on quests.”

“Sigh…”

I let out a sigh.

It seemed I wouldn’t be able to meet Brian and Arthur again.

It was a bit disappointing.

I had wanted to show them my human form.

Evan looked even more uncomfortable at my disappointment.

Then Ryandel quietly approached Evan and whispered something.

“Guild Master, you should be cautious when dealing with Lycoris. She…”

The two began speaking softly.

‘What’s there to be cautious about?’

I wondered but assumed it was Ryandel being considerate.

From what I could gather, he was explaining that I should use honorifics when addressing the master and Nis.

Very important advice.

Good job, Ryandel!

In the meantime, I approached the reception desk.

Lina still looked tense, staring at me.

“Make me an adventurer’s certificate.”

My request caused a stir among the people around us.

Especially Karl, who stood there with his mouth agape.

“M-make you an adventurer…?”

Karl managed to stammer.

“Why? Can’t I be an adventurer?”

My retort left Karl even more flustered.

“I mean, it’s not that you can’t… but Lycoris, you’re not human…”

“Huh? Thorben isn’t human either, but he’s an adventurer!”

I pointed at Thorben, who stroked his beard nervously and spoke up.

“Well… Dwarves are considered human. Legally, at least…”

“But I look just like a human! Who wouldn’t think I’m human?”

Miel agreed with me, fluttering her wings wildly.

Cecilia also nodded, flickering a small flame on my shoulder.

The humans looked at a loss for words.

If I’m in this other world, I have to become an adventurer!

Lina looked uneasy and began to speak.

“Well… to register as an adventurer, you need to have a rank…”

“Then naturally, I should have the highest rank! National power level or SSS-rank!”

Lina bit her lip, looking even more anxious.

“I-I mean… S-rank is the highest, and the exam only goes up to A-rank. S-rank is awarded based on achievements…”

“Then make it S-rank. My achievements include saving this village, protecting adventurers in the labyrinth, and awakening Seraphina and Beatrice.”

I said confidently.

Lina looked even more flustered.

She bowed her head and scratched the desk with her fingers.

“I-I’ll need to discuss this with the Guild Master…”

At that moment, Evan and Ryandel finished their conversation and approached us.

Evan’s expression had changed slightly.

He looked more serious and cautious, yet also respectful.

“What were you discussing?”

Lina quickly explained the situation.

Evan thought for a moment, then nodded decisively.

“Very well. I’ll create an S-rank adventurer’s certificate for you.”

“Of course!”

Starting at the same A-rank as Arthur’s party is just ridiculous!

The humans all gasped.

Lina stared at Evan with wide eyes.

“But Guild Master, S-rank requires approval from the central guild…”

“I’ll take responsibility. Don’t worry.”

Evan’s firm response left Lina unable to argue further.

She quickly began preparing the paperwork.

Evan led me to the second floor.

The Guild Master’s office was surprisingly spacious and cozy.

The walls were adorned with various maps and monster illustrations, and the bookshelves were filled with thick tomes.

Warm sunlight streamed through the window.

“Please, have a seat, Lycoris.”

Evan gestured to the sofa in front of the large wooden desk.

I happily took a seat.

Cecilia hopped off my shoulder and perched on the desk, while Miel continued to circle above me.

Rote hovered near the ceiling, and Glacia naturally lay down beside me.

Her soft, squirming form was quite adorable.

As I leaned back on the sofa, Evan began to speak seriously.

“I heard earlier that you’re headed to Deathmere.”

“Yes, to meet the Master. It’s a great journey.”

I replied proudly.

Evan nodded deeply and continued.

“Then… could you tell me more about the Master? How does Frostia view humans… and are there any complaints?”

I tilted my head in confusion.

Why ask that?

“The Master isn’t particularly interested in humans. Her interest is mainly in treasures these days, and lately, she’s been focused on me. Hehe.”

I said with a bashful smile.

Miel’s wings fluttered faster, as if agreeing.

Hehe!

Miel seems to approve!

Evan nodded and walked to the bookshelf.

He pulled out a thick, leather-bound book.

“Do you know much about Frostia’s past?”

“Her past? Well, the Master is a dragon who has lived for seven thousand years and is the ruler of the Shia Kalt labyrinth.”

Evan slowly opened the book, revealing pages with silver snowfall and a burning city, people fleeing.

“This is a story from about six hundred years ago. After Arthur encountered Frostia, I investigated the legend.”

I was drawn to the illustrations and leaned closer.

Miel also fluttered down, curious about the book.

“This was the story of the kingdom of Genes, which once stood where Rostelia is now. There was an event called the ‘Pitch Black Winter’ that led to its downfall.”

“The Pitch Black Winter?”

Evan nodded.

“At the time, Rostelia was a prosperous nation, but one day, black snow began to fall. Like ashes from the sky…”

His voice grew softer.

“According to legend, the kingdom’s prince stole a treasure from a dragon. That dragon was…”

“The Master!”

My eyes sparkled.

Evan nodded cautiously.

“The black snow didn’t stop. It fell for a week. Crops withered, livestock froze, and eventually, the people…”

“Wow… That’s incredible!”

Causing a dangerous snowfall that destroys an entire kingdom? Amazing!

I couldn’t help but admire it, covering my cheeks with my hands.

“And in the end, the Master appeared and single-handedly destroyed the kingdom?”

Looking at the magnificent dragon illustration, I said.

Evan and the others exchanged uneasy glances.

They hadn’t expected my reaction.

“I mean… many people died…”

“It’s so cool! The Master is truly powerful!”

I exclaimed, jumping up from the sofa.

Cecilia also flew up, spreading her red wings brightly.

“The Master is so intimidating when angry! I haven’t seen that side yet!”

Miel agreed, circling the book.

Glacia, however, simply lifted her head and lay back down.

Evan’s expression hardened.

“Lycoris… That was a terrible disaster. Many lives were…”

“But it was the prince’s fault for stealing! You humans also execute people for wronging emperors or kings, right?”

“I-I mean… that’s true, but…”

My logical argument left Evan speechless.

He closed the book, looking uncomfortable.

I could tell why he brought this up.

Cowards!

“Don’t worry. The Master wouldn’t do something like that easily. Just don’t steal from her or make her angry. Same with Nis.”

I said, sitting back on the sofa.

Ryandel then asked cautiously.

“Could you tell us… why Frostia is in Deathmere with Nis? Is there a special reason?”

‘Well… They’re just lying around drunk. But I can’t say that. The Master’s dignity is at stake.’

“They’re doing very important work that requires my help.”

My response turned the humans pale again.

Evan cleared his throat and asked.

“Could this… important work pose a danger to humans?”

“No, not at all. There’s no need to worry. It’s a matter between the Master, Nis, and me.”

I reassured him with a smile.

Evan nodded, seeming to relax a bit.

He then asked me various questions.

How I polymorphed, how I interacted with humans in the labyrinth, about the monster Belez, and the structure of the labyrinth.

I answered vaguely.

…

Before I knew it, hours had passed, and the sun had set, giving way to the moon.

The moonlight streaming through the window caught my attention.

The round moon hung high above the village.

As the moonlight touched my fingertips, a strange emotion stirred in my chest.

‘Festival of Slaughter…’

I leaned back on the sofa, feeling tired.

But my mind wandered to Michel’s blood feast.

“Michel must be craving blood…”

I muttered to myself, swinging my legs.

An exciting sensation tingled through my fingertips, thrilling my entire body.

‘Yes, and since the Master wants to be informed, I should start right away!’

A small, sweet smile spread across my lips.