Chapter 2

We returned with the Demon King's Amulet as proof of our victory over the Demon King and received rewards from His Majesty the King.

Cody received the position of Commander of the Albein Kingdom's Knights.

Miralca received a mythical bird, of which there are only a few in the world.

Yuma received an orphanage to take in children without families.

Aileen received a rare drink called "Divine Wine."

Some chose what seemed like odd rewards from the outside, but each was satisfied with the reward they chose.

The Demon King's Amulet, being a dangerous item that drains life just by holding it, was entrusted to someone who could suppress its power—so when I offered to take it with a face like a discarded stone, I was given the task. Otherwise, the amulet would have to be stolen from the royal treasury to return it to the Demon King.

If one has the ability to suppress the amulet's power, it can become a powerful piece of equipment—this I kept hidden. I prefer to have as many cards up my sleeve as possible. Even if I may never use them, just having them gives me a sense of security.

In any case, as a member of the Demon King's slaying party, I was also entitled to a reward.

"Richard Silver. It seems you did not achieve as much as the others, but you did indeed reach the Demon King with the party. While you cannot have everything like the others, state one wish."

"…Your Majesty, please allow me to correct that. Richard was… to us…"

Cody seemed to feel a sense of gratitude for my support. This boy with his well-structured face, brown hair, and eyes, always wears a gentle smile, but now he looks desperate, as if he wants to ensure I am properly evaluated.

"Cody, I appreciate your sentiment, but I didn't do that much."

While it was a kind offer, I shook my head. I didn't want my abilities to be overestimated in front of the king and his attendants.

"Hmm… However, you have taken on the responsibility of guarding the Demon King's Amulet, and you must be rewarded accordingly."

"I… no, I just followed along. It took all my ability just to reach the Demon King. As for the amulet, I thought it would be safer if someone unknown held it, as they would be less likely to be targeted."

Even in a formal setting, using "I" feels a bit awkward. Still, my speech is casual, but the king was lenient.

"Still, you are a member of the Demon King's slaying party. Do not be modest, brave young man."

Miralca muttered, "Richard, you liar," with a look of dissatisfaction. Yuma, as usual, smiled without saying anything, but she seemed to want to say something. Aileen, impatient for her divine wine, fidgeted and looked around restlessly.

I, like the others, am still young. We will likely grow more beautiful like butterflies emerging from their cocoons.

It's a bit sad, but today is our farewell. We formed a party solely to defeat the Demon King.

"Even though you did not directly engage the Demon King, you supported them as a companion on the journey. Now, once again, state your wish."

"Your Majesty, I would like to request… a permit to establish a new guild in the capital…"

To become a guild master, I would not work myself but gather adventurers to achieve great deeds. The adventurers would be the ones in the spotlight, while I would focus on gathering and training them.

It's not uncommon for SSS-ranked adventurers to retire and become guild masters—of course, it requires funds and connections, but I believed I could negotiate with the king to resolve these issues.

The key is not to aim for the top guild. Being at the top means being too visible, which is not ideal.

By not aiming for the top and remaining inconspicuous, the reality is—both the adventurers and the quests in my guild would be of the highest quality.

To achieve this, I needed to create a system where everyone kept my guild's excellence a secret, and only those with rare quests knew of its existence. It might take time, but with careful preparation, it was not impossible.

"Guild master… Richard, you were thinking of such things…?"

"The souls of the adventurers gathered in the guild… I wish to calm them…"

"Hmm, that sounds interesting. Hey, can we visit your guild for fun?"

The three girls showed positive reactions, but I put that aside. If they visit occasionally, it shouldn't interfere with my role as a guild master. Since they are all famous, I would prefer they disguise themselves.

"To establish a new guild… Our country has twelve adventurer guilds, but the twelfth guild's activities have not been favorable, and the guild master was dismissed last month. If you use the existing guild house, Richard, you can start your activities as a guild master immediately. Or do you prefer a new guild house?"

"Is the guild house in a place that is not too conspicuous?"

"Yes, it is located on the 12th Street, the worst in terms of security in the capital. This was one of the reasons for its poor performance… Do you want to reconsider?"

The king repeatedly confirmed, thinking it natural that no one would want a second-hand guild house with poor location. However, as an adventurer with a strength of 100035, I am not concerned about the security.

I plan to create a secret organization—no, a guild that secretly attracts the best quests from around the world, dealing only with people who have reasons to visit such a place.

A guild that failed and was dissolved is convenient for me, as no one would expect the new guild master to be a significant figure.

"Yes, that guild house is more than sufficient. I will gratefully use it."

"Hmm… I feel a bit hesitant, but if you insist, so be it. I think you are being too modest, but perhaps it is because you are young and have different aspirations than adults."

Frankly, it seemed the king was relieved that I did not ask for his daughter's hand in marriage. Perhaps he was prepared for that, as the princess was on standby to enter the audience chamber at any time—Richard and Cody would have to apologize for the failed attempt.

◆◇◆

After the audience with the king, we were called for a meeting to discuss the parade in honor of the heroes who defeated the Demon King—however, everyone except Cody refused to attend and left the castle.

"You guys are really… No, I guess I knew this from the start."

Cody asked for time before the meeting and chased after us as we tried to leave the castle. At a stone bridge near the city gate, the five of us chatted in various poses. Miralca leaned against the bridge's railing with her arms crossed, Yuma sat on the ground in a proper position as a priest, Aileen sat on the railing, Cody stood, and I sat in a relaxed manner.

"I wanted to defeat the Demon King to get the Fairy Bird. Now that I have it, I don't want to be a spectacle."

"Fairy Bird, such a cute little bird♪"

"If you say you want to calm souls, I'll pinch your cheeks. Yuma, you're so young, yet you have the spirit of a high priestess. Running an orphanage is a noble service, even for adults."

"I saw many hungry children in the towns we passed through. I made a promise to them. After defeating the Demon King, I told them to come to the capital and rely on me."

I wondered if she was really nine, but I was also showing my head from the age of five, so I couldn't say much.

"…By the way, I just heard that Yuma is the daughter of a high priest?"

"I didn't say anything. I'm the same, and I'm sure Aileen didn't talk about her family either."

After traveling together for about three months to defeat the Demon King, we still didn't fully understand each other—perhaps it was better not to know too much about each other as a team.

"Hey, Dick, can we drink this divine wine together when we grow up? I thought I could drink it because I look like an adult, but they said I couldn't when they saw my guild card. I have to wait until I'm 16."

"Ah… sure. But when you visit my guild house, please disguise yourself so no one recognizes you. You're all famous, you know."

"That's a troublesome request. I'll do what I want. Don't tell me what to do."

"O-oh…"

Miralca, without realizing it, was saying she would visit my guild house. I wondered what she needed from me, given how she had been so aloof during our adventure.

"At least come through the back door. Everyone in the capital knows the name 'Cute Catastrophe.'"

"…I told you not to call me that. It's really disappointing that the ignorant masses call me a catastrophe just because they can't appreciate the beauty of annihilation magic."

"Will you study at the magic university… or with your father?"

"Y-Yes, I plan to…"

Now I had a better understanding of Miralca and Yuma's backgrounds. Miralca is likely the daughter of a faculty member at the magic university in the capital. Cody, with parents who are adventurers, grew up watching them. He was a genius who surpassed his parents at the age of four but still spoke highly of them.

"Ah, right. Cody, you're strong, but just in case, don't die for the sake of the country or anything like that."

"…I can't match you. I know you'll be annoyed if I say this, but I believe I've survived this far thanks to your warnings. I think that way."

"O-oh… well, don't take it too seriously, or I'll be at a loss for how to react."

"Haha, sorry. I won't die for the country, but I might die for my beliefs. That's what a swordsman is, I think."

I sometimes wonder if the ability to say such things with a straight face is a necessary talent for a hero.

"Ah… I have to go back soon. Everyone, let's meet again sometime, somewhere."

"Yes. In your absence, I hope you will be celebrated as a hero."

"Cody, good luck."

Cody returned to the castle, and the rest of us stayed for a while without dispersing.

"…Hey, Dick, where are you from?"

"I'm the son of a farmer from a rural town. The specific town is confidential, so I can't reveal it."

"S-So… will you go back to the countryside…"

"No, I have many older brothers. I planned to leave home anyway, so I'll stay in the capital."

I answered casually, but a subtle silence fell over the group. I'm not good at reading such atmospheres, but I thought I needed to get better at it.

"Can I see your guild house, Dick? It's sad to part like this."

"I'm a bit lazy to go home now, so I might stay at Dick's place."

"…W-Well, my home is nearby, and Dick keeps looking at Aileen with lustful eyes, so I'll go to keep an eye on him. As a supervisor."

"Ahaha, boys are so hopeless. When I say 'bye-bye,' Dick gets so happy."

I wanted to say, "I'm not happy," but I was relieved by the unexpected turn of events. Even for someone like me, who has overcome loneliness, the idea of parting ways was a bit nerve-wracking.

"Then let's go to my hidden guild house. Everyone, disguise yourselves before we go. I don't need to, but you should."

"Again with your weird preferences… If you keep saying such troublesome things, you won't find a husband."

"Ah, but you listen to me. Miralca always ends up listening to Dick, doesn't she?"

"S-Such a thing… I just have the capacity to indulge a child's whims."

"Ahaha, that's good♪ We are like this, aren't we, from now on♪"

Yuma, without her usual soul-calming remarks, was displaying her usual sisterly charm, and I felt like giving her a piggyback ride, but I refrained from getting too carried away.

Though we were no longer a hero party, we could still interact as individuals. I thought it would be nice to occasionally ask for their help for the guild's development, and I was genuinely happy about it.

---

And so, I became the master of a dilapidated guild house on the 12th Street of the capital.

With the funds provided, could I run the guild without drawing attention and make it a place where adventurers and quests from around the world gathered?

The plan began to take shape five years after I established the guild.