Chapter 66

We immediately headed for the Adventurer's Guild.

The Adventurer's Guild in Golden Dawn is incredibly large.

This is because the number of adventurers affiliated with it is beyond what a single city can accommodate.

Not only that, but a guild that has several B-rank adventurers, with Raidock's party at the forefront, is unlikely to exist outside the capital.

Normally, having one or two C-rank adventurers affiliated would be considered a great achievement.

The scale of the building is also extraordinary.

Thanks to Kyle's efforts, Golden Dawn provided a prime location with a spacious site. The building, which was completed with the provision of alchemically reinforced stone and other unprecedented privileges, is a magnificent seven-story structure with a training ground in the courtyard.

The Adventurer's Guild is an expert corps for monster extermination. Otherwise, it would be impossible for an armed group to be recognized by the state.

Despite its importance, it is often treated rudely by the state and nobility. However, Kyle understands its significance and always seeks equal cooperation.

Because of this, the trust from the Adventurer's Guild is exceptionally strong.

With this background, when we arrived at the Adventurer's Guild, the adventurers gathered there greeted us with smiles.

"Hey! Craft and Reifan! Looking for materials today?"

"Idiot, since Raidock is with us, it's definitely work."

"That's true. If you two have any questions, feel free to ask us!"

"Let us know if there's anything we can do! Though, with Raidock around, we probably won't be much help!"

"Ah! Not only Lord Kyle, but Craft and Reifan have also been very helpful! Feel free to consult us about anything!"

Two adventurers who were lounging in the guild's lobby were having such a silly conversation. It was nostalgic, and they must be a good team.

By the way, call Jitaro's name too. He's a bit down.

As we exchanged greetings with the adventurers, the catgirl Miko called out from the reception desk.

"Welcome back, Raidock! Craft and Reifan, welcome too!"

"Hey, Miko."

Raidock raised his hand in greeting to Miko.

Miko, despite being a beastkin, works as a staff member at the Adventurer's Guild.

This is likely a statement of support for Kyle's strong stance against beastkin discrimination. In a time when beastkin discrimination is still prevalent in some areas, it is heartening to see a beastkin sitting at the guild's reception.

"Raidock, since everyone is here, have you heard about the matter?"

"Yeah. Investigation and excavation. And also, it's a bit rude to call them newbies, but we've been asked to accompany a promising party that has only recently come to Golden Dawn. Have you heard about it, Miko?"

"Hmm, this is the first I've heard of it. Please wait a moment."

Miko, with the agile movements of a catgirl, stood up and went inside.

Soon, the guild master, Cynos Gashur, came running out.

"Sorry to keep you waiting! Lord Craft! Lord Reifan!"

He is probably the guild master who is most grateful to Kyle in the Adventurer's Guild. He is very polite to us as well.

The fact that the guild master himself comes to greet us, despite the guild's size, is a clear indication of this.

Cynos is the younger brother of Urban Gashur, who was the guild master before the relocation to Golden Dawn. It is likely that he also wanted to show coexistence with Kyle within the guild. Cynos is quite accommodating to us, who are treated as Kyle's close associates, and even sells rare materials at a fair price.

"Hey, I'm here too..."

"Apologies. Will Jitaro be accompanying us this time?"

"Sure thing! Leave it to me!"

"Thank you. Then I'll introduce you to the Casper sisters, who are scheduled to accompany you."

"Wow! They're supposed to be really beautiful!"

Jitaro, calm down. And don't set your expectations too high. These rumors aren't always reliable.

"Eh? Ah, yes, I think they are beautiful."

"Guild master, sorry, but ignore Jitaro."

"Craft, that's harsh!"

"Just be quiet for a moment. It'll complicate things."

"Alright."

He backs off easily, but Jitaro's expression clearly says "Hurry up! Hurry up!"

I shrugged and urged the guild master on.

"Ah, they're right there in the lobby."

Raidock looked in the same direction as the guild master. Sure enough, three beautiful women were drinking tea at the same table. From their gazes, they must be the Casper sisters.

"Then we'll take it from here."

"Alright, understood. Please take care of it."

With a bow, the guild master returned inside. He must be very busy, so Raidock probably didn't want to keep him.

"Wow! Those are the ones! They're really beautiful!"

Raidock chuckled at Jitaro's exclamation.

"Yeah, those are the ones. I've already greeted them, so no mistake."

"Leave it to me!"

"...What?"

Raidock was momentarily stunned by the unexpected response. Seizing the opportunity, Jitaro charged towards the Casper sisters.

"Stupid!"

We were too late, and a passing adventurer blocked our path, preventing us from catching Jitaro. He was already running wild.

"Hello! I'm Jitaro! Wow! All three of you are really beautiful! Even more than the rumors! You with the pointy hat, you must be a magician! The one with the short hair, you're a ranger, right? The short hair suits you! And the one with the wavy hair, you look great in that style! Are you a priest? I'll treat you to whatever you like as a sign of friendship!"

That idiot! He's overdoing it!

One of them, a woman with a pointy hat and a sharp gaze, is clearly a magician. Another is dressed like a ranger or thief, but her emblem is that of a swordsman, indicating a lightly armored warrior. The last one, with wavy hair and a priest's attire, is the only one who doesn't look like a sister, with her prominent assets. Jitaro's eyes were glued to her cleavage. Of course, she has the emblem of a priest.

The pointy-hat magician gives Jitaro a cold stare, but he doesn't seem to notice.

The short-haired one remains expressionless, apparently an emotionless type.

The wavy-haired one, on the other hand, is always smiling.

"Are you Jitaro? We don't know you. If this is a pick-up attempt, we decline."

"It's not a pick-up! This is destiny! Let's go on a journey together!"

"That's what they call a pick-up! 'Air Burst'!"

"Whoa!"

The compressed air exploded, and Jitaro was flipped over.

"...Hmm? I held back, but he seems tougher than I thought. Just to be safe, one more shot..."

"Wait! Hold it!"

Raidock and I rushed to the pointy-hat magician.

"Raidock?"

"Our companion was rude! We apologize, please calm down!"

"Sorry! Our idiot is entirely to blame, but please go easy on him!"

We both apologized. The pointy-hat magician looked at Raidock, then at me.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Craft. Craft Wauken. I'm part of the group with the idiot rolling on the floor."

"Ah, you're the famous alchemist."

"I apologize for Jitaro's rudeness. Please put down your guard."

The pointy-hat magician looked at Jitaro, me, and Raidock.

"I see. You are the companions the guild requested to accompany us."

"Right. You're beautiful, and our friend got carried away. I apologize."

When I apologized, the pointy-hat magician's eyes widened.

"Beautiful!?"

Ah, mentioning appearance on first meeting might not have been the best idea.

To calm her down, I decided to change the subject.

"Your magic earlier was impressive. Fast casting and optimal power."

"Is that so?"

Praising her magic rather than her appearance seemed to soften her expression a bit.

Yeah, let's go with this.

"Let's get to the point. I'm the eldest, Eva Casper. I'm the party leader."

"Ah, nice to meet you."

"Raidock, no need for introductions, right?"

"Right."

Eva's gaze towards Raidock seemed somewhat cold.

Is she disappointed by Jitaro's behavior?

Regaining her composure, Eva gestured to the short-haired girl next to her.

"This is my younger sister, Camille. She has the emblem of a swordsman and wields two swords. She's usually quiet but can talk a lot when she does."

Camille turned to face us.

It seems to be her way of greeting. Adventurers come in all sorts, so it doesn't bother me.

"Nice to meet you."

"..."

She looked at us curiously. She reminds me a bit of Mina, but Camille's emotions are even harder to read.

Eva sighed, but didn't comment further, and introduced the last member.

"This is Marilyn. She has the emblem of a priest and can use healing and support magic."

"Nice to meet you."

"Ah, nice to meet you."

Marilyn waved with a gentle smile.

She seems capable of social interaction.

In general, it would be best to talk to the leader, Eva, or Marilyn.

Reifan, who had been waiting for the right moment, stepped forward and took Eva's hand.

"I'm Reifan Haman! Just call me Reifan! Eva!"

"Reifan...? Are you the head of the Production Guild? I heard there's a skilled blacksmith there."

"Yep, but this time I'm joining the party, so I hope we can get along easily!"

"I see... Understood. Reifan, nice to meet you."

Eva seemed a bit taken aback by Reifan's enthusiasm but smiled and shook her hand.

It's reassuring to see Reifan getting along well.

"Ouch... That was a shock!"

Jitaro, who had taken a powerful hit, stood up as if nothing had happened.

"...You're quite tough."

"That's my only pride!"

Eva gave Jitaro a cold stare. It doesn't look like there's any hope for him, Jitaro.

"Hehe... I'll show you my best!"

Jitaro, oblivious to the atmosphere, declared his determination.

Well, if he's motivated, that's not bad.

Finally, it's going on sale tomorrow!

Regarding the release date of the e-book, I've posted an update.

In short, it will be released on the scheduled date (give or take a day).

Thank you!