Chapter 41

"High-quality monster cores, you say?"

The silver-haired maid, Silfa, in front of me looked surprised.

She is my caretaker and bodyguard.

"Yeah, Silfa used to be an adventurer. I thought maybe you might have one."

She was once an A-rank adventurer.

Being the daughter of the knight commander, she had practiced swordsmanship by becoming an adventurer for training.

I thought someone like her might have a monster core, but... Silfa shook her head.

"Unfortunately, that was a long time ago. Besides, monster cores are valuable. I sold mine for a high price when I retired from being an adventurer."

"Ah, I see. That's a shame."

Hmm, a swing and a miss.

I thought it might work, but it seems it won't be that easy.

I guess I'll just have to wait for Dian to get one from somewhere.

As I slumped my shoulders, I noticed Silfa smiling.

"Lord Lloyd, how about you get one yourself?"

My heart skipped a beat at Silfa's words.

Is she talking about the time I sneaked out of the castle and went into the dungeon?

"What!? What are you talking about, Silfa? Haha, ahaha..."

I responded with a dry laugh, but Silfa continued to smile.

"If you want something, you should go get it. That's the adventurer's way. How about it, Lord Lloyd, why don't you become an adventurer?"

It doesn't seem like she's talking about the time I sneaked out.

I breathed a sigh of relief... and then burst out laughing again at her earlier comment.

"An adventurer!? Who, me!?"

"Of course, Lord Lloyd."

Silfa smiled brightly. This is her serious face.

"Actually, I proposed to His Majesty the King the other day. Lord Lloyd's sword skills have improved greatly. How about registering with the Adventurer's Guild for further training?"

What is this maid saying all of a sudden?

No matter what, it's impossible for a prince like me to become an adventurer.

"The answer was yes."

"Yes!?"

I couldn't help but interject.

"His Majesty said he wants Lord Lloyd to see the wider world. Becoming an adventurer is not a bad decision. It's a good opportunity, and he expects great things from you. ...I was given permission on the condition that I accompany you."

"R-really? That's... interesting..."

I remember hearing stories about third sons of noble families who aren't heirs and eccentric royals becoming adventurers to make a name for themselves.

If I think about it, it's not that strange for me, who has no claim to the throne, to become an adventurer, right...?

I replied with a bewildered expression, but when I thought about it, I could finally go out into the world.

Even if Silfa is with me, it's exciting to go outside the city.

I can try out various magic and get practical training in controlling Shiro.

"Alright. Let's go to the Adventurer's Guild then."

"Yes!"

I took Silfa and headed to the Adventurer's Guild.

***

In the central part of the city, on a prime location facing the main street, stood a particularly large building.

This place, where men and women with a typical adventurer's appearance come and go, is the Adventurer's Guild.

"It brings back memories,"

Silfa murmured, looking up at the building.

Her eyes seemed to be lost in thought, reminiscing about the past.

I wondered what kind of person Silfa was when she was an adventurer.

While thinking about this, I opened the door and stepped inside.

"Lord Lloyd, I'll wait here. Please go register."

"Got it."

I followed Silfa's instructions and headed to the guild counter.

The people sitting at the bar were grinning at me.

I must be a rare sight as a child. It's a bit embarrassing.

As I was thinking this, something suddenly stretched out at my feet.

In an instant—thud!—a man sitting next to me fell over.

"Aaaaaah! It, it hurts!?"

The man screamed and writhed, holding his leg.

What happened?

"Heh, this guy has a constant magic barrier up. It activates automatically when attacked. It must have felt like kicking steel."

Grimo was saying something, but I couldn't hear it over the man's screams.

There's no need to talk to him. I'll just ignore him.

"W-wait!"

As I tried to leave without a care, the man staggered to his feet.

"You little brat! How dare you mess with my leg!?"

He shouted and lunged at me.

I was startled, but the magic barrier automatically activated and blocked his attack.

"Aaaaaah!?"

His right hand bent in an odd direction, and he screamed again.

What is he doing?

I don't understand, but the Adventurer's Guild is a scary place.

"G-gr-gr... You'll pay for humiliating C-rank adventurer Sir Galahad! I'll beat you to a pulp—"

As he said this, he was sent flying.

"Lloyd! Long time no see!"

The one who stepped in was a black-haired girl in a martial arts uniform, Tao.

She is a martial arts expert and a user of 'ki', and has a particular fondness for handsome men.

We fought together before, and she's an acquaintance.

"Long time no see, Tao. How have you been?"

"Good, but what brings you here?"

"I came to register as an adventurer."

"Really! Then I'll show you around. This way."

Tao led me to the counter by the hand.

I feel like everyone is staring at us, but it's probably just my imagination.

"Damn...!"

The man got up, pushing away the overturned table.

His face was red, and several veins were popping out of his temples.

He was reaching for the sword at his waist.

"Stop right there."

A stern voice came from behind the man.

It was Silfa. She was lightly holding his shoulder, but he couldn't move his arm any further.

"If Lord Lloyd wanted to, your head would have been separated from your body ten times over."

"Y-you... You're the Silver Sword Maiden, Silfa Langris!? I heard you retired, why are you here...?"

The crowd around us buzzed at Silfa's appearance.

"Today, I'm accompanying my lord for his adventurer registration."

The buzz grew even louder.

"Hey, did anyone see what stopped Galahad's attack just now?"

"No, I didn't see anything... It was like magic."

"That's amazing. She's a legendary adventurer who became A-rank at a young age, and the Silver Sword Maiden recognized her lord."

"Plus, she's good friends with Tao, who has been rising quickly and reached B-rank in no time."

"Who is this guy...!?"

Everyone was talking, but the buzz was too loud to hear.

To be this much of a focus, Silfa must be really impressive.