Chapter 6

"Good, it's there."

The Adventurer's Guild.

I've been away from this town for five years, so I don't know how much the town has changed during that time.

Actually, the butcher's shop that should have been on the route here was gone.

The Adventurer's Guild probably wouldn't disappear, but it's still there.

I'm glad...!!

"Is this the Adventurer's Guild?"

Noem clung to my arm, trembling with fear.

"Yeah, it's the den of daredevils from all over the country, the Adventurer's Guild."

From gathering wild herbs to slaying monsters, exploring dungeons, and helping the guards chase criminals, it's a profession where anything can happen.

"Since it's all about strength, there are many rough people. Are you really okay, Noem?"

"H-Huh, I'm fine...!"

She doesn't seem very fine.

But there's no other way to go.

I resolved myself and opened the door.

I hope at least one person from five years ago is still here...

"Thanks."

"Sure thing, welcome!"

The one who greeted us as we burst in was a large woman.

Quite large.

She was taller than a grown man and had a well-built physique.

If you encountered her without any preparation, you'd probably be scared stiff and lose your composure.

"Kyaaaaaaahhhhhh!?"

And as expected, Noem was scared stiff and lost her composure.

"Kyaaaaaaahhh!? A ghost!? The Adventurer's Guild is a scary place, ohhhhh!"

"Okay, okay, are you here to register? But if you get scared just by making eye contact with me, you won't make it as an adventurer. You need to toughen up and come back."

Is that how you select new members?

"That guy over there didn't flinch. He seems to have a strong heart."

"Not really. I lost my composure five years ago too."

"Huh?"

"I'm still sitting at the counter. It's reassuring that nothing has changed."

The large woman didn't seem to understand, and she twisted her neck with a puzzled expression.

Well, it can't be helped. I only came here once before to learn about adventurer registration.

"......Could it be, Luke?"

"It's Ryuya."

"Right, right! You said you were coming five years ago! The kid who came just before the Blessing Ceremony and said, 'If I get a skill, I'll definitely register!' ...one of the four of you!!"

Amazing.

Considering that dozens of people probably come and go from the Adventurer's Guild reception every day, it's impressive that she remembered me.

"That's right! It's great to see that you're doing well, Rondaito!"

"I'm past the age where my life changes much. I probably won't change in ten years either."

The seasoned woman said with authority.

Five years ago... I visited the Adventurer's Guild out of curiosity before receiving the Blessing Ceremony, filled with hope for the future.

Becoming an adventurer was a realistic path after obtaining a skill.

Rondaito, who greeted me at the counter back then, explained the guild's system and the principles of being an adventurer in detail.

How old is she? I remember she said she was over thirty when I visited before...!?

"Anyway, what brings you here now? You said you'd come to register, but you stood us up. I remember there were three others with you, right?"

"It's about that..."

I briefly explained that it was my own Blessing Ceremony.

I didn't mind if Noem, who was standing next to me, could hear.

"Ah, if they knew you had a good skill, they probably bought it on the spot. I knew the church was ruthless, but they're still the same."

"I was the only one judged as 'No Skill' and taken away. I haven't seen my friends since then..."

Cleodroad.

Zeta.

Riber.

I wonder what they're doing now?

Given the impressive skills they received, they're probably living a luxurious life.

Back then, I felt jealousy and resentment, but those emotions were washed away through training.

Now, I might even want to see them again... but not really.

"So, I've been training alone to become an adventurer even without a skill. I've finally gained enough confidence...!"

I bowed deeply, my waist forming a right angle.

"Please! Will you register me as an adventurer?!"

"I also beg you!"

For some reason, Noem bowed with me.

"Ryuya is amazing! He saved me when I was kidnapped by bad people! Someone this amazing will definitely become a great adventurer! I promise!!"

Why is Noem so desperate?

With this desperate duo in front of her, the giant woman Rondaito smiled thinly...

"You guys are so silly..."

"Huh?"

"There's no requirement like 'skill holder' for adventurer registration. The ability to tackle any job, the right connections, and a heart that cares for your companions. If you have these three things, anyone is welcome in the Adventurer's Guild!"

"Rondaito...!"

"You should have come to me right away without training. I would have taught you the basics of becoming strong myself."

Rondaito is such a good person...!!

"Still, since you've trained, why don't you show me how strong you've become? Right here in the Adventurer's Guild."

"Will you register me?!"

"Of course, I've been saying that all along. Don't be so suspicious."

I'm sorry! I'm not used to sudden good fortune!

Yay!

"By the way, who is the girl clinging to you? She's too young to be your lover...?"

Rondaito's interest shifted to Noem.

No, she's definitely not my lover.

"Also, didn't you use some rather ominous words in the conversation? Like being kidnapped by bad people...!?"

"Yeah, that's what happened...!"

This is a good opportunity to report that Noem was kidnapped and held captive by slave traders, and that I happened to pass by and rescued her.

"I decided it was too difficult to bring multiple people along, so I killed them all on the spot. Is that okay?"

"Absolutely. Slave trading is a serious crime in this country. Since they were trying to attack you too, it was self-defense. Basically, any fighting outside the city is at your own risk."

"I took some useful items from the dead slave traders' belongings. I'll hand them over."

I handed over the documents I found while searching the slave traders' wagon.

They included ledgers of slave transactions, copies of contracts, and notes on business plans.

"Wow, these are great! With these, we can track down everyone involved in the slave trade!!"

"I heard that adventurers help the guards with criminal capture quests. I thought these might be useful."

"You're amazing! I've never seen anyone bring such a good gift before registration!"

It seems my impression has improved.

Of course, I had ulterior motives. I wanted to increase my chances of registration despite having no skill by showing my results first.

But thanks to Rondaito being such a good person, it turned out to be unnecessary.

"To kick out lawless people and even get valuable information from slave traders without a skill. You're quite a promising new recruit. Let me see your skills in action."

She handed me a card.

It was blank, with nothing written on it.

"What is this...?"

Noem peered over curiously from the side.

"Is this a guild card?"

"Exactly. You've really taken your studies from five years ago to heart."

The guild card is a necessary item and a ritual for registering as an adventurer with the guild.

"This card is a kind of magic item produced by the Magic Academy. If you drip blood on it and bind it with your soul, it can display some of your information on the card."

I explained to Noem.

Rondaito nodded in satisfaction, so I must have gotten it right so far.

"Shall we try it?"

"Sure. I gave you this blank card to register you as an adventurer."

With her permission, I bit my palm to create a small wound.

I pressed the wound to the card...

"Does it matter which part I press?"

"Any part is fine. The whole card is a magical medium."

Then...

I pressed my wound to the card, and my blood made it glow.

When the light faded, the blank card was inscribed with the following information, along with beautiful decorations.

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Guild Registration Information

【Name】Ryuya

【Level】17

【Skills】None

【Criminal Record】None

【Affiliation】Adventurer's Guild: Centorian Capital Branch

【Rank】F

【Suitable Jobs】All

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