Chapter 32

The royal capital of Rune Leria has continued to expand over its long history, and there is now no clear definition of where the royal capital ends.

Sometimes, the term refers to the vast Rune Plains where the royal capital is located, and other times, it refers to the area enclosed by the nine main roads, informally called 1st Avenue to 9th Avenue, which are laid out at intervals of about 5 kilometers, centered around the central avenue that runs north-south through the heart of the royal capital, and the 1st Street to 9th Street, which are laid out centered around the trade avenue that runs east-west through the heart of the royal capital.

Incidentally, the royal palace is located inside the intersection of 1st Avenue and 1st Street, at the southeastern edge of this vast urban area.

This is because the royal capital has continued to expand in the northwest direction from the royal palace, which was established with the Rune River at its back.

The headquarters of the Explorer's Guild is located near the intersection of 4th Avenue and 4th Street, at the center of the main roads that run through the royal capital of Rune Leria in all directions.

Of course, it would be inconvenient to have only one office of the Explorer's Guild to manage such a vast royal capital.

Therefore, branch offices are set up in four locations, including the eastern part of the royal capital, near 1st Avenue and 5th Street, which is close to the Royal Academy.

At first, I was planning to go to the eastern branch office of the Explorer's Guild in the royal capital, as expected.

But due to the recommendation of Senior Riad, I decided to come all the way to the headquarters in the center of the royal capital.

"Because it's customary for a high-ranking official from the headquarters to be dispatched when a student from the Royal Academy, who will shoulder the future of the country, registers as an explorer. If you want to receive hospitality from the branch office director for about two hours while waiting for the high-ranking official to arrive, it's fine to go to the eastern branch office, but what do you think?"

When Senior Riad asked me this, I decided to go directly to the headquarters.

From their perspective, it would be a waste of time to spend on a student who has just come from the countryside and is still nobody.

Of course, I don't have the time to nod along to a speech that is neither helpful nor harmful.

◆

The headquarters of the Explorer's Guild was a brand new three-story building made of a material similar to concrete.

Upon entering, there was a counter inside, and two female staff members in dark blue uniforms, which exuded a calm atmosphere, were seated side by side.

They looked like receptionists from a top company in my previous life.

There were no explorers in sight other than us.

"The atmosphere is different from what I imagined..."

In response to my mutter, Senior Riad asked earnestly.

"Huh?

What did you imagine, Allen?"

"Well, I imagined that as soon as I pushed open the creaky, old wooden door, the senior explorers who were drinking on the floor during the day would all turn to me with appraising gazes.

Among them, a well-known senior explorer with a bad temper, nicknamed 'Johnny the Rookie-Bully,' would start a quarrel, saying something like, 'This isn't a place for kids like you!'

Even if I humbly asked for their help, they wouldn't let me through.

In the end, I would have to fight back, and either establish my position or show my determination to be let through, even if I lost.

I thought I would have to go through a ritual like that."

I gave a standard explanation.

"Is the branch in the Lovene territory like that?

Is the security okay?

Why don't the staff stop them?"

Senior Riad, upon hearing my standard explanation, was worried about the security in our territory.

"No, no, it's not about our territory...

In that case, the staff would either ignore it, thinking 'Here we go again,' or a muscular, bald-headed staff member with a scar on his cheek, who used to be an explorer, would join in, saying, 'Shut up, you guys! If you're going to make noise, do it somewhere else!' and it would end up in a big fight involving everyone on the floor, and finally, they would all end up comparing their drinking abilities."

"...I've decided never to enter the branch in the Lovene territory.

I don't think I can go through Johnny's ritual.

Hello."

In Senior Riad's mind, our territory had become like a den of bandits...

"This is Sir Riad.

What brings you here after returning from a collection trip?

Did you discover a new material?"

The receptionist, who looked like a receptionist from a top company, asked politely, noticing that Senior Riad had just returned from a collection trip.

It seems she recognized his face and name.

I wonder how many explorers in this vast royal capital she remembers...

"The reception is different from what I imagined..."

"...Today, I'm here to request the purchase of materials and to accompany a junior from our academy who is registering as an explorer."

Senior Riad ignored my mutter.

"To accompany a registration? Sir Riad, may I ask your name?"

The top-class receptionist, with a perfectly controlled business smile, asked me.

There was a hint of appraising in her eyes.

Hmm? Is Senior Riad famous?

"I am Allen Lovene, who just enrolled at the Royal Academy a few days ago.

Today, I am here to seek the guidance of my senior, as I am a newcomer from the countryside.

Thank you for your assistance today."

The interview started with the greeting to the receptionist.

I bowed politely, recalling the tips from the interview how-to books I had read repeatedly in my previous life.

Before I could raise my head, which I had bowed 30 degrees, the receptionist who had been serving us stood up and quickly disappeared upstairs.

"Welcome.

Please follow me."

The top-class receptionist led us upstairs with a confident stride, but I wondered if it was okay to leave the reception desk unattended...

◆

The receptionist pushed open a heavy wooden door with brass studs, and we were led to a reception room on the third floor, which was easily 20 tatami mats in size.

The spacious reception room was simply furnished, with only a sofa that could seat three people set up in the center, facing each other, and a low table placed between them.

From a Japanese perspective, it felt like a waste of space, but perhaps this was what luxury was all about.

"Please wait here."

The receptionist said and left.

"?

Allen? Why are you standing?"

Senior Riad, who had put down the basket on his back and sat on the sofa, asked curiously.

"Being led to such a large reception room means that someone of considerable standing will come out.

Regardless of Senior Riad, I, who have no achievements, cannot sit back and wait on the sofa."

I am here through the mediation of Senior Riad, who seems to be well-known in this headquarters.

I cannot embarrass him.

"...Is this the spirit of 'etiquette'?"

As expected, Senior Riad is quick to understand.

I nodded.

"Thank you for waiting."

After waiting for 10 minutes in a standing position, the receptionist who had gone upstairs earlier pushed open the door.

The receptionist left the room without entering, and a man came in.

He had a kind face, more like a friendly civil servant than an explorer.

However, despite his slightly plump body, his movements were without a flaw.

...I see, that pattern.

Since Senior Riad was worried and followed, I thought a middle-aged man with a masterly aura, with his white hair tied back, would come in and conduct a pressure interview, but it seems that's not the case.

However, I cannot let my guard down.

This interviewer probably uses his friendly demeanor to make students let their guard down, talk freely, and reveal all their information, a type of relaxed interview.

If I feel great about my self-promotion and wait at home for the results, I always receive a rejection letter saying, "Unfortunately, we could not offer you a position this time."

Hmph.

How many job interviews have I gone through, receiving such cold rejection letters?

Now, thinking back, it was a waste, but at the time, even application forms were handwritten.

It's unlikely that I will fail the explorer registration, but I cannot make a fool of myself in front of Senior Riad.

I felt the same tension in my body as when I built a mountain of rejections, reaching into the triple digits, during the "once-in-a-century recession" after the global real estate bubble burst, and finally secured a position at a top food manufacturer.