Chapter 35

In the middle of the main street, there is the "Adventurer's Guild" that I am aiming for. It is a three-story building, more than a round larger than the surrounding shops and facilities. Above the door on the first floor, there is a sign with a sword and shield, and it says "Adventurer's Guild."

Sure enough, at this lunchtime, there seemed to be a fair amount of people coming and going. I had stepped into this place once before to get an ID. It's a place that's hard to describe. After all, adventurers are completely unrelated to me. But thinking about it, if the receptionist hadn't told me about the cursed slave, I wouldn't have met Ikl. It's a rather poignant thought.

I gently opened the door and entered.

Just like the last time I came, there was a long counter in front. It seemed that each adventurer was trying to complete their business, so it was a bit crowded.

"Ah, Hinami-san~!"

"Shia-chan!"

To the right of the entrance, there were several tables and benches where Shia-chan and Kilt-kun were waiting. "Sorry to keep you waiting," I said, and Ikl and I headed over to where Shia-chan was.

"No, it's fine. ...Oh, Hinami-san's hair accessory is a cute ribbon."

"Ah, thank you. I was surprised to see Shia-chan with a ponytail. It's cute."

"Thank you."

By the way, we're not going to fight, so I'm not wearing any equipment like a robe. Just in case. I'm wearing a regular dress and a backpack. I have a short sword in the backpack just in case.

Shia-chan had her wavy hair in a ponytail, tied with a large white ribbon. I also have a ribbon, given by the god, so we match.

Behind her, Kilt-kun was there, with his short, slightly curly, light brown hair fluffed up. He had a sword at his waist and a chest plate on. Yeah, he's a full-fledged adventurer.

"Nice to see you again, Hinami-san, Ikl-san."

"Yeah, it's been a while. It's been a while, Kilt-kun!"

"Yes! It's been a while, Hinami-sama, Ikl-san."

"...It's been a while."

Ah, Ikl's way of speaking has become more polite.

Or rather, of course. The person I'm talking to is a noble, so is it okay for me to be so friendly...? I start to feel a bit insecure when I look at Ikl.

By the way, I looked around the Adventurer's Guild... they weren't there. I thought Miluru and Tact might be there, but it seems they weren't. Maybe we just missed each other.

"By the way, why are you here at the Adventurer's Guild?"

"Oh, that's right. I came to take the beginner's lecture."

"Ah, I see."

Actually, I should take the practical training too, but I'm a bit scared, so I think I'll just take the lecture for now. While I was thinking about that, Shia-chan said, "This is the reception," and led me to the counter where I first registered as an adventurer. I thanked her and immediately told the receptionist that I wanted to take the beginner's lecture.

"Beginner's lecture, right. Currently, we have a one-week practical training course and a three-day lecture course. Do you want to take only the lecture?"

"Yes."

"Understood. The lecture covers the history of the Adventurer's Guild and Lethisrill, as well as general knowledge and jobs on the first day, all about monsters on the second day, and herbs, items, and equipment on the third day."

"It's a three-day course."

"Yes. It starts at 10:00 in the morning and ends at 17:00 in the evening, with breaks in between."

Oh, it's quite long. So, with lunch included, it's about 5 or 6 hours of lectures a day. It feels like I'm a student again.

"The beginner's lecture for this month starts in a week. What do you think?"

"Ah, then I'll take it."

"Understood."

The receptionist checked the schedule and wrote on the documents. I watched her and felt a bit nervous. I wonder if my heart will burst from the excitement of this daily life that I never had in Japan.

And, by the way, I'm definitely going to take it.

"Ikl, about the lecture..."

"Hmm, I have to prepare for the shop, so I'll pass."

"Yeah... I thought so. Ikl is strong and knowledgeable, so he could probably be a lecturer. What do you think?"

"Here, please bring this document on the day."

"Ah, yes."

The document handed to me was a simple piece of paper with the meeting time, items to bring, and regulations. I was a bit nervous because it was called a document. By the way, the regulations stated that making noise, sleeping, or being late during the lecture would result in immediate dismissal. I'm not a child, so I won't do that. But the fact that it's written means that it happens, right?

"Sorry, I'm done!"

"Oh, that's good. I also took it with Kilt, and they were very thorough."

"Really! I'm looking forward to it."

Nodding with Shia-chan, we left the guild since we had no other business there. As we did, Alfred-san was just entering the guild. He's still a very noticeable person. He has his red hair tied back and is wearing a knight's uniform. He looks young, but he's actually older than me. Well, I'm older in terms of mental age, at least.

"Ah, it's been a while, Hinami."

"Alfred-san! It's been a while."

"Shia called me... If it's okay with you, Hinami, I'll introduce you to the Merchant's Guild right away."

"Sure, please do!"

The others came out from behind me, and Ikl greeted Alfred-san. Alfred-san also greeted them and told everyone that we would go to the Merchant's Guild right away, and they agreed. However, Kilt-kun raised his hand timidly and said he had something to do.

"Sorry, I actually reserved a training course at the Adventurer's Guild, and it's about to start."

"Oh, that's right... I remember Kilt admiring an adventurer."

"Yes!"

"Really! Then you shouldn't be late."

Shia-chan remembered and told us what Kilt-kun's business was. Kilt-kun said with a smile, "I'm looking forward to it." Yeah, sword training. ...Wow, fantasy world. Do they use wooden swords or real ones? If they use real ones, I might be too scared to go out.

"Well, if that's the case, do your best, Kilt."

"Yes, I'll go!"

Encouraged by Alfred-san, Kilt-kun went back to the guild alone. I could only watch him with interest, but I decided to listen carefully at the Merchant's Guild. No, it's not that I'm running away from something scary.

"Let's go, then."

"Well, it's just diagonally across the street."

Saying that, Alfred-san pointed to the building across the street with his chin. Huh? There's a corner that's slightly indented on the main street. Is that the Merchant's Guild...?

When I walked up to it, I saw that it was set back and had space for about three carriages, with one carriage actually parked there. I see, since they're merchants, many of them need equipment like carriages. Including this space, it might even be larger than the Adventurer's Guild.

"Hey, Ikl, have you ever been to the Merchant's Guild?"

"No, but it's usually quite large in most towns. In terms of the number of facilities, there are fewer Merchant's Guilds than Adventurer's Guilds, but the Merchant's Guilds are usually more well-equipped."

"Wow... really? Ikl is so knowledgeable!"

When I said "Thank you!" in response, I got a stable "It's common knowledge" with a look of exasperation.

"Excuse me, is Mariage here?"

While I was listening to Ikl's explanation, Alfred-san had already gone into the Merchant's Guild at his own pace. Hey, I wasn't mentally prepared yet...!

Shia-chan also followed, saying, "My brother..." This... is it only me who's nervous? Just as I was thinking that, Ikl also went in, so I hurriedly pulled on the hem of his clothes to stop him.

"Hey, what's the matter, Hinami-sama..."

"Well, I'm nervous... don't leave me behind."

While saying "Tsk," Ikl stopped and turned to face me. Ah, that's good. At least now I can take a deep breath and go in calmly. I was thinking that, but Ikl came around behind me and pushed me from behind. I couldn't stop my feet, and I slowly stepped into the Merchant's Guild.

"Really, getting nervous over something like this..."

"Ikl... ugh..."

Geez, Ikl is still Ikl.

After all, I'm the one who's going to say I want to open my own shop. Of course, I'm nervous. It's probably like the tension at a shareholders' meeting.

I hope the master of the Merchant's Guild is a nice person... I'm hoping for that with all my might.

When I looked forward, avoiding Ikl's face, I saw a beautiful room with white as the main color. There were several tables and chairs set up, probably for negotiations, and three reception counters at the back.

"Hmm, you're a noble, Hinami, huh."

The master of the Merchant's Guild, with her long honey-orange hair flowing, sat in front of me, sizing me up. Her fox ears peeked out from her beautiful hair. She wore a shirt and a cardigan, a chic black skirt, and tights. She looked like a beautiful businesswoman. The necklace visible from her slightly unbuttoned shirt and her crossed legs were quite alluring.

Next to me was Alfred-san, and next to him was Shia-chan. Ikl stood behind me as a guard. The sofa was so soft that it was actually a bit difficult to keep from sinking into it.

"I'm Mariage Ruston, the master of the Merchant's Guild. Nice to meet you."

"K, K, Hinami Kusumoto. I'm a pharmacist...!"

"Oh, you don't have to be so nervous."

Mariage smiled and said, "I'm not going to eat you."

"As I mentioned the other day, I'll guarantee Hinami's healing potions. I want to register with the Merchant's Guild, register for a booth, and arrange for a property."

"Hmm... Well, I've already talked to Salina, so there's no problem with the healing potions."

While holding the documents and listening to Alfred-san, Mariage's gaze was fixed on me. It's intense, the pressure is immense. My hands were starting to sweat when Mariage, who seemed to be thinking about something, asked, "Can you introduce yourself?"

Self-introduction? Ah! Maybe this is like a job interview.

If that's the case, I might be able to do it. I remember studying a lot early on because I wanted to get a good job. I dug up knowledge I thought I wouldn't use anymore.

Yeah, I even practiced interviews and self-introductions in the bathroom.

I bowed my head, made a bow, took a deep breath, and prepared.

"Let me introduce myself again. My name is Hinami Kusumoto. I'm here to request permission to exhibit my shop, 'Hinami's Garden,' and to register with the Merchant's Guild."

I took a deep breath and calmed down.

Then, I connected my words and shaped my thoughts. To live, to exhibit this shop for the god, there's no grand story, but I'm determined to work hard.

Now, this is the negotiation between me, the aspiring merchant, and Mariage.

Well, it's not exactly that, but my determination is that strong. Alright, I'll do my best!