TIPS: Let’s Introduce It! Part 3 (About Adventurer Guilds)

“The weather’s starting to look ominous.”

An old woman poured hot water from a teapot into a cup while gazing at the leaden sky covered in black clouds. Expensive-looking tea filled a teacup decorated with roses. The fragrance of tea spread through the room, and the man sitting on the sofa felt his mind gradually settle.

“Shall I close the window, Grandmother?”

“Yes, perhaps you should. It wouldn’t be fair to our guest.”

The old woman preparing the tea was Forest Carmen. She was a highly respected figure who had served as Chancellor under the previous king, Elkdreil VII. Beside her stood her granddaughter, Tree Carmen. She held a position akin to student council president at Racluzero University, one of the Kingdom’s most prestigious institutions, and was a flawless beauty who enjoyed overwhelming support from the entire student body.

“Oh, no, please don’t trouble yourself, Lord Carmen. Still, this is excellent tea. Is it from the Federation? No, perhaps from one of the eastern nations? The aroma is quite distinctive.”

The red-haired man enjoying the rich aroma of the tea was Legato Forbessa, commander of the Royal Guard Knights of the Sacred Kingdom of Parsia. He was a handsome older man who enjoyed tremendous popularity among young women throughout the Kingdom.

“It’s tea from a country on the continent east of the Federation, across the sea from the Mercator Continent. I finally managed to get some recently through the Federation.”

“I see. After all, we don’t trade with the Empire, even though that would be the shorter route.”

“I don’t know how well the current king thinks he’s managing these wars. Now then, Legato. What exactly brings you all the way here?”

Forest asked him directly. Legato had often been looked after by Forest in the past, so the two had known one another for quite a long time. Even after Forest withdrew from the royal court, they continued to maintain a private friendship.

“Haha, don’t be cruel. I merely came to have a casual chat.”

“I don’t particularly want to hear casual talk about such dangerous times.”

Forest lifted her cup and took a sip of tea. The fragrance rushed through her nose, immediately putting her in a better mood. Watching her, Legato smiled wryly and reached for a baked pastry.

“Are you referring to the Hazardo rebels? I heard you were acquainted with the Wind-Cutting Maiden?”

“She wasn’t a student at my university, but I did speak with Cady from time to time. Besides, I’ve visited Hazardo several times myself.”

Legato narrowed his eyes in thought, but when Tree glared at him, he gave another wry smile and reached for another pastry.

(My superiors told me to observe Lord Carmen’s movements… but it’s obvious she has no intention of rebelling. Still, if she continues refusing to appear before the court like this, it’s only natural that they’ll suspect her of disloyalty.)

“So, Legato. How is the Demon King subjugation progressing?”

“So that’s what interests you?”

“It is still a national crisis, after all. I may have no intention of returning to politics and working myself to death, but I can still worry about the country.”

“I see. At present, the Heroes are advancing toward Purple Moon-class levels. However, discord within the party has become increasingly noticeable. Ever since one of the students was abducted by a Familiar, many have yet to recover from the psychological shock….”

“Ahh, yes. One of them was taken away, wasn’t she? Poor child. Considering how many days have passed, the chances of her still being alive are virtually zero.”

“Yes. However, I heard that the students from Racluzero University managed to return safely. I was hoping that perhaps, with your influence, Lord Forest….”

Forest’s eyes sharpened.

(I see. So that story was what prompted his inspection of Racluzero. No, he’s also checking whether I harbor rebellious intentions. I’m sure it’s true that he came partly for personal reasons, but he still follows orders from above to the letter. That earnestness of his hasn’t changed at all.)

“The students of Racluzero University were able to return thanks to the assistance of certain adventurers. I didn’t do anything myself.”

“Certain adventurers?”

“Let’s just say they’re the strongest swordswoman and mage. Surely word has already reached your ears?”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it. How strong are they?”

“They effortlessly exterminated the Goblin King along with nearly five hundred goblins. That alone would put them at Purple Moon—no, perhaps even Bronze Moon-class. They still haven’t shown anything close to their full strength, so they might even be around Silver Moon-class.”

Forest answered with a laugh. Legato could not hide his surprise at the unexpected response.

“Silver Moon!? Then they must be recruited into the Demon King subjugation force immediately! Why have you not reported this!?”

“Their Tag Colors are still only Green Moon-class. There’s no need to rush, is there? Besides, they’re probably wandering around traveling somewhere right now. It would be a shame to restrain them too much.”

“This is a national crisis.”

“You’re already assigning Silver Moon and Bronze Moon adventurers to the Demon King subjugation, aren’t you? You have the Heroes as well. Have you managed to gather the Silver Moon-class adventurers?”

Several Silver Moon and Bronze Moon-class adventurers existed within the Kingdom. In times of national crisis, they were mobilized and summoned to the royal capital. That said, adventurers who had reached Silver Moon-class tended to be eccentric, so it was often difficult even to contact them.

“It seems the force will become a massive party centered around the twenty-six members of the Hero party and their reserves, Lord Nosvel’s Second Division, the Royal Guard Knights, and an adventurer coalition led by Silver Moon-class adventurers. We are currently reaching out to the Silver Moon-class adventurers, but at present, only 【Chief Aries】 has declared his intention to participate.”

“That’s not promising. I don’t think that damned brat from the Pillar Edge Family can handle such an important role. Though the little bastard would probably accept it eagerly.”

“He certainly seems enthusiastic. I admit I still have my concerns.”

“If I had to entrust it to someone, I’d choose 【Lord Questlight】 or that adorable young lady 【Sylforfil】.”

Silver Moon-class adventurers. They were often praised by the people as heroes. Tales of Silver Moon-class adventurers from the past were still told in the present age, and some even appeared in school textbooks. Of course, because history textbooks were censored by the royal capital government, there were several dark secrets hidden within them.

For example, the matter of the Five Noble Clans mentioned by Rose. The matter of the two Heroes. And information concerning the Demon Kings.

“We also have to keep an eye on the movements of anti-government organizations both inside and outside the country, so we can’t afford to devote all of our forces to this. Lord Questlight in particular has the responsibility of keeping the Southern Continent under control.”

“Inside and outside the country. Ahh, right, there was a bounty issued because the Fulgaud princess was supposedly sighted. The Fulgaud princess is currently the government’s most dangerous traitor, isn’t she?”

“The Inquisitors have already been dispatched to recover the magic spear, King Parsia’s treasured artifact. The real problems are the 【Porcelain Stars】 and 【Beacon】.”

“The former was the anti-government organization led by that young Villafilia fellow, wasn’t it? And the latter is that group of adventurers who are constantly defying the government. Well, I suppose the former is the real problem.”

(If the army moved against Beacon, they’d collapse quickly enough. But Villafilia’s people would be another matter. And now the Demon King is involved too. Perhaps this country really is nearing its end.)

“The Royal Guard is currently searching for the Villafilia siblings. We’ve been working ourselves to the bone every single day.”

“That part of you hasn’t changed, Legato. Ever since long ago, I’ve only ever seen you with the exhausted face of a man who works too hard. Taking a break once in a while is part of the job too, you know?”

“Haha, I’ll think about it.”

“That’s exactly what people who never rest always say.”

Now then, what to do?

Legato strolled leisurely through the university grounds. As expected, his earlier conversation with Lord Carmen had ended as little more than aimless small talk. Well, his work was basically finished now.

“There’s someone I’d like to see again while I’m here.”

“It’s been a while, Sid. Since the Southern Liberation War, I believe?”

Inside the Guild Hall, an old acquaintance was polishing his weapon. It was Sid, Guild Master of the Den of Starving Wolves. There was a considerable age difference between Sid and Legato, but the two had known each other for quite a long time, so Legato made a habit of stopping by whenever he visited Racluzero.

“Oi, Legato! It really has been a damn long time! What the hell, you’ve gotten even more built than before. What brings you here today?”

“I had business with Lord Carmen. More importantly, I heard about what happened. Your Guild took quite a beating in the goblin battle, didn’t it? Are you all right?”

“Ahh, that. Well, we’re in the middle of rebuilding somehow. There was a real chance we could’ve been completely wiped out, so I’m damn grateful to those girls.”

Hm? What had Sid just said? Girls?

“Huh? Word didn’t reach the royal capital… Ah, right. Those two erased their own information.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Okay, I trust you enough to tell you this, but don’t laugh, all right?”

“Have I ever laughed when you were speaking seriously, Sid?”

“Fair enough. Officially, the report says the goblin battle ended when an unprecedented A+-class Goblin King was defeated, but….”

“Yes, that’s what I heard.”

“The ones who defeated that Goblin King and killed nearly five hundred goblins were two girls who didn’t even look twenty.”

So it really was as Lord Carmen had said.

“Who exactly are those two girls? I’m only asking as a precaution.”

“They’ve got nothing to do with the Five Noble Clans. And they aren’t connected to Beacon either. I can guarantee that.”

“Could they be women affiliated with Lord Sylforfil? Or, considering their age, could one of them actually be her?”

“Sylforfil… Oh, you mean the leader of the Silver Moon-class adventurer team 【Spear of Heavenly Strike】. Nah, I know her too, so there’s no way I’d mistake her. Though considering how terrifying she is despite her beauty and youth, maybe these girls are something similar.”

“…Their names?”

“Hikari and Meiro. Well, they’re damn strong. I’m sure you’ll meet them eventually.”

Hikari and Meiro. Something about those names bothered him. But never mind. He did not have the luxury of focusing on them right now.

“I see. Ah, forgive me, but I should be going.”

“What, you’re leaving already? At least stay for a cup of tea.”

“Sorry, but I have mountains of work waiting in the royal capital. Between training the Heroes and everything else, I’m extremely busy.”

“Fine, fine. I’m just glad you stopped by. See you around!”

“Indeed.”

Hikari and Meiro.

He had no time to investigate them, but he would keep those names in mind. Perhaps the day would eventually come when they met. Whether that meeting would be as allies or enemies remained to be seen.

I still had work left to do so that another tragedy like what happened to Konoha-san would never occur again. And if possible, I wanted to continue believing that the girl was still alive.

“Now then, back to work.”