Encounter With Millet

“What!? A Goblin Lord!? There was a monster like that mixed in with the targets for this subjugation quest!?”

Flare and I had come to the guild’s reception desk to report the results of our subjugation quest.

The receptionist’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“I sincerely apologize for our guild’s failure to provide accurate information.”

“No, we managed to defeat it somehow, so it’s fine.”

“Yep, yep.”

We reassured the receptionist.

“Still, though—”

She looked at us and continued,

“You’re both F-Rank Adventurers… I’m amazed you made it back safely. And to think you even managed to defeat a B-Rank monster!”

“It was a troublesome opponent with a unique skill, but we managed somehow.”

I gave her a cheerful smile.

“I never thought we’d receive a special bonus.”

“Well, apparently it’s more of a compensation payment for encountering a powerful monster that wasn’t mentioned in the quest information.”

We had received our reward for the goblin subjugation quest and were both grinning from ear to ear.

The amount was enough to cover roughly three or four months of living expenses.

For the two of us, who had practically no money to our names, it was a welcome windfall.

Just then—

“You’re the ones who defeated a Goblin Lord despite being rookie adventurers? I’m impressed…”

A female adventurer approached us.

She was a beautiful woman with deep indigo hair reminiscent of the ocean, tied back in a ponytail.

She wore an outfit resembling a military uniform.

“And you are—?”

“Oh, I haven’t even introduced myself yet, have I? Tee-hee. I just came up and started talking to you!”

She laughed mischievously, sticking out her tongue.

“I’m Millet. An A-Rank Adventurer, for what it’s worth.”

“A-Rank…!”

Flare and I gasped.

C-Rank adventurers were considered fully fledged professionals, B-Rank adventurers were elite, and A-Rank adventurers—were regarded as the absolute best of the best.

“Well, I’m taking a break from adventuring right now. These days, I work for the Kingdom of Tilt’s Talent Recruitment Division.”

Millet explained.

“Talent Recruitment…?”

“The kingdom has been putting a lot of effort into finding talented people over the past few years. As you probably know, we’re a small, weak kingdom, right? That’s exactly why we need exceptional talent. We really need it. We need it sooooo badly!”

Millet leaned forward eagerly.

She peered intently into my face.

Her eyes shone with a deep, powerful light—

Her gaze was so intense that I almost felt as though I were being drawn into it.

“W-Wait a minute! You’re getting too close to him, Millet-san!”

Flare hurriedly squeezed herself between Millet and me.

“Hehe, I hear you’re quite skilled yourself. Apparently, you can create nearly a hundred [Fire Arrows] at once?”

“How did you know that—?”

“Don’t underestimate the Talent Recruitment Division! I’ve been diligently gathering information from receptionists and adventurers. I make sure to catch every little detail about promising warriors and mages♪”

Millet spoke with obvious delight.

“Um, the reason you approached us… Could it be—”

“Yep! I’m here to recruit you!”

Millet’s expression grew even more delighted at my question.

“I want you two to lend your strength to the Kingdom of Tilt. For the sake of this country, which is currently facing a crisis—”