To The Guild

When I woke up after a deep sleep, it was already a little before noon. Rebecca was already awake and seemed to be chatting with Lady Seremees on the sofa in the Pavilion.

It was good to see that Rebecca had gotten used to Lady Seremees compared to before.

“Luca, you’re awake.”

“Good morning. Good morning to you too, Rebecca.”

“Morning. It seems yesterday’s incident ended with the culprit still unknown.”

“I see. That’s good then. I suppose we can return to the lower world now.”

At my words, Lady Seremees lightly tapped the Water Mirror with her staff, and the surface displayed the place where we had jumped into the Divine Domain the previous night.

“It seems there’s no one there. The church also looks… the same as usual.”

“Thank you very much. Then Rebecca, shall we head back soon? We also need to go to the guild.”

“Yeah. Should we go back and eat lunch at the guild cafeteria?”

“That sounds good.”

Having decided our plans, we returned to the lower world through Divine Domain Interference and walked out from the alley to the main street as if nothing had happened. When we entered the Adventurer Guild, we were stopped at the reception before heading to the cafeteria.

“Luca-san and Rebecca-san. If the two of you arrived, we were told to immediately guide you to the Guild Master’s office.”

“I see… we haven’t eaten lunch yet though. Would it be alright if we eat first?”

“…Understood. Then I will pass along a message for your meals to be prepared with priority in the cafeteria, so please be quick.”

After that, we quickly ate the food that arrived just minutes after ordering, and without even having time to rest after the meal, we were guided to the office. If they were rushing us this much, perhaps there was something scheduled afterward.

“I have brought Luca-san and Rebecca-san.”

When we entered the room at the receptionist’s prompting, Edmond-san was seated in the same place as when we had informed him about the Stampede.

However, unlike that time, when we entered the room he stood up to greet us, a broad smile on his face.

“You’ve finally arrived! I’ve been waiting.”

“We had a small matter to take care of, so we’re sorry for being late.”

When we sat down on the sofa, Edmond-san also sat down again on the sofa across from us and leaned forward.

“May I get straight to the point?”

“Yes. We’re also curious about what happened afterward. You reported it, right?”

“Of course. And about that… His Majesty the King wishes to personally thank the two of you for saving the country. Furthermore, it seems the country will grant you a reward. And as for what makes me happiest, the country will recognize Luca as a First Rank adventurer!”

A First Rank adventurer… seriously? Jumping straight from Fifth Rank to First Rank was definitely unexpected. But I was happy, incredibly happy. First Rank adventurers were the dream of every adventurer. I had never imagined I could become one until just recently.

Becoming a First Rank adventurer required not only the guild’s approval but also recognition from the nation, so it was impossible without truly extraordinary achievements.

For a First Rank adventurer, having strength on an entirely different level would not be surprising at all, and in terms of moving around more freely in the future, this was definitely good news.

But there was one thing bothering me… Rebecca. Why was only I becoming First Rank? When I voiced that question, Edmond-san turned his gaze toward Rebecca and began to speak.

“Rebecca said herself that she was only able to provide support, and that reaching the deepest part was due to Luca’s ability, didn’t she? So I reported exactly that. If someone receives a rank that doesn’t match their ability, the one in danger would be Rebecca herself.”

Hearing those words from Edmond-san, Rebecca nodded firmly as if in agreement.

“I do not possess the ability of a First Rank adventurer, so that is a great relief. I would have declined even if I had been recognized.”

“I see. Understanding your own ability is important. However, it is also true that you entered the dungeon during the Stampede and were able to provide support while accompanying Luca. Therefore, the guild is considering promoting Rebecca to Third Rank. What do you think? Would you accept Third Rank?”

Upon hearing the proposal, Rebecca’s face lit up brightly and she nodded.

“Of course. Thank you very much!”

“Then we will immediately call in a staff member to process Luca’s promotion to First Rank and Rebecca’s promotion to Third Rank. As for His Majesty’s thanks and the reward from the nation, the palace was to be contacted as soon as you arrived at the guild. I have already sent a messenger, so within a few hours we should receive instructions regarding your upcoming schedule. Please follow the directions of the palace officials.”

“Understood. Then it would be best for us to remain here for now.”

“That’s right. Use the waiting time to complete your promotion procedures. I’ll call the person in charge.”

After that, the staff member Edmond-san went to call came to the office, and we began the procedures for our promotions.