Chapter 1

In this world, Izelmedia, there was an ordinary town called Miltia—not particularly large, but not particularly small either.

I, Rex, made my living there as an adventurer registered with the local Adventurers Guild.

Well, I was fifteen years old, which was admittedly a little young to become an adventurer in this world, but…

“…And that’s another day’s worth of requests completed.”

My parents had died long ago in a major disaster.

That was why I was living on my own now.

Today, I had completed twenty of the lowest-ranked F-rank requests—the kind that nobody else seemed willing to accept.

I occasionally hunted monsters too, but…

The people in town kept telling me to stop, so I didn’t do it very often.

“Thank you as always, Rex. It really helps having you around.”

“It’s nothing, Auntie. My livelihood depends on this too, so we’re helping each other out.”

“You’re such a fine young man despite being so young… Unlike young people these days…”

Ahaha…

Well, nobody wanted to take requests like these.

They were practically volunteer work.

“If you ever need anything, come by anytime. Everyone here is on your side, Rex.”

“…Thanks, Auntie. It really means a lot to hear you say that… Well then, I should get back to the guild soon. See you tomorrow!”

After finishing Auntie’s request…

Or rather, her favor, I headed toward the Adventurers Guild.

I arrived at the Adventurers Guild.

It was around noon, so there weren’t many people inside.

The place was packed in the mornings and evenings, though…

What was with the difference?

“…An open counter would be…”

…As expected, only that one was available.

When I looked toward the reception counters, there was only one person sitting there.

The moment I saw who it was, I unconsciously steeled myself a little before heading over.

“…Miss Lilina. I finished today’s requests as well. Please verify them.”

The person before me was one of the guild employees, Lilina Barnett.

She was older than me, and apparently, her birthday was coming up in a week.

Her long, distinctive golden hair flowed behind her, and she was a beautiful woman who was kind to everyone and exceptionally capable.

Because of that, she had earned the nickname—

“The Poster Girl Receptionist of Miltia.”

Normally, someone like me wouldn’t even have the chance to talk to a person like her.

But since nobody else was around right now, I could speak with her…

That was supposed to be a good thing.

It should have been, and yet…

“…I see. I will verify them immediately, so please wait.”

“Y-Yes…”

…For some reason, I felt like she hated me.

No, she was acting normally.

But I had happened to see her talking to other people before…

“L-Lilina, I finished today’s request too.”

“Oh, Mr. Zorne! Good work today! I’ll verify it right away, so could you please wait just a moment?”

“Ah, yeah… Man, today was rough too. I almost died out there.”

“Really? Please don’t push yourself too hard, okay? I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you, Mr. Zorne.”

“I-Is that so…? Well, if Lilina says that, then I can’t afford to die, can I…? Hahaha.”

…She treated other people kindly, like that.

But when it came to me…

“…Yes, I have verified everything. Here is your reward for completing the requests. Please accept it.”

“Ah, thank you very much… Um, I heard your birthday is coming up soon? Congratulations…”

“…Thank you.”

…What?

What was with this difference???

Did I do something wrong?

Seriously, why was she so cold only to me…?

…I couldn’t remember doing anything that would explain it.

“…Excuse me. If you’re finished here, could you please leave immediately?”

“…Yes.”

…Sigh.

Did I really do something to upset her?

She had treated me like this since the first time we met, too…

Apparently, Lilina was the same as ever…

Cold only toward me.

“………”

After Rex left the Adventurers Guild, Lilina stared straight ahead, watching him leave.

“…Rex… greeted me on my… birthday…”

She placed the finished paperwork on her desk and rested a hand against her cheek.

That gesture made her look just like a maiden in love…

“…Yes…! Yes! Rex greeted me on my birthday!”

…No.

Let me take that back.

This woman, Lilina Barnett, was in love with Rex Altena.

And…

Apparently, she was incredibly happy just to have spoken with him.