Chapter 19

While Rex and Marie were fighting in a forest far from the city, things were happening at the guild…

“…Ugh, hic… What should I do, Imilia…? What am I supposed to dooooo!!!”

Lilina Barnett, a receptionist at the guild, was practically clinging to her friend Imilia, desperately begging her for help.

“Calm down, Lilina. It’s not as though Rex is definitely going to leave this city.”

“But! It’s a request from House Clivus, remember!? That request! The one where everyone who accepts it ends up disappearing from this city! And Rex accepted it!? Ugh… It’s the end of the world…”

“…Did you try to stop him?”

“I did!! The day before yesterday!! I explained everything to him, thoroughly and carefully!! Look! I even made him sign a written agreement! But that spoiled little brat kept coming up with all sorts of ridiculous excuses and dragged Rex into this…!!”

Imilia let out another sigh as she watched Lilina’s emotions swing wildly between anger and tears. Her friend was practically on the verge of an emotional breakdown.

Fortunately, there were only the two of them around at the moment, so no one else could hear their conversation. If anyone had overheard them speaking like this about a noble family, they could easily have been charged with insulting the nobility.

“…Still, Rex leaving would be a problem for both the guild and me personally.”

In fact, Rex had been helping the guild every day by taking on odd jobs that even complete beginners wouldn’t normally bother accepting.

Both the guild and the townspeople had benefited from his presence. Losing someone like him would be nothing but a disadvantage.

“Come on, Imilia!! Can’t you do something!? Rex is going to disappear!!”

“Even so… Lilina, haven’t you heard anything from Rex himself?”

“Huh…? No. Nothing in particular.”

“Then there’s nothing we can do. Even though Rex is affiliated with the guild, he—and most adventurers, for that matter—are essentially people who bring us benefits, but aren’t obligated to volunteer their services. Unless we file a formal complaint against House Clivus through the guild, there’s nothing we can do. Especially not when we’re only receptionists.”

“Ugh… So you’re saying we should just sit here and wait without doing anything!?”

“For now, yes. I understand how you feel, but there’s nothing we can do… Unless, of course, some kind of exception occurs.”

As she said that, Imilia casually brushed off Lilina’s complaints and looked outside through the window.

She was an extremely pragmatic person. However, when it came to Rex, she was a little different.

And yet, she remained so calm. What exactly was going through her mind…?

Without realizing it, a smile had appeared on her face.

“…I’m surprised. I didn’t think you’d actually last this long… And you seem surprisingly fine, too.”

The sun was already beginning to set.

Even so, Rex was still standing with his sword pointed toward Marie. She couldn’t help feeling genuinely surprised.

“…That’s enough for today. We’ll continue tomorrow.”

“…Phew. Thank you for today.”

Marie handed Rex his payment, signaling the end of the request.

Rex relaxed his tense body, sheathed his sword, and handed it back to Marie.

However, Marie shook her head and spoke to him.

“You can keep that. It’s a hassle having to hand it over to you every single time. Come back here again tomorrow.”

“…Um, would it be all right if I took another request first?”

“No. I’ll have one of the knights from House Clivus handle those. You should focus on this instead.”

“…Understood. Then, please take care.”

With that, Rex left, carrying both his payment and the sword.

Marie was secretly surprised by his behavior, too.

“That guy… He’s got quite a bit of grit. The adventurers before him always gave up and left. Hmmm…”

…So that’s why Mother took a liking to him.

For the first time, Marie had developed an interest in Rex, who seemed different from the adventurers who had accepted her family’s requests purely for their own personal gain.

“…Well, I doubt that act of his will last. His true colors will show eventually.”

Even so, she still didn’t trust him.

After spitting out those words dismissively, she used a special power… magic… to clean her thoroughly dirtied clothes. Then she sheathed her sword and left the forest, heading back to her mansion.