Episode 6

A few days after the receptionist brought them the proposal, the two were back at the Adventurers’ Guild.

“Thank you both for making time today.”

“Think nothing of it. Our stance is to hear you out first.”

After discussing it, they decided to verify the client’s identity.

Luke aside, Hiroto had knowledge of the original story. Even if someone hid their station, if they were a key figure or connected to one, he believed it would not be hard to trace their background.

“Of course—that’s fine. We’re the ones asking, after all.”

They were shown to a room in the guild. Ordinary adventurers never used it, but high-rankers like Hiroto and Luke had meeting rooms for talks with guild staff and clients. It seemed today’s discussion would happen there, except—

(Huh. There’s no one here…)

“They make demands and then keep us waiting?”

“Looks like the client is of high birth. …As a commoner, I can’t help feeling a bit overawed.”

“Save it. You’re rude day in, day out.”

Judging by how the receptionist behaved, the client was at least nobility—if not higher. —What made no sense was that only a front-desk staffer had dealt with them so far.

“Hm? As someone aiming to be a knight, I do try to mind my manners.”

“…Seems your education had issues.”

“Zeke… self-deprecation doesn’t suit you.”

(Isn’t his personality shifting year by year? Maybe I really did mistake him for someone else?)

While the two bantered as usual, a knock came at the door.

“Sounds like they’ve arrived.”

“Let’s hope this bush doesn’t hide a snake.”

Three people entered, guided by the receptionist, who promptly left once she had shown them in.

(So the guild is strictly acting as a go-between.)

They were a distinctive trio.

One was a large man with slicked-back hair. Even through his clothes, his rugged, well-trained body screamed martial discipline.

The second was a woman with long hair tied back. With glasses and a robe, she gave off an intellectual air.

(…And this one’s blatant.)

The last wore a robe like the woman, but a hood hid their face; it was impossible to make them out.

Though they looked quite different, all three very plainly carried weapons.

(Meanwhile, our weapons were checked at the door.)

“Forgive us, but our positions require we remain armed—in case of the unexpected.”

The large man spoke in a tone more courteous than his looks suggested.

“Pathetic. Can’t do anything without your toys?”

“…I see. True to the rumors—you don’t scare easily.”

Usually Zeke’s mouth curdled the mood at once, but not this time. Either they were tolerant—or something else.

“…Let’s save the probing for later. Sit, and let’s start with introductions.”

“Agreed. Let’s be efficient.”

(They’ve dug up a fair bit about us.)

“Then I’ll begin. I’m Luke Hartmann. And this is—”

“If we’re being efficient, you can skip us. You’ve done your homework.”

“Harsh. Don’t you think all this wariness is a bit much… future knight?”

(So they looked into Luke as well. To what end?)

“…Golton. You’re late.”

The robed woman spoke, her voice tinged with irritation.

“Tch—my apologies. I’m Golton.”

“…Stille.”

The two gave their names in quick succession, but the hooded figure did not move.

“Um… and that person?”

“…Whether we reveal ourselves depends on whether you accept. If not, we won’t.”

“You may not like it, but those are the rules.”

(Feels scripted.)

The synchronized patter made Hiroto suspicious, but he could not judge yet.

“…Leaving identities aside, you’ll at least tell us the content of the request? Otherwise we cannot decide.”

“Ordinarily, yes, but…”

“…Hearing the request counts as acceptance. There is no right of refusal.”

“…That’s absurd. You can’t make a one-sided deal like that.”

(So that’s why only a low-level staffer appeared.)

Clearly the job was trouble and inconvenient if public. Keep the circle of contact as small as possible and clamp down on information.

There had probably been a quid pro quo between the guild and the client—so leaks could be handled swiftly.

“You may feel it’s unfair, but the world is full of unfair things. All the more so if you become a knight.”

“…The knight order exists for the people. There is no justification for certain parties to twist that.”

“…You’re off topic. This has nothing to do with knights.”

(Sharp correction.)

As Stille said, this was not a debate about knightly ideals; it was whether to take the job.
When it came to knighthood, Luke’s vision narrowed—that was his flaw, born of how deeply he cared.

(And we don’t have to accept anything in the first place.)

“…We have no reason to accept.”

“I figured. Black-haired boy—do you concur?”

“…”

“…The commission is addressed to both of you, but one can accept alone. Compensation beyond the success reward is also prepared.”

(They’ve definitely investigated me. A rich Lagias heir raising money as an adventurer does look suspicious.)

“Silent, eh… Weren’t we not doing the whole ‘probing’ thing?”

“I could say the same to you.”

“…We won’t force you. We’ll just find someone else. Though your record might suffer.”

(What—did they just threaten us, straight up?!)

“W-what exactly do you mean by that?”

“I don’t know. But he never says anything he doesn’t mean at face value.”

(They think I won’t move and poke Luke instead… This tactic—)

“…Even so, I—”

Become a knight. That had been Luke’s childhood dream—the one he would achieve no matter what. But not at the cost of dragging a friend into an unforeseen disaster.

“Speaking of which… wasn’t there a knight who returned to the rank of regimental commander?”

“You—!”

“Hey… that’s enough.””

Killing intent flooded the room. They were targeted with a murderous will unlike anything they had experienced.

Vicious monsters, hired assassins, rebel cells aiming to topple the kingdom… None had ever conjured such a vivid image of death. Sweat poured from every pore; breathing would not come. Hands shook too hard to even grip their small backup weapons. In this state, they could barely cry out, let alone defend themselves.

All three realized it at once: they had chosen the wrong method.