The escort carriage, upon arriving in the capital, headed straight for the Hunter's Guild.
Upon arrival at the guild, the guild master, guild staff, many hunters, and the capital's guards were waiting. It was likely that a messenger had been sent as soon as they passed through the city gates.
"You've done well. Is anyone hurt?"
After commending 'Red Vow,' the guild master turned to the men who had attacked Maile and her party, who had been taken out of the carriage.
"You are said to be active C-rank hunters, is that true?"
After a brief investigation at the scene in the forest, the messenger had ridden ahead, so the guild master had some information.
To the men who confirmed this, the guild master coldly declared:
"This incident was a criminal act carried out without the guild's involvement, and as hunters, you will receive no support or assistance from the guild. Furthermore, your attack on a guild-affiliated hunter, which is a clear act of hostility against the guild, will result in your permanent expulsion and your handover to the capital's guards as attempted murderers. Do you have any objections?"
"Wait, wait! It's true that we took an illegal request, and I understand expulsion is inevitable. But we didn't intend to kill! It was just a threat. Please, you can testify to that, right?"
He desperately pleaded with Maile and her party, but they only shrugged.
"Tell that to the guards. Once we hand you over, the guild is no longer involved.
A noble from a fief attacked girls, who are direct subjects of His Majesty, in the capital, which is under the direct jurisdiction of the king. You can expect a severe investigation and punishment.
Come, hand them over, please take them away."
The guards nodded at the guild master's words and led the pleading men away.
Maile and her party would likely be called to testify after the initial investigation, probably the next day or the day after.
"Come, let's go to my room."
And so, Maile and her party found themselves in the guild master's familiar office once again.
Upon entering the guild master's room, they were instructed to sit in the reception chairs, and tea was promptly served.
"I've already heard the gist from the girl. You're not planning anything strange, are you?"
"Strange? No way, I'm not thinking of anything strange!"
The other three averted their eyes, but Maile looked straight at the guild master and said:
"Just retaliation, revenge, trampling, and annihilation. That's all. I'm not thinking of anything strange!"
"......"
The guild master slumped his shoulders.
"......This time, the guild will also take action. We can't let the capital branch of the Hunter's Guild be challenged by a mere local merchant. We need to show them what happens when they underestimate the guild."
Indeed, an attack on a guild-affiliated hunter is an attack on the guild itself. If left unchecked, similar incidents would increase. This was an event the guild could not overlook.
The reason the captured men were handed over to the guards in front of the guild was to set an example for other hunters. It was to show that accepting illegal requests would lead to this, and to encourage hunters to only accept requests through the guild, which would also benefit the guild financially.
"......Even if I say that, it's probably useless......"
Knock, knock.
"Ha......"
The guild master gave up.
"Can't be helped. In exchange, I'll have one of our people accompany you. They can serve as a witness later and help coordinate with the guild there. Also, having an extra person in your party will make it easier to cover up your numbers, which could be to your advantage."
While Maile was struggling to respond, Reina answered for her.
"Can't be helped......"
Thus, 'Red Vow' plus one person was decided to head to Tarus, the capital of the Boardman Viscount's territory, where Pauline's hometown was located.
"The departure will be three days from now, when the regular carriage to Tarus departs. We'll prepare and plan our strategy by then."
On the way back from the guild, Reina informed everyone.
It was probably not a good idea to discuss further on the street. The rest of the planning would be done in their inn room.
"Rennie, I'll be away for a few days. Have you found a mage to handle the hot water for the bath?"
"Wh-what? Not yet! I have to hurry! Mommy!"
Maile immediately told Rennie at the inn's counter about her upcoming trip, and Rennie panicked.
Three days later.
At the shared carriage departure area in the central square, the four members of 'Red Vow' and a girl who looked to be around fifteen were present.
The girl, wearing a flouncy skirt and a jacket with only the sleeves on and the front buttons undone, looked like an ordinary town girl and was greeting Maile and her party.
"I am Tillyza, a guild staff member. I will be accompanying you on this trip. Nice to meet you."
"Ah, nice to meet you too. Since you'll be part of the party, could you tell us your specialties?"
As the party leader, Mavis asked the necessary questions.
"Ah, yes, I'm a C-rank rear guard and use knives."
"γγγHuh?γγγ"
The three members of 'Red Vow' tilted their heads in confusion.
Being a C-rank hunter is fine. If you start at F-rank at ten and are talented and diligent, it's not unusual to be a C-rank hunter by fifteen.
The issue was being a rear guard who uses knives.
Why use a short-range weapon like a knife in the rear?
Knives are usually backup weapons or for butchering prey. It was unheard of for a hunter to use a knife as their main weapon.
"Knives... Ouch!"
Maile's foot was kicked, cutting off her simple question.
"What are you doing, Reina! It hurts... Ah!"
Maile, who was about to complain about being kicked by Reina's boot, let out a small scream when she saw Reina's scary face.
"......Nothing......"
Maile, who was more surprised than hurt, quickly retracted her question.
"I am here as a guild observer and liaison with the Tarus guild leadership. While I will pretend to be part of the party, I will not participate in battles and will not be responsible for your actions. In exchange, I will not interfere or comment on your actions, so please act freely."
The four nodded at Tillyza's explanation.
It was a fair point, and it was reassuring to have a guarantee that she wouldn't interfere with their actions.
Later, when Tillyza left to use the restroom before departure, Maile asked Reina:
"Reina, what was that just now!"
To the slightly annoyed Maile, Reina whispered:
"Don't ask about her job. If you think about it, it's obvious what a girl who uses knives as her main weapon does."
"Huh?"
"Think about it. What kind of situation would a girl who uses knives as her main weapon be good at?"
Reina's words made Maile imagine various scenarios.
"Um, infiltrating as a normal girl, secretly guarding, assassinating, assassinating, assassinating... Ah..."
When Tillyza mentioned her main weapon was a knife, Reina was the only one who didn't seem surprised, as she had already figured it out.
"Got it? Don't pry. It's a rule as a hunter and a secret to a long life."
Maile, Mavis, and Pauline, looking a bit pale, nodded in agreement.
After Tillyza returned and the four boarded the carriage, a man followed.
"Little brother..."
No one was surprised.
It was expected that he would come along.
Since a female party with a male stalker would attract attention and trouble, they reluctantly decided to form a temporary party of six: one man and five women.
Euan, unlike Tillyza, would likely participate in battles and give input on strategies.
While it was a bit annoying, Euan was a legitimate knight with proven skills. Observing a knight's judgment and combat style could be beneficial for their growth. Thinking this, the four didn't think it was such a bad thing.
In the carriage, Maile and her party were talking with Tillyza. Euan, perhaps hesitant to intrude on the young women's conversation, was listening quietly.
The conversation, of course, was just casual talk, as they couldn't discuss their plans with other passengers around.
"Are you also from the Hunter Training School, Tillyza?"
"No, the training school didn't exist when I became a C-rank hunter..."
"Huh?"
"I just progressed from F-rank in the usual way?"
"γγHuh?γγ"
That didn't make sense.
Even if you became an F-rank hunter at ten, it should take at least four years to reach C-rank. And the training school didn't exist when she became a C-rank hunter? The Hunter Training School, which was six years old?
...The numbers didn't add up.
"I retired from hunting and became a guild staff member when I had a child."
"γγγHuh?γγγ"
"My husband became the principal of the newly established Hunter Training School..."
"γγγγHuh?γγγγ"
It turned out she was Elbert's wife.
"W-wait! How old are you then..."
"Prying into a hunter's private life is forbidden, Maile."
"B-but..."
Behind the flustered Maile, Euan, with a pale face, was making the sign to ward off evil, desperately.