CHAPTER 104: A BAD FEELING WHEN FORCED TO WORK

After receiving an invitation, Toru and the others were taken by Marie to the Guild Master’s office.

　It had been a week since they had seen Aaron Dilmut, the head of the Finlis Guild.

　The Adventurers’ Guild is a private organization that exists throughout the world. If we were to use Earth as a metaphor, it would be a global corporation.

　Toru is still a newcomer to the guild.

　In Japan, it would have been unthinkable for Toru to have multiple meetings with the head of a branch.

(This is very huge…) (Toru)

　Considering what kind of things he might have to say to me, I am not too frankly pleased.

　I was quite afraid that he might push me to do a ridiculous request. It actually happened in Japan.

In Japan, I was actually forced to do dangerous work by being told something like, “This is the kind of work we are asking you to do because you are Mizuki-kun.”

　Be especially careful when the person you are talking to lifts you up.

　A great person will always impose unreasonable demands on you, regardless of your situation.

(Ugh… My stomach hurts…) (Toru)

　Recalling the past, I felt gloomy.

“I’m sorry for calling you so early in the morning. I called you here today to talk about something else. It is about something related to your futures starting now.” (Aaron)

“Starting now?” (Toru)

“By the way, I’m glad you were able to complete that nominated request I asked you to do.” (Aaron)

“Well, it’s unbelievable.” (Toru)

“I heard that you had great success in the Royal Capital. The actual a lot more the better. That’s amazing. As Finlis Guild Master, I am very proud of all of you. You are indispensable adventurers of Finlis!” (Aaron)

“…” (Toru)

　Aaron-san is lifting the others and me up.

(Wow, this smells really fishy.) (Toru)

　Should I escape now? As I raised from my seat at that moment, at that time.

　Aaron-san presented us with a tube. There was a small amount of red wax on the tube. It was a trace of sealing wax.

“What is this?” (Toru)

“A letter from the King.” (Aaron)

“This is from the King!?” (Esther)

　Esther’s complexion changed rapidly, standing up in surprise.

“Aaron-dono is it really a letter from His Majesty the King!?” (Esther)

“Yes, it was. I received proof that it was from the King at the same time. It even had the seals of the Prime Minister and the commanders of the Kingdom’s Knight Orders.”

“Wow, that’s amazing…” (Toru)

“This was sent to me. Can you understand my feelings as I read the letter? I was already sweating profusely and it was very hard. I want to live in peace if possible, but it’s hard to keep that up with this. Somewhere out there, there’s a good person who would be a guild master in my place.” (Aaron)

“*Cough**cough*!” (Marie)

　Marie cleared her throat as if to refocus the derailed of the conversation.

　Aaron-san shrugs his shoulders (it didn’t seem that bad) before opening his mouth again.

“Now, let’s get back to the story so as the excellent chief of the receptionist department does not get miffed with me. Let me summarize the contents of this letter. His Majesty would like to express his condolences for the recent disturbance in Finlis and the attack on the Royal Capital. He also thanked the Finlis Guild for dispatching your party to the city and offered you a reward.” (Aaron)

“Reward?” (Toru)

　I tilted my head in confusion.

　I thought it was going to be an unreasonable segue for a dangerous request, but it seems that it is something different.

(I wonder if my intuition was dulled after coming to this world.) (Toru)

　It’s been about a month since I left my (Black) company in Japan. My previously sensitive sixth sense regarding dangerous work may have been dulled by my activities in the new world

“This time, you have been given the right to take a special rank-up quest.” (Aaron)

“Oh, that’s amazing!” (Esther)

　Esther cried in delight.

　In order to raise their ranks, adventurers of E-rank or higher must take rank-up quests given by the guild.

　The quests usually cannot be done consecutively within a short period.

　Once a person’s rank has been raised, he or she must wait a certain period of time before being given a rank-up quest.

　My party and I had just been promoted to rank D a short while ago. Therefore, we should not be able to receive rank-up quests for a while yet.

(What? The reward isn’t that great…) (Toru)

　My shoulders dropped as soon as he said it.

(I wanted money and rare items more than ranking up or titles.) (Toru)

　Regaining my attention, I asked just in case.

“If you mean rank-up… So, it is a quest to move up to C-rank?” (Toru)

“Of course. You are now D-rank adventurers. If you are good enough, I’d like to move you up in rank right away. It looks like I’ll be able to do it.

　But the master of a local guild is a half-baked position because I only have a title but I have no authority. Even though I’m a master, it’s terrible being caught between the people above and beneath me.” (Aaron)

“*Cough**cough*! Master, please proceed with the main topic.” (Marie)

“Oh, right……” (Aaron)

　Marie has a scary expression on her face, and Aaron-san was getting bad vibes from her expression.

　He glanced at me, winked, and said, “Well, she’s a bit too strict, right?”

“*Cough* Back to the subject, this is a rank-up quest permitted by the king. Considering your accomplishments, I think a rank-up would have been fine, but, well, I guess my conservative superiors were vehemently opposed to it.” (Aaron)

　Aaron-san gave a knowing gaze.