Ranking Up and the Guild Head's Story

And so, we returned to the Adventurer Guild with our quest tickets in hand. It was right around the time the sun was starting to set.

Since most people seem to wrap up their work by evening, the place looked less crowded than yesterday.

"… So, how did it go? Was it too much for you after all?"

And then there was this receptionist. Hmm, I wonder if remembering a newbie's face on only their second day of registration means she's actually looking out for us?

"No, we completed them properly. Here you go."

"… Indeed you did. And with high evaluations on both, no less…"

The receptionist's face twisted into a frown.

"Congratulations, you're eligible for a rank up. Would you like to rank up?"

"Huh?"

Rank up… meaning from G-Rank to F-Rank, I suppose.

"The requirements for ranking up from G to F are completing ten quests, with at least one being a subjugation quest. High evaluations count as two completions each… Furthermore, the rabbit subjugation had a minimum of three, so every three rabbits counts as one completed quest… Therefore, with five high-evaluation completions, you've met the rank-up requirements… Would you like to rank up?"

"Ah, yes."

"Then please hand over your Guild Cards. Have a seat while you wait."

When I handed over my and Niku's Guild Cards, the receptionist retreated into the back room.

… Ranking up on your second day of registration has got to be pretty conspicuous, right? I said yes without really thinking, but maybe that was a bad call.

No, I should be happy that becoming F-Rank means we can finally take the [Ordinary Cave] survey quest.

If we accept the survey quest, it won't seem strange at all to ask for detailed information about [Ordinary Cave].

While we waited at one of the tables, the receptionist came back.

"… Kehma-sama, and… Niku-sama. The Guild Head would like to speak with you. Please follow me."

Yeah, she clearly hesitated before calling Niku '-sama' just now. It felt like she only did it because it was part of her job.

She probably has some thoughts about slaves. Still, the fact that she can set that aside and properly address someone as part of her work shows she's got a solid backbone, in my opinion.

But having the Guild Head take an interest in us is a bit scary…

Not like I can refuse, though. Guess we have no choice but to go.

Following behind the receptionist, we headed to the Guild Head's office… It had an impressive door with a plaque reading "Guild Head's Office" mounted above it. When the receptionist knocked, a gruff voice answered from inside.

"Yeah, come in."

"Excuse us."

Following the receptionist inside, we found a solidly-built old man. He had sun-tanned skin typical of an adventurer, a white mustache that radiated confidence and experience, and eyes that glared like those of a large predator.

"I'm Gin, the Guild Head. I've heard about you two from Silia here."

Silia must be the receptionist. First time hearing her name.

The Guild Head stared intently at Niku before speaking.

"… Missy, what do you think of this young man here?"

"He's Goshujin-sama."

"… I see."

Niku answered without hesitation.

The Guild Head slowly nodded and patted Niku's head. Unlike his dignified demeanor from before, he now wore the smile of a kindly old man.

Then he turned back to the receptionist and spoke.

"Well, that's fine then. Oi, Silia. Make sure you process that rank up properly."

"Eh? Y-yes…"

"Silia and missy, step outside please. I'd like to have a word with this one alone."

At the Guild Head's request for them to leave, Silia led Niku out of the room… I'd love to leave too, but that's probably not an option.

"… Goshujin-sama."

"It's fine. Wait outside."

Niku gave a small nod and left.

After confirming the two had gone, the Guild Head spoke.

"She's quite attached to you."

"Yeah. She's a cute kid."

"… What's your relationship with that missy?"

It was like he was probing for information. No, he was definitely probing.

Crap, my throat's getting dry.

"What do you mean?"

"I wouldn't find it strange if you told me you were siblings."

"A beastkin and a human?"

"Could easily be half-siblings. So what's the truth?"

Ah, now that he mentions it, that would be plausible. I hadn't considered that.

"Unfortunately, she's just a slave I happened to pick up."

"… How many years ago?"

"… In terms of years, it was this year."

"She got that attached in just one year?!"

"S-sorry, more precisely, I picked her up last week."

"Oi, what did you do? What magic tool did you use? Spit it out."

Hiii, he suddenly got threatening?!

"No… I found her when she was on the verge of death, so maybe that's why…"

"I-is that so… No, sorry about that. Actually, that child… might be my granddaughter."

Whoa, don't say stuff like that. I-I'm not giving her back, you know?

"There's also a possibility you might be my grandchild…"

Shock! I'm actually the grandchild of some old man from another world?!

No no, that's impossible. My parents and grandfather should still be in Japan back on Earth.

"What do you mean by that?"

"My old man was a hero from another world. Back in the day, I had black hair just like yours."

"Huh… Is that so?"

Indeed, based on the vague impression I got from that god, it didn't seem like I was the first. He'd probably done this several times before.

The important piece of information here was that there had been heroes from other worlds.

"To put it simply… My son went missing over ten years ago. Ever since then, whenever I see young people with black hair, I can't help but wonder if they might be my grandchild… That's all there is to it. My grandchild might not have even been born, but even if my son is no longer alive, I'd at least like to know what became of him… I'd appreciate it if you could share any information you come across."

"… If I learn anything, I'll be sure to bring it to you."

"Thank you."

The Guild Head lowered his head slightly.

Before I knew it, the tension in the air had dissipated. I noticed saliva had pooled in my mouth, so I swallowed to wet my throat. Haah, I thought I was going to die there.

"Still… When I heard Silia's report about the missy, I was thinking about what I'd do about it… Never expected her master would also have black hair… That name, Niku, did you give it to her?"

"… She told me that was already her name, so I left it as is."

"Is that… so. If that's the case, I suppose it can't be helped…"

The Guild Head let out a long sigh.

"As fellow black-haired folk, I'll cut you some slack. If you need anything, just say the word."

I decided not to point out that his hair was white now.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

When I left the Guild Head's office, Niku was waiting right beside the door.

The Guild Head's grandchild… a hero's great-grandchild, huh. Considering how capable she is, it's not entirely implausible.

That said, I don't know how much of the Guild Head's story was actually true. After all, there was no evidence whatsoever. If his father really was a hero from another world, I'd like to see some proof first.

Besides, it's weird to assume someone's related to a hero just because of black hair. If a foreigner had been summoned, they could have had blonde hair. And for it to conveniently be only Japanese people… I don't even know if they were from the same world in the first place.

Hmm, I want a magic tool that can detect lies too…

When I took Niku back to the guild lobby, the receptionist brought out our Guild Cards.

"Here you are. These are now F-Rank Guild Cards. Please verify them."

The cards we received did indeed have F-Rank written on them. Having handed over the cards, the receptionist promptly returned to the counter.

Right, with this we can finally do the [Ordinary Cave] survey.

I immediately started looking for the "Dungeon [Ordinary Cave] Survey" quest ticket.

… Huh?

I can't find it. Did I overlook it…?

"It's not here…"

"It's not here… Which means someone else took it…"

Crap, what do we do now?