Chapter 190 - A Special License
The day after the meeting at the hotel.
Yesterday, I was told a lot, but I decided to gather more information on my own and headed to the Adventurer Guild.
The guild and I had our disagreements in the past, and for a while, our relationship was strained. After the incident involving the delinquent adventurers, I settled things with the headquarters, but I didn't really have any meaningful talks with the local branch. Back then, the branch was literally blown to pieces, and the situation was far too chaotic for any proper conversation. But now, all that is in the past.
To me, it's all water under the bridge. The branch has a new leadership, and there's no point in holding grudges. Everyone knows that the corrupt officials and the delinquent adventurers were the real culprits. In fact, some adventurers fought alongside us during that time, and we've since had a few positive interactions. Our current relationship is not just good but can even be described as excellent.
For this upcoming journey, I thought the Adventurer Guild might have information on the Abandoned Road and the southern continent. The Exembra branch lost a lot of records in the explosion, but there are still knowledgeable people around. Using the guild's communication network, we can exchange information with other branches. They even have magical fax-like devices. I also believe that the southern continent has its own Adventurer Guild branches, which might provide additional information. The Crimson Knights might have already done their research, but I still think it's important to do my own due diligence.
I could just follow the knights and let them handle everything, but I can't afford to be that complacent. As an individual, I want to have a certain level of knowledge. Besides, I have a personal interest in this. This kind of opportunity to delve into the southern continent's history doesn't come around often.
Moreover, if I'm going, I want to bring back as many spoils as possible. The reward promised by Rosmerta is significant, but I can't help feeling it might be all there is. With more knowledge, I might come up with better ideas. As the president of the Kikyo Society, I should aim high.
Still, it's not easy to get information, even with good relations. Guild members usually have to pay for it, and the prices can be exorbitant. Information is valuable, especially when it comes to the dangerous southern continent, which is also home to ancient ruins. It's unlikely that anyone other than adventurers would freely share such information.
However, the Kikyo Society is in a unique position. We have a special 'right' that sets us apart.
During the settlement with the Adventurer Guild headquarters, the Kikyo Society acquired a magical artifact. It wasn't something that could be sold or used in battle. It was, quite simply, a Guild Card. A Guild Card is a magical device that serves as both an ID and a credit card, much like a Record Card.
Usually, Guild Cards are issued to individuals, but due to special circumstances, the Kikyo Society received an exceptional card. This card, intended for the organization, can be used by any member with the president's permission. It's a rare exception.
Moreover, it's a second-tier special license, which ranks just below the highest level, the first tier. The adventurer ranks, like magic, range from first to seventh tier, following a classification system established by legendary mages. Currently, no one holds the first-tier rank, making the second tier the highest in practice. Achieving a first-tier rank would likely require legendary feats.
With this license, we receive appropriate treatment based on our rank. We can access records at any branch, and second-tier members can even access confidential information, though only a portion of it without special permission.
The card also comes with many perks. Material buyback prices are slightly higher, and affiliated lodging and trade establishments offer discounts. Second-tier members even have their guild fees waived. While many of these benefits aren't particularly useful to us, the Guild Card is still a powerful tool.
However, the 'special' in our second-tier special license has its own conditions. Regular guild members maintain their status by paying annual fees and avoiding misconduct. Our special license, however, has an expiration date and can be revoked by the guild at any time, with a ten-year maximum. In the case of the Kikyo Society, we have a formal agreement that any revocation will be communicated in writing and followed by a grace period.
Despite these conditions, the special license offers significant benefits without many obligations. It's a good deal, but it won't last forever.
I haven't personally used the privileges much, but the Intelligence Bureau has found the card quite useful. The Instruction Bureau also benefits from it when selling materials from monster hunts. Whenever the Guild Card is needed, we lend it out from the Kikyo Society Headquarters.
Today, I'm here to exercise my rights.
The Central Plaza, which I haven't visited in a long time, shows no traces of the destruction from the past. Thriving Exembra has only become more impressive since then.
The Adventurer Guild branch has transformed from a bureaucratic building into a sleek, modern museum-like structure. It's quite stylish and fitting for the world-renowned guild and the rapidly growing Exembra branch.
Wearing my moon-white cloak with the purple crystal Kikyo crest, I stepped inside and took a look around. The basic layout with rows of counters remains the same, but the higher ceilings make the space feel more spacious. It was less crowded because I chose a quieter time, which made it feel even larger.
As I was about to get down to business, I caught the eye of a passing woman.
"Oh, you're from the Kikyo Society, right? I think we've met before."
"It's been a while, but I remember you."
I recognized the glamorous and striking woman in front of me. I met her a long time ago when I visited the guild to send a letter to Ophelia and her team. She was very helpful, and she's a supermodel-level beauty. Once you meet her, you don't forget her.
"You have a special license, right? If you'd like, I can help you with your request."
"Sure, thank you. I'm here for information."
"Information? Usually, it's someone from the Intelligence Bureau. But sure, follow me."
She must have been surprised to see me, as I usually send someone else for such matters.
In a private room, I went through the formalities of presenting the Guild Card and my authorization. As the president, I didn't need the authorization, but it saved time.
After the formalities, I asked for general information on the southern continent and the Medek-Legisamo Empire. My current knowledge is limited to secondhand information, so any details would be valuable.
"That's quite broad. I can give you a general overview verbally, but it might take some time."
"That's fine. I don't want to waste too much time on this."
"Alright, I'll try to be as objective as possible. Feel free to ask questions at any time."
"Sure, no problem."
While the Clad Family and others might have their own sources, I wanted a third-party perspective from the Adventurer Guild. After a rather long session, I learned a lot from the beautiful woman.
Before I knew it, two hours had passed.
"It's getting late. Thanks for your time."
"No problem. If you ever need anything, feel free to ask. This is more enjoyable than being at the front desk."
I suspect she finds the front desk a bit tedious, but we agreed to have tea sometime and parted ways.
On my way back, I reviewed the information I had gathered.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much new information about the Abandoned Road. However, I learned a lot about the southeastern cluster of small states, the deep and treacherous Forest of the Underworld in the central south, and the maritime nation of Alward in the southwest. The information about the monsters in these areas was particularly useful. Knowing about the dangerous ones and which ones can be used for food will be valuable. It will reduce the supplies we need to carry and add variety to our diet.
The information about the scattered villages and the general dangers of the area could also be useful. I decided not to ask about ancient ruins, as they might distract me from our main objective. Knowing about them would likely make me overly curious.
I also gathered general information about the Medek-Legisamo Empire. They have an Adventurer Guild branch, and information is regularly exchanged with the Exembra branch. According to the guild, life in the empire is similar to life here, or even more conventional. The empire is a military power with a large, well-trained army, supported by a robust economy. Despite its infamous reputation, ordinary citizens lead normal lives.
However, the occupied territories within the empire are said to be harsh and lawless. While it's normal for these areas to have different conditions, they seem to be particularly harsh.
While it's good to know about the harsh living conditions, they don't concern us much. We're just passing through, and we probably won't encounter the same people again. Unless I get a sudden urge, I'll likely ignore them.
The strategic and tactical decisions are up to the Crimson Knights, so I don't need to worry about such matters. I don't plan to do anything I don't like, but I don't expect any unreasonable requests. There are many unknowns, and we'll have to adapt as we go.
Having some knowledge, even if it's vague, helps with mental preparation.
Now, it's time for specific preparations. This will be a long journey, and we might face some treacherous paths. I need to review our equipment.
And the personnel. Right now, it's just me from the Kikyo Society. That's a bit lonely, and I want to bring more people along.
Thinking about everyone who's busy managing the McDallian Family's territory, I stopped at a sweet shop to chat with the server before heading back to headquarters. The sugar boost helped clear my head a bit.
At the headquarters on Lightning Street, the usual hustle and bustle made me frown. We need to improve security here.
"Deliver these documents to the Commerce Guild urgently!"
"Shady characters are lurking around? Pass it on to the combat team and let them handle it!"
"Um, I have a problem with someone following me..."
"Those are some tough characters. Can you help?"
"The new trade guild seems to be doing well, but their payments are overdue. We may need to take action depending on the situation."
"We're short-staffed everywhere! We need to figure something out!"
"Hey, don't skip training just because you're busy. I'll come and check on you!"
"Ugh, can you please read the room, acting president?"
It's incredibly busy. I was about to slip away when someone noticed me.
"Yukari! Just the person I needed."
Frederica, don't tell me you're trying to use the president for menial tasks.
Ignoring my displeasure, she asked me to meet with the Rose Madder Mercenary Corps, who had come to town to discuss our trade.
"Sure, why not? Usually, the front company handles this, right?"
"Yes, but there's another matter. The Secretariat is swamped, so they've been waiting, but I didn't want to keep them waiting too long."
"I see. In that case, I'll do it."
It's not that I mind. I can handle a conversation.
The magical artifact obtained from the Adventurer Guild has finally made its appearance. This is a follow-up to the conflict with the delinquent adventurers and the branch's struggle, which began in Chapter 144: "Gifts from All Directions." (Very explanatory tone)
While it may not be a combat tool, it's a valuable 'right' that has proven useful. The preparation phase for the journey will continue for a bit longer, and the actual trip is expected to be quite extensive.