114 - Beim's Guild
We returned to Beim.
I had come today with Clara to report to the guild.
In the guild lobby, where people were coming and going in great numbers, Tanya-san was working at the reception at the end of the line.
She gripped the frame of her glasses with her fingertips, adjusted their position, and looked at us.
"Oh, you've returned quite early. Or is the request impossible to achieve?"
Whether she knew we had completed the request or not, she joked while telling us to take a seat.
I handed over the necessary documents, and Tanya-san checked the envelope, opened it carefully, and verified the papers inside.
She read them in front of us, holding the documents in her left hand and resting her right hand on her chin, nodding several times.
"The evaluation is 'B'. However, your thorough work is appreciated. The reward will be paid as planned."
When I presented my guild card, Tanya-san took it and proceeded with the paperwork.
Tanya-san, filling out the documents quickly, asked for confirmation without stopping her hand.
"Based on the nature of the work, it's a five to six-day trip one way. You're quite fast. Did you use horses? If you're an adventurer registered with the guild, you can rent them cheaply if you go through the procedures. Did you know that?"
Seeing her smile as she looked at me, she was likely checking if I had done my research.
I was surprised by a service that didn't exist outside of Beim, but I simply said,
"I'll make use of it from next time."
When I said that, Tanya-san let out a light sigh and returned her gaze to the documents. There was a counter on her desk, so I couldn't see what she was doing.
However, I heard a sound like a stamp being pressed.
She returned my guild card along with the documents, and Tanya-san left her seat. She was likely going to get the reward.
Clara asked,
"Is that okay? Won't that answer affect the exam?"
I shrugged my shoulders.
"It's fine. We finished the job within the time limit. Besides, the evaluation isn't bad. If we're too capable, we'll be used, and we don't have the strength to refuse that. If we stretch ourselves too thin to get a high evaluation, it'll only make it harder to move."
Hearing my opinion, Clara seemed relieved. Being relied upon by the guild is an honorable thing.
Services would be better than for others, and above all, the level of recognition would be different. But I didn't want to be used up by the guild.
Especially in Beim, a considerable amount of requests come in. With so many requests that they can't all be processed, a convenient party like us would be something they'd want desperately.
Movement speed, and adaptability.
Each member is capable and can handle a fair amount of things. That's why I thought the evaluation should be limited to a certain extent.
"I've been an adventurer in Alamsars for a while, but Beim really is different. Not just the atmosphere, but the quality of the staff too."
Agreeing with Clara, I nodded, recalling how terrible the guild in Alamsars was. Then, Clara and I laughed a little.
Tanya-san returned with the reward on a metal tray and placed it on the counter.
"Now, please confirm the reward. Also, I believe you understand about the East Branch, but from now on, you will be completing requests periodically. When you have spare time, you may challenge the labyrinth or hunt monsters around the city. However, please observe proper manners."
I confirmed the amount, took it, and asked Tanya-san for clarification.
"It's a bit troubling to have no freedom, though. Over what period do we need to complete requests?"
Tanya-san took out a thin metal plate with characters engraved on it and used it to explain to us.
"It depends on the content and difficulty of the request, but for something like this time, once a month would suffice. However, for simple requests, we'll have you complete them two to three times a month."
It seems that for monster hunting within a distance of two or three days, it's necessary to do it two to three times a month.
A voice echoed from within the Jewel Orb. It was the Fourth Generation.
'Since there are no knights, they make adventurers hunt the monsters. In other words, soldiers who earn their own keep and maintain themselves... I'd want some of those.'
A group that requires no overhead costs and works when paid a reward must seem attractive to the Fourth Generation.
The Seventh Generation countered that.
'I have no need for such soldiers. Using people whose abilities are unknown is only for when mercenaries are needed in war. I wouldn't want to use them ever again.'
The Seventh Generation's dislike of adventurers was quite something.
"What's the penalty if we don't complete them?"
When Clara checked, Tanya-san smiled.
"There is none. You may assume that we won't do anything from our end."
Looking at that smile, I thought,
(In other words, if we do nothing, the guild will also specially do nothing. Including not arranging labyrinth subjugations, and so on.)
The guild side likely finds it more important to look for adventurers who are cooperative than to force them to work.
They can't be bothered with unmotivated adventurers. After all, the guild is an organization that holds the rights to magic stones.
At the same time, managing adventurers might not be the part they put their full effort into, though I wouldn't call it a mere bonus.
Managing the adventurers who collect magic stones is necessary, but from their perspective, arranging work for us is a service.
"Also, when a request is completed, taxes are deducted from it. You may have heard this, but completing a request is seen as a contribution to Beim."
Completing requests means Beim prospers.
Apparently, they don't take taxes even when selling magic stones. That seems to be Beim's policy.
Clara looked a bit exasperated.
"Either way, most of the money adventurers earn is spent in Beim. In Beim, where there is no lord, that's probably more important."
Tanya-san smiled.
"You're clever. But it's better not to say that out loud. You never know where a Sweeper might be listening."
The Sweepers are the cleaners whom the guild acknowledges the existence of, but who do not appear in public. Dealing with adventurers who are more powerful than ordinary people, they cannot hold the position unless they are excellent.
I spoke instead of Clara.
"We'll be careful. Though, I'd hate to think the Sweepers are so short-tempered that they'd target us for this much."
Tanya-san said to us, who had completed the request,
"Now, I wonder. Well then, congratulations on completing your first request in Beim. I have high expectations for you from now on, Liel-kun. And you, Clara-san."
Having received what I needed, I learned that it was fine not to take any requests this month. Deciding to register Mei as an adventurer tomorrow, I stood up from the chair and left the guild with Clara.
After receiving the reward, I stopped by some stalls on the way back to the inn with Clara.
Rather than being hungry myself, I was preparing souvenirs because Mei eats a lot. Though, Aria and Shannon would probably eat them too.
Walking along the street with many stalls, Clara and I chose food for the souvenirs.
"Meat skewers? Mei-san and Aria-san would be happy, but Shannon-chan might find them mediocre."
"Eh, really? Doesn't she eat anything?"
When I said that, Clara looked at me and shook her head.
"I think that perception is a bit off. It's true she eats a lot, but she has many likes and dislikes, and she loves sweet things."
Now that she mentioned it, I remembered that was true. Still, there was no doubt she'd be happy with meat skewers.
"Then, candy art? No, maybe some fried potatoes that feel like a snack? What about you, Clara?"
"Me? No, I don't need to eat that much outside of meals."
Since she's an adventurer, Clara eats a fair amount, but compared to the other members, her food intake is on the lower side.
Remembering that sweet things are good when using one's brain, I bought some sweet candies sold nearby with a large copper coin.
I handed the bag to Clara.
"Candies last a long time, so you can suck on them while reading. It won't tie up your hands."
Clara took them, nodded repeatedly, and looked down slightly.
The Third Generation's voice came from the Jewel Orb.
'Oops, Liel just made a move to get on Clara's good side!'
The Fourth Generation added casually,
'Hmm, so Shannon-chan is fine since he bought her a pendant before, leaving seven more... That's tough!'
I felt like punching the successive heads who were laughing while saying things like "That's tough," but I still haven't been able to land a proper blow on them.
I thought I'd like to land at least one hit today.
Then, I heard voices.
The voices of adventurers arguing. It seemed they were having a fight among comrades.
"Are you saying it's my fault!"
Looking over, I saw Airhardt with a greatsword on his back. As usual, I couldn't understand his attire, wearing only a tank top on top.
Isn't he cold?
Clara, holding the brown paper bag of candies, looked at Airhardt and the others.
"It seems they've returned from a request."
Airhardt held an envelope like the one I had received, clutching it and crumpling it.
In front of him, the party members who were more like Airhardt's subordinates had dissatisfied expressions.
"That's right! For starters, arriving in one day without even investigating... it took four days! And we definitely got a low evaluation because we angered the client at the destination! We already have little money, so what's the point of reducing our income!"
It seemed they had angered the client and had their evaluation lowered.
I observed Airhardt and the others from afar and decided to keep a certain distance. I was also curious why they were fighting in a place like this.
"What does it matter if I bought one skewer at a stall! You're overreacting. Once a request suitable for me comes, I'll earn loads, so shut up!"
Amidst the dissatisfaction, it seemed he alone had bought food at a stall.
The Sixth Generation's voice came from within the Jewel Orb.
'No matter how you look at it, that's just wrong.'
He seemed appalled by Airhardt, but the Third Generation laughed.
'Hmm, everyone has their own way of leading people, but that's no good. He's not the type who can lead with charisma, yet he says 'follow me'... I wonder if he's forgotten that he lost to Liel? Well, it's an amusing spectacle, but it's a nuisance if we get involved. Liel, let's leave here immediately.'
If Airhardt spotted me, he might challenge me to a rematch on the spot. That would be bad, or rather, tedious, so I decided to take Clara's hand and leave the area.
The Fifth Generation let out an appalled voice from the Jewel Orb.
'Ignorant and reckless. Well, adventurers might grow more if they're like that. Liel, if anything, is almost too well-behaved.'
The Fifth Generation said that a certain amount of recklessness is necessary to succeed. Indeed, I think such an aspect is necessary.
But one wrong step leads to ruin.
If it goes well, they'll succeed, but the person's own qualities will affect their future.
It's not impossible to climb up from here and establish a style for living as an adventurer.
I'm the senior here, but we're still similar rookies.
(I had Novem and the ancestors giving me advice... if it weren't for that, I might be the one being laughed at right now.)
Around Airhardt, there were residents who looked annoyed. And there were fellow adventurers and residents who were watching and laughing.
The parties involved didn't care and continued to shout insults at each other.
Looking at Airhardt, I realized that I couldn't honestly make fun of him.
――A room in the guild.
There, Tanya was reporting to her superior about the adventurers.
Several documents were submitted, and Tanya's evaluation was written there.
The superior was drinking tea while looking at the materials of the adventurer party newly active in the Beim East Branch.
He was a superior who wasn't originally an adventurer but was the type who was competent at managing magic stones. However, at the same time, he listened to the opinions of the field regarding adventurer relations, so he was a superior valued by his subordinates.
"So, what is Tarnya's opinion? Are there any shining talents among these?"
Tarnya did not correct the superior who called her Tarnya. She has two names.
Tanya is her name as a guild employee.
And Tarnya is her name as a Sweeper.
"Yes. I believe several parties will be profitable for us. Also, regarding the party led by Liel."
The superior searched for the document, took it in his hand, and nodded.
"He obtained a splendidly good evaluation. It's not a high evaluation, but it's not bad. With this, it seems we could send them into the labyrinth immediately."
Then, Tarnya nodded.
"Yes, it's the best evaluation. However, I feel it was intentional."
The superior looked at Tarnya.
"Is there some dissatisfaction?"
"No, excellent adventurers are the guild's precious assets. I believe he—they—will become precious assets of the East Branch."
The superior, thinking Tarnya had found something shady about the other party, drank tea again and felt relieved.
"Then, isn't that fine? We just need to provide support. If they complete requests moderately, arrange labyrinth subjugations for them. If we only use them, they'll leave for somewhere else immediately. A moderate amount of bait is necessary."
Hearing that, Tarnya nodded and reported to the superior.
"Also, this one is a terrible case."
The superior looked at the materials he had been avoiding, and since it was a common occurrence, he seemed uninterested. This kind of crowd appears every year.
Young people who became adventurers out of ignorance, causing duel commotions.
"Same as always. Guide them so they're beneficial to the guild, and if that doesn't work, just leave them be. If they go somewhere else because of that, it'll actually be a help."
Adventurers who cause trouble are shunned even by the guild.
Those adventurers were Airhardt and his group. However, they don't abandon them immediately. There is a certain number of adventurers like them, and many have grown from that state.
The guild also had a method to turn them into decent adventurers that the guild wanted.
"That's right... Tarnya is too much of a capable woman. Let's have a receptionist with more tolerance handle them. Let's make her their exclusive receptionist, calling it a penalty for this incident."
There were enough staff members to make that possible.
A single beautiful receptionist handles several parties and motivates them. One could also say she manages them and uses them for convenience.
What happens when a beautiful receptionist who is genuinely concerned for them is troubled because they won't take requests? Adventurers who feel gratitude or have feelings for her will take the lead in completing requests.
Those who have gained strength elsewhere as adventurers avoid such requests if they think it will be to their disadvantage.
Therefore, a certain number of adventurers like Airhardt were necessary.
"Was it 'use whatever tools you have'? If they can become full-fledged, it'll be a profit for the guild. And it'll be a great profit for them too. Yeah, it should be a relationship where neither side loses, both the guild and the adventurers."
Facing the smiling superior, Tarnya nodded, collected the materials from his desk, and organized them neatly.
"Then, I shall take my leave."
To Tarnya, who was leaving the room, the superior said,
"Well then, do your best at the reception, Tanya."
That's what he said――.