199 - raieru
――Rieue was looking at her uniform in the guild's changing room.
The skirt was a bit short, and it was flashier than those of the other staff members.
She picked it up and let out a sigh. Around her, other female staff members were arriving at the guild and changing.
Nearby, Marianne was wearing a normal uniform instead of the one she had used until now that emphasized her chest.
Glancing at her, Rieue looked at her own uniform.
"It's true that my chest isn't big... but that doesn't mean I need a short skirt."
Complaining, Rieue changed into the staff uniform.
Once she finished changing, she headed to the archives before going to the reception desk. This was to check the records of the adventurers she was in charge of. She would go to the counter with those documents, which summarized party members, request completion rates, and evaluations.
Leaving the archives, Rieue headed to the room where guild cards were stored. There, the guild cards of adventurers designated for rookie training were kept in a separate section.
She checked them, confirming that the names engraved on the silver guild cards were unscratched. Since the adventurer she had been close with died, Rieue had started visiting this room.
As she tried to leave the room with many documents, she bumped into Marianne in front of the door.
"...Ah."
Rieue was petite, so she ended up looking up at Marianne.
"Oh, did you come to check?"
Rieue bowed her head to the smiling Marianne and left the scene. Because she had looked down on her until now, she couldn't bring herself to face her.
She had bragged that the adventurers she was close with were excellent, and had mocked Marianne for dealing with rookie adventurers――especially those in the guild's designated training slots.
However, after the adventurers she knew suffered a massive blow as entire parties, with only one survivor, Rieue received orders from above regarding rookie training.
After being depressed for a while, Rieue decided to accept the offer.
Hurrying to the back of the reception area, Rieue greeted her supervisor, who acted as the coordinator.
"Good morning."
The supervisor looked at Rieue and smiled.
"Ah, good morning. You're a bit early. The counter isn't open yet, so shall we talk a bit before the handover?"
"Y-yes."
It was the rule that staff members would perform a handover when switching counters. Since there was a bit of time before then, the supervisor had stopped Rieue.
The supervisor showed Rieue several documents.
"Actually, there are some new adventurers I want you to look after. They're young, and there are quite a few pairs or trios. Look, the neighboring country is in chaos, so many people were kicked out after Banseime poured in."
In the place where the neighboring country had been, Banseime's forces had already entered and begun their rule. They were moving busily, from subjugating monsters to confirming territories.
In the midst of that, those who had lost their place and those who had lost their status were flowing into Beim.
"T-this many?"
One of the several documents detailed the current state of the neighboring country.
The rest were lists of names of adventurers who had come to the East Branch, written in small, dense print.
The supervisor explained to Rieue.
"No, you only need to explain things to them at first. We're holding orientation sessions, but there are many youths who might be deceived and rolling around in back alleys by tomorrow. While they do a few jobs, we'll call out to parties that want manpower. Oh, not all of them, though."
Hearing that they would be handled as a whole, Rieue felt relieved. Dealing with the adventurers she already had was hard enough, she couldn't possibly look after a massive number of adventurers.
"I'm relieved. Any more than this would truly be..."
Looking at Rieue, the supervisor nodded.
"Well, rookie adventurers who lack various things are difficult. Those managing them also have to think about various things to keep the work moving. Good luck. If there's anything you don't understand, try asking Marianne."
Rieue gave a wry smile, then parted with the supervisor and headed to the front counter――.
――After lunch.
Having finished her break and returned to the counter, Rieue was dealing with adventurers who had returned after completing a request.
She made sure to keep a smile on her face and responded while observing the other person carefully.
"T-that's not allowed. Abandoning a request halfway through. In this case, the guild cannot provide a reward."
In her head, she wanted to apologize to the client who had given the request to these useless rookie adventurers. Rieue's head began to ache at the thought that she might need to go apologize on her day off.
The pair of adventurers in front of her sat in their chairs, still dirty. Resting their arms on the counter, they spoke to Rieue.
"It's troubling to be told that. We did half of it, so give us half."
As they droned on about wanting a reward, the adventurers lined up behind them moved away from Rieue's counter to a different one.
The flow of people was completely different only at Rieue's counter.
What should I do? I can't clear them at all. People are flowing to other counters...
Just because she was in charge of rookies didn't mean she wouldn't deal with other adventurers. If it was busy, she would deal with them, and it was natural to help if she had free time. It was a problem for the guild if adventurers were kept waiting and work was delayed.
The opponents were youths who had become adventurers a few months ago. They were younger than Rieue, but their way of speaking was condescending.
"Hey, can't you be a bit more flexible? We want to go home soon too. If you just give us half, it's over, right?"
They were adventurers who had ended up in the rookie training slot due to frequent problematic behavior. They were normal at first, but perhaps because they had come from the countryside, they started playing around as soon as they got a little money.
"Rewards are not issued unless the request is achieved. Even if it's half or eighty percent, no means no."
No matter how many times she explained, the pair was not convinced.
Their voices gradually grew rough.
"You're our person in charge, right? Do your job properly."
"Besides, today's client was the worst, okay? Don't give us weird jobs. They're really noisy, telling us to 'be serious' or 'don't rest'."
Though the pair had begun to show problematic behavior, Rieue desperately explained.
"That's natural if you two sit around and don't work outside of break time――"
As Rieue's words became a bit rough, one of the adventurers clicked his tongue.
"Tch, what the hell. Even though you're eating with our money. Sigh, the previous rookie person in charge was a big-breasted beauty, but we have to deal with a shrimp like you. I've got no motivation."
Rieue looked down.
She remembered when she was a rookie and had been yelled at by an adventurer because her procedures were slow.
Come to think of it, the person who helped me back then was that person too.
Rieue remembered the adventurer who had died.
As she did, the surrounding staff approached Rieue to provide backup. However, a voice came from behind the adventurers.
"...How long are you going to keep droning on? I thought it was empty, but you're just saying the same thing over and over. I'm in a hurry. Use your head a little."
The one behind them was Erhart. As usual, he was in a tank top, with a greatsword on his back.
The pair stood up and glared at Erhart, but Erhart had companions too. His companions, who had been standing apart, gathered, their equipment was different from the pair's.
"What, you want to go?"
When Erhart threatened them, the pair of adventurers hurriedly left the counter. They had failed in the first place and hadn't even brought their documents.
As they left the guild as if fleeing, a staff member approached Erhart and the others.
"This is problematic. Private fighting between adventurers is forbidden within the guild."
Warned by a male guild staff member wearing glasses, Erhart scratched his head.
"M-my bad."
However, while the guild staff member warned them...
"Now then, please complete your reception."
He didn't reprimand them further and released Erhart and the others immediately. The male staff member approached Rieue.
"I'm sorry I wasn't in time. When that sort comes along, please step back and rely on a scary-looking staff member. Also, please handle their procedures."
"Y-yes!"
When Rieue replied, Erhart spoke with his companions and decided to be handled alone.
Sitting in front of the counter, Erhart seemed to have borrowed the guild's shower. He handed the report to Rieue.
Rieue received it and checked the contents.
Two jobs, monster subjugation around Beim and some miscellaneous chores. The evaluation is [B], huh.
In the reports from Erhart and his group who had returned from outside, relatively positive evaluations were written.
"Um, evaluation [B]. Thank you for your hard work. I'll prepare the reward, but what will you do about the next request?"
Then, Erhart spoke without seeming to think much about it.
"The combat was pretty tough. I'll have to check my equipment first. I finished two, so I should be fine for a while, right? If equipment maintenance takes time, I'll come to pick up some miscellaneous chores within Beim. I'll show my face within three days."
"It would be a help if you did that. What shall we do about the guild card update?"
"I'll ask for it before or after the next request."
When Rieue prepared the reward, Erhart received it and checked the amount. Then, he stood up.
"Thanks."
Rieue watched the back of Erhart as he headed toward his companions――.
When I showed my face at the East Branch of the guild, the atmosphere in the first-floor lobby was a bit restless.
I wondered what was happening, but thinking I could just ask someone, I decided to head for the third floor of the guild, taking Clara with me.
Clara also seemed to sense the atmosphere within the guild.
"Somehow, they seem a bit excited."
I nodded too.
"Yeah. Well, once we check the requests, let's try to hear the story."
Entering an empty private room on the third floor, Tanya-san was there.
We sat in chairs and decided to confirm the request details in the private room. However, Tanya-san explained the request with a relatively serious expression.
I felt the gaze behind her glasses was sharper than usual.
"I'm glad you could come. Your timing is good."
Even if she said that, from our perspective, it could only be seen as bad timing. Clara was telling me with her eyes, "Let's refuse if it's a weird request."
"Did something happen? A labyrinth again?"
Tanya-san shook her head. Her smooth black hair swayed.
"No. Or rather, you're currently in the middle of a subjugation. While Liel-kun and the others were out, another one came up. The South Branch seems a bit bewildered, but we're also short on adventurers."
That must be tough. I thought so, but we also have our own circumstances. It's impossible to accept every request.
"I'll take it if it's a request I can accept."
"Ah, it'll probably be fine."
Tanya-san gave a wry smile. When I heard the details...
"A transport convoy?"
"Yes. Please handle the transport of supplies from Beim to Galleria and Lusworth. Due to the defensive battle, we couldn't transport everything in the previous shipment. If you can undertake the escort and transport, I will increase the reward."
Clara nodded when she saw the presented amount.
It wasn't a bad amount.
However, because of the distance, we would have to be away from Beim for a while.
From within the jewel, the Fifth Head's voice spoke.
Transporting supplies from Beim to a country at war, huh. Is the cargo weapons and such?
She said supplies, but the contents were likely merchandise. The contents themselves weren't a problem, but I was also interested in the two countries.
"Aren't you using the sea route?"
Tanya-san said.
"There are only small ports. Besides, neither of the two countries wants to build a port."
It's rare for two countries that are close to Beim and face the sea. Can they not secure a location?
I took the documents in my hand and told Tanya-san that I would accept.
"I understand. I'll take it."
Tanya-san seemed relieved.
"That helps. Liel-kun's group can transport a large amount of large luggage, after all."
It seems the matter of the large porters has been investigated. Since Damian brought them into Beim, it couldn't be helped that they stood out.
Clara, while looking at the documents, asked.
"Are we the only adventurers participating?"
Tanya-san nodded.
"I don't think anyone would touch the cargo of the two countries, but having excellent adventurers as escorts provides peace of mind. Besides, if it's Liel-kun, it seems like there would be flexibility when passing through Rolfis."
It seems there's meaning in my presence too.
Come to think of it, Selva used to pass through as well, right? Did she think that if I participate, there would be some flexibility from then on?
Since I can enter the two countries openly, I decided not to worry about it.
...Once this is over, shall I stop by the bookstore today and then a cafe? But it's the same as always.
After deciding on the request to accept, I wondered where to stop by on the way home with Clara.
――Inside the jewel.
Mireia opened the door to the room of Liel's memories and entered.
It was a room in the Walt family mansion where Liel had once been under house arrest. The bedroom was equipped with a toilet and a bath, making it self-contained within that room.
The room had bookshelves covering one entire wall, and a large number of books that couldn't fit were placed on the floor.
Mireia closed the door and looked around the room.
For a room of the next head of the family, it's quite――
Suddenly sensing a presence, Mireia took a single step forward.
――unfitting. Did I hit the mark?
A child's voice spoke.
Turning around and looking down, there was the figure of a boy looking up at Mireia.
Blue hair, and blue eyes. White skin. Not the grown figure she usually saw, but a child-like appearance.
The boy was looking up at Mireia with a smile, having stood behind her before she noticed.
It's rude to predict someone's words and say them first. Also, standing behind someone without being noticed is no good. Now, I wonder why you did such a thing... Liel-kun.
The young boy was Liel. He looked to be about ten years old. With a smile, the boy put both hands behind his head and spoke to Mireia.
I was interested in what was inside your skirt. Please forgive me, as it's just a child's prank.
Looking at the boy-form Liel saying that with a cute face, Mireia was a bit perplexed.
I knew, but the personality is too different.
Bending down to bring her face to Liel's eye level, Mireia gave him a light flick to the forehead.
Is it no good? I'm serious, you know? I want to see what kind of panties Mireia-san is wearing. It's something I can only do now, in my childhood!
Sigh... no. You must not do such things. By the way, you're just in the form of a child, right, Liel-kun?
...You have no openings. Well, when told not to do something, it makes me want to do it. Someday, I'll show you that I can flip that skirt up.
Looking at the confident boy Liel.
Why is it so different? Or rather, it's too different even from the Liel of his childhood.
When Mireia said that, Liel started walking and prepared a chair in the room. He wiped the chair with a handkerchief to brush off the dust, invited Mireia to sit, and sat on the bed himself.
Mireia thanked him and sat in the chair.
Now, will you be the one to teach me various things about Liel?
The boy Liel smiled fearlessly on the bed.
I'll teach you if you ask. I'll also give advice. However, my true purpose is――
Light from the window shone into the room, and everywhere else was dim.
In the dim room, the boy Liel's blue eyes sparkled, and his mouth formed a crescent shape, showing white teeth.
Mireia felt something that made her shiver.
――to judge. I, raieru, will judge the current 'Liel', and if I think he's no good, I'll take his personality. Well, to be precise, I'll have it returned to me.
The boy Liel――no, raieru was smiling happily――.