kscans

Chapter 171 - The Chief Director Everyone Assumed Wore a Toupee

The day I heard the explanation from Yoshino-san and the following day were spent at home with Kaede-chan, without taking a single step outside. And finally, the day of my meeting with the so-called Frontier people had arrived.

After finishing my preparations, I put on my shoes at the entrance.

"Senpai, please be careful."

Kaede-chan looked at me with a worried expression. Since the Guild was still closed, she was staying home.

"I’ll be fine. I’ll be back before Christmas."

Christmas is in two weeks, though...

"Please don’t say things that sound like a death flag..."

I was actually thinking of joking, "When I get back, let’s get married," but it wasn’t funny, and since I was seriously considering it, I decided against saying it.

"I’ll be back like normal. Then I’ll resume my business. As for adventuring... I’ll have to discuss it with the others."

I had spoken with Nanapon, but not with Satsuki-san. I could also consult with Yoshino-san and Lin-san.

"I understand. Take care."

"Yeah. See you later."

This feels like an exchange between a married couple. Except for the lack of a "see you later" kiss.

I waved to Kaede-chan and left the house. When I got downstairs, there was a car parked in front of the apartment building, so I got into the back seat.

"When you sit in the back, it makes me feel like a chauffeur, and I don’t like it."

Yoshino-san, who had come to pick me up, looked at me from the driver’s seat with a displeased expression.

"I have to change into Eleanor-san, so it can’t be helped."

"You could have changed at home and come down after drinking an invisibility potion."

...Well, that was also an option.

"It’s fine now, isn’t it? Just start driving, I’m going to change."

"I can’t believe you can change in a place like this..."

"I’m used to it. I’ve had to change in toilets and outdoors, you know."

Besides, the robe isn’t that difficult to put on.

"That part of it must be a pain."

"It is."

Once the car started moving, I drank an invisibility potion and took off my clothes.

"I don’t think you can see me, but I’m naked now."

"I don’t need a running commentary. You sound like a pervert."

That’s true...

I quickly drank the TS Potion, became Eleanor-san, and took my underwear and black robe out of my bag to get changed.

"It’s cold. Turn up the heat more."

It’s December, you know.

"So you’ve become Eleanor... Still, it’s better than a toilet."

"I suppose. You should try it sometime. It makes you feel truly miserable."

"I’ll pass."

I figured as much.

Once I finished changing, I drank another invisibility potion and reappeared.

"Sorry for the wait. The world-renowned most beautiful Golden Witch, Eleanor Ocean, has arrived."

"Yes, yes. Do something about your hair. It’s a mess."

Ignoring me, are we...

Thinking that everyone has been so cold to me lately, I took out a comb and mirror and began to brush my hair.

"Aren’t you going to cut it? It must be a pain when it’s that long."

"I won’t. If I cut it, people will think I’m heartbroken."

"No, they wouldn’t..."

I would. Cutting long hair drastically means you want a fresh start. It can only mean heartbreak! So the only time I’ll cut it is when Kaede-chan dumps me!

"More importantly, are you going to be present too, Yoshino-san?"

"I am. I’ll be on standby at the Guild. It was decided that we should station an A-rank Adventurer there just in case."

"I’m glad it’s not Kiryu."

That guy’s unique skill is too much of a hassle.

"The Chief Director decided, so it inevitably fell to me."

"I see."

By the time I finished fixing my hair and was ready, Yoshino-san’s car had arrived behind the Ikebukuro Guild.

"Huh? There’s no media here."

All that was here was one out-of-place taxi and about two security guards.

"The back of the Guild is a restricted area, so the media can’t come here. Especially after that incident where you were attacked, right? Security has gotten a lot tighter because of that."

Ah, that little brat.

"For a restricted area, there seems to be a taxi parked here."

"It’s your friends, right? Just ignore them."

Well, I’ll leave them be. I can explain things to them later.

"Alright, we’re here."

Yoshino-san parked the car in a parking space.

"Well then, shall we?"

"Let’s. I’m counting on you, seriously."

Everyone is worrying too much. I’m a 26-year-old who has survived four years in the harsh corporate world. Though I’ll be 27 soon...

"I know."

With that, I got out of the back seat. Then, Yoshino-san and I entered the Guild. Satsuki-san was waiting for us in the passage behind the reception counter.

"Well now. A welcoming party?"

I asked Satsuki-san, who had dark circles under her eyes.

"Yeah. That’s right..."

"You look tired. Here, drink this."

I took a Healing Potion Lv3 out of my bag and handed it to Satsuki-san.

"Thanks."

Satsuki-san took the Healing Potion and drank it down in one gulp.

"Ah, an energy drink worth 111,111,111 yen is really something else. My fatigue vanished in an instant."

That sounds like something you’d say about an illicit drug.

"Tough times, huh."

"You say that like it has nothing to do with you."

To be honest, the last few days have been great since I got to spend them relaxing with Kaede-chan.

"I know. I’m the one at the center of all this. Where are the Chief Director and the Prime Minister?"

"This way."

Satsuki-san said and started walking down the passage, so Yoshino-san and I followed. She opened the door at the end of the passage and led us behind the reception area, where a man in his fifties was standing alone.

"Eleanor, this is your first time meeting him. This is the Guild’s Chief Director."

So this is the Chief Director...

My gaze drifted to the top of his head.

"You’re not bald."

I said to Yoshino-san. I had heard from her when I made the Hair Growth Potion that the Chief Director’s hair was thinning.

"That’s the ‘after.’ You entrusted me with that sample, right? The Chief Director used it, and that’s the result. He really was thinning."

"Huh. So it really works."

I don’t know what the Chief Director looked like before, but it seems the potion is effective. I’ll leave the rest to Claire.

"I didn’t expect to have my hair commented on the first time we met," the Chief Director said with a wry smile.

"Oh. I’m sorry."

That was indeed rude. Excessively rude.

"No, it’s fine. To be honest, I’m very grateful. It started happening suddenly these past few years, and I was worried about it."

It's a worry for all men. I get it, I get it.

"I’m glad."

"Yes. By the way, are you going to sell this?"

"I won’t be selling it in Japan. I’m leaving it to Claire. It’ll be found out right away anyway."

If they use Appraisal, they’ll immediately see it’s just hair tonic mixed with a Healing Potion Lv1. When that happens, all the bald gentlemen will just buy a Healing Potion Lv1 for 500,000 yen.

"I see. I’ve been getting a lot of inquiries from my acquaintances, though."

Acquaintances (who are bald)... The Chief Director is an older man, so his friends and superiors are probably pressing him for it.

"You can spread the word after Claire is done selling it. Not before. That would be interference with business."

It’s not a scam. It really makes hair grow back, so there’s no problem.

"Well, alright. That’s not what we’re here to talk about today."

"Right. By the way, where’s the Prime Minister?"

He’s not here. Even I know what the current Prime Minister looks like. Come on, it's... what's-his-name.

"He is on standby in the branch manager’s office. He was planning to meet with you, but those around him stopped him."

They probably thought it was best not to get too close to a mysterious witch of unknown origin. Well, that’s probably for the best. I might cast a strange spell on him, after all.

"That’s fine with me, it saves me the trouble."

"Indeed. Now then, you will pass through the Gate and meet with the Frontier person. Is that understood?"

"Yes. I’ll just go have a little chat."

"To be honest, I’ve never met a Frontier person myself, so I can’t tell you anything, but please don’t do anything strange."

Really, every last one of them is so timid.

"Yes, yes. I just have to make sure not to anger them, right?"

"Please."

"Well then, I’m off."

I raised a hand to the three of them, walked past the empty reception counter, and headed for the Gate. When I reached it, I looked up at it.

"I wonder if I just need to walk through it normally."

If I think that I want to go to the Kunaar Ruins here, will I end up there? Alright! I want to go to the Kunaar Ruins!

Thinking that, I stepped through the Gate.