Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Chapter 13 - Guild
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Adventurer Guild.
The name suggested it was an association formed by adventurers themselves, but in reality, it was a bit different.
[So it's an organization created by the state to control adventurers, who could turn into private armed groups at any moment?]
[Hmm, that sounds plausible.]
[They make it so you can't properly adventure without registering with the Adventurer Guild, luring people to join. Once you're in, you're under their control, allowing them to effectively manage adventurers.]
'Yeah, that's exactly it. Of course, in remote border areas or backwoods, the Guild's control often doesn't reach properly.'
The incident Lilia had just gone through was one such example.
[But Master, in a city like Venus City, wouldn't adventurers have little to do?]
'No. That's why the Adventurer Guild branch in Venus City is pretty small. It feels like they only have the bare minimum staff to keep it running.'
Adventurers were essentially all-purpose fixers who wielded force for pay.
In areas plagued by monsters or wyverns, or places with poor public order, that made sense. But in a large city like Venus City with relatively good security, there was hardly any need to hire adventurers.
As a result, adventurers rarely operated within the city.
[Still, since they manage to stay open, there must be some jobs.]
'Yeah, things like delivering letters to remote outposts or escort missions—small stuff like that.'
[Hmm, understood.]
[Honestly, as long as we can collect bounties properly, that's all that matters.]
Integra was right.
Luther, who had been conversing silently with Integra through lip movements, suddenly turned to Max walking beside him as if something had just occurred to him.
"By the way, Max."
"Yes, Mr. Luther."
Max turned back with a questioning look, and Karen looked at Luther as well.
Under their gazes, Luther hesitated for a moment before nodding toward the box Max was carrying.
"That thing... it hasn't rotted, has it?"
Kapu's head.
It had been over a week since their fight with Kapu in the pioneer village, so it probably wasn't in great shape.
But at Luther's question, Max laughed heartily and tapped the box.
"No, it's fine. Miss Lilia cast a preservation spell on the box. I haven't opened it, but it should be just as it was that day. Want me to take a peek?"
"No, that's not necessary."
Luther, who had unconsciously reached out to stop him, examined the box again.
Sure enough, small magic circles were etched on the lid's corners and sides.
"I watched her do it, and I was really impressed. The precision of the magic circles was one thing, but the speed was incredible."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. If I had to guess... Lilia's got to be one of the top enchanters in the entire western region."
Karen said with a determined expression.
Having traveled together and grown close to Lilia, she spoke as if it were her own achievement.
'How heartwarming.'
As Luther unconsciously smiled warmly, Karen smiled back and turned to the box again.
"With Kapu's head and Count Gleston's certification, you should be able to get your adventurer license right away."
Even in a fantasy world, there were basic standards.
Moreover, since the Adventurer Guild was essentially a state-affiliated organization, it had its own administrative capabilities.
If some unknown person with no connections walked in demanding an adventurer license, they'd be suspected of being a criminal or chased out of the building.
But Luther's situation was different.
He had the tangible proof of Kapu's head, plus certification from Count Gleston, the lord of Venus City.
"Even as a first-time registrant, with Kapu's head, you should start at least at Bronze rank."
Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Mithril.
Except for the last one, it was a ranking system that felt oddly familiar, making Bronze stick out uncomfortably to Luther.
'Bronze-rank adventurer...'
For some reason, it felt like a rank where he'd be looked down upon.
But right then—
[Master, I'm curious about Karen and Max's ranks.]
[Ask them.]
At Integra's question, who had been quietly listening, Luther turned to Karen and Max with renewed interest.
Karen and Max.
The psychic girl and the swordsman.
From what he'd seen so far, neither was to be underestimated in strength.
'At the very least, both can fight well.'
Even without her powers, Karen fought exceptionally well.
Her small stature and light weight meant she lacked raw strength and durability, but her technique made up for it completely.
Adventurers were generally a mixed bag, and their swordsmanship was often self-taught through haphazard real combat.
Thus, their techniques tended to be crude. But Karen was different.
She wielded proper swordsmanship, and her ingrained martial arts were no amateur's.
She had clearly received systematic training.
'So, Silver.'
Adding her powers, she could probably reach Gold, but given her personality, she wouldn't reveal her abilities to the Guild.
So Silver was most likely.
'Max is probably Gold?'
Since they'd mostly fought wyverns and monsters rather than people, it wasn't obvious, but Max wielded orthodox swordsmanship even more properly than Karen.
Swordsmanship for fighting people, not monsters.
Setting everything else aside and looking purely at skill, Max might even be stronger than Luther himself.
'So Karen's Silver, Max Gold.'
At Luther's conclusion, Integra furrowed her brow.
[Hey, Master. Don't guess. Just ask them?]
[Why guess on your own? What if you're wrong?]
It was fair criticism.
Instead of whining that her voice had been less affectionate lately, Luther asked Karen and Max.
"What's your adventurer rank?"
"Us? We're both Silver. We registered but haven't taken many quests."
Karen pulled out a necklace hidden under her clothes and showed it.
It was a necklace with a silver-plated badge symbolizing Silver rank.
"I see."
'As expected.'
As Luther silently added, Integra snorted.
[Master, you got Max wrong.]
'Eh heh, Silver or Gold, same difference. Whatever.'
[I don't know, but that sounds like something that would make countless people furious.]
'Hmm, maybe.'
In any case, the group finished their brief chat and hurried to the Adventurer Guild building.
And about an hour later.
"Hmm, it feels like that went by in a flash."
Outside the Adventurer Guild building.
Luther, who had collected the bounty and registered as a Bronze-rank adventurer, spoke in a slightly dazed voice. Integra replied affectionately as always.
[In novel terms, it's a scene we can skip.]
[You have to gloss over what doesn't need showing.]
It sounded casual yet profound, like it held some deep truth.
Rather than dwell on it, Luther brought up the next matter.
"Karen, can we hit up a weapon shop or tool shop?"
"Resupplying, right? Lilia recommended a good one yesterday. Max?"
At her natural call, Max grinned.
"Follow me. I know the way."
And two hours later.
"Once again, it feels like that went by in a flash."
Leaving the general store, Luther looked at the bags filling both hands.
In his right hand was a new sword he'd bought, and in his left was a basket packed with supplies.
"Mr. Luther, thank you so much—even for our shares."
"Thank you."
Karen and Max bowed their heads in gratitude.
Both had received new gear from Luther.
Specifically, Karen got a new cloak, thin chainmail, and two daggers. Max got a new sword and gauntlets.
Luther smiled at them reassuringly.
"You've both helped me a lot. And... this is also a gesture for our continued partnership, so no need to feel burdened."
Karen and Max.
They had originally planned to part ways after Venus City when leaving the Primitive Forest, but the incident with Hecatoncheires changed things.
'I want to keep helping Mr. Luther from now on.'
Hecatoncheires was clear evil, and Luther was good opposing it—a good angel descended from the heavens.
It was only natural for Karen and Max to want to help such a Luther.
[Still, they probably have some thought of repaying the favor later.]
Luther thought the same.
Karen was undoubtedly a good person, but not some naive child.
She was surely calculating a bit.
'But that's fine.'
Help if it's worth helping; otherwise, decline.
[Exactly, Master.]
[If worst comes to worst, just cut ties.]
[No contract, so it's fine.]
Integra, speaking harshly in her sweet voice for the first time in a while, smiled brightly. Luther gave a wry smile and looked up at the sky.
Thanks to leaving early in the morning, it was still bright midday.
'Maybe do some city sightseeing?'
Even in the game, Venus City was just a brief stop in the prologue, so he'd never properly explored it.
'And...'
He had called it a date with Integra, after all.
Recalling Integra's delighted face as she shyly nodded, Luther furrowed his brows slightly with guilt.
But right then—
[Master.]
'Hm?'
[There's a place I want to go.]
'A place you want to go?'
[Yes. Actually, since you suggested it last night, I've wanted to go there.]
Feeling a pang of conscience again at Integra's affectionate voice, Luther pursed his lips and said.
'Alright, let's go.'
A promise was a promise.
With his mind made up, Luther told Karen and Max he wanted to look around alone for a bit and set off.
"So, Integra, where do you want to go?"
[I've mapped it out. I'll start navigation, so follow me.]
Luther chuckled at Integra's slightly excited voice and nodded.
And about 20 minutes later.
"This is the place you wanted to go?"
[Yes, Master.]
[Oh, did you have somewhere else in mind?]
[I wonder what our Master was thinking?]
[Integra is dying to know. Right?]
This seductive AI.
Luther flicked the forehead of the mini-Integra grinning teasingly—though it only hit empty air—and looked back at the shop ahead.
Scroll Shop.
A place that let anyone use magic just by tearing paper.
Luther was curious too, but he doubted its practicality.
Venus City was fairly large, but not a true metropolis.
The scrolls sold here would max out at something like Fire Arrow. By the time you tore a scroll for one Fire Arrow, you'd be better off firing a few more shots from your Energy Gun.
[I have a tactic I want to test.]
"What kind?"
[It's a secret for now. I'll tell you if it works.]
She clamped her mouth shut, showing no intention of spilling.
'Is it okay for a support AI to be like this?'
The original Integra wasn't.
But Luther soon shook his head.
It was a thought he'd had several times, but he preferred this Integra a hundredfold over the original.
Even with her mouth shut, her eyes were smiling. She clearly had confidence in succeeding, not just testing.
The only reason for dragging it out like this was one.
'To make me happier.'
Or to see him amazed and impressed.
Either way was fine, so Luther smiled warmly at mini-Integra again.
What a cute little thing.
[Master.]
"Yeah?"
[That smile is creepy.]
[Let's just go in already.]
Cute? Canceled.
Luther narrowed his brows and opened the shop door. Integra, looking up at his side profile, smiled again.
* * *
Returning home late afternoon after shopping, Luther was greeted by Lilia.
True to her genius reputation even in the world of Dragon Hunter 3 a century later, Lilia had not only completed a storage box that completely masked the Spirit Jewel within a single day but also crafted three bracelets embedded with shield magic.
"You're going to look for the fragments of the Heavenly Armor, right? I pushed myself a bit. Hehe."
Her face was weary with fatigue, but Lilia was Lilia.
Meeting her moist blue eyes, Luther expressed his gratitude as he took the bag with the storage box and bracelets.
"Haa... Thank goodness. Then I think I'll finally get some sleep."
Smiling in relief, Lilia closed her eyes and began to collapse toward Luther, as if truly falling asleep.
[I'd love to call it fox tricks, but surprisingly, she really seems asleep.]
[Lilia's fatigue level is high.]
[I don't know what she did overnight, but her body's worn out.]
As Integra muttered in disbelief yet concern, Luther wryly smiled and picked up Lilia.
"Integra, guide me to Lilia's room, please."
She had stayed in the guest room with Luther's group the first day, but as this was essentially her home in Count Gleston's estate, she had her real room in the main building.
[Got it.]
[We could leave her to the servants, but this much service is fine.]
Servants would follow anyway.
Sure enough, as Integra predicted, by the time Luther reached Lilia's room, servants trailed behind.
He laid Lilia on the bed, gently stroked her murmuring cheek, received the servants' thanks, and left.
Heading to his own room, Luther suddenly stopped and looked around.
Count Gleston's estate.
Parts were damaged here and there, but it was still a place where many lived.
Servants who hadn't lost their lives.
Lilia sleeping innocently instead of being killed by adventurers turned bandits.
Anne Rose, who hadn't lost her uncle-like Count Gleston.
[Master?]
"No, just..."
He still didn't know why he'd entered the world of Dragon Hunter Origin.
Nor why he'd become Luther Lightseeker from Star Savior, of all characters.
But many things were changing because of him.
[Master?]
Integra tilted her head again.
To her, so human unlike the original, Luther gave a warm smile. Integra replied in her usual affectionate voice.
[Master, as I said earlier, that smile is creepy.]
"Yeah, that's my Integra."
With a wry smile, Luther stepped forward again. Integra giggled, looking at his profile.
And the next morning.
To find the second fragment, Luther left Count Gleston's estate.