The Modest Guild and the Legend of the Black Winter
The adventurer's guild was far more modest than I'd imagined. For something smack in the center of the village, it was an astonishingly humble two-story wooden building. A few windows and a single sign—that was it for the exterior. It looked just like an ordinary house. Without the guild sign, I might've walked right past it.
Huh? This is the adventurer's guild? It's way smaller than I thought...
The guild I'd pictured in my head was grander, bustling with people.
"This is it?"
I asked in a slightly disappointed tone. Evan scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.
"Our village isn't a big city, you see. The Sia Kalt mountains are a dangerous zone, so it's hard to set up a major guild branch here."
Pushing open the guild doors revealed an even more shocking sight. The interior was completely empty. Just one young woman sitting at the reception counter—no trace of any adventurers.
"Is it always this deserted in here?"
At my words, the woman at the counter flinched in surprise. She had her light brown hair neatly tied back and wore the guild uniform. Her name tag read 'Lina'.
"Where are Brian's party and Arthur's party? I wanted to show them my human form."
Evan made a troubled face as he replied.
"I just got back to the village myself... I heard earlier that they're all out on requests."
Liandel nodded and chimed in.
"There were hardly any adventurers here when we arrived in the village either. Most of them are out on assignments."
"Haa..."
I let out a sigh. Looked like I wouldn't get to see Brian or Arthur again. A bit disappointing—I'd wanted to show off my human self.
Evan seemed even more flustered seeing my letdown expression. That's when Liandel sidled up to him and whispered something.
"Guild master, there's something you need to be careful about when dealing with Lady Ricoris. She is..."
The two began murmuring quietly.
What could there be to watch out for when dealing with me?
I was a little puzzled, but figured it was Liandel's consideration. From the faint words drifting over, it sounded like he was explaining that you must use formal speech with my owner and Nis. Very important stuff. Good job, Liandel!
In the meantime, I approached the counter. Lina was still eyeing me tensely.
"Make me an adventurer's license."
At my words, everyone around me froze in shock. Karl especially stood there with his mouth agape.
"Y-You're going to... become an adventurer?"
Karl finally managed to speak.
"Why not? Can't I be an adventurer?"
To my retort, Karl looked even more flustered.
"N-No, it's not that... but Lady Ricoris, you're not human..."
"Huh? Torben's a dwarf, not human, and he's an adventurer!"
I pointed at Torben, who fiddled with his beard before cautiously speaking up.
"Um... dwarves are treated as humans. Different race, but legally..."
"Doesn't my current form look totally human? I'm just like any other person!"
Miel flapped her wings in agreement, darting back and forth. Cecilia sparked a little flame on my shoulder, seeming to back me up too.
The humans all looked speechless.
I'd come to this other world—adventuring was a must!
Lina wore a troubled expression as she spoke.
"Um... to register as an adventurer, you need a rank..."
"Then obviously the highest one! National power level or SSS-rank!"
Lina bit her lip, looking even more anxious.
"...Pardon? No... S-rank is the highest. Tests only go up to A-rank, and S-rank is by achievements only..."
S-rank is the top? That's it?
"Fine, make it S-rank then. My achievements: saving this village, protecting adventurers in the labyrinth, and awakening Seraphina and Beatrice."
I stated confidently, but Lina looked even more flustered. She bowed her head, scratching at the desk with her fingers.
"Uh... that... I'd need to check with the guild master..."
Just then, Evan and Liandel finished their little chat and approached. Evan's expression had shifted—more serious and guarded, but with a hint of respect too.
"What are you discussing?"
Lina hurriedly explained the situation. Evan pondered for a long moment before nodding decisively.
"Understood. We'll issue you an S-rank adventurer emblem."
"That's right!"
Starting at A-rank like Arthur's party? No way!
The humans all looked stunned. Lina stared at Evan with wide eyes.
"But guild master, S-rank requires central guild approval..."
"I'll take responsibility, so don't worry."
Evan's firm words left Lina unable to argue. She quickly started preparing the paperwork.
Evan led me upstairs. The guild master's office was surprisingly spacious and cozy. Walls lined with maps and monster illustrations, bookshelves stuffed with thick tomes. Warm sunlight filtered through the windows.
"Would you like to sit, Lady Ricoris?"
Evan gestured to the sofa in front of a massive wooden desk. I plopped down happily. Cecilia hopped off my shoulder onto the desk, while Miel hovered above my head, scouting around. Lote orbited slowly near the ceiling, and Glessia sprawled naturally beside me, rolling around cutely on the soft cushion.
I leaned back comfortably on the sofa, and Evan began speaking with a serious face.
"I heard from Liandel earlier that you're heading to Desmeer."
"Yup! A grand journey to meet my owner."
I replied proudly. Evan nodded deeply and continued.
"Then... could you tell me more about your owner? What does Lady Frostia think of humans... any particular grievances?"
I tilted my head. Why ask that?
"My owner doesn't care much about you guys. Her interests are mostly treasures, but lately, she's all about me. Hehe."
I said bashfully, and Miel's wingbeats quickened. Heehee! Miel agrees too!
Evan nodded and approached the bookshelf, pulling out a thick, old leather-bound tome.
"By any chance... how much do you know about Lady Frostia's past?"
"Past? Well... she's a dragon who's lived seven thousand years. Ruler of the Sia Kalt Labyrinth."
Evan slowly opened the book and returned to the desk. The page showed silver snow falling, with a burning city and fleeing people below.
"This is a tale from about six hundred years ago. I investigated it in detail after Arthur encountered Lady Frostia."
I leaned closer, drawn to the illustration. Miel fluttered curiously from my head to circle above the book.
"In the past, there was a kingdom called Rosteria where Jenes Kingdom now stands. And the event called the 'Black Winter' that brought its downfall."
"Black Winter?"
Evan nodded.
"Rosteria was prosperous then, but one day, black snow began falling. Like ash..."
His voice trailed off lower.
"Legend says the kingdom's prince stole a dragon's treasure. That dragon was..."
"My owner!"
My eyes sparkled. Evan nodded cautiously.
"The black snow didn't stop. It fell for a week straight. Crops withered, livestock froze... and finally, the people..."
"Whoa... she's amazing!"
Making dangerous snow fall over a whole kingdom! I couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, cupping my cheeks in delight.
"And then my owner appeared and wiped out the kingdom single-handedly?"
Gazing at the cool dragon pic, I said. Evan and the humans exchanged panicked glances. They clearly hadn't expected my reaction.
"Y-Yes... countless people died, or so it's told..."
"So cool! My owner's super strong!"
I jumped up excitedly from the sofa. Cecilia fluttered up too, spreading her bright red wings.
"So that's how scary my owner gets when she's mad! I haven't seen it yet!"
Miel spun loops in agreement over the book. Glessia lazily lifted her head before flopping back down.
Evan's face stiffened. He raised a hand awkwardly.
"Lady Ricoris... that was a terrifying calamity. So many lives..."
"That was a disaster caused by the stupid prince, right? Don't humans execute people for wronging the emperor or king too?"
"Ah... well, yes, but..."
Evan seemed at a loss against my brilliant logic. He closed the book with an uncomfortable expression.
I could guess why he'd brought it up. Scaredy-cats!
"Don't worry. The owner I know wouldn't do that lightly. Just don't steal her treasure or make her mad."
Evan's expression softened a bit.
"Then... that's a relief."
"Yeah, the key is not angering my owner. Same for Nis."
I said, settling back on the sofa. Then Liandel asked cautiously.
"If I may ask... why are Lady Frostia and Lady Nis in Desmeer together? Is there a special reason...?"
Hmm... can't say they're passed out drunk. Gotta preserve my owner's dignity.
"They're handling something super important right now. They need my help."
The humans' faces paled again. Evan cleared his throat.
"That important matter... it won't pose a threat to humans, will it?"
"Nope, not at all. Stop worrying. It's just our thing."
I grinned, and Evan's shoulders relaxed a little.
After that, Evan asked me all sorts of things: how I polymorphed, my interactions with humans in the labyrinth, the bugs left there, the labyrinth's layout, and more. I answered vaguely.
…
By the time our long chat wrapped up, the sun had set and the moon risen. Moonlight streaming through the window caught my eye. A round moon hung high over the village.
As the light touched my fingertips, a strange feeling welled up in my chest.
Festival of Slaughter...
I leaned tiredly against the sofa. But my mind wandered to Michael's blood feast for the first time in ages.
"Michael must be craving blood..."
I muttered, swinging my legs. An exciting tingle rose from my fingertips, tickling my whole body.
Yeah, she gave me direct news about my owner, so I gotta hold it right away!
A small, sweet smile bloomed on my lips.