The Saintess's Check (3)
'No... license?'
Gideon leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
The Adventurer's Guild fundamentally operated on the license system.
Everything—from dungeon access and expedition participation to rescue operations and merit recognition—hinged on that single thin metal plate.
A low sigh escaped Gideon's lips.
"Hmm."
If an unregistered non-adventurer had entered a dungeon, that alone was a clear violation of regulations.
But this case was different from simple unauthorized entry.
They'd descended to the dungeon's underground levels and brought the saintess back to the surface from there.
...If it was a meritorious deed, then it was a meritorious deed.
The problem was the lack of any basis to officially recognize that merit.
Gideon's gaze shifted back to Luin.
The boy was fumbling like someone whose mind hadn't caught up yet, barely able to string his words together.
'His condition isn't fully recovered after all...'
Hadn't the boy himself judged as much just moments ago?
Gideon decided it would be futile to press for details right now—and as he opened his mouth to speak again,
"Hold on."
Edelic cut in from the side.
His tone was calm, but the undercurrent was far from light.
Edelic jerked his chin toward Luin. "A guy without a license entering a dungeon is a regulation violation. Shouldn't we handle that before debating merits?"
Gideon made no retort to the short, decisive words.
Edelic was right, after all.
The guild's regulations weren't mere internal rules. They were royal decrees formally authorized by the kingdom.
Which was why Gideon wasn't keen on rushing to a conclusion here and now.
He took a sip of his cold black tea before speaking.
"...This isn't something to rush. Let's sort out the situation first, then decide."
Edelic unfolded his arms and leaned forward.
"Not something to rush? The guild's regulations carry the weight of royal law."
His sharp gaze fixed on Gideon.
"You're going to put it off now?... Gideon, you're not thinking of defying the royal law, are you?"
His tone remained even, but the question's edge was unmistakable.
Gideon's eyes naturally drifted to the sword at Edelic's waist.
Holy Sword Aurelion.
Golden engravings traced intricately along the scabbard, and the kingdom's crest etched into the hilt symbolized a fragment of royal authority.
Gideon's gaze lingered there for a moment.
Hero.
The weight of that title was no light matter.
A being directly sponsored by the kingdom, backed by close ties to the royal palace.
...What a pain.
Even setting aside the hero's formidable status, considering the politics behind him, pushing back rashly would only invite headaches.
There was no upside to clashing head-on.
Gideon set down his teacup lightly, his thoughts settled.
"No helping it, then..."
"Wait a moment."
Veronica, seated beside Edelic, raised her hand.
It wasn't a dramatic gesture, but the room's attention naturally converged on her.
Edelic's brow furrowed subtly.
"What is it, Veronica?"
The saintess straightened in her seat. Her expression was her usual gentle one, but her eyes held firm resolve.
"I understand regulations are important. But if enforcing them crushes someone's value... I cannot agree to that."
Veronica continued in her soft voice, enunciating clearly.
"So I request this: By the authority of the saintess recognized by the Luminaris Church, grant him temporary license status."
Gideon's eyes widened slightly, and Edelic's head snapped rigidly toward her.
"...Veronica. Do you realize what you're saying? Invoking the saintess's authority means if that kid commits a violation down the line, your head rolls with his."
Edelic's glance flicked briefly to Luin before returning to her.
Yet Veronica's expression didn't waver.
She even nodded faintly.
"Yes. I know."
Her hands clasped modestly in front of her navel.
"It doesn't matter. If I can't bear that much responsibility for my benefactor... I have no right to bear the name of saintess."
Having spoken, Veronica neither bowed her head nor averted her eyes.
"...Even for a benefactor, I don't get why you're going this far to shield him."
Edelic's tone turned openly harsh.
On the surface, Gideon had to nod in agreement.
Frankly, the saintess's proposal was just a stopgap to put out an immediate fire.
It protected the boy without outright breaking regulations, but the cost wasn't trivial.
A temporary license might seem like a simple credential at first glance, but in reality, it bound the boy to her party from the moment it was issued.
Regardless of his own will, it tethered him to the battlefield to rack up merits—a contract in all but name.
In a situation where they didn't know the boy's talents, it was akin to gambling.
Gideon's gaze shifted to Luin.
The boy still wore a dazed expression, struggling to keep up.
...Did that kid even grasp what was happening?
Edelic, reaching a similar conclusion, snorted derisively.
"Fine, whatever. I was already dissatisfied with Giovanni handling all the baggage alone anyway. As party leader, I approve."
With those words, the room's eyes turned one by one to Luin.
The saintess's resolve. The hero's approval.
The guild master's judgment.
Everything now converged on the boy.
⁕ ⁕ ⁕
I'd thought it was all over once my regulation violation came to light—game over.
What the hell was this?
Thanks to Saintess Veronica stepping up and shouldering the risk herself, I'd kept my neck.
And if I could get involved with the hero's party via temporary license status? Jackpot doesn't even cover it.
Things were finally going my way?
That said, it wasn't like all worries were gone.
I still needed to smooth over that misunderstanding-not-misunderstanding with Hero Edelic on friendly terms...
And figure out how to keep in good graces with the rest of the party.
Still, a path to survival was finally in sight.
A hero's basically the guy who handles the demon lord, right? Like the school bully for big bads.
God, please take him down quick so he doesn't mess with me.
But anyway.
I thought I'd breathed a sigh of relief once the report wrapped up.
The regulation talk seemed sorted, and I'd barely clung to life.
But things got even noisier after stepping out of the guild hall.
"Hand over the brat already, Veronica."
"No, I'll take Luin with me."
Veronica firmly shook her head at Edelic's urging.
"There's no contract clause saying we have to share lodgings."
"Contract clause...?"
Edelic's eyebrow twitched.
"It's just so party members can respond to emergencies anytime. Why are you nitpicking now?"
"That's not it. To focus on Luin's recovery, I need to treat him through the night."
"I get wanting separate rooms, but...?"
Edelic's gaze slid toward me, openly annoyed with no attempt to hide it.
"Edelic, it's because of you."
"...What?"
"Honestly, you don't like Luin, do you?"
The air around them chilled slightly at Veronica's sigh-tinged words.
I was still piggybacked on Veronica amid it all.
Shit, kids, cut it out already.
Everyone passing by is staring.
Why's the embarrassment all mine?
I deliberately twisted my face and let out a groan.
"Nngh..."
Pure theater, of course.
Patient here—let me go rest already, that was the pitch.
As I played up my fake-not-fake ailment, I felt a stare boring in from one side.
Not the fleeting glances of other onlookers—this was a woman gawking outright, eyes practically popping out.
Her rare pink hair stood out across the kingdom, but what bugged me more was the sticky, lingering gaze, like she had some history with me.
I unwittingly rubbed my throbbing head against the saintess's back.
...Who the hell is that chick?