Chapter 108: The Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters

On this continent, there exists a colossal organization known as the Adventurers’ Guild.

The Adventurers’ Guild maintains branches in virtually every nation, and in any city of significant population, one can safely assume there is a guild branch. Each country’s capital houses a central headquarters, which oversees and governs the branches within its borders.

Furthermore, above these national headquarters stands a single Grand Headquarters—an institution that supervises them all.

This Grand Headquarters exists only within the neutral nation situated at the very heart of the continent—the Gran Federation. Revered as the sacred land of adventurers, it has earned its fame far and wide. The Gran Federation is also home to an abundance of dungeons; for any warrior confident in their abilities, a journey there would hardly be a wasted one.

Today, Ryu planned to visit the capital’s Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters to report Axel’s evolution into a new species and to register Homura as a contracted beast.

“…………”

(My body feels heavy again today.)

As Ryu opened his eyes, he felt that same weight pressing down on him as he had the previous morning.

Still half-asleep, he carefully peeled back the covers—

“Munya… I really can’t eat another bite… ehehe…”

“Woooah… what is this sweetness… it’s exquisite…”

There, sprawled atop him, were his beloved little sister—and the erololi elf.

Rena had clearly developed a taste for using her older brother as a body pillow.

As for Esther, the reason remained uncertain. Perhaps she had wandered in while half-asleep. Or perhaps Rena had whispered something into her ear.

(These two are always eating something in their dreams… Well, whatever. I’ll sleep a little longer.)

Careful not to wake them, Ryu gently pulled the blanket back into place and closed his eyes once more.

After seeing Rena off as he had the day before, Ryu and Esther boarded the carriage and departed the estate.

Once again, Axel pulled the carriage—but this time, a knight handled the reins.

Inside sat Ryu, Esther, Mimi, and Homura.

“It’s been ages since I visited the Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters,” Esther mused.

“It’s my first time,” Ryu replied.

“Mine too!” Mimi added eagerly.

“Gyau.”

(Same here! I used to be on the hunted side, after all.)

Though they spoke as if the place were rare, the capital housed only the headquarters—no branches. Anyone with business at the Adventurers’ Guild in the capital had no choice but to visit it. As such, even ordinary citizens had been there at least once in their lives.

“Are you not registering as an adventurer, Ryu-sama?” Mimi asked.

“I have no plans to. As long as Axel’s registered as my contracted beast, that’s enough. I’d rather avoid being saddled with named requests.”

“Ah, named requests… They’re considered an honor among adventurers, but for those who just want to work casually, they’re the ultimate nuisance.”

“You’re well-informed.”

“I heard about them from Stingray-san the other day!”

The Adventurers’ Guild had a system known as Named Requests.

Under this system, a client would offer several times the standard reward to request a specific adventurer. In return, unless there were special circumstances—such as injury—the adventurer could not refuse.

Of course, the guild carefully screened all requests in advance, ensuring that nothing inappropriate slipped through.

Most users of Named Requests were presidents of major merchant companies, nobles, or royalty.

Thus, within the adventuring world, receiving one was regarded as a mark of prestige.

“That whole culture was definitely engineered by the guild,” Ryu muttered.

“Well, the guild would want to maintain good relations with each nation’s privileged class,” Esther replied.

If Ryu were to register as an adventurer and that information leaked, it was highly likely that various kings and nobles—beginning with a certain crimson-haired emperor—would begin flooding him with Named Requests.

In fact, the crimson-haired emperor would almost certainly do so.

“I am curious how many requests you’d receive if you registered,” Esther grinned. “You should try it.”

“No thanks. Monster subjugation is one thing, but investigative work or escort missions? Absolutely not.”

“The latter are notorious for dragging on.”

After finally achieving evolution and freedom, the last thing Ryu desired was additional entanglements—especially when he had no financial need to endure them.

As for his duties as a noble, he had been sending frequent letters to Arden, issuing instructions throughout his territory. He was hardly neglecting his responsibilities. Trade with Hinomaru was already scheduled to begin next month.

After idly chatting for several dozen minutes, the carriage finally arrived at the second-largest structure in the Empire after the Imperial Castle itself—the Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters.

“Ryu-sama, we have arrived.”

“Understood. I’ll step out.”

Axel could not enter the building.

“Axel, wait here in the carriage area with the knights. Guild staff may come to verify your evolution. Handle it properly if they do.”

“Understood.”

“Brrr.”

Parting from the carriage, they ascended a modest flight of steps to the grand entrance.

Before it, numerous adventurer parties loitered. Inside, even more voices echoed.

“So this is the Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters,” Ryu observed. “The heat of the crowd is on a different level.”

“The men and women are all musclebound,” Esther commented.

“Eeeeh… I might’ve underestimated adventurers…” Mimi whispered.

This was not a branch—it was the headquarters. And not just any headquarters, but that of the Astoria Empire, one of the continent’s great powers. High-ranking adventurers—S-rank and A-rank—were commonplace here.

It was only natural for a thirteen-year-old assassin-in-training to feel overwhelmed.

Esther, however, remained unfazed.

(After witnessing that duel in the wasteland, everything else pales in comparison…)

Only Mimi was visibly intimidated.

The adventurers, of course, had no idea who Ryu was.

“Let’s head in.”

“Mm.”

The doors stood perpetually open, and the three entered without hesitation.

Immediately, numerous gazes stabbed into Ryu.

It was hardly surprising.

From an outsider’s perspective, he appeared to be an oblivious young noble—accompanied by a beautiful loli elf, a cat-eared girl, and a baby dragon that looked like a mascot.

The entrance area fell momentarily silent.

“Never seen him before.”

“Who’s that?”

“No clue. Probably some merchant chairman’s son. If he were a noble, he’d have guards.”

Adventurers were, by nature, a rough profession.

Though some high-ranking adventurers possessed integrity, there were many like the former A-rank party “Blood Banquet”—the very group Ryu had once slain—who behaved no better than bandits.

Unfortunately, such a party happened to be present.

A four-man group cast leering eyes upon Ryu’s companions.

“Well, well. He’s got himself some fine women.”

“Bit young, aren’t they?”

“Idiot. That age is perfect.”

“Let’s give the little lordling a flashy lesson in reality. He’ll be crying and handing over the girls soon enough. Heh heh…”

The Empire espoused meritocracy—strength above all. The strong ruled, the weak were trampled.

It was easy to infer that these men had caused countless incidents before, silencing victims with violence each time.

They strode forward confidently.

“……………………”

They did not know.

They had no idea.

That the young man standing before them—

Was one of the monsters who stood at the very summit of that world of survival of the fittest.