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The feudal lord’s knight order, volunteer adventurers, and alchemists.

Just now, a goblin-subjugation force composed of these three groups left the city. It’s a large unit of over a hundred people; only adventurers of E-rank or higher were selected, and among the alchemists, only those with combat experience were chosen.

I don’t know the size of the goblin nest, but judging from the reactions, their strength seems a little excessive for the scale of the target. The people at the Alchemists’ Guild seem to think it’s overkill, but personally I thought, *“The commander must be extremely capable.”*

If you can strike a target with slightly excessive force, you can wipe it out for sure while also reducing casualties on your side. Of course, that raises costs and makes preparations harder.

In my previous life, I was often escorted by mercenary units full of veterans, so I understand tactics and strategy to some extent. I also know how many people you have to bow to and coordinate with just to make those preparations happen.

Goblins are often underestimated because each individual is weak, but their real threat emerges when they form groups. Not underestimating such an enemy and preparing that much manpower and supplies—“capable” is the only word for it.

From what I heard from other alchemists, this operation was led by a captain of the lord’s knights. He’d been frequently visiting the Alchemists’ Guild and the Merchants’ Guild. Apparently he’s a young man, the third son of a knight baron in the Kingdom of Roud.

With supplies and personnel both sufficient, they should finish quickly and return.

With most of the main force gone, the Adventurers’ Guild is now practically deserted. A temporary lull.

In other words—it’s our chance to charge in.

■■■

“Let’s go to the Adventurers’ Guild.”
“So the time has finally come, nya.”

Shoving aside Noche, who’s smugly swaying her tail, Sufi steps forward.

“We’re totally ready!”

Both of them are wearing the travel outfits the reception ladies bought for us. We couldn’t afford armor… or rather, it’s impossible to find one our size, so their equipment is limited to leather breastplates and gauntlets. Since they’re speed types, heavy gear would just get in the way.

I don’t know how to make armor either, so we’ll have to make do for now. Besides, things would be better for us in Panadia—less influence from the Luminism Faith, plus it has a port and lots of traffic, so I hope it’ll be easier to live there.

In trading cities too, persecution of non-humans by the Luminism Faith has worsened over the past few years. Fewer and fewer mixed races come and go, and some shops even refuse entry. It’s honestly hard to live.

“Then let’s head out.”
“I’m the leader, nya.”
“Leader, give the order.”
“Let’s go, nyaaa!”
“Yeah!”

At the leader’s command, Sufi raises her arm high, while Filia and I raise ours modestly, and we leave the Alchemists’ Guild dormitory.

Our destination: the Adventurers’ Guild.

We deliberately ignore the tongue-clicks and unpleasant stares we hear as we pass by and proceed down the main street. From the gate, you go a little way in and turn left—it’s right there, a building with a blue roof. A bit smaller than the Alchemists’ Guild.

A sign marked with a boot and a sword hangs out front.

This is the International Adventurers’ Guild, Forligen Branch.

When we open the door and step inside, the smell of mud and sweat drifts toward us. From the right side of the building comes the scent of alcohol and food. Looking over, there seems to be a passage leading to an attached tavern.

There’s a bulletin board on the wall with requests posted on it.

It’s exactly what you’d expect, and it gets me a little excited.

There’s only one receptionist—a beautiful woman with an Eastern look. She watches us from behind the counter with curiosity. The guild hall itself is empty; there’s no one around. Perfect timing.

“What does it say, nya?”
“Um…”
“Let’s go to the counter first.”

I guide Noche and the others—who are already interested in the requests on the board—toward the reception desk.

“…May I ask what business you have with the Adventurers’ Guild, Forligen Branch?”

As we approach, the woman asks with a gentle smile. I don’t hear any unpleasant sound like malice or hostility.

“We came to register as adventurers, nya!”
“Ah… registration, then? Please wait a moment.”

At Noche’s loud declaration, she nods in understanding and pulls out some slightly brownish plant-based paper from beneath the counter.

It’s the same paper mainly used by the Alchemists’ Guild. Back in the day, only parchment existed and it was valuable, but an alchemist succeeded in mass-producing paper from cheap plants. The stable manufacturing method has been carefully passed down, and producing plant paper is now one of the alchemists’ main industries.

Apparently there was an incredible amount of trial and error before it was perfected, but when explained, that’s all it is—one of the sad things about research work. The inventor himself was recognized as a Tier-8 “Magus” for his achievement, officially founded his own school, and gained wealth and fame.

“Four people… is that correct?”
“That’s right, nya!”
“Yes!”

Noche and Sufi reply energetically. Then the receptionist’s gaze lands on me, slumped clearly in bad shape on Sufi’s back.

I get it. I look obviously unwell. My fever had gone down yesterday, but I overworked myself in the final rush before the subjugation force departed, so I’ve got a slight fever again. Four hours of work in a single day was too much for me.

“Um… please don’t overdo it, okay?”

She offers the documents and a feather pen dipped in an inkwell, looking extremely worried. Ink, too, can now be mass-produced thanks to alchemy. By Japanese standards it’s a bit expensive, but still cheap enough to use like this.

Living in town for a while, I’ve come to understand why the Alchemists’ Guild can hold its ground despite being hated by the Luminism Faith—at least one of their main products is embedded in everyone’s daily life.

“Um…”
“Shall I read it for you? I can also fill it out for you.”
“Adventurers’ Guild membership application…”

In short, what’s written is:

“The Adventurers’ Guild is a mutual-aid organization that guarantees and supports people’s right to adventure.”
“Adventurers must obey the laws of the land they are stationed in.”
“If there is a conflict between the laws of one’s homeland and those of the stationed land, the difference will be taken into account.”
“If a clear violation of the law is recognized, the Adventurers’ Guild may place the offender on a wanted list and dispatch a subjugation force.”
“In case of trouble, the Guild’s response division will judge on a case-by-case basis.”

It’s kind of vague.

“In short, if you do bad things, you get in trouble.”
“…I see, nya.”

Sufi nods, and Noche nods smugly beside her, but I’m a little worried whether she really understands. Still, the rules are simpler than I expected.

Other rules: disputes between adventurers should generally be resolved by the parties involved. If laws are broken, they’re judged according to the law of the land where it happened. Also, part of the reward is deducted as tax and fees—the displayed reward is already after deductions.

“Everything is in order. I’m Linda—please feel free to consult me if you need anything.”

After a brief Q&A, the receptionist says that with a smile.

There were some minor additions, but it’s basically what Grandpa told me. There aren’t really any major downsides to registering.

“Can you write your names?”
“I can, nya.”
“I can.”

Sufi and I, of course, can write. Noche and Filia answer immediately too, and write their names normally with the feather pen.

“Alright, confirmed. I’ll issue your licenses now. Please wait inside the hall—I’ll call you shortly.”

After checking all four forms, Linda heads into the back of the counter area.

We watch her go and look at one another.

“What should we do, nya?”
“Let’s see what kind of requests there are.”
“I-I’m curious too.”
“…………”
“Alice, want to sit over there?”
“…Yeah.”

Having exhausted myself just from talking to Linda, I’m laid down on a bench by the entrance. Sufi goes with Noche and the others to the nearby bulletin board.

I blankly watch the three pairs of tails swaying as they chatter excitedly while reading the requests.

Maybe because she’s free from taking care of me for once, Sufi looks happy. Her tail swings cheerfully from side to side.

Sway, sway, sway…

“—Thank you very much, nya!”
“You’re welcome. I look forward to your future achievements.”
“!”
“Alice, are you okay?”

At the sound of voices, I startle awake and sit up.

…Before I knew it, my head was resting on Sufi’s lap.

Huh. I fell asleep?

“Here, we got them, nya.”

Noche returns, seeing off Linda, and thrusts forward a card-shaped copper plate attached to a long thin chain.

It looks like a dog tag. On the surface are our names and a large character resembling a “G.” I think the material changes from copper to silver to gold depending on rank, too.

“Now we’re all adventurers.”
“This is the beginning of the legend of the strongest party led by me, nya.”
“I’m not very confident…”

Three different reactions. I turn the tag over in my hand, feeling deeply moved.

Something that used to exist only in games and stories is now in my hand.

An apprentice license anyone can get by registering, the bare minimum form of identification. Trust, achievements, ability—those are things we have to build from now on.

Still, I once admired the cool protagonist who travels through another world with a sword in hand.

It feels like I’ve taken the first step I thought I’d already given up on.

As I wake up fully, my excitement rises.

Since I’m at it… maybe I should aim to become a hard-boiled, tough, wild wolf.