“I can finally take a breather.”

　At the reception counter of the Adventurer’s Guild, Sura had inadvertently let her thoughts leak.

　Standing there was a strong-willed looking 20 year old woman, she had long reddish hair tied in a slightly high ponytail. She was smartly dressed in a dark blue uniform provided by the Adventurer’s Guild, and she carried herself impeccably. Against the often rowdy Adventurers, she was one who never took a step back, and in a good sense, was a receptionist that could be called a famous landmark of the Adventurer’s Guild. 

“Sura. Thank you for your hard work.”

　Ann, who was sitting next to her, said with a smile. 

　This was a cute receptionist with short, maroon hair that had been tied up. Her age was about the late teens. She was in a beige uniform with a design similar to Sura’s. The girl was an employee dispatched from the Sherpa Guild. 

“Yeah, thanks for helping out too, Ann. Even though it’s something that only the staff of the Adventurer’s Guild should be handling anyway.”

“It’s alright, I didn’t have much work today either.”

　The reception of the Adventurer’s Guild was gradually regaining its calm over the past few days. 

　Due to the discoveries of the spiral path leading to the next floor and a new Dungeon Oasis, they were flooded by inquiries from Adventurers and townspeople. The reception area within the Adventurer’s Guild had been completely occupied. 

　And today, a briefing session aimed at the townspeople was being held, which had just started. Because you couldn’t enter while the briefing was in progress, the atmosphere in the lobby was still. There were 5 or 6 Adventurers, either having a friendly conversation while sitting on a sofa, or checking the requests pinned on the noticeboard. 

　On the other side, the briefing session held in the lecture room was so crowded that people had to stand, partly also because the members of “Twilight’s Sword” were making guest appearances.

“Everyone is so enthusiastic even though they aren’t Adventurers.”　

　The briefing session for advanced Adventurers that was held the other day had also seemed very lively, but that was more understandable since it was about their livelihoods. However, even if the townspeople were to find out information about the labyrinth, it wasn’t like they could really do anything. 

　To Ann’s puzzled question, Sura explained her guess.

“This is a town in the rural area lacking entertainment. It might become a topic of conversation, so they don’t want to miss out on these kinds of events, also there are those who like labyrinths despite not being Adventurers. Some of these labyrinth enthusiasts are even more well-informed than awful beginner Adventurers. And what’s more, today, the Hero of the East have also come.”

“If I’m not wrong, at the end of the briefing session, there will be a question and answer, right?”

“Yes. If I’m lucky, I might get a chance to talk  – that might be many idiots thinking that.”

“Shh, they can hear you, Sura.”

　The Adventurer’s Guild aims to be an organisation open to the town’s inhabitants. Because Adventurers often cause problems in towns, or cause trouble to the residents, the purpose of the management in holding these kinds of events was to do even a little bit to improve the resident’s impressions of Adventurers.

　Of course, Sura, who was in her 7th year as a receptionist, was aware of this, and always took care to ensure that her conversations behind the counter could not be heard by her surroundings, while maintaining a serious expression. 

　Anne, who had not reached that level of professionalism yet, caressed her cheeks with her thinly gloved hands and sighed longingly. 

“Good for them. I want to talk to Yuika too.”

“…You’re unexpectedly a bandwagoner too huh, Anna.”

“But, she’s wonderful isn’t she?”

　Ann enthusiastically insisted. 

　Word on the street is that she’s tall, has long, straight, sleek hair, is popular for her beauty, and as a bonus, her Adventurer level is also high–

“And despite all that, she’s about the same age as me! I really don’t know what to believe anymore!”

　The leader of “Twilight’s Sword”, Yuika, was currently one of the most watched Adventurers. 

　Even in their home base at the Royal Capital, once they decided to set out on a labyrinth exploration, many people would rush for a glance at her beautiful figure. The only Adventurer approaching her in popularity would probably be the party leader of the Hero of the West. 

“I thought she might come to this reception to submit her dive plan, but it seems like she submitted it directly to the Sherpa Guild instead.”

“That’s unfortunate. But–“

　Looking in a different direction, Sura said to Ann. 

“If you want to know more about the Hero, couldn’t you ask that guy?”

　The one who had unexpectedly shown up, and looked as though he was searching for someone, was a young man with braided, light-brown hair, Rowe. Today, he wasn’t wearing the long coat he usually wore for work, but was wearing inexpensive casual clothes. 

　Rowe seemed to have also noticed them.

“Hey, the two of you.”

“Oh, Rowe. Thank you for your hard work.”

　Ann bowed politely, but Sura’s attitude was more casual. 

“It’s rare for you to come to this reception. What’s up?”

“I’ve got a bit of a meeting.”

“Adventurer?”

“Yeah, well.”

　Sura had known Rowe since his Adventurer days. 

　You could say that they could not avoid each other no matter how much they wanted to.  

　The old Rowe had a personality that was calculating and self-centred, and he frequently got into conflicts with his fellow Adventurers. The receptionist Sura often had to cover for him. 

　Rowe was a good person – she didn’t know if she could describe him in that way yet, he had only started to become considerate of other people around 3 or 4 years ago. 

　From after his much younger sister was born and at the same time when his mother passed away. 

　Not easily shaken by anything, shameless, always noisy about money, these were all the same as before, but now, he no longer adopted an arrogant attitude towards others, and was able to cooperate. 

　But a person’s true colours couldn’t be changed so easily, Sura thought.

“I have a question for you. What kind of person is Yuika from ‘Twilight’s Sword’?”

　At the question that came in too much like a fast ball, Rowe bitterly smiled.

“…Well, she’s a great person in many ways.”

“About those many ways, please kindly specify.”

　While leaning forward, Ann asked. 

　After he thought for a moment and was about to answer, 3 Adventurers came from behind and surrounded Rowe.

“Yo, Rowe. You’re looking well.”

　The one who called out to him was the leader of an old-timer Adventurer party of Tyros Labyrinth, “Magical Reverse”, an Adventurer named Sag.

　A familiar face that was part of the same generation as Rowe and Sura. 

“The guy who used to loiter around the shallow layers when he was active has done pretty good for himself.”

“You’ve changed jobs and you’re climbing up. Mr ‘Labyrinth Feeder’.”

　The other two members laughed as they treated Rowe like an idiot. 

　Sura knitted her brows at their blunt nastiness, and the surprised Ann stiffened, but Rowe continued to show a polite smile. 

“Eh, just the right guy.”

　Sag put his arm around Rowe’s shoulder.

“Hey, those guys’ details – tell me everything.”

“Who are those guys?”

“The Hero of the East. You dived together with them, no?””

　What Sag wanted to know was “Twilight’s Sword”’s party strategy and their members’ Gifts. 

　As they were intermediate Adventurers, they were well aware that they wouldn’t be able to imitate or even learn anything from these details. They simply only wanted to satisfy their curiosity. 

　While maintaining his smile, Rowe shook his head.

“My bad, but I can’t say anything to talkative people.”

“What’d you say, hey!”

　Suddenly enraged, Sag grabbed Rowe by the collar. 

　The one who had spread bad rumours of Rowe during his Adventurer days in places like bars had been Sag. It seemed that Sag couldn’t handle how despite being of similar age, he lost to Rowe in terms of their Adventurer levels. Furthermore, Rowe being Rowe, had also blatantly ignored Sag, and even now, after four years since Rowe retired as an Adventurer, the relationship between the two of them was not any better.

“Wai, wait Sag – stop. It’s prohibited to fight within the Guild!”

　Sura intervened in a hurry, but her voice had ended up attracting the attention of the surroundings. 

　Moreover, this was a den of ruffians, an Adventurer’s Guild. Nobody tried to stop them, the other Adventurers stood up, thinking that an interesting show was about to begin. 

“Oh, a fateful showdown.”

“’Magical Reverse’s’ Sag versus ‘Labyrinth Feeder’ Rowe!”

“Hyooo.”

　The one who could no longer step back was Sag. While tightening his grip on Rowe’s collar, he looked as though he was wondering whether he should send Rowe flying with a fist. 

　At that time.

“–What are you doing?”

　The boisterous atmosphere was torn through by the approaching sound of clicking footsteps.

　Everyone in the lobby turned their eyes to the owner of the voice and became lost for words.

　Jet-black hair that reached the waist and eyes that harboured an obsidian-light shine. Her slender body was wrapped in black, masculine clothing, emitting her overwhelming beauty and presence.

　The one who stopped between Rowe and Sag was the subject of the rumours, Yuika. 

　She fixed her face like an antique doll as she tried to look calm, but her cheeks were slightly twitching. 

“Twilight, sword’s…”

“…your… off”

“Huh?”

　At the dumbfounded Sag, Yuika glared with a terribly furious look. 

“I said, take your hands off my darling!”

“–su!”

　The standing of Adventurers is not decided by age or gender.

　Adventurer level and labyrinth descent record – accomplishments are everything. 

　Especially the blessing of the Earth Mother Goddess received by advanced Adventurers – the Divine Spirit they possess is much stronger, if you were also an Adventurer, you would be instinctively overwhelmed by that power. 

　The roar of the level 12 Yuika pierced through the entire body of the level 6 Sag, making him fall on the floor.

　Adding another blow, she looked down at him as though he was a bug crawling on the ground and released a cold gaze. 

“Heee — heeee!”

“Yuika, Yuika.”

“……Hmm?”

“It’s too much.”

　At the moment Rowe warned her, Yuika’s killing intent dissipated. 

　Sometime along the way, the surroundings had become still as death. 

　To avoid the situation of Adventurers appearing like thugs sending glares when walking on the streets, it is desired for advanced Adventurers to conceal their Divine Spirit. This is not exactly explicitly written down somewhere in the rules, but it is something like good courtesy in this industry. 

　Ashamed of having ended up unconsciously intimidating some small fry, Yuika’s cheeks were dyed red. 

“No — this, you. Sorry.”

“…”

　Sag, who had been sitting on the floor with a blank look, suddenly looked like he managed to regain his bearings, brushed away the hand that was extended to him and raised himself. 

　Although he scowled at Rowe annoyedly, the fact that he had exposed his unsightly figure in front of people in the same occupation was something that could not be erased. After taking a while to puzzle over his parting words, he simply turned around with a “keh” and left the Adventurer’s Guild with his companions. 

“…By any chance, Darling’s friend?”

“No, you’re wrong.”

“If so, then there’s no problem.”

　Briskly concluding the matter on her own, Yuika called out to Sura standing at the reception counter. 

“You, sorry, but.”

“Y, yes.”

“I have something to do, so I need to be excused. If the Guildmaster comes looking for me, I want you to convey that to him for me.”

“… Eh? Bu, but.”

“It’s okay because we have stationed our member Nuuk at the venue. The question and answer will be completed without any difficulty. Just that it might not be too interesting.”

“Ah, yes–“

　Despite being a little confused, Sura nodded.

　Next to her, Anne was stiff like a stone statue.

“Yuika. The two of them are my acquaintances.”

“Hou. I see.”

　Because the tactful Rowe brought up the subject, Sura and Ann hurriedly stood to introduce themselves.  

“I apologise for being so slow to mention. I work as a receptionist at this Guild, my name is Sura.” 

“I, I am — Ann. From the Sherpa Guild, my, I was dispatched here.” 

“’Twilight’s Sword’s’ Yuika. Rowe has been taken care of by the two of you.”

“…”

　Feeling a sense of unease from the way the conversation had flowed from earlier to now, Sura’s cheeks stiffened. 

“Hey, hey Rowe, what’s going on?”

“Eh, ah. What do you mean…”

　Uncharacteristically, Rowe was being evasive with his reply. 

　Sura, who had an untimid personality, decided to clarify her doubts directly with Yuika.

“Ahem, this might be rude but, what might be your relationship with Rowe?”

　Employer and employed Sherpa. 

　Or in other words, boss and henchman.

　Such expectations were quickly betrayed.

“–Lover.”　

　Yuika declared, with her cheeks slightly blushed.

　The people around them swallowed their breaths, and were engulfed in a tense atmosphere. 

　Yuika cleared her throat.

“S, so Darling, shall we go. I’m worried about Marin.”

“You’re right. I think she’s waiting for us with a hungry stomach.”

　In front of the dazed spectators, the handsome Hero and the sly Sherpa both grinned.

–

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