第１８６１堀：人の才能って見抜く大変だよね (Part2)
"Now, let us discuss the details. Specifically, tomorrow you will register as newcomers at the Giadana Adventurer’s Guild. I will entrust you with a letter of introduction; present it to the receptionist along with my name. With any luck, you should be able to secure an audience with the Guild Master."
"Is it really wise to get involved with the Guild Master so casually?"
"Since you intend to make a name for yourselves, involvement is unavoidable. In that case, it is better to establish a connection from the start, allowing you to conceal what must be hidden while maintaining a facade."
He had a point.
If we were going to make a name for ourselves, crossing paths with the elite was inevitable. If that were the case, it would be a sound strategy to reveal ourselves on our own terms before we could be subjected to unnecessary scrutiny. Furthermore, with Archbishop Dodona’s cooperation, combined with the connections to Prime Minister Daeda, we would have a formidable backing. Granted, that very backing would reveal us as associates of the Archbishop and the Prime Minister, but no one would ever suspect we were connected to Weed or Ohe.
"I see. I think it’s a viable plan. What do you three think?"
"Yes. I have no objections."
"I agree. It seems like the safest route."
"……Well, for now, it is the best course of action."
Vilia and Sia agreed immediately. Nina hesitated for a moment, but ultimately concurred. Perhaps it felt like too much of a heavy-handed approach, but in the end, if you choose a weak patron, you risk being swallowed up along with them.
"Then, we shall proceed as Archbishop Dodona suggests. Now, regarding our work at the Adventurer’s Guild, do you have any specific policies in mind?"
"Hmm. Well, to stand out, one needs significant achievements, but I have heard of no incidents or monsters recently that would allow for such feats. It would be problematic if such things were occurring in the vicinity of the Giadana royal capital, after all."
"That is certainly true."
Indeed. If there were a crisis of that magnitude, the Giadana Kingdom’s ability to govern would be called into question. While royal capitals offer an abundance of work, the danger levels are rarely extreme; the true risks usually lie in expeditions—escort missions or hunting monsters in the hinterlands. It is a hallmark of the royal capital that such distant, high-stakes assignments eventually find their way to you.
"……So, if we work steadily, eventually the high-merit, high-difficulty jobs will come our way?"
"Precisely. You could register in a rural branch, but that would only invite suspicion when you eventually move to other branches or the capital. The capital’s guild will track your achievements with far greater accuracy."
That made sense. It might sound like a slight against rural evaluations, but in reality, padding one's record is not entirely unheard of. Even within the same guild, reputations fluctuate based on internal performance or the caliber of adventurers already affiliated with that branch; a hierarchy is unavoidable. As long as we are in this line of work, there is no escaping that reality. In such an environment, belonging to the central guild in the capital is the safer bet.
"Well, let us leave it at that for today. There are preparations to be made."
"Preparations?"
"Yes. For the time being, you will be using this church as your base of operations. It would not hurt to socialize with the children, and of course, Sister Kui."
"I see. That is certainly necessary."
He was right. Even if we were "prized proteges," the children knowing nothing about us would only invite questions. It was a matter of getting our stories straight—or rather, ensuring everyone was on the same page. You cannot achieve your goals if you neglect the human element.
"The world really does revolve around human connections, doesn't it?"
"Indeed. It is inseparable from the act of living. Especially for those of us who operate countries and organizations."
"True. Putting Fiora aside, Ria, it’s been a lot of firsts for you since you joined me, hasn't it?"
Ria had many things to hide, not least her position as a Hero. That was precisely why Seraria and the others were satisfied with her current role as my bodyguard; it was the perfect cover.
"It’s certainly been challenging, but it’s a joy to be of use to you, Yuki. Isn't that right, Prof?"
"Yes, that is correct. I exist for Yuki-sama’s sake."
"Exactly. I can give my all if it is for Yuki-sama."
"I’ll do my best too! Though... I would like some breaks occasionally."
"Haha, Yuki gives us plenty of time to rest, so don't worry about that."
We shared a laugh, and then, we returned to our respective duties. Ria and Fiora seemed to be reconsidering the importance of human resources, deep in thought. Even so, the bottleneck remained: it was not easy to find eccentric, brilliant talents like Zargis or Comet. In any country or organization, talent is everything. And so is the judgment required to identify it.