Sixty-six: You can’t stay cool when you see a pretty face, huh?

We headed straight for the adventurer’s guild.

The adventurer’s guild in Goldendown is ridiculously huge.

The number of adventurers affiliated with it is absurd—more than you’d expect from an entire town.

Not only that, but a guild that has several B-rank adventurers, led by Raidock’s party, is probably only found in the capital city.

Normally, having one or two C-rank adventurers is already a big deal.

The building itself is no joke either.

Thanks to Kyle’s influence, the guild was given prime land in Goldendown, and built with unprecedented perks—priority use of alchemical reinforced stone, and so on. It’s a massive, seven-story building with a courtyard that includes a training ground. Impressive, to say the least.

The Adventurer's Guild is a crack force when it comes to slaying monsters. Otherwise, a武装 group wouldn't get official recognition from the kingdom.

Even though it's a vital organization, the kingdom and nobles treat it like dirt. Kyle, though, gets it. He always pushes for equal partnership.

That’s why the Guild puts serious trust in us.

So when we arrive, the adventurers hanging around all grin at us.

"Hey! Craft and Leifan! Back for supplies again today?"

"Idiot. Raidock’s with you. What else would we be doing?"

"True enough. If you two run into anything weird, just ask us!"

"Let us know if we can help with anything! Though, with Raidock around, you probably won’t need us!"

"Yeah! Not just Kyle, but Craft and Leifan too—I’ve leaned on all of you! Anything you need, just ask!"

Two adventurers lounging in the guild lobby were doing that ridiculous banter. Nostalgia hit hard. Must be a good team, huh.

Whatever. Say my name too, will ya? Kinda feel left out.

Muttering casual greetings to the other adventurers, I was suddenly called over by Mika, the cat-like beastman at the front desk.

"Back already, Raidock? Craft and Leifan are here too, nya!"

"Hey, Mika."

Raidock gave her a quick wave in reply.

Mika, though beastman, worked as staff at the adventurer’s guild.

There was probably some push from the guild side to show clear support for Kyle’s strong stance against beastman discrimination, but still, it was a nice sight seeing a beastman sitting at the guild reception desk in a world where prejudice ran deep in some places.

“Raidock, you hear about that thing? Everyone’s in together, right?”

“Yeah. Investigation and mining. And newbies… uh, that might be rude. I was asked to team up with a promising new group—fresh off the boat at Goldendown. You hear about it, Mika?”

“Hmm. First I’ve heard of it. Hold on a sec.”

Mika rose with the lithe grace of a cat-beastman, gliding smoothly into the back.

Then, the guildmaster, Cyanos Gashoor, came flying in.

“Sorry to keep you waiting! Craft-sama! Leifan-sama!”

The guildmaster who probably thanks Kyle the most in the entire adventurer’s guild. He’s been incredibly courteous to us, too.

That he came in person, despite the size of the guild—he makes that fact clear enough.

Cyanos is the younger brother of Urbane Gashoor, who used to run the adventurer’s guild before the Goldendown relocation. Probably had some purpose in promoting coexistence with Kyle within the guild, but to us, treated as Kyle’s close associates, Cyanos has been doing us favors left and right.

Rare materials normally sold at high prices? He sells them to us at fair rates, first priority.

“Uh, I’m here too…?”

“Apologies. Jitarou, you’re joining us this time?”

“Yep! Leave it to me!”

“Thank you. Then I’ll introduce you to the Cassper sisters we’re traveling with.”

"Whoa! Sounds like they’re some real lookers, huh!"

Jitarou, calm down. And hey, don’t go raising the bar too high. Rumors like that? Don’t trust ‘em.

"Yeah? Yeah, I guess they’re pretty, huh."

"Sorry, Guildmaster. Just ignore Jitarou."

"Aw, come on, Craft! That’s harsh!"

"Shut it for a sec. We’re gonna get tangled up here."

"Yessir."

He backs off easy enough, but his face screams, *Hurry up! Hurry up!*

I shrug and nudge the Guildmaster.

"Yeah, they’re right there in the lobby."

Raidock follows the Guildmaster’s gaze. Ahead, three stunning women sit at the same table, sipping tea. Their eyes are locked on us—no doubt the Cassper sisters.

"Then we’ll handle the rest."

"Right? Understood. Well then, we’ll leave it to you."

The guildmaster bowed deeply and retreated into the back. Probably too busy to bother with us, Raidock thought.

“Uwah! That’s them, right!? Uwah-hoo! Seriously, aren’t they gorgeous!?”

Raidock gave a dry smile in reply to Jitarou.

“Yeah, them. No mistaking ‘em. I said hello earlier.”

“Leave the rest to me!”

“…Huh?”

Raidock froze for a split second at the unexpected line. In that moment, Jitarou charged straight at the Cassper sisters.

“Idiot!”

We were too slow. Just as Jitarou was about to reach them, some other adventurer cut across in front, blocking his path. Jitarou was already in full rampage.

"Hey there! It's me, Jitarou! Wow! All three of you are seriously gorgeous! Way better than the rumors said! That lady with the pointy hat? Pure mage material! The one over there? Ranger, maybe? Short hair really suits her! And this one? That soft wave style? Perfect for a cleric! Gotta say, I’m feeling lucky—buy you a drink if you’re interested!"

That idiot! Going full rampage already!

Just as Jitarou said—first one’s definitely magic-type, a witchy look with sharp eyes and a pointy hat. Her insignia? Mage.

Second one’s dressed like a ranger or thief, but her emblem’s a swordsman. Probably a light-armor warrior.

Last one’s a cleric in soft, wavy curls. But this girl’s got nothing in common with her sisters—way too much… Jitarou’s eyes were glued to that valley between her breasts. Of course, she’s got the cleric’s insignia too.

The pointed-hat mage leveled a chilling stare at Jitarou, though Jitarou didn’t seem to notice.

The light-armored short one stayed expressionless. Seems like the emotionless type.

The fluffy one, on the other hand, kept grinning from ear to ear.

“Jitarou-san, was it? I don’t think we’ve met. No flirting, thanks.”

“Not flirting, man! This is fate! C’mon, let’s hit the road together!”

“That’s exactly what people call flirting! ‘Atmospheric Boom’!!”

“Gyaaaahhh!?!”

Compressed air exploded. Jitarou got knocked clean off his feet, flipping backward.

“…Huh? I held back, but you’re tougher than I thought. Better do one more just in case…”

“Wait, wait, wait! Hold up!”

Me and Raidock lunged forward, blocking the pointed-hat mage.

“Raidock-san?”

We’re sorry! We apologize—calm down, please!

Sorry! My idiot friend messed up completely, but please just let it go!

Me and Raidock both stepped forward, bowing in unison. The pointed-hat mage glanced at Raidock, then locked eyes with me.

"You?"

"I’m Craft. Craft Walker. Friend of the idiot rolling around over there."

"Ahh. So you’re the alchemist everyone’s been talking about."

"I apologize for Jitarou’s behavior. Please, put the spear down."

The pointed-hat mage swept his gaze over Jitarou, me, and Raidock.

"I see. So you’re the ones the guild sent to accompany us."

"Yeah. You’re gorgeous, and we just lost control. Sorry about that."

I said it, and the pointed-hat mage’s eyes widened.

"Wait—gorgeous!?"

Ah. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that on first meeting.

I decided to steer the conversation slightly off-topic, easing her flustered state.

"Your magic earlier was insane. Fast chant, perfect power."

"Y-yeah?"

Complimenting her magic instead of her looks—just a tiny bit—felt like it softened her expression.

Yeah. Going with this.

"Anyway, let's get on with it. My apologies for the delay. I'm Eva Caspar, eldest daughter. I'm the party leader."

"Ah. Nice to meet you."

"No need for formalities with Raidock."

"Ah."

The pointed-hat mage—no, the mage Eva—looked at Raidock with a distant, cool gaze.

Probably still annoyed about Jitarou.

She shook it off. Eva turned to the short-haired girl beside her.

"This is my second daughter, Camille. She bears the mark of a swordsman and wields two blades. Quiet most of the time, but when she talks, she really talks."

Short-haired Camille turned her face toward us.

Guess that was her version of a greeting. Plenty of weirdos out there in the adventurer trade—no big deal.

"Nice to meet ya."

"……"

She gave me a look like I’d grown a second head. Kinda reminded me of Maina, but Camille was even harder to read.

Eva sighed, exasperated, but didn’t say more. Then she introduced the last one.

"This is Marilyn. She bears the mark of a cleric and can use healing and support magic."

"Nice to meet you."

"Uh-huh. Likewise."

Long, soft curls of Marilyn waved as she gave a gentle wave, her smile warm and loose.

She’s the one who’ll actually talk to people, no doubt.

Guess I’ll just stick to Eva or Marilyn for the basics.

Leifan stepped forward, timing his entrance perfectly, and took Eva’s hand.

"I’m Leifan Haman! Call me Leifan! Eva-san!"

"Leifan…? You’re the head of the Production Guild, right? I heard there was a skilled blacksmith around here."

"Yeah. That’s me. But since we’re teaming up now, just treat me like anyone else, okay?"

"Is that so… Got it. Then, Leifan. Nice to meet you."

Eva looked a little thrown by Leifan’s energy, but she smiled and squeezed his hand back.

Good. We’ll get along just fine.

"Whoa… startled me, you know?"

Jitarou stood up as if nothing had happened, despite having taken a pretty strong spell.

"...Sturdy one, aren’t you?"

"That’s my pride, man!"

Evie gave Jitarou a cold stare, unimpressed by his lack of sense.

No pulse, Jitarou.

“Fufufu… Gonna show you something good!”

Jitarou, oblivious as ever, declared his resolve.

Well, whatever. As long as he’s got the energy, fine.

The release is finally tomorrow!

I’ve noted the e-book release date in the activity report.

To cut to the chase—on schedule, give or take a day.

Thanks for your support!