Today, I came to the Adventurer’s Guild, but my plan was not the usual potion sales.
「Yo, long time no see, brother. You’re back from the Yggdra Great Forest. Did you bring potions today too?」
「Just the other day. Today is for a different matter.」
「A different matter? What is it? Did you come to register as an adventurer? You’ve been trained by Aina-san and the others, so you must have gotten quite strong, right?」
「Me, an adventurer… Do you think it suits me?」
「…No. My apologies.」
Hey, again?
Why do you all apologize every time?
If we are talking about whether I have actually become stronger, I am undoubtedly stronger than when I first came to this world.
I have gained stamina, and I have not gained any useless fat around my stomach!
Besides, I now have a reliable partner.
It protects me automatically and moves optimally!
…Well, relying on equipment like this means I could never truly become an adventurer, though.
「If not that… Did you come to look for drinking buddies in the middle of the day?」
「What kind of image do you have of me… It’s that, over there.」
I directed his gaze to where Aina and the others were. And one more person, Cyan-san.
「Are Aina-san and the others at the reception? And… I don’t recognize that face. Is that… your acquaintance, nii-chan?」
「Yes. Today, I came to accompany her for her adventurer registration.」
Cyan-san was registering as an adventurer, and since Aina and the others were accompanying her, I came along as well.
Cyan-san knew Lily Mama, the owner of Elfe Rof. When I visited recently, Cyan-san served me, but she said that was special for that day only.
It seems her main profession will be an adventurer. While registration usually starts from the lowest rank, there is apparently a recommendation slot for high-rank start.
This measure is taken so that other low-rank adventurers do not lose confidence when someone with excessive ability registers.
Of course, there are various conditions for recommendations, but if it is Aina and the others from the Red Line, there should be no problem.
Well, since this country is no longer a kingdom, it seems we do not need to follow the previous kingdom’s guild rules.
Anyway, since Cyan-san is too strong to be considered a novice adventurer, Aina and the others came to recommend her so she could start as a high-rank adventurer.
「A recommendation… Aina-san and the others have never done such a thing before, so she must be quite capable. And that appearance… A Grand Elf? That is rare.」
I had heard that many Grand Elves become Guardians.
Knowing this meant it was not zero, but for a Guardian to leave the forest and become an adventurer was indeed rare.
「My Lord. We are leaving the town for a bit.」
「Hmm. Has the matter been settled?」
As Aina and the others left the Adventurer’s Guild, almost all the adventurers inside followed us… What was going on?
「Ah. After confirming Cyan-dono’s abilities, her rank will be determined. For now, it seems she will start from B-rank.」
「Starting directly at B-rank… Even with a recommendation from Aina and the others, will there not be any dissatisfaction?」
Adventurers steadily build their achievements to raise their ranks.
As ranks rise, so does trust. Higher-rank quests offer better rewards, so everyone aims to raise their ranks to earn money for a better life.
「That will not happen. Those who will face her are adventurers of the rank Cyan is aiming for. In other words, this time it is B-rank.」
「That is correct. If anyone has complaints, they can step forward. If no complaints arise, she passes. It is a bit rough, though.」
…In other words, those following were adventurers who would face Cyan, and others who came to watch.
No wonder some were carrying drinking bottles and snacks.
They intended to use Cyan’s trial as an accompaniment for their drinks?
Alright. I will do the same.
「Since they are adventurers, being rough is appropriate. Well, since Cyan does not seem to form a party and will not accept quests spanning multiple days, rising to A-rank might be difficult, but in terms of ability, I think she could pass for A-rank.」
「I feel somewhat bad about it… I am fine starting from a lower rank. I like and am good at searching for herbs.」
She is the daughter of Mazetta-san, the apothecary, after all.
So, low-rank adventurers indeed start with tasks like herb gathering.
I feel I could do that too.
…Although I am not confident I would not panic if suddenly attacked by a monster.
「Please do not say that. If we set Cyan’s rank too low given her abilities, novices might lose confidence and quit. Also, we must save the guild the trouble of conducting promotion exams repeatedly.」
Ah… They are always working busily.
Come to think of it, for promotion exams, are there examiners who decide the outcome through battle?
Or are they assigned specific monsters to defeat?
「If that is the case, it cannot be helped. But I am not good at holding back…」
「Then, strike your halberd against the ground with all your might at the start. That will usually make them behave.」
「That is a good idea. Remember, with all your might.」
「Hahaha. You two are terrible… Well, I also think that is the best approach.」
「With all my might… Mm. Understood.」
Wow… She is really going to do it…
Cyan-san’s weapon is a massive halberd… Alright. I must stay away.
Now, for some snacks… Oh, those fried sticks that have been trending recently as delicious.
In other words, spring rolls.
The small steamed buns sold alongside them also seem delicious.
I heard they are from the Gigoshoku Republic. Although I thought so when I went with Origol, the food culture seems to trace its lineage to Chinese cuisine.
Amatsukuni gave the impression of ancient Japan, but does Gigoshoku feel like China?
Well, Japanese people love Chinese food, and I am grateful for delicious food spreading in Einzheil.
As for alcohol… Since sake unexpectedly pairs well, I will sip on 『Nijuhattai』.
Now, we had come outside the town. Monsters were visible, but with this many adventurers, there was nothing to fear.
Adventurers loosely surrounded the area, centering on Cyan-san and Aina’s group. I sat down slightly apart from them.
「Oh, master, you have something that looks deliciousssu.」
「What, Renge, you came over here?」
「There is nothing for me to dossu. Monsters might attack, and if debris flies, I thought I would protect you. Ahhnssu.」
「I have not even started eating yet… Tsk. Here.」
I tried handing her what looked like a spring roll. Although we had walked a bit, it was freshly fried, so it seemed hot. Would it be okay?
「Hafu. Haffuu… Nnn… This is deliciousssu.」
「Oh, it really is delicious. Then I will…」
I took the remainder torn by Renge and ate it.
Mmm… The skin was crispy, and the filling consisted mainly of shredded meat and vegetables, seasoned somewhat like oyster sauce.
It did not seem to contain bamboo shoots, so the filling was closer to Qingjiao Rousi (shredded pork with green peppers).
The flavor was rich, and sipping 『Nijuhattai』 with it… Ahh… It was delicious…
「Master, master. Me too, me too!」
「Hmm? Do not gulp it down too much, okay?」
『Nijuhattai』 is precious, you know?
It is so delicious that I end up drinking too much, so I want to ask Shiro to request more when she goes to Kukuri-sama’s place next time.
「Daha! It’s deliciousssu… It feels like delicious water despite being alcohol, refreshing the mouth! And it makes me crave something with a strong flavor againssu!」
「Indeed. Let us try this steamed dish next. I thought vinegar and soy sauce would suit it, so I asked for some without the sauce.」
It seemed they usually ate xiaolongbao with a sweet and sour sauce, but I thought vinegar and soy sauce would pair well, so I ordered some plain ones.
Now, immediately… Hot! The soup! Juice is gushing out from inside!
「Master, it is a waste if you spill it! It is best to eat it in one big bitessu!」
「I will get burned! Mm. But it is simply delicious. Drinking the soup first and then adding vinegar and soy sauce is also delicious…」
It was exactly like xiaolongbao, but this is not suitable for eating while walking.
If I eat it in one bite like Renge, I will get burned, and otherwise, the juice will spill.
Eating this is difficult…
「…I want a renge (spoon).」
「Eh, heressu? That is… Even if everyone is looking at Cyan, it is too embarrassingssu…」
「No, that is not what I mean.」
I inadvertently muttered, but it was a misunderstanding of the word ‘renge’.
Besides, there is no way I would say such a thing here and now.
「Hmm? Then what do you mean by wanting a rengessu?」
「In my original world, there is a spoon-like utensil suitable for eating this kind of food. It is called a renge.」
「Ah, is that what you meantssu? I was surprised. I am glad… master did not awaken to such a fetishssu.」
「I am normal, so rest assured. I have no special fetishes!」
「…I think whether you are normal or not is debatablessu.」
Impossible… As I passionately discussed matters concerning my honor with Renge, a loud sound of something hitting the ground came from ahead.
And in no time, Cyan-san was recognized as a B-rank adventurer… Well, after seeing the small crater, no one would challenge her.
Thus, an adventurer nearly A-rank in ability but officially B-rank was born in Einzheil… However, the loud noise immediately attracted the attention of the security forces, who came to see what was happening, resulting in Aina’s group and the entire Adventurer’s Guild bowing their heads in apology.
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