CH 34

WIth that, I left the Guild.

I was able to obtain some information about yesterday’s incident.

Since I’m still fatigued from yesterday, I think I’ll just head back to the inn and indulge in a good rest. 

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(It’s about time for me to end my stay there and find a proper place.)

When I arrive at the inn, I’m stopped by the receptionist as I’m about to pass the counter and enter the room I rent. 

Apparently, there’s a visitor for me. 

A visitor at this time, I can’t imagine it’ll lead to anything but troublesome developments, though I also can’t just ignore them. 

When I proceed to the restaurant attached to the inn as directed by the receptionist, I see Selma there. 

“Apologies for the suddenness. How’s your body?”

I did think she might be fearful of me, but she starts talking to me in the same way as before. 

It doesn’t feel like she’s acting, but I can’t really say for sure. 

“Yeah. There’s no problem with doing things in my daily life.”

“That’s good.”

Selma shows a relieved expression.

Then she gets up from her chair and lowers her head.

“I’m thankful for yesterday. Beacuse of you, not a single person was lost and we were all able to see another day. I’m really grateful.”

I’m surprised by Selma’s actions. 

Even if to express her gratitude, I didn’t expect her to bow her head. 

“I’ve received your gratitude. So please, raise your head. Won’t it be bad if you’re seen in public lowering your head?”

Selma is an executive of the largest Clan in the country.

Moreover, she’s also the daughter of a noble. If I’m not wrong, one with the title of Count. 

Normally, it would be unthinkable for a woman like her to bow to me, a commoner. 

You never know who might be watching. 

Nobles must not show weakness.

I don’t think it’s likely this will end up threatening her standing, but the possibility isn’t zero. 

She shouldn’t have had to bow your head.

“I understand it’s true I’m not in a position where I can easily lower my head. However, even so, I feel that I can convey my gratitude only by at least bowing. Not only me, you also saved the lives of our Clans’ beginners who still have their lives ahead of them. My pride won’t forgive me if I just let it end with words of gratitude.” 

What a straightforward person.

For other people in her position, as the eldest daughter of a Count and in addition to that, an executive of a major Clan, most of them would end up rather devious. 

……Ah, I see. Maybe it’s exactly because of that that I respect her.

“Thank you. I’m honestly happy that you would say that much.” 

“Then, there’s another matter, I would like to talk about the compensation for the guided exploration over the past days. If there’s no problem, could you head to our Clan headquarters with me, how does that sound?”

“I don’t have any plans, so that’s alright.”

“Good. Let’s continue this at the Clan headquarters. Come with me.”

◇

I arrive at the Clan headquarters, and in the room I’m guided to is Vince, the President of “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit”. 

……Somehow, I feel a bit of deja vu. 

Or rather, even though he shouldn’t have known that I would definitely be coming today, why is this person already here? He doesn’t look like someone who would spend his time on uncertain things.

“You came. With regards to the incident, I am very grateful to you for saving the lives of our members. Thank you.”

After confirming that it was me who had entered, Vince thanks me and bows his head.

“Not at all, since I took on the guided exploration, I did only what was natural.”

“No, surely that cannot be called natural. In that situation, even if you were to escape on your own, nobody would have the right to criticise you. Yet you did not run away, instead you stood against it and overcame it. I think you should have more pride in yourself…. Well then, the reason I am here is to hand you the reward. This is the compensation. Take it.”

While saying that, Vince takes out from a storage magic tool something wrapped in cloth and hands it to me. 

There are probably gold coins inside.

“Thank you very much.”

After receiving it, I open the package and check the contents.

Inside are ten platinum coins.

Eh? Platinum coins?

“Um, I think the reward was supposed to be ten gold coins… Did you mistake the coins?”

According to the original agreement, it should be ten gold coins. 

One platinum coin is worth ten gold coins.

In other words, I have ten times the amount of reward promised.

“Because you saved our members from the Black Dragon. For that, ten gold coins is too cheap. There is no mistake.”

They probably won’t accept even if I said I don’t need it. 

Should I just receive this with pleasure?

It’s better to have money than not have it.

“Is that so? Well then, I will kindly receive this. If that’s all, then I――”

“Ah, wait. I have one more thing to talk to you about. Rather, you can say that I am here because I want to talk to you about this.”

After accepting the reward, I’m stopped by Vince as I’m about to head back. 

It sounds like what we’ll be talking about is more important to this person. 

Though I can somehow imagine the content of what he’s going to say. 

“Let me get straight to the point. Orn, would you not be willing to join our Clan, ‘Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit’?”

As I’d thought, an invitation to join the Clan. 

Given that the top of the Clan has come in person to recruit me, this sounds serious. 

“If you join our Clan, then of course we will welcome you as an explorer. As part of the 1st Unit — we want you as the Vanguard Attacker of our Clan’s strongest party led by Selma.”

Vanguard Attacker huh?

Is this the result of the Black Dragon subjugation from the other day?

If not for that, there would probably be no one willing to accept me as a Vanguard Attacker. 

“Furthermore, although this will require the consent of more than two-thirds of our Clan executives, I want to recommend you as an executive. With your accomplishments, and your practical experience and knowledge of managing the Hero Party, I think there will be no objections to you as one of our Clan executives–“

Clan executives are heads of individual departments.

Looking at the Clan as a whole, they are the next most critical personnel after the President. 

Normally, it’s customary for someone to become an executive by accumulating results after joining the Clan. 

So it can be said that suggesting to make me an executive from the moment I join the Clan is unprecedented.

Assuming in the event that I do become an executive, will Selma and I be in-charge of organising the explorers in the clan?

This proposal is very attractive.

I didn’t think they would have me on board as a Swordsman. 

(Well, what should I do…)

What “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit” wants is probably the information necessary for clearing the 92nd and 93rd floors of the Southern Great Labyrinth, as well as the knowledge and know-how I’ve accumulated so far. 

These are things I’ve desperately, and sometimes literally risked my life to obtain. 

It’s not amusing for me to just so simply have to offer this.

“…That was a bit too sudden. There is no problem even if you cannot give an immediate answer. Can you take some time and carefully consider?”

He must have guessed that I’m conflicted.

Vince sent out a lifeline.

“Thank you very much. Then, please let me think about it for a bit.”

After notifying them, I leave the headquarters of “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit”.

◇

While casually walking through the city, I reach a familiar shop.

The general store run by Grandpa.

(There are many murky feelings in me, so maybe I should try talking to Grandpa.)

While thinking about such things, I enter his store.