第二十一話 勧誘
その後も一通り今回のデスアームドの事件についてギルド長のハレインと話し合ったのだが、具体的な情報は得られなかった。
結局、なぜデスアームドへの存在進化の条件が満たされていたのかは謎のままだ。
この事件に黒幕がいるのか、それとも〈マジックワールド〉にはなかった自然現象のようなものなのか、それさえわからず仕舞いである。
ひとまず大貴族であるハウルロッド侯爵家が調査に出てくれるようなので、一冒険者でしかない俺がこれ以上考えても仕方ないことではあるのだが......。
「では、俺達はこれで失礼させていただきます。ギルド長殿、話を聞いてくださり、ありがとうございました」
「まあ待て。そちの実力は充分にわかった。余計な嘘を吐いているとも思えん。本来であれば、C級以上の昇格には実力以上に実績や活動内容が重要視されてくるのだが......特例として、この場で二人のB級冒険者への昇級を認めよう」
「B級冒険者に?」
D級冒険者から、飛び級でのB級冒険者への昇級。
ありがたい話だ。
冒険者の階級は、この世界では身分の保証にもなる。
それに隠しパラメーターの名誉点にも関係する上に、こちらはスキルツリーの割り振り上限にもかかわってくる。
いつかギルドの階級のために細かい依頼をいくつも受ける必要があると考えていたが、しばらくそちらは考えなくてもよさそうだ。
「ハッ、ハレイン様! いいんですか!? そんな気軽に特例を出してしまって......! せめて、もう少しお考えになられた方が......!」
受付嬢のマルチダが慌てて口を挟む。
ハレインはその言葉を鼻で笑った。
「構いはせん。私はこのラコリナのギルド長に、侯爵家の当主様から直々に任命された身だ。他都市のギルドも、私の判断に異を唱えるような者はおらんよ」
「ありがたい話ではありますが......見返りに何か、俺達に求めるつもりでは?」
ハレインが責任を負ってまで、特例的に俺達を昇級させてくれる理由が全くわからない。
「何を言う。優秀な冒険者を相応の地位につけるのは当然の職務だ。これからも冒険者として活動してくれればそれでいい。それがこのギルドと......そしてこの国のためになるのだからな」
ハウルロッド侯爵家にあまりいい印象はなかったのだが、少なくとも彼女からは、真摯に自身の役目を全うしたいという気概を感じた。
「か、格好いい......!」
ルーチェも頬を仄かに赤らめ、ハレインを見つめている。
「......でだ、これとその話とは全く関係がないんだが......ウチのギルドで職員側の冒険者を増員したいと考えていてな。実力主義のつもりではあるが、どうしてもギルドの面子というものがある。B級以上の冒険者からの選出になるだろう。収入は安定するし、かなりの額を出せる自信もある。まず危険な仕事を強要するようなこともないのだが......」
ルーチェががっくりしたように肩を落とし、ハレインをジト目で見る。
「どうしますか、エルマさん? アタシはエルマさんの判断にお任せしますけれど......」
「俺は少し、立場的にな......。無論、ルーチェが行きたいなら止めはしないが」
追い出された身とはいえ、元エドヴァン伯爵家の人間である。
実家への義理立てというわけでもないのだが、ハウルロッド侯爵家の下につく......という気にはなれない。
「でしたら、アタシもお断りでお願いします」
ルーチェがハレインへと頭を下げる。
「む、むぅ......条件も聞かずに、あっさりと振られてしまうとは。ラコリナのギルド付きになることを目標とする冒険者も多いというのに。私はそちを高く評価している。同レベル帯の冒険者の、倍以上の高給は約束するのだが......」
エドヴァン伯爵家のことがなくとも、活動がギルドの指針に縛られるのはごめんである。
まだまだ色々と試しておきたいことや、行ってみたい〈
それに報酬にしても......ルーチェのアイテムドロップ並みの額を、ギルド職員の給与で用意できるとは思えない。
「昇級の話も辞退させていただければ」
「はぁ、仕方あるまい。是が非でもそちは手許に欲しかったのだが......これ以上交渉しても意味はなさそうだな。これとその話とは全く関係はないと前置きしただろう。先の言葉も、偽らざる私の本音だ。借りを作ったと気負いする必要はない」
「そういうことであれば、ありがたく受け取っておきます」
「............ただ、ただ、もし気が変われば、そのときはまたいつでも相談に来てくれるといい。私は少々忙しい身ではあるのだが、そちらであれば、最優先で時間を作ろう」
本当に素直に昇級を受けて大丈夫なのだろうかと少し不安にはなったが、ありがたい話なのは間違いない。
俺とルーチェはB級冒険者へと昇級することになった。
B級はこの冒険者の都ラコリナでもかなりの上位に入るはずだ。
A級冒険者もいないわけではないだろうが、恐らくは二人か三人程度だろう。
Volume 2 - Ch 21
After that, we talked a bit more with Guild Leader Hallein about the Death Armed incident, but didn't gain any more concrete information.
In the end, the reason why the Death Armed's Evolution requirements were fulfilled remained a mystery.
It's not even clear if there was someone behind it all, or some kind of natural phenomenon that wasn't present in Magic World was responsible for it.
For the time being, the Great House of Marquis Howlod will be handling the investigation, so a simple adventurer like me shouldn't have to worry about it any further, but....
"Well then, we will be excusing ourselves now. Thank you for listening to us, Guild Leader-dono."
"Ah, wait just a moment. I'm now aware of your real strengths and I don't think you are telling some kind of pointless lie. Ordinarily, a promotion from C rank usually focuses more on your achievements and the specifics of your activities rather than pure fighting prowess, but.... With a special exemption I will recognize both your promotions to B rank adventurers."
"To B rank adventurers?"
A rank skipping promotion to B rank adventurers from D rank.
It's a welcome development.
In this world, your rank as an adventurer also serves as proof of identity.
It has an influence on the hidden Fame parameter and also affects the maximum number of points you can invest into your Skill Trees.
I thought we would need to accept a few minor requests to get promoted in the future, but it seems we won't need to worry about it for a while.
"Ha-Hallein-sama! Are you sure!? Declaring a special exemption just like that....! You should take some time to think it over....!"
Maltida, the receptionist girl, hurriedly interjected.
Hallein just scoffed at those words.
"I don't mind. I'm the Guild Leader of La Colina and someone personally appointed by the Lord Marquis. No other Guilds would object to my decision."
"That's certainly good news for us, but.....are you looking for some kind of compensation for that?"
I have no idea why Hallein would promote us by using a special exemption, putting the responsibility for it on her shoulders.
"No such thing. It's my natural responsibility to place outstanding adventurers to their rightful positions. If you keep working as adventurers after this, then that's plenty. That will benefit the Guild...and even the country in the long run."
I didn't have that good of an impression of the Howlod Family until now, but I can at least feel a sincere desire to fulfill her responsibilities from her.
"S-so cool.....!"
Luce kept looking at Hallein with a faint blush on her cheeks.
".....now as for something completely unrelated....I was thinking of increasing the number of adventurers in our Guild staff. I try to make those decisions on a strict merit basis, but there is the reputation of the Guild to consider. So, it becomes a choice from B rank and above adventurers. This would guarantee you a steady income and I'm confident I can provide a competitive salary. You wouldn't need to worry about dangerous assignments either...."
Luce dropped her shoulders in disappointment and kept looking at Hallein with disappointed eyes.
"What do you think, Elma-san? I will go along with whatever you decide....."
"That's somewhat impossible with my situation..... However, if you want to accept, then I won't stop you, Luce."
Even if I was thrown out, I'm formerly from the Edvan Family.
It's not because of some feelings of duty to my former House, but I don't think I would be able to work under the Howlod Family like that.
"In that case, I will have to decline as well."
Luce bowed her head to Hallein.
"Mhm....I didn't think you would refuse without even hearing the terms. Even though there are many adventurers that made it their goal to work for La Colina's Guild. I greatly value your abilities. I could promise you at least twice the pay other similar level adventurers would get...."
Even if I disregard my relation with the Edvan Family, I still don't want to have my actions constrained by the Guild.
There are still many things I want to try, various Dungeons to visit, and plenty of items to acquire.
As for the compensation....I don't think the wages of a Guild staff member could ever compete with Luce's item drops.
"If that's the case, then we would like to refuse the promotions as well."
"Haah, it can't be helped. I would've liked to get you two as subordinates by any means, but....I don't think any further negotiations would help in that. I've told you that those two are entirely separate matters. That was the honest truth of the matter. There is no need to consider yourselves indebted to me because of it."
"In that case, we will gladly accept it."
".....however, if, IF, either of you change your mind, then you are welcome to come see me anytime about it. I'm usually quite busy, but for you two I will make time with the highest priority."
I became somewhat anxious about whether it was really fine to accept the promotion, but it's really a welcome turn of events.
So Luce and I were promoted to B rank adventurers.
B rank adventurers should be the cream of the crop, even here in La Colina, the City of Adventurers.
There might be a few A rank adventurers here too, but probably not more than two or three at most.
The Reincarnated Heavy Knight Who Was Exiled After A Supposed Big Miss Is Unparalleled With His Game Knowledge
大ハズレだと追放された転生重騎士はゲーム知識で無双する
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-reincarnated-heavy-knight-who-was-exiled-after-a-supposed-big-miss-is-unparalleled-with-his-game-knowledge/
Action Adventure Fantasy Romance Shounen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alchemy Arrogant Characters Artifacts Blacksmith Calm Protagonist Clever Protagonist Determined Protagonist Dungeons Fallen Nobility Fantasy World Game Elements Guilds Hot-blooded Protagonist Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Lucky Protagonist Male Protagonist Mystery Solving Naive Protagonist Nobles Poor to Rich Previous Life Talent Reincarnated in a Game World Romantic Subplot Skill Books Strategic Battles Strong Love Interests Strong to Stronger Sword Wielder Underestimated Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8465gx/
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