Volume 2 Chapter 6 The Strongest Receptionist at the Lapis Branch, Tracie
Association branch reception room.
Horace and Ellie were facing the receptionist, Tracie, who threw that crazy right straight punch earlier.
It's not like Horace was called here or anything.
Actually, Tracie was the one who threw the most dangerous attack there.
Ellie originally had some business at this association branch though, and was just called to the reception room because she said she wanted to talk about stuff.
...Horace's face twisted up real bad though.
"By the way, have there always been that many crazy Adventurers?"
When Tracie was punishing the S-rank guild Excalibur, who got cocky earlier, she said "High-rank Adventurers come here a lot, and a lot of them get full of themselves." But what's the real deal?
"Ah, that? Jewel City Lapis has a bunch of really good weapons, so a lot of people come just for that. There're weapons that cost like 10 or even 100 gold coins."
"Hmm."
"If you've got that kind of money ready, you're definitely confident in yourself. And lots of those guys get used to getting away with acting cocky without being jumped on for it. Especially the high ranks."
"I see..."
Tracie, the receptionist, gave off a rough-and-ready vibe, more than expected.
She was probably in her twenties.
With short brown hair and a big-sister kind of feel, she seemed like someone you could really count on.
"Even Adventurers are just like that, huh? But damn, that punch from before was something else."
"I was an Adventurer till a few years ago. Me and a blacksmith guy teamed up, but I just lost it and attacked him, and then I got knocked up."
"Well... uh... that's... something else..."
"Before that, I was all over the place, but he said 'I'll earn, you focus on the kid,' so I made this place my base."
"Oh... so why'd you become a receptionist?"
"For a while, I stayed home taking care of the kid, but then I thought, 'There are lots of women staff at the guild branch, maybe I can handle childcare there?' So I went to the branch chief, and he said OK. His cheek twitched though."
"I figured."
"Since then, I've been going on monster hunts sometimes myself, while also taking care of the Adventurers at the reception."
"That punch still comes from finishing quests, huh?"
"Yeah, that's how."
Tracy flexes her bicep, but it's probably magic-enhanced strength.
Her arms aren't actually big.
Of course, Adventurers never get careless just because their arms aren't thick.
"So, someone upstairs is watching the kid?"
"She's a cute girl. But, maybe 'cause she takes after her dad, she spends a lot of time staring at weapons."
"Hope she grows up to be a great blacksmith."
"Haha! Hero's master rooting for me like that makes me really happy."
Tracy's got a good smile.
"Also, this town has a lot of high-ranked Adventurers and people who support them. So there are quite a few folks like me here."
"Yeah... that makes sense."
Horace went with Ramella to the 'Blacksmith Area.' If you can set up shop there, the country gives you basic living expenses.
If you're skilled, the subsidies go up.
Together with income from selling gear, it could cover raising 2 adults and a kid.
"Speaking of which, last night my boss was grinning all creepy-like."
"..."
Maybe this is what reality feels like.
Horace thought.
"Some wild person came and bought 2 swords, but buying 2 not-so-expensive swords isn't that weird, so who knows what was up with that."
"Ah, that was probably me."
"Huh?"
"You mean 'Smith House Angel'? There were swords there that would help Ramella learn. They weren't very pricey, so I bought 2."
"I see. As for my boss, that's really nice to hear."
Luster Report, especially the 6 executives, are well-known by lots of people.
Just saying the name Ramella makes it clear that he's the best blacksmith in the Luster Report.
Buying a sword from such a person is a big deal.
Buying and selling means knowing 'who's coming to buy,' so yeah, he's grinning.
"Oh, I see, the hero's master, huh? That's definitely something to brag about. Hehe."
She's smirking a bit.
He might have said too much, but it's not Horace's fault (irresponsible).
"By the way, are you okay, Hero's Master?"
"Okay with what?"
"Well, the maid who came to buy that mansion looked like she had a strong s*x drive."
"...........................hmm."
Horace takes a long pause.
"From the looks of it, you've probably already been attacked. Even if you're the hero's master, you're weak in bed, huh?"
"No, it's just that their eyes are super scary."
"Their eyes? Wait, did all the maids attack you or something?"
"...Well, that's, um."
Horace thinks.
'Why am I, at 27, talking so openly about nighttime stuff?'
But somehow, he feels like it's okay to share that with Tracy.
He doesn't know why, though.
"Alright, let's get to my business."
Ellie jumps into the conversation here.
She probably gets angry when they talk too much about nighttime stuff with the maids.
Who knows.
"Well, the hero's master probably doesn't have business here anyway. What do you need?"
"It's about the Cedal Alliance. I want to know what to do as a branch of the association. I'd like you to wait for that decision."
"Oh... I see, so you're up to something. Fine. I'll let the branch manager know. I'm busy too, and I can't keep dealing with idiots acting all excited."
"Busy?"
"There's talk in the Diamante Kingdom about setting up a 'Court Adventurers' group, and that news has reached us too."
"Court Adventurers..."
"I think the country gives titles to Adventurers with no problems in skills or behavior, wanting them to be 'role models for Adventurers in the kingdom.' It's just that alone feels vague, so it turns into something like granting privileges in exchange for making their activity range the kingdom."
"That's quite a bold system you have there..."
Human society keeps balance by separating Divine Blood Travels.
"However, the title of 'Court Adventurers' lumps together 'Bloodline Nations' and 'Adventurers.'
There are those among the Bloodline Nations and Adventurers who hate the idea of losing balance, and we don't know what the Theocracy Nation will say about being linked.
"Well, anyway, I'll keep the Cedal Alliance flowing smoothly. Just doing that might not satisfy the higher-ups, and can you control the hate in the hero community?"
"No problem."
"Then it's settled. Anything else?"
"Nothing in particular. Just... about Narsha-Narsha, please keep an eye on her a bit more. There might be something going on with her after this incident."
"That's possible... also, you're still..."
Ellie seemed a bit scary, so the rest went unsaid.
"Well then, we'll take our leave. See you later, Master, let's go."
"Huh? Oh, right... so if Mr. Angel gets into any strange ores again, let me know."
"Got it. See ya."
Ellie seemed to forcefully end the conversation, and in that way, Horace and Ellie left the branch.
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