NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34
Day by day, our accomplishments piled up.
We finally stood before the promotion exam.
I visited the Adventurer Guild alone and discussed the exam details with Morzen.
“Do you know how the exam is conducted?”
“Isn’t it just succeeding the mission assigned by the guild?”
“That’s right. Though it’s higher than E rank, it’s still at a D rank level, which is considerably below average in difficulty.”
Even among missions of the same rank, there are differences in difficulty.
The mission we would face during the exam could be classified as ‘D-‘ level.
The details would be communicated on the day of the exam, but at our level, we could easily pass without the Holy Sword.
But then,
“Mr. Morzen, are you really coming to supervise the promotion exam this time?”
“Yes. I’ll be the examiner.”
Morzen, the guild receptionist, would be the examiner.
“Depending on the situation, it might take a few days. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes. That’s the rule.”
“The receptionist being appointed as the examiner?”
“Well, it’s not so much that… it’s basically the association’s role to oversee. Typically, an adventurer of rank 2 or higher should be the examiner, but due to a shortage of personnel, I’ve been assigned to supervise.”
“…?”
A shortage of personnel?
No matter how you look at it, Normans isn’t exactly a huge city, but a proper medium-sized one.
“There isn’t a single adventurer available to examine us?”
“Not that; but… am I making you uncomfortable?”
“No, no. It’s not that, I’m just curious.”
Even if there aren’t many people, there should be someone to oversee us, so why is the receptionist insisting on doing it herself?
“A rank C adventurer suffices, right? Then Rosmas… wouldn’t qualify.”
“She’s registered as part of our team.”
That’s a rational and logical point.
Rosmas is part of our team, so she can’t assist us during the promotion exam.
That’s a potential conflict of interest.
“Before I joined the office, I was a rank C adventurer myself. I can handle myself, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
Unexpected.
Morzen, the receptionist who seems so mild and office-bound, was actually an adventurer.
“Isn’t the receptionist supposed to manage paperwork?”
“Well, yes, but there are quite a few rough people around. We want to handle harassment cases ourselves.”
“What about B ranks and above?”
“When adventurers reach that level, they usually don’t engage in such behavior towards receptionists. Personality and humanity also factor into the promotion exam.”
“Oh….”
That’s more rational than I expected.
Indeed, as she said, those who harbor strange ideas and intend to do something weird toward receptionists would mostly get chased away by higher-ranked mercenaries at the entrance of the guild.
“So how is the promotion exam conducted?”
“You’ll be tackling a dungeon. I’ll observe your dungeon exploration from the side, and you should do your best to clear the designated dungeon. Oh, dungeon exploration is a common matter. The only secret is the location; this much can be disclosed.”
“Um….”
Dungeon exploration, huh.
I can imagine it.
‘Lucius in the front, then me. Rosmas and Morzen will be supporting and observing from the back.’
Probably, the two of us will lead while Rosmas and Morzen follow behind, ready to step in if needed.
‘Lucius can handle things on his own without the Holy Sword.’
If it’s truly D- rank difficulty, then Lucius can win everything with just his sword.
Even if it can’t take down foes in a single strike like a Holy Sword, he can steadily swing his sword, knocking enemies down as he advances.
That would essentially make it Lucius’s solo show.
I would just be there to support from behind.
“Once you’re ready tomorrow, you just need to come directly to the guild, right?”
“Ready… do you need more?”
“Of course.”
To be fully prepared at any time, anywhere.
“You never know when and where danger might pop up.”
“…Understood. I’ll make sure to prepare properly as well.”
“Thank you, examiner.”
That’s the fundamental attitude of a Demon King living in this dangerous Human World.
Having coordinated the details of dungeon exploration with Morzen, we completed our preparations, and Morzen spared no effort in supporting us transparently while keeping a careful distance that wouldn’t significantly affect the exam.
‘I thought she’d be giving everything away just because she’s into Lucius.’
She maintains strict boundaries while still doing her utmost in areas where she can show consideration.
As long as they aren’t guild members, and they have enough combat power and talent, joining Lucius’s party wouldn’t be a bad idea.
“…Well then, we’ll set off tomorrow morning. By the way, Morzen, do you have any interesting news?”
“Interesting news?”
“Yes. What’s happening in the world.”
Information, after all, is found at the Adventurer Guild.
There aren’t any other guests behind, so we can leisurely chat right now.
“You mentioned that the world is in upheaval lately. I was wondering if something big is going on.”
From Morzen’s perspective, she’d likely want to converse more with Lucius, but Lucius is currently on a date disguised as a spar with Rosmas.
“Um… nothing much. Just the same daily routines repeating. Dungeons are increasing every day, monsters are trying to cross over the black cliffs daily, and the Red Moon Goddess’s church and the Order of the Crescent Moon Goddess are at odds.”
“Um….”
The Human World is always tumultuous.
Humans will unite on a grand scale when a non-human enemy appears, but fundamentally, they’re beings who can’t wait to fight each other.
Yet, among all this vague information, there’s something I must absolutely find.
Asydia.
Traces of Zephar.
Certainly, they are a dark organization that summoned the Demon King and offered countless humans as sacrifices, being pursued by the Holy Knight Order; there might be a clue to them somewhere.
“There are indeed various disputes among different fields. The Adventurer Guild is clashing with the monsters rampant across the continent.”
In politics, economy, society, culture, and race.
Humans are a species that thrives on confrontation and struggle.
“…But, Witch. Lucius is coming with us tomorrow, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then, will the two of you continually keep pairing up together? From now on, continuously?”
Humans do battle.
In whatever field it may be, romance included.
Humans are always ready to fight each other, wherever and whenever.
“W-witch, how do you feel about Lucius…?”
Even in this peaceful guild,
“Well, rather than a pair, I think a party will form with Lucius at its center, don’t you think?”
“Yes?”
“It’ll probably continue to grow. We have our own goals, and with the three of us here, there may come a situation that we can’t overcome.”
Facing Belphegor the Black Dragon together as just the three of us?
It’s dangerous.
Zephar will undoubtedly dispatch numerous demon race members nearby, requiring many companions to handle that.
“So… does that mean you’ll keep recruiting companions?”
“Yes. It could form into quite a large adventurer group, beyond just a simple party, you know?”
It could really grow into quite a huge adventurer group.
“Oh, should I post an announcement to recruit party members? Open to anyone, publicly. Without limits.”
“No, that’s not allowed.”
“What? Why not?”
“While there are many people wanting to become companions, I need to assess first.”
“…….”
Morzen scanned me from top to bottom, twisting her lips.
She seemed to have a lot to say about it, and it appeared she wasn’t pleased with the idea of me binding Lucius.
“Does that mean, Witch, you plan to manage Lucius’s companions?”
“Not so much managing them as blocking anyone trying to approach him for their own gain. That guy is quite naive since he’s lived in the countryside.”
A hero possessing the Power of the Holy Sword.
“Lucius has talent. He’s a raw gem. If properly processed and polished, he’d become a stunning jewel everyone would admire, but of course, being a raw gem means others will be eager to lay their hands on him.”
He’s likely to be taken advantage of easily.
‘He’s my naive one.’
I’ll ensure nobody else can use him.
“As time goes on, more people will take an interest in Lucius. Among them, there will be those who approach him with good intentions, but also those who seek to exploit him maliciously.”
Just like me.
“The point is to make sure they can’t misuse Lucius carelessly. And to help Lucius achieve his goals through true support. That’s the basic quality for anyone who wants to be Lucius’s companion.”
“Got it….”
Morzen’s expression as she listened to me was as serious as could be.
“Witch, you’re truly earnest about Lucius’s growth.”
“Of course. It’s like being a mentor, I guess; it’s also like a parental feeling….”
Monster parents.
Rather than wishing for my child to grow as a human, it describes those who look to create ways for their children to achieve economic success and take care of their own retirement.
“Lucius needs a protector. He’s a fully-grown adult and can take responsibility for his actions, but he’s in a position where he doesn’t quite know how to behave as an adult in society.”
Thus, he needs assistance.
“He’ll wander, suffer sorrow, and face hardships. Some say one must learn through trials, but wouldn’t it be better to follow a slightly easier path?”
Right.
“I simply wish for Lucius to walk a path of flowers.”
At the end of that flower path, I hope he can cut off Zephar’s head.
“That’s what I wish for Lucius.”