Chapter 242 (1/2)

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Chapter 242 – Revisit and Reunion

「So bored…」

「Oh, Jill…」

The receptionist smiled as she watched her colleague with her head flopped on the counter. Pond's Adventurers Guild was deserted.

The town fell into a state of chaos last fall as the civil war's decisive battle was fast approaching. Ultimately, however, the battle was avoided. The adventurers, feeling letdown by the ceasefire announcement afterwards, left Pond to earn some money.

For a while, the whole town was shut down, and after the ceasefire, life didn't return to Pond immediately. As a result, requests stopped coming to Pond, leaving the adventurers jobless.

To make matters worse, Einbeast's king selection tournament would be held this year. Since adventurers were qualified to enter, ambitious people hoping to make a killing headed there.

「Winter's come and gone… They can come back now.」

Jill, a receptionist with short, red hair, gently tapped the binder laying the counter. It contained untaken requests that couldn't fit on the bulletin board. This past winter, adventurers went to the royal capital or nearby cities. After the situation in Pond returned to normal, there was no one around to take the requests and they just piled up.

「It's the first time in a while that we can relax. I actually like this.」

「I suppose… you have a point.」

Jill pouted her lips as she looked at Gloria. As always, the latter's long, purple hair looked l.u.s.trous, her huge bosom bouncing up and down. And just like always, her slightly-opened eyes instilled fear on Jill as it was hard to guess what was on the woman's mind sometimes. She seemed to mean what she just said, though.

Jill hated her busy life before this, surrounded by adventurers almost daily, accepting request and processing goods at a fast pace. She always wanted a break and more personnel to help with the work, but now that they had nothing to do, she missed the hectic days. Humans were indeed wayward creatures.

「Oh. There's no people around, I thought the place was closed.」

「Of course we're open. Can't you see the mountain of requests we have—」

Jill reflexively answered the familiar voice. Her eyes darted to beyond the counter and noticed the boy standing there. She didn't even notice him enter.

「Hikaru-kun?!」she blurted out loud.

There were no other adventurers present in the guild; the place was completely empty. They all entered the reception booth, the other receptionist included, proof of how much free time they had on their hands. Lavia took a seat beside Hikaru, while Jill and Gloria sat across, facing them. Paula was out securing them a place to stay, together with Drake who was still fast asleep.

「So? How'd things end up like this?」Hikaru said.

「Forget that.」Jill said.「About that girl…」

Jill stared at Lavia with scornful eyes. She had met her before, but her questions were left unanswered when Senkun of the rank A party Sweet Pleasure challenged Hikaru to a duel.

「She's Count Morgstad's daughter, isn't she?!」

「No. My name is Lavia. Just Lavia.」Lavia showed her Forestimade guild card.

「B-But you have the same name, and you look exactly like the one in the wanted poster…」

「Wanted poster? Last I heard, the Count's daughter wasn't wanted anymore.」Hikaru said.

「Well, yeah—」

「I'm Lavia. Just Lavia.」she repeated, clinging to Hikaru's arm.「And I'm Hikaru's girlfriend.」

「What?!」Jill froze in shock, while Gloria grinned.

「Well, there you have it. So, what's going on here?」Hikaru asked.

Jill still hadn't recovered from shock and was useless, so instead Gloria explained the current situation in Pond's Adventurers Guild succinctly.

「Hmm… You're short of hands, huh? What about the Four Stars of the East?」

「They were summoned to the royal castle.」

Rank B adventurers sure have it rough. Getting promoted really sounds like a bad idea, Hikaru thought.

「Hikaru, I have a question.」Gloria said with a downcast look.

「Hmm?」

「How many do you plan on marrying?」

Jill choked.「Wh-Where'd that come from, Gloria?!」

「Please shut up for a minute. I'm talking to Hikaru.」

「If you're joking, it's not funny. I'm free to marry whoever I want…」Hikaru grumbled.

Lavia's embrace tightened. Uh, h.e.l.lo? Miss Lavia? You're smiling, but your eyes are dead serious. Wait, you don't trust me? Is that it?

「Well, I want to know if I have a chance.」

「Gloria?!」Jill had been nothing but surprised in the last few minutes. Her mouth gaped open and shut, like a fish gasping for air.

「Nope. You don't have a chance.」Hikaru said.

「I see. That's unfortunate.」

「You probably just want my money, don't you?」

Gloria knew that Hikaru won a hundred million gilans from his fight with Senkun. It was clear she was only asking these questions because of the money.

「Teehee.」

「Good grief… I thought you normally kept your scheming ways secret?」

「Why, of course. But it'll be much easier later if I show my future spouse everything right from the start.」