- Garon -

Wonderful!

Now I have to set up an expedition to the Evergrove.

That's gonna be a pain in the ass.

The dangerous missions aren't all that popular with the members, which honestly, isn't surprising.

I mean, it's not like the members apply to go on adventures.

Since a long time ago, I've been thinking that the name, Adventurer’s Guild, is misleading, and calling us mercenaries would be far more fitting.

Okay, I suppose it makes sense from an advertising standpoint and there are already enough mercenary groups out there, serving in the small and big quarrels all around the south.

Still, it's misleading.

This means I need to figure out how to convince those folk that foremost serve themselves.

Though, at least I got one convincing argument.

"Sir Garon! You are back!" (guild receptionist)

I appreciate receiving a welcome befitting my position.

Also, it's good that she's directly present.

The guild receptionists are our greatest administrative assets, after all.

"Yes. We got a big assignment from the lord. I need you to do the formalities of assigning a group of at least eight, the more the better, for an expedition into the Evergrove, Janet." (G)

"The Evergrove? That might be difficult. Many members are currently on missions and won't return anytime soon." (J)

"That doesn't matter. Call out to them that they have to gather. I want them to assemble as soon as possible. Please prepare the assignments." (G)

"As you order, guild leader." (J)

That should do the trick.

Janet is the good soul of our guild and I know I can rely on her.

As for some others...

"Liana! There's some work coming in! Set everything aside and help me prepare." (J)

"M-me? S-sure. But wasn't I supposed to..." (L)

Sigh. Liana.

The... I don't really know how to say it.

In theory, she's currently in the guild program to learn the healing craft.

Not just anyone can use healing magic.

Only one in a hundred is able to tap into their magic element at all, and one of five to six-hundred might have the convenient life element used for healing.

Though, I don't have the official statistics ready yet.

But Verdanis isn't a town where just anyone can open a shop.

Especially, if they have no experience.

Or if they have other, problematic, circumstances.

Luckily for her, in the guild program, up and coming healers can start out by using their magic on all the little ailments our members return with.

However, Liana is just... not very good at it.

This is a huge waste, in more ways than one.

Because she's extraordinary.

One of the only dual magic users in the country.

Water and healing.

Basically, the best support a party could wish for on a journey.

And she sucks at both.

As far as I know, honing a magic element requires dedication and she lacks it.

Liana can barely heal a minor scratch without breaking into a sweat.

Maybe it's the fact that she's dual-compatible.

Usually, the affinity is reflected in the practitioner's personality.

Kids with healing magic, for example, often can't help but treat every sick flower they find, or whatever else.

This practice helps them circulate their magic in certain patterns, which helps them develop and improve their magic.

Not only in skill, but also in quantity.

According to the theory in the guild library at least.

Yet for Liana, it seems like she can't concentrate on only one.

She simply lacks the focus to properly develop her elemental attunements and for this reason, just won't improve in either.

This, in combination with her timid, fearful personality, makes her quite unpopular with all available teams.

And so she's stuck in the receptionist area, doing minor jobs she's, honestly, not so good at either.

"Liana! It doesn't matter what you're doing now. This is important! Now come!" (J)

"S-sure. Coming." (L)

So much for this.

Now I'll take my well-deserved break.

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Seems like it's time.

I shouldn't let them wait for too long.

Some groups already started ordering from the guild bar, and past examples have shown that after a while they won't be able to take in any information anymore.

So I walk up in front of them.

"Welcome, fellow adventurers! Thank you for coming!" (G)

"Not like we had much of a choice!"

"Hahaha!"

Sigh!

That's typical for Edward.

And naturally, Connor just had to encourage him.

Yet I shouldn't lash out.

It would sour the mood and certainly not make them more favorable toward my proposals.

"You all are surely asking yourself why I called you. Well, the reason is simple. Opportunity presents itself and I was going to ask who of you is willing to grasp it!" (Garon)

My introduction doesn't have as much effect as I would've liked, but at least it's not taken negatively.

"Ahem, Garon. Would you be so kind as to elaborate on what kind of opportunity you had in mind?"

This is Robert.

The possibly only B-rank we have in town.

The other parties of that rank are currently out on missions, and the A-rank barely ever shows up at all.

He might be the most important factor here.

Everything else might raise the lord's ire.

"Naturally, I was getting to that part. As you might have heard, there was a recent sighting of spider-based monsters. It's not the first time we’ve heard about something like this, but it's certainly a first that the more exotic variants of the Evergrove leave its confines." (G)

"So you're saying we should hunt them? I don't have to mention the issues that lie with such a course of action, right?"

And now John.

One of the best trackers we have.

Is there anyone present I can afford to offend here?

"Please, please! Yes, I'm aware of the problems we're facing. However, I'm not talking about a small hunt. Lord Temere himself decided to host an expedition into the Evergrove to get rid of the creatures for good. You'll be equipped with everything you need to fulfill the task." (G)

It seems John isn't quite ready to stop it at this.

"While this might be, it's not even clear how many spiders there were. Are we seriously supposed to fight a whole spider swarm and whatever else the Evergrove might throw at us?!" (Jo)

"Goddamnit! Do I have to tell you every little thing?! Yes, nobody knows how many spiders were there. And for this very reason, it's completely fine if you make up the number. Just bring some packs of the spider silk back with you and enough proof to show that you seriously were at it. And once you return, you can just say that those were all you found. Seriously, since when are you into doing more than the absolute minimum?" (G)

It seems understanding now dawns on them.

Yes, this whole expedition is basically only appeasement for Lord Temere.

From the get-go, it's kinda impossible to find all the spiders.

The mission is already, by default, far too vague.

"So it's a ruse. At least partly. For what reason would any of us want to take part in this?" (R)

Hah, Robert. One could misinterpret his wide frame as him not caring enough for his body, but I can assure you, those are all muscles.

Though, while it may appear as if he's challenging me here, anyone who knows us should be informed that we actually get along quite well.

In truth, he gives me an opportunity to convince the others here.

"Ah, yes. You need a reason. Well, I don't have just one, but a hundred for you. One hundred shiny golden reasons those of you who are ready to brace the Evergrove may distribute among your party." (G)

Lord Temere was quite generous in that regard.

It's not a simple matter to convince adventurers that a quest is worth their time.

With this reward, most qualms about this endeavor should be gone.

The general mood suddenly got much better.

Edward and Connor are whistling, John looks interested, and the slasher brothers apparently already celebrate.

I hope they won't go celebrating too much again, and spend the money they have yet to earn.

Sigh, sometimes I feel like a glorified babysitter.

I put the official assignment for the expedition on the blackboard.

Anyone interested can go look and then ask at the counter for details.

If everything works out, they may sign up and the receptionists do the paperwork.

Now that everything's out of the way, I can step away to the sidelines again.

However, Robert approaches me before I can completely excuse myself.

"Garon, can I talk to you?" (R)

"Sure. Is there a problem?" (G)

"Well, not really a problem. I just have a bad feeling about this expedition of yours." (R)

"You know, I agree that we could use more intel. All missions into the Evergrove hold a certain risk. Yet we can't afford to risk our good relations with the lord and the reward is pretty good." (G)

"I know, I know. But from what I saw mostly the usual ruffians are applying. On this kind of long-term mission, the members need support in the field. Who knows what they might encounter? This kind of mission at least needs a healer. And as far as I know, most dedicated ones are currently out of town. I doubt there's anyone going to be available at short notice, no matter how much we offer." (R)

He's got a point.

Damn, this is an issue.

"Liana, not like this! You have to fill the sheets correctly!" (Jane)

Hm... if life sends you incompetent employees...

"How about you take Liana with you?!" (G)

"Wha-" (L)

Oh no. She heard me.

"Liana? Are you sure? She has barely any practical experience." (receptionist)

"She's still a healer and the practice will be good for her. She needs to work on her craft." (G)

"I'm not sure. Taking someone who can't handle themselves in a fight into the Evergrove is inviting trouble." (R)

"Just keep her out of the fights and pay attention to her. She's certainly good enough to mend a scratch. Maybe she'll improve on the way. Also, it should probably be fine to lower her share of the reward." (G)

I turn to the girl in question.

"That's fine with you, right Liana?" (G)

"Mieeph, ahh, I... I don't..." (L)

"Great. Then pack for tomorrow." (G)

"B-b-but I-I-I... I don't think..." (L)

Sigh, I didn't want to use this.

"This assignment will at least greatly help to reduce your debt with the guild. I hope you can perform well on it." (G)

Her debt isn't all that great.

If she had her own shop, she could pay it rather quickly.

However, at the moment she's using up guild resources, as she receives board and lodging here.

So I need to force her to improve and this mission poses to be a good opportunity.

So there simply isn't much to do.

Yet now she looks completely paralyzed.

So I turn back to spare me that sight.

"Just don't completely screw her please. I don't want to hear later that anything questionable happened." (G)

"Who do you take me for? We're adventurers, not criminal mercenary scum." (R)

"Then everything's settled. Now excuse me, but I need finally a break." (G)