After leaving Galvin and Elnart with his mother to have their long awaited reunion, Yuna and I headed to the adventurer's guild to process the completion of the quest Cedric gave us.
And although we haven't gone near the adventurer's guild in the capital, thanks to Veronica-san's instructions, we were able to find it without much trouble.
When we arrived, we were in awe about how massive the guild was. Just by rough estimate alone, it was easily thrice the size of the one in Galderia. And just what you would expect from a massive building, when we went inside, we were greeted by a large number of adventurers, and of course, busy noises.
In order to accommodate the large number of adventurers, the guild building was built with three floors, with both the first and second floors solely made for the quests and quest items processing.
Thankfully, it wasn't the busy hour in the guild and we were able to get to the reception counters pretty easily if it was, it would be an understatement to call it cramped.
「Excuse me, we would like to process the completion of this quest.」Grey
「Of course.」
I handed the letter to the receptionist, and she quickly took a look at it. When she had read its contents, her eyes opened widely in shock.
It was a reaction that Yuna and I have seen countless times.
「P-Please wait a moment.」
After bowing her head to us, the receptionist quickly left and headed to where I assume was the guildmaster's office.
A few moments later, the receptionist walked down the stairs with a man who looked like he was in his early twenties. But when I appraised him...
-----------------------------------
【〔Anthronoid〕】
【Name】Velzier
【Race】Half Human, Half Elf
【Sex】Male
【Age】49
【Status】Healthy
【Mana Capacity】1,196 【Mana Quality】C
【Combat Power】1,335 【Threat Level】B
【Attribute】Fire 【Spell Proficiency】53%
【Class】Ravager 【Art Proficiency】51%
【Physical Enhancement】54%
【Ability】...
-----------------------------------
... It couldn't have been any further from the truth. He was even older than Sebastian-san by 2 years.
This is the first time I've seen a hybrid from two races. Is it because elf blood is coursing through his veins that he looks so young despite his age.
Speaking of age, here in Merusia, since all the races originated from one ancestor, the lifespan between each race doesn't vary too much. On average, the people's lifespan lasts for about 70 years.
But for someone who has reached B-rank, their lifespan will be extended, with Catastrophe-rankers reaching a lifespan of almost 150 years.
As for S-rankers like me and Yuna, we should be able to live at least until the age of 85.
Anyway, now that I look at his combat power, he must be this guild's guildmaster. He's just as powerful as Jiro-san.
「It's a pleasure to meet you, Count Grey, Countess Yuna. My name is Velzier, this guild's guildmaster. I apologize for the inconvenience.」Velzier
「Ah, we don't mind. Actually, we're quite taken aback that the guildmaster himself is the one to welcome us personally.」Grey
「Un. And to think that the guildmaster is so young...」Yuna
「Haha, I get that a lot. But I'm actually turning 50 a few months from now.」Velzier
「Amazing...」Yuna
While Yuna was being amazed by the fact how young Velzier-san looked, Velzeir-san on the other hand was processing the completion of the quest while entertaining us.
He was really good at multitasking. He wasn't weren't even focused on what he was doing. He was simply amazing.
「Not really. What's amazing is the fact that the two of you reached B-rank at such a young age. You two are even getting a medal of honor. Ah, please hand me your guild cards.」Vezier
Just as Velzier-san asked for, Yuna and I handed our guild cards to him. A few moments later, he returned it to us, signaling the completion of the process.
「Thank you.」Grey
「Thanks, Velzeir-san.」Yuna
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「You're welcoー」Velzier
「Ahh!!」Vanessa
Before Velzier-san could even complete his statement, he was cut off by a scream. And when we turned around to know where it came from, we were surprised to learn whom it belonged to.
「Yuna-chan! Grey-kun! You're here!」Vanessa
It was Vanessa-neesan's.
Without a single warning, Vanessa-neesan rushed towards us and embraced both Yuna and I in a tight hug. And it goes without saying that we almost suffocated from her large bosoms.
「Aww～ I really missed the two of you～ When did you arrive?」Vanessa
Not even minding what was happening to me and Yuna, Vanessa-neesan continued embracing us like there was no tomorrow. Luckily, Kurt was there to rescue us.
「Onee-sama, I just want to remind you that we're still in public. And right now, you're really garnering a lot of attention.」Kurt
Noticing that she had become the center of attention, Vanessa-neesan slowly let go of us and corrected her posture.
「Good afternoon, Grey-kun, Yuna-chan. It's almost been two months since we've last seen each other. How have you been? 」Vanessa
As if nothing happened, Vanessa-neesan greeted us in a normal way. Her character did a complete 180. If I haven't met her before, I would have believed that she was a proper lady.
It might be because they didn't want to get involved with nobility, but when the other adventurers heard her words, they immediately turned their heads away from her and continued with whatever they were doing.
As for Yuna, her face was practically saying "Vanessa-neechan, you're so bad at acting". I was glad she was able to keep her thoughts for herself.
Well whatever, let's just play along with her for now.
「Good afternoon as well, Vanessa-sama. We have been more than fine, I'm glad you asked. Good to see you as well, Kurt-sama.」Grey
「I feel the same as well.」Kurt
For formality's (Vanessa-neesan's) sake, after our greetings, we bowed our heads to each other. Honestly, it was mentally tiring doing such a simple task.
「So, what are the two of you doing here? Are you taking quests?」Kurt
「No, we're here to process the completion of an escorting quest. We haven't gotten a lot of points since the raid after all.」Grey
「Yeah, we've almost been at the labyrinth all the time.」Yuna
「I see... Gustav-dono did say he met you on Moterno.」Kurt
「Speaking of which, the pizza you taught Gustav was really delectable. I would love it if you would cook one for us after some time.」Vanessa
Haha... Vanessa-neesan really sounds different...
「I'll do just that when I have time.」Grey
「I'm looking forward to it.」Vanessa
「Ahem.」Velzier
While the four of us were having a friendly chat with each other, Velzier-san suddenly interrupted us by faking a cough.
Ah, right... I forgot that Velzier-san is still here...
「Ah, sorry, Velzier-san. We got too caught up with our conversation.」Grey
「No, it's fine. By the way, Vanessa-sama, Kurt-sama, what are your business here?」Velzier
「Oh, right... Actually, we came here to make a quest.」Vanessa
Vanessa-neesan said as she handed a letter to Velzier-san. Although the letter seemed normal, if one looks closely, one can easily notice the Alfrione Royal family's crest engraved on it.
It was a letter that somehow, somehow, gave me a bad feeling...
Without asking any question, Velzier-san received the letter from Vanessa-neesan and read it silently.
「I see... But isn't this quest pointless. I mean, the answer is already right beside the two of you.」Velzier
Hearing Velzier-san's words, Vanessa-neesan and Kurt's eyes shifted from him to me and Yuna, making the two of us confused.
「Now that I think of it, they really do fit the bill. Actually, they're more than enough to qualify for it.」Vanessa
「I agree with you onee-sama. With Yuna and Grey being the same age as them, we could also teach them to strive harder.」Kurt
Huh? What are they talking about?
「Right. They should be able to crush their egos. Especially the ones coming from well off families.」Vanessa
「Their parents also wouldn't be able with Grey and Yuna's status as it is.」Kurt
No, seriously, what are they talking about?
「So, are you still requesting this quest to be posted?」Velzier
「No, please discard it. And thank for your suggestion, Vel-san.」Vanessa
「It's my pleasure.」Velzier
Despite their conversation reaching its conclusion, neither me nor Yuna was able to comprehend what they were talking about. The pieces of information were just too vague.
If only we were as good as She*lock Hol*es, we might have been able to understand what they were talking about.
「Umm... Vanessa-neechー I mean, Vanessa-sama, can I ask what you were talking about?」Yuna
「I can't tell you about it for now. Why don't we go to the castle first?」Vanessa
Eh? The castle?
Still not understanding anything, Yuna and I were invited (forced) by Vanessa-neesan to the castle. It was something we didn't expect to do on our first day in the capital.
On the way there, Vanessa-neesan bombarded us with questions one after another, and not being able to go against her, Yuna and I were forced to answer each of them truthfully.
「Eh～ So Grey-kun and Yuna-chan had become lovers already... Neesan is very happy for the two of you. Congratulations!」Vanessa
「Congratulations, Grey, Yuna.」Kurt
She was even able to dig out the fact that Yuna and I had become lovers. Thankfully, we were out in broad daylight. If we were alone with ourselves, Vanessa-neesan would have gone overboard with congratulating us.
「Thank you.」Grey
「T-Thanks...」Yuna
But in exchange for Vanessa-neesan not going overboard, Yuna and I became very embarrassed being congratulated in public.
We were so engaged with our talk that we didn't notice that we were already near the castle. By the time we did, we were already in front of the gates.
「「Welcome back, Vanessa-sama, Kurt-sama.」」
And as expected of high-ranking nobles, they were immediately greeted by the guards the moment they noticed them. Which they responded with light nods.
「Is His Majesty busy right now?」Vanessa
「Yes, he's currently in a meeting with the prime minister and other nobles.」
「I see... Then when they're done, please tell His Majesty that we have completed the task he had given to us. When we are given permission for an audience, please tell us at the training grounds.」Vanessa
「As you wish.」
With a simple order from Vanessa-neesan, the guard quickly left after bowing in order to carry out his task. As for the other guards, they stood still by the gates, doing their job properly.
Waahh... As expected of the castle guards. They really know how to do their jobs properly. The way they act reminds me of the Queen's guards at the buckingham palace back on earth.
My attention was so focused about the guards that I didn't hear an important part of what Vanessa-neesan said. It would be something that I'll regret later.
「Vanessa-neechan, we're going to the training grounds?」Yuna
「Yeah! And I'll tell you why when you get there.」Vanessa
Vanessa-neesan said with a bright smile on her face, but it wasn't just an ordinary smile. It was the smile of someone planning something on the back of their minds.
Somehow, I've got a bad feeling about this......
「Soldiers, line up!」
When one of the knights noticed our approach, he quickly rallied up the soldiers under him. Seeing him do that, the others followed suit as well. And just as all the soldiers were in line perfectly, Gustav-san and two others came to the front and greeted them.
「「「Salutations to Commander Filastra-sama and Brigadier Helsberg-sama!」」」
「At ease.」Vanessa
「「「At ease!」」」
After Vanessa-neesan issued that command, the ones in the front relayed it to everyone, making them relax a little bit.
Amazing...
That word was what came to kind when I saw the soldiers execute the commands properly. They were so in sync, it was as if they were all just one being.
「Colonel Gustav, aren't you forgetting to greet someone?」Vanessa
「Hm?」Gustav
When Vanessa-neesan said those words, Gustav-san's eyes immediately started to look around for the people who Vanessa-neesan was referring to, only stopping when he spotted us.
「Oh, forgive my insolence. Knights! Greetings to Count Grey-sama and Countess Yuna-sama!」Gustav
「「「Greetings!!」」」
Unlike Vanessa-neesan and Kurt whom the knights saluted to, when the knights greeted us, it was via bowing their heads. Nevertheless, it was still a sign of showing great respect.
And of course, as the ones subjected to such treatment, both Yuna and I felt a bit uncomfortable with it.
「Um... Please raise your heads.」Grey
「As you wish. Knights, at ease!」Gustav
Ahh... Are they really going to yell these commands all the time? It feels somewhat annoying.
「Listen up! Today, we will be stopping your training for a while. In exchange, you will be having a practice match with our two guests here...」
Hm? I feel like I've just heard something strange... By guests, does she mean us...?
No, I must have heard it wrong, there's no way Vanessa-neesan wiー no, this is Vanessa-neesan we are talking about. Wait, does she want us to fight the knights and soldiers once again!?
Wait, wait, wait! The last time, Gustav-san did it so that he could fix the cockiness of his knights, so it was reasonable, but knowing Vanessa-neesan, she must be doing this just for fun! There's no way I'll acceptー
「Grey-kun are you ready?」Vanessa
I was so focused on my thoughts that before I knew it, Vanessa-neesan had already finished talking. On top of that, the fight-loving Yuna had already agreed to her suggestion. She even unsheathed her daggers already.
「Wait, Vanessa-neesan, please think of this more responsibly.」Grey
「You're going to do it, right?」Vanessa
Vanessa-neesan asked with a smile on her face, but her eyes weren't smiling at all! Rather, they were oozing with danger!
「Right...?」Vanessa
I tried to ask Kurt for help, but his eyes were already saying "Do your best" before I could even voice out my words.
In the end, the inevitable practice match between Yuna and I against about 10,000 soldiers took place. Needless to say, cries and groans full of pain filled the battlefield.
It was as one-sided as a fight professional wrestler against a baby.
And just when I thought the troubles were done...
「What's the meaning of this!?」???
... another troublesome character showed up.
CHAPTER 55 END