With that, Alan and the others left the Adventurers' Guild, making their way toward the White Tiger Guild headquarters.

Looking up at the sky, Alan sighed dramatically. "I didn't even get to eat my steak…" he mumbled.

"Did you say something, Sir Solo Knight?" Adrian asked, having caught the muttering.

Shaking his head, Alan replied, "I was just talking to myself." He didn't hear me, did he? Alan wondered, his face now showing a hint of embarrassment.

The White Tiger Guild Hall was only a ten-minute walk from the main Adventurers' Association hall. Soon, Alan and the others stood outside of it.

The White Tiger Guild's building was far more extravagant than the basic building of the Adventurers' Guild, though it was slightly smaller in comparison. But as it served a smaller populace and was an exclusive club, it made sense.

The boundary of the White Tiger Guild was simple yet elegant. A small part of the boundary, right next to the large black metallic gate, was made of sturdy gray stone, acting as both the base and top, with metal railings on either side. The railing looked identical to the material the large metallic black gate was made of.

Alan walked toward the door, leaning on it as he tried to look into the guard room, checking whether anyone was there. No one's on guard duty? he thought as he put his hand in the gap in the door, attempting to unlock it from the inside.

"It's unlocked," Alan said, looking back as he finally opened the gate.

The Head Knight gave an unsure look to Alan. "Are you sure we should go inside without…?" he questioned.

Alan waved his right hand. "Trust me, I am sure about it," he added with a smile. "Normally, a guard is supposed to be stationed here," Alan said, pointing at the small room just to the side of the gate.

"That makes sense," Adrian mumbled.

"We should get going then," the Head Knight spoke as he approached the gate. Four Royal Knights followed their leader just a step behind him, something they had been trained for.

Alan glanced at the Royal Knights. "Wait," he said, catching the Head Knight's attention. Then, gesturing toward the four City Knights following him, he spoke up, "I think you should ask your guards to stay outside, Mr. Head Knight."

"And why is that?" the Head Knight asked, a slight look of confusion crossing his face.

"It might put the guild members on guard," Alan replied with a neutral expression as he pushed the gate open. "We wouldn't want that now, would we?" he added with a smile.

"We would not. You are right," the Head Knight replied after a brief pause to think. Turning to his men, he asked, "You heard him, didn't you?"

The knights straightened up in an exaggerated, overly formal stance and responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"

The loud, march-like response startled Adrian slightly, and Rose giggled at his reaction.

"Someone's afraid of loud noises, aren't they, Adrian?" she teased, putting extra emphasis on his name with a sarcastic tone.

"I'm not," Adrian mumbled, his face flushed with embarrassment as he walked toward the entrance of the White Tiger Guild.

Alan observed this with a small smile. If it had been Ais, I might have teased her too, he thought with a small smile.

Stolen story; please report.

"Don't we have to go in?" Adrian asked as he stopped next to Alan, his voice carrying a hint of irritation as he looked at him.

"Sure," Alan replied immediately with a quick nod.

With that, Alan, the Head Knight, and the Weeble siblings stepped inside the White Tiger Guild's premises. A stone-brick path stretched from the main entrance to the building, flanked on both sides by thick, lush green grass—so soft it looked more comfortable than any bed imaginable.

"Is this the best you can do? Don't make me laugh!" a deep male voice suddenly rang out, catching Alan and the others' attention as they walked across the grounds.

Is Sir Blake training… no, more like bullying somebody? Alan wondered to himself. "Don't make a sound," Alan whispered as a warning to the others.

"Are you making us trespa—" Rose spoke up, her voice low and irritated.

But before she could finish, Adrian placed a finger on his lips and mumbled in a whisper, "Don't," while looking at her.

Rose, though looking frustrated, obliged. Alan and the team finally reached the main gate of the building, where a black wooden sliding door served as the main entrance.

Alan slid the door open and stepped inside, entering the expansive main hall of the White Tiger Guild. The interior had a more polished and elegant appearance compared to the Association Hall, with a black-and-white color scheme reflected in the walls, furniture, and flooring. Four black chandeliers, each adorned with numerous small white bulbs, hung in the corners of the hall, while a grand white-and-gold chandelier at the center served as the primary source of illumination.

There were a total of three large tables made of black, lustrous marble with golden legs. They were lined together in the right corner, forming a dining area. Several female and a few male adventurers sat at the farthest table.

"It's Solo Knight," one of the female adventurers mumbled in a whisper.

Before the group could continue, their light chatter and enthusiasm faded as they noticed the Head Knight and the Weeble siblings entering.

"It's rather cold inside," Rose mumbled as she walked in.

Pretty sure it's due to the artifact made from the magic core obtained by that ice dragon, Alan mentally said as he recalled Alisa's reaction—or outburst, to be precise.

After all the trouble we went through, they want us to give the core at half the price… she had shouted while hitting the table. Screw them, we are going to use it as decoration, she had further added.

That sure was something, he added as he glanced across the adventurers sitting at one of the tables. His attention shifted to the White Tiger Guild's healer, a mature-looking lady with a youthful appearance, who sat in a rather sparkling blue-colored dress.

"Do you have some business with Alisa?" an adventurer sitting on the sofa questioned.

Alan looked at her, noting her youthful appearance and odd choice of clothing. Isn't she cold? he wondered as he observed her blue, sleeveless dress. "I do, Miss Bella," Alan said politely with a nod. "It's urgent as well, so I should take my leave," he added.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to stop you. Go right ahead," Bella said, gesturing for him to go.

Alan nodded at Bella's response. "Follow me," he mumbled to the others, casting a glance at the Headknight and the Weeble siblings. However, something felt off.

As he made his way toward the stairs, he took a brief glance at Rose—only to catch her glaring at Miss Bella for some reason.

Do they know each other? Maybe they're sworn enemies or something, Alan mused, letting out a small chuckle before quickly suppressing it. Don't go drawing her wrath toward yourself, idiot, he scolded himself, climbing the stairs.

"Are you in a bad mood, sis?" Adrian whispered into Rose's ear.

Why exactly is she upset? Alan wondered. Then, a thought struck him. Wait… don't tell me she's jealous of Miss Bella's… assets? A smug expression crossed his face. Well, well, well… she should be jealous. She doesn't stand a chance against Miss Bella. He puffed up ever so slightly, as if he were the one responsible for souring Rose's mood.

"I am not in a bad mood! Stop with all this nonsense, or I'll hit you," Rose retorted, an irritated look on her face making it clear she would absolutely do as she said in a heartbeat.

Adrian didn't reply further, supposedly to avoid facing his sister's wrath.

Alan and the others reached the first floor, which had a large open terrace area on one side, while on the other were the Guildmaster and Vice Guildmaster's offices.