Chapter 19 : Adventurers' Guild (1)

"Is it your first time in the 3rd district ?" Thelec asked, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

"It is, yeah. I don't leave my shop very often, haha," Lloyd replied with a hint of wryness in his voice.

Thelec already knew that, but he couldn't tell Lloyd that his best team was monitoring his store day and night.

After thinking for a few seconds, he made up his mind and proposed something.

"Do you mind if I accompany you to the Adventurers' Guild ? I also have some business there."

"Ehm, right now...?"

Lloyd hesitated.

It would be reassuring for Lloyd to have Sir Thelec accompanying him in this city that was still unknown to him, but it was already late.

"I heard that the upper districts are quite unsafe these days, and that it was quite dangerous to wander here at night. I was about to look for an inn to spend the night..."

"Don't worry, Boss. With me at your side, nobody would dare to attack you," Thelec said confidently, almost forgetting who he was talking to.

'Well, it's not like you would need my help if something happened anyway...'

Thelec secretly hoped Lloyd wouldn't refuse his offer.

He was counting on Lloyd's desire to maintain his facade as an ordinary shop owner to accept his proposition. By letting Thelec tag along, Lloyd wouldn't have to break his act if something unexpected happened.

The reason why Thelec offered to accompany Lloyd wasn't to protect him, but rather, to make sure nobody would push him out of his bond.

Whether it was a group of thugs or the culprits behind the recent murders, he knew that anyone foolish enough to attack Lloyd would meet a swift and brutal end. What truly worried him, however, was the aftermath ; the potential chaos it would cause if the 'thing' hidden within him awakened again and became public.

Thelec didn't want an entire district to pay for a single misguided attack.

If an arrogant Vigilante was already enough for Lloyd to lose his temper, Thelec didn't dare to imagine what would happen if Lloyd got ambushed on his way to the Adventurers' Guild.

'Under no circumstance should I leave boss Lloyd's side until I'm sure he safely went back to his shop without causing any trouble... I feel bad for the Arbiters who are waiting for me, but I have no choice. This matter takes precedence over Crescent Moon.'

Despite his reluctance to involve one of his customers in his personal affairs, Lloyd also realized that the presence of an important person like Thelec at his side could serve as a deterrent.

Thelec can also show Lloyd the way to the Adventurers' Guild, so he wouldn't have to waste time wandering in the streets.

"I appreciate your offer, Sir Thelec. Your guidance would certainly put my mind at ease, haha," Lloyd nodded with a grateful smile.

___

Lloyd and Thelec walked side by side through the bustling streets of the 3rd district, the cobblestone path echoing with the sounds of their footsteps.

Tall, ornate buildings lined the streets, their facades decorated with intricate carvings and shimmering glass windows.

On their way, Thelec told Lloyd about the 3rd district's history. It was his first time here, after all.

"The Adventurers' Guild is situated in the center of a decent residential area. The people living there are mostly wealthy merchants, officials, or artisans."

"Interesting."

Lloyd was surprised to see how the architecture in this district differed from that of the 7th district.

Thelec pointed to a magnificent structure in the distance.

"This Chapelle is one of many in the capital. This one is the home of His Excellency Marius, Bishop of the Church of the Burning Fist."

"Is it some sort of religion ?"

"—Cough !"

Thelec almost choked up when he heard Lloyd's ignorant words.

'I'm glad I've tagged along... If the priests heard that, they would have branded him as a heretic.'

"The Church of the Burning Fist is a templar order serving and revering Zenon, Father of All, Deity of Wisdom, and Protector of Humankind."

"O-Oh, I see."

Lloyd remembered that Zenon was one of the four main deities revered by the natives of this world.

"I know that you came from the Outer Continent, but I'm surprised you never heard about the Church of the Burning Fist. They claim that they have pilgrims and believers in all human countries on the continent."

"Well... Let's say they don't have any in my home country, that's for sure."

Thelec didn't miss this golden opportunity to ask Lloyd about his hometown. The more he knew about the pet store owner's past, the better it was.

"Without any indiscretion... Where do you come from, Boss ?"

"Ehm, I was born in a small country pretty far away from here... Even if I tell you its name, you wouldn't know about it."

Lloyd was uncomfortable talking about South Korea to someone from Lunaris.

One of the clauses of the work contract he signed was to not reveal any sensible information about Earth to natives of this world.

It sounded quite vague, so after coming to Lunaris Lloyd asked Igor what he couldn't say exactly.

'Do not mention anything about Earth, if possible.'

Such was Igor's response. It was still ambiguous, but at least Lloyd knew what to not do : talking about South Korea.

Thankfully, Thelec was smart enough to recognize a taboo subject.

"Pardon me."

He ended the discussion with a slight head bow, making a mental note to not ask Lloyd about his hometown.

After passing in front of a majestic Chapelle of the Burning Fist wrapped in silver ornaments that gleamed in the night, Lloyd and Thelec turned to a corner.

After a dozen more minutes of walking, they finally reached their destination : the Adventurers' Guild.

It was a grand edifice, standing several stories tall with a sloping roof that gave it a somewhat rustic feel compared to the fancy buildings in the vicinity.

The outer walls made of red bricks were decorated with multiple banners of different colors, each showcasing a different emblem. A massive wooden door guarded by two men in leather armor was half-opened, revealing a glimpse of the bustling activity within.

Golden light spilled from the half-opened door, casting a warm glow that contrasted with the district's nocturnal ambiance. The loud sound of laughter and music resonated from the foyer.

"Shall we enter ?"

"After you."

Thelec and Lloyd stepped into the guild's foyer, where a wide hall opened up before them. Guild members and adventurers of all kinds mingled together, their conversations weaving a tapestry of different languages and accents.

To the left, a large notice board taking an entire wall displayed various requests, as you would expect from a guild of adventurers. From guarding caravans to investigating mysterious occurrences or subjugating monsters, there were all kinds of quests.

On the right, a tavern area was bustling with activity, the tempting aroma of meat and alcohol filling the air.

Severed heads of monsters and beasts were hung everywhere in the hall ; there were so many of them that they obscured the color of the walls.

Lloyd guessed that this was the adventurers' way of showing off their trophies to the visitors.

At the center, between the notice board and the tavern, a large reception desk stood. Lloyd could see the Guild's employees working actively behind it.

"Follow me, Boss."

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Thelec led Lloyd to an idle receptionist, a gorgeous woman in her twenties. She gave a welcoming smile when she noticed the two men approaching her counter.

'Wow...'

Lloyd was captivated by her appearance.

Her eyes were of a mesmerizing shade of green, shining like two gems of polished emerald. Her chestnut hair cascaded gracefully down her face, framing it with an enduring charm.

As they approached the counter, they exchanged polite nods.

"Welcome ! How may I assist you ?" The receptionist inquired with a warm tone, her voice flowing like a gentle breeze.

'She's not yet at the level of Celestine when it comes to looks only, but damn... I understand why they put her in the reception.'

Since it was Lloyd who wanted to visit the Adventurers' Guild, Thelec let him do the talking.

Lloyd cleared his throat and asked.

"I am looking for information about magical beasts. Someone recommended me to visit this place."

"Are you registered as an adventurer ?"

"No, I'm not."

The woman eyed Lloyd from head to toe with a sly smile. Leaning over the desk, she revealed her imposing cleavage along with the black lace bra that peeked from beneath her tight shirt.

"...Do you perhaps wish to ?" She asked with a charming voice.

"Mhm, not really. Sorry. I'm just looking for information."

Not expecting to be turned down so fast, the receptionist sighed.

"...Alright. What a shame..."

She then rummaged behind her desk, before handing Lloyd a piece of paper and a quill.

"You need to sign this document first. We have strict rules concerning civilians and non-registered people who want access to the Menagerie."

Lloyd was about to read the paper when Thelec snatched it from his hand.

"Do not bother with these formalities, Boss. I'll take care of it."

"Ah, thanks."

The attendant gave a displeased look at Thelec for ruining her plan to get Lloyd's contact info, but she didn't say anything out loud. From the way the two men looked, it was obvious that they were of high standing.

"Would this suffice ?"

Thelec handed her the paper with his signature on it.

"Yes, perfect—Wait, this symbol... A-Are you perhaps...?"

"Shh. It is what you think, just don't make a fuss about it. I'm not on duty right now, just accompanying a friend during my free time."

Thelec shushed her, before getting closer to the woman's ears and muttering in a low voice.

"Do not tell anyone of my presence here, not even your manager. It would be really 'unfortunate' for you if people recognized me... Do you understand ?"

"Y-Yes, Sir !"

"Good girl."

Lloyd didn't hear the conversation between the two, but he could roughly guess what had been said between the two. He noticed the woman's face becoming as pale as snow after recognizing Thelec's signature.

'It doesn't feel too bad to be escorted by someone that has a lot of influence, hehe.'

"H-Hum, the Menagerie is located on the upper floor. Follow me, p-please..."

The receptionist motioned for them to follow her, her hands shaking.

'First the Vigilantes, then the people on the street, and now a guild member... Seems like everyone gets intimidated when they recognize Sir Thelec. I already knew he had a good job in the government, but was it really that amazing ?'

The woman brought Lloyd and Thelec to a spiraling staircase behind the door next to the notice board. As they reached the upper floor, the atmosphere shifted.

While the main hall downstair was noisy and lively, the people on this floor were all very quiet.

The air filled with this—so peculiar—otherworldly scent hinted to Lloyd at the presence of magic.

Lloyd couldn't feel nor use mana like the mages natives of this world, but since Celestine's last visit, he was somehow able to sense magic and recognize when a place was shrouded in mana.

'This scent... It's everywhere. I feel like I'm bathing inside a pool of mana.'

Whether it was the paintings on the wall depicting mythical creatures, or even the large chandelier hanging from the ceiling... Every object in this room had this 'scent'.

It was as if the entire place was wrapped in magic.

The receptionist led them into a smaller, more private room. Inside, there were a few magical tablets lined up to the wall, each emitting a soft, pulsating light.

"These tablets are linked to the Menagerie," the woman explained.

"You can use them to access information about various monsters and beasts. You have two options : you can either browse the database at your leisure, or if you're looking for information about a specific creature, use the search function."

"Thank you," Lloyd nodded in understanding.

After the woman left the room, Lloyd stepped closer to one of the tablets, his fingers hovering above its surface. A rare hint of excitement was present in his eyes.

"Shall we see what secrets the Menagerie holds ?"

Watching the store owner so eager to browse the Menagerie, Thelec's own curiosity was also piqued.

"By the way, Boss, which beast are you looking for exactly ?"

"Mhm... I'll know when I see it."

Giving an elusive answer, Lloyd's fingers brushed against the magical tablet's surface.

As his skin made contact with the tablet, it hummed with energy and a hologram appeared in the middle of the room.

The Menagerie's vast repository of knowledge was opened.

___

Meanwhile, in the heart of the 8th district.

Behind a weathered facade and down a narrow alley, someone knocked on a worn wooden door.

A female voice spoke from behind the door...

"Three haughty moons fly high up in the sky."

...and the man who knocked answered.

"Yet no blessing fell upon us."

A grinding noise made by metallic gears was heard before the door opened, revealing a dark room lit only by a candle. A group of masked people clad in dark clothes were sitting around a table in the center.

"Come in Samson, you're the last. We have urgent matters to discuss."

The visitor stepped inside, his eyes cautiously scanning the room.

"I've come as fast as I could, your message sounded dire."

After closing the door and carefully activating the mechanism locking it, the visitor sat on the last seat around the table.

"Everyone is present, so let's begin."

The woman who opened the door sat at the end of the table and led the conversation.

"My shadows have whispered unsettling tidings. The Arbiters have unearthed faint traces of our activities in my sector. They are drawing nearer, their suspicions sharpened by the recent events in the upper districts."

"Their grasp tightens in my sector as well. Our ability to remain hidden has always been our greatest asset, I can't believe we're about to be discovered because one of us had been so reckless..." A tall and slender man answered with a tinge of criticism in his voice, his chin resting on his hand.

Through the gap in his mask, the other members could see his narrowed eyes sending a death glare at another member.

"What are you implying ?" The target of this glance, a muscular man who towered over the other members, replied with a stern voice.

"As far as I know, we all agreed last month to hasten the plan. We've just started the next phase, yet you guys are already freaking out just because a few Arbiters and Vigilantes poked their noses around." He shouted angrily, hitting the table with his enormous fist.

"Gentlemen, please."

The woman at the end of the table warned the two members bickering at each other with a chilling voice.

She then explained.

"It is not only a 'few Arbiters', Girma. My shadows confirmed that a High Inquisitor has entered an Arbiters' hideout near the industrial district."

"Then what ? We've all been preparing for this moment for years, so why are you so scared when we are so close to accomplishing our goal ?"

As the muscular man started to lose his patience, another member backed him up.

"As much as I don't want to admit it... Girma is right. We knew this phase of the plan would bring attention to us. A High Inquisitor helping the Arbiters is worrying, indeed, but it is still within our expectations."

She was a short woman, who for some reason wore glasses on top of her mask.

"Then let me tell you something that is NOT within our expectations : another High Inquisitor getting involved."

All the members looked at the woman in surprise.

"Yes, you heard me right. He had been spotted in the 3rd district. Not only did he not bother to hide, which is hard to believe for an Inquisitor, but he even openly revealed himself to the public by showing his Obsidian Skull to everyone around."

""What ?!""

Everyone shouted at the time, save for Samson who remained silent.

"And that's not all. My shadows also heard rumors that a 'certain' Lord Inquisitor you're all familiar with has reappeared in the capital."

""...""

The room became dead silent.

"Do you now understand why I've called for an emergency meeting ? As much as I trust in each of your capabilities, I am realist : it would already be a pain to deal with a single High Inquisitor, let alone two, but going up against a Lord Inquisitor with our current force would be pure madness. Especially 'him'..."

Everyone in the room nodded gravely.

If there was one thing they could all agree on, it was that antagonizing a Lord Inquisitor was no different than asking to be slaughtered.

"The Royal Court had put a lot of pressure on the Arbiters for the last month to catch us, yet they only caught a few of our low-ranked operatives. While it's supposed to be good news, it backfired into the worst possible scenario : the Inquisition is now on our tail, and it's a matter of time before one of the two High Inquisitor come knocking on our door. Inquisitors looking for us was to be expected at some point, but it happened much faster than I anticipated."

"What do you propose, then ? Surely, you won't tell us to stop everything and lay low when we are so close to succeeding, right ?" The burly man named Girma inquired, his voice filled with apprehension.

Although he was the most determined and invested in accomplishing the organization's goal, he knew better than anyone how fearsome the Inquisition could be once they'd set their target on someone.

"I originally planned to, but then... One of us came to me with an unexpected solution."

The woman turned her head toward someone. The other members followed her gaze, slowly realizing that this man hadn't said anything so far.

Samson, who arrived late despite the meeting taking place in his own sector, didn't seem the least bit concerned about all those issues.

"Hey, stop looking at me like that, would you ? I'm not a piece of jerky."

Everyone was confused as to how this carefree man, who usually spent all his time researching magic in his shop, could have a way to deal with the Inquisition.

"Samson, is that true ?" The short woman asked, still bewildered that out of everyone it would be Samson that came out with a solution.

"Mhm, I don't really have a solution..."

"Then why—"

Before Girma could make a fuss again, Samson continued.

"...but my genius son might."

Everyone could see the arrogant grin under his mask.

"What do you mean ? No offense, but the last time I saw your son, he cut his hand two inches deep while slicing a piece of meat in your butcher shop. In my eyes, he's closer to a retard than a genius..." The slender man said in a sarcastic tone.

As much as he wanted to deal with the Inquisition, he didn't want to add another idiot to the team of executives.

Girma was already one of a kind, but it was somehow manageable since he was simple-minded. Except for the recent cases of murders, he usually did his job properly.

However, adding another idiot to the group would become a real liability.

"Hey, have some respect for Adam ! And let me tell you something : my son might have a way to divert the Inquisition's prying eyes from our operations for the time being, but my benefactor could also protect and hide us if push comes to shove. I don't know if he would agree, but he's someone that neither the Arbiters nor a High Inquisitor would dare to offend."

Everyone looked at him as if he was crazy.

"Mhm, I see, so that's what it is."

The short woman nodded, as if everything made sense.

"What ?"

"Poor Samson, a Blood Worm is finally eating your brain... I already told you multiple times that ingesting raw Salamander meat when you are in your human form was a terrible idea."

Samson couldn't see her face, but he felt her genuine look of pity.

"Y-You...!"

Before he could retort anything, the slender man also gave his take.

"...Or he just decided to match his intellect with that of his retarded son. What a good father you are, Samson. I am moved."

It was the worst praise Samson ever received.

"Oi, did you hit your head in the time we haven't seen you ?"

Even the simple-minded Girma thought that Samson had lost his mind.

"Tsk. Alright, keep making fun of me, but don't cry for help when the Inquisitors put your rude asses in a Carcerum cell."

Samson stood up and was about to leave the meeting in rage, when the woman who led the group stopped him.

"Samson."

She gently put her hand on his shoulder.

"Please, sit down. You know they don't mean it."

She then sent a cold gaze at the other members.

"And you, if you have time to joke when the situation is so critical, maybe Samson is right. Maybe he should just let you deal with the Inquisitors yourself. What do you think ?"

""...""

Calming down, she took out two folders from her storage ring and put them on the table.

"Even I didn't believe him at first, until I read this."

The first folder had the name Serpentdoom printed in red on its cover.

As for the other, it was only written 'Pet Store Owner'.