POV: IRIS ASAKURA

"Well… that could have gone better."

The guild ID I have been using for 4 years, the metallic card I had worked so hard to earn, now has no use.

"Ugh, what do I even do with this now…"

"It could be worse, in most cases, a State Gardener would have us arrested."

I looked up annoyingly at the platinum-blonde woman with crimson tips. She didn't seem upset at all. In fact, it kind of looks like she is trying to hide a smirk.

"Risxi… you do realize that no guild in Deodar will accept us now, right?"

"Oh, my sweet naive dear sister, we did something no other adventurer would even think of trying to do. I think you're giving us too little credit."

"No, I think I'm giving us enough."

I honestly don't want to think about getting kicked and banned from a place that I called home. They had really nice hoodies too!

I guess we should get it over with and update our IDs. I never thought I would be doing this so early. Usually after retiring from adventuring your status on your guild ID would go from「ACTIVE → RESOLUTE」, unfortunately, Risxi and I's would become 「BANNED」.

***

"Iris, Risxi, so good to see you two, how can I help you too?"

The spectacled guild advisor greeted us with joyous waves inside the chilly building. The bustling new adventurers searching for guilds to accept them, and the veteran guild members going over old times. At the Guild Garden, everyone can find a start.

"Yo! Looking radiant as ever Mama Arcadia!"

Wearing her usual jade dress and worn-out golden pendant, Arcadia, known as the mother of Cedar Kingdom guilds, has helped us since we were children. With the sun so bright out today, and the warmth of her welcoming smile, it almost feels like nothing terrible could happen.

"Ever the flirt my dear Risxi. I heard you two took down a group of bandits earlier this month?"

"Man, people keep getting it wrong, nah, it was Bandit Bruno from STEEL PINES. He and his crew were trying to steal Mako's haul for the Harvest Works Festival."

The fisherman, Mako, always has the best catches. He took over from his grandfather two years ago. It's not like he can't fight, I've lost my fair share of spars with him over the years, but it's better to leave guild-affiliated protection to us.

"I'm happy to hear it was resolved without any major injuries from your side. So, have you two come to renew your guild IDs, it has been four years now right, you should get on that before the end of the year."

"…"

For a brief moment, I had almost forgotten why we came to the Guild Garden.

"Oh? Did something happen?"

"Hey, Ma Arcadia, could we talk inside your office?"

The words barely left my mouth, but the more I hesitate the more I felt anxious telling her.

***

"Please, take a seat, I'll boil up some Black Forest tea"

The firm cushiony seats are surprisingly pretty comfortable, way better than the waiting room couch ones.

"Iris. Risxi. What troubling you two?"

I keep trying to speak, but I feel my throat suffocating at the words coming up. I… I can't tell her… No. It's not that I can't tell her, I don't want to tell her; not after how hard she helped us get into our guild.

"Ma… Ma the thing is- thing is that uh-"

"We're expelled and banned from TWILIGHT VANGUARD."

Risxi blurted it out without hesitation!

"WHAT THE HELL RI?!" I whipped my head to the right of me with speed. "AT LEAST EASE HER INTO IT!"

"Ease her into it? Ha! What's happened has happened. Mama deserves to know, what would holding anything back do for us… for her."

"THAT STILL DOESN'T MEAN-"

"ENOUGH! Both of you!"

The guild mother looks at both of us with a stern but caring glare.

"Please. This is not worth fighting about it. Thank you for your concern, Iris, but I am not a novice at dealing with guild bans and expulsions."

I look down.

"Sorry, I should not have worded it like that Iris. I cannot even imagine how you two feel right now. How did you two become banned? I cannot imagine you two doing anything so serious to-"

"We entered the GREENHOUSE."

"Ah. Pardon?!"

I palm my face, again Risxi, ease Ma into it.

"I'll explain from the top."

Twilight Vanguard

"IRIS-CHI!!!"

I feel someone's weight fall on my back as their arms wrap behind me, around my waist. Without turning around I can already tell it's my red-headed senior.

"Good morning, Amber, you don't usually come to the Guild 'til the afternoon."

"Mornin'! Well, I mean, I should keep this on the hush and hush, but I can't keep anything from my cute junior. Master Stride asked Legion and me to take on an S Class request!"

S Class?! That's a pretty rare to grade nowadays. I usually take B Class requests myself. I've never even seen an S Class request on the Quest Board.

"Damn, two of TWILIGHT VANGUARD's big three huh, must be pretty serious."

"That's what I'm assuming for the time being. So, where's Ri-chi? Doesn't she usually come with you?"

"She's shopping with our mom, they'll both come by around the afternoon, if not I'll probably go find them."

"Ohh, I haven't seen Major General Nocturne in a long time. Hopefully, I'll still be here if she does decide to come!"

My mother is highly respected in the Kingdom of Cedar, she's one of the top State Gardeners and the commander of the Stem Corps. I used to honestly feel heavy pressure being her daughter; but unlike my sister, I don't use the Nocturne surname.

I turn back to look at the request board, I have been staring at it for some time now. The more I look at the wooden board holding a grand number of requests, the more I wonder how did they bring in something this big, not to mention wide.

"So, what kind of request are you looking for today? Bodyguard duty again, escorting, daemon extermination?"

"Something a little easier on me, actually. My body is still sore from the last bodyguard request."

"Oh right, the whole STEEL PINES situation. How about a gathering request?"

"A gathering request….?" I scan up and down the pieces of paper pinned to the board "Where? I don't see any?"

"That's because you're looking at the B+ list, they should be on lower ranks. Here, how about this one."

Amber hands me the crinkled paper, it looks like it's been here for a few weeks, maybe even a month. The quality of the letter looks pretty expensive, and though crinkled, the texture feels nice as well. Alright, let's give it a read ~

Dear Twilight Vanguard

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

I would like to request someone to retrieve my gold pendant. I lost it a very long time ago near Juniperus Forest. The name Endive is inscribed on the back of the pendant. If you could please find it, that would bring me great joy. Thank you.

~ Safi Iota

This is the request? I have only been around Juniperus Forest once or twice myself. There's nothing around there that screams "tourist spot" or "adventurer fun"; maybe for picking herbs, but Nicole says the only good ones are Nacht Clovers. The clovers border the ruins of the Kingdom of Evergreen, so it's not like the client had any reason to go to the forest.

"I'd suggest bringing more than Risxi-chi with you, I think you're going to need more than two pairs of hands." Amber whispers to me."

"I never said I'd do it, this kind of seems like a hassle to me. Our client hasn't even given us any specifics! The forest is way too big, and I imagine trying to find the pendant is like a needle in a bed of thorns."

But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested.

"I don't think that's how that- "

"YOOOOOO!"

I know that voice anywhere. Mordred Dracaena, the self-proclaimed knight of TWILIGHT VANGUARD. As she comes down from the second floor, she sways her dark red hair from her face, revealing her devilish smile. Sometimes it's hard to see her because of her reflective silver armor.

"I overheard you two talking about that request. I want in!"

"No offense Mor-chi, but this doesn't seem like your kind of request…"

"Yeah, I agree. Isn't Daemon extermination your type of request?"

"No offense taken. I more so want to visit Juniperus Forest."

But there's nothing there…?

"The Greenhouse! I just know it has to be there!"

"Eh-"

Did Mordred say The Greenhouse, that abandoned laboratory? She knows as well as I do that it's forbidden to enter The Greenhouse. If anyone knew we tried entering that lab, I could only imagine the worst consequences.

"I'll pretend you didn't say that Mor-chi; for both our sake. I'll catch you guys later; I can already feel Legion giving me a death stare from the Master's quarters."

"Thanks for the warning, Amber."

We both wave at our senior as she heads upstairs, but I can't help feeling that she was holding something back from us.

"Well Iris, it's up to you. I'm not doing this by myself, and if I have to be honest, I don't think many people here would even acknowledge my passion for seeing The Greenhouse."

I glance back at the request board. Even with the chance of being caught, I feel my heart beckoning toward this request. If I don't take this job now, I just know I'll forever regret it.

Moving my hand back towards the C Rank request, I grab the wrinkled letter and accept the request.

Inner Deodar

Cedar Kingdom Capital

POV: RISXI NOCTURNE

The morning cool breeze of the spring winds had finally relaxed, and the sound of tables being set rang across the streets of Deodar.

Today, I decided to go shopping with my mom. We don't always get a chance to hang out since she's always busy and she is rarely home. I don't even really like going out to the capital, but just to get a chance to bond with my mother… I can't give that chance up.

"Ri, could you add boar meat to the list, we could add it to the stew."

"Hmm- oh, yeah."

"Thank you, hun. Mr. Isaac just came back from a hunt two days ago; I don't want to miss out!"

Jotting down the boar meat on a notepad I brought with me, I can hear the usual rush of the Deodar citizens briskly heading towards us, or should I say, my mom. "It was only a matter of time…" I sigh to myself.

"MAJOR GENERAL! MAJOR GENERAL NOCTURNE OVER HERE!"

The crowd of market sellers call out to my mother. It's as noisy as ever. I could even feel the ground slightly shake from the stomps and echo of the surrounding incoming people.

"How's the arm Lily, I can do a quick tune-up for ya? Free of charge even; I still owe ya for rescuing my little girl from the daemon horde."

"No need David, I usually handle the tune-ups myself. Helping little miss Lia was no biggie, but if you can hand me some extra copper wire, then we can call it even."

It's like this every time we go to the capital. Since we don't live in Deodar, the chance to meet my mom is a rarity to some. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for me though…

"…. did she have to bring her as well …."

It's faint but I can hear the usual banter of people who see me. I'm used to it by now; the glares, snarls, even the very sense of their anger as they pass by me.

"Let's just be grateful It's just her and not the Asakura girl."

My hand gets hot, I hadn't even realized it, but my hands clenched into a fist almost immediately, ready to strike at the snarky voices.

"Let's go to Café Feuille, we can even get your favourite, my treat Ri."

Before I could even sort my emotions. Mom suddenly appeared in front of my face; her warm smile instantly released the tension I held. She gestures for me to follow her through the alley shortcut.

I am used to being called petty names in the inner part of the capital. I bet most have never even seen a mark before. But! I will NOT let others slander my sister's name!

"Don't make that face hun, I get mad at them as well. But you need to keep that anger in check." She wraps her arm around my neck.

Mom stares at me in earnest. I start to feel calmer and my tension releases.

"Now come on, let's go grab a table at the café."

***

Café Feuille, is a popular sweets and coffee restaurant among adventurers. They're known for their Strawberry Petal Fudge; a slice of sweet chocolate fudge cake, drizzled with pure strawberry syrup from Ozark farm and topped off with fondant in the shape of petals surrounding the dish. Ahhhh! I'm watering just at the thought of it.

As I open the door I'm greeted with today's specials, Daylight Auburn Sundae and Strawberry Petal Fudge. They're 15% off today, it's my lucky day. I look around for a flamy-hair 6ft hostess.

The restaurant is about half full. Ah, and there she is!

"Oi! Big Sis! Get us a table!"

She turns around noticing me waving at her. She seems a little irked. Wait no, maybe more tired.

"GET YOUR OWN DAMN TABLE!" She yelled across the tables seated with dining guests. "YOU GET THE SAME ONE ANYWAYS!"

Okay, she didn't call me a daft turnip, so I'd say she's definitely just groggy. She stopped drinking coffee about four months ago, and can't say her mood has gotten any better.

The door behind me opens as my mom enters the shop. I see her already bee-lining for our table next to the window, so I follow behind. We both sit down across from each other; she picks up the beige menu and after looking at it for about a minute. she hands it to me, but I already know what I want.

"I think today I will have a large Rose Velvet Coffee and strawberry scones, what about you Ri?"

"Ohh-" I pretend to read the menu, "I'll have two Strawberry Petal Fudge's and a banana smoothie."

I put the menu down when I see Big Sis Rukia coming to our table, ready to take our orders down. It'd be nice if the other patrons would stop staring at us, but can I truly complain? If I saw my favourite musician, it would be hard not to stare as well.

"Nice to see you both, what can I get you"

"I'd like a- "

"Strawberry Petal Fudge and banana smoothie right, and for you mama Lily." She said not even looking at me.

"I'd like a Velvet Rose Coffee and also a Strawberry Petal Fudge."

"Got it, really Risxi, you should change your- "she takes a moment to yawn "-orders sometimes. I'll be back in a few minutes with your order, sit tight."

"…"

"How come you didn't say anything hun, no usual back and forth?" she asks while taking her State Gardener badge off her uniform

"She looks… exhausted. I'll give her a break today." I relax back in my seat, "What about you mom, I thought you wanted the scones?"

"Changed my mind- ", she looks over my shoulder, as the entrance door chimes open. Her eyes seem to recognize someone "Maybe I'll get some scones for later; I'll be home late tonight."

"Yeah, Ace told us." The voice behind me says.

I turn around to see my ponytailed sister come around the table and sit beside me. She takes off her red jacket and puts it behind her chair.

"It's been a while since the three of us had lunch together!" my mother gleams. "Did you want anything Iri?"

"Nah, I actually came to see Big Sis, her shift started right?"

"…"

"Right Ri?" she looks at me with a raised brow.

"Hey, Ri, don't listen to them..." she says as she puts an arm around my shoulder. "I genuinely don't care what they say."

Ever since the door chime, I've heard nothing but snarls and snide remarks at my sister. "Don't look at the Asakura girl-", "Her presence is ruining my appetite". What did she ever do to you?!

"Fix that face of yours."

I quickly glare to my right to see Big Sis with our food. She sets it down in front of my mom, then me, without even bothering to shoot me a glance.

"Here, on the house no worries. I'll deal with the annoy- uh, the patrons." As she sets down the last dish, she looks directly and sternly at my openly frustrated eyes. "Remember Dumbsxi, as mad as you are, I promise you, mama Lily is the angriest when she hears comments about Iris, you as well."

Looking at mom, she's blowing her coffee quietly, her body language not even a little rattled.

Rukia's face relaxed and she spoke in a softer, albeit restless, tone. "She's painfully aware of how you both feel. But you know with her position she can't say or do anything. As much as she'd might like to."

I can only nod with understanding as she leaves to talk to the rowdy patrons. I already know. If I were to make a scene right now… it's just not fair. I look at Iris and she's sneaking a piece of my cake.

We sit in silence for a few minutes which feels like hours, I can hear the sounds of silverware falling on the freshly cleaned floor, the glasses of water being refilled, and the burps of children who had just finished their meal. It's somewhat distracting, but calming at the same time.

"Ohb yah, look aht dis- "Iris, with her mouth full exclaims. She swallows as she shows me the wrinkled paper. "Got us a request, a little on the easy side, but it looks interesting."

I take the paper out of her hand and read.

"A gathering request? Doesn't sound all that interesting."

"I'll tell you more later when we meet up with Mordred."

Before I get a chance to ask anything else she bounces off her seat and runs to the back of the kitchen. I look down at my plate and sigh. Half of my cake had been finished.