Volume 5 Chapter 3 Rumors And Children Walk On Their Own When You Take Your Eyes Off Them
After parting ways with Cecilia, Randy and Liz showed up at the Adventurers' Guild in the capital for the first time in a while.
Since it was still daytime, there weren't too many people in the Guild. But as soon as Randy appeared, the lively atmosphere went quiet for a moment. Everyone started whispering about the duel with Cain. The news of defeating an S-rank adventurer was definitely big for them.
"Looks like we're getting attention."
"Of course, the Guild has the right info going around."
Randy sighed, but honestly, the unexpected attention was a hassle. Now he understood that the warm welcome he got from the adventurers at his family's Guild in Victor felt like home.
Even if he defeated an S-rank, those who didn't see it would naturally wonder how much of it was true.
What bothered him a bit was that the looks he received seemed more scared than curious. When he turned to meet their gazes, they quickly looked away. He expected a more challenging attitude, so it felt like a letdown.
"There's no point in worrying about it, let's just get to the point."
Randy shook off the stares and looked at the reception desk. The usual veteran eceptionist wasn't there. But it wasn't like she was the only one in charge, so he walked straight to the young receptionist... For some reason, she let out a small gasp, "Eep!"
"D-rank, Randolph──Huh? What's wrong?"
The young receptionist froze, her face pale in front of Randy.
"N-nothing! I-I'll take your request now!"
Still looking pale, the receptionist managed to respond as Randy tilted his head and asked if there was a request for escorting the dungeon training at the academy.
"I-I'm so sorry! I don't know, so I'll pass you to the branch manager!"
The receptionist quickly stood up and disappeared into the back, almost like she was running away from Randy.
"...What was that?"
"Who knows?"
Liz tilted her head, not really understanding either. She could tell that the receptionist seemed scared of Randy, but she had no idea why.
The scared receptionist.
Adventurers who also avoided eye contact.
While they were confused, the branch manager they had seen before appeared in front of Randy and the others. Randy gave a slight nod, remembering their last meeting when he had knocked out the Armor Lizard.
"Uh, hey. Randolph. I wanted to talk to you..."
The branch manager seemed a bit nervous too, and Randy furrowed his brow as he asked if there was a request for escorting them on a dungeon exploration for the academy training.
"About that... Can we talk in the back?"
Feeling somewhat relieved, the branch manager led Randy to the back of the Guild, the second time since their last lecture.
"Now... I apologize for the staff's behavior."
The branch manager scratched his head and looked closely at Randy, asking with a slight smile, "You're not angry, are you?"
"Angry? Why would I be?"
Randy tilted his head, and the branch manager sighed in relief, saying, "Well, that's good then."
"No, no. It's not good. What's going on? Everyone...?"
Randy frowned, and the branch manager returned a wry smile.
"The 'Banquet of Hell' and the 'Bloodbloom Festival'... The [Red Battle Demon] who did that has come to the Guild, just like the rumors said."
The branch manager started explaining that the duel incident with Cain had spread through the Adventurers' Guild across the continent via the Dukedom's Guild. Moreover, it turned out that the one who defeated an S-rank was not only the son of a noble but also a D-rank adventurer.
──A D-rank adventurer? Does that branch even have the ability to rank them?
It was no wonder they reached such a conclusion. But from the capital branch's perspective, it was a case that made them want to say, "Wait a minute." Sure, there was the solo defeat of the C-rank Armor Lizard, but aside from that, he had only been doing activities that were pretty normal for his rank.
Even though Randy is doing this, he doesn't really want to level up. He just thinks if he can earn some pocket money while gathering materials, that's fine. It all started with making a little cash for his lodging, and then it turned into helping pay Harrison and the others. But lately, thanks to better earnings, he doesn't even need to rely on the Guild anymore.
So, he's not actively taking on requests. That's why his rank isn't going up.
But for those who don't know the situation, they don't care about that. Everyone is saying that the capital branch misjudged his strength, and some scary rumors have even started spreading.
──Isn't this about being angry at the capital branch?
"No way. I don't get it. Why would I be mad at the Guild?"
As Randy shakes his head, it's clear that such a silly idea doesn't make sense. The branch manager knows very well that it's just a rumor with no basis.
But the branch manager continues, saying there's a rumor that Randy, who took down the S-rank Guild's top member, was unhappy with the Guild's ranking system.
There's a chance the branch misjudged his abilities. On top of that, another piece of information came out... that D-rank adventurer was complaining about the ranking system. Because of that, the rumor spread that Randy was angry about staying at D-rank.
Randy covered his face with his hands at the completely inaccurate information.
Sure, after that duel, he did say something like, "I hope this makes them rethink how they recognize S-ranks." He said it, but he didn't mean anything by it.
Even though he didn't mean anything by it, somehow...
"It turned into me saying, 'If this is what it takes to be S, then the Guild that keeps me at D is trash...'."
With one hand covering his face, Randy heard the branch manager chuckle and nod.
"Come on, that's just too far-fetched."
Even though communication in this era is mostly like a game of telephone, this story has gone way too far. Randy, suspecting someone might have twisted the story on purpose, saw the branch manager silently shake his head.
"During the 'Banquet of Hell'──."
"Wait, what is that? Hell... or whatever?"
Randy frowned, and the branch manager raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You don't even know that?"
"'Banquet of Hell' or 'Bloodbloom Festival.' That's the name of the duel where you defeated Cain, right?"
Without realizing it, the branch manager started to talk with a wry smile about the duel that got such a scary name.
He said he fought barehanded against an opponent with a magic sword.
He said he easily turned the tables in a 2-on-one fight.
He said it was a brutal act of hitting and healing, then hitting again.
He said in the end, he was smiling while hitting the opponent who begged him to stop.
The opponent bled many times, healing their wounds only to get new ones. Plus, he even took breaks just to hurt him more, saying, "Go heal up."
Cain kept getting hit over and over. The repeated pain was truly 'Hell.'
The splattering blood and Randy's smile. Randy's happy face was the 'Banquet.'
"So, that's 'Banquet of Hell,' huh?"
Somehow, the story got twisted, and Randy sighed, looking up at the ceiling, saying he hated the game of telephone.
"By the way, your solo performance, the night before the Year-End Festival, is also called 'Bloodbloom Festival'──"
"Either one is fine."
For Randy, who was holding his head, the name of that duel didn't matter. No matter what, it was still something bad, so it was too late to care.
"Anyway, the way you looked during that 'Banquet of Hell' made the Dukedom's leader feel something intense..."
That [Sword Demon] Aaron Knightley said that. It must have been a horrific scene filled with anger, and the rumors spread from there.
"Is it that old man's fault...?"
In Randy's mind, for some reason, Aaron's smug face popped up. He must have wanted to make a big deal out of it. He probably thought he was making a mark on the S-rank certification system, but with this result, it wasn't funny for Randy.
"Anyway, I'm not planning to say anything to the Guild."
With a sigh, the branch manager let out a clear sigh of relief, saying, "That's good to hear."
"So, if you could do your best to clear up my dishonorable rumors..."
Randy bowed his head, and the branch manager thumped his chest, saying, "If it's a request from the [Red Battle Demon]..."
"By the way, that [Red Battle Demon] name..."
"Ah, it's a title you earned from your fighting style. There are others too, like [Red Slaughter] and [Red Demon of Hell]..."
As the list of titles kept going, Randy interrupted, saying, "That's enough." He thought having a title as a boy was honestly cool, but all of them sounded too violent. They definitely made him seem like a villain. A really big one.
Randy sighed and shook his head, trying to shake off his frustration.
"I'll say it again, I don't intend to do that, so please just let the Guild know."
"I promise."
The branch manager nodded, but at this rate, strange rumors might reach the academy. Randy couldn't stop sighing, but then he looked at Liz and thought, "Well, maybe it can help keep people away?"
Knowing that Liz was getting attention at the academy, he thought if his bad reputation could protect her, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
While Randy was deep in thought, the branch manager said, "Speaking of which," and reminds Randy of their original mission.
"It's the escort request from the academy, right? It's here."
With a smile, the branch manager said, "Well, this time the conditions are strict," as he handed over a piece of paper. It had a request for an escort for a dungeon training event hosted by the academy in 2 weeks.
But the request had a big note saying, 'Must be someone with a solid background and strong skills.'
"There are high-rank adventurers who have done shady jobs in the past."
The branch manager chuckled as he explained that some people had jobs they couldn't talk about before becoming adventurers. Some were paying for their sins, while others had escaped. They all came to the Guild to change their lives in their own way.
While a person's nature doesn't change easily, they do have the skills needed as adventurers. Of course, they also have the common sense to follow the basic manners required for the job.
Since this is a request, they shouldn't hurt the client... but there was that assassination suspicion recently. The academy is pretty on edge about it.
"I thought we could recommend an A-rank party... but if you're willing to take it, I can recommend you under my name."
It's a pretty good offer, but Randy can't help but worry, "It's a D-rank, is that okay?"
"There's no rank listed, and the higher-ups in the kingdom probably know about you. Plus, you're a student at the academy and the noble heir of the Dukedom. I think you're the perfect choice."
The branch manager nodded big, and Randy and Liz exchanged glances.
"Well then..."
"I'd even like to ask you myself."
With the branch manager's approval, Randy high-fived Liz. He never expected that the aftermath of that duel would turn out to be a helping hand.
"Now, please notify the academy and inform the Guild."
"Got it."
Randy bowed his head to the nodding branch manager and opened the door with Liz... then he suddenly turned back to the branch manager.
"By the way, usually, adventurers with 2 titles are──."
"S-rank, or some A-ranks only."
The branch manager understood Randy's point, and Randy sighed, "Right." A D-rank with 2 titles. It might be fine for those who know the situation, but just looking at it, it sounds like a painful situation.
"If you take on a lot of requests, it should help you rank up smoothly."
With a smile from the branch manager, Randy finally said goodbye and left the room.
...It goes without saying that he took on the request right away.
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