The day after the briefing in the guild's meeting room, Rei and Set walked down the city's main street toward the Main Gate, arriving well before the 9 o'clock bell was due to ring.
Unlike his usual routine, Rei didn't have any food in his hands. He was forgoing the grilled skewers and sandwiches he usually munched on while walking. Part of it was a sense of professionalism for the day of his Rank Up Exam, but the primary factor was the timing. The breakfast rush had long since passed, and since it wasn't yet 9:00 AM, the stalls that catered to the lunch crowd hadn't opened yet.
A few more vendors would likely set up shop once the hour struck.
A handful of stalls were already doing business, but Rei and Set remained focused. It was an important day, and Rei didn't want to risk getting so distracted by a snack that he missed his appointment. He politely declined a few calls from familiar stall owners and kept his pace toward the gate.
When they finally arrived in front of the Main Gate, Rei stopped dead in his tracks.
"Are they serious?"
Before him sat a carriage so ostentatious it transcended "gaudy" and parked itself firmly in the territory of "horrendous taste." The exterior was plastered with gold and silver filigree, and jewels and Magic Stones were embedded into the frame at random intervals.
To someone with an eye for luxury, it might have looked brilliant or magnificent. To Rei, there was only one word for it.
"Tasteless."
He wasn't alone in that assessment. Adventurers heading out on commissions, merchants, and travelers alike were all pausing to stare at the vehicle. Their expressions ranged from shock to bewilderment, and most moved on with a pitying, wry smile.
Rei sighed, thinking the reaction was only natural, then sighed again when a man emerged from the carriage at that exact moment.
It was the man with brown hair and listless eyes he had met yesterday in the meeting room.
Orchidée Daphne. He was one of the noble clients accompanying Rei’s group for the Bicorn Subjugation.
Orchidée hadn't stepped out by coincidence; he had spotted Rei approaching and decided to call out, seemingly indifferent to the curious stares of the crowd.
"Let’s see... Rei, right? You’re a bit early, though you aren't the first. Good timing, I suppose?"
"Someone beat me here?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah. Though he flatly refused my invitation to wait inside the carriage."
Unlike Arnihit, Orchidée didn't seem to care about Rei’s informal speech. He spoke with a voice heavy with boredom as he gestured toward Onz, who was standing some distance away.
Rei followed his gaze and saw Onz standing as still as a statue, his face as expressionless as ever. It made perfect sense.
(Yeah, I can’t see a man as taciturn as Onz choosing to sit in a carriage that flashy.)
Rei kept the thought to himself, but Orchidée spoke up as if he’d read his mind.
"Well, I can’t blame him for not wanting to ride in this thing."
"...Then why use such a conspicuous carriage in the first place?" Rei asked, glancing at the baffled looks on the faces of the passersby.
Fortunately, Rei and Orchidée were standing far enough away from the vehicle that people didn't immediately associate them with it. Rei found himself frowning at the mere thought of being seen inside such a disaster of design.
Set, however, seemed to have the opposite reaction. The griffon was staring at the carriage with genuine curiosity.
"Guruuu."
Aren't we getting in? Set asked, tilting its head.
Rei gave the griffon a wry smile. He had no idea what part of that tasteless box had caught Set’s interest, but he personally wanted nothing to do with it.
"Well, we have our reasons. ...Anyway, looks like your partners are here."
Rei turned to see Robre approaching with a massive backpack, followed by Shtie, who had two smaller bags slung over her shoulders.
"Don't let me keep you," Orchidée said. "I’m going back inside to relax."
"Right."
Without waiting for a response, Orchidée retreated back into the gaudy carriage. Rei watched him go for a moment before walking over to meet Robre and Shtie near the gate.
"Morning, Rei. You’re early. I figured we’d be the first ones here," Robre said.
"There’s someone even faster than me."
Rei jerked his thumb toward Onz and shrugged.
Robre followed the gesture and nodded in understanding. He immediately held out his heavy backpack to Rei.
"We’re still good to leave the heavy lifting to you, right?"
"Yeah. Not a problem."
Rei took the backpack and stored it directly into the Misty Ring. A sharp gasp escaped Robre’s throat, and Shtie’s eyes went wide with shock.
"What is it? You already knew I had an Item Box," Rei said.
"Well, yeah, knowing it and seeing it work with my own eyes are two different things! That’s incredible, man. Seriously."
"Y-Yes. Truly," Shtie added. "Um, could I ask you to take these as well?"
"Sure."
Rei took her two bags and sent them into the Misty Ring as well. He then realized Onz had silently joined their circle.
The man remained as quiet as ever, but he was staring intently at Rei. Without a word, he held out his own bag.
"...Please."
To the brief request, Rei gave a small nod and stored the bag in the Misty Ring.
"Just so you know, since it’s in my Item Box, you won't be able to get anything out unless I’m around. Are you guys okay with that?"
"Yeah, no worries. It’s mostly just food and camping gear," Robre replied.
"The same goes for me. I’ve kept my potions and essentials right here," Shtie said, patting a pouch at her waist.
Onz simply gave a silent nod.
"Anyway, should we get the paperwork for leaving the city out of the way? I’d rather not stand near that tasteless carriage any longer than I have to. I’m afraid people will think I’m with them," Robre said, casting a loathing glance at Orchidée’s carriage.
Rei considered telling him that they were technically with them, but he figured Robre would find out soon enough. He led the group toward the guards at the Main Gate. Set followed along, though the griffon kept casting longing glances back at the gaudy vehicle.
"Gururuuu?"
Are we leaving already? Set asked, tilting its head.
Rei patted the griffon’s back and nodded. Shtie watched the interaction with a hint of envy, but she didn't ask to pet Set—she clearly hadn't summoned the courage yet.
Since they were all registered for the Rank Up Exam, the exit procedures were handled quickly. Ranga was off duty, so Rei didn't see him at the gate today. Once the paperwork was done, they stepped out into the open air outside the walls.
Orchidée’s carriage remained stationary, likely waiting for the rest of the group, which gave Robre a temporary reprieve from his embarrassment.
"Wait, is that them? Eh? What is that?"
The group waited outside for the examiner, Residence, and the noble clients. As the 9 o'clock bell began to toll, several carriages approached from within the city. Robre’s voice rose in excitement at first, then quickly plummeted into suspicion and disgust.
Three carriages were approaching. The lead vehicle was a plain, common carriage—undoubtedly the guild's carriage. The second was less plain but built for durability and function over style. The third was the monstrously tasteless one that had been parked by the gate.
Rei recognized them immediately. He had ridden in the first during the Orc Subjugation and the second when he visited Maruka’s mansion.
"Hey, tell me I’m wrong. Is that carriage really..."
Robre looked at Rei, pleading for a lie as he stared at the vehicle that was more "glaring" than "glittering." Rei and Onz simply gave him a flat look and shook their heads. Their silence told him all he needed to know: Give it up.
Robre looked physically pained, but the three carriages pulled up beside them, ignoring his disgust and drawing the eyes of every adventurer and merchant in the vicinity.
Naturally, that meant everyone was now staring at Rei’s group as well. Robre shifted restlessly under the scrutiny, while Shtie looked down at her feet in embarrassment. Rei was used to the attention by now thanks to Set, the Item Box, and his Death Scythe, and Onz seemed entirely immune to the concept of social pressure.
"Good. Everyone is present."
Residence stepped down from the lead carriage. Simultaneously, Maruka and Koan emerged from the middle vehicle, while Arnihit and Orchidée stepped out of the gaudy one.
Orchidée looked as bored as ever, but Arnihit looked utterly drained. It seemed that even she found traveling in that glaringly tacky carriage to be an ordeal.
(If she’s that exhausted just moving from the gate to here, I wonder how she’ll handle the rest of the trip,) Rei thought.
The group gathered around Residence as the examiner took charge.
"Listen up. There are four exam participants and three carriages. I want you to discuss among yourselves how you will divide into them."
"...Um, does our choice of carriage affect the exam results?" Shtie asked.
"You really think I’d tell you that? All I will say is that I am evaluating every aspect of your behavior."
At Residence's answer, the expressions of Rei, Robre, and Shtie soured slightly. Onz remained unmoved, listening intently.
"Decide how you'll split up. My apologies to the nobility, but please observe in silence."
Rei frowned.
(He could have just let us decide on our own. It’s a pain to have to negotiate who sits where while they’re standing right there watching us.)
"I’d like to pass on the tasteless one," Robre said immediately.
Arnihit, despite hearing her carriage insulted, kept her mouth shut. She seemed to understand, perhaps better than anyone, just how bad the vehicle’s design truly was.
"Setting aside the looks, it’s true that Robre and Arnihit don't exactly mesh well," Rei added.
"Hey, you! Rei, was it? Watch your tone—"
"Arnihit-san," Residence interrupted. "You agreed to leave the management of this mission to the candidates. I believe I told you beforehand that for the duration of this request, we will be operating by the adventurer's way?"
"...Fine. I did accept those conditions. I shall hold my peace for now," Arnihit said reluctantly.
Rei glanced at her before looking back at the others. "So, what's the plan?"
"...I'll take the guild's carriage," Onz said, surprisingly being the first to speak.
"I guess I’ll have to go over there, then," Shtie said, gesturing toward Arnihit’s carriage.
"Hold on. I’m not letting you ride in that thing alone, Shtie. I’m coming with you."
"Are you sure? I thought you couldn't stand the sight of it," Shtie said.
"I’ll manage. Besides, if I leave you alone in there, who knows what kind of trouble might happen?"
Arnihit’s eyebrows twitched at the implication, but she remained silent. Orchidée, standing beside her, looked like he was about to fall asleep on his feet, clearly done with being out in the morning sun.
"That leaves Rei for the other carriage... is that okay with you?" Robre asked.
"Yeah. Fortunately or unfortunately, I’m already acquainted with Maruka and Koan."
"Excuse me! We are not mere 'acquaintances.' We are friends!" Maruka barked, her voice full of noble indignation. She quickly composed herself, her face turning serious. "However, rest assured. My evaluation for this Rank Up Exam shall remain strictly impartial. In fact, as your friend, I shall be even more demanding."
Arnihit looked like she had a few choice words for Maruka, but even she knew better than to argue with the Duke’s Daughter. In the end, the assignments were finalized: Onz in the guild's carriage, Rei in Duke Quento's House Carriage, and Robre and Shtie in the carriage with Arnihit and Orchidée.