The party name Rei had proposed—Crimson Lotus Wings—was registered without issue.
Occasionally—truly only occasionally—a party name would be rejected because it already existed. Fortunately, there appeared to be no other party by that name in Gilm.
Naturally, there was no guarantee that a party with the same name didn't exist somewhere across the Kingdom of Mireana, let alone all of Elgin. But as a general rule, sharing a name with a party based at another branch wasn't a problem.
"Then... with this, your party, Crimson Lotus Wings, is officially formed. Additionally, based on each member's rank and past achievements, Crimson Lotus Wings will be registered as a B-Rank party."
At Lenora's words, it wasn't just Rei who looked surprised—Vihera and Byune shared the same reaction.
Only Marina, who had likely anticipated this outcome as the outgoing Guild Master, showed no surprise and simply smiled.
"Is that really okay? When you become an adventurer, you start at a low rank no matter how strong you are."
"Yes. There's naturally a difference in treatment between someone who just became an adventurer and someone who has accumulated numerous achievements since then."
"Besides, being an Alias Holder, Rei-kun is far from ordinary. Vihera-san also has an impressive record in the Labyrinth City. And... Marina-san goes without saying, right?"
"Mm!"
As Kenny spoke, picking up where Lenora left off, Byune let out a small, dissatisfied sound at not hearing her own name.
"Byune-chan is... well, she's adorable, but when you think of her as an adventurer in her own right, her achievements and ability are a little... lacking, you know?"
"Don't pin that on me. Byune's skills as a thief are, for better or worse, average. Of course, having that level of skill at her age is impressive, but the guild evaluates based on current ability."
Hearing that, Byune couldn't voice any further complaints. She understood better than anyone that her own abilities were decisively lacking compared to the rest of the party.
"Mm..."
Though her expression didn't change, Byune muttered a single disappointed word.
Seeing her like that, Lenora shot Kenny a mild glare before changing the subject.
"In any case, the formation of Crimson Lotus Wings is now complete. ...So, what will you do now? If you're planning to take a request right away, that would help us out."
It was already spring.
During the winter, few people ventured outside Gilm unless they had a special reason—lacking funds, needing specific materials, or requiring particular ingredients.
But that also meant monster subjugation was rarely carried out during the winter months.
Combined with various other factors, the result was that by early spring, when adventurers resumed their activities, a massive number of request forms ended up plastered across the guild's Request Board.
Even now, many adventurers stood before the board, intently scanning the forms in search of a good job.
Kenny, who had until recently been interjecting into Rei and Lenora's conversation, was now processing request forms brought in by adventurers.
Rei's party had only just formed, but it was full of capable members.
Three of them ranked among the very best in Gilm in terms of pure combat skill, and they had Set as an exceptional means of transportation.
Considering all that, Lenora naturally hoped they would take on a request. As a guild receptionist, it was only natural for her to feel that way.
But Rei shook his head.
"Sorry, but there's somewhere I need to go before taking on any requests."
"Somewhere to go? Well, I can't force you, then..."
"If I still have time after finishing my errands, I'll stop by the guild again."
"I see. Understood."
Lenora looked slightly disappointed at Rei's words but said nothing more. As a receptionist, she couldn't force adventurers into anything. It was only natural.
"See you, then."
Rei bid them farewell. Vihera and Marina smiled and said their goodbyes as well, while Byune offered only a brief mutter before they all departed.
...Just before stepping out of the guild, Marina cast one final glance back.
This was the place where she had worked as Guild Master until today... and where, from now on, she would come as an adventurer alongside Rei.
Looking around the guild hall, she fully realized that fact anew.
She had no regrets about serving as Gilm's Guild Master for all those years. More than that—she felt a genuine sense of fulfillment.
Of course, working in Gilm on the frontier and dealing with skilled adventurers came with all manner of hardships.
...Though the most troublesome presence she had dealt with in recent years was, without a doubt, Rei.
However, Marina exercising strong leadership to run the guild wasn't necessarily all good.
It was a fact that the number of guild staff members who thought "Marina is here, so it'll be fine" had been gradually increasing.
If things continued this way, while acceptable for now, it would ultimately harm the guild in the future—whenever she eventually had to step down as Guild Master for one reason or another.
Beyond her desire to live alongside Rei, this was also a reason behind Marina's decision to retire.
Even so, the moment she stepped through those doors, she would no longer be the Guild Master. The thought filled her with deep emotion.
"Marina?"
She had been lost in thought, but when Rei's voice reached her from right behind, she turned around.
Seeing his face... and reaffirming that she would live alongside him from now on, a smile naturally formed on her lips.
"No, it's nothing. ...Well then, shall we go?"
Still smiling, Marina walked out of the guild with Rei.
As she did, every guild staff member bowed deeply to see her off.
...Even Kenny, who envied Marina for forming a party with Rei, for this moment alone set aside all expressions of envy or jealousy, bowing with genuine respect for the woman who had led the guild for so long.
"Gururu?"
Waiting for Rei and the others outside the guild was Set, who had been receiving attention from several adventurers and townspeople.
Perhaps noticing that Marina seemed different from usual, Set purred as if asking, "Are you okay?"
Those who had been fussing over him quietly stepped away, having no intention of getting in his way.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just a lot happened, so I was feeling a bit sentimental."
As Marina gently stroked him, Set apparently decided there was nothing to worry about. He narrowed his eyes in comfort and purred, asking for more.
"Hehe, Set is as cute as always. ...So, Rei. We're going to Asimov's place now, right?"
Rei nodded in response to Marina's question while stroking Set.
"Yeah. It seems the Sleipnir boots are finally done. ...Well, apparently they were actually finished a few days ago, but he needed a few more days to thoroughly verify them."
"...Well, Asimov is quite particular about his alchemy, after all."
Marina had known about Asimov for some time—a skilled man who could safely be called an eccentric.
She had met him in person and spoken with him during the Unbris incident, gaining an understanding of his personality... but she ended up witnessing an eccentricity that exceeded even the rumors.
Rather than calling him an eccentric, it would be more accurate to say he had turned his hobby directly into his profession, which caused him to run wild at times.
Regardless, Asimov had a strong dedication to his work.
He was highly skilled, but his less-than-stellar reputation was partly because he rarely accepted work that didn't interest him.
For a man like that, Rei—who let him use rare materials without hesitation—was the ultimate client.
The Twilight Spear was the prime example.
That was why Asimov had also built the oven Rei had requested as an afterthought.
...Though the fact that Rei allowed him to use Silver Lion materials was certainly the deciding factor.
And now, the Sleipnir boots he had been commissioned to strengthen using Silver Lion materials.
Esta Nor of the Zephyle Clan—known as the greatest alchemist in history.
Asimov could examine firsthand the Sleipnir boots that she had crafted with the pinnacle of her technique.
Taking every possible precaution was only natural for him.
"Thanks to that dedication, we don't have to worry about getting stuck with some kind of defective product, so it actually helps us. ...Though I'd appreciate it if he could manage the time a bit better."
"First-class craftsmen naturally take the appropriate amount of time for their work."
Vihera, who had been listening to Rei and Marina's exchange, interjected to mediate.
As a former Bestia Empire princess who had seen countless first-class items firsthand, this was likely her genuine impression.
"Well, I trust his skill enough."
Rei wasn't actually trying to disparage Asimov. He was simply being honest that it would have been nice if the work had been finished a little sooner.
The four humans and one gryphon walked along the road, conversing under the spring-like weather.
Though spring-like, it wasn't fully spring yet.
Halfway... no, perhaps about seventy percent of the way to spring. The mornings and nights were still bitterly cold.
"Ah, Set-chan! Hey, Rei. Can I play with Set-chan?"
"Sorry. I've got some errands right now, so I can't. Play with Set another time."
When Rei responded to the child who had been playing nearby, the child looked disappointed but accepted that it couldn't be helped.
"Hehe, Set is popular, isn't he?"
"Yeah. Before I knew it, he ended up being treated like this."
At Marina's words, Rei answered reflectively while stroking Set.
When Rei and Set had first come to Gilm, the people around them had been terrified because he was accompanied by a gryphon.
But now... even small children came up wanting to play with Set.
This was partly because Set had never gone on a rampage in town without reason, and also because Set himself, having been born recently, had a childlike personality and quickly took to anyone who gave him attention.
Additionally, while Set looked frightening at first glance, upon closer inspection he had round, endearing eyes. The fur covering his body was silky smooth to the touch, making anyone want to stroke him forever.
As he walked, reflecting on how things had been since coming to Gilm, they eventually arrived at their destination—Asimov's house.
He gave a light knock, but there was no response from inside.
"What do we do? Well, he's probably inside, absorbed in some research."
"Mm."
Vihera and Byune hadn't met Asimov many times, but even from those few encounters, they had apparently already half-understood his personality.
Rei nodded at their matter-of-fact assessment.
"Yeah, then I'll be a bit more forceful... hey?"
Rei had been about to knock again, but as if yielding to his momentum, the door swung open on its own.
...That's right. It hadn't been locked.
"Pretty careless of him."
Had the door been unlocked the last time he visited?
Rei briefly wondered, but right now it would be better to just go in and warn Asimov directly.
Thinking so, he called out just to be safe.
"Hey, Asimov! Are you there? I'm coming in!"
"The door being unlocked... isn't particularly strange, is it? He is at home, after all."
Vihera tilted her head slightly, feeling a bit of doubt about Rei's reaction.
"Well, some people lock up even when they're home. Plus, Pamidor sometimes comes by to bring him food and supplies."
"...I see. Then, should we go in?"
"Yeah. ...Set, sorry, but wait here for us. I don't think you'll fit inside."
"Guru."
Set let out a disappointed purr at Rei's words.
But not being able to enter buildings was the same as always for Set.
He lay down in a spot by Asimov's front door that didn't block the walkway.
Then he purred, as if to say, "Have a good trip."
Seeing Set off, Rei and the others stepped inside the house.
But... the moment they entered, Rei sensed something wrong.
It wasn't anything definitive.
Even so, he felt that something was off.
Driven by that instinct, Rei broke into a sprint.
His destination was the lab where Asimov always worked.
Arriving there in mere seconds, what Rei saw was... Asimov collapsed on the floor, bleeding from his body.