Since we were already on our way to the guild, Hapty-san brought her conversation with Noin-san and Fia-sensei to a close at a natural stopping point. We parted ways with the two of them and headed toward our original destination, the Adventurer Guild.
The spot where we had run into them was quite close to the guild, so it didn't take long at all to reach it.
Aoi-chan and Hina-chan had been here once before during their orientation, but since this was my first visit, I had spent some time imagining what it would look like. Looking at the exterior, the first word that came to mind was something like a city hall.
It was a large, solid building that was functional and lacked unnecessary ornamentation. It was well-maintained, and the facade was quite clean.
Of course, I knew from Alice’s descriptions that it wouldn't have the "rough-and-tumble" atmosphere I used to associate with such places, but actually seeing it in person still managed to surprise me.
The interior was just as pristine. If I had to compare it to anything, it felt like a hotel lobby. There was a large counter, and when I looked around, I saw a cafeteria-like space attached to the main hall where several people were eating.
"Alright, we’re here to pick up a job. But before that, Kaito and I need to sign a consent form as companions. Let’s go handle that first."
"A consent form?"
"Yeah. To put it simply, it’s a document stating that if anything happens while we're accompanying the request, it’s at our own risk, and we won't hold the guild liable. You’ll find people who complain unreasonably no matter where you go, so this is a countermeasure for that. By the way, if you bring a companion without notifying the guild or if they haven't signed the form, the responsibility falls on the adventurer, and there are penalties involved."
"I see."
Thinking about it, it made perfect sense. The Adventurer Guild in this world was very well-organized. According to Alice’s explanation, they even had a system similar to workers' compensation that partially covered treatment costs if an adventurer suffered a major injury. As the "employer," the guild clearly took its responsibilities seriously.
However, that protection was only for properly registered adventurers. There was no reason for them to take responsibility for random people who tagged along of their own volition.
It was a very common-sense policy, but I suppose there were always those who ignored common sense when looking for someone to blame. To avoid unnecessary legal headaches, these consent forms were essential.
As expected, the guild was very thorough, even in its administrative procedures. Keeping that impression in mind, I skimmed the document Hapty-san brought over and signed my name.
"By the way, Aoi and Hina probably heard this during their training, but the requests are also posted on that bulletin board over there. However, the ones on the board are strictly environmental surveys. There aren't any monster subjugations listed."
"Is that so? I had this image of adventurers picking a request off a board themselves and bringing it to the counter."
"No, the standard procedure is to have the reception counter introduce jobs to you. The Adventurer Guild takes responsibility when acting as an intermediary, after all. They usually suggest jobs that match an adventurer's aptitude."
Hapty-san gave a clear answer to my question. The basic flow involved giving your adventurer number—the number assigned to you upon registration—to the counter. The receptionist would then present several requests based on your track record and experience, and you would choose one to accept.
Apparently, this was a safeguard to prevent people without sufficient skill from taking on dangerous jobs. For jobs where safety was guaranteed but the task was time-consuming, such as periodic environmental surveys or long-term requests, they were posted on the bulletin board. Anyone could accept those regardless of their history.
As we reached the counter, the receptionist asked for the girls' adventurer numbers. Aoi-chan and Hina-chan pulled out cards with their numbers written on them.
Apparently, it wasn't strictly necessary to show the card; you could just state the number verbally. However, since the numbers were quite long, most people found it easier to just present the card they received during their initial orientation.
"...This is the first job for both of you. I see you have two companions as well. For your first time, I would recommend one of these requests..."
Just as the receptionist pulled out a file containing several forms, Hapty-san spoke up.
"Request Number 0021, please."
"...Understood."
The moment Hapty-san spoke, the receptionist's expression shifted. She ignored the file she had just grabbed and instead manifested a Magic Box, pulling a single sheet of paper from it.
"This is a Special Investigation Request. Shall I explain the details?"
"I’ll handle the explanation on this end, so we're good."
"Understood. Then, the processing for Kusunoki Aoi-sama and Yuzuki Hina-sama... is complete."
After that cryptic exchange, Hapty-san took the form and left the counter, and we followed her.
She pointed toward the cafeteria, so we moved there and sat down at a table for four.
"...Now then, Aoi and Hina look a bit confused, don't they? Before we get into it, let me explain a bit to Kaito. A request number is exactly what it sounds like—a tracking number for the job. It’s written on the request form along with the date. For example, 1st of the Month of Fire, Number 1100, or something like that."
"I see."
"Okay, Aoi, Hina, go ahead and ask."
"Right. Um... we were told in our training that request numbers start from 1001..."
"We were taught that the 1000-series are regular requests, the 2000-series are guild-nominated, and the 3000-series are client-nominated," Aoi added.
After giving me a brief explanation, Hapty-san prompted the girls, who asked their questions with puzzled looks.
"Yeah, that’s right. Normally, request numbers starting with zero don't exist... at least not publicly. In reality, they do exist, they just aren't common knowledge. Those numbers are used for what we call 'Special Nominated Requests.' They’re quite unique, and the numbers are assigned randomly between 0001 and 0999 regardless of the sequence."
"A Special Nominated Request?"
"Yep. To put it simply, it's a number used for special jobs, like those from extremely high-ranking individuals or missions that need to be handled in total secrecy. One of the key features of these requests is that they 'don't appear on an adventurer's public record'."
So it was essentially a black-ops mission. I see, no wonder the receptionist’s expression had turned so serious.
"...Wait. Alice prepared this one, didn't she? Why go through the trouble of making it that kind of request?"
"Oh, that’s quite simple. Since I'm here as your guardian this time, I want Aoi and Hina to get some experience fighting monsters. However, if a receptionist assigned a job in a monster-filled area to rookies on their very first day, they'd be held responsible. Plus, if it left a record, it would raise eyebrows later, like, 'Why were these two sent to a monster habitat for their first job?' It’s just a precaution to avoid unnecessary red tape."
When she put it that way, it made a lot of sense. If the two of them were going to have their first battle, a controlled situation with a guardian present was ideal.
"So Phantasm King-sama pulled some strings to set it up. By the way, the client for this job is the Guild Master of the Sinfonia Kingdom Adventurer Guild. As you can probably guess, she's one of Phantasm King-sama's subordinates. The request content is just a survey of a special region—no mandatory reporting, no deadline, no obligation to report anything unless the contractor deems it necessary. Basically, it’s a request in name only that just points us toward a location."
She said it so casually, but the head of the whole Adventurer Guild was also Alice's subordinate? She really was incredible... or rather, she was everywhere.
As I was thinking that, Hapty-san looked over the request form and then handed it to me.
"...Here, Kaito. It looks like the client left a message for you."
"For me? Why?"
I tilted my head, wondering why the Guild Master would go out of her way to write me a note on a request form. I took the paper and looked at it.
'The gloves you gave me... I am using them quite comfortably. Once again, my deepest thanks.'
...Oh! I get it now. So the Guild Master of the Sinfonia Kingdom Adventurer Guild is... Catastro-san?!
Serious-senpai: "That’s an unexpected name to see again. Well, she hasn't actually shown up yet... but if she’s in that position and receiving a salary as an executive subordinate of the Phantasm King, why is she constantly struggling to afford food?"
???: "Because that rotten narcissist immediately goes out and spends every penny on expensive clothes, jewelry, and art. She insists that anything she wears must be of the highest quality because of her 'beautiful self.' On top of that, while she still feels hunger, that body of hers is just a transformed state, so her appearance doesn't actually wither. That means she puts her food budget at the absolute bottom of her priorities. In short, it’s her own fault."
Serious-senpai: "...I knew it. The Ten Demons are just a bunch of perverts, aren't they?"