"The Adventurer's Guild Headquarters lies just ahead," Lang said, gesturing toward a teleportation circle.
This underground labyrinth was completely self-contained; apparently, you couldn't get anywhere without using these circles. I could feel their dedication to guarding against Abomination Invaders. Though, ironically, we were the ones who had actually been caught by their security.
I stepped onto the teleportation circle alongside Lang. The soldiers remained behind, explaining that they had to stay on high alert for their guard duties.
The magic circle hummed to life, and the space around us began to waver. Just as I felt the familiar pull of teleportation, we were already standing in a new location. We found ourselves in a small, empty room with wooden walls. There was nothing there except for a single door on the far side.
"The transition was successful. Come, this way."
Lang urged us toward the door as if he were in a great hurry. There was no sense in lingering in an empty room, so we followed his lead without any complaints. Beyond the door lay a long corridor, and after following it for a while, we finally emerged into a vast, open space.
"Is this the Headquarters?" Halfa asked, her eyes darting around.
"The vibe is totally different from other guilds," Spira added.
They were right. It lacked the usual rowdiness of a typical Adventurer's Guild, replaced instead by a much more composed, professional atmosphere.
"I suppose it is," Lang explained. "Those who visit the Headquarters are either administrative staff or veteran adventurers who have been selected as executive candidates."
Looking around with that context in mind, it made sense. Most of the people who looked like adventurers were clearly older. Even those who didn't look aged had the pointed ears of the Forestfolk, suggesting they had many years of experience under their belts. The term "veteran" was certainly no exaggeration.
Generally speaking, young people are energetic and noisy. Rookies are often desperate to make ends meet, so they tend to be aggressive about snagging jobs. Since they frequently get into shouting matches or physical brawls over requests, guilds catering to rookies are always filled with a constant din. Standing here, I realized once again that the typical rowdiness of the guild was almost entirely due to the younger crowd.
As for why the Headquarters felt so different, it seemed its role was fundamentally distinct from the branch offices. It wasn't a place where adventurers went to pick up work; instead, it handled the actual management and operation of the organization. Since the veterans here were considered executive candidates, they were likely being groomed to become Guild Masters elsewhere in the future.
"So there aren't even any job postings?" Halfa asked, sounding disappointed.
"It’s not very exciting, is it?" Spira remarked.
"Well, it is essentially a government office. There aren't many sights worth seeing," Lang replied with a wry smile. However, his expression quickly tightened back into a serious mask.
"Now then, you have all been invited to the divine realm. Even for people in our position, setting foot there is a rare honor, but I am certain your clearance will be granted immediately. After all, it is a direct invitation from the gods themselves. First, we must submit the formal application to the Grand Master..."
Lang spoke briskly as he laid out the schedule. I appreciated his diligence, but he was pushing us a bit too hard.
"Oh, right. But first, I’d like to get some rest and come back tomorrow to—"
I couldn't even finish my sentence. Lang shot me a look of pure, unadulterated shock. It was that look again—the "What is wrong with this guy?" look.
"Um... is something the matter?" I asked.
"Ah, no... quite right. That was indeed the plan," Lang stammered. "However, it would be best to get the application out of the way now. The Grand Master is a very busy man, you see. Depending on his schedule, it’s possible that approval could take some time."
Wait, what?
Hadn't he just said approval would be granted immediately?
Still, I had the general impression that administrative paperwork always took forever. I decided it was probably best to just follow his advice for now.
"Is everyone okay with that?" I asked my companions.
"Yeah, I don't mind," Lowell replied, nodding with a cramped smile. "It's probably for the best... if only to reduce the mental burden on the staff."
He muttered that last part under his breath. I wondered what he meant by "mental burden," but since Lang was nodding repeatedly with a stiff, plastered-on smile, I missed my chance to ask.
"This way, then. I have already sent word to the Grand Master, so I believe he is expecting us."
Wait, I thought the Grand Master was busy? He was already waiting for us?
Feeling thoroughly confused, I was led into the Grand Master's office. Inside was an elderly man with a white beard and hair to match. A gentle, soft smile played across his features. This was Rozeph, the Grand Master of the Adventurer's Guild—the man at the very top of the hierarchy.
"Welcome, welcome. I am Rozeph, the current Grand Master. I have been briefed on your situation. You are to ascend to the divine realm, I understand. In that case, let me guide you there at once."
"Oh, actually, no. We just came to submit the application today..."
"...Pardon?"
I scrambled to stop Rozeph, who was already trying to usher us toward the divine realm with zero preamble. Why was everyone in such a rush?
"If you'll excuse us for a moment," Lang said, stepping in. He pulled Rozeph to the corner of the room and began whispering frantically into his ear. I caught snippets like, "No, surely not," and "But it's an invitation from the gods!"
Was I being weird again? Was I not supposed to sleep?
I didn't think there was a problem, especially since I'd made a clear agreement with the Spirit God.
After a short while, their huddle broke. Rozeph returned with a grim, solemn expression—only to suddenly double over in a deep, desperate bow.
"Wait! What are you doing?" I cried out.
"Please! I beg of you, go to the divine realm immediately! I have heard the circumstances, but even so, keeping the gods waiting... even if it's not my fault, my stomach is doing flips! Do it for the sake of our peace of mind!"
Wh-whaaat?!
I was just trying to get a little sleep, and apparently, I was threatening the Grand Master's health?!
"I-I get it! I'll go to the divine realm right now, so please, raise your head!"
"Oh! You truly will? Thank goodness! Truly, thank goodness!"
"I am relieved as well! As expected of you, Lord Rozeph," Lang added.
The moment I gave my consent, both Rozeph and Lang looked like they were about to weep with joy. It seemed their mental exhaustion had reached critical levels.
"Man... the Spirit God didn't seem like he was in that much of a hurry, though," I muttered.
"In the first place, to a god's senses, a single day is nothing more than a margin of error," Garna remarked, agreeing with me. Exactly.
Lowell stared at me intensely for a moment. A flash of worry crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by a look of resignation.
"What? Is something on my face?" I asked.
"No... I thought perhaps your common sense had warped to match a god's because you gained divine power," Lowell sighed. "But come to think of it, you were always this oblivious."
Well, I certainly didn't feel like my personality had changed.
But wait...
Was he basically telling me I'd always lacked common sense?