The Regular Knights who had been visiting Clausel departed the following morning, leaving after one final round of swordsmanship instruction.
A little after noon that day, Ren was summoned to the office.
"A report from your village has arrived," Lezard announced. "There are letters from your parents as well. You should read them with me."
"Thank you very much!"
The letters reported that the reconstruction was proceeding smoothly and that life in the village was becoming more prosperous than before. This was due in part to the funds gained from selling the materials of the Thief Wolfen.
When his parents had visited Clausel previously, Ren had insisted they use all those funds for the village's benefit. Though they had initially refused, arguing it was his money, Ren had persuaded them with a firm logic: "I am a member of House Ashton as well, so this is what I should do." In the end, they had succumbed to his persistence.
"The village hasn't quite settled down yet, so leave the rest to us and the Baron!" the letter continued.
These were not words intended to push him away.
"Mireille and I are going to work our hardest. We’re going to rebuild this village as fast as we can for the day we can live with you again! Of course, if you’ve taken a liking to Clausel, it’s perfectly fine for you to stay there, too!"
Roy and Mireille apologized repeatedly for their own perceived helplessness. Considering the chaos that had occurred in the spring, their concerns were perfectly natural. From a parental perspective, Clausel was clearly safer and better for Ren’s future.
Roy had always respected Ren’s autonomy, but he was still a father. He couldn't help but pray for his son's safety.
Ren, however, harbored his own doubts.
(If I’m the one who attracts trouble, then maybe I shouldn't return to the village at all.)
Viscount Given’s obsession with him had been extraordinary. If Ren hadn't been there, perhaps such a massive disturbance would never have happened. It was a painful realization, but his love for his family and the village allowed him to suppress the stinging emotion.
"By the way, Ren, what do you wish to do now? You may live here in Clausel until you inherit your house, or you could stay on as a knight. You would be more than welcome."
"I... um..."
"...Hmm. If you have something on your mind, feel free to speak."
Lezard’s voice was calm and gentle, reflecting his immense magnanimity. Ren regretted failing to mask his emotions, but realizing he couldn't remain silent any longer, he spoke his mind.
After listening, Lezard spoke in a heavy tone. "So that was it. Roy consulted me about this as well. He was worried that because you possess such promising talent, someone might target you again. It’s one thing to fight a monster, but it's quite another to deal with the nobility. That’s why he asked me to take you in as a knight of House Clausel."
This conversation had apparently taken place when Roy and Mireille were last at the estate.
"I told him I would follow your lead," Lezard said.
If Ren decided to live in Clausel, Lezard would protect him with everything he had. In exchange, he would dispatch a new knight to the Ashton village and carefully consider the succession should Ren not have any siblings in the future.
"Your name is far better known now than it was before. Rumors of our connection to Marquis Ignat might deter some from acting openly, but no one can guarantee your safety."
"...Yes."
"Even so, it seems to me that you are prioritizing your parents and the villagers over yourself."
"I suppose I am."
"In my personal opinion, there’s no need to rush your decision. You should live here in Clausel until your worries fade. For now, just take it slow until the reconstruction is finished."
Lezard’s proposal was deeply empathetic.
"I wish I could resolve everything with my own strength someday... but I suppose that’s a reckless wish for the son of a mere knight," Ren said, scratching his cheek with a self-deprecating smile.
Lezard did not laugh.
"It might not be so reckless. You simply have to become an existence so powerful that even the great nobles find you 'unreasonable' to deal with."
"The only way I can imagine doing that is by marrying into the Imperial Family to gain political authority."
"That would be difficult in its own way, but that isn't what I meant."
Lezard’s next words were utterly unexpected.
"————Become a Sword King."
The words felt as if they had physically seized Ren’s heart.
"A Sword King? Lord Lezard... you mean the Sword King?"
"Yes. One of the five strongest swordsmen in the entire world."
"But... a Sword King is...!"
"As you know, the five Sword Kings are not bound by nations; they act according to their own will. One currently serves His Majesty the Emperor, but she only does so because it suits her fancy."
In the Legend of the Seven Heroes, there was indeed one Sword King whose power the player could challenge. It was the woman Lezard mentioned, the one serving the Emperor. Even with the protagonists leveled to their limit, she was an opponent you couldn't beat without a healthy dose of luck.
(And even then, she was supposed to be holding back in the game lore...!)
Still, in terms of mastering the sword, it felt like a more attainable path than marrying into royalty. However, becoming a Sword King wasn't something achieved through simple desire.
"It’s refreshing to see you so surprised," Lezard remarked. "In any case, there’s no harm in honing your skills, is there?"
"That's... true, but..."
"Then take this time to worry about your future."
His conclusion was simple.
"At the very least, stay in Clausel until the village is rebuilt. I welcome it, and I know Licia will be overjoyed."
For the moment, Ren could agree to that. He would love to become a Sword King if possible, but the idea still felt surreal.
"You can seek instruction from Weiss alongside Licia, or try your hand at knightly duties to prepare for the future. Don't worry about expenses; I will take full responsibility for your care."
"I appreciate that, truly, but I can't just sit around doing nothing. I’d like to find some kind of work."
"Good grief... you’re just as stubborn as your father."
"My father?"
"Indeed. I offered to provide Magic Tools for the village, but your father firmly refused, saying I was already doing enough for the reconstruction."
Ren felt a surge of pride at being compared to his father. As he smiled bashfully, Lezard made a new proposal.
"If you absolutely must work, then take a job from me. How does that sound?"
Driven by a desire to repay the Ashtons and a sense of duty toward the boy in his care, Lezard made his offer.
"If possible, I’d like to ask you to do work similar to what you did in your village."
"Do you mean... monster culling?"
"Yes. You know the dangers of an overpopulated monster habitat. I want to conduct a survey of the surrounding area."
The job involved monitoring local monster populations and submitting periodic reports. Culling them as necessary was also part of the duty. Since it was a direct request from Lezard and came with a reward, Ren was more than happy to accept.
"Also, while you're out, I don't mind if you take commissions from the Adventurer Guild."
This piqued Ren’s interest. As the son of a knight serving House Clausel, he had never considered the possibility of earning money at the Guild.
"If you have concerns, ask them now."
"I have two questions: Is it truly alright for a member of House Ashton to act as an adventurer, and how will taxes be handled?"
"Since you are acting on my request, your status doesn't matter. As for the money you earn hunting monsters, as long as you trade through the Guild, you can use it however you wish. The Guild pays taxes to me indirectly."
The information was entirely new to Ren, and it was fascinating.
"For example, you could buy Magic Tools and send them to your village."
"Is that really okay!?"
"Once the taxes are settled through the Guild, I have no right to tell you how to spend your money."
It was the perfect setup—training while earning a living. Ren felt a surge of motivation at the thought of helping his parents and the villagers. Since it was an official request from Lezard, he didn't have to hold back.
"I’ve only just turned eleven. Is it really alright for me to go to the Adventurer Guild?"
"No problem at all. We don't see it often in this town, but it’s not unusual for children to visit."
Apparently, young children often took simple jobs like finding lost pets or items to help their families or earn pocket money.
(I'll experience everything this town has to offer. Eventually, I'll figure out what I’m supposed to do.)
Ren’s face set with determination.
"I should mention that Roy and Mireille have already given their permission. When they were here last, they laughed and predicted that if you stayed in town, you'd eventually end up at the Guild."
His parents had anticipated this and discussed it with Lezard beforehand.
"Mireille and I were worried, of course, because of the danger. But Roy said that if his son—who is already stronger than he is—decided to do it, he had no right to stop him."
"Haha... that sounds just like him."
Ren’s expression softened at the thought of his father.
"In the end, we agreed, provided that if you do anything reckless, I use my authority to bring you back to the mansion."
Lezard had framed the scouting as his own request specifically so he could maintain a level of protection over Ren.
"So Father doesn't want me doing anything dangerous, but he's okay with me fighting monsters?"
"I thought that was strange too, but his reasoning was sound."
Ren had defeated both a Thief Wolfen and a Mana Eater. Roy believed that the power of the nobility was far more dangerous than any beast. He felt confident that Ren, who had been fighting monsters since he was a small child, wouldn't be reckless.
"So as long as I’m careful, I’m permitted to work outside the town."
"Precisely. Your official position is... well, not quite a Knight Apprentice. You are an individual personally hired by me, who hunts monsters on the side."
"I understand. In that case... I think I'll head to the Adventurer Guild right now."
"I’ll have someone guide you."
"No, I’ve seen the map. I can find it on my own."
"Then at least take this."
Lezard produced a wallet and handed Ren two silver coins.
"This is 20,000G. Registration for monster-related work costs 15,000G. Use the rest to enjoy a nice lunch."
Ren hesitated, but Lezard held the coins out stubbornly. Since the registration fee was necessary, Ren gave in.
"I'll accept your kindness today, then."
Accepting such goodwill so readily was rare for him.
Clausel was built along a spiral of winding roads climbing a mountainside. From the mansion at the summit, the entire town was visible.
The Adventurer Guild was located near the main city gate to accommodate the constant flow of people and supplies. Ren walked through the area, feeling a sense of nostalgia as he remembered the chaos that had occurred there previously.
Along the way, residents who remembered his face called out to him. One stall owner even gave him an apple-like fruit. After these friendly interactions, he reached the Guild.
"This is it."
The building was made of aged, weathered wood. The people entering and exiting were dressed in classic fantasy attire: leather armor, gear carved from bone, and robes. Some carried staves; others were clearly not human.
They were known as demi-humans. This included elves like Jelkku, but also those with beast-like or reptilian features. Ren pushed open the heavy wooden door.
The door let out a low, dull creak. Inside, the floor was made of dark, solid wood, and the walls were covered in white cloth. A ceiling fan, likely a Magic Tool, spun slowly overhead.
A massive bulletin board dominated one wall, and a tavern was attached to the side. It was a sight that made Ren’s inner child soar.
(Everyone's staring.)
The adults in the room—a woman in mage robes, a brawny warrior, several demi-humans, and even the receptionist—all turned their gaze toward him.
"Hey, isn't that...?"
"Hush, don't stare so rudely."
"You were looking too, weren't you?"
Ren ignored the murmurs and walked straight to the counter.
"I’d like to register, please."
He spoke with practiced ease, having gone through this process countless times in the game.
"Certainly... but are you sure?" the receptionist asked.
"About what?"
"Forgive me. What did Baron Clausel say about this?"
"It’s fine. I just received his permission."
The Guild was a neutral organization and rarely interfered in local politics, but Ren’s recent involvement in the Given incident was so significant that the receptionist couldn't help but ask.
"Here is the registration fee. I can read and write, so I don't need the basic explanation."
"...Are you sure this is your first time registering?"
"Yes, why?"
"I-I see... You just seem so accustomed to the procedure."
Her suspicion was valid, but Ren simply ignored it and began filling out the form.
(This paper is a Magic Tool too, right?)
The registration fee was high for a reason. To share information across all branches, the Guild used special paper developed by one of the Seven Heroes, a genius craftsman. This allowed for global management of adventurer records.
"Here you go."
Ren turned the paper around so the receptionist could read it easily. The process was surprisingly quick. Finally, he received a small card, about the size of a playing card, which listed his name and his rank: G-rank.
"As for the rank-up conditions—"
"I’ve read about them in books. I also know the fees for losing a card and that it can only be reissued at a branch with my records."
Ren tucked the Guild Card into his pocket and headed for the bulletin board. Since the Clausel territory was relatively peaceful, there was very little information on D-rank monsters, and most of those were in distant, outlying areas.
"...Ah."
A different notice, posted off to the side, caught his eye.
"Oh? Is our young Hero interested in that one?"
A gallant-looking young adventurer called out to him. He was standing with a werewolf companion.
"Hero?" Ren asked.
"That's right. Your stand against that foolish Viscount was something else."
The werewolf was more soft-spoken than his companion. "We were curious when we heard the famous boy had arrived. It looks like you've found something interesting."
"Yeah, but you’d better steer clear of that one," the first man warned.
"That's right," the werewolf added. "It’s a D-rank, but it’s mostly left alone because it doesn't harm people if ignored. But if you do provoke it, the retaliation is far more powerful than its rank suggests."
Ren nodded understandingly, though he didn't plan on ignoring it.
(————The Steel-Eating Gargoyle.)
In this world, gargoyles were large, stone-bodied monsters resembling a cross between a bat and a dragon. While normally carnivorous, rare individuals were born that consumed metal instead.
In ancient times, they were named for their habit of devouring human weapons. They ate natural ores as well as artificial steel. They were known for their incredibly sturdy bodies and their terrifying flight speed.
(It’s a Special Individual—a Unique Monster.)
The experience and Mastery points it provided were massive. Its materials were valuable, and it was a prime candidate for obtaining a new Magic Sword. He had to defeat it eventually.
However, that would have to wait until things settled down.
(And I’ll need to get permission from Lord Lezard first.)
On his way back from the Guild, Ren decided to write a letter to his parents to update them on his plans.
Ren couldn't tell Licia about the scouting job yet. He and Lezard had agreed to wait until things were more established. If she found out now, she would almost certainly insist on coming along.
Perhaps his secrecy was too obvious.
"...?"
When he returned to the mansion, Licia tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. She placed her hands on his cheeks and forced him to look at her.
"Are you hiding something from me?"
(—!?)
"Ah, your eyes just wavered."
Ren had to admire her intuition. It was terrifyingly sharp.
"N-no... nothing in particular..."
"Hmm... I see. Maybe it was just my imagination."
Ren breathed a sigh of relief, but he had a feeling he wouldn't be able to keep the secret for long.
A few days later, Licia left the estate on official family business. That morning, the day of Ren’s first real job arrived.
"I won't be back until late tonight," Lezard said before Ren departed. "I’m looking forward to seeing what you've accomplished by then."