Chapter 220 – Gathering Information at the Adventurers Guild

Gathering Information at the Adventurers Guild

The next day, Hikaru and the girls dropped by Scholarzard’s Adventurers Guild. Having registered in this country—in the capital Forestzard—Lavia was more of a home player, while Hikaru and Paula were outsiders. On a side note, Drake had too much to eat early and was fast asleep in the apartment.

It was already the latter half of January, but the snow wouldn’t be thawing out until later in April.

As they opened the double-door, warm air rushed from the inside. Not a lot of adventurers were present in the guild. The receptionists themselves didn’t seem that busy as they were chatting with their colleagues.

「Excuse me. Can I ask something?」

「Oh, o-of course!」

Hikaru addressed one of the receptionists as politely as possible. Flustered, she checked his guild card, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw the rank D. Rank D at his age was rare. After getting some information from her, Hikaru returned to Lavia and Paula who were waiting on a table.

「I got all sorts of info.」Hikaru said.「Uhh, what’s the matter?」

Lavia stared at him with disgusted eyes.

「It’s nothing.」she said, pulling her chair closer to Hikaru to the point where their bodies touched.

「Doesn’t look like it’s nothing. What’s wrong?」

「You’re not even aware.」

「Aware of what?」

Not sure what was going on, Hikaru eyed Paula, who only gave a strained laugh.

Hikaru had actually grown taller, and with his one point on Strength, his body looked firm and robust. His once frail look was gradually disappearing. He was slowly turning from a boy to a young man.

To top it all off, he had his hair cut by Lavia this morning, whom he told to do it however she wanted. Thanks to that, he now had this intellectual air to him. To the receptionists who mostly dealt with roughnecks, Hikaru was attractive and a refreshing sight.

Hikaru had been here before. He didn’t receive any special treatment back then, so he felt the receptionist’s reaction now was a bit odd, but didn’t think too much of it.

「A little change and women will treat you differently.」

「Hmm? What do you mean?」

「So, what kind of info did you gather?」

「Oh, about that… Let’s start with Agiapole.」

Paula gave a jerk. She must still be bothered by what happened.

「The head priests from the suburbs had entered the Tower to investigate the theft of Einbeast’s national treasure and inspect the underground research facility. They’re also pushing for the Pope’s dismissal. Gilbert Gabranth was released from prison and is now working with the priests.」

「That escalated quickly…」

While on the way back to Scholarzard, they heard that Einbeast sent an emissary to Bios to demand an explanation.

The Adventurers Guild continued gathering intel of the following events, and shared it openly with adventurers. The situation escalated considerably while Hikaru was out taking down bandits.

It looks like they’re being too open about it, though, Hikaru thought. They’re even disclosing info about international and domestic disputes. Does the Adventurers Guild hate the Church?

Hikaru tried asking about the situation between Princess Kudyastoria and Prince Austrin, but the receptionist said she couldn’t disclose any information related to that.

「Anyway, it’ll be up to the Church whether they can change things for the better or not. Good thing I sent the notes.」

Hikaru took measures so the Pope couldn’t cover up Einbeast’s protests, or mislead the regional priests. As Scott Fairs instructed, he sent the Red Priest’s notes along with details of the current situation to Dennis Lugrim in Ville Zentra, the capital of Vireocean, where the latter served as a priest. It was thanks to these notes that Hikaru learned about Father Gravey and the underground facility. The fact the regional priests demanded an investigation of the underground facility meant the notes made it to its destination.

「I just hope those corrupt priests and monks, like that Gelop guy are terminated.」

The Church’s ability to purify itself would be tested.

「I’m sure it’ll all work out.」Paula said, clasping her hands tightly over her chest.

She had plenty of things on her mind. She wanted to get involved, say something, anything, but she held herself back so she didn’t bother Hikaru. He understood how she felt.

「Um, Hikaru-sama. Can I visit the church today? I want to know what’s going on with the local church. I’m sure they already know what the guild knows.」

「Of course you can.」

「Thank you. I’m sorry for always being selfish.」

「I don’t think you’re—」

Before he could finish his words, Paula stood up and whispered something to Lavia, at least she meant to, but since Lavia was sitting close to Hikaru, he could hear what she was saying.

「You can go on a date with just the two of you today.」

Lavia’s light skin turned red.「Hey, Paula!」

「I’ll be back in the evening.」

Paula then left the guild quickly.

「Oh, God… Did you hear that, Hikaru?」

「Nope. What did she say?」Hikaru pretended he didn’t hear anything.

「It’s fine, then.」Lavia said, pouting, as she inched even closer to him.

Hikaru left the guild together with Lavia. He also shared other information he got with her.

「What? The mass wedding has gotten that big?!」

According to the receptionist, over a thousand couples had already applied. Even she was ecstatic.

「Ah… A couple destined to never be together overcome all the hardship and will finally pledge their love to each other. So romantic…」the receptionist said.

Who knew how much people embellished Claude and Luka’s story? But the more they exaggerated it, the more couples whose destiny would be changed. If it was too realistic, they wouldn’t care about their story.

「There are already plays about in every place. It’s apparently slowly becoming standard.」

Everyone knew about Kirihal and Ludancia’s relationship. Defying the odds, a mass wedding was approved by various nations. Not everyone agreed, of course. Ludancia severely opposed the idea and Luka’s mother even tried to kill her daughter. But even the audience loved this part. The play was also performed in Ludancia, with some modifications.

The Allied Nations of Forestia had an unprecedented marriage boom in their hands. If a child was born between Claude and Luka, next would be a baby boom.

「A wedding, huh…」Lavia muttered.「Where will it be held? Can we go watch?」

「The plan is to do it in Forestzard. Let’s go watch if nothing important comes up.」

「Yay!」

Hikaru heard girls usually loved weddings and dreamed of being brides, and Lavia was no exception. Seeing it firsthand made him realize it was true.

A marriage between me and Lavia… No, we’re too young. Only 16 and 15. Ah, but wait. I guess marriage during teenage years is common in this world?

Hikaru’s face turned beet red. Lavia watched him dubiously.

「Uhm, Lavia. I forgot to ask before, but when’s your birthday?」

「My birthday? The 14th of February.」

「What?! It’s close!」

And that’s Valentine’s Day! Oh, wait. I doubt they celebrate that here.

「Yeah, I know. What about it?」

「Do people not celebrate birthdays here?」

「I think they just indulge themselves a bit, but that’s it.」

Lavia looked just a bit sad. She lived most of her life like a bird in a cage, so she might not have celebrated her birthday even once. Since she never really mentioned it herself, Hikaru refrained from asking as well. She was over her past.

「What about Paula I wonder.」

「Her birthday’s on the 1st of April.」

「When did you even tell each other…?」

Hikaru felt dejected from being left out.

April Fools’ huh… Fits her somehow. How it fit her exactly, he didn’t know.

「What about yours?」Lavia asked.

「This body’s? Or…」

「The real you, of course.」

Lavia gave a wry smile as she held Hikaru’s hand.

「6th of March.」

「Oh, one birthday every month.」

It might just be a coincidence, but Hikaru felt some sort of a connection.

「So about Paula… She’s thinking of staying at some inn again, right?」Hikaru said. 「She only stayed with us yesterday because we just arrived.」

「Yes, I think she still plans on doing that.」

「Hmm…」

「Should we ask her to stay with us?」

「I’m not sure. Paula might want some distance. She formed a party with us after leaving her best friends Pia and Priscilla. She might not want to get too close right away out of consideration for them.」

「Do you want me to ask her?」

「That would be great. Well actually…」Hikaru turned away, not looking at Lavia.「I’m glad we have some alone time together.」

Lavia didn’t say a word. Hikaru glanced at her, wondering if his over selfishness appalled her, only to find her face flushed all the way to her ears.

「You dummy. I… feel the same way too.」

Faces red, they walked silently. It was winter in Scholarzard, but a warm wind blew by them as though spring had already come.

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