The headquarters of the Adventurer’s Guild had been moved from Magnamelia to its own floating island, which it had been granted on account of being an international organization. Seeing the move as an apt occasion to retire, the elderly president had yielded his position to Steve Naiman. Since there was no one closer to Sol, not a single voice, either within or without the guild, protested the nomination.
As the organization overseeing those blessed by God with the ability to fight monsters, the guild naturally parked itself in Atriesta now that Reconquista Oeste was in full swing. There was great benefit in major institutions being able to meet easily, so Sol had actually given an island to each of them, not just the Adventurer’s Guild. It wouldn’t be long before all of them moved their headquarters to their islands too, including the Holy Church and the Merchant’s Guild, as would the various countries. Practicality aside, it also just seemed thematically right that the most important people and facilities were relegated to the sky in this world dominated by the Country in the Sky.
Thanks to the head start it had gotten, the Adventurer’s Guild’s island was fast turning into a hub that would put many fortified cities to shame. Besides the headquarters, it also had a residential area for top adventurers and a craftsman’s district where gear could be bought or repaired. Work had also started on a commercial district for restaurants and entertainment, but that was taking longer, as everyone’s attention and efforts were currently still directed toward the counterpart in Atriesta. When Reconquista Oeste was further along, it wouldn’t take long for the guild’s island to be completed too. In light of the role served by the Adventurer’s Guild, its commercial district—and by extension, its pleasure quarter—would undoubtedly rank among the world’s top five. The highest-quality services would gather like moths to the flame that was the deep pockets of adventurers making a killing.
“Prez Steve, you sure you’re cool with us just going dungeon diving every day?”
Several high-ranking adventurers were visiting Steve in his office in the new headquarters. They had come in person to express concerns they had regarding their current situation.
“Why? What else are the Divers supposed to do?”
“I mean, yes, but...”
This group was composed of the world’s most powerful adventurers at present. Many of them had been on the list of candidates that Steve had considered for Sol’s new party right after Black Tiger’s breakup. At Steve’s request, Sol had greatly boosted their abilities, and they now formed the guild’s own elite force, the Divers. In terms of strength, they were the equal of the Wayside Knights. They had received the full package of extra stats, HP barriers, level-ups, and unique weapons that Gawain had made based on their weapons of choice.
What was making them uncomfortable was that, even though they were now armed with overwhelming power, they were only being tasked with exploring dungeons. Steve’s point that they were simply focusing on the purpose stated by their group name was valid, but it did little to alleviate how they felt.
“If you care more about protecting people than exploring the unknown and getting rich doing so, I recommend you change jobs. You lot have the strength to do well wherever you go. Want me to write you recommendation letters?”
“That ain’t what I’m talking about. Wait, huh? Maybe it kinda is?”
If this group wanted to dedicate itself to protecting those involved in Reconquista Oeste, it would be very effective indeed. It would also feel like work that “made a difference,” no matter how weak the monsters they encountered were.
Their actual job detail at the moment was to push into the untrodden depths of dungeons. They were making steady progress, but because the dungeon floors were so expansive and deep, it was taking them a while to get farther down. During that entire time, they were repeatedly fighting monsters that were weak, yet they were being paid handsomely, which just felt wrong to them.
Steve understood all this and was sincere in his advice about changing jobs. He wasn’t giving up on the Divers or being sarcastic. Being an adventurer and being a soldier both required putting one’s life on the line, so it was important that the person was satisfied with what they were doing. Of course, no one was ever satisfied with dying, but they should at least be able to say, “Well, I chose this path myself” and mean it, even if it was mere bravado. Otherwise, they weren’t suited for what they were doing, as how one lived dictated how one died. The fact that it was a job that constantly had them dancing with death made that all the more relevant.
“Hey, don’t ask me. What I can tell you is that there is a point to the Divers getting stronger and to humanity making progress into the dungeon. We’re not just throwing money at you like you’re a charity cause, so you honestly don’t have to think too hard about it. You can just be your adventurer selves.”
Steve scratched the back of his head, slightly frustrated at not being able to be more forthright with this group. Based on what little they knew, it seemed to them that the Wayside Knights were getting the short end of the stick while the Divers were taking it easy. Sol’s group—and therefore Steve, by extension—were not just giving them handouts. As Steve said, the Divers had been given their assignment for a reason.
His reply had made it clear there were circumstances he couldn’t share, but the Divers still had trouble accepting the unbalance between the difficulty level of their work and remuneration.
“We just feel bad, y’know...”
“I get where you’re coming from. But Sol believes that adventurers don’t do well without motivation, so he’s making it so that you can earn a fortune with your own strength and spend it like water. And you guys are good at that, aren’t you?”