Once registered with a guild, an adventurer received a guild license, which also served as a form of identification, so some people registered just for that. Guilds didn’t share information across borders, so adventurers were required to register with the local guild in every country they visited. However, guilds would take into account an adventurer’s performance in other countries, so adventurers were usually able to maintain the same rank.
The Adventurer’s Guild of Magnolia had an office in the Valdia Mark, but the knights handled most hunting and extermination requests, leaving little for adventurers. On the other hand, that meant most of the jobs available at the Valdia guild were requests to forage materials and gather items, so it was a popular place for adventurers who wanted an easygoing life.
“That took some time to explain,” Rubens remarked at the end. “I think that covers it.”
“Hmm... According to what I’ve heard from you, it sounds like most adventurers would want to visit guilds. Are jobs from the guild profitable?”
“If the adventurer is talented and has access to dungeons, it can be quite lucrative,” Rubens replied. “Some countries even calculate the amount of damage they do to the core so that their dungeons are always available to explore. That isn’t done in Magnolia, probably because the empire feels the risks are too high.”
I see. Considering the possible dangers waiting for me, it might be good to register with a guild and raise my rank.
Such thoughts filled my mind as my training session with Rubens came to an end.
“Good job today, Sir Reid. You’re improving so much. I can’t wait to see the fighter you grow up to be.”
“Thank you, Rubens. I hope you marry Diana before I reach said future.”
“What?! I keep asking you not to discuss that, my lord!”
Rubens pined for someone named Diana. She was a beautiful woman who was his childhood friend and also a member of the same order. The last time I’d teased Rubens about his crush, Diana had found out and scolded me for it, but that was precisely why I continued to tease him. The two of them obviously had feelings for each other, yet they were going in circles, never reaching each other. It was the typical childhood friend trope I’d seen during my previous life.
“I don’t understand why you lack confidence,” I said. “Diana definitely has feelings for you, Rubens.”
“That’s not possible!” he exclaimed.
“Why not?”
“Well, I’m not a morning person, so Diana has to wake me up every morning. Every time she does, she always says, ‘Don’t expect me to do this forever. I’m going to be married and gone one day!’”
I was stunned by disbelief.
“Also, she always makes me lunch, but she always makes sure to say, ‘This is just practice for when I have a husband. I’m not making these for your sake!’”
I continued listening silently, at a total loss.
“You’re right that I like her, Sir Reid. I became a knight because I promised her that I would grow up to become one who could protect her. Sometimes, I have dinner with Diana and her parents, and they always say, ‘You two should get married already.’ But then Diana will say, ‘Rubens is just a friend! He’s only here because we made too much food.’ She always says that! That’s why it’s impossible that she would like me!”
What the heck am I listening to? The innocent ramblings of a man in love? I feel so bad for Diana. Actually, no—maybe Diana’s also at fault. She must know how her words would affect Rubens. Is she acting like that on purpose?
I was so shocked by the details that Rubens had shared that my mind was a total mess.
“Is there anywhere that holds special meaning for the two of you, Rubens?” I asked.
“Huh? Yes, there’s the place where I promised her that I would become a knight who could protect her.”
Is this some kind of curse that falls on childhood friends? I felt like I’d stepped onto some sort of land mine and couldn’t get out of the situation.
“Take Diana on a date there and tell her how you feel. You must, all right?”
“What?! Why are you deciding such a thing, Sir Reid?!” Rubens asked with tears in his eyes. He had quite a pretty face, so I could imagine some of the maids enjoying seeing him like this.
But I only had one thought: Why was I getting involved in this? The entire situation was starting to feel ridiculous. I couldn’t help but say exactly how I felt.
“Stop waffling! You’re a knight, aren’t you?! I feel bad for Diana! You need to properly tell her how you feel!”
“Huh?”
“You know Diana better than anyone, right? Why don’t you take a second to think about the true meaning behind her words?”
Rubens fell silent, and a look of deep thought came over his face.
Do I really need to spell this out for him?
“If any of what I’m saying rings a bell for you, then go on a date with Diana. Take her to that special place and tell her how you feel.”
“Understood, my lord...”
If Rubens didn’t tell Diana how he felt after all of this, I could see myself growing to hate him. Exhausted by the entire exchange, I dragged my sluggish body to my next lesson.
After martial arts was etiquette, followed by history, math, dancing, and other lessons. By the time I was done with everything, it was finally time for dinner, which I always made an effort to eat with Mer. It was part of our daily routine to discuss our days over dinner, but I decided to keep the stuff that had happened with Rubens to myself. Just talking about it would make me tired again.
After dinner, I often went to the study to do homework or research. Sometimes Mer would visit me there to ask me to read to her before bedtime and I would oblige.
Bathing in this world meant using a towel soaked in hot water to wipe your body. Money could buy a proper soaking tub, but I’d decided to wait on purchasing one for now. This was one area of my life that I would love to improve.
With that, my day came to an end. My father and Kris would be returning from the capital soon, so my days were going to get busier. With that thought in mind, I drifted off into sleep.
I also learned several days later that Rubens had successfully confessed his feelings to Diana and the two had officially begun dating.
They should just get married already.