When we got back to Ishka and arrived at the house, Lunamaria and the others greeted us. To my surprise, there was another face mixed in with theirs.
“The guildmaster wants to see you to discuss what you’ve learned about the situation in the forest,” Ridelle said, bowing her head while explaining the reason she was there. “I know it’s probably a bother, but could you come to the guild at your earliest convenience?”
At first I wondered how the guild had found out I’d been to the forest, but then I realized they must have seen my wyvern in the sky heading in that direction.
What exactly makes you think I’d cooperate with the guild now of all times? I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to retort out loud. If the guildmaster wants to speak with me, he ought to have the gall to come to me.
But regardless of how she truly felt about me inside, Ridelle was asking politely. Besides, I understood that Elgart wouldn’t be able to leave the guild with the forest in a state of emergency. He had a duty to stay and manage the situation. Most of all, though, having seen the look on Suzume’s face earlier, if I put my grudge against the guild and desire to resolve this incident on a scale, the latter would definitely win out. Anyone would want the resting place of their family to stay peaceful. It was only natural.
“I understand. Would now be okay?”
“Huh? Er, yes. That would actually be a big help if you came now,” she immediately replied, looking somewhat shocked by my answer.
Ooh, this is the first time that composed face of hers looks so flustered! She must have expected me to turn her down. It feels like I’m getting my revenge on her just with that, I thought wryly as I followed Ridelle, who hurried back to the guild.
When I entered the guild for the first time in quite a while, it was pandemonium. People were running this way and that in a panic. Ridelle was wearing her uniform, so the adventurers cleared a path for her as she walked. They looked surprised to see me walking behind her as well, but none of them called out to me. Not that I was necessarily thrilled to see any of them again either.
Ridelle led me to a room that was likely reserved for the guests. “I’ll fetch the guildmaster right away,” she said and left the room.
Now then, how long is he going to purposely make me wait? I thought with a smirk, but there was an immediate knock on the door. Not even thirty seconds had passed since Ridelle left, so I doubted he was already back. And just as I expected, it wasn’t her. It was another guild receptionist, one I’d thought I’d seen before. After a moment of thought, I finally remembered her. She was the one who’d first interrogated me about what had happened when I’d come back to town after surviving the Lord of the Flies’ cave. Her name was Parfait, if memory served.
In contrast to Ridelle, who was nearly unflappable, this woman seemed bubbly and happy-go-lucky. She was also four or five years younger than Ridelle. That said, at the time, she’d treated me with the same level of disdain her older colleague had, which made it easier on me now, because now I wouldn’t have to pretend to be polite to her.
She set a steaming-hot cup on the table. It seemed she at least intended to welcome me with the bare minimum by offering some tea.
How things change. Last time I was here, they didn’t even do that much. It seemed that as long as I was in the building, I couldn’t help but think cynically about everything.
Smiling wryly at my own attitude, I looked at what was in the cup. Judging from the amber color, it was probably tea. I couldn’t vouch for its quality without drinking it, but it smelled pretty good, so the leaves were most likely high-quality. She also set a plate of baked sweets on the table next to the cup, which looked delicious. To think that after being tossed out of the guild without a second thought only a few months prior, the day would come when I’d be given such a warm welcome!
I’d like to go back in time and let my former self know, I thought. Even so, I didn’t touch the cup or any of the sweets. It wasn’t because I thought partaking right away would make me look like I was poor or anything pretentious like that. I simply didn’t want to accept anything given to me by a guild who had thrown me out. In other words, it was stubborn pride. “Petty” was another good adjective to describe it, but even though I knew that, I wasn’t about to change my ways.
“Eat up!” Parfait said cheerfully, looking right at me. “Don’t worry, it’s not poisoned or anything.” She let out a small, odd sound somewhere between a chuckle and a snicker.
I glared at this new visitor with half-lidded eyes, which made her laugh louder.
“These sweets are the latest from the Khukuri Company. They’re all the rage with young girls these days, and I might’ve abused my authority as a guild receptionist a little to snag some for myself,” she told me, putting her index finger to her lips and grinning impishly.
True, any sweets meant to be served to the guild’s guests would have to be disposed of once they hit their expiration date. And of course, it was up to guild staff to dispose of them.