The First Visit to the Adventurers' Guild
"Young master Hardt, it's morning. Please wake up.” Georges came to wake me.
"I still want to sleep... just five more minutes."
"Sigh... Young master Atre, please wake Young master Hardt. I'm counting on you."
Atre climbed onto my face. I couldn't breathe. Panicking, I peeled Atre off my face and sat up.
"Georges, using Atre is cheating."
"Young master Hardt, you were the one who involved Young master Atre in the first place, weren't you? You slept in the bed with him so I wouldn't pull your blanket off."
Gulp. How did he know that? Feigning ignorance, I replied,
"That's not it. It's just warm sleeping with Atre."
"Young master Atre, thank you for your cooperation. I humbly ask for your continued assistance every day," Georges said, completely ignoring my words and thanking Atre instead.
While I sulked, Georges pressed me, "Young master Hardt, please hurry and get dressed. You'll be late for breakfast." He was utterly unbothered. My attendant has become so unrelenting... oh dear...
"Hardt, Atre, are you ready?"
"Father, we're ready to leave at any time."
"I'm good too! (Woof, woof!)"
We were headed to the Adventurers' Guild in the capital to register Atre as a contracted beast. This was the first time since arriving in this world that I'd gone out for two days in a row.
After about 20 minutes of carriage travel, we arrived at the Adventurers' Guild. It was a solid, three-story brick building.
Father led the way inside, and as he opened the door, the previously bustling interior fell silent, and the adventurers parted to make a path.
As expected of Father, his aura was impressive. So cool.
"My Lord, it's been a while. We've been expecting you. This way, please," said a man with an air of nonchalance but a hint of peculiarity. He appeared beside us without us noticing and addressed Father.
I hadn't sensed his presence at all.
"Macberry, you still have no presence. How many times must I tell you to approach in a way I can notice?"
"I thought this was noticeable enough. Perhaps, My Lord, you're skipping your training because you're too busy?"
"Always with the cheeky remarks. Very well, let us proceed to a room where we can talk."
In the reception room, the Adventurers' Guild was represented by the man called Macberry and two others, one man and one woman. On our side, it was Father, me, Atre, Georges, and Knight Meyer.
Father and I sat on a sofa, with Atre on my lap, while Georges and Meyer stood behind us.
Macberry placed a small box on the table, opened it, and a magic circle appeared and then disappeared.
"This seals the room from outside interference. The two individuals here are trustworthy staff members. If necessary, we are also prepared to establish a magic contract to ensure confidentiality."
"The boy next to me is my third son, Reinhardt. Reinhardt, this is Macberry, the Guildmaster."
The image of a Guildmaster I'd had in mind was of a tough or muscular person, so this was unexpected. Still, he looked like someone troublesome to have as an enemy.
As I stared at the Guildmaster's face, deep in thought, he introduced himself.
"Once again, I am Macberry Winston, Guildmaster of the Westland Adventurers' Guild. This is Gavin, the Deputy Guildmaster, and Mobius, head of reception."
"I expected nothing less, being well-prepared even when I requested an urgent meeting. Let's get straight to the point due to limited time. The child sitting on my son's lap is a Fenrir cub. It seems to have taken a liking to my son and entered into a contracted beast agreement with him. Therefore, we've come to register the contract."
"A Fenrir, you say? Surely you jest... no, you're serious. I'm feeling its pressure already. Please stop that. Records exist of high-ranking adventurers forming contracts with monsters in the past, but such occurrences are unheard of recently. If this gets out, it will cause an uproar."
"Reinhardt is only seven years old. We don’t know how long we can keep this a secret, but we want to hide it for as long as possible. Please cooperate."
"You've brought us a monumental case... sigh. How about registering the Fenrir as a Silver Wolf cub? While it would still attract attention, a story about saving and bonding with a Silver Wolf cub would be easier for others to accept."
"Atre might not be happy about it, but it's also to protect Hardt and Atre. Until Hardt becomes strong enough to protect himself, could you let us register you as a Silver Wolf cub for the public, Atre?" Father asked Atre.
Atre looked at me, then, as if to say "fine," barked (woof, woof).
Unable to hide his surprise, the Guildmaster asked,
"Fenrirs can understand our words?"
"Atre understands speech and even has conversations with Hardt."
"What?! No way!" The three from the Guild raised their voices in unison.
The Guildmaster alternated his gaze between Atre and me before looking to the sky with a sigh.
"This is a magic contract. I didn't think I'd have to use it, but I'm glad I prepared it," he muttered. This seems like a big deal—sorry about that.
"Hardt, if you ever need assistance from the Adventurers' Guild, consult these three. Though I doubt that will happen anytime soon."
"Understood. Thank you for your guidance," I replied, bowing lightly since nobles shouldn't bow deeply.
"Well then, let’s proceed with the contract registration."
"That completes the paperwork.” Macberry confirmed, handing the documents to Gavin.
"Lastly, Young master Reinhardt, we need to make a nameplate for the contracted beast to put around Atre's neck. Normally, the Adventurers' Guild would provide one, but we don’t have any in stock. It's rare for contracts to be formed, after all. Considering Atre's growth, it would be best to prepare a nameplate enchanted with expansion magic."
"Macberry, what should we write on the nameplate?"
"At a minimum, Atre’s name and the owner's name. Beyond that, it's up to you."
After thanking them, we left the Adventurers' Guild.
What do you think about this chapter?
