Chapter 540

Rumaja’s Main Topic
When we finished our inspection and came back, Rumaja was still happily enjoying her tea.
She really does love green tea, huh.

“Back already, Lily? Did Amira and the others find anything odd?”

“They said no. In fact, we’ve pretty much covered all the places, or else I’d be in trouble.”

“Then that’s good. I can’t imagine Marquis Vardmoi misreading the situation, but a double-check never hurts. As for whether it’s really necessary to call Sharon… that I have my doubts about.”

So even Rumaja isn’t sure about that.
Apparently, if you’re summoned as Crown Prince, you have to come, but if you’re not summoned, you don’t have to?
The invitations must’ve been sent out already, so nothing can be done now, but… what will they do?

“Well, never mind. I’m sure Marquis Vardmoi has something in mind. More importantly, this is the real reason I’m here.”

“Ah, so you didn’t come just for tea?”

“Of course not. If that were the only reason, I’d have set a much more leisurely date.”

Fair point.
She met with Marquis Vardmoi right after arriving in this city, and then the very next day she’s meeting me—there’s no way she doesn’t have some business to discuss.
So then… what’s Rumaja’s business?

“You, don’t you want to increase your escort from the Adventurers’ Guild?”

“From the Adventurers’ Guild?”

“Yes. Officially, the ‘Wildcat Claws’ are hired for the job. But they’re still Red-rank adventurers, and to be blunt, they’re nowhere near capable of protecting a Platinum-ranked merchant.”

“So you’re saying we should fire them?”

“Not that far. If they can claim your backing, their chances of reaching Copper rank will improve. Normally, you need lots of connections with nobles, but ‘Wildcat’s Claw’ have been continuously hired by you since your Copper Merchant days, then Silver, and now Platinum, and they’ve maintained your trust all the way. Just a bit more proven achievement, and they could be promoted to Copper.”

All of them at Copper rank—that’d be amazing.
When I asked what kind of achievements they’d need, she said they’d need either personal commission requests from other nobles or records of slaying high-rank monsters.
The ‘Wildcat Claws’ have fought things like the Plain Earth Dragon, the Ice Cyclops, and the Frost Wyvern, but because they did so as my escorts, the Adventurers’ Guild factors in my strength—meaning Talat’s strength—and those fights don’t count toward their record.
So even if they keep working as my guards, they’ll have to prove they can take down such high-rank monsters without my help.
In other words, they’d have to leave my side for a while.

I wouldn’t really be inconvenienced—what with Talat, Plum, and Kiblinki Saltas around—but the visible deterrent effect would be reduced.
Also, from the Guild’s perspective, it wouldn’t look good if no high-rank adventurers were assigned to guard a Platinum-ranked merchant.
Basically, it’s about keeping up appearances and building the Guild’s prestige.

“I think I get the gist. But can we trust these people?”

“Yes, you can. I couldn’t get any Platinum-ranked adventurers, but I did gather a few parties made up entirely of Gold-ranked adventurers. All that’s left is for you, Master, the butler there, and maybe Alizée to interview them and choose.”

I see—so she’s already brought the candidates here.
But… can a Platinum-ranked merchant really pick and choose any Gold-ranked party they like for escorts?
… That’s more power than the King, isn’t it?
Is this really okay?

What do you think about this chapter?