3 bar menu

Volume 10 Chapter 291

The Hero and the Crafts Guild

「So, this is the country of Aplistos……」
Akari walked along the main road that stretched through the center of Aplistos Royal Capital, still holding Tet in her arms.
This was the closest human kingdom to the Elven Kingdom of Alheim, and it had once waged war against Alheim in the past.
The instigator behind that war was the daemon Amon.
However, at that time, a certain Sage and their companions were in Alheim, and the daemon’s plan was thwarted.
The Aplistos army, which had gone to war, was sent back to this country by the Sage’s magic, and the demon was eradicated by the Sage.
「It’s a big city, isn’t it?」
「Yeah」
「Hey, Tet. I don’t think it’s normal to see you talk……」
Tet in her arms replied normally, making Akari flustered.
「It’s okay. It seems like there are plenty of talking creatures in this world」
「R-really?」
「Yeah!」
It seemed that Tet had some knowledge of this world.
「If someone asks about me, just say, I am a『familiar』」
「Alright. I’ll do that」
Being able to tame and communicate with animals and monsters, turning them into familiars. Akari once again felt the reality of being in another world.
Being able to converse with Tet without worrying about the people around her made her feel a little happier.
Walking alone in unfamiliar territory was still daunting.
「Where could the Crafts Guild be?」
She intended to visit the Crafts Guild first, as she had been instructed by the guards.
She thought that if she could register with the guild, she could obtain identification and earn money to live in this world.
「Akari, it’s over there」
「Huh? Tet, do you know?」
「Yeah. Tet knows a little about this world」
From guiding Akari from the dark forest where she didn’t even know the direction, to providing knowledge and abilities to navigate this world, Tet seemed to have the capacity to guide them in this world.
「I see. That’s really helpful. I’ll count on you, Tet」
「Yeah! Leave it to me!」
　──＊＊＊──

Akari followed Tet’s guidance.
「The Crafts Guild… …it’s here」
A building with the words『Crafts Guild』written prominently above the entrance stood before her.
Though she had been conversing with the guards normally, Akari had forgotten that she could understand the language of this world. It was because the goddess of her original world had granted her the skill .
This skill had the same effect as Luna’s, allowing Akari to even read the characters of this world’s gods.
Many people were coming and going from the Crafts Guild, and Akari also entered the building, blending into the flow of people.
「Hey, what are you doing?」
Having entered, but not knowing what to do, Akari looked around bewilderedly as a voice called out from behind.
「Uh, um……」
Turning around, she saw a young woman with chestnut hair in a ponytail.
「Are you here for a request? Or are you here to register with the guild?」
「I’ve come to register」
「I see. Then follow me」
The woman pushed Akari’s back, leading her deeper into the guild.
「Alright, please fill out various details on this paper. Please sit over there」
In the back of the Crafts Guild, there was a counter for accepting requests. The woman with the ponytail entered the counter and handed a sheet of paper to Akari.
It seemed that the woman who brought Akari here was the receptionist for this guild.
The paper had the following items:

Name, Age, Items Able to Produce
Akari filled in each section:
Name: Akari
Age: 15
Items Able to Produce: Accessories

To avoid revealing that she was from another world, Tet had advised her not to use her surname from the original world. She only wrote her first name. She kept her age the same as in her original world. As for the items she could produce, she thought of accessories like earrings and bracelets, which she had made as a hobby in her original world.
「I’m Akari. Nice to meet you」
While introducing herself, she returned the paper to the woman with the ponytail.
「Alright, thanks. Oh, I’m Eliza. Nice to meet you」
The receptionist’s name was Eliza.
「Eliza-san, nice to meet you again」
「Yeah. Well then, I’ll make your guild card, so wait a moment. And—-」
Eliza took out a fist-sized crystal from under the counter.
「It’s a regulation, you see. I’ll use this to check if what you wrote is true」
She placed the crystal on the counter. It was a magical tool called the『Truth Crystal』」
「What should I do with this?」
「While holding the paper you filled out, touch this crystal and say, 『There are no lies in what I wrote here』」
「I understand. Um…… what I wrote on this paper is not a lie」
The crystal under Akari’s right hand glowed blue.
「Yeah, looks good. Thanks」
It seemed there were no issues.
「Alright. This is your guild card, Akari」
After a while, Eliza handed Akari a card.
「Thank you very much!」
Taking the card, Akari smiled brightly.
「Fufu, do your best」
「Yes, I will!」
Seeing Akari’s smile, Eliza also showed a kind smile.
「By the way, do you live in this capital?」
「N-no」
「Then, do you come here from a nearby town or something?」
「Um—-」
It was difficult to say she had no home. And also that she had no parents.
「Do you perhaps not have a place to live?」
「…….Yes」
Caught by Eliza’s words, Akari hesitated. But she thought that maybe Eliza would offer some advice, so she decided to answer honestly.
「I see. In that case, you can live on the second floor of this guild house. You won’t have to pay rent for up to three months until your items start selling and your income stabilizes」
「I-is that okay!?」
「Yeah. Our guild also supports the independence of young people under 18. There are many kids with various circumstances, so until you cause any problems or turn 18, anyone can live here」
However, the rooms provided were not very spacious. If she tried to make various items in her room, it would inevitably become cramped.
Also, once newcomers gained some skills, they usually found a mentor at the weapon shops, armor shops, or tool shops in the capital, and started working there live-in, so there were usually vacancies in the rooms at the guild house.
「I understand. Then, I’ll be in your care until I save up some money」
「Perfect! There are five girls living in the guild house now. I’ll introduce you later. And I’m in charge of managing the rooms, so if you have any problems, feel free to consult with me」
「Yes, thank you very much」
「And, though it’s not much—-」
Eliza handed Akari a small bag.
「Eliza-san, what’s this?」
「It’s for your living expenses for the time being. You don’t have any money, right? Oh, don’t misunderstand. This is just a temporary loan」
「But, I……」
It felt awkward to borrow money when she had no achievements and didn’t know if the items she made would sell.
「If you can’t make a living as a crafter, you’ll help with guild operations」
If her items didn’t sell, she could work as a receptionist at the guild, or do cleaning in the guild house, or work as a waitress in the restaurant attached to the guild house, Eliza explained.
「Akari is cute, so it’s also okay for her to be a receptionist」
「I-I’ll do my best to make my items sell!」
Akari had come to this world to defeat the Demon Lord. She wanted to secure a base and funds for gathering information. Registering with the Crafts Guild posed no problem.
However, if she became satisfied with living as a guild receptionist and stable life, she might neglect the Demon Lord and other matters.
Akari was a responsible girl.
Her first goal was to defeat the Demon Lord.
However, even if she defeated the Demon Lord, she couldn’t return to her original world. So Akari had started to think about what to do after defeating the Demon Lord.
「Well then, once again, nice to meet you, Akari」
「Nice to meet you too!」
Akari, who had many anxieties when she came to this world, had now successfully obtained a base of operations.