Chapter 11, Registration

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

The Adventurers, including Roman, gathered in the Seichun City and began to take action to fulfill their roles. After seeing them off, Kousuke and his group also set out.

 

“Well, I’m counting on you,” Kousuke said to Kouhi before getting into the carriage.

 

Kouhi nodded firmly. “Yes. Leave it to me.”

 

Kouhi rarely went off the rails. Or rather, she never did unless it had something to do with Kousuke. Since no one in this city knew exactly who Kousuke was, the chances of Kouhi causing trouble were extremely low. Anticipating this, Kousuke had confidently entrusted her with the task.

 

The guild’s base had a designated space where carriages could stop, and it was from there that Kousuke’s group departed after a brief farewell. As they made their way toward the main street, they drew many curious glances. Most onlookers were trying to discern what was happening inside the newly formed guild.

 

Feeling the weight of those watching eyes, Kousuke muttered inside the carriage, “I wonder. Are they all really that bored?”

 

He knew that was not the case, of course, which was precisely why he said it.

 

Cecil gave him a small smile. “I guess they’re curious about the guild that suddenly built such an impressive building.”

 

“But is it really okay to just leave it like that?” Lirica asked, concern evident in her voice.

 

Kousuke tilted his head, confused. “Huh? You didn’t notice?”

 

“Kousuke-sama,” Arisa interjected, “normally, one wouldn’t notice unless explicitly told. We expected it from the beginning, so we were made aware.”

 

Cecil nodded in agreement while Lirica looked between the three of them, perplexed.

 

“Lirica,” Cecil explained, “that guild building is protected by magical tools made by Kousuke-sama.”

 

Arisa added, “If you enter the front reception, it’s fine, but if you go beyond that without authorization, you’ll be treated as a suspicious person and you will be barred from entry.”

 

“What?!” Lirica could not help but stare at Kousuke. She had no idea such a mechanism existed. While magical tools that protected buildings with barriers were not uncommon, this was the first time she had encountered one so seamlessly integrated that she had not noticed it at all.

 

“I didn’t notice anything,” she admitted, amazed.

 

Kousuke shrugged. “Well, I made it so that no one would notice. The magic tool was designed specifically for that purpose.”

 

His answer was simple, but if the magic tools used by the guild were put on the market, they would certainly be coveted by countries. That was how sophisticated they were.

 

“Oh, perhaps it’s related to the cards created at the welcoming party?” Lirica suddenly remembered that everyone had been instructed to place their hands on the counter during the event. She looked to Kousuke for confirmation.

 

“Yes, that’s right. That was the authentication process that allows free entry into the building.”

 

“…I didn’t notice at all,” Lirica hung her head dejectedly. As Sylvia’s right-hand woman, she occasionally dealt with high-ranking officials, but it was rare to see her display such vulnerability. Her old friends, however, would probably just laugh and say she had not changed a bit.

 

While Cecil and Arisa comforted Lirica, the carriage carrying Kousuke and the others continued its journey toward Gazenran Tower.

 

♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦

 

After seeing Kousuke and the others off, Kouhi immediately headed to the arena—Seichun’s other claim to fame. As usual, she attracted attention from passersby, but she paid them no mind as she approached the arena reception.

 

She had no intention of registering under her actual name. Instead, she would use her usual pseudonym: ‘Cory’.

 

A stern-faced man with a large scar on his cheek sat at the reception desk. When Kouhi approached, drawing the eyes of everyone around, his cheek twitched visibly.

 

“Hey, girl. This is the reception counter for contestants. The counter for placing bets is over there,” he said, pointing to where a beautiful woman sat at another desk, a stark contrast to himself.

 

“If this is where contestants register, then I’m in the right place,” Kouhi replied without any change in her expression. The man’s face, however, transformed.

 

“Are you out of your mind? Do you understand the rules of the arena?”

 

It was a fair question. After all, in her maid uniform, Kouhi hardly looked like someone with combat skills. Of course, this was by design. She was deliberately concealing her abilities.

 

Recognizing his misunderstanding, Kouhi nodded once. “Oh, I see. Well then… how about this?”

 

“Wha—?! Gugh!”

 

The exchange took only a moment—so brief that no one nearby noticed it. But in that instant, the receptionist’s expression shifted to one of shock.

 

Seeing his reaction, Kouhi tilted her head. “Are you still dissatisfied?”

 

“Ah, no. Sorry… Just a moment.” Looking slightly dazed at Kouhi, who stood there as if nothing had happened, the man lowered his gaze and began writing something. He then handed her a small folded piece of paper, indicating a different direction than before.

 

“Go through the door marked with the number 5. Someone will be inside. Just give this to them.”

 

Kouhi tilted her head, slightly confused. “You don’t need to write down my name or anything?”

 

“You’ll go through that process after passing the examination. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

 

“Is that so? Thank you.” Kouhi bowed politely and walked toward the designated door.

 

One of the staff members who had been watching the exchange with interest whispered to the receptionist, “That’s the testing ground for high-ranking fighters. Are you sure about this?”

 

The receptionist replied with a wry smile. “It’s fine. Seriously. Who decided that staff can’t place bets? If it were allowed, I’d definitely put money on that girl.”

 

“I guess it’s because of people like you that it’s banned,” the staff member remarked.

 

“Tch, how boring.”

 

The staff member, noting the receptionist’s frustration, turned his gaze once more to the door through which Kouhi had disappeared.

 

“I see. You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you? Hey, ‘Her Strength’…”

 

The receptionist, called ‘Her Strength,’ snorted. “Don’t call me that now that I’ve ended up like this.” He rubbed his leg ruefully.

 

“What a waste. If you hadn’t injured your leg, you would have definitely risen to the top.”

 

“Haha. The top… I can’t claim that after what I just saw.” His gaze lingered on the door where Kouhi had vanished.

 

Their quiet conversation went unheard by others as they returned to processing the line of new registrants. However, it wouldn’t be long before they would hear Cory’s name on the lips of every enthusiastic spectator in the arena.