Cliff Rampage.
He serves as the master of an Adventurers’ Guild in a certain town.
We ended up fighting together during the major incident of a Stampede…
And after that, he’s someone who’s helped me out from time to time.
“Hey, isn’t that you, Stuaart-kun? It’s been a while.”
“Ah, yes. It’s been a while… um…”
It was so sudden that I couldn’t find the right words.
I ended up just opening and closing my mouth awkwardly.
I’m probably making a pretty dumbfounded face right now.
“Haha, no need to be that surprised. You’re reacting like you’ve just seen a ghost.”
“Um… I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. More importantly, since we’ve run into each other again, do you have some time? How about we chat a bit?”
“Ah, yes, I’d love to… though, could you wait a moment? I’d like to find an inn first.”
“Did you just arrive in the royal capital?”
“Yes. So I was hoping to find information on a good place to stay.”
“I see… in that case, I’ll introduce you to a good one.”
――――――――――
“This is the place I recommend.”
“Wow…”
As we arrived at a certain inn, I couldn’t help but let out a voice of amazement.
It was a fairly large, two-story inn.
The first floor was a dining hall in standard fashion, while the second floor housed the rooms.
It was spotless, cleaned thoroughly down to every corner.
And maybe because of the flowers decorating the place, there was a pleasant fragrance in the air.
Both the dining hall and the rooms were spacious.
And yet, the prices were reasonable.
“I’ll take this place!”
“Haha, I’m glad you like it.”
First, I booked a triple room for ten days.
Luckily, there were vacancies, and we were able to check in without any issues.
Now all that’s left is to meet up with Sofia and the others, but it’s still quite early before the appointed time.
We found a place way too easily…
“Shall we have some tea?”
“Yes.”
So I accepted Cliff’s invitation.
We each ordered black tea and took our seats.
“Still, it really has been a while. Have you been well?”
“Yes. We’re traveling separately at the moment, but Sofia is doing well too.”
“That’s good to hear. But what brings you to the royal capital? Sightseeing?”
“Um… yes, something like that.”
I haven’t told anyone yet about the Alliance of Dawn.
That’s because they could be lurking anywhere.
They interfered with us even in Lenoglade.
It wouldn’t be strange if they had infiltrated the Adventurers’ Guild or even the kingdom itself.
If I speak carelessly, they’ll definitely interfere.
Or worse, they might set a trap.
So I have to be careful about who I tell.
“What about you?”
“There’s going to be a meeting of Adventurers’ Guild masters soon.”
“A meeting…?”
“It’s where things like guild management policies are decided. It’s held once a year here in the royal capital.”
“I see.”
Cliff is a new guild master, so he must have come to the capital to attend it.
“But… you look kind of troubled?”
“Yeah, could you hear me out?”
“S-sure…”
“Even though it’s called a meeting, there’s not much to do. Especially for newcomers like me. We just follow what the veterans have already decided, and we’re not even allowed to speak. It’s just a formality. I don’t really want to spend time on something like that… but if possible, I’d like to change things.”
It seems Cliff has his own share of struggles.
The upper ranks of the Adventurers’ Guild seem to be in quite a difficult situation…
If things could be improved, that would definitely be a good thing.
I silently cheer him on.
“… ”
Then, a thought crosses my mind.
Maybe it would be okay to tell Cliff about the Alliance of Dawn?
He’s someone I can trust.
And I’m sure he would lend us his strength.
But he seems busy with this meeting, so I’m not sure how much time he could spare.
And while I trust Cliff, I don’t know about the people around him.
Hmm… what should I do?
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