* * *
After Aya entered the merchant's guild, she immediately sensed the subdued atmosphere that permeated the entire building. It was a quiet place with only a few people around, most of them diligently attending to their paperwork or signing documents before leaving with somber expressions. The gloom seemed to affect everyone present.
Aya walked up to the nearest desk, where a merchant was just finishing up his business.
The merchant then walked out of the guild with a similar expression, just like the rest of the employees here.
"Welcome to the Merchant's Guild. How may I assist you today? Are you here for tax payment or resignation?" The receptionist asked, her expression professional but slightly fatigued. Though she had noticeable eye bags from overworking, she remained composed and courteous in her demeanor.
"I want to register as a merchant." Aya answered with a genuine yet serious expression.
"....Eh?... Oh, yes! Right away!"
However, the moment that Aya stated what she wanted in here, the receptionist freaked out for a slight moment before looking under her desk and taking out a form which Aya had to fill in.
"Please, fill in the information that you have. And if possible, if you have any sort of identification card, that would make our work much easier." She explained while trying to contain her stress and excitement.
"I have an adventurer's card. Does that work as well?" Aya inquired.
As Aya handed over her adventurer's card, the receptionist's face darkened and her eyes narrowed, indicating a growing sense of disappointment and concern.
It was clear that the identification in front of her was not what she had been expecting, and Aya couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety form in her stomach at the woman's reaction.
"Are you perhaps an adventurer?"
"Yes?"
Perplexed by the receptionist's sudden question, Aya confirmed with a hint of confusion in her voice.
"Then I'm terribly sorry, but you cannot register here as a merchant." the receptionist stated bluntly, leaving Aya to ponder her options.
Aya paused for a moment, her gaze scanning the room as if looking for a solution.
After a few moments of deep contemplation, she turned back to the receptionist and spoke again, determined to find a way forward.
"May I know the reason why I can't register as a merchant?" Aya wondered.
"It's simply our new policy," the receptionist explained, "which indicates that an adventurer can't become a merchant. This will prevent not only their loss as adventurers but also save us the trouble of dealing with new, untrained, unprofessional, and ignorant individuals who only seek to exploit the merchant's guild for their own benefits. As much as you might dislike this new policy, there's nothing I can do about it. So please save yourself the trouble and continue your job as an adventurer. That's what you were trained for, after all."
As Aya left the merchant's guild, her shoulders slumped in defeat. It was clear that the rejection had hit her hard, but she didn't say anything as she walked out into the bustling streets.
After Aya left the registration office, her mind was reeling with disappointment and frustration. However, she was not alone in her thoughts.
~Don't worry about it,~
Hiroki's voice echoed in her mind, offering her some sort of comfort.
~There's nothing we could've done about it in the first place about this.~
Despite her disappointment, Aya couldn't help but feel curious about Hiroki's motives.
"Did you know this would happen to me?" she asked, her tone uncertain.
She trusted Hiroki completely, but she also knew that he had his own reasons for everything he did.
~Yes, I kinda knew,~
Hiroki admitted, his response sounding measured and thoughtful.
~But I had to make sure of it. And it was thanks to you that I was able to figure this out. But also answered another question I had about this town.~
"….."
As Aya made her way back to the adventurer's guild, Hiroki continued to explain his findings.
~This town is declining in new merchants and people who aspire to become one,~ he revealed, painting a troubling picture of the local economy.
Aya, on the other hand, listened intently, grateful for the companionship and wisdom of her benefactor.