The room our protagonists found themselves in was like any other branch guild master office with the arrangement of three couches and a table in-between infront of the wooden executive desk to receive guests.
This room however was different from the others Ken and company had seen so far; shields, crossed swords, maces and other noticable used weapons made an unusual decorations on the walls but one look at this guild master makes this expected.
"I've read Ilwa's letter and by all accounts, there's not a valid reason for me to refuse" said the bald Horaud guild branch head, Roa Bawavis, with an eye scar looking like a veteran adventurer.
"Facing tens of thousands of demonic beasts with only five and from recent reports you're responsible for the sudden eradication of Halfgrid in Fuhuren City. Now the name "The King" you gain in Brook Town has spread with many referring you as the Adventurer King"
"A little on the nose but sounds grand, I like it"
"... I was expecting a little modesty... whatever. And also defeating demons with their strong monsters that gave the Hero a hard time is evidence of your strength, right Hagime Nagumo?"
"It just ended up that way "
"So you approve of our Gold rank?"
"Why not. I just have to confirm if Nagumo-kun's stats stack up with yours from the Ilwa's testimony" said Roa who calls his secretary in after he confirms. However seeing was different from being told, awe was what Roa and his secretary displayed when they looked at Hagime's stats.
"Are you telling me that all your stats are comparable to his?"
"Is there a problem?" (Hagime)
"N-no... here, update his rank to Gold"
Roa trying to control his still astonished voice gave an order to his secretary. He's been an adventurer before his current position and Hagime's level 95 was something few could accomplish. After the whole process was done, Ken's party and the highschool couple stood up and left for their next adventure.
"Sir? why aren't you happy that our Adventurers guild have gain two strong heroes from the church?"
"Do you know that my informant saw a guy with sky blue hair enter the labyrinth with an unknown individual and he returned alone?
And from the reports I have received that person is likely Shimizu Yukitoshi, the hero responsible for the Lakeside Town incident.
Don't get me wrong, they're a great addition to our guild but they clouded in a thick fog of uncertainties "
"This is very important to the guild, Sir"
"I know!... ...I know" said Roa to his nagging secretary as he walked to his desk.
-----------
Some members of the Hero party gathered outside town to bid farewell to their prominent healer and changed mates... not. Kouki apparently has been talked down by Shizuku about his twisted fantasies of; Inseparable childhood friends= Eros love, and with the feat Hagime displayed even without his gun, was a clear indication of the gap.
Ken brought out his Light runner and Hagime's black box vehicle and turned to see Shizuku coming his way.
"...I'm sorry I couldn't keep our promise"
"No, I'm just glad you're okay And there's always tomorrow..."
"Right. I heard you plan to stay instead of staying with... your best friend"
"...Yes, I have to make sure the "Hero'' doesn't break down from his first rejection and also keep everyone else together "
"Really... well best of luck then. Oh and take this as a gift " replied Ken with skepticism in his voice before pulling out a katana in a pink sheath and continues "Made from the hardest metal and reinforced with Shtar ores, I can guarantee better battle efficiency than your saber artifact"
"A farewell gift?...". "A let's meet-again gift"
"...does she have a name?"
"How do you know it's a she?"
"Because it's now mine"
"hahaha! That's true... she's called Mizuchimaru"
"...himaru, I like it" "Of course, I made it"
Ken hopped in his ride and rode off along with Hagime in the direction of the desert after giving Shizuku a reminder-ish.
STARE~~~~~~
"...Okay! I will bite. What?"
"...This is the first amazing available female who is within reach that you've let go just like that"
"True that~"
"Yes..."
"I would still stay with Master, even if he's a womanizer"
"Papa, Onee-chan is saying something weird again "
"Don't mind her Myu, eat your snacks" Ken shows a lovely smile to Myu who sat in-between him and Yue in the front seats before continuing.
"She's a strong willed girl but she has to see that not everything is her responsibility or one day she might break"
"...I see". "Master is very observant "
-------
In a huge mansion with the Demon Kingdom.
"Sir, I have word on the situation from the front lines--"
"I'm busy, not now..." in a menacing voice the red haired demon who was gazing into the scene that his window framed interrupted his secretary who silently yelped from just his angry tone before excusing herself.
"Lord Freid!!". "You're back, Mikhail?"
"I came as soon as I heard... ...i-is my Cattleya really dead?"
"... ...Regrettably"
"T-that can't be... from our human spies, the Hero should be between the 75th and 90th floors but the Ahatod alone can clear these floors. Is the H-hero's strength beyond understanding?"
"Of course not. These anomalies began in our operation in Town Ur, where we failed to accomplish anything..."
"Didn't their classmate...errr, what's his name again?... ...Ah, Shimizu. Didn't he betray them?"
"He did. And from the last report I received he prepared 60,000 monsters to kill his teacher but they were defeated by five people, unknown variables"
"What!, what happened?"
"This is where this start to get suspicious. We didn't hear from the demon we sent to link up with him, everything we know is from rumors and "eyewitnesses" about the goddess' advent and how they fought till the demonic beasts run scared..."
"...Suspicious indeed, this story doesn't explain why we didn't hear from our informant. Did these five bastards kill C-cattleya then?"
"I'm inclined to think so but we lack information as of now which I find annoying... we need more power"
"You're not thinking of--"
"Yes, another Ancient magic will be perfect"
"Y-you barely survive the first, Lord Freid"
"Don't worry, I'm not the same demon I once was and these variables must be removed before our grand plan begins. You're in command of the army and information while I'm out"
"Yes! My Lord!!... ...and p-please a-avenge my Cattleya"