Chapter 32: The Black Reaper
"Good morning, Lord Kakeru."
"Good morning, Claudia."
Upon entering the guild, I headed straight for Claudia at the reception desk.
Due to a special request, everyone had gone goblin hunting since morning, so there were already only a few adventurers remaining in the guild.
Huh? Claudia isn't wearing glasses today... She looks incredibly cute.
"The guild master is waiting for you. I'll guide you to the meeting room on the second floor."
Claudia took my arm and escorted me. Isn't she getting too close?
Seeing Claudia like that, the receptionists started to stir.
"I think it's the first time I've seen Claudia without her glasses."
"Who would have thought that Claudia, who is so adorable, would one day take off those glasses to reduce the noise."
"And on top of that, she's escorting him so intimately. Claudia must be serious..."
"Oops, sorry, Lord Kakeru."
"Hey, be careful."
I quickly caught Claudia as she stumbled and ended up in a position where we were hugging each other. Her body was incredibly delicate and soft.
"Oh, she's so cunning, too cunning."
"It's frustrating, but when Claudia does it, it has an elegance..."
"I-It's a learning experience."
I am hearing everything perfectly, you know?
"I'm sorry... I twisted my ankle a bit."
"Are you okay? Come here."
"Uh..."
Just out of habit, I ended up carrying Claudia like a princess.
Claudia turned bright red and started panicking. The contrast between her usual self... is dangerous.
"Oh, so that's the legendary princess carry. I've never seen it before."
"Aww~ I'm so envious."
"That tradition that heroes from another world like to use... it wasn't wrong after all."
I've been thinking this for a while, but don't people in this world do the princess carry?
"Sorry, that must have been a surprise. Should I put you down for now?"
"N-No! Please, like this, if you don't mind."
"R-Really? Understood."
"Hey... what's with that skit?"
"Well... it's heartwarming, so it's fine."
"Go for it, Claudia!"
I received warm gazes from those around me.
"Guild Master, I have guided everyone here."
"Oh, um... Even though you're guiding them while being carried. What are you doing, Claudia!?"
The guild master was exasperated. But Claudia doesn't seem to want to get down. Miss Claudia...
"H-Husband? Why are you carrying Claudia only? I-I..."
"No, it's not right for the Knight Commander to suggest carrying me, right!?"
"It's okay, Celestina. I'll make sure to carry you as much as you want later."
"R-Really? I'll be mad if you're lying."
...Is she regressing into a childlike state? But I'm the one who told her not to hold back. Well, it's cute, so it's fine.
"Ah, can we start soon? I apologize for the interruption, Knight Commander Celest."
"No problem. Go ahead, Lord Bernard."
Oh, the Knight Commander is truly quick to switch gears.
"We are currently in the middle of a special ongoing request, and the investigation is progressing smoothly so far. The goblin extermination is nearly complete in some areas, except for a few. It is believed that the enemy's stronghold and boss are located in the remaining areas..."
The Guildmaster spreads out a map.
"It seems that reinforcements are constantly being sent from around this area north of Primera."
"However, there should be a highway and a surveillance system in place there, right?"
"Indeed, you are correct. However, if they have managed to infiltrate..."
"I see, they must have dug tunnels underground."
"As expected of you, Kakeru. We are also thinking the same. Therefore, the objective of this operation is to annihilate the stronghold and defeat the boss, as well as discover and eliminate the enemy's base beyond the infiltration route, if possible."
"Guildmaster, no problem. If we defeat the boss and make their subordinates serve our master, we'll have all the information we need."
"Yeah, you can count on me, Chloe. But Kakeru's power is amazing. I'm really glad he's on our side."
Before I knew it, it seems like I'm being led towards making the Goblin Boss my summoned beast... Well, I can do it, but I really don't like goblins on a physiological level. Oh well, I'll just go along with the flow. Even if they become my subordinates, I just won't command them.
"Leave it to me. I'll definitely meet your expectations."
So, it's decided that we'll first defeat the boss with a swift attack and gather information.
"Good luck, my husband. I'll have my subordinate, Andrea, guide you. I actually want to accompany you..."
Celestina, looking dissatisfied, looks her age and appears cute.
"Celestina, you should prepare for the expedition, right? Don't worry, everyone, including the guiding knights, will return without a single person missing. Is it okay if I carry you later?"
"Huh?! Ah, ah, I'm looking forward to it."
I want to hug blushing Celestina right away, but I can't keep everyone waiting, so I'll endure it.
I return to the first floor and set Claudia down at the reception. Naturally, when I was talking arrogantly to Celestina earlier, I was holding Claudia.
"By the way, Kakeru-sama, since we have the opportunity, would you like to register a party? It won't take much time."
Claudia suggests that.
I remember all the guild regulations, and it's true that there are many benefits to forming a party.
When I ask everyone, they all agree, so I decide to request party registration.
"Yes, with this, Kakeru-sama's party [Black Reapers] registration is complete. Please confirm."
Thanks to capable Claudia, the procedure is completed in no time.
"Hmm? Wait a moment, why is Claudia's name casually included along with Chloe, Sylphy, Sara, and Eva?"
"Oh my, Kakeru-sama is so particular about trivial things. Is there a problem?"
Claudia's deep blue eyes, without her glasses, have an overwhelming presence that cannot be ignored. Are they magic eyes? Or just extraordinary eyes?
"N-No, if Claudia is fine with it, then it's not a problem."
"I'm glad to hear that. Well then, Kakeru-sama, I am a clumsy person, but please take care of me from now on."
Huh, is this party registration? It's not a marriage certificate, right?!
"Oh! Kakeru-kun, did you register the party? Include me too!"
Catarina clings to me.
"Catarina, the party leader cannot join other parties. You know that, right?"
"Eh, why are you being so mean? Claudia joined too, didn't she?"
"...It's not meanness, it's a rule. Besides, there is no rule that guild staff cannot join a party. If you really want to, why not create a clan?"
"A clan, huh... Well, that might be good."
Catarina blinks her violet eyes and tilts her head. She definitely looks like she's in her twenties, but she's actually forty. She's on a level beyond being called a beautiful witch.
Silphy and the others are the same, but in this world, people with a lot of magical power look young and live longer. Lord Alfred-sama also looks like he's in his twenties, but he's actually in his fifties.
Anyway, this is the first request for us, the [Black Reapers]. We must make it a success, no matter what.