With the snap of his fingers, Iori summons several members of the Guild, placing chairs in front of his desk—enough for the Phantom Blades to sit. Motioning them to accept his invitation, each one, starting with Caleb, begins to sit in the chair.
"Now, down to business, eh? As powerful as my information network may be, most of them aren't fighters, so I must ask you if you have anything to report about the current events causing the increase in the number of missing adventurers and caravans; please say so."
Gale turns his head to Caleb, giving him a solid nod and letting him have the first say. Clearing his throat, Caleb stands up from his seat. "Guild Leader Iori, It has come to our attention that the mountains surrounding Barou had recently been inhabited by Slyr the Crippling Dread. His presence caused a significant shift in the environment, leading to strange creatures appearing. We've found evidence that the people who went missing in the mountains could be summarized as having been killed by Slyr."
Iori silently nods and allows Caleb to finish telling his report. After he finishes, Iori turns his head and asks them if his statement is accurate, and they all nod in agreement. "I see. Are you sure Slyr evacuated from the mountains after your encounter?"
"Yes, we were both badly injured, and taking the time to run before his wounds worsened, Slyr retreated and flew East." Iori had one of his assistants, a young half-elven woman wearing glasses and short hair, record the information. She whispered into his ear, and his eyes closed momentarily.
The remainder of the party told their accounts of the dragon and what they had to do to survive through the dangerous mountains. This exchange took half an hour to take everyone's perspective in complete detail before they could continue forward.
"I must say, I am highly impressed that a group of mainly gold ranks could have done so much. And it was young Caleb here who fended off Slyr with his might. Maybe I was right in thinking I could have the Phantom Blades take on this quest."
Gale budges into the conversation. "Sir, if I may, we have several members who are dealing with some personal issues at this current time. Would you permit us a few days of R&R? We need only two days, and we shall be ready."
Clicking his tongue at his request, Iori squinted his eyes and looked deep into every single member. Studying their eyes and faces. A long sigh leaves his mouth before inhaling to speak. "Seeing as you were late initially to this meeting, I can't overlook the fact you did succeed in solving the probable cause of the abnormal migration of monsters recently, which would have been your job after the next task of your quest." Licking the back of his thumb before biting in with deep thought, Iori looks to Gale and sees the dark circles in his eyes.
"How was your reunion with Kayla, Gale?" Uttering the words with his eyes on Gale, he shifted the leader, frozen solid in response. A slight chuckle escapes Iori before flicking his fingers a few times again. The Guild servants and members who work directly under him slowly take measures to help remove the chairs from his office. "Aren't you going to answer?" Iori presses him further.
Stuttering with his words, Lukia steps up, grasps his arm, and smiles at him. Gale cools his head briefly before opening his mouth. "She was still as beautifully cold towards me the last time we parted."
"I only heard the details after you left Barou all those years ago to go to Saiana village. So, I have a quest for you to do."
Gale looks at the Guild Leader with a worried look. "Excuse me?"
"Sorry, it's more like a favor for both of us if you do it. In the end, I am granting you the two days you requested. However, it would be best if you made amends with Kayla. I don't care if you two find your clothes off behind closed doors. As long as you both stop being a gloomy bunch, then you may properly receive the break. It can't be too hard for such a silver-tongued devil as yourself, Gale. Don't let the rumors told about you be lies now?"
"But she-"
"That is my condition! If you refuse, fail, or ignore it, then I assure you, the price for failure won't be pleasant."
"You heard what happened between us, right?!" Gale slams his fist on the desk. Yann grabs his arm and prys him back from doing anything rash.
Ivian grabs his other arm. "Calm down, boss. Now's not the time."
"Two days, Gale, that is your time limit to fix what you lost all those years ago. Now, I have other important Guild business to see after. You will have access to our inn. You should find yourself most welcome."
Brushing the issue to the side for Gale to deal with. The party is forced back into the main lobby of Headquarters.
"Is the Guild Leader known for being a nut case?" Ivian says to Gale. Lukia turns to see Gale's worried face as he tries to respond.
"I never got to meet him the last time I was here. Sigh... let's head to the inn before it gets too dark. We probably only have a few hours before the sun sets."
As they walk through the lobby, the doors to the Guild offices are open. Taking a glance, Gale sees Kayla working among her co-workers. His gaze longed for a moment. Caleb notices, as well as Herk. Heavy sighs escape his mouth before he continues to move forward. Kayla notices his presence out of the corner of her eye and watches him leave depressed. The disproving expression on her face shifts ever so briefly of sorrow before she returns back to task...
Leaving the Guild Headquarters, a man dressed in red and wearing a Guild badge approaches the group as they reach the main doors. "Sorry, just a moment. Guild Leader Iori requested that you be offered to receive his mark on your Guild Licenses. It will be quick if you please."
Caleb, confused about the whole thing, turns to face Gale. "What does that mean?"
Responding, Gale shifts his hips and lets out a chuckle. "It means he recognizes us as valid adventurers. Also, we can freely use the facilities in Barou that bear his crest or the Guilds. We'll need it for when we secure our rooms."
Understanding, everyone takes out their licenses to be reviewed and promptly stamped by the man. He doesn't say his name, he just silently access their status. Moments later, he finishes applying Iori's mark to their licenses and bids them a good day.
"Can we go now? I've been feeling hungry ever since we left the Temple." Yann speaks out with a rumble of his stomach. Ivian and Herk both nod to agree. Lukia shyly looks away, trying not to show how desperate to eat something. Caleb looks, and before he even speaks, a loud growl exits his mouth, the bellowing of his stomach far greater than the rest of them.
"Sigh...We might as well. I know a good place. Follow me." Gale wiggles his fingers to gather their attention and proceeds down the alley. Seemingly, his knowledge of Barou hasn't been lost to him...
Abruptly, Lukia pops the famous question. "Was Kayla the one who broke your heart?"
"Lukia, we don't know the full-" Herk tries to stop her, but Gale raises his hand to stop him.
"I know you guys want to know what happened between us. And to answer Lukia... I broke her heart...first. Before forming the Phantom Blades, I met her in Barou when my master took me to see more of the world..."