Ariana took a deep breath.
She had handled chaotic warlords, overgrown dungeon lizards, and noble brats who thought they were hot stuff.
But nothing—not one single event—had prepared her for this conversation.
She set down her empty beer mug, closed her eyes for a moment, and then leveled Reed with a look of absolute exasperation.
"Alright. Let's be rational about this."
Reed raised an eyebrow. "I thought I was already being rational?"
Ariana ignored that.
"First off, Reed. Do you realize what your retirement means?"
Reed shrugged. "That I get to finally relax?"
"NO."
Ariana pulled out a guild ledger and slammed it on the counter. The sheer force shook the wooden surface.
"Your presence alone stabilizes the economy, Reed."
Reed blinked. "…Come again?"
Ariana's eye twitched.
"Let me spell it out. The fact that you exist keeps monsters from running rampant. Criminals fear you. Nations hesitate before starting wars because they know if things get out of hand, the 'Legendary SSS+ Adventurer' will come knocking."
She stabbed a finger at the ledger. "You are an unofficial deterrent to global destruction."
Reed stared at her blankly.
"…And?"
Ariana's soul left her body.
"'AND?!' THAT'S A BIG DEAL, YOU IDIOT!"
Around them, adventurers were openly listening, some even taking notes.
"He really doesn't get it, huh?"
"Bro thinks retirement is an option."
"Wait, are we… actually dependent on this guy?"
A low-ranking rogue slowly paled. "Wait… so what happens if he actually leaves?"
"…Chaos?"
"DEFINITELY CHAOS."
At this, some adventurers who were originally betting against Reed's retirement suddenly panicked.
"WAIT! WHO HAD THE 'WORLD ENDS IN SIX MONTHS' BET?!"
"I DID!"
"DOUBLED."
"TRIPLED."
Ariana groaned, massaging her temples. "For the love of—GUYS, STOP BETTING ON THE END OF THE WORLD!"
"NO!"
Reed just sighed.
"You guys are really overreacting," he said, waving them off. "I'll be living peacefully in my hometown. No one even knows where it is."
"…Your hometown?!"
Ariana's eyes widened in horror.
That was worse.
That was so much worse.
Because if word got out that the strongest adventurer in history was permanently settling in some tiny village…
"Oh gods. That place is going to become a pilgrimage site."
Reed blinked. "Huh?"
Ariana grabbed him by the collar.
"Do you understand what's going to happen?! Nobles will show up DAILY trying to 'recruit' you! The royal family will send 'visitors' to 'casually check in on you'! Young adventurers will flock there, hoping to be your disciples! Even random merchants will try to brand your food shop as a legendary attraction!"
Reed stared at her.
Then, very slowly, he said:
"…So what you're saying is I'll have good business?"
"THAT'S NOT THE POINT, REED!"
Ariana actually grabbed a second beer and downed it in one go.
At this point, the Guild Executives finally decided to step in.
The highest-ranking officials—those who handled major guild policies and never appeared unless the kingdom itself was in danger—stepped forward with serious expressions.
The entire hall fell silent.
One of them, an elderly elf with a regal air, cleared his throat.
"Reed Astoria."
Reed turned lazily. "Yo."
The elf's eyebrow twitched, but he continued.
"As you know, your presence within the Adventurer's Guild is… valuable."
Reed nodded. "Sure."
"Thus, in light of your retirement announcement, we have convened to offer you… an alternative solution."
Reed raised an eyebrow. "Alternative?"
The elf nodded.
"We are willing to grant you an official royal title, a personal castle, tax exemption for life, and the freedom to operate a food business at a national level."
"…"
Reed blinked.
Ariana choked on her drink.
The guild hall went dead silent.
The guild master's beard twitched. "Hold on. We never approved all that."
The elf narrowed his eyes. "The kingdom cannot afford to lose him."
Reed simply tilted his head.
"So let me get this straight…"
He counted on his fingers.
"You're offering me a free castle, tax-free status, and a full royal title… just to keep me registered as an adventurer?"
The elf nodded. "Correct."
Reed thought about it.
Then—
"Yeah, no. Still retiring."
The entire guild hall screamed.