Chapter 2: Ren's New Goal
The royal knights who had visited Clausel departed the town the following morning, but not before offering one last round of sword instruction.
That afternoon—
“A report just came in from your village,” Lazard said as he called Ren to his office.
“There’s also a letter from your parents. You should read it.”
“Thank you!”
In short, the letter reported that the village’s recovery was going smoothly, and life there was gradually becoming more prosperous compared to before.
The funds from selling the materials of the Sheefulfen had played a role in that improvement.
When Ren’s parents had visited Clausel, he had insisted that all the money be used for the village’s restoration.
Although they had initially refused, saying, That money belongs to you, Ren, he had reasoned, I’m a member of the Ashton family too, so this is the right thing to do.
In the end, his parents had been persuaded and reluctantly agreed.
"The village isn’t completely back on its feet yet, so leave the rest to us and the baron!"
It wasn’t a phrase meant to push him away.
"Mireille and I will do our best. We’ll hurry and rebuild the village so that we can live together again!"
"Of course, if you’ve come to like Clausel, you can always stay there too!"
Roy and Mireille also repeatedly apologized for their helplessness.
Considering the chaos that had unfolded in the spring, their concerns were perfectly reasonable.
It was obvious that staying in Clausel was safer and better for Ren’s future.
As parents, their words were only natural.
Roy had always respected Ren’s independence, but he was still a father.
He couldn’t help but wish for his son’s safety.
Ren, too, had thoughts of his own.
(If my presence could bring danger, then maybe I shouldn’t return to the village…?)
Viscount Given harbored an unusual obsession with him.
If Ren hadn’t been there, things might never have escalated the way they had.
It was a painful realization, but thinking of his family and the villagers helped him suppress that feeling.
“So, Ren, what do you want to do from here?”
Lazard’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“You’re free to stay in Clausel until you inherit your family’s title. You’re also welcome to serve as a knight here.”
“I… um…”
“…I see. If something’s on your mind, go ahead and say it.”
Lazard’s voice was calm and gentle, carrying the weight of a man with a broad perspective.
Ren regretted that he hadn’t been able to completely hide his emotions.
But at this point, there was no use keeping silent.
After hearing him out, Lazard let out a heavy sigh.
“So that’s what’s been troubling you.” Lazard said.
And continued,
“I actually spoke with Roy about this before. He’s worried that with your talent, you might be targeted again. If it were just monsters, that would be one thing. But when nobility is involved, it gets much more complicated. That’s why he asked me to take you in as a knight in Clausel.”
It had happened when Ren’s parents visited Clausel.
“I answered him based on what I believe is best for you. If you choose to stay in Clausel, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you. At the same time, I’ll send new knights to your village and make arrangements for the Ashton family’s future if you don’t have any siblings. Your name is far more well-known than before. That much is certain. However, since the House of Clausel is rumored to be connected to Marquis Ignat, there may be fewer people willing to move against you openly.…But that’s no guarantee.”
“…I understand.”
“Right now, it seems like you’re prioritizing your parents and the villagers over yourself.”
“I think so, too.”
“This is just my personal opinion, but I don’t think you need to rush into any decisions about the future. Stay in Clausel until you find the answer you’re looking for..For now, just take it slow until the village is fully rebuilt.”
Lazard’s words were considerate of Ren’s feelings.
“I wish I could become strong enough to handle everything myself someday… but that’s probably too much to ask from the son of a mere knight.”
Ren scratched his cheek, half-joking.
But Lazard didn’t laugh.
Instead, he looked him straight in the eye and said—
“It’s not impossible. All you have to do is become someone even the greatest nobles find unreasonable to oppose.”
“…The only way I can think of doing that is by marrying into the royal family and gaining authority.”
“That would be difficult in its own way. But that’s not what I meant.”
Before Ren could voice his confusion, Lazard spoke.
A declaration, sudden and unexpected.
“——Become a Sword King.”
Ren felt as though something had gripped his heart at those words.
“Sword King... Wait, Lord Lazard!? You mean that!?”
“That’s right. The five greatest swordsmen in the world.”
“No, I mean...! Sword King...!”
“As you know, the five Sword King are not bound to any nation. They act of their own volition. One of them does serve the Emperor, but only because she chooses to.”
According to the legend of the Seven Heroes, there was a single Sword King strong enough to challenge one of those legendary figures. That person was the very same woman Lazard had just mentioned—the Sword King who served the Emperor.
But even in the game, she was an opponent that could only be defeated if the protagonists had reached their absolute limit—and even then, only with a bit of luck.
(And even then, it’s said she’s holding back significantly...!)
Still, if Ren wanted to master the way of the sword, it might be a more realistic goal than marrying into the royal family... but simply wanting to become a Sword King wasn’t enough.
“It’s rare to see you so flustered, Ren. Regardless, I see no harm in honing your skills, don’t you agree?”
“Well... I suppose so.”
“That’s why there’s no need to rush your decision for the future.”
Which led naturally to Lazard’s next words.
“For now, at least until the village is fully restored, you should stay in Clausel. I would welcome it, and I’m sure Lishia would be pleased as well.”
For the moment, Ren had no reason to object to that.
If it were possible, he’d love to become a Sword King. But that was easier said than done.
“You could train with Lishia under Weiss’s guidance. Or you could gain experience as a knight while looking toward the future. As for your living expenses, you needn’t worry. I will take full responsibility for your care.”
“That’s very generous of you, but I don’t want to just sit around. I’d like to find some kind of work.”
“Well, well... You’re as stubborn as your father.”
“My father, sir?”
“Yes. When I offered to supply magic tools to Ashton Village to aid in its recovery, he refused, saying that I had already done enough.”
Hearing that he resembled his father filled Ren with a quiet sense of pride.
Lazard, noticing his expression, offered a suggestion.
“If you’re determined to work, I have something in mind. A task similar to what you did in your village.”
“You mean... hunting monsters?”
“Precisely. You understand the dangers that arise when their numbers grow unchecked. I’ve been meaning to conduct a survey of the local monster population.”
The job would involve observing and documenting the monsters in the area, compiling regular reports, and eliminating them as necessary. Naturally, Ren would be compensated.
And more than that, this was a request from Lazard himself—there was no reason to decline.
“In addition, if you want to take on requests from the Adventurers’ Guild while you’re out, I have no objections.”
That last part caught Ren’s attention.
As the son of a knight in service to House Clausel, he’d never considered earning money as an adventurer.
“If you have any concerns, I’m happy to address them.”
“I suppose... I’m wondering if it’s really acceptable for someone from the Ashton family to work as an adventurer. And how would taxation be handled?”
“This is a personal request from me, so your family name is irrelevant. As for taxes, as long as you sell the materials through the guild, the appropriate amount will be deducted automatically. You’re free to use the rest as you see fit.”
This was all new information to Ren, and he found it quite intriguing.
“For instance, you could use your earnings to buy magic tools and send them to your village.”
“Would that really be okay!?”
“So long as the transaction goes through the guild, I have no reason to interfere.”
In a way, this was like working away from home to send money back.
Knowing that his parents and the villagers would be happy with the arrangement only fueled Ren’s determination.
And since it was a direct request from Lazard, he didn’t feel the need to hold back.
“I just turned eleven recently... Would the Adventurers’ Guild even accept me?”
“There’s no issue. While it’s rare to see children in the guild here, it’s not unheard of. Many take on simple tasks, like finding lost pets or retrieving dropped items, to earn pocket money.”
(I’ll spend some time in this town, experience different things... Maybe then, I’ll figure out what I should do.)
A newfound resolve took shape within Ren’s heart.
“For the record, both Roy and Mireille have already given their permission. When they visited the estate, they laughed, saying that if you chose to stay in Clausel, you’d eventually end up at the guild.”
Ren wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or exasperated by his parents’ foresight.
“That said, both Mireille and I had our concerns. It is dangerous, after all. But Roy said, ‘If my son, who’s stronger than I am, decides to do it, I have no right to stop him.’”
“Haha, that sounds just like my father.”
Ren couldn’t help but smile at how true that was.
“In the end, Mireille and I agreed... on the condition that if you ever act recklessly, I will use my authority to bring you back to the estate.”
Lazard had framed it as a request of his own so that he could keep a close eye on Ren.
“But it’s funny—Father says it’s dangerous, yet he still allows me to fight monsters.”
“I wondered about that as well. But after hearing Roy’s reasoning, I understood.”
Ren had already taken down both the Sheefulfen and the Mana Eater.
Even so, Roy believed noble power was an entirely different matter.
He feared noble influence more than monsters.
But because Ren had been battling monsters since childhood, Roy was confident that his son wouldn’t act recklessly.
“So as long as I don’t do anything foolish, I’m free to take on work outside the town?”
“That’s right. Officially, you’re not an apprentice knight. You’re merely someone I’ve personally employed—a free agent who hunts monsters on the side.”
“I think I understand now. In that case... I’ll head to the Adventurers’ Guild right away.”
“I’ll arrange for someone to accompany you.”
“There’s no need. I know where it is from the map. I’ll be fine on my own.”
“In that case, take this with you.”
Lazard pulled out his coin pouch and handed Ren two silver coins.
“This is 20,000G. Registering for monster-related work costs 15,000G. Use the rest to get yourself a good meal.”
Ren hesitated for a moment, but Lazard was the type to insist until his offer was accepted.
And since the registration fee was unavoidable...
“In that case, I’ll gratefully accept.”
For once, Ren chose to accept the goodwill extended to him.
◇ ◇ ◇
The city of Clausel was built along the natural incline of the terrain, its roads spiraling up toward the top or forming zigzagging switchbacks. From the Clausel estate at the summit, one could take in a full view of the city below.
The Adventurers’ Guild was located not far beyond the city gates, positioned for ease of access and the transport of goods.
Ren set foot in this area for the first time in a long while, recalling the previous commotion.
Along the way, some locals who remembered his face greeted him, and a stall owner even gave him a fruit resembling an apple. Engaging in friendly exchanges with the townspeople, he eventually arrived at the Adventurers' Guild.
"This is the place."
He took in the guild's exterior. At first glance, it was an old wooden building that had clearly seen many years.
The people entering and exiting the guild were all dressed in fantasy-like attire—leather armor, oddly angular bone gear, and some carrying staffs. Among them were those with appearances that differed slightly from ordinary humans.
These individuals were collectively referred to as "Outlanders." Elves like Yelquq fell into this category, as did those with beast-like features or reptilian traits.
With the guild bustling with such people, Ren placed his hand on the door and slowly pushed it open.
A dull creak echoed through the wooden door, revealing the scene inside.
The interior of the Adventurers' Guild featured dark brown solid wood flooring, while white cloth adorned the walls. The ceiling was also made of the same solid wood, with a ceiling fan, seemingly powered by a magical device, spinning above.
One wall was covered with a massive bulletin board.
There was even a tavern inside—an atmosphere that stirred the adventurous spirit within Ren.
(They're all staring at me.)
The adventurers inside all turned their gazes toward Ren in unison.
A woman dressed like a mage, a burly man, and even some Outlanders.
Even the receptionist at the counter was looking at him.
"Hey, isn't that...?"
"Alright, alright, don't stare so rudely."
"But you were staring too."
Ren overheard murmurs among the adventurers but ignored them as he walked past them to the reception counter.
"I'd like to register."
His practiced tone came naturally, as he had gone through this process multiple times in the Legend of the Seven Heroes.
"Understood. However… are you certain about this?"
"Huh? Certain about what?"
"My apologies. What did Baron Clausel have to say about this?"
"It's fine. I just got his permission earlier."
The Adventurers' Guild was a neutral organization with branches all over the world, meaning it usually didn't interfere with the affairs of nations or nobility.
However, due to the impact of the previous incident, the receptionist couldn't help but ask.
"Here's the registration fee. I can read and write, so I don't need an explanation."
"…Are you absolutely sure this is your first time registering?"
"Yes, it is."
"I-I see… You just seemed so accustomed to the process that I had to ask."
Her question was understandable, and she wasn't wrong.
But Ren paid it no mind and simply filled out the required information on the paper she handed him.
(So, this is also a magical device.)
That was one of the reasons why the registration fee wasn't cheap.
The guild shared information across all its branches, using special paper to record and manage adventurer data.
This system was made possible by a magical device developed by one of the Seven Heroes.
That particular hero was said to be a genius magic tool craftsman, and there was even a tale about the guild commissioning the device's development.
"Here you go."
Once he was done writing, Ren turned the paper around and handed it to the receptionist so she could see it easily.
And with that, the process was complete.
Finally, Ren received a card the size of a playing card.
Checking it, he saw his name and the words "G Rank" written on it.
"As for the conditions for rank advancement—"
"I've read about them in books. I also know about the fee for reissuing a lost guild card and that it can only be reissued at a guild branch where my record is stored."
Slipping the card into his pocket, Ren stepped away from the counter.
Since he was here, he decided to check the information posted on the wall.
Looking over the monster reports, he noted that powerful monsters were rare in the Clausel territory.
Even D-rank monsters were listed only a few times, and even then, they were usually located near the borders of other territories or too far away to be considered part of Clausel's jurisdiction.
"…Oh."
Among those D-rank monster reports, a separate listing caught his eye.
It was a report posted at the edge of the board.
"Oh? The Hero himself is interested in that one?"
A voice called out to Ren in a friendly tone.
Turning around, he saw a young, gallant adventurer standing there, accompanied by a wolf-man who appeared to be his companion.
"Hero?"
"Yeah, I'm talking about you. That exchange with that foolish viscount was brilliant."
Unlike the first man, the wolf-man had a much calmer demeanor.
"We were curious about the famous boy everyone was talking about. And since we saw you checking out something interesting, we decided to say hi."
"That's right. But you should probably steer clear of that one."
"Yeah. It's a D-rank monster, but since it doesn’t pose a threat to people unless provoked, it's been left alone. However, if you do engage it, its counterattacks are just as powerful as its rank suggests."
Listening to the two men, Ren nodded knowingly.
(—A Steel-Eating Gargoyle, huh?)
Ordinarily, gargoyles were considered monster-shaped statues.
In this world, however, they were large humanoid monsters with stone bodies and bat-like wings, resembling a fusion of a bat and a dragon.
Most gargoyles were carnivorous, but occasionally, some were born with a diet consisting of metal.
In ancient times, they were named "Steel-Eating Gargoyles" after their habit of consuming human-made weapons.
However, they didn't just eat refined steel—they also consumed naturally occurring ores.
The "Steel-Eating" part of their name was merely a relic of their historical naming.
More notably, they were known for their exceptionally tough bodies and incredible speed in flight.
(…This one is a special variant.)
The experience points and skill proficiency gained from defeating it would be substantial.
Its materials were also highly valuable, and there was even a chance of obtaining a new magic sword.
There was no way Ren could ignore such an opportunity.
That said, he would have to wait until things settled down first.
(But if I’m going to fight it, I should get Lord Lazard’s permission first.)
As Ren left the guild, he decided to write a letter to his parents to inform them about his plans.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
For now, he couldn't tell Lishia about the task Lazard had given him.
He had also decided to keep the guild matter a secret for a little longer—at least until things settled down.
Otherwise, Lishia would undoubtedly insist, "I'm coming with you!"
Perhaps it was because Ren was preoccupied with these thoughts…
"…?"
When he returned to the mansion, Lishia tilted her head, sensing something different about him.
She placed her hands on his cheeks, gently turning his face toward her.
"Are you hiding something from me?"
(—!?)
"Oh? Your eyes wavered just now."
Her keen intuition was terrifying.
"N-No… Not really…"
"Hmm… I see. Then I must’ve been imagining things."
Feeling relieved, Ren chuckled wryly, realizing he might not be able to keep it a secret for long.
A few days after Lishia gave him a suspicious look, she left the mansion for work related to House Clausel.
And then, the day of Ren’s first job finally arrived.
That morning, Lazard had told him.
"You’ll be back late tonight. I look forward to seeing what results you bring."
——.