Rigel raised his right hand and his tamed monster, the Creachadoir bird, flew through the window of the meeting room and landed on his arm. His arm lowered slightly from the weight, but as he was used to it, he did not let out any signs of discomfort.

“Thanks for your hard work, Crecha,” he murmured softly as he stroked the head of the grey bird.

“Coo~” It cooed softly in return as it rubbed its head on his cheeks.

He untied the note on its leg and opened the paper up.

“How is it?”

Rigel turned to look at the russet-haired man with steady eyes. Even though he was also a man, he had to acknowledge that his looks was one that would make women drool. However, the person in front of him now had disheveled hair, stubble and dark eye rings under his eyes. It was a far cry from the well-groomed man he saw two days ago.

Heaving a sigh, Rigel shook his head. “They have not spotted her so far.”

The shadows under Andric’s eyes darkened and his grip on the wooden table tightened. Just as everyone thought that he was going to lash out, he sat back down on the chair wordlessly. Fiore who was sitting beside him casted him a worried look.

“I am sure Miss Elise will be okay. Everyone is working hard to search for her for the past two days. And the Guild Master has went out personally to look for her today. We should be able to find Miss Elise soon,” she comforted.

The Adventurers in the room exchanged looks silently. Although no one said anything, they knew in their heart that the fate of a woman captured by Goblins was… Unpleasant.

Rigel rubbed his temples as he sat back down on his chair. He closed his eyes as he thought back to the events that happened two days ago.

After Rigel and his group had returned back to town, they heard from Reina, the receptionist who was left to look after the Guild, that Elise and Titan had not returned back to the Guild. As they had started off much earlier than the rest of them, it was strange for them to have yet to return, unless they had lost their way or met with an accident. As Titan was an experienced and reliable rank B Adventurer who knew the forest well, it was impossible for him to have lost his way. Hence, the most likely scenario was that the both of them had met with an accident.

Remembering the group of 30 Goblins that had split up from their group of 100, Rigel rubbed his temples. Given the timing and direction, it was most likely that they had met the group while returning back to town. The best thing that he could hope for was that they were able to escape and were hiding in a concealed place now.

He sent out instructions to organise a search party for the both of them immediately. A team of six Adventurers who specialised in fast movement were gathered and sent out. Andric wanted to join them as well, but was promptly stopped and commanded to rest as he had just returned from a serious battle.

When Reuben and Seymour returned, they were worried upon hearing the news, but as they needed to discuss matters with the Mayor, they were unable to wait for news and moved speedily to the Town Council. Only a small group of Adventurers including Andric and Fiore moved to the gates of the town to wait for the search party to return.

They watched silently as guards in full battle gear guarded the gate in shifts. Everyone was on full alert as they had heard from the Adventurer Guild about the happenings in the forest. Goblins were a well known threat for the town, but they only attacked people who enter the forest so it was understandable for them to be wary when they heard that the Goblins had attempted to attack the town in a large group.

Soon after night fell and darkness overcame the land, faint lights started approaching the town from the distance.

All the Adventurers heaved a sigh of relief upon recognising their comrades. However, their feelings of relief were soon overcome by heaviness as the leader of the group walked forward with a bulky item covered by a piece of white sheet.

“This is…” Rigel started uncertainly.

The man heaved a heavy sigh. The five Adventurers behind him all had the same sorrowful look so he could guess what was under the sheet.

“Put it down. Let me take a look,” Rigel commanded.

The man complied, and Rigel walked forward and uncovered the top of the sheet. Upon recognising the identity of the person, he closed his eyes and uttered a simple prayer before he placed the sheet back. The job of an Adventurer was dangerous, so it was not the first time he had seen the fall of a comrade. Even then, it was difficult to not grief for the loss of a bright young man.

He looked at two Adventurers who were standing behind him and gestured for them to take the man away.

“Contact his family and let them know of his passing. If we are unable to contact them, then we will hold his funeral the usual Adventurer way.”

The two men understood what he was talking about and nodded before hoisting the body off the ground.

Once the two men had left, Rigel turned to the leader and asked, “Where did you find him?”

“We found him together with bodies of Goblins in the middle of the forest. It was within the area that we predicted they would have met the group of Goblins.”

“And the girl? Did you find a blonde haired girl?”

The man shook his head. “No. We did not spot a girl around the area. But there were signs of another person together with the Adventurer who have passed away. We picked up this shortbow as well. It seems to be the Guild’s property?” The man asked as he handed over a broken wooden shortbow.

Rigel took over the wooden shortbow and turned it over to see the insignia of the Guild carved into its wooden handle. It was as he said, this shortbow was a property of the Guild.

Seeing this Fiore spoke out, “Miss Elise borrowed one of our bows because she didn't have her own…”

Rigel sighed. What on earth was the Guild Master thinking, bringing a girl who did not even have her own weapon during such an important mission.

“Any other evidences?”

“Assistant Guild Master, we found this dagger embedded in a Forest Wolf,” a female Adventurer with shoulder length auburn hair voiced out and stepped up to hand it over to Rigel.

Rigel turned it around to see if there were any signs that showed its ownership. It was a well crafted cross-hilt dagger with brown leather wrapped around its handle. Even though the blade was covered in dried blood, it still shone silver when fire light reflected of its edges.

“Andric, do you recognise this dagger?” Although he was unsure of the exact relationship between him and Elise, he heard that the both of them were staying in the same inn and were friends. He was also the person whose face had changed the the most upon hearing the news so they should be quite close.

“Yes. This is Elise’s,” Andric replied in a constricted voice. He recognised the dagger as the one that Elise had on her.

“I see,” Rigel replied with a nod.

Addressing the group of six Adventurers in front of him, he said, “As informed earlier, you will be rewarded for your efforts. Please report back to the Guild for the completion of your quest before going back to your inns to rest. Please come back to the Guild tomorrow morning as we will have more quests for you.”

The group of Adventurers nodded before heading off silently; their job done for the day.

Rigel turned to face the two people left behind. Fiore was easy to handle, the problem was with the stony faced man. He ruffled his hair with a hand as he sighed once again. Why does the Guild Master always give him extra work to do?

“Andric, you are an Adventurer so you know how dangerous this job is. At this point, I think we can conclude that Miss Elise has been captured by the Goblins. It is very regretful that such an accident had happened and we will definitely do our part to search for her,” Rigel said solemnly. “However, you are not allowed to enter the forest for the next three days,” he continued after a slight pause.

Andric furrowed his brows and clenched his fists. “Why not?”

“As you might have heard from the Guild Master, we have discovered what should be the base of the Goblins. However, the Goblins number far greater than what we imagine. In order to counter this, we will be striking at them before they hit us.”

He paused for a moment to let the information sink in before continuing, “Three days later, we will gather all the Adventurers and lead a preemptive strike on the base of the Goblins. Although it is slightly earlier than what we have planned, the number of Adventurers we can gather should be sufficient. This is the reason why we need you to rest and save up energy for the battle.”

Looking at Fiore, he added, “The same goes for Fiore as well. You are not to enter the forest either. However, you will be participating in the quest three days later as a B+ Adventurer. Do you have any objections?”

Fiore shook her head. She grew up in this town and loved all of the friendly townsfolk. There was nothing more she could ask for than to be able to protect the people she love.

Andric’s frown deepened, but he did not say anything.

Rigel heaved a sigh upon seeing his reaction but did not add on either.

He had initially believed that the man was calm and had a good control of his emotions. However, seeing the state he was in now, it seems like he was much more affected than he had initially imagined.

Although Andric had adhered to his commands and did not enter the forest, his mind was always elsewhere and his concentration was poor. He would ask for updates every time his Crecha returned back with a message, and each time he told him that there was no updates, he would look as if he died a little inside.

He did not regret his decision to force him to remain in town. However, he could not help but feel in the wrong.

He looked up to study the young man who was staring blankly at his hands.

“Andric. You-”

“I am sorry but you can’t go up just like this-” An urgent female voice came from outside the door.

“... …”

“I’m really sorry. But these are instructions so-”

Hearing that there was a commotion happening outside the door, Rigel walked over to the door and swung it opened.

“Who is disturbing the meeting? Didn’t I order to keep others from coming up to the second level?” He asked in a cold voice.

“Oh? So I am considered ‘others’ now?” A calm and steady voice replied back.

Rigel widened his eyes when he recognised the voice.

Outside, a black haired girl with her hair tied up in a ponytail gave an apologetic look before she stepped aside slowly to reveal the elderly man standing beside the staircase.

The elderly man with snow-white hair was dressed smartly with a long sleeved white shirt and blue vest with matching blue pants. His peridot eyes shone merrily behind a pair of small, round spectacles perched on his high nose.

Rigel immediately lowered his head. “Mr Vilfred, I am honoured with you presence. Please forgive my rudeness.”

The elderly man curled up his thin lips. “I am glad you can still remember an old man like me.”

“Mr Vilfred will always be a distinguished guest in the Adventurer Guild. It is unthinkable for us to forget about you,” Rigel followed up quickly.

“Is that so? Then why wasn't I informed about what is happening in the forest?” Vilfred asked pointedly.

Rigel furrowed his brows and hesitated. “That is… We thought that since Mr Vilfred had retired many years ago, it would be better for us to not disturb you…”

“That is enough,” Vilfred cut in sharply. “I have some words to say. Will it be alright if I enter your meeting room?”

Rigel stepped aside and held out his hand immediately. “Please go on ahead.”

After the elderly man had entered the room, he instructed the black haired girl who was standing uncomfortably outside the door, “Reina, please go and prepare some tea with snacks for us. Fiore, go and help her as well.”

“Sure sure,” Fiore said as she went out and pulled Reina up the staircase to the third level.

*****

The third level contained the living quarters for the the Guild Master and the Assistant Guild Master. As the Guild Master and Assistant Guild Master of each Guild were assigned by the Capital Guild in each country, they were typically not residents in the town they are assigned to. To avoid the trouble of having to rent or buy a separate house, the Capital Guild decided to just build their living quarters in the Guild building itself to save the hassle. Depending on the size of the Guild, the number and type of rooms they will have will differ. For the Wivendale Guild, the third storey living quarters only consisted of two bedrooms with an adjoining bathroom, a small library, as well as a kitchen.

As they were preparing the food in the kitchen, Reina couldn't contain her curiosity and asked, “Who is that elderly man? Why did the Assistant Guild Master lower his head at him?” Although their Assistant Guild Master was always a courteous person, it was the first time she had seen him act so respectfully to someone other than the Guild Master.

“Hmm~ Reina just moved to town a year ago so I guess you wouldn’t know,” Fiore said thoughtfully as she looked at the dark haired sixteen year old girl. Reina had only started working as a Guild Receptionist two months ago and was also currently the youngest receptionist amongst them.

“The elderly man just now was the 1st Guild Master of Wivendale. And in case you don't know, Reuben Wingsley is the 3rd Guild Master for Wivendale Guild,” Fiore explained. “And don’t underestimate him because he has aged. He is a rank A Adventurer as well!”

Reina parted her lips slightly in awe. Rank A Adventurers were a rarity and each and everyone of them could be considered a celebrity. To think that that arrogant old man who refused to listen to her earlier was such an outstanding person when he was younger.

“Do you think that he was good looking when he was young?” She asked wistfully.

“Huh? You like old men?” Fiore asked back with a shocked expression.

Reina immediately shook her head wildly. “I don’t! I’m not like you who like the Guild Master!”

“HUH?” Fiore exclaimed at the top of her lungs. “Who said I like-?” Fiore covered her mouth before she screamed out something she should not.

“Who said something like that?” She hissed.

Reina shrunk back. Although Fiore was usually very friendly, she was aware she would sometimes get violent when she gets excited so she was quite wary of her now.

“It-it was Lily…” She said with a small voice. “She said that you always look very happy when you see him…” Sorry, Lily! She apologised silently towards her other colleague.

“That flowerhead… Just because she has a boyfriend now… Who is she to spread stupid rumours?” She cracked her knuckles as she thought of how to greet her colleague who was coming to work the next day.

Come to think of it, she had not taken back the favour from that time she helped her to cover her duty. This time… She should take it back all at once.

Seeing the wicked grin on Fiore, Reina could not help but wish that she would just melt into the cupboard behind her already.

She really should not have said anything…

I’m really sorry, Lily…

Author's note:

The last scene was... Comic relief? ^_^;

The next chapter will be about Andric as well. Please look forward~