Chapter 76 - Chapter 75: The Capital's Adventurer's Guild
Wind Day of Week 2, Month of Water 1.
It was the fourth day since the academy in the capital had begun.
During afternoon classes, the homeroom teacher was explaining the history of magic and the Divine Miracle.
Mika's class homeroom teacher was a woman in her late thirties named Colina.
She was a person who carried a sharp atmosphere, very similar to Dagny from the academy in the Leventein domain.
Mika had been imagining on his own that Dagny must have been like this in the past as well.
The academy classes were currently mostly theoretical study.
Aside from that, there was training in manipulating magic power.
All the children in this class could already manifest Physical Enhancement.
Well, there were still some children who could only do "manifesting," but they were all children who had received the necessary education at regional academies for two years.
Therefore, the lesson content assumed knowledge gained at regional academies.
By the way, it seemed that the group entering at age ten had a schedule like the Leventein academy, with training in the morning and physical exercise in the afternoon.
In the dormitory, one could see a group of children slumped over every day at dinner time.
Mika and the others were watching them with nostalgic feelings, thinking, "We were like that at first."
"...It is said that this was the world's first Divine Miracle. Many people will know the name of the Saint Hildinlander, as he appears in legends and the myths of the Church of Light."
Since enrolling until today, there had not been a single moment for physical exercise.
Instead, this history lesson was being conducted.
Honestly, I was starting to think, "Please let me vent through exercise soon."
At first, I hated the exercise time so much, but how things change.
What Colina was explaining now was less about magic and the Divine Miracle, and more like the history of the Church of Light.
A story about a Saint who used the Divine Miracle for the first time, back in the ancient days, three thousand five hundred years ago.
The Saint of the Church of Light, Hildinlander.
The first saint.
The first user of the Divine Miracle.
It seemed the history of the Church of Light itself was even older, but it appeared that the furthest one could trace back with ancient documents was to this point.
Hildinlander seemed to be a great figure in the Church of Light, and it was said that this person was granted the power of miracles by the gods, marking the beginning of the Divine Miracle.
After that, Hildinlander's disciples learned the Divine Miracle and passed it down continuously for three thousand five hundred years through oral tradition and the like.
Now, the system of the academy is established and teaches it, but in the past, they passed it down quietly.
Because of this, it seems there are quite a few Divine Miracles that have been lost.
While their existence is known through ancient documents, there are many Divine Miracles whose incantations for manifestation have been lost, making them unusable.
It seemed that research to revive these lost Divine Miracles was being undertaken by the nation as a whole even now.
(Lost Divine Miracles... that's really intriguing! It sounds cool, with an image of being amazing.)
In games, obtaining such lost powers in the late game and challenging the final dungeon or final boss is a standard setting.
Just imagining such a setting made Mika feel excited; perhaps he was addicted to games?
(Well, right now we haven't even been taught all the transmitted Divine Miracles, only Physical Enhancement... They could teach us much more.)
Perhaps fearing information leaks or misuse, the nation was quite cautious about teaching the Divine Miracle.
If a rebellion were started using this power, it would undoubtedly be a catastrophe, and if it were used to overthrow the royal family, it would be unbearable.
Nevertheless, since there was a clear enemy nation, the Gronoir Empire, powerful weapons and soldiers were necessary.
The current magic academy was likely the crystallization of that kind of dilemma.
(Hildinlander, huh...)
Did this person create the Divine Miracle?
Mika thought of the Divine Miracle as a kind of program.
He didn't know if it was created by someone else or by Hildinlander, but he was drawn to the mechanism of the Divine Miracle itself.
(To work seriously on this, should I become a researcher? ...But no, I'm not that smart.)
As for Mika's first choice for the future, it was to be an adventurer.
However, there were other things that interested him, and he felt he wanted to try his hand at the mechanisms of the Divine Miracle and alchemy as well.
(Well, it's fine to have many dreams while still a child.)
Eventually, the reality of "soldier" would come whether he liked it or not.
He was searching for ways to avoid that, but he would not narrow down future possibilities to just one thing right now.
(It's a moratorium period, after all. I'll make good use of the six years I have to attend the capital academy.)
Thinking such things, Mika was attending the class somewhat absentmindedly.
■■■■■■
Sun Day of Week 2, Month of Water 1.
Mika had been walking along the main street of the capital since morning.
"Haaah...."
This week had been a terribly stressful one.
It was fine that he had beaten up those eight idiots.
But the instruction from Marquis Leventein to "keep distance from Cleiria" was grinding away at Mika's mental strength.
Every day, Mika sat in an empty seat near the classroom entrance.
Since everyone in the Leventein Group sat together, the flow became to sit near Cleiria, whose seat was empty.
Probably, being late on the first day had hurt him.
Because of Mika, the atmosphere in the class had become like, "They are from the same hometown, so they must know each other."
Cleiria probably realized that Mika was sitting at a deliberately distant seat.
Every day, she looked at Mika with sad eyes.
While receiving such painful gazes, he pretended not to notice and attended the class.
(...I'll hate you, Marquis (old man).)
It was Mika who made Cleiria look like that.
He knew that, but there was nothing Mika could do.
How terrifying the consequences would be if he went against the Marquis's instructions.
There would probably be no immediate effect.
But if even the slightest trigger occurred, he would easily crush Mika using immense influence.
And that would extend to his family as well.
As for Mika, he could not choose to unilaterally break the instruction from the Marquis.
Mika arrived in front of the guild and peeked inside.
It was emptier than when he passed by the other day, but much more crowded than the guild in Sarbengeal.
For now, he decided to go inside.
The floor and the counter were wide, the floor was sparkling, and there were almost no scratches.
Even though the branch was newly built, it must have been several years since then, yet it was so clean that one would believe if told, "It opened last month."
Mika looked around near the entrance.
(The request bulletin board is over there. Is that a bar counter over there? Which one is the pickup window for gathered items...?)
For now, today's goals were to grasp the inside of the guild, check the request sheets, and confirm the fixed-fee quests.
As Mika looked around the guild, an old man he recognized walked toward him.
"Yah, good morning, Mika-kun. I was waiting for you. It seems you arrived in the capital safely."
It was Chirensta, whose trademark was a dark mustache.
Wasn't it said that he had become the Vice Branch Manager?
"Good morning, Chirensta-san. I just came to take a look. Ah, should I have submitted the card beforehand?"
"Yes. Since the base has changed from Sarbengeal to the capital, it would be helpful if you reported changes to contact information."
However, Mika would not receive any special contact from the guild.
It seemed that when a named request came in, the guild would contact him to "come out as soon as possible."
It also seemed that famous adventurers would receive contact from the guild, but that was a story unrelated to Mika.
"I stopped by for a bit yesterday evening, and it was incredibly crowded. I had heard about it, though."
When Mika said that, Chirensta smiled bitterly.
"I had heard about it too, but I didn't think it would be like this. The Branch Manager is asking me for a solution... but if it's simply because there are too many adventurers, telling me to do something about it..."
Chirensta looked resigned.
It seemed that for over ten years, the trend of increasing adventurers in the capital had been accelerating.
Since District 3 was expanding rapidly, it was probably just that the population of the capital had increased, rather than the number of adventurers increasing specifically.
If one considered that a certain percentage of the population were adventurers, then if the capital's population increased, the number of adventurers increasing was natural.
And in this wide capital, there had only been one adventurer's guild in the past.
Now they had added branches, but still only two.
(The capital's population is 10 to 20 million. Even if the adventurer ratio is 0.1%... that's 10,000 to 20,000 people. Of course they can't handle it.)
Even if divided neatly between the two branches, over 5,000 adventurers would be using one branch.
They wouldn't use it every day, but it wasn't something that could be finished with a simple signing workflow.
For quest request sheets, one must check the details carefully, or it becomes a source of trouble.
Since they had to report acceptance and check details, it naturally took some time.
Since each case took time, fixing this would not be easy.
"Can't we add more branches? It seems the number of branches is insufficient for the number of users."
"That would be impossible right away. We need to secure a certain amount of space, so in District 2, it's hard to find land with such good conditions."
"District 2? Do we have to be in District 2? What about District 3?"
Securing land would be easy in District 3.
"District 3 is no good. ...The reason is, I can't say it just yet."
It seemed there was a reason.
Was it the guild's policy, a legal issue, or something else?
Mika had no idea.
(But if we can't add branches, we'll have to improve efficiency. I don't know how much time per case can be reduced, though.)
There were limits to dealing with it by improving efficiency.
"Hmm...."
Mika crossed his arms and rested his chin on his hand, pondering.
If the number was huge, even a slight increase in efficiency would have a large effect.
Daily number of users, time required per counter task, breakdown of reasons adventurers used the guild, and so on.
The guild counter handled various tasks, and how to process them was the question.
Without details, it was difficult to come up with ideas for efficiency improvements.
Right now, Mika simply lacked information.
Without grasping the current situation, there was no way a solution would appear.
Mika looked up at Chirensta.
"...Chirensta-san. If it's alright..."
Mika proposed that to Chirensta.
Mika stood at the inner edge of the counter, arms crossed, leaning against the wall.
He watched the counter work like that.
Rosalinde, who had moved to the capital with Yunressa, was waving her hands vigorously at Mika.
(You're handling the window right now! Do your work, work!)
His head hurt seeing Rosalinde wave at him while ignoring the adventurer in front of her.
(Is she really a combatant, Rosalinde (that person).)
It seemed Yunressa was off today, so greeting her would have to wait.
Mika decided to check the work content from inside the counter for now.
The guild staff occasionally looked at Mika with curiosity, wondering what he was doing, but he smiled and let them pass.
Since Chirensta came by occasionally to speak with Mika, the staff wouldn't say anything if the Vice Branch Manager approved it.
Mika sometimes moved inside the counter, listening to conversations next to the staff currently handling tasks.
Then, without saying anything, he returned to his original position and watched the counter work.
(That Cafeteria Lady and that Cafeteria Lady over there are often approached by other staff during counter work.)
Young staff often went to talk to the two Cafeteria Ladies doing the same counter work.
They were so-called veteran staff, appearing to understand even very detailed aspects of requests.
They were asked questions by young staff and explained, including past cases, while doing counter work themselves.
"Fuu... hmm...."
At the nearest counter window, a rookie adventurer was asking the staff about the card pooling function.
It seemed registration was already complete, so after asking only about the card functions, they left.
"Hmm...."
When Mika made a complicated face, Chirensta came over.
"How is it, Mika-kun? Did you figure anything out?"
When Chirensta had first heard Mika say he wanted to watch the work inside the counter for improvement proposals, he showed reluctance at first but ultimately agreed.
Normally, permission would not be granted even if an adventurer said they wanted to go inside.
It was proof that he had gained some trust through two years of association in Sarbengeal.
The main reason was probably, "He's still a child, so whatever."
"Yes. There are a few things I'd like to ask, so could I have a little time?"
When Mika said that, he was led up the stairs at the back to the second floor and taken to Chirensta's room, labeled Vice Branch Manager's Office.
He had a private room; this person is quite a high-ranking official now.
By the way, did he have a private room in Sarbengeal too?
Mika was slightly curious about the guild's positions and organizational chart.
Sitting on the sofa in the Vice Branch Manager's Office, tea was served.
This isn't the price of tea one can casually serve in this world.
It was a surprising level of good treatment.
Mika confirmed the items he had noticed while watching the counter work and presented several improvement proposals to Chirensta.
"Beginner Seminar?"
While looking at Chirensta's blank face, Mika nodded firmly.
"What is that?"
"As the name suggests. A seminar to teach basic knowledge to those who are about to start activities as adventurers or those who have just recently started."
"Aren't you answering that normally if asked?"
"Yes. That is one of the causes of the congestion."
Mika had asked various things when he registered as an adventurer, but it seemed most people didn't do that.
If they had a veteran acquaintance, they would just ask that veteran.
But adventurers without such acquaintances had to ask at the guild.
Mika often asked Yunressa various things while processing procedures at the counter, and they were doing the same thing in the capital.
Moreover, it wasn't just as a side effect of processing procedures, but just to hear that story.
And to ask at the guild, one had to line up at the counter every time, which was fueling the congestion.
There were adventurers who tilted their heads, thinking, "Did you really line up just to ask that?"
"It's a matter that could be handled by deciding the day for adventurer registration and explaining, 'Seminar is held at this time on this day. Registration will be done together after the seminar,' all at once, yet they are lining up at the counter one by one."
"But even if explained once, they might forget."
"Wouldn't it be good to post 'Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)' large on an empty space on the wall? 'Please look over there' would suffice. If Sun Day is relatively empty, why not hold the seminar on Sun Day? It would also disperse the users."
"Limiting adventurer registration to only Sun Day? That would surely bring a flood of protests."
"Three or four times a week is fine, but if we think thoroughly about efficiency, once a week might be sufficient for the work. Well, suddenly causing confusion and resistance is likely, so we would need time to inform everyone. However, for the duration of that notification period, the current state would continue."
When Mika cut it off sharply, Chirensta grimaced.
"And what about the information window, or putting the information officer outside the counter?"
"...What is that?"
Chirensta made a face that clearly didn't understand.
"Let's call them living encyclopedias; there are two people who are very familiar with the quest contents."
"Oh, those two who have served at the counter for a long time. They have been working here since there was only the headquarters in the capital; they are our main force. It wouldn't be strange if the counter work had collapsed long ago without them."
Chirensta explained while drinking tea.
"Move those two outside the counter."
"Gurk!? ...Cough... Cough...!"
Chirensta spat out his tea.
It seemed he managed to avoid getting tea on his shirt.
Glad it didn't stain.
"...Cough, cough! ...No, impossible! The counter won't turn over!"
"Is that so?"
Mika tilted his head.
"If adventurers ask for details, we cannot convey accurate information without confirming with them! Wrong information could be related to the adventurers' lives!"
"That life-related information is becoming a bottleneck. If you say confirmation with them is necessary, just let them ask them directly."
"...What do you mean?"
Chirensta made a suspicious face.
"Have them stand next to the bulletin board where the request sheets are posted and let them ask them there on the spot. There is no need to line up at the counter. Only adventurers who need procedures line up at the counter. Simple confirmations can be handled by 'Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).' For request sheet details, ask them directly."
The congestion happened because everyone coming to the guild was handled at the counter.
If they processed them quickly according to the purpose, the congestion wouldn't disappear, but it should be alleviated significantly.
Mika had initially thought the flow of staff and adventurers was bad, but it was a problem before that.
Adventurers who didn't need to use the counter were lining up at the counter.
Of course it would be crowded.
"Although there are simply many users, let's quickly finish the business and send away adventurers who just want to ask or confirm. The counter work will also become more efficient as the trouble of going to confirm one by one is saved."
Even on a Sun Day, which was said to be relatively empty, it was like this.
One could not help but sympathize with the staff in charge of the counter on weekdays.
Listening to Mika's words, Chirensta made a difficult face.
Both proposals were quite drastic axes.
To carry them out, considerable resolve would be required.
Mika's proposals were things that were considered and handled from the start in his original world.
The fact that they weren't even doing that caused such severe congestion.
Well, they probably walked the same path in his original world before being handled.
"When I registered as an adventurer, they did it right there on the spot and taught me various things, which was a help. But in the current capital, even people in the same position as me cannot get a proper explanation. Why not try it for the sake of the adventurers, not just for the guild and staff?"
Mika tried changing his approach to persuade Chirensta.
Probably, such a large change would cause confusion and trouble for the adventurers, which was a sticking point.
But if it was for the sake of the adventurers, temporary confusion should be acceptable.
As Mika stared at Chirensta, he could see strength entering his eyes.
"Indeed. You are right, Mika-kun. I will immediately discuss it with the higher-ups."
Saying that, Chirensta stood up and said he would go explain to the Branch Manager immediately.
Mika was led back to the first-floor floor by the guild staff and decided to finish his own business.
"............................ I should have asked Chirensta-san for flexibility...."
Looking at the line of adventurers queuing in front of the counter, a sigh involuntarily escaped.
It wasn't a snake-like line, but quite a number of people were lined up.
He had to hand over his guild card to the counter to change contact information and get a list of fixed-fee quests.
Mika sighed again, "Haaah...," and slowly joined the end of the line.