Unofficial Mission

Originally, only a select few individuals were allowed to take on unofficial missions, which were personal requests. These included the upper echelons of the guild requesting personal favors, wealthy nobles capable of lobbying the guild with substantial sums of money, or nobles whose requests were advantageous even without the need for bribery.

However, the current adventurer’s guild ignored those qualifications, accepting any missions from people deemed capable of paying the proper reward. This was necessary to keep adventurers from leaving, even if it meant giving them dangerous work.

"...More unofficial missions are coming in than official ones."

The head of the guild’s royal capital branch was troubled, staring at the list of missions. His fleshy chin, covered with scars from his past adventurer days, twitched. The branch head picked up a paper with thick fingers, densely filled with requests.

As the royal family began to suppress the influence of adventurers directly, dissatisfaction among guild-affiliated adventurers grew day by day.

"Why even bother paying membership dues to the guild if we're just going to be picking herbs in the mountains?" "At this rate, I might as well enlist and work as a lowly soldier." "If we can't even take on escort missions anymore, what missions are left for us?" "Leaving only these impossible tasks is just the same as telling us to stop working altogether."

Complaints were heard dozens of times each day, and about a quarter of those complaining actually left the guild. The bad rumors about the guild spread even to adventurers who had no particular grievances.

New recruits dwindled, while the number of withdrawals increased daily. To maintain their numbers, the guild was forced to accept people who didn't meet their usual qualifications.

As a last resort, they decided to take on more unofficial missions. While this quelled some of the adventurers' dissatisfaction, the problem was growing too large to ignore.

"At this rate, it's only a matter of time before the royal capital steps in and imposes direct sanctions."

Unofficial missions were illegal. However, they operated within a gray area of the law—just enough to avoid being caught by inspectors, or solved with a bribe. In some cases, even the inspectors couldn’t do anything about the matters at hand.

For now...

"Phew."

The branch head could only hope that the inspector would overlook the current situation, considering past camaraderie and the guild’s dire straits. Of course, such a thing was highly unlikely.

"...I'll think about it later."

The branch head began reading through the newly updated mission list, wondering what kind of filthy, greedy jobs would be listed this time.

"What is this?"

His frown deepened as he read through the list.

"Surveillance, minor sabotage... kidnapping? And why is the reward like this?"

The missions themselves weren’t much different from usual, but the reward was far from appropriate for the nature of the work.

"...Hold on."

The branch head, who had been in the guild for a long time, squeezed his brain to search for a commonality among the well-paying missions.

"...Is this royal work?"

Nobles must have been on high alert.

The branch head pictured the royal palace in chaos: Count Bening forming alliances with the Magic Tower, taking control of the court, quietly killing a few court nobles, absorbing remaining factions, and eliminating those he couldn't subdue.

"If this were really people under Count Bening’s influence, they wouldn’t have approached us at all."

Not many people could contact the adventurer’s guild while risking Count Bening’s wrath, especially as tensions continued to mount in the kingdom.

Or perhaps they were simply unaware of the situation.

The branch head mentally categorized adventurers to assign to some of the nobles whose names he didn’t recognize. If he picked the wrong ones, they could easily lose their lives.

"I can’t send anyone too skilled."

He would have to choose adventurers after seeing their faces.

Having come to this conclusion, the branch head picked up the list and stood. As he left his office, the guild's headquarters was noticeably noisier than usual. The guild was always a bustling place, but this noise was far from the usual cheerful racket.

"Ah, Branch Head..."

An employee working at the reception desk quickly approached the branch head, looking relieved, as if they had been searching for him. The sound of the employee's shoes tapping against the floor was drowned out by the guild's clamor.

"What’s going on?"

When the branch head asked about the commotion on the first floor, the employee shook their head, clearly uncertain, but their face showed signs of distress.

"A guest has arrived, but they're insisting on seeing you directly, without giving any reason." "A guest?" "Yes. I told them to wait for now..."

The employee said this, expressing concern about sending the guest straight to the branch head without knowing who they were.

"So that’s why it’s so noisy."

Of course, the adventurers weren’t making a fuss out of concern for the branch head—they were just curious.

"What should we do, Branch Head?" "...Send them up."

The branch head, assuming it was someone new to making requests, handed the mission list to the employee. The employee took the list and nodded hesitantly.

"Understood."

Watching the employee’s retreating back, the branch head sighed. The situation in the capital was growing increasingly complicated. The person who had come to see him was surely just another noble's pawn, keeping an eye on the situation.

"If only I could get out with just a little profit."

The branch head muttered to himself, knowing full well that he wasn’t the one holding the sword. At the first sign of trouble, he would be walking a tightrope, risking his head.

"Let’s hope I can."

"You seem to be worrying quite a bit, Branch Head of the royal capital adventurer’s guild."

A chill ran down the branch head’s spine as he stepped back. The man who spoke like an old man, despite his much younger appearance, stood before him, smiling.

"...Who are you?"

The branch head asked cautiously, not letting his guard down. There was no hostility from the guest. Rather, the branch head was so overwhelmed by the man’s aura that he couldn’t read any intentions at all.

"I just have a quick question about a request."

The guest’s demeanor was casual, as if visiting a neighbor. The branch head grew even more suspicious of his lighthearted attitude.

"You don’t seem like someone who needs to come to the guild for a mission."

"Ah, if we’re going to have a long conversation, wouldn’t it be better to talk somewhere more private?"

The branch head was about to respond to the man’s suggestion when he caught a glimpse of the emblem on the man’s chest, partially revealed beneath his cloak.

"...Could it be?"

"Yes, shall we find a quiet place to talk?"

A single, elegant flower adorned with silver and platinum—a symbol reserved only for those connected to the royal family.

The branch head’s eyes trembled at the sight.

 

"I don’t want anyone in here. Unless there’s a fire and we need to evacuate, don’t let anyone in until I call for you. Understand?"

The branch head barked orders at the unfortunate employee. Seeing the branch head’s pale face and the guest’s calm demeanor, the employee hesitated before finally nodding and retreating.

The branch head’s large frame sank into the worn sofa in his office, which creaked under his weight.

"Phew..."

The branch head’s mind refused to accept the situation at hand. The man, now seated on the opposite sofa, his expression unreadable, had openly displayed the royal family’s emblem. Should the branch head speak first, or wait and see what the guest wanted to say?

The branch head’s mind raced, considering all possible scenarios.

"Why are you overthinking so much? It’s written all over your face."

If you were in my shoes, wouldn’t you be doing the same? the branch head thought. The guest chuckled, as if he could read the branch head’s mind.

The branch head took out a handkerchief and wiped his face, even though he wasn’t sweating. It was a habit he had when stressed. Seeing this odd behavior, the guest waited until the branch head finally spoke.

"What’s the meaning of that emblem?"

"It’s exactly what it looks like. There’s no point in pretending otherwise."

The branch head was practically gasping for breath. Amused by this, the guest let out a quiet laugh. The branch head, however, was close to bursting with frustration at the man’s casual attitude.

"But why are you wearing that here?"

"I told you—I needed a quiet place to talk. If I hadn’t revealed my identity, you would’ve kept me waiting in the hallway forever."

The branch head let out another long sigh, losing track of how many times he had done so. Just how many people could walk into the adventurer’s guild wearing the royal family’s insignia? Royal guards directly under the king? Perhaps even royal relatives?

While the branch head’s thoughts were tangled, the guest's demeanor shifted, signaling that it was time to get to the point. Sensing this change, the branch head straightened up and focused on what the guest had to say.

"Fine, I apologize for showing up unannounced. I had reasons for not giving advance notice, and I’m sure a sharp man like you understands."

Hearing this, the branch head was convinced that this guest wasn’t here to cause harm to the guild or himself.

"...You’re not one of Count Bening’s people, are you?"

"How disappointing. Who would’ve thought the day would come when we had to turn to the likes of you?"

The guest laughed self-deprecatingly.

"It seems you’re confident that I’m on the king’s side."

The guest didn’t react to this blatant provocation, nor did he upend the table or shout in anger. Instead, he calmly accepted it.

"At the very least, I know you aren’t siding with Bening."

Considering the fact that the adventurer’s guild continued accepting unofficial missions despite pressure from Bening, it would be strange to think they were aligned with him. Even so, the branch head didn’t nod in agreement and instead shook his head.

"The adventurer’s guild never acts rashly."

The branch head regained his composure. The initial intimidation he had felt was fading, leaving only the experienced negotiator and seasoned adventurer.

"I know. The adventurer’s guild isn’t confined to just our country. But conversely, how long do you think the protection of the guilds across the continent will last? If they fully seize power and begin to pressure other great nobles, do you think they’ll be able to keep you safe?"

The guest shrugged. The branch head, as if struck by the truth, hunched his shoulders slightly.

"Now isn’t the time for leisurely tightrope walking, Branch Head."

"I misspoke."

"…Of course, I don’t expect you to change your mind just yet, but I hope I’ve instilled a sense of caution."

"No. Let’s hear what you have to say first."

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the branch head agreed to hear the guest out. The guest smiled, satisfied that the branch head was at least halfway on board.

"Alright, let’s get to the request. Though I’m not sure if you’d even call it a request."

What kind of mission would this mysterious guest have? The branch head swallowed hard, his throat bobbing. The guest tapped the table with his fingers.

"I want you to find someone. Likely an adventurer."

Find someone? Through the adventurer’s guild?

The branch head frowned, voicing a single possibility.

"Is this a designated request?"

"Well, you could say that."

The guest nodded in acknowledgment.

"Who are you looking for?"

"An adventurer without a name."

The branch head let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. The guest’s eyes gleamed.

"I hope you’re not going to tell me you don’t know."

"No, I know. It’s just… I didn’t expect you to be asking about someone who’s only famous within the guild."

"The royal family’s eyes and ears aren’t completely blind. We know what we need to. And the guild doesn’t know everything, either, does it?"

An adventurer without a name.

Someone who had solved requests deemed impossible for an individual to complete, always appearing at the guild with their hood pulled low.

"If you know this much, then you must also understand that they aren’t someone you can just find when you want to."

"If I could have found them on my own, I wouldn’t be here asking for your help. I’ve followed the few leads I had."

Many adventurers refused to reveal their names, but it wasn’t hard to find out information if you dug deep enough.

But this nameless adventurer was different.

There was no name, no age, not even a face. It was almost unbelievable how thoroughly they covered their tracks. The branch head remembered the adventurer clearly, showing up out of the blue with the remains of some monster, claiming it as their kill.

"I heard they completed a request not long ago."

"So you rushed over here."

The guest nodded in confirmation.

"Who knows when they’ll show up again?"

"It doesn’t matter. When they return to the guild, there’s no need to contact me..."

The guest pulled an envelope from his cloak.

"Just deliver this letter to them."

The envelope had no markings whatsoever. The branch head knew better than anyone not to open it. He took the envelope and fell silent for a long moment, calculating what might happen and how it would affect the guild.

"...Are you sure this won’t come back to bite us?"

After all his internal calculations, that was the only question the branch head could muster. The guest, generous as ever, answered sincerely.

"The adventurer has never revealed their identity, and no one knows who I am. I understand your concerns, but you don’t have to worry about that."

With that, the guest rose from his seat.

"So, just do what you usually do."

Leaving those words behind, the guest exited the branch head’s office. The branch head was left staring blankly at the sealed envelope in his hands.

Until the nameless adventurer returned to the guild, the branch head could only hope that the envelope would remain as tightly sealed as the walls of the capital.