Chapter 281: Requirements Met I

In a brightly lit study...

Regis was currently looking through various paper documents when a knock suddenly snapped him out of his trance.

Knock— Knock—

"Please come in."

Creak—

"Oh, Aurelia! How have you been?"

Regis was pleasantly surprised as he smiled.

Hearing his words, Aurelia rolled her eyes, "What do you mean, how have I been? I was just here yesterday!"

"Oh, really? I must’ve forgotten—"

"Enough with the jokes! Equilla had just arrived from their quest! We need you there."

At her words, Regis’s expression immediately turned serious as he stood up.

"Let’s go."

The two of them then gathered Pandora and Killian, who were doing their own thing, before setting off from their house.

***

In the Harmonia City Branch of the Adventurer’s Guild...

The lobby was packed with people— both veteran and aspiring adventurers— as usual when the double door of the building shot open.

Three figures entered, their bodies filled with bandages.

Seeing them, the adventurers could not help but discuss among themselves.

"An elf with black hair? How rare..."

"Right? That beastkin looks a little strange with her blindfold as well..."

"And that man with them, what race is he? He looks like a dwarf, but he’s huge..."

"Wait... An elf, a beastkin, and a tall dwarf?"

"Are they the new party under the Angelic Devil?"

"Now that you mention it..."

...

As the adventurers talked amongst themselves animatedly, it did not take them long before they realized the identities of the people who had just entered the premises.

That was right, they were none other than Equilla.

Marzana led the party with the blindfolded Aeola beside her.

Behind them, Raxon was carrying a large sack over his shoulder.

The three had bandages in various parts of their bodies, a testament to the arduous quest and the battle they had just gone through.

As they reached the reception, the staff, seeing their faces, immediately went forward.

"I’ll guide you to the Branch Leader." The reception staff was like Aeola, a beastkin.

The only difference was the fact that, unlike her, the staff had bear ears and a round tail behind her.

***

An hour or so later...

Regis, Aurelia, Pandora, and Killian entered the premises of the Adventurer Guild as well.

Noticing this, another reception staff member led the way until they reached the office of the Branch Leader.

"I wonder how they are..."

Regis could not help but think out loud on the way.

After all, it had already been almost a month since Equilla had departed for their first and last quest before the requirements for the corporation were completed.

Beside him, Aurelia shook her head, "I wasn’t able to get a glimpse of them earlier. It’s just that one of the guards sent information that Marzana and the others had already arrived at Harmonia."

"I think they’ll be fine. Since they’re all quite strong!" Killian had a relaxed expression on his face.

Meanwhile, Pandora only remained silent.

It did not take long before they arrived at the Branch Leader’s office.

Creak—-

AS the door opened, what greeted Regis and the others’ sight made them feel a myriad of emotions.

Relief. Worry. Pride.Curiosity, and the like...

Relief that they had returned alive.

Worry due to their bodies being covered with bandages.

Proud that they were able to accomplish their quest.

Curiosity about what they had gone through and what was inside that large sack.

Aurelia was the first one to enter, followed by Pandora.

They immediately approached Marzana and Aeola to check on their situations.

Seeing their body almost all covered by bandages, they could not help but worry as they whispered, ""Are you guys okay?""

Marzana maintained her calm expression and nodded, "Thank you for the concern."

"Hic..."

However, Aeola was not able to stay composed like her as she could not help but let out a quiet sob.

Still, she gritted her teeth and endured it— making sure that not a sound leaked from her.

Meanwhile, Killian patted Raxon’s shoulder.

Even though the dwarven giant was already sitting, Killian still had to tiptoe a little bit to reach his shoulders.

However, just like Aeola, Raxon could not help but tear up a little bit.

His tall and muscular body seemed to shrink in this instance as his eyes gave off an exhausted light.

Seeing his party members comforting the others, Regis nodded apologetically towards the Branch Leader.

"We apologize for barging in like this..."

Clearly, the Branch Leader saw Regis as someone close to him as he dismissively waved his hand, "No need to worry about that. It’s not like we’re strangers."

"Besides, I was about to contact you earlier due to our findings."

Knowing what the Branch Leader was implying, Regis patted Pandora on the shoulder and left his party members, along with Equilla, on the nearby couches as he sat down across from the Branch Leader at his desk.

"So, what you’re saying is...’ Regis waited for the Branch Leader to continue.

As expected, the Branch Leader nodded with a heavy expression, "Yes, Equilla had found traces of a portal to the Demon Realm around the Yoktir Swamp. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to locate the portal..."

"Well, they shouldn’t be required to, are they not? The requirements of the quest were merely to investigate the reason behind the disappearance of creatures in that area. I feel like they’ve made enough contributions regarding the matter..."

Regis spoke in a respectful manner, though he emphasized the word "feel".

The Branch Leader seemed to be taken aback as he shook his head and raised both of his hands, "No, you misunderstood me. Of course, Equilla’s contributions are already enough. I was just carried away by my emotions. But seriously, it’s not like you don’t know me..."

Seeing his sincerity, Regis could not help but smile, "I’m sorry, I just get worked up when it comes to my people, you know?"

"Totally understandable! Anyway, we’re planning to report this directly to the Harmonia City Council to ensure that they will be able to make the necessary preparations as well."

Regis felt that it was only normal and nodded, "Understood."

The two of them kept conversing while the others were sitting silently on the couches near the door.

After all, even though Marzana, Aeola, and Raxon were all more mature than others their age, the experiences they had gone through for their first quest really shocked them.