New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Wanted Person

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

It was January 8. I had come to the southeastern forest yesterday and today.

However, the prey was only small game or the Ash Boar. I even visited a place called the courtyard, but I could not find the scaled armor rhinoceros Fatagryno or any larger targets.

Well, according to Harcon and Griffith, such creatures rarely appear, so perhaps it is only natural.

Returning to the base within the forest, I lined up at the purchase counter. In the morning, there had been more than twice as many adventurers as at the start of the year, yet perhaps because it was still before four o’clock, the line was short.

Today’s clerk was someone unfamiliar.

“Six Ash Boars. Present your guild card.” (Clerk)

I handed it over for inspection.

“Leon, Basis general, 15 years old… hmmm.” (Clerk)

“What is it?” (Leon)

“Um, the appraisal will take about an hour, but please wait a moment.” (Clerk)

Her words sounded hesitant. She glanced behind her, flipped through a stack of papers, and nodded.

“So, did you visit the royal city guild branch today?” (Clerk)

“No, I did not.” (Leon)

“I see. Understood. The appraisal information will be sent. Could you visit the branch in person?” (Clerk)

Hm?

“What does that mean?” (Leon)

“I do not know. The reason is not written. The instruction simply states that if the person in question, that is, you Leon, appear at this base, they must be notified.” (Clerk)

My eyebrows drew together involuntarily.

“Do not worry. It does not say to have the clerks detain you. It should not be too bad a matter.” (Clerk)

“Not too bad, I see. I will go and see.” (Leon)

I had no idea why I was being summoned, but I did not need money immediately anyway.

Still, if I cause trouble, I might be restrained by the clerks. I must be careful.

“When you arrive, please report to the main information desk. They will provide a receipt.” (Clerk)

 

—

 

I left the forest and ran toward the city. There was no urgent need, yet it had become a daily routine. The forest was relatively flat, and I could not fire magic art freely, so my body would stiffen.

Within 15 minutes, I reached the edge of the city. I stopped, dusted off my trousers and jacket, and stepped into the street.

I went straight into the guild branch. The main reception was at the center of the hall. There were three people ahead of me, so I joined the line. The adventurer at the front seemed to be in some dispute, gesturing wildly. Another window was closed. It looked like it would take a while.

“Um…” (Leon)

I turned to see a guild clerk standing there.

Her face looks familiar. A woman in her early twenties, fairly attractive… Ah, she was the one who had processed my membership.

“If I am not mistaken, you are Leon-san.” (Clerk)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Even though it had been about two and a half months, she remembered my face well.

“And you have been called here by the guild?” (Clerk)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Very well. Please come this way.” (Clerk)

Was this notice circulating among the clerks?

I went up to the second floor and entered a section I had never visited, walking down a corridor with no adventurers in sight, only guild clerks passing by.

I opened the door to the room marked Reception Room Six and was guided inside.

“Please wait here.” (Clerk)

Inside was a sofa set. I prepared to sit.

“Oh, excuse me.” (Clerk)

“Huh?” (Leon)

“Please sit further in.” (Clerk)

“Very well.” (Leon)

I walked around the table and sat down properly this time.

“Please wait a moment.” (Clerk)

I wondered what I was waiting for.

Well, I have come this far, and this is a reception room. As the base clerks had said, it could not be too serious.

After about five minutes, tea was brought. After just under 10 more minutes, there was a knock and two people entered. They were almost certainly the ones who had summoned me.

I stood.

“Thank you for waiting. I am Alexandra Marquis, in charge of the southern branch.” (Alexandra)

“Leon.” (Leon)

So, she is a woman. For a guild full of rough individuals, that is surprising. Her bright brown hair reaches her chest. She appears to be in her late 30s to early forties, slightly large in stature though not as much as Leah-san. Judging by her family name, she is clearly of noble birth.

“Hmm. Please, have a seat.” (Alexandra)

She bowed lightly and sat.

“Apologies for summoning you, Leon-kun.” (Alexandra)

The branch chief turned to a burly man with a stern face standing behind the sofa.

“Leon. Joined last September. Basis general, rank three, 15 years old. Currently enrolled at the Royal Salomea University, Faculty of Way of Magic.” (Chief)

“What is the matter?” (Leon)

The man behind me glared fiercely.

“To speak plainly, we wish to recruit you as an excellent combat adventurer.” (Chief)

Excellent combat?

“What is that? I do not recall such a rank in the regulations.” (Leon)

“Chief.” (Alexandra)

“Yes.” (Chief)

The man standing behind began to speak.

“Indeed, it does not exist in the general regulations. For superior adventurers, there is an obligation clause of compulsory mobilization. In emergencies, they must follow the guild’s instructions. In return, certain special privileges are provided.” (Chief)

“I see.” (Leon)

“The rank correlates with individual combat strength, but it is primarily determined by contributions to the guild. One can gain rank simply by belonging to a major clan. Conversely, high combat strength without contribution does not yield a superior rank. The guild must prepare for emergencies. Therefore, this system allows us to secure high-combat adventurers separately. Once registered, they receive treatment equivalent to that of superior adventurers.” (Chief)

“So, my personal combat strength is high for a general adventurer.” (Leon)

“Exactly.” (Alexandra)

“I would like to know the basis for such an evaluation.” (Leon)

“The scaled armor rhinoceros Fatagryno you submitted recently is normally too much for three people to handle. Furthermore, the cause of death indicated charring of the head. Undoubtedly, this was due to magic art striking it. However, that alone did not explain how such heat was applied.” (Chief)

He paused and stared at me.

“Upon precise dissection, it was found that heat was similarly applied along the torso in a banded pattern toward the right hind leg. This indicates that a vast electric current passed through that path, resulting in thermal injury. In other words, one of the three of you must have cast electric magic art to finish it.” (Chief)

“Thank you, Chief. That is correct. It was you, Leon-kun.” (Alexandra)

“I understand the basis for the evaluation.” (Leon)

“Fufufu… consider this. Becoming an excellent combat adventurer will be advantageous for your future.” (Alexandra)

“What happens if I refuse?” (Leon)

The branch chief’s smile vanished. She stopped the chief leaning forward with a hand.

“Nothing in particular will change at present.” (Alexandra)

In that case…

“I must decline.” (Leon)

“May I ask your reason, Leon-kun?” (Alexandra)

“The reason is contained in the attributes I just read aloud.” (Leon)

“Hm?” (Alexandra)

“My main duty is that of a university student. Moreover, I receive a scholarship to conduct research. I already bear the responsibility to produce valid results along that line.” (Leon)

“That is strange. Then, why did you join the Adventurer Guild? It seems contradictory.” (Alexandra)

“In magic art research, verification is essential. In other words, defeating magic beasts and obtaining magic crystals is necessary. Joining the guild is convenient. There is no contradiction whatsoever.” (Leon)

“I understand your position, Leon-kun. Recruitment will continue, but if you change your mind, please let us know. You may leave for now.” (Alexandra)

It was straightforward.

Feeling a slight unease, I left the reception room and the guild branch.

 

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