The Gatekeeper Chapter 6- An Inseparable Duo.

"Nex!?"

"So it's you, Ellis-sama"

Sylvia yells on top of her lungs. I kind of figured that Sylvia would know him, a.s.suming she's a n.o.ble. But hearing his name come out of my mouth must've been a little shocking for her. Guess I'll explain to her later.

Nex, recognizing the voices that entered his ears, terrified of the faces of the people he'll be locking eyes with in a moment, lifts his face up slowly. He looks up at me with terrified eyes.

"Y-Y-You!!?"

I think that's rude.

He knows my name.

He heard it when I registered myself at the entrance gate, but I'll let it slide for now. His eyes switch to where Sylvia stood frozen. Both of their faces are terrified. I can guess the reason for Sylvia as it would be exposed to me that she's a n.o.ble. But what is Nex so afraid of? While I ponder about this matter, is laid out in the open, just like that.

"Y-Y-Y-Your H-Highness!!??"

He is terrified. His whole body is frozen out of fear.

"W-W-Why is the first P-Princess here!?"

I don't even need to go into super processing mode. I was already prepared for this and I know how to proceed. I turn towards Sylvia who has a horrified look on her face. She turns in my direction and with her whole body trembling.

"T-T-T-This is-"

I place my hand on Sylvia's head, and while caressing her silky blue hair, I nonchalantly utter.

"Sylvia Athena huh. Sounds like a wonderful name."

Having her head patted by me like this made her speechless.

"Don't worry about it Sylvia. I don't mind in the slightest. To tell you the truth, I had my suspicions about you being a n.o.ble from the beginning, and it turns out that I was correct. But despite being a Princess, you showed such kindness to a n.o.body commoner like me. I would never change my view of you. I promise."

With widened eyes, tears start flowing out of her eyes, and after about thirty seconds of silent sobbing, she starts to calm down. I'm relieved that there are no people out on the street. Thanks to it being just before 5 PM, no civilians are pa.s.sing by. There are many people in the guild, but I guess they can't hear us.

I start walking in the direction of the guild. And Sylvia calls me out while desperately trying to hold back the urge to grab my sleeve.

"Toru? W-Where are you going?"

She has a truly desperate look on her face. She looks just like a puppy who thinks she is being abandoned.

I glance over my shoulder and reply to her with a smile on my face.

"I a.s.sume you guys need to catch up. Meanwhile, let me go and register myself in the guild."

Not waiting for her reply, I take off towards the guild. I'll probably interrogate her later.

Reaching the guild in a matter of seconds, I enter through the grandiose door. The interior of the guild resembles that of a palace. A large hall with a grand chandelier, sofas and chairs which look really expensive, floor and walls filled with strong magic power, magnificent paintings covering the walls on all four sides, all of this made it look like a duke's mansion.

I find a sign indicating the registration desk.

I head to the registration desk, there are 5 people in line, I get behind them and wait patiently for them to conclude their business. The receptionist seems to be a lady in her mid 20's. Behind her is another lady of the same age sitting on a chair while playing with her hair. Both of them are wearing the typical receptionist dress of blue shirt, black skirt reaching the calves, and heels. The difference is, the lady at the counter is a human, while the lady behind her is a cat-person.

The cat-lady had brown hair, same coloured eyebrows and a slim and long tail. Her eyes seem to be of brown colour as well. Her cat-ears peek out of hair while twitching in a manner which makes them look rather cute.

She notices my gaze, our eyes connect, we both looked at each other for a moment. She breaks off our little staring contest and leans forward, placing her lips right behind the receptionist's right ear. She whispers something in her ear.

Even I, with my keen hearing can't make out what she said.

But soon after she does, the receptionist looks at my direction ignoring the person in front of her. She notices me and whispers something into the cat-lady's ear as well.

Receptionist returns back to her work while the cat-lady returns to her place at the chair. Cat-lady continues to stare at me with tender gaze while the receptionist, back into her professional persona, continues to tend to the people further ahead in the queue.

More than 50 minutes pa.s.s as I waited.

I stand in front of the stoic receptionist and the ever-so-controversial cat-lady. I initiate the conversation since I am the customer here.

"Good evening. My name is Toru and I'm 16 years old. It would be an honor to register myself as an adventurer in such a grandeur guild with such a beautiful lady attending to me."

I guess I went a little overboard on the cheeky meter. The receptionist with her spectacles and narrow eyes looks up to my face and replies with a wry smile.

"Of course. That would be a pleasure. I'll briefly explain the procedure and the basic essentials for becoming an adventurer."

The receptionist told me with a keen look in her eyes. The cat-lady behind her has her eyes locked on me. She looks like a mother cat marking her territory.

"That would be just perfect. I will be in your care then."

The receptionist starts her brief speech about adventurer ranks, missions, and compensation a.s.signed to each rank.

The most basic rank at which all commoners start from is Copper, while the n.o.bles start from Silver.

The guilds throughout the world function under one authority and follow the same ranking and payment structure with a guild in almost every city.

There are several different ranks: Copper -> Bronze -> Silver -> Gold -> Platinum -> Mythril -> Adamant.i.te -> Hero, with the highest being Hero. Apparently, in the history and legends pa.s.sed down by the ancestors. There has only been 1 Hero rank adventurer since the holy war. He was the only person in history said to have successfully slain a dragon on his own. He had the utmost authority among the world leaders, authority that surpa.s.sed that of the five Kings combined.

Subduing a dragon huh. I should familiarize myself with magic as fast as I can, or it will be difficult to rise through the ranks and obliterate the current system of the world.

I just discovered a way to achieve my goal. It was presented to me in a plate. I shall rise through the ranks using brute force rather than words. According to all that I know about this world, words ain't gonna cut it. If I want to make a difference, it has to be done using force.

Halting my thought process, I ask the receptionist.

"So, what should I do now? I don't have any money on me. If I could register myself right now and get a mission. That would be really appreciated."

The cat-lady's eyes widen up for a second, and then she whispered something in the receptionist's ear. Due to our distance being reduced from before, I could perfectly make out what she said.

Let's not say anything because I'm sure that the receptionist would repeat it for me in a moment.

"It would be close to impossible any other day, considering the time. But we could indulge you if you agree for a favour in return."

I know what it is. It should be fine.

"Please ask for anything, I shall repay your kindness with the utmost grat.i.tude."

Here it comes.

"If you would be so kind, would you mind taking me and my friend here out for a date tomorrow? Of course, we will bear the financial burden. What do you say?"

I already prepared a perfect answer. This super processing is too much of a cheat.

"That should be fine. But tomorrow won't work…"

For the first time since I saw her, she showed an expression. With a worried face, the receptionist asks me.

"U-Umm. May I know the reason."

Here goes nothing.

"Knowing that both of you beautiful ladies would want to go on a date with me, fills me with joy. But as a man, I can't allow you to say that you would bear the financial burden. I would like to postpone the date until I am financially stabilized. Taking you ladies out on a date would be my pleasure."

Both of their tense looks dissipate in an instant. With the stoic expression returning to the receptionist's face, she says.

"We'll be looking forward to that day."

She stops after saying so, she looks over her shoulder to confirm this with the cat-lady. She answers her with a slight nod. After taking a deep breath, the receptionist continues.

"Now then, Toru-kun. Age 16 years. Would you please join us in the adventure guild as a copper ranked adventurer?"

"Yes…"

I reply with a calm and composed tone, fit for a person who stiffened his resolve to become a Hero-cla.s.s adventurer.

She hands me some paperwork which I fill up in seconds. I leave most of the places blank, just mentioning my name, age, rank, combat style and various other small details.

"That would be all. Starting now, you are an adventurer affiliated with the adventurer's guild. This card will be recognized by all the guilds throughout the world, please keep it safe. Getting a new one may cost a lot of money."

She hands me the card, it is covered in copper plating. It has the name 'TORU' engraved on it.

"By the way, my name is Mirae, this cat-lady behind me is my best friend, Shirley. You should go and get yourself some money. You don't have a place to stay tonight do you?"

Advised by Mirae-san, I move towards the request board. a.s.signed to each rank, request ranges from simple escorting or delivering goods to subjugating ferocious monsters or protecting the national border.

My rank being copper, I look for requests that I can take. My eyes fall upon this one request. I tear the paper away from the board and take it to Mirae-san. Looking at it, she takes out a stamp and punches it onto the paper in front of her.

"We will be closing up pretty soon. So please get this over with before that."

Mirae-san tells me while explaining me the criteria to complete the request.

The request I got from the board was to subjugate 5 demonic wolves. The request recommended to take a party rather than going alone, but I'm pretty confident in my abilities. If my memory serves me right, the demonic wolves are just a size and speed upgrade over the wolves from my world.

"Sure. Please wait for me."

I take the request paper from her and head out from the adventurer's guild.

Oh yeah. I have to deal with Sylvia and Nex. I a.s.sume it won't cause me any trouble. I have my super processing to back me up.

I exit the guild through the grand door and my eyes catch Sylvia and Nex talking with worried looks on their faces. I walk towards them and as soon as they notice my presence, they stand side by side with Sylvia's face flushed red and Nex's face pale to the point where it looked like he was gazing at his incoming death right in the eye.

They looked like students who are about to be scolded by the princ.i.p.al.

I stand in front of them, n.o.body initiates the conversation.

Ugh, looks like it's gotta be me.

"So, I guess introductions are in order, don't you think Sylvia?"

"Uh-Umm. Ah, right. About that."

She's cute.

"You don't have to panic. Just be the person you were the whole day."

She looks up to my face with upturned eyes.

This is just foul play. My nose feels warm, I feel like I'll have a nosebleed.

"Umm. Y-Yes. You're right. Now then, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sylvia Silbinas Athena. I am the first princess of the Wise Kingdom of Athena."

"So you're basically the next queen, right?"

I immediately throw a question at her out of sheer curiosity.

"N-No. I have an older brother. He'll be the next ruler."

Huh. So she is the second child. She may have more siblings considering harems exist in this world. Sounds like she's the daughter of the King's legal wife.

"Oh. Is that so. Now then, why were you outside, dressed like a commoner when you're the first princess of the kingdom?"

This should get me some answers concerning the ident.i.ty of the a.s.sa.s.sins.

"Well, I just like to roam in the streets and have fun like a normal girl. I don't pay much heed to the n.o.ble-commoner differences. I believe that we all should be able to coexist without any discrimination."

So princess here has the same basic ideology as me. She must be a very rare person to have this mindset. Almost all the people from n.o.bility and royalty consider commoners to be nothing but trash.

I'm actually starting to get fond of her. Her mana is way more impressive than Nex, that would be the difference between n.o.bility and royalty.

"Is that right? Well, I have the same wish as you. I want commoners and n.o.bility to coexist in peace as well. I'll do everything in my power to make that happen."

Sylvia's eyes start to sparkle, she looked into my eyes and says excitedly.

"Yes. I heard from Nex what you did before. You stood up for the commoners against one of the strongest people in the nation, and bested him. You even saved my life."

Wait. One of the strongest people in the nation? This sc.u.mbag!? They have some low standards.

"Now then, do you have any idea as to who those a.s.sa.s.sins were and why they attacked you?"

I overwhelm her excited state with a serious tone. She gasps and starts thinking about it.

Looks like she completely forgot about it.

"No. I don't."

She answers after a bit of consideration.

"If you don't know who those a.s.sa.s.sins were, how did you conclude that they were professionals?"

Sylvia adopts a serious tone as well.

"They had countermeasures against my magic. I am considered quite strong among the magicians of this nation. They would've been defeated if they came at me with pure skill, but they used some sort of item to negate magic flow itself. I wasn't able to manipulate my Ice magic."

Item. Ice magic. I have to think about these things. Well, I already knew she was strong, considering she's royalty.

"Why be so humble your highness? You don't have to hide the fact that you're the third strongest in the whole Athena Kingdom. It is an honor to have lost to you back then, Princess."

She turns around instantly and glares at Nex with bloodshot eyes. Her eyes clearly convey the message 'shut up, or I'll kill you'.

Looks like Nex will have it hard after this.

I clap my hands and draw attention from Sylvia who sending her intimidating glare towards Nex.

"Well, I guess we have to cut it short here. I have to complete this request and get some money so I can spend the night here."

I show them the paper. Nex seems to be horrified after listening to this, while Sylvia looks like she got dropped from a cliff.

Well, I can somewhat understand both of them.

"Y-You don't have to worry! I-I am the Princess, I can surely pay one night's rent."

She says as drops of tears start forming on the corner of her eyes.

"Please don't be concerned. You already paid for my food and escorted me to the guild. If I asked you to pay for my room, it would be asking for way too much..."

"B-But…"

"Don't worry. I still see you as 'Sylvia' and not the 'First princess'. We'll surely meet again, take care of yourself."

Her spirits lift up slightly. She says while wiping her tears.

"I'll hold you to that. We'll meet again, Toru"

"Sure. It would be my pleasure, Your Highness."

I respond to her with a cheerful smile. I have to wrap up this soon. I don't have much time.

"Can I ask you to escort Her Highness to the Royal palace, Ellis-sama?"

Before Nex could answer, Sylvia spoke up in an enraged tone.

"Hey!! It's Sylvia for you! Do you understand!?"

She closes the distance to the point where I could feel her breathing, she has bloodshot eyes and puffed cheeks.

I back down and answer.

"Okay, okay. I get it, Your Highness."

"Uu~"

Looks like I went too far. She seems to be genuinely upset.

"Oh, I'm sorry Sylvia. I didn't mean to upset you."

I start to pat her head while she has her cheeks puffed and her hands crossed.

"I-it's fine. As long as you understand."

Looks like I have to be cautious from now on. Those a.s.sa.s.sins saw my face.

"I do understand. Now then please let me go or else it'd be too late and I'd have to sleep on the streets."

After hearing this they both seemed like they just remembered something.

"Hey commoner, didn't your request say to subjugate demonic wolves?"

Nex is still calling me 'commoner'. Well I guess I'll let it slide considering what Sylvia is going to do to him afterwards.

"Yes. What about it?"

I answer in a confused tone. Hearing this, Sylvia answers me after a momental death glare at Nex.

"Demonic wolves are generally found in the small forest located 20 kilometers west from here. Wouldn't it take a lot of time for you to go, subjugate them, and come back even after considering your exemplary physical abilities?"

I got the same concerns from Mirae-san and Shirley-san. I'll give them the same answer I gave to the ladies at the reception.

'Don't worry about me. I am fast, really fast."

I wanted to test this out so badly. I heard this in a movie from my previous world and wanted to try saying it here. Fufufu. They have the same expression as Mirae-san and Shirley-san.

"U-Umm. Is that okay? The offer about the rent money is still valid."

"It'll be fine. Trust me."

I deny Sylvia's offer.

"I'll leave you to it then. Be sure to have a good rest, okay?"

Looks like she believes in me.

Nex's expression turns grim as the unfortunate fate that awaits him is just around the corner.

"Yes. I bid you farewell for now. Sylvia and the great and mighty Nex Ellis."

He looks in my direction with horrified face, which looks as if it is saying 'don't leave me to die, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!'. Let's just pretend I didn't see it. Sylvia says to me in a warm voice.

"Bye then, Toru. Ah. Of course, Nex Ellis-san, would you please escort me to the royal palace?"

Her voice changes to that of a devil in the middle of her sentence. Looks like Nex is going to have it rough.

"O-O-Of C-C-Course Your H-Highness!"

I feel bad for him, but he deserves it.

I take off in the west direction and as the Guild and other buildings fade behind me. I walk towards the west entrance. The sky is as red as it could be. Indicated by a nearby clock, it is about 6.30 PM.