Chapter 19: Negotiations

Keru was sitting in the guild master's office. He was reflecting on what had happened earlier.

'That blew, everyone might think I'm a farker now... Ehh whatever.'

'Sucks for that girl though, looks like her brother went through and put her through a lot.'

'Thinking back, maybe there was a better way to handle that situation.'

'... Nah, he pissed me off too much.'

Keru was having a mental conversation with himself. This occurred frequently even before he gained his friend.

'Sigh... Hey' After some time, Keru internally calls to his companion.

'Eyy, what's up!' His friend answers him.

'We have to talk about what we want to do with you being the capital's latest horror story'

'...Continue it?' Comes a reply from his companion.

'Nah, that won't work. I'd have to hunt you down eventually if you keep doing it. I still like my job as an adventurer'

'Hmm sure sure. I'll stop, but what are gonna do about the idiots circling her knight order.'

'I have a plan, if what you told me the past days is true. Then that hit came from someone up above in the dusk district. Luckily, I know someone from there.'

'Oh? Do tell, don't leave me in the dark.' An amused reply answers Keru.

'You'll see soon. First, I have to get myself off your bounty. Luckily, I might be able to do so with a favor from the guild master.'

'Aye aye captain, talk to you later then.' His companion's playful reply ends their conversation.

'Sigh... Now then, on to the next thing.'

At this moment, the door inside the guild master's office opens and in walks Lady Kamila.

Keru stands.

"Good day, Guildmaster." Keru opens politely.

"Sit down kid" The guild master nods.

"Yes Ma'am."

Once they were both seated, they began their conversation.

"I see you are enjoying the artifact the delegate gave you."

"Yes, guild master. It will come in handy in the future... So may I ask why you originally called me guild master?"

"I was originally, supposed to brief you on the serial killer bounty. However, new events have occurred in the city."

"Yes Ma'am?" Keru nods.

"There was a fire in the dusk district, and we have a private bounty for the perpetrator that has been exclusively reserved for silver and above adventurers."

"Oh? May I ask for more details." Keru was intrigued by the mention of the dusk district.

"You can ask the client when you meet her later. You will be taking both bounties as your task from me."

"If I recall ma'am, I'm only supposed to do one task for you?"

"After the headache you caused earlier, your lucky I'm not asking you to do more."

"Uhuh, then I'm calling in that favor you owe me Ma'am. I don't want to do the first bounty. Too much of a headache."

"...Why?"

"I doubt I could catch him, her, it, or them. I'm good in a fight, not an investigation. I don't even know where to start looking. "

'Plus, it would mean having to work closely with the knight orders.'

"Both of the bounties require investigations kid."

"Yes, but one of them showed that they can evade the knight order investigations. Let me do something else instead."

"...Hmm." Kamila was in a conundrum. The adventurer had a point, however she felt something instinctually suspicious with how he was negotiating. Though she couldn't tell what.

"Kid..."

Tap,tap,tap.

Suddenly, there was something tapping on one of the office windows.

Both Keru and Kamila, look at the window and spot an owl holding a messenger scroll.

"Hey Kid, could you get that for me."

"...Sure" After a pause, Keru stands and walks up to the window and opens it.

"Hey, there little guy how are you?" Keru calmly pets the owl and receives the scroll.

"Hoot Hoot" The owl, snuggles Keru's hand.

Kamila widens her eyes slightly at this.

'Huh, this is the first time I've seen that bratty owl so affectionate.'

"Heh, take care of yourself. Guildmaster will get you treats next time." After petting the owl. Keru leaves as the owl flies away.

"Here you go guild master." Keru then hands the messenger scroll to Lady Kamila.

Lady Kamila opens it and frowns. The longer she reads it, the deeper the frown becomes. She even releases some killing intent due to her irritation.

After, reading it. She takes a deep breath and rolls the scroll. She turns to Keru and speaks.

"Kid... you wanted to switch out your first task right?" She asks.

"Well, I wanted to do just one Ma'am, but I'll settle for doing two that don't include that one." Keru answers.

"Good news then. I've found your task." She hands the scroll to Keru.

Keru opens it and reads. The moment he saw the academy's seal he already began frowning. After reading everything he turns to the guild master.

"Are you sure this is a good idea guild master? They're asking for you. I'm self-aware enough to know that I'm not exactly the best fit for this job either."

"No, but you don't really have much of a choice. I am not in the mood to go lecturing some brats. Do not cause trouble, or I'll have you working for a decade." The guildmaster sternly shows her resolve in passing the job mandated in the scroll to Keru.

"Sigh... Sure thing guild master." Keru finally agrees.

"Good, it is up to you how you manage both quests. Now here is the contact information for the other bounty." Kamila opens her desk and finds a piece of parchment which she hands to Keru.

Keru looks at the contact information and the seal on the paper.

"Huh..." Keru lets out a surprised sound.

"What is it kid?" Kamila asks.

"Why is this house requesting help from the adventurers guild?" Keru looks at Lady Kamila.

"Oh? Interesting, familiar with the dusk district are we? It seems the dusk bazaar really wants this person dead. They were willing to open the contract to both day and night. However, the client wishes to approve any bounty hunter who takes the takes the task personally." Kamila is curious in the knowledge that the Keru has on the city's underground, however, she does not press it.

"I see... no problem then. I will meet the client later." Keru says after some thought.

"Alright them , stay safe adventurer. I will communicate with the clients so that they will know of your arrival."

"Thank you guild master." Keru says before walking to the door.

As he leaves, he stares at the seals of the Academy and House Layl on their respective quest documents.