Return to work, I guess?

Before leaving for the guild, I had to make some minor preparations. It's currently afternoon. I haven't gone to the guild at this time ever. This will be a new experience.

I have cast a protective spell on Clea. And I have made sure that she doesn't catch any weird things. Taking a two week baby out can be a bit nerve wracking.

Anyway, I take Eden and Clea and leave for the guild. Holding Clea in one hand and Eden with other, my hands are occupied. The scene can be a bit surreal.

I am not getting any weird stares so I am blending in, I hope.

"Papa, you can let go of my hand." (Eden)

"But, will you be fine?"

"I will. You are worrying too much." (Eden)

At her request, I let go of her hand. Walking like this, it's not bad. Before going to the guild, I decided to sit by the fountain at the square.

The scenery is nice. If you ignore the people, it's picturesque.

"Let me hold her." (Eden)

"Here you go."

I give Clea to her. Eden has been watching mom and others taking care of Clea. She even read a lot of childcare book so she can help with taking care of Clea.

When she holds Clea, it looks like a sister holding her baby sister.

However, Clea is her aunt. A weird family situation has occurred.

"She really doesn't cry much, does she?"

"I have read that children who don't cry early, start it later. They will start throwing tantrums sooner or later." (Eden)

That's also a point. After taking a brief break, we head to the guild. Since we have Clea with us, I took some time.

Pushing the door open and entering, I found Ms. Maria at her usual place. Which is very reassuring. She has noticed me and flashes a smile at me.

The hall currently not crowded. Maybe most of them haven't returned from their jobs.

"Mr. Belmont, it has been a while." (Maria)

"It has. I am free now. The situation on my end has calmed down a bit. So I decided to drop by."

She noticed Eden and Clea as well.

"Is she your newborn child?" (Maria)

"So, it does look that way!"

I was wondering what others were thinking. I guess Clea looks more like a daughter than a sister.

"Is she not? She looks kind of similar to you." (Maria)

"She is my sister. She was born just a couple of weeks ago."

She wasn't that shocked.

"Congratulations! I didn't know you had a sister. Is that why you decided to take some time off?" (Maria)

"Partially. Anyway, any jobs for me?"

She brings out a file which has flyers clipped to it.

"This is the special file which collects jobs for you. There are a total of 22 jobs for you." (Maria)

"Are these all high rank jobs?"

"Yes. These are all A rank or above. Guild master worked hard to secure these jobs." (Maria)

The file is pretty thick. Was work booming while I was gone?

I look through the file to pick a job but nothing seems worthwhile. So I pass the file to Eden.

"Eden, pick 3 from these."

She takes the file and skims through. She took 3 flyers and handed them to Ms. Maria.

"Are you sure you will do these?" (Maria)

"What are they?"

"A surveillance job, a hunting job and one escort mission. All of them are pretty far away." (Maria)

I look at Eden. She is smiling at me.

"I'll do it. So, what's more urgent of the three?"

"I'd say the escort mission. The journey is tomorrow and the location is Gilbert. It's a small town beyond Galdur. Gilbert is also the gateway to the port. You may find different kinds of fishes there." (Maria)

So Eden chose that one because she wanted fish. If it's for tomorrow, I can deal the other jobs now and then go on the escort mission.

The surveillance job is at the lake where I found Doris. It's true that I haven't been there since then. And the hunting job at the forest where I dealt with the fake ogres.

Eden has made sure that I go to different places.

I take the flyers and make my way to the exit when someone blocked my way.

The door is narrow so I understand that you have to give way. But this person deliberately blocked my way.

"I heard that you are an S ranker but you are nothing more than a brat."

This man, he is probably 40 or something. His muscles are defined but he isn't bulky. A decent amount of facial hair. Some of them are white due to age.

He is carrying a sword on his waist.

"I think Christopher has gone senile. How can a brat like you become an S ranker? It's a shame that even a kid can become an S ranker nowadays."

"You have a problem with that? You making my daughter and my sister uncomfortable."

Eden is hiding behind me while Clea is trembling. I am protecting from the outside world and keeping her in a comfortable environment so she must be uneasy due to this man.

"Who brings their baby to the adventures guild? Are you making light of this profession?"

This is annoying. I look at Ms. Maria. But she isn't there. I catch her running upstairs. I guess she is going to bring the guild master here.

"Why aren't you answering me?"

I tries to grab my hand which I avoid. Should I retaliate in any way?

But I just wait until the guild master is here. He comes running towards us. I notice a crowd as well.

People are peeking from outside. We move inside and the door was closed.

"What's the matter?" (Christopher)

"Master, have you gone senile? Why is such an irresponsible and reckless kid an adventurer to begin with? He is disrespectful, delusional and foolhardy."

This man just spouted a lot of nonsense about me.

"Hayes, this is your first time meeting Clive. Don't assume things on your own." (Christopher)

"I can not tolerate this disgraceful situation. Are you sane? Or has he paid you enough to promote him to S rank?" (Hayes)

Guild master is trying to stay calm but his veins are bulging. I guess he hit a nerve.

"Master, can I deal with it?"

"Please!" (Christopher)

He just told me to whatever I want. I guess I will break his left hand. He has been pointing at me with that hand.

He comes near me to nab me once again but I grab his left hand and give it light pull.

His arm should come off easily. I don't want to tear off his hand but separate it instead.

He shouts loudly and falls to the ground. And yes, I crushed his palm as well.

"Let this be a reminder. I only separated his arm from his shoulder so it should heal pretty quickly."

I tell guild master what I did and leave.

"Papa, was that okay?"

"Yes honey. Sometimes, you need to apply force. It's just that knowing the right moment counts."

That should be it for that. Anyway, let's do these two jobs first and focus on the third one.