I’ve been in the guild for a week.
I did well on quests, and even rose to rank D.
As usual, I came to the guild to report my finished quest.
“Hey, the pretty Ladies are over there ya’nno? That's why everyone's getting their requests processed over there. Why the hell are you bothering to come over here?”
He asked me with obvious irritation.
I wondered the same thing.
“Well, when I first came here I was expecting something like a pretty Lady at the reception desk. But, I dunno, I just got used to Clayman as my receptionist.”
"'Got used to' my ass! You're increasing the shit I have to do!"
His voice echoed throughout the Guild.
Clayman was the staff member that processed my registration when I first came to the Guild.
3 days after I registered, the other staff returned, but I still had him process my quests.
Since it's Clayman, despite his complaining he still did his job properly.
"Even so, it doesn't matter, work is work. Quit your complaining."
There's no good reason not to come to him.
"No, this wasn't my job in the first place. The only reason I was there was because the rest of the staff took time off on the day of the Hero Parade." He continued to complain while processing the oh-so-annoying quest.
And so, as he bitched about work while still doing it properly, and me throwing in some side commentary, there was a sudden commotion at the Guild entrance.
“Huh? Did something happen?”
Clayman leaned over his desk to get a look at the entrance, and I also looked back to see the cause of the commotion.
“Excuse me, could you let me through please?”
My Goddess Cecilia is here. All around you could hear people asking what the hero Cecilia-sama was doing in a place like this.
The general mood was similar to an Idol's concert from my previous life.
Even Clayman, the ever troublesome guy who always did things at his own pace, is a little taken aback.
She slowly made her towards me.
"Forgive me for not contacting you sooner."
I and the guild members in my vicinity turned to stone seeing her lowering her head to apologize.
Only Clayman remained unfazed, his eyes languid as always as he watched the event unfold.
“Let’s discuss this further in my home.”
With a 'let us depart', she took the hand of my stone-like self.
And just like that she led me out of the guild.
After we left the guild was in an uproar, gossiping up a storm.
Upon exiting, we hopped into the carriage she came in. The coachman eyed me suspiciously, but lowered his head after Cecilia explained.
This is the first time I've experienced the bumpy ride of a horse-drawn carriage.
"I had really intended to meet with you sooner, however between the Parade and the Parties it seems time managed to slip away from me..."
She apologizes and lowers her head again. It wasn't like I wanted her to apologize, but...
"Well, it was my first time outside the castle, and at long last I got to enjoy everyday life in another world. So I don't really mind at all!"
"...Well I'm glad you think of it that way."
Somehow, she still seemed down so I changed the topic.
"Come to think of it, I'm impressed you were able to find me."
"...At first I wondered what I would do. I had no idea what your disguised form looked like. And so I looked into guilds around here with recent new members."
I see, that probably took a lot of effort.
"...Still I was able to locate you sooner than expected."
W-what’s this?
"You did not change your name, even your appearance isn't that different...just what were you thinking?"
"What are you talking about? I totally changed!"
When I was with the demons I already didn't look like much of one, I had the boring face of a human.
If I had to name a problem, it would likely be the splendid horns on my forehead and black wings growing out of my back.
"I put up with the pain, broke off my horns, and even removed my wings."
I could grow them back if I wanted, however I have no intention to do so at the moment.
"...Be that as it may, my hero party knows your face. At the very least please wear some glasses."
Like that, in the middle of our discussion on my disguise, the carriage suddenly stopped.
We appeared to have reached our destination, and at the coachman's proclamation we exited the carriage.
“...Geez, it’s huge.”
In front of me stood a large mansion. In front of the gate were two soldier-like people.
After exiting the carriage with Cecilia, I followed to enter the mansion but was stopped by the guards.
"My lady, welcome home...who exactly is this man?"
The guards had me at spear point. Hey now, are we really doing this?
"Lower your spears at once! He is my dear friend."
They put down their spears. There was still some uneasiness, but they would not defy Cecilia.
I could feel the guards staring daggers at me while I accompanied Cecilia inside her mansion.
“Could you please leave the guild?”
“What!?”
That’s strange. What kind of situation is this?
I was invited to the mansion Cecilia lives in, and now we're in her room.
We both sat on the bed in a room that had the cleanliness you'd expect of a woman.
“...Forgive me. That was an insufficient explanation .”
I think that's more than just 'insufficient'. I wonder why exactly she wants me to leave the guild?
"The Demon Lord has now been vanquished by the Hero. However, the danger of all the demons still remains."
Well, I guess that’s true.
That's why I work in the guild, to diminish the damage of the demons.
But she continues,
"...Yet the danger is not limited to demons. There's likely to be conflict between humans now."
Sounds like war. You'd think after killing the Demon Lord there'd be a little bit of peace.
Even though it's a fantasy world, war still exists between humans.
"In particular, there's rumors that the Gallis Empire, a militarized nation, has already begun preparing weapons."
"But what does that have to do with me?"
“Even in the Clariness Kingdom, each country has begun amassing the most talented people. Already, there's a mountain of engagement talks for the Hero from every nation's princesses and young noble ladies.”
As expected of Hero-kun.
Rather than politics, it appears he's drowning in fervent pursuers.
"It's not only the Hero, the rest of the party has also received such proposals."
I just heard something I really didn't need to hear.
"They're even coming in for you?!"
I leaned in and pressed her for an answer.
"Of course, I've received some...but I've refused them. ...And, don't interrupt when I'm in the middle of talking."
I returned to my original position after being relieved.
"So what I was trying to say was, there's a good possibility that if you become famous now the other nations will want to recruit you as well."
"Then what exactly do you want me to do?"
If I temporarily leave the guild, what am I supposed to do with myself?
"And therefore, I'd like to personally hire you, and compensate you with payment."
If that's the case, then my renown would certainly be less than if I worked at the guild.
"...Are you sure you can afford that much?"
A noble lady though she may be, there must be a limit to the amount of money she can spare.
"You are undoubtedly strong, and I’m sure you would achieve no less than an S-rank in your guild. Honestly, there's no way I could afford someone so superior by myself."
Well, I wouldn't mind if she took advantage of my love for her to hire me cheaply,
However, she's the type that would hate that sort of thing.
"I am aware that you harbor feelings for me. That's why...don’t..."
She hugged her body inward with a sad look on her face...I see where this is going...
“Don’t say anything else!”
I stopped guessing what she was trying to say. I spoke with zeal in a firm tone.
"I want my love for you be fulfilled, but not like this! ...Bwahahaha, you forget, I have my cheat. Assassins and spies from other countries are no match for me. Being seduced is out of the question. The only one for me is you!"
Halfway through in my excitement I started into my chuunibyou act. So at the end I struck a pose. Around the time my mind froze, her essential reaction was...
“...*snicker*”
She tried to stop herself from laughing.
However she couldn’t handle it and busted a gut.
"....Ahahahahahaaa, I'm sorry...I couldn't take it anymore. Pahaha..."
And so she just kept laughing. As time went by she settled down and caught her breath.
"...Haaa, my apologies, I didn't expect such a reply and was laughing before I knew it."
“ No no, I got too passionate and it looks like I said some outrageous things.”
I desperately explained myself. Apparently that was funny too and enticed a bit more laughter from her.
When the laughter settled down again, for some reason she spoke in a low whisper.
"More and more I'm starting to believe your story that you're not a demon. No other demon could be so funny."
"Eh?! You still didn't believe me? ...And why the whispering?"
I was shocked.
I was under the impression she believed me about my death.
"Oh no, I guess you could say I was double checking. As for the whispering, I think you'll understand soon. That reminds me...lets talk a little more. It's just a small personal request."
...Could it be I've missed a lucky chance?
Just like that, this snickering and laughing girl steeled herself as she looked at me.
So she and the resurrected me had a chat.
Time passed, and because she had plans after this it was time to leave.
"I had fun today. Let's meet again, ok? I'll contact you."
"I had fun too. Also, before I go I have one last request..."
My face was hot. Should I do this? Won't she turn me down?
“What is it?”
With grim determination I said,
"Would it be alright if I call you just Cecilia from now on?"
I went and said it.
After I finished my face got hot.
I'm sure it was burning bright red right about now. A small smile alighted her face.
“That’s fine. And I shall call you Youki-san.”
Hell yeeaaah!
In my heart I had a little victory dance.
"Well then, once again, I'll see you soon, Youki-san."
“See ya, Cecilia.”
I made my way out of her mansion.
Now, I laid down on an a bed at the Inn, but couldn't stop grinning.
I feel like my relationship with Cecilia took a step forward. What a day. By the way, although inconsequential, the next day when I went to the guild I was shoved around and bombarded with questions.