“Meeting Kiara made us question the awful conditions the Black Cats were in. To begin with, why were we enslaving members of our own race?”
Kiara’s strength showed Rigdith that Black Cats were not inferior. He began looking into historical records and discovered the sins the tribe had committed, strengthening his conviction that prejudice against them was wrong. Even if they had committed a great crime, the gods had already punished them for it. There was no need to enslave them. Young Rigdith even thought it was the king’s responsibility to help the tribe undo their curse. The straw that broke the camel’s back came when he found out that his father had burned all records of the curse.
“I was the first generation of the royal family to have never heard about it. My old man destroyed everything.”
“I already know how to undo the curse.”
“What? You do?!”
“Hm.”
The Beast King bowed his head. He brought it down so fast that it hit the table with an audible thud. “Tell me,” he said. “Please! Just name your price!”
“I’ll tell you for free.”
“Are you sure? I doubt that information came cheap.”
“Yeah, but I don’t mind. Make sure this information gets to every Black Cat and we’ll call it even.” It was Fran’s turn to bow her head. She needed his help getting the word out.
A confident look came to the Beast King’s face. He grinned, knowing that his network of merchants would be able to spread the word. “I’ll get the Adventurers’ Guild on it, too. The entire world will know.”
“You sure?”
“Count on it. You’re talking to an S-Rank, remember?” The king puffed out his chest.
“Why is a king an adventurer?” Fran wondered out loud.
“Why? To get stronger, of course.” Rigdith was talking about raw physical strength. “I didn’t like the way my father did things, so I became an adventurer, along with Kiara’s other pupils. We got stronger, accumulated more and more supporters, and eventually overthrew the old man.”
Rigdith would never admit it, but he was willing to bear being called “Patricide” and “Usurper” for the sake of helping Kiara and her tribe.
“Thank you.” Fran bowed her head, understanding his motives.
“Cut that out. Don’t you thank me for being selfish. You’re giving me the creeps!”
“Hm. Got it,” Fran said, still bowing her head.
“Okay! We’re done here! Away with you; I’m busy!”
I doubted that very much, considering Rigdith’s state when Fran entered. Still, we excused ourselves, leaving him to his duties.
Come on, Fran.
“Hm.”
Next stop, the Adventurers’ Guild.
“Bye.”
“Yep! See you around!”
Fran raised her hand and the Beast King waved her off. He displayed such unkingly levity, which was probably what made him popular.
Having said our goodbyes, we made our way to the Adventurers’ Guild. It was right next door, and I expected our interview with Dias would take more time than our walk there.
“Why hello, Fran. Congratulations on getting third place,” Dias said as soon as she walked into his office.
“Hrm.”
“Heh heh. What’s the matter? You don’t seem too happy.” The facetious old man knew what he was talking about.
“Because I lost to Amanda.”
“An average C-Rank would give his head to place third in our tournament.” Dias grinned. He knew Fran was not your average C-Rank. The fact that a C-Rank could beat an A-Rank was downright miraculous. I daresay anyone capable of such a feat had a right to let the victory get to their head. Still, the Guildmaster didn’t need to warn Fran about such a thing.
“I couldn’t beat the Beast King, either…” she continued, still disappointed in herself.
“No need to compare yourself to a monster like that. I don’t think I could do anything to him, either…”
“I’ll beat him one day.”
“You sound like you’re serious.” Dias shivered. Well, we still had Forlund and Amanda to beat before we could take on the S-Rank. “I tried pushing you into B-Rank because of your accomplishments…but it’s not happening any time soon.”
“But I just got into C-Rank.”
Isn’t she advancing too fast?
Did the tournament count towards her evaluation? It was a good measure for a professional soldier, but an adventurer?
“Even so, you beat an A-Rank. Your fighting capabilities are far beyond a C-Rank.”
I guess…so why isn’t she getting promoted?
“The other Guildmasters disagreed.”
“Other Guildmasters?”
“Yes. I was just on the manaphone with them.”
Her age was the primary issue.
“Some appealed to the lack of precedence. But most of them complained that a fighting tournament was a poor measure for an adventurer.”
“I see.”
I figured. Winning an organized fighting tournament didn’t mean you were suited to be an adventurer. That was reasonable enough. The strength of an adventurer lay in more than just combat prowess. A weaker adventurer who could sense and disarm traps, had extensive knowledge about magic and monsters, and had the calmness of mind to adapt to the situation, could be just as successful as their stronger-but-less-knowledgeable counterpart.
Still, beating an A-Rank did make Fran closer to a B-Rank than a C. In the end, an adventurer still had to know how to fight.
“Fran has also been the subject of exceptional promotions. Others were bound to speak up if she ranked up again so soon.”
I couldn’t disagree there, either. Fran had gained most of her promotions through special missions.
“They also doubted Fran’s ability to lead a party in combat.”
“What do you mean?”
“B-Ranks usually band together to take on missions. They need party leaders to deal with stampedes, disasters, and high-rank monster hunts.”
Fran’s not doing that.
“Hm. Can’t be bothered.”
“I figured,” said Dias. “That was the only point I agreed with them on.”
Her personality made it impossible for her to lead. She had no experience and didn’t really talk. Her party would be wiped out in minutes.
“Finally, Fran’s conduct made her unsuited to become a B-Rank. B-Rank adventurers have to deal with aristocrats.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You are free to accept and refuse, of course, but try telling that to a marquis or a member of the royal family. The guild looks to its stronger members to accomplish the tasks the nobility
