CH 171

"To everyone's hard work and the E-rank promotion, cheers!!"

"CHEERS!!"

In the evening of the E-rank exam guild battle, we held a celebration party for our success.

We gathered with Karua, Rika and Celestine once the exam was over and after completing promotion formalities at the reception for guild applications, our guild officially became an E-ranked one.

E-ranks have much more advantage compared to F-ranks but the most noteworthy advantage is the members' limit has been increased to 15. Now we can finally usher in the 4 people who had been waiting for the interview.

In addition, we also got a new base for our activities.

Our guild room until now was in tower A for the purpose of F-rank guilds but it has now moved to a building for E-rank guild.

The so-called E-rank guild building comes with one large room and two small ones. Whether it's the main room or the two side rooms, both of them were spacious and magnificent compared to the lackluster F-rank guilds room.

Going by the normal routine, one small room would have turned into a storage room and another for production use, however one of the side rooms is already filled with Hannah's magic stones which is a little troubling.

It's not like they can't be used but it's impossible for now, and I can't sell them either. I'm sure if I did that, Hannah would surely burst out in tears. The best way is to let Hannah work on production for some time until 90% of them are used.

There's also that wonderful preferential treatment where we can arrange up to four guild items. With this, we would be able to arrange <Yggdrasil plant>, <Red fruit> and the houseplant set indispensable for <Sachineko-sama> and <Elf>.

Speaking of which, I think I have yet to explain about the significance of these three present items. They are called <Spirit garden> but anyway, I will have the time to introduce it later.

Incidentally, the first thing I did after moving was to arrange <Sachineko-sama> into the household shrine. Though it's now lying on Lana's lap. It's really hard to defend against Lana's demonic clutches.

"Nevertheless, I knew Zephyr is like a walking encyclopedia, but to think he was even familiar with guild battles. The earlier guild battle deeply impressed me."

"Hmm. You were really cool, Zephyr"

"Thank you!"

Rika and Karua watched the game from the audience seats. It was a pity they were unable to participate in this exam because their job levels weren't enough, but it seems that the game was quite stimulating and fun that both of them are now sitting on the seats beside me and ravishing me with praises.

"Especially that thing, how did you do it? As if you already had the victory in your grasp from the start the way you had the advantage in point from beginning to end was heart throbbing. Just how were you able to come up with that? I understand you will have an advantage by taking the forts. But I didn't get how the Philis-sensei’s group could not have any advantage even after taking down Castle?"

"Hnn. I also… didn't understand... at all.’’

"In short, it's all thanks to the special restrictions and the rules. Victory is certain with some tactics if there's not any PvP rule or when both sides' strength equally match. But, it also works because you know enough about opponent team"

Swept in the Ria's enthusiastic query, I was also fired up and explained.

Though I didn't know much about the opponent this time, it was enough to know that there's no PvP. All that was left to do was to flesh out a strategy based around the fact and that was enough. It's because I clearly know we have no PvP and the difference in number is that no matter how high their Lv is, I could win with a well planned strategy.

Even when I explained in detail, both Rika and Karua were making faces as if I was speaking some kind of alien language.

"Either way, it means Zephyr is strong. Extremely strong."

"Well, it was more of a win through strategy compared to strength."

"But this is also one part of strength, no? It's frustrating that we can't understand even a bit of that."

Now they’re making me embarrassed with such high praises. However, they have yet to understand the splendor of the most beautiful flower in a guild battle, that is PvP.

I will definitely show them even more passionate scenes, just you guys wait .

＊

"You're finally beside me, Zephyr! I’ve got a really really interesting thing in my hand. I'm in a good mood now so I will give you a taste of it! Come, give me your glass"

When I moved beside Lana, who was in an extremely good mood, called out to me while holding a big bottle.

What is inside that bottle? It can't be alcohol, right? (※Minors aren't allowed to drink). As I looked at the big bottle in vigilance, Ester explained from the side.

"This is a <100% mellow apple juice>, a rare drop from a rare monster called <Apple Golden Pull>. How about Zephyr-dono try it? It's something not so easy to get our hands on"

"<Golpull> juice? Now that's something interesting. I’d like to try it."

"Be grateful that I'm letting you taste such an exquisite drink!"

"Of course Your Highness, I'm extremely grateful."

Thanking her sincerely, I pushed my glass forward to try it.

It looks like your ordinary apple juice but the scent it gives is on whole another level. As expected of an item mentioned in the text of a royal purveyor in the game. It looks awfully delicious.

After hearing the details, it seems to be Lana's prized possession. Royalties do have royal taste. Let's quickly try it.

"Hmmm, ahhh…. so delicious!"

"I told you!"

As expected of the royal purveyor apple juice. A savory and refreshing taste spreads in my mouth when I takes a sip, and the after taste is really smooth, too.

It is one heck of a delicious juice. I feel like I might get addicted to it.

If I'm not wrong, <Golpull> is in the mid-grade higher rank dungeons. I will definitely give it a visit someday.

Just you wait <Golpull>! Fuhaha!

＊

"Sorry for the wait, Sierra-sama, Hannah-sama."

"My, thank you, Celestine."

"Thank you very much. But, I think adding -sama to my name is a bit...... "

"Why is Celestine playing the role of a waiter?"

When I turned to the next seat, Celestine for some reason was serving a wet towel, plate, drinks etc.

And accepting it ever so naturally was Sierra.

However, Hannah seems to be in bewilderment and showing resistance to adding ‘-sama’ to her name..

"Nothing special, just because I'm the lowest ranking member in the <Eden>, and my job is a <Butler>"

"I see. But leave this aside Celestine, just enjoy the party for now"

"Okay. I heard dishes are made by Hannah-sama and it's really delicious"

"Hehe~. I'm quite confident about my cooking~"

Ohh, it's rare that Hannah is actually boasting. Seems like she's quite proud about today's party menu. But I guess she has every right to be, as each and every dish is truly exquisite.

"How about Sierra, do you like it?"

"Naturally. It's really fun to talk with Hannah. Her cooking is also delicious, if possible, I also want to take her to my house"

"You can't do that!"

"I know. Rest assured, I'm not gonna do anything~"

Though, it actually depends on Hannah, I'm not planning to tie her up to me after graduation.

"Zephyr, once again, congratulations on E-rank promotion."

"Why so suddenly?"

"Nothing. I'm just glad I joined your group."

"Well, your conclusion is quite hasty. After all, aren't we just a little E-rank guild right now?"

"Fufu, you're right. Not when the goal is S-rank."

"Yeah. I’ll listen to anything when we become an S-ranked, but until then, let's move towards our goal together."

"I know, and I'm really looking forward to the future."

"Hmm, of course. Also, I have a request."

"What is it?"

"I hope Sierra can be the sub guild master."

From E-rank and onwards, one must appoint a sub guild master to assist the guild master. There are many reasons to, but mainly because the things needed to be done will increased by a lot, and having another person to assist the guild master really helps out.

"Very well."

"... Aren't you going to think about it first?"

"It's fine. There's no problem since I have already decided to accompany you on this journey."

"Thank you!"

It really helps me that Sierra had decided to become sub guild master. If it's her, I can rest assured that <Eden> will be in good hands.

Hmm. Somehow we managed to become an E-rank guild before the month ended. Our next goal is an intermediate dungeon.

It's the true beginning of a battle stage where job holders with Lv40 and 3rd order tree unlocked can't afford to be lax.

In contrast to the beginner dungeons where you can just raise your level and bulldoze your way through brute force, an intermediate dungeon is where one would run into a barrier if they don't fully utilize their job abilities.

From here on, is the true stage of the dungeons, where the ability of all unprecedented 1021 jobs shine..

We have finally arrived at this point.

Together with new comrades.

I'm looking forward to the new surprises the real <Dungeon Activity>, which isn't a game anymore, held in its bag for us.

Arc 2 - One Step Closer To Being the Strongest — over.