Chapter 6

New Arrival

"Congratulations on completing your quest. This shall be your reward."

I hand the adventurers a bag full of crim. They smile at me warmly, thanking me before going about the rest of their day.

"I'm really loving the new guild girl, she's so adorable!"

"I know, right? And she's a slime too. Extra 50 points to her cuteness factor."

I've been working at Angel's Sword Guild for a few weeks now, and thankfully, nothing catastrophic has happened since then. Actually, quite the opposite happened. Apparently, I'm really popular with the adventurers. Guess people really like slime-girls. Although, if I'm being honest, I'm not really sure how to feel about it. I'm not used to getting this kind of attention, so it does make me a little nervous, but seeing the smiles I bring people by just being me, it warms my heart a bit. And I suppose it's only fair. After all, I really like all the adventurers too. In fact, during my lunch breaks, I like to sit with them in the canteen and listen to all the adventures they've had. I may have decided to not become an adventurer myself, but I still really look up to them. Not the mention their stories are really cool! Oh, speaking of which...

"Ms. Zuri, I'm taking my lunch break!"

"Ok then, I'll take care of things from here." My boss takes my place at the counter as I'm ready to race off. "Oh, but before that, do you think you can do me a quick favor?"

Putting up some posters outside the guild building wasn't as easy as it looked. First off, there is a LOT of wind, so I had to hard clutch the posters with one arm. Then there's the fact that I'm short, so I have to tiptoe to get the posters at eye level with other people. And then there's the tape. That stupid tape that absolutely refuses to peel! You would think the guild could have higher quality tape than this. Are they cutting costs or something? Anyway, this errand took a bit longer than I expected, but I honestly don't mind. I have plenty of time. Actually, what are these posters for anyway? ...60% off steak pops at the market!? It'll probably take most of my break to get there, but that's a deal I am NOT going to miss out on!

I walk back to the guild with a whole bag of steak pops. They're so good! Why have sweets when you can just have an actual steak! Hmm, maybe I should give a few to the adventurers. And Ms. Zuri too. Let's just hope I don't eat them all myself before I get there. Hehe. I make it to the main entrance, but just as I was about to open the door, I hear a commotion coming from down the street. I look over to see what is happening. It's pretty far, but I can see a bunch of people marching down the street. A...lot of people...a ton of people...how many people are there? That looks like a whole army! Actually, could it be some parade? There are regular citizens in that mob, but there are also adventurers from what I can tell. Adventurers? Wait don't tell me, are they...I slip through the door.

"Welcome back Leaf. "

"I'm still on break." I say as I quickly hide behind the quest counter, proceeding to bite into another steak pop.

In that moment, the door flies open with two adventurers bursting in shouting "Greetings adventurers!"

More people begin filling the guild hall and lining up as the first two continue.

"It is with great pleasure that today we bring you the honor, the privilege, the gift of being visited by the beautiful, the wise, the glorious great leader, the queen of the forest, HARUKA KARIBOU!"

The mob starts applauding and cheering while everyone else just sits confused. Then, a lady enters.

"Guys, c'mon. I thought I asked you not to do that, it's embarrassing."

I take a peek. Haruka looked like something out of a fairy tale. She was really pretty, downed in all green, pretty tall and...are those antlers? Could she be a chimera? A moose chimera? I must say, I've never seen anyone like her before. They said she was a queen, right? A queen from far away? What could a queen possibly be doing here? Zuri walks up to greet her.

"Oh, don't mind them, they're good people at heart, I promise."

"So, what brings the queen of the forest to our guild?"

Haruka gets more embarrassed. "I'm not a queen of any forest! I'm just a normal girl who does normal things."

Zuri giggles a little. Could she have known and was just teasing her? Could have fooled me. Actually, it did. Aside from a crown, Haruka really does look like a queen. *nom*

"But, as for the reason I came here..." Haruka's gets a little excited. "It is to become an adventurer!"

"Of course, I'll prepare everything. But before I do, I must ask." Zuri looks at the mob who came in with Haruka. "Who exactly are all those people?"

"Well, I guess you can say they're my fan club."

A fan club? With all these people? This person must be REALLY amazing to have that many fans! She said she's just a normal girl, but I don't believe her. And if she's becoming an adventurer, it MUST be because something amazing happened to her. Hmm, maybe I should join this fan club.

"Quite a lively group. Anyway, let me prepare the introductory quest." She turns to the quest counter, and I quickly duck back behind it. Zuri stops and thinks for a moment.

"Actually, Leaf, since you're on break, why don't you go with her? I think it would be a great experience for you." I peek back around the counter with a bone in my mouth.