Chapter 2000

Chapter 2000: 2000

Blossom, while listening to the chatter, reached past Quinlan’s arm to point at the badges, her tail beginning to wag.

"Master, Blossom gets a new one too?!"

"You heard her."

"Hehe!"

Her delighted laugh brought a chuckle from the clerk, who found the dogkin’s name before moving her badge to the front.

"You’ve certainly earned it. All of you."

From beside the table, the newcomer smoothed her neckline, took a breath, and stepped into the space left by the other women.

"Lord Black, Unbound, congratulations on making history! If you happen to be free this evening, I’d love to buy you a drink. To celebrate."

Her friend’s mug stopped halfway to her mouth.

"You just said you were resting!"

"I’ve rested."

Kitsara covered her grin with her fingers. Even Quinlan’s helmet couldn’t hide the amusement in his voice when he answered.

"I already have plans with my ladies."

"Ah... Of course. Another time, perhaps."

She retreated beneath her companions’ delighted scrutiny, red-faced but visibly pleased with herself for having tried. Beside the counter, Marielle barely heard the laughter following her.

"At least you shot your shot, even if it was a slingshot aimed at the sun. That’s more than many can say!"

"Fuck you all... I’m going to sleep."

"Don’t get depressed on me just because you couldn’t suck your way into generational wealth and power, bitch."

"Fuck you... Sob... I want to freeload so bad..."

Grade Three.

Marielle’s fingers found the badge on her own robe.

That had been her use. The single, precious reason he still brought her along instead of leaving her somewhere to rot. When a contract required a qualified party, he needed her name on it.

Now he could sign for himself.

’Wait...’

The warmth drained from her face while the clerk continued arranging the new badges. The woman was positively glowing with happiness, unaware that she had just ruined Marielle’s fucking life all over again.

What would he do with her now?

He had stronger, better mages, women who could destroy everything she threw at them and laugh while doing it. Even her husband was another swordsman in a family that already had too many monsters with blades.

Marielle tried to think of anything she could offer him, anything at all, and found herself staring at the empty space where the payment would arrive.

He’d already borrowed against her.

’He’s going to let them collect me.’

Quinlan turned his helmet toward her.

Her knees weakened so suddenly that she caught the counter to remain standing. The red eyes stayed on her for a moment, leaving her terrified mind to invent everything he might be considering behind them.

"M-my..."

She swallowed the title before it escaped.

Quinlan looked back at the clerk and reached across the counter.

"You spoke up for us, hm?"

His palm settled on her head.

"Eh?"

The clerk stared up at him. She’d been prepared to explain their new eligibility, arrange the exchange of badges, perhaps accept a thank-you. Having that deep voice catch her out while he stroked her hair had featured nowhere in her very professional expectations.

"I... was doing my job."

"Were you?"

Her cheeks warmed beneath his attention. Behind him, the women at the table had fallen silent, listening with an intensity they had never once brought to an explanation of Guild policy.

"Everyone starts at Grade One. Even experienced mercenaries. But that doesn’t mean we should ignore what they accomplish after registering."

Quinlan gave her another gentle pat.

"Mm... You and the Scarlet Lilies have shown yourselves to be more than capable. Their promotion was approved too. I simply made sure the Guildmaster had your completed records."

"All of them?"

"Well... yes. With the clients’ confirmations. And my recommendation."

"Thought so."

His fingers stroked her hair again. The clerk’s blush deepened as a small, helpless sound escaped her, and she looked down at the tray before she could make another.

She had wanted him to be pleased. She’d looked forward to telling him since the decision came back.

Now he was pleased, and showing it, and apparently she couldn’t endure a little appreciation without forgetting how to explain a badge.

"The, um... old identification. I’ll need that back."

"Of course."

He lifted his hand from her head and placed his badge on the counter.

"Thanks, bestie~" Kitsara purred. His women came forward to exchange theirs too, giving the clerk something to do with her hands while she checked their names against the replacements.

"Congratulations~" Sera murmured as she accepted hers.

The clerk looked up.

"I should be saying that to you."

"Mm-hmm. You should."

The elf’s grin made her cheeks burn hotter. Sera moved aside before the poor woman could decide how to answer, letting Blossom collect her new badge with immense pride.

Once the exchanges were finished, the clerk handed Marielle the quest payment. While the mage put it away, Quinlan thanked the clerk again and turned toward the entrance.

Marielle was still gripping the counter.

She watched him pass her, then stared after his broad back as his women followed him across the hall. He had left her to guess what he wanted her to do.

Surely following was better than waiting here to be collected by a creditor.

"Wait...!"

She snatched up the empty contract folder and hurried after him, nearly colliding with the woman who had offered him a drink.

"Run, bitch, run! Your golden goose is leaving!"

The laughter followed Marielle all the way to the door.

Only after it closed did the short-haired adventurer turn toward the contract boards.

"He didn’t look."

"Hmm?"

"The quests. He always checks before leaving."

Several women looked from the untouched board to the entrance. One slowly put her drink down.

"Ohhh..."

Behind the counter, the clerk bent over the returned badges, hoping none of them would notice her smile.

"Oh, look at her."

Her fingers stopped over the tray.

"What?"

The short-haired adventurer left her table to lean against the counter. Her friends joined her with considerably more interest than any of them had shown in the available work.

"Nothing, sweetheart. We’re just wondering why you haven’t asked him out."

"Eh?!"

"This slut is a lost cause." She pointed her thumb toward the woman who had offered Quinlan a drink. "But you? You might actually have a chance."

"Why am I still getting insulted?!"

"You just offered to suck dicks for a life free of worries."

"Not dicks, just a singular, masculine, handsome one..."

The clerk tried to resume sorting the badges. Unfortunately, the women had now gathered along her counter, giving her nowhere to look without meeting another delighted grin.

"You could be his cute little assistant. Take care of his contracts, travel with him..."

"Sit on his lap while he signs things."

"I’m a Guild employee!"

"And an excellent one. He seemed very grateful~"

She’d been trying so hard to stop thinking about his hand on her head, and these bitches had decided she wasn’t embarrassed enough yet.

"That was a thank-you!"

"Mm-hmm. Your first payment. Head pats now, who knows what later?"

The clerk stamped her foot beneath the counter.

"Keep this up and I’m giving every one of you latrine-cleaning duties!"

For a moment, they stared at her.

Then the woman who’d been rejected by Quinlan began laughing so hard she had to lean against her friend’s shoulder.

"Sweetheart... We choose our contracts."

"You can’t make us take them," another added, wiping at her eyes. "Remember? You work here."

"I know that!"

"Then why would we clean latrines?"

The clerk pouted at the smug faces lined up in front of her. Even the woman who’d been mourning her lost chance at generational wealth was enjoying herself again.

At her expense.

"Don’t be upset~ We’re trying to help."

"Yes. Very thoughtful of you."

She put the last badge into its tray and pushed it aside.

"Perhaps I should be equally thoughtful toward your landlords."

"...Our what?"

"The city’s getting more expensive. Food, supplies... But you ladies can still afford to sit here for twenty-five days a month doing nothing. Your rent must be terribly low."

The laughter faltered.

"Now, hold on."

"I’m sure they’d appreciate knowing how comfortably you’re living. Perhaps I’ll suggest they adjust their prices."

"We’re not living comfortably!"

The clerk glanced toward their abandoned table, where half-finished drinks surrounded the contract beneath the mug.

"You certainly look comfortable."

"That’s because we’re good at sitting!"

"Very good. You’ve had plenty of practice."

The woman who’d spent her last quest’s income on a room at Quinlan’s inn reached across the counter, her amusement completely gone.

"Leave the innkeeper out of this. Please."

"Oh? Are you worried you might have to find somewhere cheaper?"

"...You wouldn’t."

The clerk smiled sweetly at her.

Behind the others, the short-haired adventurer slipped back to their table and retrieved the neglected contract from beneath her mug. Its corner was damp, and she smoothed it against her thigh on the way to the counter.

Rent wasn’t due for three more weeks. She had been looking forward to enjoying them.

The clerk watched the paperwork arrive in front of her with immense satisfaction.

"So..." The woman cleared her throat. "Is that latrine-cleaning job still available?"

...

Author: Chapter 2000! Never thought we’d hit such a milestone, it always sounded outright mythical to me. When I started writing Primordial Villain, even 100 Chapters felt like a mountain I could never climb, yet here we are... Truly, thanks for all the support. Without so many people enjoying this story, it never would’ve reached even 200 Chapters, let alone 2000.

Thank you!