After Arata and Ryuka left the Guild Master's office, they headed to the reception desk to meet Yuna.
Once they arrived at the reception desk, they handed over the form that the Guild Master had given them.
After Yuna received the form, she was surprised because Arata was allowed to create a team.
"Seriously, you were allowed to create a team?" Yuna asked.
"Yeah, that's what they said. It's another reward for completing that dragon extermination mission," Arata replied.
"Oh, I see. In that case, congratulations on reaching rank S and being given the right to create a team, Arata," Yuna said.
"Hehe, thanks for the congratulations, Yuna," Arata said.
"Alright, I'll put this paper on the team board," Yuna said.
"Okay," Arata responded.
Yuna then went to the team board, and as soon as the paper was posted, the entire guild became noisy.
"Wow, seriously, there's a new team?"
"But who's the leader?"
"Can't you see? It clearly says that Arata is the leader."
"Arata? Isn't that the same person who completed the rank S mission alone?"
Hearing their conversation, Arata sighed because he already knew this would happen.
"(Sighs) I expected this to happen," Arata said.
"Well, that means they recognize you," Ryuka said.
"Hoo, now you're praising me too, Ryuka?" Arata teased.
"D-Don't misunderstand. I only acknowledge your abilities, not that I'm praising you or anything," Ryuka replied in her tsundere tone.
Arata laughed at the expression Ryuka made.
A while later, after talking about Arata's new team, they moved on to something else that caught Arata's attention.
"Did you guys hear that Shadow Leaf is firing members again because they failed the rank C mission?" one person said.
"Seriously? They just fired someone last night, and now they're firing another person? So who did they fire this time?"
"From what I heard, it's their healer."
"Seriously? Last night it was their swordsman, and now it's the healer? It seems like their party's going to fall apart."
Arata then asked Yuna about the information he had just overheard.
"Yuna, did they just say that Shadow Leaf fired another member?" Arata asked.
"Yeah, that's how it is. They just fire people. Last night it was you, and now their healer is gone," Yuna replied.
"So, are they going to recruit someone again?" Arata asked.
"I don't know. Even if they do, who would want to join their party now that their name is tarnished?" Yuna said.
"Heheh, you're right," Arata said.
After asking about Shadow Leaf, Arata said goodbye to Yuna.
"Well then, Yuna, we're heading back now," Arata said.
"Wait a minute, where are you two staying?" Yuna asked.
"Oh, that's no problem. The Guild Master gave us a villa," Arata replied.
"Wait, why did the Guild Master give you a house?" Yuna asked.
"Apparently, anyone who reaches rank S gets a villa," Arata explained.
"What? In all my time as a receptionist, no one ever said that rank S people get a villa. The most they give is a month's worth of lodging, but you get a villa?" Yuna said, surprised.
Hearing this, Arata was shocked.
"Huh? So, the Guild Master lied to me?" Arata asked.
"I don't really know, but it seems like the Guild Master doesn't want you leaving the city, which is why they probably lied to you about that," Yuna said.
"That makes sense. Well, we'll go to the villa now," Arata said.
"Alright then, take care on the way," Yuna said.
They both headed to the villa that the Guild Master had given them.
Meanwhile, in the Guild Master's office, Tsukihiro was talking to a mysterious figure.
"I've given Arata the villa," Tsukihiro said.
"Good job. Just make sure he doesn't find out that he's the king's son," the mysterious figure replied.
"I'm still confused as to why you're hiding the fact that his father is still alive and also keeping his identity as the crown prince a secret," Tsukihiro said.
"That's something you don't need to know. Now I'll report this to the king," the mysterious figure said.
"Alright. And send my regards to the king," Tsukihiro said.
The figure vanished from Tsukihiro's sight.
"Hmm, what's your reason for not telling your son that you're still alive, Ryujin?" Tsukihiro murmured to himself.
Back at Arata's side, they had finally arrived at the villa that Tsukihiro had mentioned.
Arata was surprised because the villa given to him was huge.
"Wow, seriously? Why is this villa so big? Did the Guild Master give me the wrong information?" Arata said.
"But it doesn't seem like it. Try putting the key in the lock to see if this is really the villa the Guild Master mentioned," Ryuka said.
"Alright, I'll try the key," Arata said.
Arata inserted the key into the lock, and the door opened.
"It looks like we're not mistaken. The key fits perfectly," Arata said.
"Good, now try opening the door," Ryuka said.
Arata opened the door, and he was shocked to find a maid waiting for him inside.
"Welcome back, Master Arata. My name is Yukari, and I'm a maid here," the maid greeted.
"Huh? Master? No, no, are you sure you have the right person?" Arata asked.
"Of course, Master Arata. You are Arata Katsuragi, right?" Yukari said.
"Yes, that's my name, but how do you know my full name?" Arata asked.
"That's something I cannot tell you. Now, please come in. I've prepared dinner for you, Master," Yukari said.
"Well, in that case, let's go in, Ryuka," Arata said.
"Hmph, fine," Ryuka said.
They both entered the house, but before they could go further, the maid stopped Ryuka.
"Wait a moment, Master. Who is she?" Yukari asked.
"Oh, that's Ryuka. From now on, she'll be staying here with me," Arata explained.
Upon hearing Arata's words, Ryuka's face turned red from embarrassment.
"Staying together?" Ryuka stammered.
"Of course, where else would you stay if not with me?" Arata teased.
"W-Well, if you insist, but don't do anything inappropriate," Ryuka said, still embarrassed.
"Alright, alright," Arata said.
Yukari seemed to understand immediately.
"So she'll be staying with you, Master? In that case, I'll prepare her room," Yukari said.
"Alright, then," Arata replied.
Yukari quickly prepared the room for Ryuka while the two of them headed to the dining table for dinner.
When they arrived at the table, Arata was surprised by the lavish meal that Yukari had prepared.
Ryuka, too, was confused because it was the first time she'd seen human food.
"Hmm, is this food for humans?" Ryuka asked.
"I figured you'd say that. Yeah, it's human food," Arata said.
"Do humans eat this every day?" Ryuka asked.
"Not every day. This food is a bit too luxurious for daily meals," Arata explained.
"Oh, can we eat it then?" Ryuka asked.
"Of course, let's eat," Arata said.
They both eagerly began eating the meal prepared by Yukari.
Who sent Yukari to be Arata's maid? How will Shadow Leaf react when they learn that the member they once scorned has now reached rank S? And will Mira find a new party? Stay tuned for the next chapter!
*If I made any minor mistakes that might be distracting, I sincerely apologize. I have done my best for this novel, and if you enjoy it, please consider giving it a like and sharing your feedback, suggestions, or criticism so I can learn and improve. Thank you for reading, and see you in the next chapter!*