Re: Death - Reincarnated Dead Into Another World

??: "Enter."

I enter upon the prodding of the coarse voice beyond the door that leads to the office of the Guild. Rotating the knob, I placed a slight strength in my arm and pushed it open. There, I laid upon the sight of the Guild Master, Duragan, seated on his towering leather chair. He's as intimidating as ever even though he's only sitting…

Just like what the rumors say…

Duragan, or the Human's Guild Master, is known as the Strongest Human of the Zorestas Kingdom all over Teralha. He is said to have fought in the recent wars between the other races, including the ones with Demons, only to come back as the victor of every single one. As a result of that, Duragan was granted the title of Head Commander of Zorestas Kingdom's army, which is under the direct command of the King.

The scars on his arms and his right eye proves the battles he went through.

I-I feel like I've made the wrong choice of applying as a secretary for the Guild…

Duragan: "You're the newly applied secretary… huh?"

His voice almost made the air vibrate from how deep it is…

??: "Y-Yes! Linda is the name, sir!"

Duragan: "Hrmm…"

Eeeek!! If glares can kill, I'm already dead by now…!! Please don't eat me!!

Duragan: "Gahahaha! I see! Welcome aboard, Linda! Maaan, I ne'er thought there'd be any more steelballs like you to apply for the job! Seriously, you're a great help! Gahahaha!"

Linda: "H-Huh? Steel… Ba-?"

H-Huh?

Duragan: "Gahahaha!"

He's a lot different?? Where's the scary looking bear earlier?? Who is this friendly Guild Master?!

*gasp* Don't tell me there are two Guild Masters?!

Duragan: "Oi, oi, what's the problem, newb? Looking at this lil' ol' me like you've seen a ghost… Oho? Let's see, you've fallen for me, eh? Tsk, tsk. That won't do. My heart only belongs to my one and only, and that's my wife! Gahahaha!"

Linda: "I am not!!"

Think about the age! I'm only 21!

Duragan: "That so? Then what's the problem?"

Linda: "Th-That's…"

I cannot say the difference in my impression of his and what I see right now left me a great deal of shock… Trauma, perhaps… *shiver*

While I was standing dumbfounded while holding a few doc.u.ments in my arms, the door opened once again and a young boy appeared from it.

??: "If you're having problems with secretary applicants, then do something about that demeanor of yours, Father."

Father? Ah, so this is Guild Master's son. If remember right, his son is around fourteen years in age, right? Fifteen? I don't quite remember.

Unlike her father's scary appearance, his son carries a gentle and tender air around him. He has his father's eyes, being sharp determined looking. But aside from that, I guess he inherited more of his mother's genes. He looks like a prince.

Not my type, though. And think about the age.

He wears a leather vest with a chain mail under it, as it is visible from the crevice of his clothes. Around his waist is a long sword, size unbefitting a child like him.

But I wonder why… Why do I feel like he's a lot more m.a.t.u.r.e than what he looks? Is it the atmosphere around him? Or how he talks and walks?

Duragan: "Ohh, Alastor, my boy! You have come!"

Alastor: "Yeah. Mom has been sulking for quite a while lately, so I've come to warn you."

Sulking… Are they not in good terms?

Duragan: "O-Ohh… Your mother is scary when she gets like that… I better go home tonight…"

Eh?! That Duragan?! The strongest Human on Teralha!? Getting scared?! Of his wife?! He's even shivering…

J-Just what kind of person is this wife…? I can only imagine a large and loud woman who eats nails for breakfast…

Alastor: "Well, it seems like you have an urgent matter to relay, Ms. Linda. Don't mind me and go ahead."

Linda: "E-Eh… Ahh… Yes. Thank you. I will then. Wait… My name…"

Why does he know my name?

Alastor: "Ahh. I'm also registered as an adventurer here, so I get to know the affairs inside the Guild. Let me introduce myself just in case. I'm Alastor Gallendal, Rank S adventurer, and lastly, this idiot of a father's son."

Duragan: "Who's an idiot, you stupid brat?!"

Rank S?! A child like him…?! That's just… I-It's unbelievable. It's impossible… Even if a person tried to train all his life since birth, no one can achieve the rank of the second to the top at this age. Even a talented adventurer can only arrive at Rank A at best.

I mean, that guy even spent almost all his life working for the guild to reach his level. But for this young man to be a Rank S adventurer at his age…

Alastor: "Ms. Linda?"

Linda: "A-Ahh… Yes. I'm fine. L-Let me introduce myself then. I'm Linda Eysha. I will be taking the role of secretary under your father's guidance."

I bowed deeply towards Alastor.

I know he's only a young boy, but there's something in him that makes me see him as something who is not. Well, there's also the fact that he's my superior's son. I have to give due respect if I want to stay in this job.

Alastor: "You don't have to do that, Ms. Linda! I'm just an adventurer here! Please raise your head!"

Oh? His humble too.

*sigh*

My mind can't keep up from all of this unforeseen events… Ugghhh… It's only my first day and I'm already this exhausted… Will I last like this…? *sigh*

Duragan: "So? Linda. What's the report?"

Linda: "Yes."

I reaffirmed my thoughts and set aside everything that may hinder my job performance. My mother always told me that I'm good at focusing on a certain task if I put my mind to it.

Linda: "... Regarding the Dastrientel Forest of the Deceased."

Duragan: "Hoh… Let me hear it."

I flipped open the doc.u.ments which details the exact reports from our scouts.

The King have issued a thorough scouting throughout and all over the continent, even at the edges, to investigate the other races movements. Being the head commander, the Guild Master was the one to receive the orders and was told to mobilize his workforce.

It's one way to gain information, after all. And information is one of the great weapons in wars.

Some are news about the rise of the number of monsters in certain areas, news about the occurring war in neighboring countries, or even trivial things like small changes in villages and towns.

But this time around, there is actually a case that makes someone raise their brow.

Linda: "According to the report, there has been a case of dwindling monster population in the forest. From Apparition Type monsters, Beast Type monsters, etc. But mostly Apparition Types, since the place is infested with them."

Alastor: "Dastrientel Forest of the Deceased… Isn't that…"

Duragan: "… You've suspected right, my boy."

Yes. At first, it's only a case of monster dwindling in numbers and that's actually a good news for us, to be honest. Less monsters, less problem for the Knights and Adventurers who are dealing with them.

In this time of the current truce between the races and a break from wars, the main focus of the Guild is monster extermination. Of course, it's not only the small monsters that must be dealt with, there are also Rank S monsters that must be exterminated as soon as possible.

Those are monsters that can bring a single town into a sea of flame in one night.

But that is not the suspicion Alastor is talking about.

Yes.

Linda: "It is reckoned that the new Demon Lord have started to move."

Ten years ago, the Demon Lord disappeared, leaving only a massacre filled city. That city was also known as the main city of the Demon Continent where the Demon Lord reigns over the Demis. The scouts found everything in ruins. The people were also massacred and were left in an unbelievable state.

It was then believed that the Demon Lord perished there. The source of that devastation is still unknown even now. However, one thing that we know is that the Demon Lord had a daughter and it should be taking on the title as the next Demon Lord. If the child was still alive, that is.

But that suspicion was proven wrong later then.

Later after that incident, news all over the Demon Continent, even from other Continents, that a monster that had the same characteristics of the former Demon Lord had appeared. It went from places to places, destroying everything in sight.

It was confirmed then that the next Demon Lord is still alive. However, its state then led to a few confusion, since it only wreaked havoc, all different than the previous Demon Lord, who mainly focused in rebuilding their empire.

That continued for months. Until one day, reports said that it stopped in its tracks.

And the last place it was last seen was…

Duragan: "Dastrientel Forest, huh? Hrmm… Just when I thought we could make this time for a rest for the adventurers… *sigh*"

The Guild Master heaved an exasperated sigh, placing his palm on his forehead.

Alastor: "Have there been a witness to prove our suspicion?"

Linda: "… Sorry to say, but no. There has been none. Only the remains were found."

Alastor: "I say, we still can't be sure that it is the new Demon Lord, yet. It may also be a case of a powerful monster at move. Well, that per se is something to be alerted at, of course."

Just like he said, it can also be a case of a monster wreaking havoc in the forest. And if so, it's something we can't turn a blind eye at.

Linda: "However, the number of the monsters that disappeared is unparalleled. And you would expect corpses there, but nothing was found at the area. The scouts found some bodies, but the strange part of that is… Some monsters died without sustaining any injuries. It's like they died out of nowhere."

Alastor: "That's… How?"

Linda: "… That is the end of the report."

I closed the doc.u.ment and bring them back again to my c.h.e.s.t.

Anyhow, there're still points that are left unsolved. We can only form speculations, no concrete ideas.

Duragan: "Good work."

Linda: "Thank you."

I bowed my head.

Alastor: "Should I check on it?"

Duragan: "Hrmm… No. It's not the time for that. And we don't have a definite proof yet. Linda. I want to you mobilize a new batch of scouts to investigate the area."

Linda: "Certainly."

I bowed for the last time and left the room, leaving the father and son who are now wearing grim expressions.

…

Alastor: "It's just my hunch. Or rather, a question actually."

Duragan: "Hm?"

Alastor: "Do Demis also have their own Summoned One?"

Duragan: "Hrm. None. Only the Aelves, Faunalias, and Humans get to have them, since the Demis are failed creations according to the legend, or something."

Alastor: "I see. So there's no chance that the one behind the disappearance of the monsters is related to a Summoned One?"

Duragan: "That's right. At any rate, I heard that there's a new Summoned One in the Human's. Having two Summoned Ones is unprecedented. 'Tis a great era to live in, eh?"

Alastor: "You mean…?"

Duragan: "She's the same age as you."

Alastor: "Huh?"

Duragan: "Perhaps, you know her yourself.

…being a Summoned One also and all."

…

..

.

Chapter End