CHAPTER 399: ARC 6, CHAPTER 15: THE ADVENTURERS GUILD OF BURNETROUT

"This happens from time to time, not to worry. We’ll just push it up from one side and everyone get inside the boat before it falls back," the boatman directed.

"Crappy boat if it upends from time to time," Fumeko sneered.

"It’s fine!" Hotaru yelled over. "Okay, just kick your legs and move. You know how to move your arms?"

"Yeah," Jotou begrudgingly shifted.

"Just don’t kick me," Hotaru swam forward with Jotou towards the upturned boat. They all gathered to one side; four of them with waterproof attire had an easier time floating with the support of the boat.

Fumeko blinked across the river and stood at the shore. A wild moose appeared from the shrubs near her and dipped it’s head to drink some water. The brunette shook her head like a wet dog and turned to see the creature much larger than her...

"Three, two, one!" they all pushed up, shifting the boat left and right till some part of it began to surface higher. It was a difficult push with all their luggage strapped to it. "No use. Alright, we can push it to the riverbank first," the boatman instructed.

"Pardon me, I may aid in this endeavour to a greater extent. Would ye mind moving aside and seizing this vessel by its ends to uplift it?"

"Eh?" the boatman squinted.

"Grab the boat front and back and lift it up, Tiffany can push it the rest of the way," Jotou told. The boatman heavily doubted that, but followed the manoeuvre.

With enough of a lift, the inner side of the boat was exposed. "AHhhhhhh!"

Controlling the amplitude of her scream, the echoing vibrations pushed up the boat further, without chipping or cracking it.

The rest were able to flip the boat further till it was right side up once more. Tiffany panicked a little till she caught onto the edge of the boat again. Fortunately, all of their tied down things remained secure.

One by one they got back onto the boat, careful not to tip it too far again. The moose raised its head and looked at Fumeko who had crossed her arms. "The fuck do you want."

The moose turned and traipsed away into the forest. Fumeko watched it with a glare before blinking back onto the boat. All their hair was drenched, while Tiffany and the boatsman were wet from head-to-toe.

Some of Tiffany’s waterproof makeup remained, but a lot of it was smudged or wiped by the water; her hair was flat against her back.

Sparks flew off of Jotou’s head, vaporizing the water and making her blonde hair frizzy, but her entire form was dry at least. Hotaru began removing water splash by splash from her tail that slopped onto the boat beside her.

The boatman huffed to stave off the chill, "That’s why you folk are headin’ for the guild then. Only a short bit more," he started up the propeller again and they were off once more.

Asobi leaned her head over the side of the boat, "I think the lizard drowned..."

_

Most of them still soaked, they stood at the dock with their luggage each, looking up as the dusk was drawing closer to night. A lantern-lit path led westwards towards the guild; this path much better kept than what they first entered to.

Wild rabbits hopped out of the way as they walked through. Not even that far away, they could see large chunks of rubble from fallen structures.

A grey tower stretched past the treetops, but the bricks were weathered and invaded by moss and vines. Small castles or forts were in various states of ruin. One could only assume that they have been traipsed through thousands of times.

The scent of wildlife and danger lurked, but the surrounding trees shimmered and shifted with the winds of spring. Through the treeline they could even spot a small village in the distance with houses of white walls and straw roofs.

By the time they took the scenery, they had not even realized how long they had walked; to a point where they were somewhat drier even.

Stood before them, were two buildings with grey brick paths leading to each. The path they walked was soon brick as well and a simple fountain spewed in the middle of the two.

The brick path seemed to diverge further north and also continue past the buildings further west. People in leathers, with bows and swords on their back and tomes in hand walked about.

Lively chatter was not scarce to hear and the dozens to perhaps a hundred plus adventurers here, was less unimpressive than the two buildings before them.

"That’s it? That’s the guild? I know it was supposed to be ancient, but really?" Jotou knitted her brows. "Just a couple of rinky-dink two story buildings next to each other?"

The wood and stone structures had constant foot traffic in and out it seemed. Some parties of colourful individuals stood secluded here and there, discussing important details or sharing the coin from a recent quest.

Hotaru sighed; not at the sight, but rather at the question. She continued to walk towards the left building.

"That one’s not even a guild, it’s a tavern," Fumeko pointed to the right building with the sign of two beer mugs sloshing coming into view.

"Well, at least the people look fantastical. I wonder what magics they can do!" Asobi followed along.

"Hmhm, the scent of adventure dawdles amongst this space," Tiffany took a moment to pose. "Mine eye of stars sees the marvel beyond. Tis the night a new adventurer’s name shall be written into tomes of browned pages.

Indeed, the legend of I, Stella Vespertillio, the Child of Void within the Sea of Stars, shall be seen by the records of mortality- Ah, abandon me not!" Tiffany caught up to the rest who had walked away.

"Mh! Tis a travesty one such as I must appear in soiled apparel to a historical occasion," Tiffany looked down at herself.

"You look fine; I don’t think the people here can really judge," Fumeko replied. Her eyes narrowed as she examined the top windows of the building... The slight shimmer in the reflection, paired with how many people were going in and out...

"Excuse me," Hotaru moved past people and into the door, followed by the rest...

Music immediately hit their ears and the voice of hundreds burst all at once as they entered. The skeleton of some enormous dragon hung from one side of the ceiling to the other and yet the walls were still wider.

Large stone columns held up the building in which yellow and white lights kept it as bright as day. A long wooden board stretched across one side of the room, constantly with quests being posted and plucked by the multiple parties present.

Some carried staffs with floating orbs at the end, some floated in the air with their legs crossed, some wielded weapons much shinier and much sharper than the one Jotou had.

Not many paid attention to the three newcomers who stood at the entrance, wide-eyed to all that surrounded them. Tiffany simple chuckled, marvelling at the entire place, while Hotaru continued to walk a little forward.

"This is the Adventurers Guild of Burnetrout, the first ever guild that was established in the world," the redhead spoke with a little smugness in her tone.

Tables with benches crowded the right side of the building, where many had quests they discussed and food on the table. Twisting their necks like standing fans, they followed Hotaru inwards towards the receptionist desk.

One of the many clerks tended to her, "Hello, welcome, can I have your name and registration?"

"Hotaru Kinoshita and sorry, don’t have one yet. We’re from the Krian branch and want to register here? I have all the necessary documents."

"Branch registrations are over there ma’am, at counter twenty-two, please find yourself there; enjoy your questing. Next?"

Hotaru was practically forced to move out of the way. Her ears spiked, "Of course..." She glanced all the way over to the end of the building, where the counters were... Suddenly the aches in her feet were apparent.

As the other four were approaching her-

"We have to go all the way over there," Hotaru exhaustedly pointed across all the tables. "Except Tiffany, I think you have to register here."

"Hah, tis a quest for I then~" Tiffany marched up to the counter, only to be redirected all the way on the opposite side of the building...

Finishing up the boring paperwork on a table nearby, they all were officially registered at this branch. "Thank you," the clerk at the counter shuffled the documents. "Say, these names, are you...?"

"Shh," Hotaru’s fangs glistened.

"Ah, good to know. We deal with plenty of famous types here. Enjoy your questing!"

Jotou yawned, causing Asobi to yawn, while Fumeko clutched at her stomach. Tiffany reconvened with them from the opposite end and showed her temporary guild card with pride, "Tis a great night indeed; blessed by the void itself!"

"Well~ Time for a good meal and some sleep before we venture forth. Who wants to see what the rinky-dink tavern has to offer?" Hotaru hummed. Jotou tightened her lips and covertly stuck her tongue out.