Dante

After Leona's sword was ready, Shalia, Leona, and I wandered around the city, enjoying the time we had left. The city atmosphere feels somewhat tense due to rumors about the possible war against the demons, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the trip.

After looking around, we found a place where we could sell the rest of the materials we got in the cave. Before that, we went to two more places to try to sell them, but it was clear that they were trying to scam us since they paid way too little. In this place, the seller was an old man that didn't try to hide his lustful gaze when he saw my two companions. When realizing, my two friends didn't miss the opportunity, and thanks to the sweetness of Shalia and the hardness of Leona, they managed to fool him in such a way that he gives us a better pay.

Today I discovered how good Shalia and Leona are as negotiators since I would have received much less by myself.

Thanks to the magic bag that Syvis gave us that day, I managed to save seven rabbits, for which I received two silver and ten bronze coins. The rest of the materials included the horn and the rabbit's fangs, the wolf skin, and a cyclops eye, for which I received four silver coins. Each of us received a similar amount. So six silver and ten bronze coins in total.

After making a few small purchases, I had five silver coins left, which I decided to save along with the gold coin that Mr. Enzo gave me. I don't know anybody in the city, so once my time in the castle is over, I will need money to find a place to live.

After having a good time in the city, we decided to return to the castle as noon was approaching. It seems that the meeting had already concluded because many people were leaving the castle when we arrived. Just outside the castle, there were nobles, knights, servants, and even several people I assume are from foreign countries—people of all races except Dark Elfs being picked up by carriages.

There are several entrances apart from the main one to enter the castle, and Leona heading to the left side of the castle, avoiding the crowd, said, "I'll see you on the patio at noon. I need to go to my room to drop off what I bought and pick up my gear."

"Ok, see you later," Shalia and I reply.

In my case, I always carry my sword with me, and the things I buy fit perfectly inside my magic bag, so I don't need to go to my room at the moment. We went straight, passing through all of the people, when I hear someone call me.

When I turned to see, I saw Harold away from the crowd and Dante next to him. Shalia and I approached them, greeting them.

Dante looked at me and, smiling, said, "Harold has told me a lot about you. It's nice to finally be able to talk to you. I'm Dante, the Vice-Captain of Midnight Dawn, as well as this year's Mentor but I am better known as the 'Red Knight of Riledo'."

"Red Knight...?" Shalia and I asked at the same time.

"Wait... saying it myself is really embarrassing, you know, Harold." Dante said, putting his hand behind his neck.

"If you behave like that, your pupils won't take you seriously." Harold responded, adjusting his glasses.

"Hahaha! It's Okay... It's Okay... it's just the name my fan club gave me."

I had not had the opportunity to talk with Dante before, but the impression he gave me is that he is a frivolous guy. I suppose he is an attractive guy, and from what I have seen, he is liked by the girls of the castle since I have heard them speak well of him. Besides that, he is always near a girl. I wonder if he will be our next mentor.

"Are you two friends?" I asked, noticing how friendly they are.

"Unfortunately, yes. Maybe he doesn't make a good impression, but he's a good guy." Harold replied.

"Wait... why did you say, unfortunately!?" Dante said, holding Harold's vest and waving it. "That's why you don't want to go with me to drink anymore?"

"Stop wrinkling my clothes," Harold responded angrily. "Whenever we go to drink, I have to solve problems that you cause because you get drunk every time."

It's my first time seeing the always composed Harold act that way. It almost looks like the fight of two small children. Shalia was having fun watching them fight when I noticed the presence of a blond guy coming out of the castle wearing an ostentatiously decorated armor accompanied by two girls.

W-What are Kase and Amelia doing here?

Harold, noticing the drastic change in my face, asked. "Is something wrong, Darx?"

Kase also noticed my presence and walked over to where I was—seeing each other, Kase smiled, only causing me more anger. On the other hand, Amelia avoided looking at me as she advanced behind Kase, and next to them was the same blonde girl who was waiting for them the time I met Kase and Amelia in front of the temple.

"So you really are in the castle!?" Kase spoke.

Amelia looked at me for a moment and then, lowering her gaze says, "Kase, please let's go."

Harold noticing how strange the situation was, asked. "Do you know each other?"

"You can say that we are old friends." Kase replied. "His mother trained me for a while."

"Ilene trained you!?" Harold reacted in surprise.

Kase, looking surprised that Harold mentioned Ilene's name, asked, "Do you know Ilene?"

"Not personally, but I know who she is," Harold replied.

Kase once again turned to see me. After staring into my eyes, his mocking smile disappeared. For a moment, he was silent and thoughtful. What the hell is he staring at.

"If you're done, let's go. I already told you that it irritates me to have to wait." The blonde girl behind Kase said in an annoyed tone.

"I'm sorry for my bad manners and not having greeted you sooner. Always nice to see you, Tricia and Amelia." Smiling, Harold greeted them.

So the blonde girl's name is Tricia. Oliver mentioned that Kase had a fiancée. I wonder if it's her. The two times I have seen Kase and Amelia, she was also present. Only Amelia shyly returned the greeting to Harold while Tricia, still looking in a bad mood, did not respond.

Still looking serious, Kase said, clearly referring to me, "I thought only competent adventurers were invited to the castle. Was this year's ritual so bad that you invited anyone?"

Kase pissed me off and was about to say something, but Dante intervened before I could say anything.

"Not at all. The process is the same. I actually like this group more than the one six months ago. There are fewer snakes this year."

"Hmm... Long time no see, Dante." Kase reply.

"Nice armor. I wouldn't expect anything less from the new S-Rank." Dante said.

"Of course! It's a gift from my guild master. It's not something any other guild can afford. You should know better than anyone else, right, Dante!? And tell me how the recruiting is going? I hope you get more adventurers than last time." Kase replied.

"Good... but too bad money and fancy armor can't buy class and education. You should think about getting some of that."

What's going on? Clearly, Kase and Dante don't stop giving each other bad vibes. Has something happened between them in the past? Dante kept his face smiling, but Kase looked annoyed. Even Harold had to intervene.

Harold addressing Dante, said, "It's almost time. Why don't you accompany Darx and Shalia to the patio." Then he turned to see Kase and continued. "I'll see you another time. When I find out what you asked me, I'll let you know."

"Sure..." Kase said, starting to walk towards his carriage, followed by Amelia and Tricia.

Kase walked past me and said softly. "You should have left when I gave you a chance." Without stopping, Kase kept walking and said without turning. "Send my regards to your sister, Dante."

With that, they entered their carriage and left, leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Harold also said goodbye. I wonder what Kase asked Harold to investigate... I'll try to ask him later. Shalia, also looking confused, left, telling me that she would see me on the patio in a moment.

Which left only Dante. I wonder what that interaction between him and Kase was. Will he tell me if I ask?

"Let's go, Darx," Dante told me, smiling.

"Yes..."

We entered the castle, and on the way, we didn't talk about anything important. Dante still seems in a good mood and continues to joke despite what just happened. Whenever I've seen him, he's smiling, which makes him an easy person to talk to.

This corridor through which we walk is quite wide and with large windows which let in the sunlight. At the end of the hall, there was a group of girls talking, and their conversation caught my attention when I heard that they were talking about Dante.

"You're very close to Dante, aren't you!? Does that mean you're joining Midnight Dawn?" One of the girls asked.

"Of course not. I like Dante, but joining Midnight Dawn would be a disgrace. It's a guild in decline. The best thing is to join Oblivion. Kase is there, and he is also handsome, and Oblivion is not as strict as Dark Dragons." The other girl replied.

"You're right. I was thinking the same thing," The third girl commented.

The fourth girl realized that Dante was close, tried to alert the rest of her friends discreetly. When they turned to see Dante, they panicked, and they leave while they whispered among themselves. "Do you think he heard us?" Girl asked.

Dante said as he exhaled. "It looks like it will be the same as what happened six months ago."

"Huh? What do you mean?" I asked.

"From the group of six months ago, only three adventurers joined my guild, Midnight Dawn." Dante leaned against the wall and continued. "Things have been tough for us lately."

"Why is that? I thought Midnight Dawn was one of the three great guilds."

Dante turned to me and said without the smile that characterizes him. "We are... At least for now. Midnight Dawn has lost a lot of prestige in recent years in large part because it hasn't had an S-Rank in a long time."

"Is it really that important to have an S-Rank?" I asked.

"You just heard them. Having an S-Rank in your guild is great publicity, but more than that, in these times where it is rumored that there may be war, most adventurers feel safer joining a guild where they know that there is someone of such importance. Besides, having someone of that rank allows us to do complicated quests with fewer people."

What Dante says makes sense. My two walks around the city were enough to make me realize how popular Kase is. And seeing Aelbrecht and Zhoron face to face, they really give off a different aura. You don't need to be an expert to realize how incredibly strong they are.

Dante continued speaking, "In recent years, the number of adventurers who decide to join Midnight Dawn is quite small compared to a guild like Dark Dragon, who has always been at the head thanks to his guild master, Aelbrecht. Oblivion, even though her guild master is an older woman S-Rank, that has helped them a lot and that without counting their dirty tricks they use to attract more adventurers of high level. And now that they have Kase, I wouldn't be surprised if even most adventurers decide to join Oblivion."

"That reminds me. This afternoon I got the impression that you and Kase aren't on good terms. Did something happen?" I asked.

"Was it so obvious!? Hahaha! Our master, and former Guild master of Midnight Dawn, left me and my sister in charge of the guild when he passed away. We promised him that we would do everything possible to raise the guild to what it once was. My sister is the guild master now, and both she and I have done our best to keep our promise to our master. When we found out that a new S-Rank had appeared, we did our best to recruit him. We had many meetings with Kase, and we fulfilled many of his requests that he asked and in the end, Kase agreed to join us. But the day he had to sign the contract, he said that he had already joined Oblivion."

"I see..."

So Kase asked them for things saying that he would join them, and in the end, he didn't keep his word. When I think that Kase can't go lower, something new always appears.

"I'm sure many adventurers other than those who come to the castle would like to join Midnight Dawn. Why not recruit them?" I asked.

"Of course, we recruit some, but we cannot accept just anyone. One of the three great guilds' responsibilities is to maintain order in their territory. That includes small and medium guilds that are in our area. In order to control adventurers, you need stronger adventurers; otherwise, it would only be a dispute for territorial control. Fortunately, we have not yet reached the point where other guilds try to take control of our territory, but if things continue this bad, it will soon start to happen. Besides that, the most complicated quests in our region are given to us. If we don't have adventurers of a high level, we would not be able to do them."

This conversation made me realize how different the three great guilds of Riledo are. We continued on our way, and finally, we reached the patio where the groups were distributed last time. Ryul was already there, and Leona and Shalia came a short time later.

Dante joined Syvis and Kiara, who were under a tree while we waited in the courtyard center. After talking for a while, they approached the groups, and the change of mentors was made. This time Dante would be in charge of us.

My gaze and Syvis' met for a moment. She smiled and left with her new group. Now she will be taking over Gerald's group. Later I should bring her the scarf I bought her and ask her how it went.

After a little talk with us, Dante led the way to the training grounds.

On the way to the training grounds, Shalia came up to me and asked, "Darx, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Back at the inn, when Mia mentioned Amelia's name, everyone's face changed. And a moment ago, Harold called one of the girls Amelia. I could see how uncomfortable both you and she looked."

I was surprised that Shalia asked me that and the fact that she noticed.

"The other night, you also mentioned someone who had betrayed you. Is she the same...?"

"...Was it so obvious?" I reply.

Shalia nervously said. "Y-You don't have to answer me if you don't want to."

"You are right. The Amelia you saw a moment ago is the same one Mia spoke of. We are from the same village."

I'm sure Shalia has more questions, but we made it to the training ground.

Once there, Dante introduces himself, once again addressing us.

"Your training with me will be quite simple. I'm sure you want to practice your skills in real combat, so that's what you will do with me."

"Uh? I don't understand," Ryul said.

"My class is Warrior, which falls in the tank category." Dante reply.

It's the same class as my mother.

"For the rest of the week, you will fight with me. I am the right person since I can receive your attacks without too much risk, thanks to my class. Of course, I will fight back, so don't hold back; put your abilities to the test."

"Really!? This will be fun," Ryul said. "And how will we do it? Will we take turns?"

"It is not necessary. All four of you can attack at the same time." Dante reply.

All four at the same time? Isn't that too much?

Annoyed, Leona said. "Aren't you underestimating us too much?"

Dante smiling, replied. "Not at all! On the contrary, I think it is going to be easy. But don't worry, I won't use all my strength."

Okay, now that pisses me off too. And not only me, everyone, even Shalia, who is always friendly, looks angry.

"Don't regret it later," Leona said.

"Come on, let's get started," Ryul said, getting into guard position.

"I'm ready too," Shalia added with a determined expression.

Dante just laughed, which made us angrier. "I'm glad you're so excited. I'll just go get my weapon, and we'll get started."

We were all more than ready. Dante left and soon after returned, holding a great sword. The sword was wide and as big as he is. The sword looked heavy, but he held it like it was nothing. Unlike my mother, who had the same class, Dante didn't have a shield, just that big sword.

Dante smiled and said, "Let's begin."