Another world, Celeste

Chapter Thirty, pt 2

Like any other day, Senior Officer Derek is working at the inspection hall and thoroughly inspect the departure request forms made by merchants and magi craftsmen to proceed to Kiln Mountain or Kirashira Village since this side of the town's gate is the only means of access towards the road to the dwarves' homeland. Senior Officer Derek unhesitatingly decline all the request forms without distinguishing the background of those individuals be it a travelling merchant or a group of accomplished magi craftsmen and mark those who have been repetitively sending the request to be monitored for security reason. As long as the request form doesn't come with a recommendation letter from any of the dwarves or individuals that's been strictly examined to hold the authority of assurance, they cannot pass through the gate.

For adventurers, those of C-rank and above are only permitted to enter specific regions of the nearby forest and they are required to note down which region they are heading to before leaving the gate. The reason for the location restriction is that the deeper in the forest the adventures go, it increases the chances for them to come across stronger monsters because the surrounding forest borders with Kana Forest where the more powerful and strongest monsters reside. It is rumoured that the magic of the spirits encompassing the entirety of Kana Forest is what's keeping the monsters from escaping. Some say powerful magical beasts are guarding Kana Forest and keeping the status quo of the monsters. Senior Officer Derek luckily had the chance of going into Kana Forest a few times when the elves open their village to outsiders for their founding festival but during those visits, he never once encountered a magical beast passing by, much to his disappointment.

When it's almost lunchtime, a guard comes rushing in and deliver unexpected news.

"This is the second time today," Senior Officer Derek thought with a sigh.

In the early morning, the guards taking over the morning shift at the gate made a loud commotion over Master Dwarf, correction, Chief's sudden appearance. Senior Officer Derek already anticipated his arrival because Master Hovel, the newly appointed dwarf manager in mining town inform him last week. What is not expected is the appearance of the legendary class hammer Chief carries in his hand; the hammer that everyone has only seen in a painting hung on the wall of the famed blacksmith's shop in town.

"What's the matter?" Senior Officer Derek calmly asks the guard.

"Master Kif returns with company. Sir Ronald ordered me to bring you to them. They're waiting at the inspection area."

The guard relays the message in a hurried but concise manner.

If Sir Ronald, the most experienced senior guard for almost four decades is saying that, then it must be about the companions coming along with Master Kif. Senior Officer Derek leave his post and walk to the inspection area with long strides. There, he sees Sir Ronald conversing with a female elf whose beauty has not once wavered for the past ten years since his first assignment after being promoted to directly handle matters regarding her to maintain the favourable reception between our mining town and the elves' village.

Senior Officer Derek naturally moves his hand to his chest and greet the elf in front of him with a polite smile, "Welcome, Lady Polina."

Polina turns her gaze from Sir Ronald to the young officer and says, "Senior Officer Derek. You're as polite as ever."

Sir Ronald chuckles and teasingly says, "I remember him to be a nervous kitten when he first met you, Lady Polina."

The corner of Senior Officer Derek's mouth twitches slightly but he remains his polite composure in front of Lady Polina. Sir Ronald is perhaps the few humans here who can interact normally with Lady Polina and the elves due to his past achievements that involved his talent with the sword, thus, capturing the eyes of the rangers. Later on, the rangers extended an invitation for Sir Ronald to learn swordsmanship with them for a short while before returning to his duty as the gatekeeper of mining town while rejecting every offer made by other noble houses. Needless to say, Sir Ronald is our town's pride and most respected person apart from the lord, Lord Dumont.

"Sir Ronald, I recall your first impression was even more memorable," Lady Polina says.

This cause Sir Ronald to awkwardly scratch the back of his head with his gaze turn to the ground, an action often seen by a bashful young boy.

"I was very young and immature back then. Let's stop dwelling on the past," says Sir Ronald before quickly changing the subject. "Derek, process the arrival of Lady Polina and her companions. We'll take care of the carriage inspection."

Senior Officer Derek responds, "Yes, sir."

Sir Ronald retreat to the three carriages lined up neatly and gather his subordinates to begin the inspection. Two elf guard stays behind with the carriages while the rest follows Senior Officer Derek inside the inspection hall. Master Kif also stays back with his two apprentices and Jilko to prevent any mishandling when the guards inspect the magi devices inside the crates. Their arrival procedure will be processed by another officer. Behind the counter reserved for nobles and distinguished individuals, Senior Officer Derek asks Lady Polina a routine question.

"Will the purpose of your visit be the same as usual?"

Lady Polina responds, "Yes. There is also another matter I would have to trouble you with, that is registering a tamed monster at the guild."

Senior Officer Derek stops writing on the document and swiftly glances behind Lady Polina, towards her companion. He recognises her assistant and the guard who constantly accompanies Lady Polina during her visit. The faces of the other three elves wearing the rangers' uniform are also familiar to him. Senior Officer Derek deduce the person in question is the noticeably smallest amongst the elves' group; the person whose face is covered with a hooded purple robe.

Even though he already knows the answer, Senior Officer Derek is still required to ask.

"Who will be registering a tamed monster?"

Polina steps aside and the one in the purple hooded robe waver slightly while taking a step forward to the counter."This girl."