Marina said in the guildmaster's office that she was going to be upgraded to rank B.
　When Ray hears it, he nods softly.

"Now that you mention it,"

　He was so active that he was nicknamed in the war against the Empire of Bestia that he also subjugated rank B or Lem Race, which was considered to be equivalent to rank A. With that in mind, it's no wonder that there's talk of the rank-up examination, and above all, Ray already had enough achievement and ability to challenge the rank-up examination at the end of the war with the Empire of Bestia.
　The reason why the ranking exam was not carried out immediately was simply because of the fact that there was no elephant in the city of Gillum aimed at Ray. If they had continued to take the rank-up exam, there would probably have been quite a few uproar all over the city.

"Oh dear, did you possibly forget?"

　He makes his own tea with a bewitching smile and a nearby utensil.
　Ray, admiring the gesture, shrugs his shoulders slightly and opens his mouth.

"Well, there was a case of REM races. It's true that I didn't remember about the rank-up exam."
"Well... what do you do then? Do you want me to stop taking the exam?"
"No, of course, I'll take it if I can." It's my wish and my wish that the rank will rise in rank. In particular, requests to kill rare species and high-ranked monsters are often limited in rank."
"Well, in a way it might have been just right,"
"...what?"
"This is the state of things," I went to the Duke of Quent yesterday, so you can almost guess what the situation Ray is in now?"

　Marina with wet lips on a cup of tea and a smile on her eyes.
　Even Ray had half an understanding of what Marina meant.
　After all, there are a lot of eyes directed at me. Of course, they live in the city of Gillum, and they have the familiarity of Ray and Sett, the aspirations and awe of the adventurers, the goodwill and fear of the adventurers who came to the city of Gillum while Ray was away. However, there were others who seemed to be on the lookout for the right time to come into contact.
　And yesterday's talk with Marka. With that in mind, it was clear what the owners of the gaze had in mind.

"I have no intention of serving him,"
"They know the extent, but they want to win Ray over to their side even after they know it." Besides, I think they have the conditions that ordinary adventurers would absolutely agree with."

　Smile, put your mouth straight into a cup of tea, and then reopen your mouth.

"And, back to the point, about the rank-up exam. All they have to do is to ask the nobles to subjugate them."
"...what?"

　Ray asks back unexpectedly in a way.
　The ranking test at the time of the promotion to rank D was to see if you could kill people and if you could organize a special party and get along well. Nevertheless, they are going to ask the nobles to put down the upcoming ranking examination.
　Taking Ray's surprise elsewhere, Marina continues.

"I've probably heard of it before, but if you're above rank B, you'll get requests from the nobility, or from the country... or even from the royals." Do you need to make a decision based on that? I'll see the result and let you decide whether I pass or fail. ...it was supposed to be a matter of assistance for this kind of examination to the nobles stationed in the town of Gillum, but this time there are many aristocrats who were looking for Ray. I've decided to ask you to help me."
"Why, may I ask you.

　Let them act with the aristocrats who come all the way to attract Ray and their target Ray. It only seemed to cause trouble in many ways. at least for Ray

"I'm coming to this town for Ray at all times. Whether you refuse or accept it, if you don't meet them, they'll have a lot of fun. "Well, I suppose it's a few of us among the many."
"A few people? Am I the only one taking the exam?"
"Yes, there are other people besides Ray who are taking this upgrade exam. I've already heard from you."
"Well, it's been quite a long time,"
"That's what it is. The explanation of the examination will be in three days. Come to the conference room on the second floor of the guild by the time the bell rings at 9 a.m."

　Ray, who smiles and gives me a little sigh.
　With all the preparations already in place, there was no option to say no. No, I might have, but I understood that taking the option would cause a lot of problems.

"All right, three days later, at nine o'clock in the morning." I'll ask you, can I take Seto with me, though he was rejected in the last ranking exam?"
"Yes. I didn't want to take Seto with me last time because I wanted to see the partnership, but this time I can take him with me. ...but, as you may know, Ray is responsible for any problematic behavior. Please understand that and bring him here."

　Ray reacts to that remark with a twitch.
　Basically, it is a common fact that its owner is responsible for problems caused by demons unless there is some clear reason. But it seemed to me that there was a different intention, given that he went out of his way to emphasize it.

(Is there any possibility that the aristocrat would do anything to Seto, or would he be forced to do so? ...No, it's no use thinking here. This may have some intention in itself.)

　muttering inwardly, he suddenly turned his eyes to the marina.

"By the way, may I ask you how many other people are taking part in this upgrade exam?"
"There are three more besides Ray." I think they will work together to challenge me."
"... I see, I see,"

　I was honestly happy that I wasn't alone, but on the other hand, I felt uneasy.
　Since you're going to take an upgrade examination to Rank B, it's a matter of course that you're a good person, and it's about whether you'll get along well with such a person.
　Basically, that was a bigger problem for Ray, who was not very good at socializing with people, than a bunch of things like that.

"Well, that's all I've got to say, then. Then, three days later, I'll hear the details from the examiner in the conference room."
"Oh, let me,"

　Drink the last cooled tea down your throat and stand up from the sofa.

"Oh, my God. It's such a good tea, but it's a waste to drink it cold."
"That's not so much. Considering it's summer, cold tea isn't bad either."

　Tell them so and take a few overnight fish from the mistling and place them on the table.

"...what about this?"

　I don't know why such things are put in place. Ray shrugs his shoulders and opens his mouth to Marina, who tilts her head slightly like that.

"It's an emotic souvenir. It's a overnight dried fish that I bought from a restaurant that's reputed to be delicious over there."
"...yes, thank you,"Marina, with an indescribable expression, thank you very much for the gift.
　Ray, who had finally fired back at Marina, who seemed to have been dancing on the palm of her hand since she came to the room, left the office with a smile on her face as if she was frowning faintly at the smell of overnight drying.
　There is also a reason why Ray gave him overnight drying as a souvenir because it was not pure harassment, but because it was really delicious overnight drying. In fact, the overnight drying in front of Marina's eyes was rather expensive and costing about five pieces of copper.

"...what shall I do, this?" I don't like sea fish very much because they smell strong."

　Marina, who was born in the woods as a dark elf, was a river fish, so she was very worried about what to do with the fish in front of her.
　In addition, according to the residents of port towns such as the town of Emocion, river fish smell muddy and do not like them, and this area is probably due to the environment in which they have grown up.





"Oh, Ray, are you done talking to the guildmaster?"
"Huh? Oh. It was about the rank-up exam."

　Kenny, quick to spot Ray coming down from his office, says to him, moving his ears.
　Maybe he's wary of being a person of more s*x than he is, or even his boss seems to recognize him as a nuisance to Ray.
　But it also makes my eyes curl at the words that come out of his mouth.

"What? Ray, are you taking the ranking exam yet?"

　The reason why the words resonated unexpectedly was probably because everyone had settled down after a busy time. The clerks at the counter, Lenora next to Kenny, and even the receptionist, whom Ray had hardly spoken, were staring in amazement.
　And it's not just Guild officials who are surprised by the words. There are still some adventurers left, even though Ray is much less numerous than when he came to the guild. Even the adventurers were staring astonishingly at Ray inside the counter.
　However, in a sense it was inevitable. Ray is also famous as the shortest person to reach Rank C after registering as a guild, so if he passes this uphill exam, he will be the shortest adventurer to reach Rank B.

"Are you really going to take the rank-up exam.

　Lenora also says anxiously when she hears that Ray, who, in a sense, thinks he's a younger brother, is taking the rank-up exam.

"Oh, fortunately, we've done a good job. Thanks to that, I was able to receive it."
"But... Isn't it a little too early? Wouldn't it be okay to gain a little more experience in Rank C?"
"Hey, Lenora. If you have Ray's ability, you'll be able to make it to Rank B, right? Then there's no problem."
"That's true, indeed, "

　Lenora's gaze is somewhat on Ray, as he returns it to Kenny.
　Ray knows Lenora is saying that out of concern for himself, so he opens his mouth with a small smile to reassure him.

"And this time, unlike last time, Seto is the same."
"...that's what I'm worried me. Basically, I hear that the upgrade examination to Rank B is more likely to be judged on something else than on someone's ability as an adventurer's ability. Oh, of course, my ability will also be fully evaluated. What kind of trouble would it cause if Seto-chan was with me?"

　A little sigh. Seth... everyone involved in the adventurer understands how valuable the Gryphon is. Yes, I was worried because I understood.
　Essentially, nobles are often involved in the examination of upgrading to rank B, and some adventurers who take the examination end up fighting or breaking up with the nobles. As a guild, it is an honest desire to refrain from associating with such nobles, but it cannot completely exclude nobles who have influence over the guild in many ways.
　Furthermore, the town of Gilm is much better than a place where aristocrats are strong, such as a royal capital, since the lord was Dasker, the count of Larkus, who was strong and strong.

"Well, if it's true, I think it's too early to take the rank-up examination, but if you're still going to take it, please be very careful in your relationship with the nobles."
"Well, if you want Lenora to worry that much, let's be careful."

　That being said, Ray basically has little respect for the nobility. No, he had a respect for a very small number of nobles, but a very cruel feeling toward them, as if they were only thinking about themselves.
　Thus Ray will take the rank-up exam.





　In addition, sandwiches using a large amount of seafood as souvenirs for guild staff were very pleasing.