An elf appeared at the inn.

Equipped with leather armor and carrying an arrowhead and a bow on her back, she seems to be an archer. She has a grass-colored bandana wrapped around her head, and her pink hair is tied up with it.

She wears a feather on her bandana, a simple yet intriguing touch of fashion.

Her age is about fifteen. She is slender and has an innocent face, with slightly droopy eyes that arouse my curiosity.

She showed me a bright smile.

"Thank you very much! Alec-san. My name is Thalia, actually...!

"Well, don't be so hasty, Thalia. I'll listen to what you have to say. I'll bring you some tea, and we can talk in my room."

"No, this here is fine. Can I have some tea, landlady?"

Tsk, Serina said something unnecessary.

"Aiyo."

Thirsty as she was, Thalia gulped down the barley tea that was offered to her and let out a gasp.

"You're drinking well. Here's another one, young lady."

"Thank you very much, landlady!"

"So, Thalia, what do you want with this dangerous man?"

Serina suddenly started to say something blunt.

"Oi."

When I gave her a glare, she shrugged her shoulders and fell silent.

"In fact, I was a member of the clan "The Seeker of the Holy Grail". ......"

"Ah, It's Gallard's squad."

Luka said, and Thalia nodded with a bright smile.

"Yes, that's right. It's just that I'm already over level 30, but even though I asked Gallard and the others, they wouldn't let me join the team at all."

"Aahh, well, there's a lot of people there."

Luka folded her arms and nodded, but me and Serina couldn't help but look into each other's eyes.

"Alec, we're tired, so I think we'd better go ahead and rest."

"Oh, good, Hannah."

"So, can I have a word?"

Hannah calls me with her finger. If the rest of the team had done it, I'd tell them to come to me, but I'm not did it with Hannah yet, and I have to go become the gentleman.

"What it is?"

"Isn't that girl a spy?"

Hannah whispered, but I still suspect so.

"Maybe, but not until I hear what she has to say."

"Yeah, well, you're the leader, so I won't say any more. Well then, I guess I really should get some rest first."

"Yeah."

"Well, brother, I guess I'll be going to bed first. I need to sleep and wake up to see if this left foot is real, I don't want it to be a dream."

"Yeah, go to sleep, go to sleep."

Some of the members of the group went upstairs, leaving me, Serina, Meena, and Saki at the table.

"So, Thalia, what do you want to do?"

"Yes, well, I was wondering if I could join your clan, if you don't mind."

"You'd better not, okay?"

"Shut it, Serinaa. Just because your regular spot is in doubt doesn't mean you should kick her out."

"Hey ...... Yeah, that's fine. Then I warned you, Thalia. I'm sure even you've heard rumors about how crazyness of this clan is."

Serina said and got up from her seat. You should get some sleep, too.

"Yes, I know. Most of the members of the clan are ......, well, Alec's lovers, aren't they?"

"Some of them aren't. Like that blonde Hannah, and Jouga."

Except for those two, they've all had sex with me. No, there were some guys from the Clan.

"Oh, I see. I'm glad."

Thalia looked relieved, she didn't want to be relationship with me.

Well, I guess we're negotiating here.

"Thalia, I understand what you're saying. You want to become a regular and go to the ninth layer?"

"Yes, that's right."

"But level 30 is a delicate level even for us. All of our first team members are already over level 35."

"Haah, Uhm, I'll do my best, sir."

"It's good that you're so positive, Thalia, but you don't have to force yourself to go to the ninth layer. You're still young, and elves have a long life span."

Luka said in a friendly way.

"No, I really want to go to the ninth layer now. This is the area where the first King of Grandsword went, you know?"

"Hmm. But we already have Mare as our archer, and wouldn't more archers just get in the way?"

Luka looks at me.

"Well, I guess we don't need to add any more members to the first-team."

I nodded with a reluctant look on my face.

"Um, please. I'll do anything, even chores!"

Good, I wanted to hear those words.

"All right. If you're going to go that far, let's see what you're prepared to do, Thalia. I'm going to put you through a few tests to see if you're ready for our team. It's very strict test."

"Yes, please!"

"Well, if you get tired of it, you can always give up right there. Do your best."

Saki patted Thalia on the shoulder and went upstairs.

"Now, let's go to the real interview. Thalia, please come to my room. I'll explain the rules there."

"Yes, sir!"

You're very motivated.

I walked up the stairs with a wicked smile on my face.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Once we're locked up and alone in my room, I take off my gear and say.

"So, Thalia, why don't you sit on the bed over there?"

"Haa, I'm fine with a chair, but..."

"The bed. Just so you know, the test has already begun. If you can't listen to your clan leader, you'll have to go to another clan."

"I-I'm sorry, but yes, the bed is fine."

"We have fewer people than the [The Seeker of the Holy Grail] clan, and we have more slaves. However, don't let that stop you from thinking that the first team slot in our clan is a piece of cake, okay? In order to become a member of the first team, everyone has to go through a lot of ordeals that are too hard to describe in words."

"Yes, I understand that."

"I don't know about that. Besides, it's normal for them to join the second team and work their way up there. There are some who have joined the first team out of the blue, but only if they are at the top of their class or have proven themselves."

"I'm also a member of an A-rank party, but..."

"You yourself are not an A-rank member, are you?"

"Huh, that's ......"

"Even the guys in our second team would lose if they fought another B rank party. In other words, you're talking nonsense."

"U-um, I'm sorry! I'll raise my level and come back."

"Well, wait, wait, wait. Is that the extent of your enthusiasm? I thought you were as motivated as anyone."

"Yes, I'm as motivated as anyone!"

"That's good enthusiasm. You've got good spirit. Let's do the next test."

"Yes! Thank you very much!"

That's a very good answer.