A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

“To me, he or she is like a flower on a high peak.”

Her androgynous face, half hidden beneath feathers mixed in her hair, carried a gentle, wistful expression—as if truly in love.

The breath she exhaled was warm, faintly coloring her pure white skin with a soft blush. She looked up at the sky as if yearning for someone there. Above was a cloudless, crystal-clear beautiful blue.

“Don’t you all understand that too?”

Direct requests are brought straight from guild staff to adventurers.

When the designated adventurer visits the guild, the staff calls out to them. So if it’s a vague request or for adventurers new to the guild, the staff wonders, “Who is this?”

“Is now a good time?”

Stud approached Rizel’s group returning from a quest.

“What is it?”

“You’ve received a direct request.”

Regarding Rizel’s group, the staff had no doubts.

If it said ‘noble’, it was usually Rizel; if described as ‘black and strong’, it was usually Jill; and if it was a ‘red snake-like one’, it was usually Eleven. Most requests came from nobles, after all.

“You always just turn them down on your own, don’t you?”

“We’re only asked to do so for requests from the upper class. Shut up, idiot.”

“Expressionless mask.”

Without noticing the brewing fight in the blind spot, Rizel looked down at the request form Stud handed her. Jill peeked over her shoulder.

【That miraculous moment】

Rank: None

Client: Monster researcher

Reward: Negotiable (minimum 20 silver coins)

Request: I tried asking others to escort, but none were suitable.

When monsters appear, things get hectic. I want to concentrate more on observing them.

I’m aware I’m asking for the impossible, but please. Could you let me enjoy that blissful time again—watching their beautiful ecology without moving a step from the best seat?

“Again?”

“If Eleven’s okay with it, I don’t mind.”

“Me? What is it?”

Eleven glanced at the form like Jill and his face twisted.

“…Leader, you want to accept?”

“If they ask so earnestly, then yes.”

“Why?”

“I’m curious about the progress of the research on pseudo-life using monster cores we talked about before.”

As the three’s gazes gathered on her, Rizel smiled softly.

Her research career was genuinely interesting. Though monsters were a niche subject, that meant fresh discoveries and innovative ideas.

Her research wasn’t about creating new monsters, but about whether mana flow could be directed with situational intent.

“If the leader wants to accept, that’s fine.”

“What about you, Jill?”

“Do as you like.”

Since some time had passed, maybe the researcher’s impact lessened; Eleven reluctantly nodded. Jill didn’t seem pleased but had no objection.

“Stud, please proceed.”

“Understood.”

So, Rizel and her group accepted the direct request. Dates depended on the client, but they’d probably get a prompt reply.

As they discussed this, the request date was naturally set for the next day.

Tall and slender, clad in a white coat—unlike typical adventurers—the researcher approached the guild briskly. She likely had been observing monsters alongside other adventurers since their last escort job.

The adventurers’ guild was now accustomed to her presence; no longer awkward as before.

“Long time no see, researcher.”

“Oh, I heard you were away from the Capital City for a while.”

“Yes, in Astarnia.”

Rizel, who had been waiting seated, stood up to greet the client.

The researcher smiled faintly and sat when offered a chair. She found the unusual treatment rather intriguing.

“Astarnia’s nice. There must be many kinds of monsters there?”

“Yes, many live in the forests, and the labyrinth has its own features… mermaids, giant spiders, orichalcum sharks.”

“Also… vampires?”

“Vampires!”

The researcher’s excitement surged. Her feather-like hair fluttered.

“I thought so,” Eleven said with a knowing look as he observed her. Unlike Astarnian noblewomen obsessed with the legendary ‘strongest beauties’, she certainly wasn’t relating to that.