There were quite a number of stairs but thankfully the adventurer guild wasn't exactly the type to rely on petty political manoeuvring. As such they didn't need to overcomplicate things with extra corridors or having different staircases to arrive at different parts of different floors. They took a simple but definitely utilitarian approach to building up the guild.
There were likely multiple staircases based on all the people rushing about, the capital guild was no doubt one of the busiest in the nation, as otherwise there was going to be a massive pile-up. Such a thing was organisational suicide. With the overall scale of the guild likely being larger than my own company (as much as I loath to admit it) such issues could not be allowed.
"Ara~ ara~ the guild hasn't changed much since my time; ever since that oaf of a lion decided galivanting as a hero should become a job yohohoho~." I almost forgot she was here.
Probably shouldn't have…
But like usual she casually let out some rather interesting words. Probably shouldn't exactly be surprised that an old hag like her was at the inception of an ancient organisation like the guild - one whose history probably predated just about every nation in any of the game realms. Including the cultivation worlds.
Of course I would never admit I wasn't surprised that she was older than ancient civilisations. I was not some crude anime protagonist with no idea about the delicacy surrounding a girl's age. Though I was also curious if someone like the Nameless True God would care about something like that…
Actually how did someone like her even keep track of something like that? Even if she pretended she didn't own that terrifying ship with enough firepower to erase a small country… She totally owned that pirate ship that nearly killed me. If I was right in my random assumptions then there was no way that thing couldn't jump between worlds or even dimensions like some divine pirate ship.
Well, no, that was precisely what I thought it was.
No "like" about it.
"How do you keep track of your age when you sail between so many realms and used to be in charge of just as many?" With no reason not to ask - I decided to sate my curiosity.
Obviously it got a confused glance from our host along with the squad who had joined her but both quickly returned to paying attention to where they were going. The former due to not wanting to mess with some noble in charge of a bunch of knights meanwhile the latter because I paid their salary. Fortunately the master just nodded her head in understanding.
Not even bothering that she was meant to keep the entire pirate thing a secret (or, more likely, she had forgotten all about the fact she was keeping it a secret) as she actually seemed a little proud. More than happy to regale me with such information. "I use the time stream of the current realm but according to the rotation of the oldest planet in the oldest realm as do most other big shots."
"So you have some way to keep track of how many rotations it goes through?" Tilting my head as this was actually quite the interesting topic.
"Good question!" She started with a big thumbs up as she seemed to be positively over the moon at my scholarly inquiry towards the whole thing; quickly continuing on with her lecture. "Reality often echoes and most realms have the primary world reflect the origin in genesis."
"That is genuinely interesting to think about, is there a particular reason for that, if anyone should know it would be you right?" For once my praise was not just for the purpose of avoiding consequences. If anyone knew then it would surely be her as she was literally the god of infinite.
Imagine what can be gained from that endless knowledge!
She seemed to agree if the smile was anything to go by. "Well that's because all realms start according to the very same blueprint then branch out according to a hint of infinite chaos. That is why most realms share quite a few elements but still can be so different even before time branches come to exist."
Seems I wasn't the only one interested in the conversation if our suddenly far slower pace up the stairs was anything to go by. Even my own people had not so subtly turned their head towards her only to realise she wasn't going to continue without more questions. She was the type of master who believed "an apprentice needs to earn their knowledge" so refused to talk unless prompted.
Yet who was I to deny them their fun…
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<< Their Boss? >>
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"You're goddamn right!" I accidentally let slip out very quietly causing everyone to definitely not look at me in absolute confusion. A mixture because it was seemingly out of nowhere as well as because an apparently high ranking dame let such a crass thing slip out.
Although quickly got a hand across the back of my head from a floating goddess as a reward for my openness; followed up by an annoyed warning from my mini master. "Don't use my name in vain you brat."
"B-But you're the "nameless true god"..." I grumbled which only resulted in some healing water quickly spurting out to connect with the back of my leg, causing me to abruptly take a knee, where two knuckles ground against my helmet's temples. "Ara~ so you know how to talk back to me now~?"
Sadly the little psycho refused my countless apologies in favour of continuing to torture me; somehow she managed to actually make the nuggying hurt despite my armour. Can't say I was surprised but still it wasn't great as it lasted several minutes. Several minutes of unending torture that felt like hours since I couldn't escape or abruptly stand else I may fall down the stairs - I already was forced to wave my hands around like an idiot to stop myself once.
I may not be able to die physically from that but emotionally I could never recover!
Fortunately she eventually stopped.
A smug look on her face as she finally released her from my demonic punishment however I believe it a fair trade-off for freedom. Using a hand to help steady myself I slowly rose to my feet as if nothing had happened at which point I turned towards everyone else. Tactically ignoring their obvious expressions.
"I believe we are nearly there so I'll have to ask you all about that later, master." I said while trying even greater to not focus on the confused and annoyed expressions they had. At least I could take some pleasure in their annoyance.
Even my master couldn't help laughing at me yet I was quite used to ignoring her mocking me in just about every way plausible. May as well just consider it her helping me gain thicker skin. Something I admit I could use after my… Episode against the dragons.
Fucking second class lizards.
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<< That Is Literally Just Racism. >>
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Not racist if it's true.
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<< {software}.[B.I.T.C.H] Is Glad They Lack The Capabilities To Openly Show Disgust >>
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You really are one very unpleasant system. Doubt there is anyone who can possibly have as biting of a system as I do - I mean aren't you meant to help me get stronger and everything. Why have you always gotta be such a massive b-
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<< Bitch?>>
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…
Well played unknown parent.
Well played.
Fortunately my argument with a certain BITCH didn't get noticed by anyone else, I already was quite sick of the disturbed looks I was receiving, and our guide remembered his job. Quickly clearing his throat but deciding not to actually say anything as he headed forward. How very smart of him.
We didn't take very long to actually reach the office where the man guiding us went to knock on the door only to pause when a strangely confused "come in" interrupted him. The man switched from a closed hand to an open palm. Moving to push the door open only to step aside so that we could enter the room first.
Behind the desk facing the door - window behind making it actually very atmospheric as the light would blind anyone not wearing a high-tech suit - was a beautiful mature woman.
Age had already begun to show in the odd gray hair while work appeared in the corner of her eyes.
Still the magic of this world remind strong as there was no doubt that she did not lose any of her beauty due to time but perhaps was even more beautiful. I am rather curious if magic has beautifying properties along with extending life. It would explain why the little goddess of what is essentially the magic equivalent of a power plant for primordial mana was such a little cutie.
Not sure how she'd actually react to me calling her that so best to keep those thoughts to myself, though.
"We are humbled, not just in the capital but across the kingdom, that a god hunter battalion would actually grace our guilds with your presence as we have been allies since the founding of the guild. We have already begun the investigation but…" The lady wasted no time in cutting straight to the heart of things.
Something I could most definitely appreciate however I quickly raised my hand to stop her. "There is no reason to come up with excuses for not instantly finding someone in this busy city. Honestly I am thankful enough that you have begun so quickly as we can't risk anyone getting their hands on that."
She had her fingers interlocked with her head with her elbows resting atop her desk as she nodded with a seriousness that I could appreciate. There was no doubt that the adventurers guild master would be aware of such a relic so I merely mentioned who our targets were. Evidently the guild master in front of me was not one who got into her position via political power or simply raw power.
A woman after my own heart to be sure.
I turned to my own people with a nod and they, as well trained as they were, needed no more communication to understand what I wanted.
Two of them exited the corridor to make sure nobody could try to barge in while another closed the door before locking it tight. The captain came to stand behind me as I sat down while the other quickly did a once over of the office to make sure there were no bugs. That guild master proved to be even better than I thought as she didn't even seem bothered when my boys moved behind her to study the window.
Just continuing to go through some documents as if it was only natural for us to do that - honestly there was nothing more I could want in a business partner. Even my mini-master seemed impressed by the woman as she nodded her head. "A true blue working woman is always a gem for the eyes."
… Nobody replied to her.
"While we wait for my men to finish checking for anything unsavoury, let us do introductions, you may refer to me as Armor-Cordis Indigo Phenex Stratos Porshi." She didn't seem very surprised by the long name as this was a world full of nobles but I still decided to be nice. "Or just Dame AC for short, if you'd prefer."
"You can simply call me Annetta; I was awarded nobility by the king however it is only a baronette-ship with no land thus nothing to be inherited so can only get me invited to parties. I also have no interest in increasing my rank as that would mean fixing some huge problem." Shaking her head with a long drawn out sigh that I understood fine well as a woman overworked.
Honestly it was a mood I could sympathise with.
Nodding to her hidden request with a smile as I had my faceplate retract. "It would be preferable if we can prevent the kingdom from even finding out about our little manhunt so that shouldn't be an issue. Not like we'll accidentally end up finding information on some other issue."
"Hahaha~ what could be more urgent than saving the universe?" She merrily joined me after noticing my people had given us the all clear.
Speaking of urgent… I feel like I am forgetting something.