The road to the capital stretched out like a scar across the land, trampled by soldiers, caravans, and refugees alike. Smoke still lingered in the distance from the battlefield Akari had nearly died on.
Akari walked a few steps behind Lyra, trying not to stare too openly at her. Lyra was dazzling in every sense, with her flowing silver hair that had a hint of pink highlights, her red eyes and long ears, the red battle dress, and the two swords strapped to her back. She moved with casual confidence, like the weight of her weapon meant nothing.
Meanwhile, Akari was tripping over every third rock on the dirt road.
"Ugh…" she muttered, hugging her borrowed cloak tighter. "I was supposed to be reincarnated into a peaceful life. Why did the goddess drop me in the middle of a war?"
Lyra glanced back, one eyebrow raised. "Talking to yourself?"
Akari yelped. "N-no! I mean, yes! I mean, don't mind me."
The adventurer shook her head with a faint smirk. "You're a strange one."
"I get that a lot…" Akari mumbled.
By the time the sun dipped low, they reached towering stone walls that seemed to scrape the sky. The capital of the kingdom of Valenstad. The gates were reinforced with iron, guards were posted everywhere, and banners fluttered in the wind bearing the crest of a lion. The air buzzed with tension.
Lyra strode through the gate as if she owned the place. The guards saluted, whispering her name as she passed.
"Is that… the S-Rank?"
"She single-handedly pushed back the demon horde last winter…"
"I heard she's stronger than the generals themselves."
Akari blinked. "S-Rank…? Like, the highest possible rank?"
Lyra shot her a sideways glance. "Yes."
"And you… saved me… by accident?"
"I don't do things by accident," Lyra replied flatly, though her lips curved slightly at the edges.
Inside the city, the streets bustled with life despite the looming war. Merchants shouted, children darted between carts, and blacksmiths hammered away at weapons and armor. Yet under it all was an unease, the constant reminder that demons could strike at any time.
Lyra finally stopped in front of a tall, stone building marked with a crest of crossed swords, the Adventurer's Guild. She pushed open the doors, and Akari was instantly met with the scent of wood, ale, and steel. The hall inside was filled with armored men and women, each armed to the teeth.
Akari shrank back. "Um. Maybe I don't belong here…"
Lyra turned, folding her arms. "You'll need to. If you're going to live in this kingdom, you'll need some way to survive. The guild is the best place for that."
"Survive…? I was aiming more for… you know, 'quiet countryside life with bread-baking' vibes…"
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Do you look like someone who can bake bread?"
"…Fair point."
The guild hall went quiet as the adventurers noticed Lyra. Conversations died down, and whispers rippled through the crowd.
"She's here again…"
"The Hero of Valenstad."
"Who's the girl with her?"
Akari flushed under the stares, wishing she could melt into the floor.
Lyra ignored them all and led Akari to the counter, where a bored-looking receptionist suddenly sat up straighter upon seeing who approached.
"L-Lady Lyra! What can I do for you?"
"This girl needs to be registered," Lyra said simply, nodding toward Akari.
"Eh, me?!" Akari squeaked. "Wait, wait, wait! I don't have any skills! I don't even know which end of a sword is the dangerous one!"
Lyra placed a hand on her shoulder, firm but not unkind. "You'll learn. And if you can't fight, you can still take smaller jobs. Registration first."
The receptionist blinked at Akari, then at Lyra, then back again. "Uh… o-okay. Place your hand on the crystal, miss."
Akari gulped and did as instructed, pressing her palm to a glowing blue stone. It hummed with magic, light rippling outward as letters began to appear in the air.
Name: Akari
Age: Seventeen
Race: Human
Skills: Nothing
The floating text flickered awkwardly. Then, as if embarrassed, it vanished entirely.
"…That's it?" the receptionist muttered. "No combat ability, no magic, no… anything."
The silence in the guild hall was deafening.
Akari scratched her cheek nervously. "…Heh. I did say I was useless."
Lyra, however, narrowed her eyes, studying Akari carefully. "…That can't be right."
The receptionist coughed. "W-Well… regardless, she can be registered as an E-Rank. At least she can take gathering quests, courier work, or basic errands."
Akari slumped. "From reincarnated heroine… to errand girl."
Lyra's lips quirked into a faint smile. "Then we'll just have to see what you're really capable of."
And just like that, Akari's new life as an adventurer began, not with glory or cheers, but with stares, and the quiet suspicion that maybe the goddess had forgotten to give her anything useful at all.