Chapter 6: 2.1

“We’ve been following you and your party for a while now,” Glasses said. “Just where are you taking us?”

One of Ren’s companions replied, “We're taking you to the Aranea Recon Corps.”

“And what awaits us there, exactly?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

After hours of walking, they eventually came to a stop in front of a two-story building paved from red brick. Above the door of the building hung a sign with a black raven soaring across a scarlet sky.

“What’s all of this about, then?” Noburu tilted his head sideways.

“Come on in and see for yourself.” Ren opened the doors and led the group into a big room with tables and chairs and a counter--almost like a reception--at the far end. Immediately upon entering, they discovered that they weren’t the only ones there.

Spread around the interior of the building were a number of people; some seated, others resting against the walls, and the rest standing. Sakuta couldn’t count how many of them there were, but if he were to give a rough estimate, he would say between twenty to twenty-five. They all turned to look at them as they entered.

“At long laaast! You’re finally heeeereee! Took you long enough,” a voice sang out. It sounded like a little girl’s voice, but there were no little girls around. It came from neither Sakuta’s group or any of the people gathered around the hall. They all glanced around for the source of the voice. “Well, did you find them, Ren?”

“We did. Here they are.” Ren gestured at them.

That was when a head peaked out from behind the counter.

“Huh? There was someone there this whole time?” Someone sounded genuinely surprised.

The head behind the counter seemed to belong to the voice as well. It was a girl, and she narrowed her eyes as she looked at Sakuta and the others. She looked relatively young, with scarlet twintails, red eyes that matched her hair, and light freckles scattered across her nose. “Is that all of them?”

“Yes. They were ambushed by gnolls on their way here but luckily we made it in time to help them.”

“Ohh. And none of them died? That's good! Maybe these ones will have potential.” The girl clapped her hands together. “We can finally begin. Please, everyone, gather round. Chop, chop! Lucy doesn’t have all day, you know? She's waited long enough as it is. Okay? Okay!”

Needless to say, everyone else in the room was beyond confused. Based on they were all similarly dressed and their reactions to Lucy's appearance, Sakuta assumed the other people in the room were the rest of the foreigners the teamster had mentioned.

“We will leave you to it, Lucy.” Ren and his party left the hall.

Reluctantly, everyone else gathered around the girl by the counter. She slowly ran her eyes over everyone, almost as if she were examining them one by one. With a “Hm, hm,” she nodded her head a couple times and cleared her throat. “First thing’s first, introductions! Welcome to the Recon Corps. Lucy's name is Lucy and--"

“To hell with all that.” She was abruptly interrupted by Delinquent, who shoved people aside so he could walk right up to the front. “I’ve been walking for hours and I think it’s about time I get some answers. Why was I brought here? And why can’t I remember anything? I assume you know something about this.”

Lucy eyed Delinquent down with interest. “My, you’re a lively one. Rude, too. What’s your name?”

“It’s Ryoma.”

“Well, Ryoma, if you would let Lucy finish then she could explain your current situation. May she? Or are you prone to more rude outbursts?”

“I’m prone to many things if my patience is tested. Like violence, for one.”

“Eep!” Lucy hid herself behind the counter. “I-If you hurt Lucy, then she won’t be able to explain anything. That would defeat the entire purpose, no?”

Ryoma simply crossed his arms and clicked his tongue. “Go on, then. But my patience is wearing thin.”

“Good! As Lucy was saying, her name is Lucy and Lucy is the commanding officer of the Recon Corps, otherwise known as the Scouting Legion.”

“Scouting Legion?” Sakuta parroted. For some reason, his words didn’t sound like his own.

“That's what Lucy said, didn’t she? We’re a subdivision of the military that dedicates itself to exploring the kingdom of Aranea. Fighting hostile creatures and defending the Vilelands, completing requests, we do it all.”

Someone asked, “Military? Like, the army?”

“What does that have to do with us?” asked Pinto.

Lucy twirled her finger and pointed it at the tall, dark young man. “Consider this an offer of opportunity,” she declared.

“An offer?”

“Like Lucy said, our guild dedicates itself to exploring Aranea. One might say we even help people like you. In fact, this guild was formed by people like you in the first place. You aren’t the first to arrive here with no memories of who you are or where you come from. Ren, that man from earlier? He was just like you at a point. So were many others before him.”

“And? I assume you’re going somewhere with this. If not, then quit wasting our time.” This time the comment came from a boy with short hair cut into a crop.

“And Lucy will tell you what she’s told the thousands of others who’ve come in here time and time again,” Lucy stretched her arms wide. “the kingdom of Aranea is vast. So vast that a great chunk of it remains uncharted. Somewhere outside of these city walls and deep within the kingdom lies the answers you’re looking for. Lucy thinks. She means, she doesn’t know for sure? She could be wrong. Lucy has been wrong about many things before. If so, at the very least, you can join the guild as a means to take care of yourselves. We pay well.”

The answers they were looking for... They all knew what she implied by that. But still, it all felt so weird. How did Lucy know about them? Sakuta had many doubts and questions.

Makoto asked, “You mentioned earlier that this guild was formed by people like us? Just what did you mean by that?”

“Exactly what Lucy said. A long, long time ago, a group of people arrived here in Aranea and they didn't remember a thing. Sound familiar? In search for answers about their current situation, they formed this guild for people like them.”

“I don't recall anyone mentioning we didn't remember anything.” Glasses eyed Lucy suspiciously. He had a valid point.

“For someone who wears glasses, you sure are dumber than you look.” The insult came from the boy twin. “It's obvious that she's dealt with people like us before. The suspicion here is where we all come from.”

Lucy smiled.

“Tell me, in detail, what does this army do, exactly?”

“We fight.” Lucy answered Makoto’s question frankly. “We’re soldiers but unlike the soldiers in the regular army, we hunt monsters, beasts, and even humans if the situation calls for it.”

“Basically,” Glasses began, readjusting his glasses. “you're saying that if we join this guild, then we will be able to explore outside of these city's walls. And somewhere out there we’ll find answers regarding our current predicament and how or why we arrived here. But we have to fight monsters along the way. Is that it?”

“That's exactly it. Nice job. Want a cookie?”

“Monsters like those gnolls, I'm guessing?” said Yamato. “What’s stopping them from killing us?”

Lucy turned to look at him, and smiled. “Ren said you were attacked, correct? Lucy is assuming he and his party saved you. Did you see how they fought? How strong they were? You’re all still standing here right now so Lucy is sure you did. Well, we trained them and that’s how they’ve gotten this far without dying.”

“You trained them? How?”

“Not Lucy herself, you silly goose. Shucks, Lucy is incapable of fighting. Lucy is just the cute commanding officer!” Lucy struck a pose with her tongue out. “Our guild has branches that we call “Trades.” Such as the Warrior’s Trade, Spellcaster's Trade, and two others. By joining us, you will be granted access to a trade of your choosing where you will be taught to defend yourself. That’s how we, as scouts, learn to fight and survive.”

“And?” Ryoma narrowed his eyes. “What happens if we refuse?”

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“Nothing, really.” Lucy shrugged her small shoulders. “You’re under no obligation to join us. If you have no interest in this, then please feel free to leave. We won’t stop you.”

“T-then I guess we should just split, huh?” Noburu said and made for the door. “I’m sorry but I don’t like this one bit...it all feels so convenient, you know?”

“Think that if you want. But like Lucy said, you aren’t the first people to arrive here. This guild has existed for many, many years.”

“I...”

“Let Lucy warn you, though.” Lucy lowered her head and her voice deepened. “If you choose to leave then we aren’t accountable for you. You are on your own. If you think finding work will be easy, who’s going to hire someone who doesn’t even remember where they come from? If you ask Lucy, this is as good an offer as you’ll get. But no one asked Lucy, did theyyy...? Oh well!”

Makoto suddenly chuckled. “When she puts it that way, it’s almost as if we have no other choice.”

Lucy shook her head. “You do. You aren’t being forced, you know? This is completely optional. You can leave if you so wish.”

“You say that but it doesn’t feel true at all. I want to find out what’s going on, so that’s why I’m joining. But something is telling me I would have joined regardless. You’re a very sibylline little girl.”

Lucy pointed to her own face and widened her eyes. “Lucyyy?” she said with exaggeration. “How could you say such a thing? Lucy is as lovely as rainbows! Look. See? Her hair is red, her eyes are blue...”

Crop-top suddenly clicked his teeth. “You know, your speech style is very annoying, little girl. I’ve been putting up with it until now but it’s getting on my nerves.”

“Huh? But this is how Lucy speaks, though... She can’t help it, you know?”

“How about you knock it off before I make you?”

Lucy “eeped” once more and hid behind the counter again. Somehow, though, Sakuta got the feeling that she wasn’t really afraid and it was all just an act.

“So? How do we join this guild of yours?” Pinto defused the situation.

“I-it’s simple.” Lucy peeked from behind the counter and gestured at the table. There were badges spaced out neatly in front of her. “Just take one and you will be considered a Legion trainee. That will then grant you access to the guild's Trades.”

Makoto, without any hesitation, was the first to retrieve a badge. This incited reactions from the others who hesitantly followed suit. As everyone slowly walked up to get their badge, Sakuta found himself slowly being pulled in by the crowd as well. It wasn’t like he was fully convinced about all of this. But what would he do otherwise? Lucy brought up some valid points. Surviving in this city would be difficult. And, as conveniently as this was placed on their laps, it seemed to be their only hope for survival.

But, even if that wasn’t the case, everyone else seemed to be fetching a badge. Even if they were all just following the general consensus, maybe it was best to follow the crowd here?

With that in mind, Sakuta retrieved a badge as well.

Lucy continued explaining the procedures. “Once you decide on a trade, you will be given two weeks’ worth of basic training. After that you will be allowed to take on simple enough requests. Which you will need to do if you wish to carry on as scouts because the only way to graduate from being a trainee is through gold. Life isn’t cheap, you know? You should be grateful that the trainee internship itself is free.”

When everyone had gotten a badge, Lucy clapped her hands. “Congratulations! You’re now all Legion trainees! Work hard to become real soldiers and don’t be shy to come to Lucy for any advice, okay?”

“Anything else?” Ryoma asked.

Lucy put a finger on her chin, seeming to think about it. “Is Lucy forgetting somethiiing...? Nope! That’s everything she knows.”

When Lucy was finished speaking, a loud bang suddenly drowned out every voice in the hall and caught them all by surprise. When everyone looked to the cause, it was apparently Crop-top who had slammed his fist on a table.

“Okay, listen up.” He started once he’d seemed to get everyone’s attention. “My name is Hidenori. I don’t know what the hell all this is about but I’ve decided to do things my way from now on. Some of you are going to join me. By join, I mean follow my lead and do everything that I say, of course.”

There was silence in the hall. Everyone was exchanging glances, uncertain of what to make of this declaration. If anyone else had said that, Sakuta was sure nobody would’ve taken them seriously. But Crop-top came across as different. He was the type of person that commanded people to take him seriously.

Ryoma suddenly let out a chuckle of a laugh. “What a shitty sales pitch. What makes you think anyone would join a buffoon like you?”

Sakuta could see Hidenori bristle at those words. He turned to face Ryoma and eyed him up and down, measuring him. “Because I’m the strongest one here,” he proclaimed with utmost confidence. “As far as I can tell, nobody here can take me in a fight.”

“Is that so?” Ryoma accepted the challenge. The two locked eyes and it looked like a fight would break out any moment. Hidenori was taller but Ryoma was slightly bigger. If the two did clash, Sakuta wasn’t sure who would come out on top.

“Hold on.” Makoto intervened. “We don’t even know if it’s worth it for people to work together. Is there any point in forming alliances?”

“There are.” Lucy had been watching the interaction unfold quietly. When Sakuta had looked at her, she’d seemed entertained. “People like you get together all of the time. They form what we call parties. Parties make adventuring Aranea easier. In fact, it's highly recommended that you join one.”

“Hear that?” said Hidenori, addressing everyone. “Stick with me and you might survive.”

There was an extended pause. Until, “I'll join you,” someone said. It was Glasses. He walked up to Hidenori and bowed his head. “My name is Takahashi. Nice to meet you, Hidenori."

“I-I’ll join you, too...” someone else added. “My name is Jirou. I think there’s safety in numbers. At least, I'd feel better with friends...”

Hidenori nodded at his new followers. Two more people joined him and the more people did the more the others considered it as well. Of course, Sakuta did too. Surely joining Hidenori would be easier for him. He seemed like a capable person, and in such situations it was better to rely on those who were strong. Ultimately, Sakuta decided against it, though.

“Anyone else?”

“Me too!” Alice ran up to Hidenori. “I’ll come with you as well. My name is Alice. I’ll try my best not to slow anyone down.”

Five people had joined up with Hidenori. He turned to address them and said, “Let's get one thing straight. I’m in charge here. You’re all going to do as I say with no objections. Understood?”

They all nodded without any argument. Sakuta wondered if they would be all right. Hidenori seemed like the type of person who would seriously hurt them if they disobeyed him. But they all seemed to understand that yet still decided to stay.

Hidenori then turned his eyes to Ryoma and a smirk came over his lips. He was mocking him.

With a grunt of disdain, Ryoma left the hall. Makoto left as well, followed by Hidenori and his party. One by one, everyone began to disperse. But where were they going? Sakuta felt as though he could only watch them. He still had no idea what was going on.

Lucy sighed. “Lucy doesn’t hate people like them, you know? But they’re so annoying to deal with...” She turned to look at Sakuta. “You. Hey, you. What’s your name?”

“E-eh? Me...? My name is Sakuta...”

“Sakuta, are you waiting for a divine intervention or are you going to get a move on as well? You’re getting left behind.”

Sakuta placed a hand on the back on his head. “To be honest, I’m still not sure what it is I’m supposed to be doing...?”

Lucy sighed deeply. “Every batch has its lost causes, Lucy supposes...” she murmured softly. “Remember what Lucy told you about trades? Your first priority should be finding one that best suits you. You can even explore the city first to find out more about it. Really, Lucy doesn’t give a hoot what you do. But she does care if you just stand there looking stupid. Now, shoo! It’s lunchtime and Lucy doesn’t intend on sharing.” The young girl behind the counter shooed Sakuta away.

“R-right...” At those rather harsh and uncalled for words, Sakuta left the Recon Corps.

The moment he stepped outside by himself, everything felt bigger. There he was, all alone in a foreign city that he knew nothing about, with no memories of where he came from and nobody to turn to. Sakuta took a deep breath and sighed.

Where do I even begin...

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