[III] Dilemma

Walter decided to head over to the guild to hire some people that can help him deal with the ruined, remaining areas of his mansion. So immediately, he leaves - with clothes that will help him blend with the people of the city. Though, he still has his practice sword intact on his waist just in case some kind of trouble occurs.

Looking around, he sees the same style of any streets and roads he now became familiar with in this world. With a paved stone road, where carriages and small wagons can be seen, and a sidewalk where different kinds of people, including him, walks into - it was the usual scene. But still, for the very first time, he finally had seen some demi-humans walking around these streets.

People with mixtures of animals on them can be seen around. People with cat-ears, tails, horns, etc, fascinated him. He was like a country boy witnessing the city for the very first time.

But as he observes more, he notices that most of these demi-humans are not what he had imagined them to be, as many of them are wearing collars that are pretty much familiar to him. Yes, they're the same kind that left the mark on Alice's neck.

And like her in the past, they're slaves.

These animal-eared demi-humans are something he is rather fond of, even when he was still in his previous world, so it kind of pains him to see them being treated as mere slaves. That's why if he can, he will try to help and free them, but knowing how politics and rules work here in this world, he could only dream about it.

As he ponders these thoughts, he resumes on his path to look for the guild. And asking people on the streets, he was finally able to arrive at where it's at.

Seeing the large familiar crest on top of the large structure, it was surely the guild. And without much thought, he enters it, only to be greeted by the noisy chattering and shouting of the people inside, or rather, adventurers inside.

Almost all of them have their own style of armor and weapons. Some are wearing heavy clothing of metallic armors, and some are just wearing light leather coverings of the vital parts of their body. Most of them are melee with their weapons but there are also some who use range; such as bows and crossbows.

But what surprises Walter were the mages that are supposedly much rare than both adventurers and knights. They are one of the strongest assets when it comes to war, so - them - being an adventurer is considered being a waste. But that doesn't seem to be the case as there are quite a few numbers of them here.

Still observing the insides of the guild, he decided not to waste time and continue moving forward, and as he arrives at the counter, he was immediately greeted by a male receptionist with a smile.

[ Excuse me. ]

[ Yes, sir? ]

Walter took the initiative to start the conversation with the suited receptionist, and the receptionist did not disappoint as he immediately responded to him.

After, he states what he came here for in the first place -

[ I'm here to put on a request. ]

He will talk with Alice first before he hires someone permanently, but for now, he will settle with adventurers for help.

[ They're on the board, sir. ]

[ Is that so? Thank you... umm... I'll be back. ]

As he receives his answer, he immediately leaves the counter after giving his thanks to the receptionist.

On the board, there are already contract papers ready to be filled up, alongside pens they can use to write on them. There are four sets of contract papers in there -

And they were lined up in such arrangement: 'Request'> 'Party Invitation'> 'Subjugation'> 'Material Gather'

Walter immediately picked up which he needs and fills it up. Knowing the letters of this world, he was able to easily write his answers without any problems, the only thing that he had trouble with was how much he should write in it as the amount of reward.

His request will not really be a hard task for strong and experienced adventurers, so he's sure he can put on a cheap amount. But he needs someone to immediately accept it, so he nevertheless wrote an amount of reward that would be really high for his non-vital task.

And as he finishes writing, he puts the task on the board. With a sigh, he was easily able to complete what he came here for, and he prepares to leave.

But just when he turns to his back, he bumps into someone.

[ Sorry...! ] he immediately apologizes as he was sure he hit them hard, but as he was finally able to completely turn around to see who he bumps with, he was stunned to see no one. But rather, what he saw was a pair of two long ears protruding on the head of someone that did not reach his vision.

And as the ears twitches, he decided to shift his gaze down to see whose ears they were.

A bunny girl. What he saw was a rather busty but short bunny girl with white, short - curly hair.

And immediately, Walter became attracted, especially when he saw her face that is fitting for her bunny girl race.

[ I-I'm sorry...! ] she also shyly apologizes with a bit of tear in her eyes. But Walter almost didn't hear what she says as his eyes were suddenly caught again by the playful ears that are protruding on her head, moving as if they have lives of their own.

( I wonder what they feel like... ) he could barely endure the urge of squeezing the long bunny ears that seems to be tempting him to do so.

[ Umm... ] and as she murmurs around without a forming a word, he was able to get Walter's attention again.

[ I'm really sorry...! ] she bows her head repeatedly, trying to apologize - but Walter was only baffled by her actions, and being able to come out of his dazed state, he replies -

[ No, it was my fault. ]

But as he spoke, he finally realizes what's wrong. Seeing the collar on her neck explains her apologetic attitude. Like any other slaves, it must be her instinct to apologize to avoid punishment. And this was only further proven as a call from the other side of the guild was heard -

[ Hurry it up, Dae! I did not take you with me to laze around! ] there, in one of the tables, sitting is a man, holding a chain that leads to another collar - a collar of what seems to be a green-feather-colored harpy, who has a rather weak complexion on her face.

And as a response to his call, the bunny girl did one last bow and leaves one last apology as she excuses herself from him and continues to hurriedly look at the board - seemingly searching for a task that she would be able to take, leaving Walter all alone without being able to touch her ears in disappointment.