Emily pushed the doors open without hesitation.
The guild hall was lively, filled with adventurers—mostly beastfolk—sharpening weapons, drinking, laughing, and boasting loudly about their latest quests. The air was thick with the scent of food, ale, and steel. Banners and mounted trophies decorated the walls, while a large notice board in the corner overflowed with requests from townsfolk.
Alferno glanced around, mildly impressed. "Not bad. The decorations are nice."
"I know, right?" Emily grinned. "Now come on!"
She dragged him toward the reception desk, where a young woman with feline features lounged lazily against the counter. Her ears twitched as they approached, and a knowing smirk crossed her face.
"Oh~ Emily," the woman said, eyeing Alferno. "Who's this knight? You always manage to surprise me."
Emily rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Fiona! He's a mercenary knight—and also my new party member!"
Fiona raised a brow, clearly amused. "Oh wow. You actually managed to recruit someone? That's impressive."
Alferno stood quietly with his arms crossed, listening as the two went back and forth.
Emily stood on her tiptoes and placed a hand proudly on his shoulder. "This gentleman here is Alferno!"
Fiona's tail flicked as she gave him a slow once-over. "Nice to meet you, Mister Alferno. I'm Fiona—the cutest girl in this guild."
"Nice to meet you too," Alferno said with a polite nod.
Emily immediately burst out laughing.
"'Cutest girl'?" she teased. "Not gonna lie, you love to dream. But hey, I won't blame you."
Fiona gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "How dare you?! Just because you're short doesn't mean you get to insult my beauty!"
Emily stuck out her tongue as Fiona muttered something about "bratty kittens." Alferno remained between them, silent and unmoving, waiting for the storm to pass.
"…I see," he muttered under his breath. "This guild is run by children."
Emily turned sharply toward him, hands on her hips. "Oh hush! Now let's get registered as a party!"
With a tired sigh, Fiona pulled out a stack of parchment. "Fine, fine. Let's get this over with."
As Emily filled out the paperwork, Alferno scanned the room. That was when he noticed four catfolk stumble into the guild hall, their movements unsteady and their laughter loud. One of them was larger than the others, broad-shouldered and clearly drunk.
A female guild worker approached them cautiously and asked them to leave. Instead, they laughed and began harassing her. She shrank back, embarrassed.
No one intervened. Conversations continued. Eyes turned away.
Alferno exhaled slowly.
That was enough.
He stepped forward.
Behind him, Emily finished signing the final line and looked up. "Aye~ Alferno? Alferno…?"
She spotted him walking toward the group, her ears flattening.
Fiona glanced over. "Where'd your knight go?"
Emily pointed, panic creeping into her voice. "Right there. Wait—oh no. Is he trying to make trouble?!"
She rushed after him.
As Alferno stepped in front of them, the drunken catfolk turned their attention toward him. One of them snorted, a crooked smirk spreading across his face.
"What do you want?" the drunk scoffed. "Trying to look tough in that armor?"
The others burst into laughter. One of them slung an arm around the female guild worker, pulling her close despite her clear discomfort.
"Leave her alone."
Alferno's voice was calm. He glanced briefly at the worker before fixing his unseen gaze on the group.
They laughed again. The largest of them—a broad-shouldered brute—stepped forward.
"Leave her alone?" he repeated mockingly.
"Ye—"
Before Alferno could finish, his arm was suddenly yanked back. Emily had grabbed him, pulling him away.
"Alferno, what are you doing!?" she hissed.
"They're harassing her," he replied quietly.
Emily stopped pulling and looked up at him. "Harassing?"
At that moment, Alferno turned his attention back to the group—and the large catfolk struck. A fist flew toward him without warning.
Alferno caught it effortlessly.
"Ah," he said dryly. "Sneaky. That's a decent move."
Emily's eyes widened in shock—then narrowed in anger. Without hesitation, she spun and drove a kick straight into the brute's stomach, sending him crashing into a nearby table.
The remaining three froze, their grip on the female worker loosening as they released her. Shock quickly twisted into fury.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" one of them shouted. "You think you can just hit our friend and walk away!?"
Emily shot back, tail bristling. "We never thought that! Now expect to get kicked out!"
The guild hall fell silent. Every conversation died as all eyes turned toward the scene. Fiona hurried over from the counter, her expression tense.
"Enough," she said firmly. "You need to leave. Now."
"Leave!?" one of the drunkards barked. "Calm down? That guy's a human, isn't he!? Why is a human even allowed here—and you're helping him!?"
A heavy silence settled over the hall.
Emily's face flushed red—embarrassment flashing for only a second before being replaced by fury. She stormed forward and slammed her forehead into the man's face.
"Emily!" Fiona grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her back. "Stop it!"
Alferno stepped forward, his tone flat and unimpressed.
"So… is being human a crime here?"
The drunk scoffed. "After what they did to us? Yes. It is."
Fiona, still restraining Emily, spoke up sharply. "Not every human is the same. He hasn't done anything wrong."
The large catfolk had already regained his footing. Glowering, he shoved past the others and deliberately bumped into Alferno's shoulder, trying to force his way forward.
Alferno didn't move.
Instead, he placed a firm hand on the man's shoulder, stopping him cold.
"You're not going anywhere," Alferno said, "until you get past me."
Snarling, the brute swung. Alferno sidestepped the first punches with ease—but one blow landed against his side. The impact echoed through the armor.
The catfolk hissed in pain, clutching his knuckles as if he'd struck solid stone.
The others quickly dragged him back.
"Let's go," one of them muttered angrily. "It's not worth it. You'll see—we'll be back!"
They stumbled toward the exit, muttering threats as they left. Slowly, the tension in the guild hall eased, though many eyes still lingered on Alferno and Emily.
Emily walked up to him, clearly amused.
"That was amazing," she said, leaning closer. "You didn't even hit him back."
Fiona sighed, glancing around at the staring adventurers. "Let's just finish the paperwork. Alferno—next time, don't handle things alone. Tell me. I can call the guards."
"I promise," Alferno said with a nod, his gaze briefly shifting to Emily. "I won't get you dragged in front of the mayor because of me."
Emily stiffened. "Pfft, mayor?" She tried to sound tough, though a small smile betrayed her.
They returned to the counter, and after a few moments, Fiona slid two cards across the desk.
"Your adventurer cards," she said. "Alferno, yours will need an update in a few days. Since you're not from Beasts Town, I can't issue a permanent one yet."
"That's fine," Alferno replied. "I don't plan on staying long."
Emily blinked. "Wait—what? You're not staying?"
"Nope," he said calmly. "And you're coming with me. We're a party now."
Emily jumped back dramatically. "Wha~ you're kidnapping me, nya~?" she teased, flashing a playful grin.
Fiona snapped her fingers. "Stop flirting."
Emily pouted for a moment, then shrugged, smiling again. "Fine. I'm ready. Whatever little adventure you drag me into—I'm sure it won't be boring."
"You can update your card at any other guild hall," Fiona added, looking at Alferno.
"Perfect," he said. "That's exactly what I needed. Thanks, Fiona."
She looked away, ears twitching. "N-No problem."
With that, Alferno and Emily headed toward the exit. Outside, Emily stretched her arms and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Well," she said cheerfully, "guess my little journey with mister knight starts now."
Alferno nodded, his unseen gaze sweeping over the bustling streets as beastfolk passed by, living their ordinary lives—and just like that, his journey began.