Reincarnated as Itsuka Shido: Collecting Spirits as Lovers-Chapter 180: Strategy Meeting

The next day, Shido headed to the Adventurer's Guild to meet with the guild master of the city. The incident involving the Eight Fingers was a serious matter, too large to ignore, so the guild master had called Shido to discuss their next steps moving forward.

Meanwhile, Rumia chose to stay at the inn. She was worried that Tuare might still be shaken and didn't want to leave her alone. Shido didn't object; in fact, he thought it was a good idea. It might help Tuare feel safer, and it would give the two of them a chance to bond more.

When Shido arrived at the guild, one of the staff members was already waiting to escort him. Without delay, she led him down a hallway and stopped in front of a sturdy wooden door.

"Guild Master, I've brought Dreissen-san," the staff member said after knocking lightly.

A voice from within responded shortly after, "Come in."

"Please go inside, Dreissen-san." The staff bowed at Shido.

Shido nodded and walked inside the meeting room.

"I'm glad you've finally arrived, Acheval-san."

A woman in her forties, her eyes still brimming with vitality, greeted Shido warmly. Despite her age, she was once a Mithril-ranked adventurer and remained known for her righteousness. So when she heard about what had happened the previous night, she became visibly agitated.

"Sorry for being late. Am I the last one to arrive?" Shido asked the guild master, noticing several people already seated at the table, their eyes fixed on him. Some looked at him with curiosity, while others wore expressions of arrogance.

The group consisted of adventurers ranging from Platinum to Orichalcum rank. As for Adamantite-ranked adventurers, their numbers were few, and most were occupied with their own affairs or mission.

"No, no, you're not late at all. We're actually still waiting for someone else," the guild master said quickly, shaking her head and offering Shido a mysterious smile. She then gestured for him to take a seat before they resumed the meeting.

*Knock knock.*

"We're coming in," came a voice from behind the door, just as Shido settled into his chair. He raised an eyebrow at this as he felt that the voice was somewhat familiar, but he didn't do anything and just watched everything on the sideline.

As the door opened and the newcomers stepped inside, the room was momentarily stunned. Whispers rippled across the table. One of the figures who entered held a presence that silenced the others, their identity clearly someone of significance.

"Princess?!"

The adventurers inside the room exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with surprise. None of them had expected the princess to make an appearance here. And she wasn't alone, the renowned Adamantite-ranked adventurer group, Blue Roses, followed close behind.

"Well, now that everyone is here, let's proceed with our discussion on dealing with the Eight Fingers," the guild master said, clearing her throat to regain the group's focus. She then turned toward Princess Renner with a respectful nod.

"Princess Renner, if you would," she said, giving the floor to the princess, who had been the one to call this meeting in the first place.

She nodded then looked everyone around at this table, when her eyes fall on Shido, both of them stared at each other. Shido nodded his head at her as a greeting, seeing his action, Princess Renner was speechless since no one would greet her that disrespectful except for his brothers. But it made her chuckle since she know that Shido didn't treat her the same as those hypocritical nobles or those people below her that treat her carefully.

In response, she offered him a gentle smile, but inside, she thought to herself that she would talk to Shido later after this. "We have received a news that the head of each department of Eight fingers will have a gathering tonight. At that time we need to clean them up for good."

The adventurer's became serious when they heard the sudden announcement. Eight fingers was a huge group that plagues the entire kingdom. That was why Princess Renner had resolved to eradicate them once and for all. Her first step toward cleansing the kingdom was banning the slavery in this nation.

The discussion continued, strategy after strategy laid out and examined until a final plan was agreed upon. When the meeting concluded, the adventurers began to file out of the room, offering respectful farewells to the princess as they passed.

Shido also wanted to leave since he wanted to leave, but before he could do so, he was stopped by a blonde haired girl that he hadn't met for a while.

Seeing her, Shido revealed a relaxed smile and said "Yo, Lakyus, it's been a while."

"...Acheval." Lakyus look at him deeply and wondered what she would say to him. She was being hesitant but seeing that he was also about to leave, Lakyus body just moved and block his way.

Its been a while since they last saw each other and Lakyus often thought of him after they returned to the capital. She didn't know when it started but she started to develop a strange feeling that she didn't know towards Shido. Just the thought of him made her heart beat faster especially when she remembered how he held her so close to him.

"What? Did you miss me or something?" Shido didn't know what she was thinking but he knew that it was probably something dumb. After all, he knew how clumsy Lakyus were compared to how she was view but other people as a strong Adamantite adventurer.

"W-Who's missing you!?" Lakyus reacted like a startled cat, her face turning crimson as she glared at him. "H-Hmph! It's only been a short while since we last met, and yet you've already caused enough trouble to stir up the entire kingdom!"

The first time she heard the involvement of Shido in the rescue of the women from the Eight fingers, Lakyus was really dumbfounded, she wanted to meet him as soon as possible and ask him how he had gotten involve with something so big but she still needed to do her job. Fortunately, the Princess told her to accompany her to the strategy meeting tomorrow. Her eyes lit up and knew that Shido would be there.

"Not my fault. They were the ones who came after me and my companion," Shido said with a shrug, his tone casual. In truth, if Succulent hadn't tried to ambush him that night, Shido wouldn't have gone looking for them for a few days. Unfortunately for them, Succulent had been the one to pick a fight first and lose.

"I see..."

Lakyus nodded, her eyes briefly studying his face. 'With looks like that, she mused, it wouldn't be surprising if some noblewomen tried to 'buy' him outright.' It wasn't exactly a comforting thought.

"But..." she said softly, brushing aside her internal thoughts, "I'm glad you're okay."

Lakyus said sincerely. She knew that Shido was strong since he managed to beat her effortlessly before in E-Rantel, but she was still quite worried.

"Thank you for worrying about me, but you should know my strength right?" Shido smiled and thought that even though this girl was a bit tsundere, she was quite cute.

"H-Hmph! Who's worried about you?!" Lakyus snapped, her face flushing again. "I just wanted to make sure you're still alive so I can have my revenge someday if something happens to you! That's all!"

The two continued their playful argument, voices rising just enough to draw attention. To outsiders, though, it looked less like a quarrel and more like... flirting.

In the corner of the room, the rest of the Blue Roses exchanged glances.

"Ohhh, so that's the guy our dear leader's been thinking about all this time," Gagaran said with a smirk, arms crossed as she watched them with interest.

Tia leaned in slightly, whispering, "She looks like she's actually enjoying herself..."

"She is enjoying herself," Tina added with a grin. "I haven't seen her this relaxed in weeks."

Gagaran chuckled. "Well, if that guy can fluster Lakyus that easily, I'd say he's earned some respect. Let's see how far this goes."