Well, as you can tell from the chapter's title, the Queen decided to go full RPG Novel on my training arc. So, our party left the tavern and headed straight for the adventurer's guild—even though it didn't really make a difference in our story.
I won't waste time describing what the guild looked like—you probably already know how one works. Just think of any isekai you've ever read, and you'll get the idea.
We walked into the guild and went straight to the reception desk to register. Our party drew even more attention now with the addition of the lumberjack bear and the ditzy elf. So, naturally, we became the momentary topic of conversation among all those unemployed adventurers getting drunk in the middle of the day instead of working.
"Are they a Mithril-ranked party from a foreign country?" You can probably guess that, since I called this a cliché scene, I'd make that joke, right?
They'd mistake us for a high-level veteran party, only to be disappointed when they realized we were just a bunch of newbies registering. Then they'd be shocked again when the receptionist read the Queen and Sabrina's levels.
Honestly, the author would've loved to use that plot—it'd be way easier to write—but it wouldn't make any sense. After all, we were still in the capital of my kingdom. Everyone knew who the Queen and I were.
"Good afternoon, Your Majesties—Prince Arthur and Queen Lilith. To what do we owe this honor? Have you come for an audience with the Guild Master?" the receptionist greeted us.
"Cut the act, Alicia. I'm not here on official business today," I replied. Of course I'd know the receptionist—this was the capital of my kingdom, after all.
"Phew, you know how much I hate that formal nonsense. So, what brings you here?" Alicia said, now in her natural tone.
"We're here to register our new party," I answered.
"Alright. Not all of you are registered here, so we'll need to do the paperwork first. You too, Arthur—we'll have to update your registration and remove you from your current party," Alicia explained.
"You never told me you were an adventurer, my Prince," the Queen said, making Alicia laugh.
Of course, Alicia's laughter piqued the Queen's curiosity, leading to even more embarrassing moment of secrets being revealed.
"He's never completed a single quest, but he's been paying a veteran party to keep his name on their roster just to rank up in the guild."
Secrets are called secrets for a reason, Alicia. You're not supposed to blurt them out!
"Joining this party is the best thing that's ever happened to me," the elf said.
What are you writing in that notebook, you damned elf?
"So all those epic adventurer stories you told me in my bed were lies?" Mary asked.
You're a nun now, right? What are people going to think watching this scene?
"Pathetic. We'll have to turn you into someone worthy of my Queen soon," Sabrina added.
"I'm hungry. Y'all ain't?" At least the bear spared me any snide remarks.
"My Prince has been a naughty boy. Looks like Mommy Queen will have to teach him a few lessons." Well, at least something good came out of this.
After that little embarrassing moment, our registration continued without any notable incidents—at least until it was time to measure our power levels with the guild's crystal.
Mary and Ted went first, and nothing noteworthy happened. Both were mid-tier, almost reaching advanced—which was quite impressive by the kingdom's standards. However:
"No wonder conquering this kingdom would've been so easy," the Queen muttered, though of course, everyone could hear her.
"I agree, my Queen." Sabrina didn't even bother hiding her disdain.
The adventurers' glares weren't exactly friendly—which, of course, only amused the sadistic minds of our two demonic companions.
Then it was my turn:
"Spell Knight, Transcendent rank? What kind of cheating have you been doing to level up this much?" Alicia asked, stunned.
The kingdom's ranking system is so much fairer, don't you think?
"You know cheating your way up can be dangerous, right, Prince?" The damn elf and her useless comments.
For the record, this rank was earned through blood, sweat, and tears.
"Once I take over after we're married, we'll have to make some major reforms to the kingdom's standards, my love."
The Queen's words were an omen of pain and suffering for the kingdom's youth. Sabrina didn't even comment—she just nodded in agreement.
"But congratulations, my love. I'll think of a very… delicious reward for you." The Queen added, with a look that nearly took my breath away.
"You really have improved, Arthy. Your muscles are much more defined than I remember." Mary complimented me, bringing back an old nickname.
I tensed up, afraid the Queen would get jealous again, but… nothing? Maybe the earlier Black Sun incident wasn't jealousy—maybe it was just because the giantess called her a loser. Probably.
"This love triangle forming between us is so exciting. Ah, we're going to have so much fun together!" The Queen mused, making me wish I could fast-forward to that glorious future.
My daydream was interrupted when Alicia announced the elf's test results.
"Two classes? Legendary Wind Mage and Beginner Bard."
"That crystal's broken!" The elf and I said at the same time.
"There's no way this elf is a Legendary Mage."
"There's no way I'm still a Beginner Bard."
We spoke in unison again.
"No, my dear, she really is a powerful mage. I can sense it. But don't worry—she'll play as a Bard, so she won't unbalance our party." The Queen crushed what was left of my self-esteem.
"My little songbird is good at singing, ma'am! That thing's busted!" The bear defended the elf.
Well, at least I had that small consolation—the elf really was a fake Bard.
Finally, it was time to measure the Queen and Sabrina's levels. Sabrina went first—she reached for the crystal, and then… before she even touched it, the crystal shattered.
Everyone stared at her in shock. Now, they were all bowing their heads, their earlier hostility completely gone. They finally understood why the Queen's earlier comment wasn't an empty boast.
Since bringing another crystal would probably yield the same result, Alicia simply wrote on their forms: "In a league of their own."
"Now, we just need a name for the party," Alicia announced.
"A name? That's the Bard's job!" The elf declared, puffing out her chest like a superhero.
Oh boy, here we go.
"The Cowardly Prince and His Friends." She started, then—under everyone's disapproving stares—tried again:
"The Cowardly Prince's Company?"
No
"The Cowardly Prince and His Hired Goons?" She really couldn't think of anything else.
"The main character here is my Queen, so the name should be about her!" Sabrina cut in.
"Lilith's Sect." Mary said. Yes, the nun suggested we call ourselves Lilith's Sect.
"Perfect. From now on, we are Lilith's Sect!" The Queen proclaimed, and no one dared oppose her. Well, no one except the elf, who would've protested if the bear hadn't covered her mouth.
And so began Lilith's Sect's adventure into the castle dungeon, right?
"Now we can go hunt slimes and gather medicinal herbs."
The Queen had other plans for our party.