Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

"Hoho, such a rare sight—new faces. So, it's them, huh? The ones reported by the appraisers to have defeated the Ruin Goliath. Quite impressive for the younger generation."

The branch head of the Adventurers' Guild chuckled meaningfully. He was a seasoned silver-ranked adventurer, whose strength had once approached the pinnacle, just shy of the kingdom's knight commander. However, with age, his vitality had waned, his fighting spirit dulled, and his strength receded significantly.

Still, as someone who had once touched the threshold of the gold rank, his wisdom and experience had only deepened with time.

After all, time tempers everything, turning accumulated experience into something akin to a brilliant gem.

As the branch head of the frontier Adventurers' Guild, he had witnessed many grand scenes and encountered genuine gold-ranked adventurers. His keen sense for the presence of strong individuals had not diminished.

Among the group before him, each one exuded an air of danger, particularly the young man wielding a spear.

If they were to spar, the branch head estimated he could only last a few exchanges. If it were a life-or-death fight, he might not even survive a single move.

"Oh? Newcomers with such remarkable strength? I must observe them carefully. Perhaps I can scout a few promising recruits for the Merchant Association."

The head of the frontier Merchant Association, Tope, who had come downstairs alongside the guild branch head, cast a calculating glance at the group.

Adjusting his monocle, Tope activated a subtle appraisal skill, and as the reflections in the lens captured the group's images, his brow arched in mild surprise.

"That pink-haired girl… such a strong aura of the Earth Mother? Could she be the current Saintess?"

"She's probably not," the branch head Grey replied, shaking his head slightly, his tone tinged with admiration.

"I've seen the Saintess of the Earth Mother Church, and she doesn't look like that. This must be a rising star of some kind."

"The foundations of these major faiths are truly deep. When crises arise, they can swiftly rally formidable forces. It's enviable, really."

"Haha! If anyone else said that, I might believe them. But coming from the guild, where powerful adventurers gather, it makes us merchants look pathetic by comparison," Tope replied with a hearty laugh.

"Well then, continuing to gossip behind their backs is hardly elegant. Please excuse me, branch head, while I go introduce myself."

"Let's go together," Grey said with a nod.

---

Meanwhile, on the first floor of the guild, though the atmosphere subtly shifted as the two veterans descended the stairs, the group remained focused on filling out their registration forms.

Among them, Stelle was the fastest. With a few quick strokes of her pen, she handed her form to the receptionist.

The receptionist picked up the form and scanned it carefully, looking for any clues about her affiliations—a crucial detail for her role.

A name like Stelle… sounds like an alias. Then again, she might be one of those astrologers from the Observatory Tower.

The receptionist's eyes continued down the form.

Age: Fifteen? That's surprising. She looks quite mature… Birthplace/Affiliation: Herta Space Station / Astral Express? Is that some kind of mage's traveling group?

Suppressing her curiosity, the receptionist maintained her professional smile and addressed Stelle warmly.

"Miss Stelle, we've received your registration form, but there are a few questions we'd like to clarify with you."

"Ask away."

"The Astral Express you mentioned—does it belong to any specific nation or organization?"

"Strictly speaking, the Express crew comes from all over and doesn't belong to any particular power. You can think of us as travelers exploring the unknown." Stelle recited her pre-prepared response calmly.

"Hmm… sounds like a rather unconventional group of adventurers," the receptionist mused, jotting down the information without further suspicion. She then added sincerely, "Very well. Miss Stelle, your application is approved. We'll expedite your identity plate, and you and your companions can rest at the guild's inn tonight. You can pick it up at the counter tomorrow."

"Understood. And just call me Stelle."

The gray-haired girl's curt reply, delivered in her usual detached tone, left the receptionist momentarily lost in thought.

Before she could engage further, Grey gently tapped her on the shoulder.

"Good work. I'll handle things from here."

The receptionist turned to him in surprise.

"Huh, Branch Head Grey? Why are you here?"

"Haha, I was just seeing off an old friend and happened to notice some intriguing newcomers. It brought back memories of my younger days," he said with a kind smile.

"You're too modest. With your abilities, you could easily lead this branch for another decade."

Grey chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"Haha, who knows how long this old man has left. Anyway, let's not waste the time of these fine young people!"

Turning to the group, the branch head grinned broadly, his spiky hair resembling that of a Saiyan.

"Why don't you all join me upstairs for a chat? I'll personally take care of these formalities for you."

"Eh? Wouldn't that be bending the rules too much?" March 7th asked hesitantly.

"Not at all. Just an old-timer hoping to swap stories with some promising youngsters," Grey reassured them warmly.

Exchanging glances, Dan Heng and Venti nodded in agreement. With their consent, Stelle and March 7th had no objections.

"—In that case, we'll gladly accept your offer."

"Hoho, there's no need to be so formal. I'm not the kind of person who abuses his authority. Let's just treat this as a casual chat."

Although Grey's words were directed at the group, Tope, listening nearby, interpreted them very differently.

This old fox is still the same as ever… Always one step ahead.

Tope let out a resigned chuckle but knew he couldn't just let Grey take the lead unchallenged.

Straightening his attire to ensure it was impeccable, Tope stepped forward gracefully. Instead of directly interrupting the conversation, he opted for a more subtle approach. He stopped in front of the receptionist and cleared his throat softly.

"I'm here to issue a request. A direct request, to be specific."

His gaze swept subtly but purposefully toward Mimiya, one of the adventurers who had accompanied the group of four earlier. With a warm smile, he began.

"Recently, one of our trade routes was disrupted by rampaging magical beasts, forcing us to suspend transportation. Several shipments have been delayed, and unless we resolve this issue soon, it'll cause significant distress to both us and our clients.

Therefore, I'd like to request Miss Mimiya, a newly promoted silver-ranked adventurer of your guild, and her team, to take on the task of guarding the shipments. As for the payment—given the special circumstances, it'll be calculated at three times the standard rate."

His words rang loud and clear, sparking a wave of murmurs among the bystanders.

In the hierarchy of guild commissions, the most lucrative tasks—apart from dangerous monster subjugations and assignments issued by nobles—often came from merchant associations. Their requests typically paid handsomely, involved less risk, and were straightforward, without the added complications of noble intrigue or life-threatening dangers.

Unlike grueling monster hunts, where death was a constant threat, or missions that involved dealing with political machinations, merchant commissions were seen as a golden opportunity—assuming, of course, the merchants weren't unreasonably stingy. Fortunately, most reputable merchant guilds valued their credibility too much to cut corners.

This symbiotic relationship was deeply rooted in their faith in the god of commerce. Merchant guilds, with their focus on appraisal, treasure hunting, and wealth accumulation rather than combat, had long relied on external adventurers to fulfill such needs.

More significantly, being specifically named in a merchant guild's request was a mark of prestige. For many adventurers, it meant a steady stream of lucrative opportunities and a guaranteed path to wealth.

For Mimiya's small three-person team, receiving such a high-profile commission was already an honor. However, it was clear their current manpower was insufficient, meaning they would likely need help.

And who better to turn to than the new adventurers they seemed to have a rapport with? Whether to quickly gain points or simply return the favor, the newcomers would likely agree to join the escort mission. Tope's gambit was clever—fostering camaraderie and ensuring cooperation in one fell swoop.

Grey, seeing through his old friend's machinations, smirked internally.

This sly old merchant… Always so roundabout.

Still, since everything was above board, Grey had no reason to intervene. Turning to Mimiya, who looked a little dazed by this sudden windfall, he spoke kindly.

"Well, young lady, what do you think?"

All eyes turned to Mimiya, who snapped out of her thoughts and hurriedly tried to decline.

"Ah, I'm sorry… Our team is quite busy for the next few days, so we might not be able to—"

"No need to rush into a refusal." Tope interrupted gently, his tone confident. "While it's true that we're keen to resolve this quickly, we're more than willing to accommodate your schedule if your team is facing conflicts. In fact…"

He smiled knowingly.

"Perhaps we could continue this discussion upstairs? It's not appropriate to reveal too many details in such a public space."

Faced with such earnestness and pressure, Mimiya felt it would be impolite to decline further. With a small nod, she and Zaryus followed Tope upstairs for a private discussion.

Meanwhile, the trailblazers—having enjoyed this little drama—headed to the branch head's office on the second floor.

---

The office was an elegant space, dominated by a long table carved from a single slab of fine wood, exuding a faint, pleasant fragrance. The chairs were draped with swan-velvet cushions, offering both warmth and softness.

A receptionist entered shortly after, placing steaming cups of fresh milk before each guest. She also lit an incense burner, filling the room with a subtle, calming aroma that was a welcome change from the lively but chaotic guild hall. Once her tasks were complete, she excused herself, leaving the room for their private discussion.

Grey, seated at the head of the table, reviewed the forms the trailblazers had submitted, making mental notes of the unfamiliar place names. Without preamble, he began speaking.

"My earlier probing was impolite. Please forgive me. That said, your decision to register as adventurers here suggests you're aligned with humanity in our struggle against magical beasts, yes?"

His lack of confusion about their affiliations surprised the group.

"Hmm? You seem a bit taken aback. Ah, that's understandable. The guild is privy to certain secrets that are not widely known. Rest assured, we harbor no hostility toward you. After all, the first heroes of our land came from worlds beyond this one, just like you."

Grey's words carried a weight that silenced the room. His hands clasped beneath his chin, his authoritative presence tempered by a touch of nostalgia.

"This world has welcomed visitors from beyond its skies before. It's a truth omitted from most historical records. Even I only learned of it after becoming a branch head."

"Is it because someone deliberately sealed this knowledge?" Stelle asked pointedly.

"...Ha, jumping straight to taboo topics, are we?" Grey chuckled lightly, then fell into a brief silence before replying.

"You could say it's a necessary measure. People have grown accustomed to this land beneath their feet. If they were to learn the truth about the sky above… many would be consumed by fear."

"...That's quite unexpected," March 7th murmured, realizing her initial assumption—that the locals were entirely ignorant of the existence of other worlds—might have been wrong.

Grey nodded, his gaze distant.

"When I first learned of this, my shock was greater than yours. The revelation that this land we stand on is but a sphere floating in the void… It was enough to make me question everything."

He smiled faintly, then added, "Please keep this knowledge to yourselves. The church has deemed it unfit for public dissemination, and we must respect that decision."

"Understood."

"Thank you for your discretion. Now, let's return to the matter at hand—if I'm not mistaken, you're here regarding the calamity that fell from the sky a few days ago, correct?"

Grey's gaze shifted to Dan Heng, the stoic lancer of the group.

Sensing Grey's gaze, Dan Heng gave a slight nod.

"Correct. Do you have any information that could help us?"

"Unfortunately, while I know certain secrets hidden from the general populace, that's about it... As for that calamity, I have no idea where it came from. But one thing is certain: it's nothing good. Ever since it appeared, the world has grown far more dangerous."

Grey's expression darkened as he spoke.

"However, there are reports of something troubling. To the north of where it landed, traces of an old cult—long suppressed and thought to have vanished—have been spotted again."

"What? Seriously? Are they not afraid of bringing disaster upon themselves?"

March 7th couldn't help blurting out, her tone laced with incredulity.

"For cultists, inviting disaster is precisely the point. If their actions could summon the dark god they worship, they'd consider it a worthwhile price to pay," Grey replied, his tone heavy with resignation.

He sighed deeply. "From my perspective, entrusting something so pivotal to humanity's fate to a group of outsiders feels shameful. Yet I must admit, you seem far more suited to handling such matters than we are. Even just investigating this calamity has already cost us dearly in terms of lives."

"You want us to deal with this calamity?" Dan Heng asked, his tone as calm as ever.

"Of course. No one wants to wake up one day to find their livestock devoured by monsters or their loved ones slaughtered and enslaved by a demon king's army," Grey said grimly.

His voice grew heavier. "That's why the guild will do everything in its power to support your efforts. We can provide cover for you as needed and even grant you the title of 'Heroic Adventurer Team.'"

---

Hello! Thank you so much for reading this chapter. WiseTL has worked hard to bring these wonderful stories to you, and I'm so happy we could share this moment together! Don't you think stories are a little like dreams? Each one has its own colors and shapes, and they grow even brighter when shared with others.

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