From what I heard, both the knight order and mercenary bands felt pretty similar to an adventurer guild.

Mercenary bands were almost exactly like an adventurer guild, except they didn’t have herb-gathering quests.

The biggest difference with the knight order seemed to be the strong obligation to follow orders from their contractor, which meant less personal freedom.

That said, once you proved your strength and rose through the ranks, you could gain more freedom. Some groups only called members during emergencies.

When Rafilia said there was "no adventurer guild," I panicked a bit, but it was just a difference in terminology. I felt relieved.

By the way, Gatekeeper A belonged to the direct knight order under King Aras VI of Arasgard, and was stationed here in the city of Monbane for its defense.

The process for joining was like Japan’s university entrance exams.

There was a common test similar to the Center Test / Common Test for University Admissions. Your score determined which groups you could join. Some bands also had their own additional tests or interviews, but first came the big common exam. It already felt like it was destined that I would get a high score.

The biggest difference between the knight order and mercenary bands was that the former were mostly paid by the country, while the latter were paid by citizens. Kind of like national universities versus private ones.

"When and where can I take that status exam?"

"Officially, you can take it anytime at the Church of Lute or a knight order branch. However, it requires the presence of one A-rank and two B-ranks, so it’s not actually something you can do whenever or wherever."

Ooh, A-rank and B-rank — the classic system. This is it, this is what I wanted.

"Because it requires high-ranking knights to take time out of their schedules, the knight order usually announces the date and time when they decide to hold one."

"By the way... if it’s not rude to ask, what’s your rank?"

"Oh! You finally asked!" Gatekeeper A puffed out his chest with a smug grin. "Don’t be shocked, okay?"

"Okay."

"Ready? Seriously, don’t be shocked."

"Yes."

"Listen carefully. I am..."

He paused dramatically, then declared proudly:

"B-rank, 38th place!"

"Ah, yes."

"H-hey! Act surprised! I told you not to be shocked, but you’re supposed to be impressed!"

"Wow, amazing..."

"You’re so half-assed! Come on, I’m B-rank! Even if I say so myself, that’s impressive, right?!"

"Uh, yeah..."

"Listen up. The King personally granted A-rank to the 12 strongest knights in the country — the absolute peak. Then there are 96 B-ranks. I’m 38th among them! I’m in charge of defending a northern city full of vicious monsters! I’m the object of every citizen’s admiration! Every day girls bring me lunch, and last year I successfully got married—"

"I’ll hear about the marriage story another time..."

Gatekeeper A grabbed my shoulders and shook me back and forth while passionately arguing, but I brushed it off appropriately.

"There are S-ranks above A-rank that don’t even fit in the framework, right?"

"Y-yeah, but S-rank is the exception among exceptions. Only five people in history have ever been certified."

I see. So I’ll become the sixth in history.

"Essentially, the 12 A-ranks are the strongest in the country, and I’m 38th in B-rank... so if you count from the top, I’m the 50th strongest in the country."

"50th in the country!"

"Oh! You finally get how amazing I am."

It really was impressive. Even if Arasgard had a population of a million, there were probably at least 10,000 soldiers. Being 50th among them was quite something. In my old school of 200 students, even in my best subjects I rarely cracked the top 50...

"I think saying ’50th in the country’ sounds more impressive than ’B-rank 38th’."

"You think so?"

"Yeah."

"Got it. I’ll use that from now on."

"By the way, I want to take the status exam. Is there an A-rank in this city?"

"Nope. The 12 A-ranks are the top of the country, so they’re extremely busy. They’re each handling duties in their own territories."

"So the chances of a status exam being held in this city right away..."

"Zero. You’ll have to wait for an announcement. I heard monsters have been getting more active lately, and there’s a rumor a large-scale exam will be held in the capital soon..."

"I see."

This is troublesome.

Since it’s like a university entrance system, I need to leave a record in the status exam to join any group. If the exam isn’t held, I’m stuck...

Apparently people in this country measure their status with exams from a young age and then apply to suitable places when they want to work. But I’ve never taken it even once, so I don’t even have a previous score.

"If you had a letter of recommendation from a famous knight or powerful noble, things would be different..."

The gatekeeper kindly avoided saying outright that it would be difficult for a guy who arrived completely naked.

"A letter of recommendation, huh... Iria might write one for me, but the whole reason I need money is to travel to where Iria is... Plus, I don’t even know if she’s actually a famous knight..."

"W-wait. Iria? Didn’t you say you came from Margrant? You mean *that* Iria?"

Hm? Is that weak-anus female knight actually famous?

If I’m her acquaintance, maybe I can get a special exam?

"Of course, I mean Iria from Margrant."

"R-really?!"

He took the bait hard. Gatekeeper A leaned forward excitedly.

"Is she famous?"

"You call her ’that guy’?! What kind of relationship do you have?!"

The kind where I put it in her ass and creampied her... I obviously couldn’t say that.

"Um... For now, I’m her disciple. She taught me swordsmanship."

Well, all that happened was I tried to swing a sword and she grabbed my erect dick from behind and made me cum on my own face, so I didn’t actually learn any sword skills. But at the time Iria proudly said something like "I am your master. Obey me," so it should be fine to call myself her disciple.

"Iria of Margrant’s disciple?!"

Even the other gatekeeper who had been eavesdropping from a distance looked shocked.

"Um... is she really that famous?"

"You really didn’t know?! She was the youngest person in history to reach A-rank and was expected to eventually become S-rank. But then she opposed slavery and fell out of favor with the King, so she was demoted to the very bottom of B-rank and sent to a dangerous northern region."

Ah... So this country has the classic fantasy slavery system after all.

"By any chance, are there young beastman slaves in this city too?"

"Forget that! How exactly did you become her disciple?!"

That’s what’s important to me though — the loli beastman slaves...

"Um... I met her after rescuing her when she was being attacked by a group of orcs."

"You rescued her from a group of orcs?!"

"Y-yeah."

"You defeated a group of orcs that even a former A-rank genius female knight struggled against?!"

A misunderstanding was born from the word "rescued."

I only treated her; I didn’t participate in the fight.

I tried to correct him, but it was too late.

"Hey! Emergency contact to knight order headquarters right now! An incredible talent wants to take the status exam! He’s Iria’s disciple! Tell the commander! This is an emergency — use the magic tool!"

"Eh?!"

As soon as Gatekeeper A gave the order, Gatekeeper B started moving frantically.

"Understood!"

Ehhhh...

"The orcs in the northwest are armed, highly intelligent, and have magic-resistant skin — they’re A-rank monsters... To be able to defeat a whole group of them, you must be an unbelievable powerhouse!"

"W-wait. I only saved Iria’s life..."

"That’s amazing! Saving Iria in a pinch! Don’t be so modest!"

This is a huge misunderstanding. Would someone that amazing really show up completely naked?!

You’re the one who told them I was a traveler who got stripped by bandits!

Is this going to be okay?

I think I can probably pull off some cheat-level isekai exam results, but what if I can’t?

Gatekeeper B came running back from inside, practically tumbling over.

"It’s decided! A special status exam will be held tomorrow! The commander is coming!"

"I knew it! I thought the commander would move if we mentioned Iria’s name! Notify the church council members of Lute Church and spread the word throughout the city! Contact the Ralm Church too! This is getting huge!"

Ehh...

The response was way too fast. They must have some kind of phone-like communication method, but this development was way too sudden.

"Alright. I’ll take the exam too to see how much I’ve grown. You’re my rival tomorrow. Oh, excuse me. I never introduced myself. I’m A from the Red Iron Band."

"A?"

So Gatekeeper A’s name was literally A.

"Yeah. Easy to remember, right? Nice to meet you. What’s your name?"

"O-Oi Masaharu."

"O-Ooma Saharu! Sounds like some kind of royalty. Nice to meet you!"

My name got remembered with the classic isekai mispronunciation.

Gatekeeper B was saying something like "What about me? I’m Beat!" but I ignored him.

And so, while slightly shaken by the rapid developments, I decided to return to the church, which would be my bed for tonight.

...O-Ooma Saharu... I hope people don’t mishear that as "Oma-nko Sawaru" (touching pussy) later.