Ch.30Aftermath (3)

“So about that deal, I need you to find time to visit the lord’s mansion.”

“Understood.”

Despite Kaiden’s sudden words, I responded without any particular reaction, simply acknowledging his request.

“Huh? Oh.”

Rather, Kaiden seemed more flustered by my calm response, as if he had expected a different reaction.

“I’ll need to visit at some point regarding the reward anyway.”

If I have to visit, it’s more convenient to go as an invited guest.

If I were to visit simply for the reward issue, I might be attended to by a servant, but with an invitation, it would be proper etiquette for the lord himself to meet me.

I could also use this opportunity to directly discuss the cave-related information that I had originally planned to relay through the guild.

“But I’m planning to rest today and tomorrow, so if we’re setting a time, I’d prefer after that.”

Though I mentioned making time, the reality was that the lord was several times busier than an adventurer like me.

So it would be more efficient for me to visit according to when he was available.

“Oh… right, understood.”

Leaving behind Kaiden who seemed to be buffering from the quick progression of our conversation, I headed toward the counter where Elena was working.

The counter in the farthest corner. Perhaps due to Elena’s cold and sharp impression, her counter was remarkably quiet compared to the others that were busy attending to adventurers.

She might have been zoning out or relaxing due to the lack of work, but as soon as I approached, Elena immediately responded.

“Congratulations on your safe return, Frey. Did the request go well?”

“Yes, fortunately it went well. I was wondering if there’s any update on what I asked you about before.”

It was a personal favor I had asked when I came to extract money from Kaiden for making bombs.

Normally, it would be appropriate to request this from a specialized place like the Information Guild, but since I was short on money, I had asked Elena.

“About that, I’ve checked a few things. Name, Henry. Registered with the Spear Arts Guild 2 years and 7 months ago. Currently D-rank. Recently…”

Information about a person came out like rapid fire from Elena’s mouth.

I was slightly taken aback by the detailed information, including evaluations of associated people, which was more thorough than I had expected, but it wasn’t a problem.

“So… he’s doing well without any major injuries.”

Sending regards to Nellie’s brother as she had asked me to do. Honestly, it wasn’t something I needed to do, but since we had a connection, I just wanted to check briefly within my means.

If he was nearby, I would have been willing to spare some time, but it seemed difficult given the distance.

Still, as long as he doesn’t die in a foreign land, we might meet someday by fate. Having been an adventurer for nearly 3 years, he’s probably less likely to die from inexperience.

“Thank you for looking into it.”

“It’s nothing, it wasn’t difficult at all.”

After thanking Elena, I left the Sword Guild and returned to my lodging.

* * *

The next morning.

I went to a high-end clothing store to buy clothes. When meeting a lord, one should dress appropriately.

‘If I were just going as an adventurer on business, it would make sense to wear adventurer’s clothing, but this is more than that.’

And proper attire can be useful on various occasions. As fame builds, one might naturally be invited to banquets somewhere.

‘Though many banquets are useless, there are also many benefits to attending.’

Normally, carrying clothes would be a burden to consider, but with my spatial coat now, it wasn’t an issue.

As I was looking around at the clothes with these thoughts, a shop assistant approached me with a pretty dress.

“How about this one, miss?”

“…I’d prefer a suit, please.”

Even though I had become a woman, I really didn’t want to wear a fluttering dress.

However, the assistant, unaware of my feelings, kept recommending the dress, imagining how I would look in it.

“What? A suit with your looks… that would be a great loss to humanity~ Come on, just try it on once~”

“No, I’d like a suit, please.”

I answered firmly, but perhaps out of professional dedication, she tried to recommend it again, and I had no choice but to speak with magic infused in my voice.

“A suit.”

“…Yes, understood.”

Only then did the assistant seem to understand my words, and the brief incident ended with her bringing me a neat suit.

‘I absolutely hate dresses and women’s clothing.’

Just as I avoid using charm on men unless absolutely necessary, this was the last inviolable domain of masculinity remaining within me.

I spent the rest of the day exploring the city with Lilly.

‘Hmm, there really isn’t much to do…’

Of course, due to the lack of proper entertainment, most of our time was spent enjoying street food.

* * *

The very next day.

I was able to meet the lord much sooner than expected. I never dreamed that I would be contacted after just one day.

“The master is waiting for you.”

It was all the more surprising since I thought it would take about a week to arrange a meeting.

Either I was lucky that time became available, or he thought meeting me was valuable enough to postpone other matters.

‘Good thing I bought clothes in advance.’

If I had procrastinated even a little, I would have ended up meeting him in my adventurer’s outfit.

I followed the lord’s servant through the corridors of the mansion, and before long, we arrived at a door.

“We have arrived.”

“Thank you for guiding me.”

The servant knocked on the door a couple of times, received permission, and opened the door for me. After I entered, he quietly closed the door without following me in.

Judging by the lack of additional footsteps, he seemed to be waiting outside the door.

I soon turned my attention away from the servant and looked ahead.

“Welcome.”

“Thank you for inviting me.”

The lord who welcomed me from his chair in the office was an elderly man with white hair. Judging solely by appearance, he seemed to be around 70 years old.

However, considering that people with more magic power and aura age more slowly, I suspected he might be over 100 years old.

‘He’s quite strong.’

Though his presence was somewhat diminished due to age, I imagined he must have been formidable in his youth.

As I was analyzing him, I belatedly realized that the lord was also observing me.

“Have you looked enough?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. My gaze must have been too obvious…”

In truth, far from being obvious, I had been examining him as carefully as possible. I had concealed my intentions in my gaze and kept my observation time to a minimum, but he had still detected it.

“Ho ho, no need to apologize. The vigor and competitive spirit of youth is something everyone has. I was the same…”

“Ahaha…”

It was more analytical than spirited, but I didn’t bother to correct him.

“I heard you wanted to see me. May I ask why you called for me?”

“Yes, that’s right… First, my personal reason was… I was curious to see the face of the young person who would go alone to face the Apostles.”

There was a sense of admiration in the lord’s words.

“In my younger days, I also went around trying to drive the Apostles out of this world. Of course, no matter how many strong Apostles I killed, they were quickly replaced by others.”

“I see…”

I only responded minimally. After all, being essentially an Apostle myself, I felt uncomfortable hearing this.

“Oh my, I’ve been talking too long. You didn’t come to hear an old man’s boring stories. The reason I called you here is because I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor? What kind of favor?”

“Yes, as you know, this city doesn’t have many attractions. We recently built that arena thanks to your help.”

The old man briefly looked through some documents on his desk before speaking again.

“Right now, it’s attracting the attention of adventurers in the city because it’s new. Merchants who are sensitive to new trends have also shown interest.”

This was certainly good news. But it wasn’t enough to create a significant change on its own.

“Such fighting pits or arenas aren’t unique to this place. There are places that hold the largest martial arts tournaments every year. The city needs its own distinctive feature to make people travel all the way here.”

“Yes, exactly… this city needs something unique. That’s why I’d like you to hold an exhibition match.”

The lord looked at me. However, his gaze wasn’t focused on me as a swordswoman.

His eyes were looking at Frey the swordswoman who was a succubus… or more precisely, of the demon race.