Ch.31Chapter 31 – Meeting Plaza (1)

A week had passed since then.

It had been exactly a week since I returned to the daily routine of waking up at dawn, rousing Sera, heading to the Adventurer’s Guild, earning our daily wage, and living day by day.

This morning, I planned to complete a simple request to earn some pocket money and pick up the weapon I had commissioned from the workshop.

“Mr. Kay, just a moment please.”

Nina, a guild employee, called out to me.

“What is it?”

“I have very good news for you. I wanted to share it.”

Wondering what it could be, I briefly exchanged glances with Sera who had followed me.

“What could it be?”

“Maybe a promotion?”

My promotion from F-rank to E-rank had been quicker than expected, but it hadn’t been that long since then.

I didn’t think they’d promote me again so soon.

“Unfortunately, it’s not a promotion. Though it is related.”

Nina explained.

“Then what is it?”

“Actually, undead have appeared in the cemetery near the western gate. Have you heard about it?”

I shook my head.

Since I usually get news from discarded newspapers, I’m often a day or two behind on current events.

Maybe when my income improves, I should buy newspapers daily?

Being a day or two late on information is more inconvenient than I thought.

Nina didn’t seem concerned about my slow news sources and continued her explanation.

“So the guild decided to dispatch adventurers to investigate, and after internal deliberation, they suggested sending you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You’ve been diligently completing requests, and your recent participation in the mine extermination operation was also considered in the selection.”

I thought the mine operation wouldn’t be properly reflected in my record since I was officially just a porter.

Nina seemed to read my expression and spoke up.

“A report was sent to the higher-ups that you almost single-handedly exterminated a centipede.”

“I see.”

I expected them to be skeptical, but it seems that was taken into account.

“But aren’t there many others more suitable than me?”

“There’s already discussion about whether to promote you to D-rank because of the extermination operation. It seems they want to assess you through this reconnaissance mission.”

I have no reason to decline if it means being recognized, as it would only benefit me.

It would be connected to earning money, and the higher I rise, the more likely I’ll have opportunities related to the Magic Tower.

“Also, after discussions among the churches, they decided to send a church member who’s also affiliated with the Adventurer’s Guild to investigate this matter.”

“So I won’t be going alone.”

“Correct. While your participation is confirmed, the other person hasn’t been decided yet. I’ll inform you of the location and time later.”

I expressed my gratitude to Nina as we left.

Sera smiled and said:

“That’s great news.”

“Though it’s not confirmed yet. Jealous?”

When I teased her slightly, Sera laughed.

“My goal is to become an alchemist, not to excel as an adventurer, remember?”

I almost forgot after spending the past few days on requests with Sera.

Sera was an aspiring alchemist.

“Are you going today?”

“Yes. I’ve saved enough money from the mine extermination!”

Just as I was planning to visit the blacksmith, Sera was scheduled to go to the Alchemist Association.

We had decided to travel together since we were heading out anyway.

Registering as an alchemist shouldn’t take long.

“Let’s go then!”

Sera pushed open the guild doors with enthusiasm.

Her footsteps were light with excitement.

+

The Alchemist Association was located not far from the guild, so we found it quickly.

Sera, who had visited before, opened the association’s door.

Passing through a counter displaying various potions like a marketplace, she approached an employee who seemed to be handling administrative matters.

She immediately applied for membership and filled out her personal information.

“The membership fee will be 5 silver coins.”

The employee said with a smile.

Sera also smiled as she took out money from her wallet.

As her hand moved toward her wallet, it was visibly trembling.

‘Seems she finds it quite expensive.’

I felt a bit sorry for Sera who was trying hard to appear calm.

The employee checked the silver coins, seemingly to verify they weren’t counterfeit.

Naturally, they were genuine silver coins, so the process ended quickly.

“Confirmed. Please look this way for a moment. With a smile, if possible.”

“Ah, yes…”

As Sera looked at the employee with a slightly stiff smile, the employee took out something like a magnifying glass from inside their clothes and held it up to Sera.

Afterward, with a request to wait while they made an identification card, the employee disappeared inside.

Watching the employee leave, Sera sighed.

“Five silver coins still feels like too much…”

Sera muttered with a slightly gloomy expression.

Though it was a necessary expense, she still seemed to feel it was wasteful.

It reminded me of how I had felt when I lost my weapon and lamented the cost.

‘Should I treat her to something nice today?’

I said to Sera:

“But once you become an alchemist, you can earn money by selling potions to the Alchemist Association, right?”

“Famous alchemists do get specific requests like adventurers, or the association selects and buys their potions, but…”

Sera looked at me with slightly sad eyes.

“I’m unknown.”

“That’s true.”

Anywhere, being unknown is difficult.

“You’ll have to work hard as an adventurer too, Sera.”

For living expenses, that is.

Sera sighed.

“I’ll have to keep economizing for a while…”

Watching Sera worry about tonight’s dinner and future expenses reminded me of old times.

Meanwhile, the employee emerged from inside.

They were holding something in their hand.

“Here you are, Miss Seraphina.”

“Thank you.”

The employee handed it to Sera, who accepted it.

It was a rectangular metal plate.

It looked similar to a guild card but wasn’t attached to a necklace.

However, there was quite a difference.

“Wow, how did they make this?”

Sera marveled at the metal plate, which somehow had her name “Seraphina Medimaker” and her face engraved on it.

The identification items presented here are usually just metal plates with names engraved.

This was the first time I’d seen one with a face engraved since coming here.

‘If this is impressive, I wonder how amazing the identification cards at places like the Magic Tower must be?’

Like me, Sera was so fascinated that the worry about living expenses seemed to have vanished from her face.

“I wonder if it’s related to that magnifying glass-like thing from earlier.”

“It must be. That would justify the membership fee somewhat.”

Sera said with a smile.

But she quickly became serious again and added:

“Still, it’s excessively expensive. Five silver coins.”

“That’s true.”

Sera left the building, smiling at her alchemist identification card but still grumbling about the expensive membership fee, and I followed along, agreeing with her complaints.

Next, we headed to the blacksmith to pick up the weapon I had ordered.

Since it was the promised day, the weapon was already completed.

“Here’s the greatsword you ordered.”

The clerk barely managed to hand over the greatsword, which I received with one hand.

“Sera, take a look at this. What do you think?”

“It’s big and rugged.”

Since it was a greatsword made by essentially grinding a giant monster’s fang and sharpening it, “big and rugged” wasn’t an inaccurate description.

“Our master said that while it has weight and strength, you should maintain it well.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“Would you like to try swinging it? To check the balance.”

“Yes.”

I asked Sera to step back and swung it a few times.

The weight and length made it difficult to swing quickly, but not impossible.

“You’re strong enough to handle it well, sir.”

“Thank you.”

“Sharpen the blade regularly and maintain it. That’s how you’ll use it longer.”

The clerk gave me a whetstone as a service, which I accepted, and then I placed the sword in the scabbard I had ordered with it and strapped it to my back.

Seeing this, Sera commented:

“With that monster-material greatsword on your back and worn armor and helmet, you look quite the part.”

“The part?”

“Like a novice adventurer trying too hard to look cool.”

“Hahaha.”

I gave Sera a light tap.

It wasn’t meant to be a real hit, so Sera just pretended it hurt.

Seeing this, the clerk remarked:

“Is she your younger sister?”

“No, she’s not.”

“Then who was that woman from before?”

“Woman?”

Sera looked at me.

“Did you come with Miss Ravi?”

“No. Lady Ravenca, the merchant guild leader. I owe her a lot from when I came here from the New Kingdom, so I occasionally visit to pay my respects.”

I answered honestly since there was nothing to hide.

Sera’s face darkened slightly.

“You came here together?”

“When I asked about a recommended blacksmith, she personally guided me here.”

Sera’s face became slightly pensive.

‘Come to think of it, Eve told me to visit her when the weapon was completed.’

Maybe I should go show it to her tomorrow or the day after.

“What impression do you have of her, Mr. Kay?”

I thought about Sera’s question for a moment.

It was a bit difficult to answer.

“We’re not that close, so it’s hard to say definitively.”

“Is that so?”

Sera nodded and said:

“Then please don’t force yourself to answer.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to form preconceptions.”

It was a fair point, but her voice was strangely resolute.

I felt like I had done something wrong.

I didn’t know what, but I felt like I had made a mistake.

We left the blacksmith and walked for a while in an awkward atmosphere.

Sera’s expression was somewhat dark when I tried to speak to her.

But I should say something now.

“Sera.”

“What is it?”

“Let’s have a meal before heading back. My treat.”

Sera was silent for a moment.

Her expression seemed a bit complicated.

Soon, she opened her mouth while glancing at me cautiously.

“…Can I order something expensive?”

“Uh, sure…”

The restaurant I had in mind wasn’t particularly expensive anyway.

It was a new place with good reviews that I had checked out beforehand.

Seeing Sera’s expression brighten a bit compared to earlier made me feel relieved.

“Then, please lead the way?”

“Sure.”

I walked a bit faster than Sera toward the restaurant.

+

Eve was taking notes in a small notebook.

She had come to this restaurant because it was new and had good reviews.

“Hmm, it’s not quite worth investing in. The value for money is good, but it’s a bit ambiguous.”

It would likely become one of the popular decent restaurants, but she already owned many such establishments.

‘And there are many competitors too.’

She noticed a few familiar faces from the merchant association.

‘Indeed, there’s no better meeting place than a restaurant.’

Even though she hadn’t planned to meet anyone, Eve couldn’t help thinking this as she spotted competitors everywhere.

Eve took a small sip of wine.

“I’d like to expand business among the nobility, but nothing suitable has appeared lately. It feels like I’m stagnating.”

While her merchant guild wasn’t in any immediate danger of collapse, Eve was trying various approaches to increase profits.

She had come to this restaurant to see how profitable it might be if she acquired it.

“With your abilities, Lady Guild Master, you’ll find a way soon.”

“My goodness, are you flattering me, Rachel?”

“Not at all. I’m being sincere.”

They clinked their glasses lightly and each took a sip of wine.

Rachel spoke up.

“I wish we had the right to import and sell magic stones from Firenze or the Kingdom. Just a wishful thought.”

“That’s too dreamlike. Even the Magic Tower is constantly asking around for magic stones.”

“Come to think of it, I heard rumors that magic stone exports from Firenze and the Kingdom have decreased. I wonder what’s happening.”

“I don’t know either.”

Magic stones were directly managed for export by Firenze and the Kingdom.

Strictly speaking, Eve, as a mere merchant in the Mikea Kingdom, had no right to trade them, so she couldn’t know what was happening.

‘Though I am curious.’

Eve was a merchant.

It was natural for her to be sensitive to and curious about such changes.

She sipped her drink, unconsciously wondering if something deeper was happening.

After that, the two women continued drinking while chatting about various topics.

“Oh right, a letter came from the Madam, Miss.”

“Rachel, we don’t have that relationship anymore. You’re drunk and reverting to old times.”

“But you should reply to the Madam, right? About not wanting to get engaged—”

“There are deep circumstances there, Rachel. Don’t you trust me?”

“Sigh, I miss the cute young lady from the past…”

Maybe I gave her too much to drink, Eve thought, considering heading back.

“You should just find a decent, handsome man and send word… Huh?”

“Oh, really.”

Acknowledging that she had indeed let Rachel drink too much, Eve put her arm around Rachel’s waist.

She was thinking of paying the bill, sending Rachel back somehow, and then organizing some documents at the guild when Rachel suddenly moved.

“Miss… that’s…”

“What is it? Is it the prince from that novel you’ve been reading?”

Eve was about to look in the direction Rachel was pointing.

“No, no, don’t look—”

“Why are you acting like this?”

Now Rachel was desperately trying to block Eve from looking in that direction.

Eve was starting to feel annoyed when she heard:

“This is quite delicious, Mr. Kay.”

“I heard it had good reviews.”

As soon as she heard the voice, Eve turned her head.

Rachel tried to stop her but to no avail.

‘…What?’

Eve’s eyes fell on the scene of the helmeted man she was familiar with dining with a young woman who had reddish-tinged hair.