Chapter 113 - Chapter 112: Mika's Self-Restraint and the Drawers of the Heart
The first day of the second week of the first month of the year.
A letter arrived from the Guild right after the New Year.
Of course, it was not a New Year's greeting card.
"A specific request has been made. Please come to the Second Branch."
A summons from the Guild that vaguely reminded him of an advertisement saying, "I want to sell G10 'Pea' type tractors."
He wanted to read a manga about a killer with thick eyebrows, but naturally, such things as manga did not exist in this world.
While thinking that he wished a culture like manga would develop soon, he decided to at least hear the story and headed to the Adventurer's Guild.
In fact, Mika had not been to the Guild since the battle against the Chimera.
He had not even left the Academy, wary of running into that suspicious young man with reddish-brown hair.
He was also wary of some sort of action from the Fifth Knights Order.
Since he had been seen fighting the Chimera perfectly, if he were discovered, the Fifth Knights Order (that side) might say something.
So, he decided to stop moving flamboyantly and just behave quietly.
Good grief, even Mika has finally learned self-restraint.
Could this not be considered very significant growth?
Mika walked down the main street as if facing the cold wind.
Although the calendar said winter had arrived, the full-fledged cold of winter would likely begin from here on out.
Upon arriving at the Guild, he was immediately guided to the reception room by Yunressa and told the contents of the specific request.
Listening to the story, it seemed this was not a newly issued request, but one that had been issued as a "Curse-type" request about ten years ago.
And at that time, it had been concluded that "the land was cursed."
The client felt that issuing it now would be futile and withdrew the request.
Thus, it had been left alone for ten years.
However, recently he had heard rumors that "the curse on the mansion owned by [Someone] seems to have been lifted."
Moreover, the source of the rumor was not just one.
Though he thought it was impossible, when he confirmed it with the Guild, it seemed to be true.
So, they had made a specific request asking that "this adventurer definitely take it."
"Why can someone who doesn't even know my name make a specific request?"
He had heard that if one had a nickname, they could make a specific request using that nickname.
But Mika did not have such a thing.
How on earth were they making a specific request with that?
Last time, he had been told that the client (who wouldn't even properly explain the request content) had forced it upon him quite aggressively.
Was it the same feeling this time?
Thinking that, he asked, and Yunressa gave a bitter smile.
"Normally, if you don't know the adventurer's name or nickname, you cannot accept it as a specific request, as you said, Mika-kun. But if the characteristics are this clear, we will accept it as long as you come to the Second Branch (here)? Because there is no one else."
Basically, the Guild does not accept specific requests unless the individual can be clearly identified.
Even if someone says, "The adventurer who defeated the dragon in such-and-such place," there are often multiple adventurers who fit the description if you go back a few years.
If the Guild judges and it turns out to be a different adventurer than the one the client (client) was thinking of, it would be a disaster.
So, if the adventurer cannot be clearly identified, they normally do not accept it as a specific request.
But,
"Who else besides Mika-kun has taken so many 'Curse-type' requests! And with 'No Failures'! And on top of that, the curses have been lifted!"
Yunressa leaned forward and said, slightly excited.
Seeing Yunressa's state like that, Mika involuntarily leaned back.
(They've completely figured out that I'm the one lifting the curses. Well, even though they haven't explicitly stated it, since I've lifted them all, it's natural that they would figure it out...)
Mika put the self-restraint he had just learned back into the drawers of his heart firmly.
He had spent quite a lot of money lately, updating his equipment and buying magic bags.
(If there's delicious work available, of course I'd jump at it.)
He must earn back what he used, and even more than that.
"This time, the client (client) seems to have gone to the First Branch in the capital first. They couldn't accept it there, but they said maybe if it was the Second Branch... so they came here. They said, 'Recently, many 'Curse-type' requests have been completed at the Second Branch.'"
And thus, they came to the Second Branch and easily arrived at Mika.
"There is no one at the Second Branch (here) who doesn't know about Mika-kun. There have been parties that have taken a few 'Curse-type' requests so far, but they either succeeded or failed. Some tried a few based on the high rewards, but usually, they stop taking them altogether."
If a party member had the [Appraisal] skill, it would be possible to identify the cause of the curse.
But in cases like this where the land itself is cursed, even if identified, it cannot be removed.
In that case, the request fails. No reward.
If one hits such a request twice, it is not surprising that they would think, "That's enough."
Amidst that, Mika, who had achieved nearly twenty "Curse-type" requests in about half a year, was a standout presence.
"I heard there is an adventurer who has been completing 'Curse-type' requests non-stop. I want to ask that adventurer."
When he said that,
"Oh, that kid,"
the conversation proceeded smoothly. It seemed he had become that conspicuous.
"This time the reward is one large gold coin. One-tenth goes directly into Mika-kun's account just for accepting. The rest is the success reward."
One-tenth of the reward is paid in advance.
Well, as long as it is completed, the result is the same.
"I understand. I'll take it."
"Understood. Then, please wait a moment."
Handing over the Guild Card to Yunressa, she left the room.
She had gone to handle the acceptance and the advance payment procedures.
(Wow, having the procedures done just by sitting here feels quite nice.)
He seemed much calmer than before, but still, a long line had formed at the counter.
The processing time had shortened and things were moving quickly, but still, it was a relief to have the procedures done without standing in that line.
(Well, it's only natural that specific requests come with better treatment.)
Mika's reward is one large gold coin, but the cost borne by the client (client) is naturally not just that.
They also bear the Guild commission fees and the tax deduction on the reward.
And this Guild commission fee is calculated based on the reward.
The higher the reward set for a request, the more delicious it is for the Guild.
(Thinking about it, that tall tale about twenty large gold coins... how much commission must they have paid?)
A request with an outrageous reward that would never be completed.
The Great Secret Book of the Saint.
Just by posting the request, the Guild gets a fat commission.
The Guild probably accepts such tall tale requests for the sake of the commission fees.
(As expected, I can't help but think this is a shameless business.)
Well, the clients are the ones who request it anyway, so it's a wash.
Thinking "If you have so much extra money, give it to me" must be the sad nature of a former salaryman.
It was pure poverty-stricken mentality.
Knock, knock.
While thinking about such trivial things, the door was knocked on and Yunressa returned.
But her expression was somewhat strange.
"Um... Mika-kun?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"There is a record of defeating the Chimera on your card..."
"Hm?"
"Eh?"
For a moment, he looked bewildered.
Then, a silence of just a few seconds.
"Oh."
I forgot!
Now that he mentioned it, the mana of the defeated monster remained on the card.
It was a story from several weeks ago; he hadn't thought of any excuses at all!
"What does this mean?"
"Oh, uh... what was it? Ah, ahahaha..."
For now, he tried to bluff it off with a laugh.
What should he do? Should he say it?
Or rather, should he say it?
If he didn't report it, there was a possibility that someone might go to the ruins where the Chimera was.
But at least the Knights Order was at that scene, so if necessary, they would seal it off or do whatever.
Wouldn't there be anything Mika needed to report to the Guild?
(There shouldn't be an obligation to report everything. If I let it escape, I should report it to prompt vigilance, but I defeated it. So, let's stay silent for now.)
Mika decided to bluff it.
No matter how obvious it was, if he didn't explicitly state it, it remained gray.
He might lose to politicians, but he knew how to give ambiguous answers without giving a firm statement.
He hadn't been a salaryman for over twenty years for nothing.
In this way, by smoking Yunressa who persisted in pressing him, Mika left the Guild.
New equipment was ready, simple specific requests were handled, and Mika's vigilance slowly began to fade.
After a self-imposed restriction period of about a few weeks, Mika regained his usual life immediately after this.
■■■■■■
【Am-Tast Trade Alliance, Capital Shaksara】
There was a man walking down a busy street.
Beautiful, lustrous blue hair.
Long, slender limbs.
He walked leisurely, yet without any gaps in his posture.
His well-proportioned face had his eyes closed the whole time.
He was likely just appearing to have his eyes closed; they were probably slightly open.
He subtly tilted his body so as not to bump into people crossing in front of him or passing by.
The handsome young man in his early twenties entered a cafe.
With his eyes still closed, he lightly scanned the half-filled store and headed for the seat at the very back.
Sitting alone at that seat was a young man with reddish-brown hair.
Having already ordered several times, that young man was currently stuffing his mouth full, savoring it with a dazed expression.
"...Even if you come suddenly, it's troublesome, I-chan... or was it I-chan?"
The blue-haired man gave a bitter smile and sat in the seat opposite.
The reddish-brown haired young man called I-chan did not reply in particular and continued chewing with a dazed expression.
The blue-haired man glanced at the table and casually counted the stacked plates.
"Eleven plates... all pancakes?"
I-chan, he remembered, loved the pancakes at this shop.
He was quite fickle and tended to change his preferences often, but the pancakes at this shop still seemed to suit his taste.
The reddish-brown haired young man called I-chan swallowed the food in his mouth with a gulp and then drank the tea down with a gulp.
Neither the pancakes nor the tea were priced so that commoners could eat or drink them so easily.
Mostly, the value of things was not something that concerned them much.
Money, if needed, they could just bring as much as they needed.
"Puhah! You're late, A-chan. I've been waiting so long."
"...Is that your opening line?"
The blue-haired man called A-chan gave a bitter smile.
"It's troublesome to be called suddenly. We have our own schedules too. And if we are going to talk, please specify a more settled place."
Even if heard in fragments, the content would not be understood, but it was somewhat unsettled.
From just now, several women in the store had been directing their consciousness toward them.
It was partly because they were listening in out of curiosity, but more simply, they probably just liked this face.
It was not yet annoying enough to be a bother, but he would like to talk in a settled place if possible.
Of course, A-chan's thoughts would not be conveyed to I-chan.
Not listening to people's words and not considering the other party's circumstances was a common trait of the "Sons of God" (Filius Dei).
As someone acting as a coordinator, this point was quite troublesome.
"A-chan, have you asked Ru-chan about Te-chan?"
"Huh? Te-chan...?"
A-chan furrowed his brows slightly, but soon arrived at one answer and slumped his shoulders.
"'Tenebrae'? ...No, I haven't asked. ...Um, please stop abbreviating like that. 'A' and 'Te' are very hard to understand."
At this rate, there would probably be U-chan and Fu-chan as well.
Even though he knew, it was incredibly hard to understand.
"Why ask such a thing suddenly?"
"Maybe."
I-chan's usual relaxed atmosphere vanished, and his eyes became sharp.
But soon, he smiled with a grin.
"I feel like I could use a little bit of 'Potestas' (Power), but I didn't use 'Vocabulum' (Word), right? I used [God's Miracle]."
I-chan nodded enthusiastically.
"...If it's just that level, there have been others before. But those who can reach the level of 'Son of God' (Filius Dei) are rare. And if they stop there, either way..."
"I have a good idea! Maybe it will become interesting!"
I-chan said happily, interrupting A-chan's words.
Sighing at I-chan's state, A-chan spoke.
"I don't mind if you enjoy yourself. But you must do your part properly. Otherwise, I will report to that person."
"Oh, right! I was planning to ask you for that!"
Saying that, I-chan extended his hand.
When A-chan extended his hand, I-chan placed something on top of it with a pop gesture.
But there was nothing in his palm.
"'Artorum' (Black)... Where is it?"
"In the forest near Istora."
"Oh, that place. They said something happened there just recently."
"Yes, yes. Something strange seemed to happen there, so... I went and collected it. Ugh, it's annoying. Doing unnecessary things."
I-chan puffed out his cheeks and got angry.
"In that case, we cannot leave it as is... That place was a bit too far away and efficiency was not good, but originally the amount was enormous. It seems to be increasing recently as well..."
Muttering that, A-chan crossed his arms and pondered.
"To throw away that amount is, as expected, a pity. If there were a replacement place, that would be good, but it is not easy to find one..."
"The very center?"
"Huh?"
At I-chan's proposal, A-chan's eyes widened.
The capital of the Kingdom of Ektrem, Istora.
What was in the very center of that...?
A-chan lowered his head and could not help but laugh with a kukuku sound.
"The very center... You mean to set it up in the Royal Castle... This 'Black'... puh, kuk..."
A-chan shook his shoulders for a while, trying to hold back from laughing out loud.
"Oh, Miss, another round of tea."
I-chan, ignoring that A-chan was laughing, asked for a refill of the tea.
By the time the refill arrived, A-chan's laughter had finally subsided.
"It's a good idea, but as expected, this 'Black' cannot last. Once the heat dies down, we can set it up in the same place again... But until then is a bit difficult. However, the locations are limited."
While A-chan was thinking, I-chan drank the tea that had arrived and waited quietly.
It was not that he intended to disturb A-chan's thinking; he was simply enjoying the tea.
"...Yes. It is a bit of a waste, but we should wait for the heat to die down. At most, it will be ten or twenty years."
Setting the policy like that, A-chan looked straight at I-chan.
I-chan had a relaxed expression, drinking tea and looking like howa wa~.
"I will inform that person on our behalf. There might be other instructions, but until then, we proceed as usual."
"Yes, tell Ru-chan hello."
I-chan nodded slightly in response to A-chan's instruction and replied, but judging by his expression, it was somewhat doubtful whether he was really listening.
"Oh, and about those mages we caught the other day, U-chan was happy. It seems they got quite interesting results."
"Oh, really? They are bad kids who play pranks, so let them use them however they want."
I-chan, who had been half-dazed, said with a slight anger.
"Well, it seems far from success, but they seem to plan to do it carefully. If possible, there might be various uses, but it is not a problem if there are none. We simply fulfill our respective roles."
When A-chan said that, I-chan also nodded.
From then on, there was no particular conversation, and soon A-chan stood up from his seat.
And thus, A-chan turned back, walking down the busy street as always.