Chapter 31 

“It’s been a while, Chairman.”

“Oh my, Same-san! You’ve returned, I see.”

“Yes, I have. So I thought I should drop by and say hello.”

I had come to visit the Pigeon Trading Company.

It didn’t seem like they had contacted Melt, so there probably hadn’t been any developments regarding the auction.

Or so I thought—

“Actually, yesterday I tried to send a message to Melt-san via the General Guild, but it seems the entire guild was on high alert and had temporarily suspended all external requests. I was planning to try again today… So your timing is impeccable.”

“I see. Hmm… I wonder if something happened at the guild…”

There’s no way I, Same, could know about the incident.

After all, I had only just returned late last night.

“Well, the information is still unconfirmed, but it seems there was an attack on the guild.”

“What!? That’s the very center of this huge city! If the guild was targeted, that’s a huge problem!”

“Exactly. Apparently something definitely happened in the courtyard—we’ve confirmed that much through our contracted gardeners. Plus, several pharmacies have sold out of medicine since yesterday. It’s safe to assume there were injuries. Same-san, I know you were ‘coincidentally’ outside the city at the time, but do be careful.”

That tone… had a bit of insinuation.

Are they suspicious of me? Or do they think I might know something?

…Well, let’s play along this time.

“Yes… Also, not just inside the guild—it seems something happened on the mountain near the east gate, the direction I returned from. I don’t know if it’s related, but it seems there was an issue involving the water source.”

“The water source… That would be the volcanic lake, yes? The guild has restricted passage there for a while now.”

“Oh really? Actually, out of curiosity, I took a little detour to check out the mountain on my way back. To my surprise, the river was really murky… and it smelled horribly fishy.”

“Hmm… That’s valuable information indeed. Thank you, Same-san.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just some idle chatter. Now, shall we get to the main topic? Has there been any movement regarding the auction?”

As I shifted the conversation to the auction, I noticed the president’s face darken visibly.

…What’s going on?

“Actually, what we just discussed might be somewhat related to the auction. It appears the recent attack might involve people high up in the government. National knights have been implicated. Many of the sellers who had arranged for reliable, high-status knights to guard their auction items have begun canceling their entries. The auction venue does provide a storage facility, but sellers must arrange their own guards. Without knights, they’ll have to hire adventurers or mercenaries… which is incredibly risky. Hiring someone trustworthy or too high-ranked to betray you can cost even more than hiring dozens of knights.”

Wow… I didn’t expect the fallout from the Silent Valley incident to reach this far…

“Auction items being targeted isn’t unusual. It’s common for sellers who cut corners on security to have their goods stolen. This auction doubles as a kind of test. Other companies use it to evaluate how well a participant balances risk and reward.”

“Sounds like a dangerous kind of auction.”

“Yes, it’s practically a black market. That’s why power—not just money—determines status.”

“Like the Curseface Merchant Guild?”

“Exactly.”

I see.

So what’s the president trying to say here?

Is it something like, ‘Since security costs more than expected, we want to back out of our contract that gives you 70% of the auction profits’?

“Hmm… I think I understand. So either we revise the contract to reduce my 70% share, or I take on the security work myself at a discount, right?”

“As expected, you catch on quickly. Given your feats—finding that gem alone and crossing the ‘Scorched Ravine’—you clearly have the skills. We’d love to ask you to handle the security.”

“Ah… I’d like to observe the auction myself, so I can’t commit just yet.”

“I see… then perhaps we can renegotiate the contract—”

So they want someone trustworthy and skilled to handle the security.

Melt has the skills… but I’d be worried. She’s too trusting, might get deceived.

Then… someone from the Silent Valley incident? No, can’t use Remiya or the others.

That leaves—

“Oh! Sorry, I might know someone who could handle security. Would it be okay if I bring them here another day? I don’t know them very well, but maybe you could judge if they’re suitable.”

“Oh? Someone recommended by Same-san? I’m intrigued. Very well, I’d like to meet them at least. If it works out, it’ll save us on security costs.”

“Exactly. I’ll try to get in touch with them now. Would it be okay to arrange the introduction another day?”

“Of course. Thank you again for stopping by, Same-san.”

“No, thank you. Sorry for taking up your time.”

With a quick goodbye, I left the trading company to go find that person.

“There it is! That’s the Pigeon Trading Company! It’s not a shop—it’s their office.”

“So this is the place we’ve heard about…”

“Hey, someone’s coming out!”

Meanwhile, Melt’s group—well, more like Rikka and the other two—had arrived just outside the Pigeon Trading Company to confront Same.

Right at that moment, the door opened, and a man walked out.

“Oh… he’s handsome.”

“What is he, some noble?”

“No… he’s got a sword at his waist.”

It was Same, just finished with his business.

As soon as Melt saw him, she ran over with a big smile.

“Same! You’re done already?”

“Oh, Melt! And those must be your party members?”

The three were stunned into silence by how different Same was from the shady character they had imagined based on Melt’s stories.

They had assumed he was some sketchy guy deceiving a naïve girl. Naturally, they expected someone shifty and untrustworthy.

“I was out of town for work. Sounds like Melt was in your care during that time—thank you, all of you.”

Before they could say anything, Same politely and warmly thanked them.

The three looked completely thrown off.

“So, Melt told me you wanted to talk to me?”

“Y-Yeah! That’s right! I’ve got something to say to you!”

“Um… yes, we’d like to talk.”

“If possible, somewhere private would be better.”

And so, the three pulled themselves together and prepared to ask Same about Melt’s situation once more.

Hmm… I can tell.
It’s not just my experience or intuition as Same. This is something I, Shizuma, can sense myself.

‘Dissatisfaction,’ ‘a bit of disgust,’ ‘suspicion’—
These faint negative emotions are clearly being directed at me right now.

But why?
Is it because I’m getting in the way of them officially inviting Melt to the party?

Why are these three directing bad feelings at me?
Without letting on that I’ve noticed, I brought them to the library, looking for a quiet place to talk.

“See, it’s a calm place to talk, right? I’ll cover the entrance fee.”

“Huh? Oh… uh…”

“Honestly, there aren’t many places where we can talk in peace. And it’d be awkward to just barge into the inn with a group, right? The library has a lounge and a café attached. Perfect spot to talk calmly, don’t you think?”

Well, to be honest, there’s also a bit of intimidation implied in all this.

Inviting someone to an unfamiliar place, especially when you’re paying, is enough to make anyone feel a little nervous.

We head to the back of the library, to the lounge where light meals are served, and I guide the four of us to a booth tucked away in a quiet corner.

Hm? Melt’s already wandered off to order something, huh…

“So, I figured this was a good place to talk. What did you want?”

“Ah, um… should we wait until Melt comes back?”

“No, let’s go ahead and start.”

“Up to you.”

It must be something about her, after all.

“Hey, I heard you’ve been ‘taking care’ of Melt, but what exactly do you mean by that? Honestly, we suspect you’re not treating her properly.”

“Yeah, from what Melt’s told us… you’re not thinking of selling her off somewhere or anything like that, are you?”

“Slave trading is strictly forbidden in Lendia. There’s no way you don’t know that. Possession may be allowed, but transferring or selling ownership gets you locked up immediately.”

…What!?
Wait, what!?
Did I do something bad to Melt!?

Did she say something about being unhappy with me!?

“Did Melt tell you something? Like… that I’m mistreating her or something?”

“Not directly, but after piecing together everything she’s told us so far, it really sounds like you’re deceiving her. So come clean.”

“Ehh… I really don’t think I did anything wrong… Sure, I do feel bad about leaving her alone at the inn, but… was she really that upset about it…?”

I figured it must be because I left her on her own—but then…

“Don’t play dumb. You just came out of the Pigeon Trading Company, didn’t you? We know that place is from Golda and has a nasty reputation for discriminating against beastkin.”

“You were probably thinking of doing business with them—but we won’t let you.”

“…No no no, they’re a legit business. Yeah, they’re from Golda, but still. I was the one who took the escort job when they relocated here.”

“So… you really are an adventurer, huh…”

They’re clearly jumping to conclusions.
I don’t want to escalate this, but I’m starting to get annoyed.

Still, this could all be cleared up if Melt would just explain things properly.

I call her back from where she’s still dithering over her order.

“Hey, Melt—can you come back for a sec?”

“Hm? What is it? I’m trying to decide what snack to get~”

“You can order as much as you want later, just come back for now, okay?”

“Really!? Okay, I’ll come!”

Alright…
Now let’s hear what she told them, and what conclusion they came to from that…

She better explain everything.

Five minutes later—

“““We sincerely apologize!”””

“You got it half right, but the logic leap in the second half was just ridiculous. That kind of assumption is fatal for an adventurer. If you’re serious about rising through the ranks, you’d better learn to gather information properly. Only 20% of your conclusions can be based on guesswork.”

“We’re really sorry…”

“B-but… Melt was just so—”

I get it.
She’s naive and had a terrible diet.

The fact she barely had any real meals before didn’t help.

But still—no excuses!
For a moment, I really thought she’d accused me and hated me!

“Don’t blame Melt. Seriously… what if I was a hot-headed, violent adventurer? You could’ve been killed somewhere outside the city, where no one would see. Picking a fight with someone in the same trade—especially someone possibly higher-ranked—is far more dangerous than you realize.”

“W-what!? Same, you’re not… going to kill them, are you!? That’s no good!”

“No, no—just a hypothetical, okay?”

Melt, seriously, have you always thought of me like some bloodthirsty beast!?

“We’re really sorry… I know information gathering is a vital skill for adventurers. And for me, of all people—a hunter—to have neglected it…”

“Please forgive us…”

“I-I’m sorry too…”

Well, I’m not going to make a bigger deal out of this.

And it seems like Melt also learned something from this whole thing—
That blabbing everything about yourself can be dangerous.

“Alright, if you’re truly sorry, then let’s leave it at that for today. Okay?”

“Y-yes! We’re very sorry!”

“Oh—right. At least let us pay the entrance fee. It’s the least we can do.”

“No, it’s fine. Instead, take this opportunity to learn how important information gathering is. This library is rich with knowledge, and it’s free to explore. From what I heard, your main income is still from gathering requests, right? Learn about what you can gather here and use it to your advantage. And someday, when you’re earning more—you can treat me to a drink at some tavern, sound fair?”

“Well, this should do.”

This suggestion was unmistakably influenced by Same’s experience and personality.

He’s really dependable… such a capable guy, that Same.

“I-Is it really okay…?”

“This place… is it really meant for this kind of thing?”

“Hmm… I’ve always hesitated because of the entrance fee and never came in before…”

“Melt, could you help them find some materials that might be useful?”

“Sure, I can! I looked up a bunch of stuff last time I came here with Sheele.”

Wow, she remembered where most of the materials were after just one visit?

“Alright then, you four should study together for a while. I’ve got a new place I need to visit. Melt, can you stay with the three of them for today?”

“Yeah, got it. Same, are you coming back to the inn tonight?”

For a moment, Melt’s expression showed a slight hint of loneliness.

Don’t worry—I’ll be back tonight, no doubt about it.

“I’ll be back, for sure.”

“Okay, that’s a relief! Well then, Same, good luck with your work!”

And so, with the misunderstanding cleared up, I headed toward the street where the General Guild is located to speak with a potential contact for security work—

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