Chapter 12 – Camille-san and Reward
~Camille’s point of view
“Master, are you sure you agree with Wataru-san’s story? He was obviously hiding something, though.”
Well, even I can tell, so there’s no way the master couldn’t have been unaware of it. In the first place, regardless of whether it was me or the guild master, he was so bad at lying that anyone could tell. But I’d like to know why he went along with it.
“It seems that he had a story in mind, but not with such an obvious look on his face. Well, I’m sure Wataru is the mage, but there’s no need to expose him and turn him into an enemy. He’s a soft-hearted and timid man. He’s capable, and he could do terrible things if we push him too hard, but if we ingratiate ourselves with him, he’ll lend us a hand if something goes wrong. I’ll spread the word about him and make sure no one else gets hurt.”
“I understand.”
I’m sure the master has a good eye for people, but I can’t imagine Wataru-san being a terrible mage. Bringing the prince down on his knees, this doesn’t make any particular sense to me.
What kind of situation would make the prince get down on his knees? It’s humiliating for the prince, who might choose to die, isn’t it? How could that happen?
Neither Wataru-san, whom I see all the time, nor Wataru-san, who was doing his best to lie today, seems to be the mage by any stretch of my imagination… Could it be that the master has blurred his vision?
“Camille, are you thinking of something unpleasant?”
“No, it’s just that, even after listening to Master, I didn’t think Wataru-san was the rumored mage.”
No, I accidentally looked at the master, frankly. I’m not a good merchant, aren’t I?
“Well, you’re probably right. The rumors are very twisted. The second prince’s aides are trying hard to spread the good news that the prince sacrificed himself in order to save Lucca. Well, the mage’s reputation in Lucca is very favorable, so I guess the truth is in that.”
“I see. That makes a little more sense.”
“Well, I’m heading to Southern Count-sama, so you go to the adventurers’ guild and find a competent person, preferably S-rank Paris, to help us out. I will provide you with my letter, so you should be all right.”
“You mean that Paris, Southen City’s Paris the Spear?”
“Yes, I thought it would be a good idea to ask him.”
“But what kind of an experiment would an S-rank adventurer be willing to perform?”
“I wrote in my letter that the mage’s ship easily repelled the attacks of the empire’s unique skill users. If that mage’s ship is there and can be tested, I’m sure he’ll bite into it.”
“I see, I understand. But if he is in the middle of a request, he might refuse. In that case, what will you do?”
“Hmm, well, in that case, I’ll ask the guild master of the adventurers’ guild to recommend us. That should be fine, then, please.”
“Yes, I’ll be off.”
My feet are light as I head for the adventurers’ guild, hoping that perhaps I will be able to meet Paris the Spear. Paris the Spear is a man who has risen to the S-rank without any unique skills and is admired not only by adventurers but also by the people of this country.
Even if I can’t meet him today, if he accepts my request, I can meet him tomorrow if he follows the experiment. Let’s do my best.
Arriving at the adventurers’ guild, I request a meeting with the master of the adventurers’ guild as a messenger from the master of the merchant guild. He seemed to have time on his hands and let me through immediately.
“I apologize for the sudden intrusion. I am here to deliver a letter from the guild master of the merchant guild.”
“Ah, I have heard about it. But a letter from the old man of the merchant guild…? That old man is not at all afraid to say the most outrageous things. What kind of business is it this time… do you know about it?”
“I apologize, sir. It’s written in the letter.”
“I know that, but I’m not very good with that old man.”
The master of the merchant guild in the Southern City and the master of the adventurer’s guild are strangely good friends. They are of different ages and personalities, but they seem to get along well. However, there are times when the master of the merchant guild causes trouble for the adventurers’ guild.
Most of the time, the adventurers are sent out by our selfish master, who likes to show off. The master of the adventurers’ guild is said to have a hard time because so many adventurers are taken out of the guild out of the blue.
I wonder if it’s better this time because it’s only tomorrow, and it’s only a lending request for one person. It’s an S-rank adventurer, though…
“How does that old man know that Paris is here? It’s top secret, you know?”
“I apologize; I only just heard about it before I came here…”
I wonder where our master gets his information from. And what’s worse, he comes out with the information at the right time when the noise is getting louder. Well, I can’t say anything because we make money from that confusion.
“Ah, yes, that’s right. That old man is very secretive. Whew, and it’s a request that Paris would love… Wait a bit, and I’ll call him.”
Yay, I get to meet Paris. Can I ask him for a handshake or something?
The master of the adventurers’ guild calls the guild members and runs a message. I thought this was top secret. Is he the only one who knows about it?
I was thinking of waiting quietly until Paris came when the master of the adventurers’ guild started complaining about our master. Paris, please come quickly.
“That’s right; it is the role of an adventurer to fulfill the requests he receives. But you’re not the only one making requests, you know that, don’t you?”
“Yes, I understand.”
He started complaining again and again even though he wasn’t drunk, though he was a straight guy.
“And yet, when the old man came, he arrived unexpectedly in the morning…”
“Excuse me, I’ve brought Paris…”
Finally, he’s here. It’s been longer than I thought.
“Sorry to keep you waiting; how can I help you?”
“Oh, the young lady over there has come to deliver a letter that has something to do with you, so I asked you to come over.”
“I see. I’m Paris. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Oh, yes, my name is Camille. It’s nice to meet you too.”
I shook hands with Paris. He is a gentleman with a calm atmosphere, and on top of that, he is an S-rank adventurer… which will change the image of adventurers.
“So, Guild Master, what kind of letter is it?”
“Oh, right. The old man from the merchant guild wants you to take the commission. It’s only for one day tomorrow, but it’s a top-secret action, and… I think you’d like it, what do you think?”
“Ah, the master of the merchant guild, huh? He’s a quick ear as usual, isn’t he? I’m pretty sure I came here without being seen by anyone.”
“Yeah, that’s why I even reached out to the gatekeeper, and the letter he delivered said he wanted to hire you. He’s a monster, isn’t he?”
“Haha, I can’t deny it. What were the contents of this request?”
“Ah, you know about the mage who appeared in the Kingdom of Brescia, don’t you? I heard that there was a guy who bought a ship that the mage had covered with his barriers. He wants to borrow your help to test the barrier. By the way, the barrier that the mage put up repelled the attack of unique skill without any damage. I’m really annoyed that he’s sending a request that you seem to like so much.”
“Yes, it’s a request that I like. A barrier that withstands unique skills unharmed…? I’d love to try it out. If Guild Master doesn’t have a problem with it, I’ll accept it.”
“Well, it’s a request that ends tomorrow, so it shouldn’t be a problem, and I don’t mind. To tell the truth, I’m interested in it too.”
“Thank you very much. Are you coming, too, Guild Master?”
“Yeah, it was written that I can come if I’m interested. I’ll be able to see what the rumored mage is capable of, even if only partially, so I guess I’ll have to go.”
“I see. I’m looking forward to it. When exactly are we going to go tomorrow?”
“Oh, the old man said he is going to visit the Southern Count. The time will depend on the result of the meeting. He will let us know later.”
“I see. Well, I’m going back. Please let me know when the news comes.”
“Yeah, all right.”
“Well, then, Camille-san, I’ll be leaving now.”
“Yes, it was a pleasure to meet you. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, see you tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Phew, now that Paris’ participation has been decided, I’m going back too.
“Then, I will return as well. Is it decided that Paris-sama will join us?”
“Yeah, give my regards to the old man, will you?”
“Yes, I’ll excuse myself.”
I wonder what will happen tomorrow? I’m excited for the first time in a long time.
～Camille’s point of view is over～
Morning, huh…? After getting a good kiss from the two of them and being well-satisfied, I eat my breakfast.
“Master, the higher-ups are coming today to check the Lutto’s barrier, aren’t they? Won’t you disguise the inside of the Lutto ship?”
“Hmm, I don’t want to let them inside, but it’s going to be troublesome if I refuse to let them in… So let’s disguise everything. Then I don’t know when they will come, so I’ll disguise it now.”
“Okay.”
“Yes.”
After disguising the ship, I relax and play with Rimu for a while. Today, we had a new game. We usually play high up, but Rimu asked me to throw him to Ines.
For some reason, it became like playing catch with a ball: from me to Ines, from Ines to Felicia, and from Felicia to me. I felt like I was treating Rimu like a ball, and I didn’t like it, but Rimu was enjoying the game.
“Ara, Master, the Girasole people are here!”
Hmm? When I look outside, I see Girasole walking in. They must have come all the way here because I left a message for them at the inn yesterday. We all greet them.
“Hello, everyone. It’s been a long time. Thank you for coming all the way out here.”
“Fufu, it’s been a while, Wataru-san. I received your message at the inn, so I thought I’d drop by.”
“Thank you very much. Please come into the living room for now, and let’s talk over a cup of tea.”
“Yes.”
I invited Girasole inside and served her tea.
After meeting for the first time in a long time, Rimu and Fuu-chan are very excited and are bumping into each other. I guess people of the same race can communicate with each other. They looked so happy that I almost felt a little jealous.
“Wataru-san, you’ve even disguised the inside of the ship. Did something happen?”
“Yes, I went to the merchant guild after I came back yesterday, and I was called by the guild master, and during the conversation, we decided to test the performance of the Lutto. Well, I don’t know when they are coming yet.”
“I see. I’m sorry for the inconvenience we’ve caused you.”
“Oh, everyone, please raise your head. I knew this was going to happen, and I’m also sorry to have to keep getting apologies from you, so please don’t worry about it anymore.”
“Thank you very much. So, I know it’s late, but here is the reward for helping our families. Thanks to you, Wataru-san, our families, and Lucca were saved. Thank you very much.”
A leather bag was placed in front of me and made a jingling sound. I’ve been thanked again, but this time it’s not an apology, it’s a reward, so is it okay?
“No, no, if I received a reward, that means I just completed the request, so don’t worry about this one either. And I will accept it gratefully.”
“Yes.”
I wonder how much is in there? Is it supposed to be confirmed on this occasion in such a case? Should I confirm it later because it would be rude? …I’m not sure about this, but this is a business transaction, so I should check the payment, right?
At any rate, I’ll check the contents at a glance. …There are lots of platinum coins…
“…This is way too much. How much is in there? And are A-rank adventurers really that profitable?”
“Wataru-san went to the merchant guild yesterday, didn’t you? Did you not check your account? The price of the Ryu scale from the auction has also been deposited. Oh, and of course, all the Ryu materials that we entrusted to you are yours, too, Wataru-san.”
The money from the auction was also deposited? In addition to the lots of platinum coins, the Ryu materials, too? I’m afraid that the Ryu materials will just be repatriated and left sleeping in my possession, so I’ll refrain from doing so.
“Ah, I said as much money as you can pay, so the Ryu materials belong to all of you in Girasole. I don’t want to have a lot of Ryu materials. Besides, this cash alone is more than enough. Excuse me, but how much is in here?”
“Is that so? I don’t think it would be enough even if we gave you everything.”
“Haha, this is too much. Don’t worry about it anymore.”
Of course, I’m tempted to demand their bodies, but as with Felicia, I’ve been able to escape from being half-dead, and with this much platinum coins, a luxury liner is not far away. If that happens, I’ll be able to with Ines…
Let’s take it slow and get to know everyone in Girasole. I’ve already involved myself with them, and now I can afford it. I’m not going to be gung-ho about it, but I’m going to take it little by little… It’s like an erotic game, isn’t it?
