Rei sat in a room within the Lord's Mansion in Gilm, left to wait.
He had parted ways with Seto before entering the mansion; the gryphon was likely dozing in the stables by now.
Summer was gradually fading into autumn. The heat from only a few weeks prior had vanished, replaced by a temperature so pleasant it was almost startling. Of course, being a gryphon, Seto possessed a constitution that could comfortably endure both summer and winter without a second thought.
Rei found that quite enviable. While harboring such thoughts, he sipped the tea served by a maid and scanned the room.
Since Gilm was located on the frontier, the mansion had been constructed more as a fortress for emergencies than a palace. The interior was rugged and utilitarian, offering little to catch the eye.
"Well, I suppose I should have expected that," he muttered.
He pulled a book on monster dismantling from his Misty Ring and began to read. Ever since he had been led to this desolate room in a manner bordering on being taken into custody, no one had visited him except for the maid who served the tea. Outside, he could sense a guard stationed in the hallway.
I did nearly kill the Princess General’s escort unit, he reflected. Considering that, this treatment is actually quite hospitable.
With that conclusion, he settled in to read quietly.
About an hour passed before a sharp knock echoed through the room.
"Finally," he whispered.
He stowed the book back in his Misty Ring and called out a response. A man, likely a member of the Knight Order of the City of Gilm, peered inside.
"Are you Rei?"
"I am."
"Sorry to keep you waiting. The Lord is expecting you. Follow me."
Rei nodded, drained the rest of his cold tea, and followed the knight.
He was led to the same room he had been summoned to the day before—the Lord's Office, where Kyuste had attacked him the moment he entered. The door, an intricate work of art that could easily be mistaken for a museum piece, was a sight not easily forgotten.
I hope I don't get attacked this time, Rei thought.
Still, he judged the risk to be low since the knight was leading the way. The knight used the door knocker as protocol dictated and entered, with Rei following close behind.
"Forgive the delay in summoning you," Margrave Larcus said the moment Rei entered.
Rei gave a slight shake of his head. "No, it's fine."
"I'm glad to hear it. Now then, come over here."
Daskar was seated on a sofa, with Elena Kerebel sitting opposite him. Her three guards stood behind her, poised to react to any sudden development. As Rei approached Daskar, he felt the sharp glares of the three standing warriors pierce him.
I understand Kyuste's gaze because of yesterday. The same goes for the woman called Ara. But I don't recall doing anything to the man who was driving... well, I suppose it’s only natural for him to be hostile if he thinks I almost killed his comrades.
Rei mused on this as he moved to Daskar's side. However, amidst the hostility, he noticed one gaze that was unnaturally favorable. He stole a glance at the source and found Elena, the Princess General herself, watching him.
She possessed a beauty that was impossible to forget, paired with eyes that held a powerful will. To Rei, her gaze didn't feel "friendly" so much as intensely curious.
As he reached Daskar and prepared to stand behind him as the other guards did, the Margrave spoke up.
"No, sit here. Next to me."
"But..."
A noble inviting a commoner to sit beside him was practically unheard of, as Rei well knew. But Margrave Larcus was a man who delighted in breaking conventions. Rei was essentially pulled into the seat beside Daskar. As if on cue, a maid appeared and placed a fresh cup of tea in front of him.
"Now then, there has been quite a bit of commotion," Daskar began with a wry smile. "But regardless, this is Lady Elena, whom you will be escorting. Lady Elena, this is Rei, the adventurer being dispatched from Gilm to serve as your guard. As for his skill, I imagine I don't need to elaborate since you've already crossed blades with him, correct?"
"Indeed. My hands were numb for quite a while after parrying that single blow. Anyone capable of such a strike is a warrior of the highest caliber. I have no complaints regarding his skills as an adventurer."
"Thank you very much," Rei said, bowing his head to Elena. He suspected she had intervened to ensure there were no penalties for the earlier skirmish.
"No, that incident was partly due to our own haste. Ara."
At Elena's call, the female knight who had fought Rei just hours ago stepped forward.
"Lord Rei, I apologize for the misconduct of attacking you based on my own hasty judgment."
Ara bowed, but it was clear to any observer that her eyes were full of resentment. She was obviously apologizing only because Elena, whom she clearly adored, had commanded it. Rei, currently only a D-Rank adventurer, had no reason to press a knight for a more sincere apology, nor did he care to. He simply nodded.
"I ended up attacking as well, even if it was a reflex. Don't worry about it. Let's just call it even."
"...Yes. Thank you," Ara replied with a curt bow before retreating behind Elena.
Elena watched her subordinate's back with a faint, wry smile before turning back to Rei.
"May I call you Rei?"
"Yes."
"Then Rei it is. Please don't misunderstand; Ara doesn't truly hold a grudge against you. She simply becomes... how should I put it... exceptionally overprotective where I am concerned. Please don't think ill of her. Since we are about to challenge a dungeon together, I would prefer to avoid unnecessary friction. Such things can be fatal when your life is on the line in the depths."
"I agree. I haven't delved into a dungeon myself yet, but I've done some research since accepting this nomination request... It doesn't sound like a place where one can afford distractions."
"True. Regarding our departure, I would like to head out tomorrow morning when the 6 o'clock bell rings. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes. I've already spent the last week purchasing necessary supplies. I could leave right now if you wanted."
Kyuste scoffed at Rei's confidence, interjecting with a sneer. "Hmph. Right now? Do you intend to enter a dungeon with nothing but the clothes on your back?"
"Kyuste, was it? You should have seen this several times by now," Rei said, lifting his right arm to display the Misty Ring to everyone in the room.
The first to realize the truth was Daskar, who had already gathered intelligence on Rei from the guild and the guards.
"Ho, so that is an Item Box."
"It is."
Upon hearing those words, Elena and the others stared intently at the bracelet on his wrist.
"I see. Come to think of it, you did pull that giant scythe out of thin air when you fought Ara... So that's an Item Box. It's the first time I've ever seen one."
While Elena spoke with genuine admiration, Kyuste furrowed his brows. He had seen Rei draw the Death Scythe twice already but had failed to realize it was an Item Box. It was a rare Magic Item, after all—so rare that few believed a D-Rank adventurer on the frontier could actually possess one without seeing it for themselves.
"As you can see, I am always prepared. Fortunately, Seto is here as well."
"...It seems you are indeed ready. However, we are not," Kyuste muttered.
Elena nodded in agreement. "True, we haven't finished our own preparations. ...That aside, Rei, since you have an Item Box, would you be willing to handle the transportation of our supplies?"
Rei had anticipated this based on his time with the Orc Subjugation Force and nodded without hesitation. "I don't mind. However, this Misty Ring is a bit unique. As long as you're okay with its quirks."
"Unique? In what way?" Elena asked. "This is my first time seeing an actual Item Box, so I would appreciate an explanation."
Rei removed the bracelet and placed it on the table.
"Normally, an Item Box can be used by anyone. If I put a potion in, Lady Elena could take it out. However, this one was given a special finish during its creation that causes it to react only to the owner's magic power. Only I can withdraw what I put in. Anyone else who tries to use it will find it unresponsive. It recognizes its master's magic power."
"Ho... That is fascinating. Magic weapons that recognize their owners are rare but not unheard of. Kyuste's Magic Spear is one such example."
Kyuste nodded with a smug smile. "Indeed. For instance, we surrendered our weapons before entering the Lord's Office, but even if someone else tried to wield my Magic Spear, it would not cut or pierce. It would be a club at best in their hands."
Rei realized then that no one in the room besides Elena was armed.
In that case, the Misty Ring lets me bring a weapon anywhere, he thought. It would be the perfect tool for an assassin. Well, my only goal is collecting magic stones, so I won't be doing anything like that unless things go south.
"At any rate, that's how it stands. I can handle the transport if you trust me. What do you think?"
"I have no issues," Elena said, then looked at her guards. "What about the rest of you?"
Ara spoke first. "I will follow whatever Lady Elena decides."
Vel followed. "Hmm, honestly, I can't trust someone I've just met. Especially not when we're heading into a dungeon. I'm against it."
Kyuste was last. "With all respect to Margrave Larcus, I agree with Vel."
"Fumu, two in favor and two against."
"What is your decision, Lady Elena?"
"I will use my authority to entrust the supplies to Rei. Vel and Kyuste's concerns are valid, but carrying heavy luggage into a dungeon is a fatal disadvantage. Being able to move unencumbered is worth the risk."
The two dissenters eventually nodded, acknowledging the logic.
"Then it's settled. We will have the gear ready by tomorrow morning at the main gate. You can store it as we travel."
"Understood."
"Also, we should confirm our combat styles. Rei, you first."
Rei slid the Misty Ring back onto his arm. "I'm essentially a Magic Warrior. The giant scythe I showed you is a Magic Item called the Death Scythe, and it also serves as my Magic Catalyst. I primarily use Flame magic."
I should probably mention the skills I've absorbed as magic, he thought. Magic Shield and Flying Slash should be enough. I'll drop hints about Corrosion too, so they aren't shocked if I have to use it in the dungeon.
"I also have some proficiency in support magic, as well as Wind and Earth magic."
"Fire, Wind, and Earth? Plus support magic? That is quite a repertoire," Elena said, impressed.
Ara, however, glared at Rei with sharp, jealous eyes, clearly irritated by the attention he was receiving from her mistress.
"I'm only truly proficient in Fire; the others are basic. My combat style centers on utilizing Magic Items like the Death Scythe."
"So it seems. That robe of yours is clearly an exceptional piece, despite the concealment effects. The bracelet on your left arm is likely another Magic Item, and above all..." Elena glanced down at his feet. "I am very familiar with those shoes."
Rei followed her gaze to her own footwear.
"Sleipnir's Shoes?"
"Indeed. It seems we have matching footwear."
"So it seems. My master told me they were quite rare. I'm surprised you found a pair."
"They are rare, certainly, but not so rare as to be seen only once in a lifetime like an Item Box. If anything, I should be the one surprised that you have them, Rei."
"I inherited them from my master."
"Ah, I heard from Margrave Larcus that you were sent out into the world after finishing your training. That training clearly explains how you reached D-Rank so quickly. ...Now, it's our turn. My style is actually quite similar to yours. I am a Magic Warrior who specializes in mid-range combat using magic and my whip-sword. My primary attribute is Wind."
She's a mid-range specialist, Rei thought. Different from me, since I clearly separate close-quarters with the scythe and long-range with magic. But if she can deflect a strike from a hundred-kilogram scythe, she’ll be a reliable ally.
"Our styles are similar. I would love to spar with you eventually," Elena said.
"I look forward to it, if the opportunity arises."
Seeing Rei nod, Elena broke into a joyful smile. Rei found himself briefly captivated by her beauty before her voice pulled him back.
"Next, Ara."
"Yes, Lady Elena. I am a knight, and my weapon is the longsword. I am purely a vanguard, Lord Rei, so I look forward to fighting at your side."
Rei remembered her strike at the gate. She used a Mighty Sword style that defied her slender frame, swinging with enough force to bury her blade in the earth. Most monsters would likely be cleaved in two by a single blow from her.
"Kyuste."
"As I said, I use a spear. Like Lady Elena, I usually take the midguard position. I can use a sword in an emergency, but it's purely a backup. I specialize in Water magic, so I also serve as this unit's healer."
Kyuste's words carried a hidden edge, implying that his loss the previous day was only because he’d been forced to use a sword. Rei sighed inwardly at the man’s pride, already dreading the long road ahead.
"Vel."
"I'm usually the rearguard with a bow. Sometimes I'm a vanguard with daggers, and I have a bit of skill with Earth-system magic. Think of me as having thief-like skills in adventurer terms."
So they brought their own specialist for traps and scouting, Rei thought. That's one less thing for me to worry about.
"These are the members you will be diving with, Rei," Elena concluded. "It may be for a short time, but I look forward to working with you."
She offered her hand, and Rei took it. Her hand was slender and soft, appearing unsuited for the title of Princess General. Normally, a veteran warrior’s hands would be covered in calluses from the blade, but hers were smooth. Rei assumed this was likely the result of constant recovery magic.
With the first meeting concluded, the party prepared. The next day, the five of them would finally depart for the dungeon.