By the time they finished their report regarding the harpy nest and stepped out of the Lord's Mansion, the world was already bathed in the deep crimson of the setting sun.
Phron narrowed her eyes against the brilliant twilight as she spoke.
"Man, that took way longer than I expected."
"What are ye blathering about? Ye dumped every bit of the explaining onto me and Rei. All ye did was sit there in silence, drinking tea and stuffing yer face with sweets."
Brasso let out an exasperated sigh. Beside him, Rei—who had also been saddled with the explanations—turned a weary gaze toward Phron.
Feeling the weight of their judgment, Phron scratched her cheek with an awkward smile.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. I've never talked to a noble before... It's always best to leave it to the people who are used to it, right?"
"It’s not like I’ve made a habit of it either!" Brasso snapped.
"I... well, I have, in a sense," Rei added. "But even for me, that's only been a very recent thing."
Sensing that she was losing the argument, Phron looked away and quickly changed the subject.
"A-Anyway, the Flame Ore is Rei's responsibility, and Brasso's the only one with real knowledge about the other minerals, right? When you think about it that way, there really wasn't anything for me to say."
"Fine, fine... enough already," Brasso muttered with a resigned sigh. "The report is done. Let's head to the guild to submit our completion notice."
As he spoke, Rei spotted Seto approaching from the inner grounds of the Lord's Mansion.
"Guruuu."
The griffon gave a satisfied cry as it trotted toward them. Seeing what looked like a smear of sauce on its beak, Rei couldn't help but smile while stroking its head.
"Looks like you got spoiled over here, too."
Guessing as much from Seto's pleased demeanor, Rei continued to pet him as he turned back to Brasso.
"So, about reporting to the guild... what are we doing with the Flame Ore?"
The chunk of Flame Ore they had recovered from the harpy nest was roughly as large as a man could carry in both arms. During the report, Daskar had granted Rei and the others permission to keep it as a personal reward for their discovery.
"Well... with Flame Ore that size, ye can't just find a buyer or a seller on a whim. For now, shall we take it to the blacksmith who originally asked us for help?"
"I'm not exactly hurting for money," Rei said, "so I'd prefer to keep the ore as it is. Or, at the very least, I'd like to find a way to split the value three ways so I can keep the piece."
"Hmm, that’s the question. Rei might not be short on cash, but while Brasso and I aren't exactly poor, we don't have a huge surplus either. Then again, if we ever need new weapons made, having Flame Ore would be a godsend. Selling it off feels like a bit of a waste."
Seeing Phron's indecision, Rei made a proposal.
"In that case, how about we get it appraised to see what it's worth, and then I'll pay each of you one-third of that value in cash?"
Phron pondered the idea for a few seconds before nodding.
"I have no problem with that. What about you, Brasso?"
"Mu, mumumu... Gold is a fine thing, but Flame Ore is also..."
Brasso clutched his head as he agonized over the decision. Rei and Phron watched him struggle as they walked from the mansion toward the city center. Once they reached the bustling streets, Rei decided Brasso would never choose if left to his own devices.
"Let's just get the Flame Ore appraised for now," Rei suggested. "Knowing the actual price might help you reach a decision."
"H-Hmm... Aye, I suppose so. A professional appraisal would at least give us a benchmark to work with."
"Is that weapon shop over there okay?" Rei asked, pointing to a shop about ten meters ahead.
By sheer coincidence, it was the same shop that had refused to sell him a spear after he had first accepted this quest.
"Hm? Is a weapon shop really the place?" Brasso asked. "Most weapon shops just sell the finished product. It's the blacksmiths who handle the ore and the forging. Many shops double as both, but not all."
"He's right," Phron added. "We'd be better off going to a blacksmith we actually know. A random shop might try to rip us off, but an acquaintance wouldn't pull that kind of stunt."
"If you two think that's better, I'm fine with it. But is it okay to just ask for an appraisal without selling it to them?"
Rei wondered if being acquaintances might make the situation more awkward, but Phron just shrugged and Brasso gave a confident grin.
"That man is serious about his craft. That's why he's earned such a high reputation in the short time he's been in this city. He doesn't go in for petty tricks like that."
"...A blacksmith who's only been here a short time?" Rei repeated.
Something about that rang a bell. He thought about it for a moment.
"Hey, does this blacksmith happen to have a son? A boy named Kumito?"
He remembered saving a kid from some bullies a while back; the boy’s father was a blacksmith who had recently arrived in Gilm.
The other two widened their eyes slightly.
"Ye know him?" Brasso asked. "Aye, Pamidoor has a son named Kumito."
"I knew it. I happened to save the kid when some brats were giving him trouble."
"You're young enough to be called a 'brat' yourself," Phron muttered.
Rei gave a wry smile.
"Well, this works out perfectly. Kumito told me to come visit sometime. Shall we head to Pamidoor's place, then?"
"Aye. He's a man I can trust, so that suits me just fine."
"No objections here," Phron said. "Besides, some of the lower-end weapon shops actually charge you just for an appraisal."
With the plan decided, the three agreed to head to Pamidoor's workshop immediately after finishing their business at the guild.
"Then let's get to the guild before it's completely dark. This is the time when everyone starts pouring in to report their completions."
"Can't be helped," Brasso said. "Given the hour, we're no different from the rest of 'em."
"I'm not fond of crowds," Rei admitted. "Especially with how many large-framed guys there are among the adventurers."
Phron burst out laughing at the comment.
"Pfft! H-Heh, I bet. At your height, Rei, you'd get completely swallowed up in a crowd of vanguard types."
"Hmm. So even you worry about things like that, Rei," Brasso noted. "Now then, Phron, don't go laughing at a lad's physical traits."
"B-But come on! The idea of Rei, with all that power, having a height complex... it just doesn't fit him!"
"...For the record, I'm still taller than Brasso," Rei grumbled.
"And ye shouldn't be proud of being taller than a dwarf, lad," Brasso sighed.
As they spoke, they turned onto the bustling main street.
"Oh, look, it's Seto! You're looking cute as ever today. Here, have a freshly grilled skewer. This sauce is a new recipe!"
"Need a little something before dinner? Our bread is stuffed with meat!"
"Rei, I tried adjusting the flavor like you suggested. Won't you try some soup?"
The stall owners practically tripped over themselves to call out to Rei and Seto.
"Guruuuu."
Seto purred happily, accepting the snacks offered by the merchants and gulping them down in a single bite. Rei could only smile as he paid the vendors—making sure to get something for himself as well.
"Good grief, this commotion is something else."
"...I'll admit, this is more than I expected," Brasso said, stunned.
He and Phron followed in Rei and Seto's wake, occasionally buying a skewer of their own. By the time the guild building came into view, both Rei and Seto were quite satisfied. They tossed their used skewers and food wrappers into a trash bucket provided by one of the stalls.
"That's the first time I've gotten full just from walking to the guild," Rei remarked.
"I could still go for more if there was booze involved," Brasso countered.
Saying so, they left Seto outside and pushed through the guild doors.
"Just as I thought," Rei muttered with a sigh.
The guild was packed. Between the adventurers returning from their day's work and the crowd in the attached tavern, the place was a riot of noise and motion. Brasso took the lead, carving a path toward the reception counter.
A stray drunkard tried to hit on Phron as they passed, but he was promptly floored when she smacked him across the face with her sword. It was a mercy that the blade was still in its scabbard.
"Ah, Rei-san, Brasso-san, and Phron-san too. Welcome back. I take it the request was a success?"
Lenora greeted them with a relieved smile. Her ability to remain professional and welcoming even in the middle of the evening rush was a testament to her skill as a receptionist.
"It was the harpy subjugation, wasn't it?" She paused, lowering her voice so the surrounding crowd couldn't overhear. "Actually, the Lord sent word to the guild's upper management. Normally, we have to monitor the area for ten days after a report like this to confirm the monsters are truly gone before we finalize the request... but the Lord used his authority to grant an immediate completion as a special case. ...Did you do something again?"
Lenora fixed Rei with a suspicious look, but he quickly averted his eyes. He could hardly tell her that his magic had accidentally cooked the cave walls into Flame Ore, or mention the Wind Stone Crystals and Emerost Ore they had found. Those secrets were far too dangerous to speak aloud.
Rei remained silent, and after a long, flat stare, Lenora sighed and shook her head. Part of her restraint was due to the presence of her colleague, the cat beastman Kenny, who was currently burning holes in her back with a glare of pure jealousy.
"Anyway... do you have the materials, proof of subjugation parts, or magic stones?"
"Not yet," Brasso answered. "We came back in a hurry, so the harpy corpses are still inside Rei's item box."
"I see. You can bring those in for processing at any time. For now, here is your reward."
Lenora handed over a small cloth bag containing 3 gold coins. Brasso accepted it, and the harpy subjugation request was officially cleared.
"Oh, and Rei-san," Lenora added. "Several adventurers have expressed interest in the material stripping request. When would you like to hold the interviews? I told them to gather here again tomorrow."
"Right. Let's do it tomorrow after noon. Is the 2F meeting room available?"
"Yes, that's fine. I'll pass the word to the applicants. Just remember that since they're adventurers, there's no guarantee everyone will be there. It'll likely be first-come, first-served."
"That's fine with me."
"Understood. We'll see you tomorrow after noon, then."
(The Flame Ore is one thing, but finally starting the stripping request... I'm looking forward to it, but also a bit nervous. I wonder what kind of people will show up.) Rei thought.
Having finished their business, the three turned away from the counter. Kenny, standing beside Lenora, watched Rei go with a look of longing, but she was far too swamped with the rush of adventurers to find a moment to flirt or invite him to dinner.
"Hrm... Hey, Rei, Phron. D'ye think we could stop for just a quick one?"
Brasso's gaze was fixed longingly on the tavern area. Unlike the quiet hours Rei usually preferred, the tavern was now a sea of people, filled with the roar of successful parties celebrating and failed ones drowning their sorrows.
Phron shut him down instantly.
"Don't be an idiot. We're going to Pamidoor's place. If we start drinking now, his workshop will be closed by the time we get there."
"I'm not askin' to get hammered! Just a glass or two to celebrate a job well done..."
"With you, it's never just 'a glass or two,' and that's why I'm saying no! Now, come on!"
"Ow! Hey, Phron! Stop pullin' me ear!"
Rei watched with a weary expression as Phron dragged the dwarf out of the building, and he followed close behind.
"Heeey, Brasso! Don't worry, I'll enjoy your share of the ale for you!"
The voice of one of Brasso's drinking buddies echoed after them as they stepped out into the night.