Inside Rei's room, Mult continued his explanation. Rei, having listened to the details, finally spoke up.
"So, what’s the plan from here? I understand that those relegated to idle positions support Galahat, but how do you intend to leverage that?"
"To put it simply, we’ll eventually have to remove him by force. Ideally, we’d spend time networking with the people working at the Azoth Firm to gradually expand Galahat-san’s influence. Even among those relegated to idle positions, most know the firm's internal affairs, and very few are unaware of the relationship between Boruntar and Galahat-san."
"But wait a moment," Brasso interrupted, suddenly pulling his mouth away from his cup. "From what ye've told us, this Galahat fellow has spent his whole life as an adventurer, hasn't he?"
Mult nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, that’s right. If he hadn't, there’s no way he could’ve reached a high rank like B-Rank."
"In that case, even if this Galahat fellow becomes the representative of the Azoth Firm... will he actually be able to manage the business properly?"
"I see... Now that you mention it, that makes sense," Phron said, nodding in agreement. "Galahat hasn't been involved in management since birth. Even if he overthrows Boruntar in a gekokujo and seizes control, if you ask whether he can actually run the place..."
Phron’s doubt hung in the air. Boruntar had managed the Azoth Firm after a fashion until now. However, Galahat—the man seeking to replace him—was ultimately an adventurer, not a merchant. Naturally, he lacked the experience required to lead a prominent organization like the Azoth Firm, one of the most significant companies in the City of Gilm.
Could such a person successfully operate a firm that effectively controlled the weapon trade in a frontier city like Gilm, a place teeming with adventurers? Phron voiced this concern, but Mult shook his head as if to dismiss it.
"It’s true that Galahat-san isn't a merchant. However, because he’s been employed by the Azoth Firm ever since he became an adventurer, he knows the firm's inner workings far better than your average merchant. Besides, Galahat-san only intends to be the representative of the Azoth Firm, which is different from the current chairman, Boruntar. It seems the actual operation of the firm will be handled through a council system of merchants who support him."
(A sort of democracy, then. I just hope it doesn't turn into an ochlocracy.)
Hearing Mult’s words, Rei thought back to the politicians in Japan, where he had once lived. Or rather, they were people who would be more accurately described as political hacks. Traitors who wagged their tails and cozied up to foreign nations for personal profit rather than acting in their own country's interests—people who left one questioning their status as political hacks, let alone as politicians.
He immediately brushed those thoughts aside. This was no longer the Japan he knew.
"Regardless, we can assume that Gilm won't fall into chaos even if Galahat takes over the Azoth Firm, right?" Rei asked, shaking his head slightly to clear his mind.
"Yeah. Of course, I can't say there won't be a little confusion, but arrangements have been made to keep it to a minimum. After all, the employees that bastard Boruntar relegated to idle positions were the ones who refused to blindly obey him. Most of them were people who offered candid advice because they realized the Azoth Firm would eventually fail at this rate. They have more than enough capability."
"In that case, we should probably head to Galahat's hideout sooner rather than later," Rei muttered.
The gazes of everyone in the room converged on him.
Phron spoke up as their representative. "Why the rush? I get that time is a factor, but it’s already night. Wouldn't tomorrow be fine? If anything, the other side is the one employing thieves—they’d be better at operating under the cover of darkness."
"Because the other side is getting desperate. Look at that group that barged into this inn earlier; they were just a bunch of rabble the Azoth Firm rounded up to bolster their numbers. They're hiring thugs like that even now. If we wait until tomorrow to take action, the power gap between Boruntar and Galahat will only widen. Even if most of their forces are trash, numbers are strength. Considering that, we should move fast. Mult, you said Galahat plans to remove Boruntar by force, but how much combat power do you actually have?"
"Among the adventurers employed by the Azoth Firm, if we count those who have been helped by Galahat-san or those who admire his character... even an optimistic estimate would be thirty percent. At worst, it’s probably around ten percent."
"So the ten percent are the ones we can definitely count on. What’s the specific number?"
"Around five people, I'd say."
Rei couldn't help but look surprised.
If ten percent was only five people, then by simple calculation, the number of adventurers employed by the Azoth Firm was nearly fifty.
"I knew the Azoth Firm was large, but to think they have that many adventurers under their thumb... that’s certainly unexpected," Brasso remarked, his expression mirroring Rei’s surprise.
"Can we assume the additional twenty percent in the optimistic case are a sort of neutral party?" Rei asked.
"Yeah, pretty much. There are various reasons why they're forced to cooperate with Boruntar for now, but in their hearts, they're on Galahat-san’s side."
"Hmph. If they can't be counted on for sure, we should just consider them non-combatants," Phron said. "But Rei's right. If there’s that much of a power gap, we definitely should move as soon as possible. If we’re losing in numbers and we lose in speed too, we won't have a prayer. The only advantage we have is..."
Phron’s gaze shifted briefly toward Rei.
The strength she had witnessed during the Harpy subjugation was by no means limited to the D-Rank level. Considering he was accompanied by Seto, an A-Rank monster, his overall ability was likely no less than that of an A-Rank adventurer.
And above all, Rei was the catalyst for this entire commotion. There was no way they could ignore such an outlier in their forces.
"Rei is bound to get dragged into this mess anyway," Phron continued. "Actually, considering the rumors reaching Pamidoor, he's already deep in it. It'd be for the best for everyone to bring him into the fold and force a generational change at the Azoth Firm as soon as possible. That goes for me and Brasso too, of course."
Since they had formed a party with Rei to take on a request, it was inevitable that they would be involved. Besides, they shared the desire to do something about the ill-reputed Azoth Firm and make the City of Gilm a bit more breathable.
"So, let's head to the place where Galahat is hiding right now. From here on, it’s a race against time. The faster we move, the fewer forces the Azoth Firm's side will have ready."
Phron stood up as she spoke, grabbing Mult's arm and pulling him up forcefully from the bed.
"A-Ah, alright. I understand..."
Pressed by her intensity, Mult nodded helplessly. Rei then produced a halberd and leather armor from his Misty Ring.
"Here. If we're going now, you need to get your equipment ready. Things seem quiet for now, but after we meet up with Galahat, there’s almost certainly going to be a fight."
"This is mine... Oh, right. I think I heard that Rei had an Item Box."
"You're a carefree one, aren't you? Did you forget? Boruntar's greed for this ability is exactly why this whole mess started in the first place," Rei said with an exasperated look.
To escape Rei’s gaze, Mult began putting on the leather armor.
Watching the two of them, Brasso finished his final glass of liquor and stood up. The fact that he wasn't even slightly drunk after draining a small barrel's worth of alcohol was a testament to the legendary tolerance of the Dwarf-kin.
"So, where exactly is Galahat's hideout?"
"It’s a cottage in the back street," Mult answered while fastening his armor. "It’s so old that almost nobody goes near it, so I don't think it’ll be found."
Mult tilted his head when he saw Rei frowning slightly at the answer. "What's wrong?"
"You said Galahat is hiding in an old cottage that people don't go near, right?"
"Yeah. At least on the surface. We've hidden preserved food and supplies so someone could live there for a few days, and we've put some money into reinforcing it."
"...Ah, I see," Phron said, nodding in understanding. "Rei, you're worried about whether the cottage is truly as isolated as he thinks, aren't you?"
"Exactly. If the exterior is dilapidated, common citizens might avoid it, but that makes it the perfect place for orphans or the rabble from the slums to sneak in. And if they do, there's always a chance that information could leak back to the Azoth Firm."
While Daskar maintained good governance in the City of Gilm, slums still existed. Because Gilm was a frontier city, they had to allocate massive funds to defense, and social welfare inevitably got pushed to the background.
"I see... Indeed, one cannot dismiss that possibility," Brasso agreed.
"Oh, about that, I think it'll be fine," Mult said, checking the condition of his halberd. "Galahat-san has provided aid to the people in the slums and helped many of them find work. He has a great deal of trust from them."
Phron shrugged her shoulders. "Whether it's orphans or the destitute, those people are doing everything they can just to survive the day. If you ask which they value more—gold or gratitude—well, there are certainly some who value loyalty, but I think most would flip for the right price."
"We should hurry," Rei muttered, opening the door.
Phron and Brasso followed, with a fully armed Mult bringing up the rear. As the four of them descended the stairs, they heard lively voices echoing from the dining hall.
"I wish I could've had a bit more to drink meself," Brasso sighed, casting an envious glance toward the hall.
Phron immediately brought her longsword, still in its scabbard, down onto the back of his head. Thwack.
"You polished off a whole barrel in Rei’s room and you still haven't had enough!? Honestly, this is why dwarves are..."
"Oww! Phron, you really need to cut that out! Always hittin' me on the head so casually. At least use yer hand! Who hits someone with a sword, even in the scabbard!?"
Brasso complained while clutching his head, but Phron just scoffed.
"If I hit your literal stone head with my bare hand, my delicate hand would be the one getting injured."
"Hah! Delicate hand? Someone with delicate hands wouldn't be workin' as a warrior!"
This was a familiar exchange for Rei, but for Mult, it was nerve-wracking.
"Hey, Rei," Mult whispered. "We’re about to dive into the heart of a crisis. Is it really okay for those two to keep bickering like that?"
Rei, wearing his Dragon Robe with the hood pulled up, didn't even change his expression. "I haven't known them long, but this is normal for them. It’s better than them getting tense and freezing up when the fighting starts."
"I mean, sure, but if they start fighting among themselves when it counts..."
"Like I said, it’s not a conflict—it’s just their usual fooling around. You'll only exhaust yourself if you worry about it."
"If you say so, Rei... but I hope you're right."
"They're both Rank C adventurers, despite how they look. They have the skill to match."
Continuing their conversation, they reached the inn 1F and headed toward the exit.
"Oh, are you heading out?" Lana asked, emerging from the dining hall as she spotted them.
Rei and his companions were clearly armed for a dangerous mission, yet her tone remained as professional and hospitable as ever.
"Yeah. Just a little trip to see the person who sent those guests earlier," Rei replied.
"I see. Well then, please be careful. I shall look forward to your safe return."
With a polite bow from Lana, the four of them stepped out of the inn.
The sound of boisterous laughter from the banquet Rei had funded echoed from the dining hall. They left the Dusk Wheat Inn behind with those cheers at their backs, though Brasso couldn't resist casting one last longing look over his shoulder.