On the edge of the Kingdom of Mireana, a city situated closer to the frontier than the capital was steadily descending into ruin.
Nearly thirty percent of the residents had collapsed, bedridden with fever. The rest of the inhabitants were nursing them desperately, but their efforts provided little more than a sense of comfort as the disease spread slowly but with absolute certainty.
The sickness currently rampant in the city was one that should never have manifested in this region. It was a disease that normally only broke out in areas characterized by year-round heat and humid air. For some unknown reason, it had appeared here, and the number of symptomatic patients was rising rapidly.
While some possessed knowledge of the illness, the deep-seated assumption that it could not exist in this climate meant that the disease was only correctly identified about ten hours ago. When they attempted to commission pharmacists and alchemists to produce the specific medicine required for a cure, they discovered a devastating truth: they lacked the necessary materials.
Under normal circumstances, the pharmacists and alchemists would have faced blame for the shortage. However, because no one had anticipated an outbreak of Magic Fever in this city, they could not be held responsible for their lack of preparation.
"...So, what exactly are we missing?"
Dialogo, the Acting Lord governing the City of Baar, asked the elderly man standing before him with a bitter expression.
The man’s name was Seis. He was the Guild Master of the City of Baar’s Adventurer’s Guild, a high-ranking mage, and Dialogo’s closest friend—a man who was effectively his partner in governance.
"Aurani Grass. Specifically, the dried powder of the plant, which only grows in regions with high concentrations of magic power. It is the primary ingredient for the medicine used to suppress Magic Fever."
"...Aurani Grass. A plant that only grows in high-magic areas, you say? Where is the nearest source?"
"Let me see. From here, the closest location would likely be the City of Gilm, which sits adjacent to the Forest of Magic."
"Gilm? I believe the guild has a method for Guild Masters to contact one another, correct?"
"Indeed. I was thinking the same thing, but... are you certain? The Lord of this city belongs to the Noble's Faction. If you unilaterally request aid from a guild in a city ruled by Margrave Larkus—a central figure of the Neutral Faction—the repercussions could fall squarely on your shoulders."
The moment the Guild Master finished speaking, Dialogo slammed his fist onto the table with enough force to make it rattle.
"To hell with political squabbles! If I have the means to save those currently suffering and I choose to let them die instead, what kind of Acting Lord would I be?! I will take full responsibility for whatever follows!"
"...I understand. I shall contact the Guild Master of the City of Gilm immediately. However..."
Seis trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.
Dialogo knew exactly what his friend was thinking. The distance from the City of Baar to Gilm, situated on the kingdom's furthest frontier, was staggering. For a caravan, the journey would take a half-month. Even a seasoned adventurer pushing their horse to the point of collapse would need ten days.
They could use the guild’s magic item to send word of their plight instantly, but considering how long it would take to gather the Aurani Grass powder and transport it back...
"At best, forty percent might survive," Dialogo muttered, his face contorted with regret.
"It cannot be helped. Every second is vital now. I will establish contact with Gilm at once. I never expected I would end up owing her a favor like this."
"Ha! If that's the price, I'll pay back that favor a dozen times over once this crisis is settled," Dialogo said, forcing a smile to dispel the oppressive atmosphere.
"Very well. Nothing can be done until we manage this situation. If you'll excuse me."
"Right. I’ll use my authority as Acting Lord to blockade the city. We can’t allow this disease to reach other settlements. As for food, our stockpiles should see us through."
Seis nodded and left the office with a lightness of foot that belied his age. Watching his friend’s departing back, Dialogo struck the desk one more time.
"Now, what should I do with these Magic Stones...?"
Back in Gilm, Rei was lounging on his bed at his regular lodging, the Dusk Wheat Inn. He stared at the two Magic Stones he had produced from the Misty Ring.
These were the stones he had harvested the previous day while dismantling the Gamelions at Hasta’s shed. One, about five centimeters in diameter, belonged to a normal Gamelion; the other, nearly ten centimeters wide, had come from the Rare Species.
Even though the Rare Species had been three times the size of the normal one, its Magic Stone was only twice as large. Rei wondered about the discrepancy briefly before accepting it as just the way things were. His real dilemma was how to use them.
His primary reason for using stones was to have Seto or the Death Scythe learn new skills through Beast Magic. Had these been two normal stones, he wouldn't have hesitated to give one to each. But since one belonged to a Rare Species, he had to be more strategic.
"With the Goblins, the normal stones didn't grant a skill, but the Rare Species gave me Fire Breath. That means stones from Rare Species are treated as coming from entirely different monsters. If that's the case... standard logic says I should give the Rare Species stone to Seto, right?"
Rei rolled over on the bed, still undecided. Suddenly, he froze, sat up, and fixed his gaze on the door. His eyes, which had been wandering in thought just moments ago, were now sharp and focused.
He had heard the sound of someone sprinting up the stairs.
(...Who is it? They're making far too much noise for an assassin. It’s past noon, so there shouldn't be many people left in the inn.)
He glanced out the window. Since he was indoors, he couldn't feel the exact temperature, but the wind rattling the glass looked bitterly cold. Fortunately, the Dusk Wheat Inn was an upscale establishment equipped with heating magic items, keeping his room comfortable, but he could easily imagine how harsh it was outside.
With snow possible at any moment, adventurers were in the middle of their final push to earn enough for the winter. Unless they made their gold now, they would be forced to hunt monsters in the freezing snow, so everyone was working with desperate intensity.
Amidst that seasonal rush, Rei—who had enough wealth to live comfortably for years—had been content to contemplate his Magic Stones.
"Well, whoever it is, they're definitely here for me."
Sighing, he stood up and put on his Sleipnir's Shoes and Dragon Robe. He decided against pulling the Death Scythe out of the Misty Ring, as swinging it would likely destroy the room. Instead, he made sure his Mithril Knife was settled at his waist. Prepared to counterattack no matter who walked through the door, he waited.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
He frowned at the sound, which was far too aggressive to be called a knock. "Who is it?"
"It's me! Lenora!"
"...Lenora?"
Deflated by the unexpected name, Rei opened the door. There stood the guild receptionist he knew so well. She was clearly winded, her ponytail swaying in sync with her ragged breathing.
Rei poured a cup of water from the pitcher on his table and handed it to her.
"Thank... thank you," she gasped.
"So, what's going on? Do you need to buy more Gamelion materials or something?" Rei asked. He couldn't think of any other reason she would come running all the way to his room.
Lenora drained the cup in one gulp and shook her head frantically. "No! You have a direct summons from the Guild Master, Rei-san!"
"...The Guild Master?"
Rei frequented the guild often, but he had never actually met the Guild Master of Gilm. His confusion must have been obvious, because Lenora spoke again as she set the empty cup on the table.
"It’s an emergency. I was told to bring you to the guild immediately. Are you sure you have no idea why she'd want you?"
"None. I haven't caused any major disturbances lately... unless this is about the Rare Species Gamelion? If it's that, I suppose I could see why I'd be called in."
The image of the massive eight-meter beast flashed through his mind. Perhaps killing it had carried some significance he hadn't realized.
"I don't know the details, just hurry! Oh, and she specifically said to bring Seto along, too."
"...Seto as well?"
(Then it probably isn't the Gamelion. No matter how rare it was, it was only a B-Rank monster. That makes the reason for this summons even more of a mystery...)
There was nothing more unsettling than an unexplained summons. Still, he couldn't ignore a direct order from the Guild Master. He let out a small sigh and stood up.
"I understand. Seto, too. I’ll get ready."
"I have to get back right away—I was told to return as soon as I contacted you. Please, move as fast as you can!"
Clearly in a massive hurry, she rushed out of the room without waiting for his reply. Rei watched her go, a faint sense of dread pooling in his stomach as he headed down to find Seto.
"Seriously, what happened here?"
"Guruuu?"
Rei arrived at the guild with Seto, just as Lenora had instructed. Even from the outside, the building radiated an aura of chaos. A massive number of people were streaming in and out—a strange sight for an hour when most adventurers should have been out in the field.
Seto tilted its head and let out a low trill, sensing the tension.
"Stay here, Seto. I'm going in. Wait for me in your usual spot."
"Gururuuu."
Seto nodded. Thanks to its natural resilience and thick coat of feathers, the Gryphon didn't mind the cold and settled into its favorite patch of ground without complaint.
"They made a point of telling me to bring you, so there’s probably trouble brewing. I expect I'll be calling on you soon, so be ready."
Rei scratched Seto’s head for a few seconds, then gave the creature a final pat as it rubbed its beak against him before heading inside.
The scene inside the guild was pure bedlam.
"How much Aurani Grass powder have we secured?!"
"I’ve hit every item shop, alchemist, and pharmacist in Gilm! I bought everything they had!"
"Wait! We need to keep some in reserve in case this city needs it. Send only seventy or eighty percent!"
"But the situation in the other city is—"
"It’s fine! Based on the population count, seventy percent of our stock should be enough for the residents of the City of Baar."
"We’re heading out to harvest more Aurani Grass now! Send a few more parties to back us up later!"
"Understood! We’ll issue emergency requests to any available adventurers immediately!"
Staff and adventurers alike were shouting, moving with a frantic energy that bordered on the obsessive.
"...What the hell is going on?" Rei muttered, genuinely stunned.
The last time he’d seen the guild in such an uproar was when an Orc settlement was discovered, but this current frenzy far surpassed that.
"Rei-san! Over here!"
Lenora, who was working feverishly at the counter, shouted to him the moment she saw him. Several adventurers and staff members glanced at him, but they immediately looked away, far too busy with their own tasks to spare a moment.
"Follow me. I’ll take you to the Guild Master’s Office right now."
Lenora pulled him behind the counter. Kenny was also there, working at a nearby station. Normally, she would have teased them the moment she saw them together, but today she didn't have the luxury. She simply gave Rei a quick wave before returning to her paperwork.
"What happened?" Rei asked as Lenora led him through the back of the guild.
"You'll have to ask the Guild Master," she replied, her voice tight. "All I know is that something catastrophic has occurred."
She led him up the stairs located at the rear of the counter. At the top was a single, imposing door.
(So this is separated from the usual meeting rooms. I suppose that makes sense for the Guild Master’s personal office,) Rei thought as Lenora knocked.
"Guild Master, it’s Lenora. I’ve brought Rei."
"Yes, I’ve been waiting. Please, come in."
Rei flinched slightly at the voice. It was cool and clear—not at all what he had expected from a Guild Master. It rang with the crystalline purity of a bell.
"Excuse me."
As Rei tried to process the incongruity of the voice, Lenora opened the door and ushered him inside.
Waiting for him was a woman with deep, brown skin. But she was clearly not human; her ears were long and pointed, arching elegantly compared to a human's.
"A Dark Elf."
Rei’s murmur echoed softly in the office, a room so profoundly silent that the frantic noise from the first floor felt like a distant lie.