When Rei agreed to accept the request, the tension visibly drained from Marina's body.
Even as the Guild Master, she had no authority to compel an adventurer to enter a plague-stricken zone. Had Rei refused, her only remaining option would have been the worst-case scenario: a ten-day overland journey to transport the Aurani Grass powder to the City of Baar.
(Still, I’m glad my information was accurate. I’d heard he had a keen interest in magic items, so I brought out my treasured Thorn Spear as bait. It seems that was the right call.)
Though she breathed a sigh of relief internally, she masked it with a practiced smile.
Marina was well aware of her own beauty, and she never hesitated to use her appearance for the benefit of the guild.
(That said, reports suggest this boy is quite close to the Noble Faction's Princess General. There was always a high chance he wouldn't fall for my charms.)
Even so, she had noticed him waver for a few seconds at the sight of the skin exposed by her party dress. For a brief moment, she had seriously considered whether a more overt attempt at seduction might have been effective.
However, she quickly shook off the thought and shifted her focus back to the Magic Fever.
"Time is of the essence. You’ll be taking flight the moment our staff finishes gathering the Aurani Grass powder from across the City of Gilm. Is that acceptable?"
"Yeah, no problem," Rei replied. "I can leave whenever. I keep all my essential gear stored in my Item Box anyway."
"Since you'll be flying through the sky with winter fast approaching... perhaps I should prepare a cold protection magic item for you?"
Rei shook his head slightly at Marina's offer.
"I’ve already taken measures against the cold. It’s not an issue."
"I see."
Marina stared intently at his robe for a moment before nodding in understanding.
"That robe... it possesses a concealment effect, but it seems to have various other properties as well."
Rei's brow twitched. "You can tell?"
"Yes. It appears to be an exceptionally powerful magic item. Dragon materials, I assume? And from a dragon with formidable magic power at that. One on the level of an Ancient Dragon that has lived for at least several centuries, I’d wager."
"Hoh. As expected of a Dark Elf. Until now, almost no one has seen through this magic item."
"May I ask you something? That robe, the Item Box... even the bracelet on your left arm and your shoes are magic items, aren't they? Would a mentor really just hand over such incredible treasures to a mere apprentice?"
Marina asked the question while recalling Rei's background—that he was the disciple of a mage who had dropped him off near the City of Gilm after his training.
Looking at him again, the sheer quality and quantity of his equipment were extraordinary. She had heard he also possessed a magic item in the form of a giant scythe. In truth, if one were to sell off Rei’s gear, the sum would likely be enough to purchase an entire small country.
Marina found it hard to believe that anyone would simply give away items of such value just because a student was setting out on a journey. Rei caught the doubt in her eyes and gave a wry smile, shrugging his shoulders.
"My master was remarkably sheltered. I was taught sorcery, after all. I didn't even hear the word 'magic' until I arrived here in the City of Gilm."
"Well, that is quite something."
Sorcery. It was an archaic term, one few recognized in this age. Even for Marina, who had lived far longer than humans as a Dark Elf, it was a word she hadn't heard in a very long time.
She likely couldn't have imagined that Rei’s knowledge had been inherited directly from Zephyle. Letting out a small sigh of understanding, she nodded.
"I suppose if someone were that detached from society, they might not grasp the true market value of magic items. Oh?"
Marina's long, slender ears twitched. A moment later, Rei also heard the sound of someone running up the stairs.
Less than ten seconds passed before a knock came at the office door.
"Guild Master, the Aurani Grass powder and other relief supplies are ready."
"Good work, Lenora. I’ll send him down shortly, so please wait below. Rei, as you heard, the preparations are complete."
As she spoke, Marina pulled a single map from her desk drawer.
"This is a map of this entire region of the Kingdom of Mireana. Here is the City of Gilm."
She pointed to the city at the very edge of the parchment. Beyond it lay the frontier, largely undeveloped, making the City of Gilm the final outpost.
"And if you follow this highway and pass through these towns..."
Her finger traced the road stretching out from Gilm. After passing three towns and villages, her fingertip stopped.
The name of the city written there was Baar.
"This is your destination. I’m entrusting this map to you, but remember that it is strictly a loan. You must return it to me once this request is completed. If it is lost, I will be forced to impose a severe penalty, so handle it with the utmost care."
In this era, maps were vital state secrets. They detailed the locations of towns, plains suitable for camping, rivers for water, and terrain optimal for ambushes. Under normal circumstances, simply showing a map to a D-Rank adventurer like Rei would have caused a political scandal for Marina. Entrusting it to him, even temporarily, was a crime that would normally carry the death penalty.
"Is this really okay?" Rei asked.
"I’ve heard the rumors regarding your character, and I’ve read the official reports. More importantly, my intuition as a Guild Master tells me I can trust you. Besides, Margrave Larkus is aware of this arrangement—though officially, it's a matter of tacit approval."
If Rei arrived late because he lacked a map, and the people of Baar died as the city collapsed, it would deal a significant blow to the Kingdom of Mireana. Even if they belonged to a rival faction, such a disaster would eventually destabilize the region and affect the City of Gilm, which Daskar ruled. It was a calculated risk.
"Understood. I’ll make sure this map returns to the City of Gilm with me."
"Please do. As for your compensation, I’m afraid it will have to be handled as a success reward."
"I have no complaints. You’ve offered an incredible reward, so I’ll make sure this mission is a success."
"I’m counting on you. Oh, and take this as well."
Following the map, she produced a sealed letter. The wax seal was intact; the sender was Marina Alianza, Gilm Branch Guild Master, and the recipient was Seis, Baar Branch Guild Master.
"It’s... a letter of introduction, in a sense. Since this is an emergency, the letter confirms that I personally requested this of you. To be blunt, you look quite young, Rei-kun."
Rei understood her meaning immediately. In a crisis involving the survival of a city, the people of Baar might be skeptical of a boy who looked no older than fifteen being entrusted with such a critical task. She wanted to preempt any suspicion.
Knowing his own boyish face and slender build often led to misunderstandings, Rei accepted the letter without complaint.
(Dialogo was a thief before he became an administrator, so he can't sense magic power. But if Seis is there, he'll perceive Rei’s magic and realize he’s not just some ordinary kid.)
Marina mused silently, recalling the faces of her former party members.
Before her, Rei stored the map and the letter into his Misty Ring and gave a small nod.
"Thanks for everything. I’ll get the job done."
"Yes, please. It was a stroke of divine luck that you were here in the City of Gilm when this request arrived—an adventurer with an Item Box and a Gryphon as a tamed monster. Now, go. The supplies are on the 1F. Margrave Larkus has granted special permission for you to take off directly from within the city walls."
Rei nodded and stepped out of the office.
"Ah, Rei-san! Please, take these!"
Lenora spotted Rei from behind the counter and gestured toward the center of the guild hall, where the request board usually stood.
There, to ensure the medicine could be administered immediately, the Aurani Grass powder had been divided into single doses and packed into five-centimeter small bottles. These bottles were packed tightly into wooden crates, leaving no room for movement.
Under normal circumstances, they would never have used such fragile containers for a carriage journey; the vibrations would have shattered them. This method was only possible because of Rei’s Misty Ring. The guild staff and adventurers had worked together to prepare these, knowing the Ring would keep the bottles safe and allow the doctors in Baar to start treatment the moment Rei arrived.
The relief supplies also included potions for physical and magic power recovery.
"Rei-kun!"
A voice called out to his back as he approached the crates.
Turning, he saw Kenny. There was a faint glimmer of tears in the corners of her eyes. Her cat ears, usually perky and full of life, were drooping, betraying her distress.
With the swiftness of the Cat Beastman race, she closed the distance and grabbed his sleeve.
"Hey, does it really have to be you, Rei-kun? It’s a plague! What if you get infected too?"
Gently prying her hand from his Dragon Robe, Rei spoke in a calming tone.
"It’ll be fine, Kenny. Magic Fever doesn't affect anyone with a certain level of magic power. I’m not in any danger of catching it."
In truth, if the plague were strong enough to infect someone with Rei’s level of magic, the entire City of Baar would already be a graveyard. He squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"But no one can say for sure that you'll be safe!"
"Kenny! You are a member of this guild. Control yourself!" Lenora’s sharp voice cut through the air.
Lenora herself was internally opposed to sending someone younger than her into a plague zone. But she understood the reality.
"Rei-san is the only one who can do this. If we sent a carriage, it would take half a month at best. Do you want to abandon everyone in Baar to their deaths?"
Kenny flinched at the reprimand. After a long moment, she slowly released her grip on his robe.
"I... I’m sorry. You're right. I was just being selfish. Rei-kun, please be careful. You have to come back to Gilm, okay?"
"I will. Besides, once I finish this nomination request, I’ve got a legendary magic item waiting for me as a reward. I’m coming back no matter what."
"Honestly, Rei-kun, you never change, even at a time like this." Kenny wiped her eyes, a small smile finally reaching her lips.
"Now, Rei-san. The supplies."
Prompted by Lenora, who was gently stroking Kenny’s back, Rei stepped around the counter and reached for the crates piled on the floor.
He began storing the supplies one by one. Adventurers and guild staff who were seeing the Misty Ring in action for the first time watched in hushed awe. Just as he finished storing the medical crates, a massive pot was set down heavily before him.
"Dishot?"
"Yeah. I heard from Hasta," the chef said. "You're heading to the city with the plague, right? I don't know much about the sickness, but if it's a fever, people are going to be too exhausted to cook for themselves. It might not be much, but please take this."
He lifted the lid to reveal udon stew, the noodles swimming in a rich broth packed with vegetables and Gamelion meat.
(Udon stew, huh?)
Rei nodded as he watched the crowd murmur in confusion over the unfamiliar noodles.
"I’ll take it. Thank you."
He stored the entire pot into the Misty Ring alongside the other supplies.
In truth, Dishot had prepared this massive pot—large enough for an adult to hide inside—for the day's lunch rush. The moment he’d heard from his son that Rei was leaving on a rescue mission, he had decided to donate it to help his benefactor.
Rei looked past the chef and saw Hasta, looking utterly spent after lugging the giant pot across the city. Noticing Rei’s gaze, the young man gave a tired smile and a small bow.
Once the final item was secured, Rei headed for the exit.
The adventurers in the hall, along with Lenora, Kenny, Hasta, and Dishot, all followed him outside to see him off.
"Seto!"
"Guruu!"
At Rei’s call, Seto stood up from its resting spot and trotted over.
"Seto, we’re going on a long trip. I’m counting on your wings. You ready?"
"Gurururuuu!"
Seto cried out and rubbed its head against him. Rei smiled and scratched the Gryphon's neck.
"Good. Let's move. We’ve got special permission to fly out directly from here."
"Guruluu."
Seto crouched down, and Rei vaulted onto its back. While mounted, he unclasped the Tamed Monster's Necklace and tossed it to Hasta.
"Hasta, give that necklace to the guards at the gate for me."
"Understood! Please, be careful out there!"
"Yeah. I’m off."
With those casual parting words, Seto broke into a run across the cobblestones. With a powerful beat of its wings, the Gryphon kicked off the air and soared into the sky. The people of Gilm stood watching the silhouettes of the one man and one beast until they vanished into the distance, each of them praying for their safe return.