The scene shifted from the city of Emocion back to the city of Gilm. Inside the guild, where a massive crowd of adventurers gathered as usual, one particular receptionist was letting out a long, weary sigh.
"Seriously, Kenny? Your heart hasn't been in your work at all lately."
"I know, I know... but I just can't find the motivation when Rei-kun isn't around."
"Rei-san is likely doing just fine in Emocion right about now. You know how strong he is, don't you?"
"I do, but it's a port city... I just hope some local woman hasn't been making moves on him."
Kenny looked over the documents on her desk, sighing again. The busy morning and evening rushes kept her mind occupied, but during the pre-noon lull, her thoughts inevitably drifted back to Rei.
"Just so you know, if you don't shape up, I'm telling Rei-san exactly how much you've been slacking when he gets back."
"Huh?! Wait, you wouldn't really do that, would you?!"
Lenora’s soft whisper sent Kenny spinning around in a panic. Lenora merely smirked.
"It’s not as if it’s a guild secret. I’ll just mention it during some small talk."
"But my image as a 'capable older sister' will be ruined!"
"What image? You’re a lovesick mess every time he walks in. If you care that much, do your job. Here—the registrations for today's requests. Cross-check them with these files."
"So mean... Lenora, you ogre! You demon! You... Lenora!"
"Wait, Kenny. Why is my name being lumped in with ogres and demons? Is my name an insult now?"
"Oops, sorry. Let me rephrase: Lenora! Flat-chest! Total lack of womanly charm!"
"Kenny!"
The usual bickering—now a local attraction at the City of Gilm Adventurer's Guild—drew amused looks from the few adventurers by the request board, those arriving for an early lunch, and the office staff behind the counter.
Upstairs, Marina listened to the chaos with the sharp hearing of a dark elf. She smiled faintly and set her report on her desk, addressing the man before her.
"So, nearly all the nobles who came here with ill intentions have been dealt with. I’d expect nothing less from the Prairie Wolves."
Egg, the leader of the group, averted his eyes from Marina's bewitching smile. Her low-cut evening dress revealed a tantalizing amount of brown skin, and even a man of Egg's experience found it hard to look away. Marina, fully aware of her effect on him, continued.
"We've handled the ones operating outside the law. But the ones here on legitimate orders to recruit Rei? We can't touch them."
"That's to be expected. Most of them won't be outright hostile. As long as we've cleared out the ones planning to use threats or hostages, that's enough."
"I hope so," Egg muttered, sounding as if something were caught in his throat.
Marina's beautiful brow furrowed. "Is there a problem?"
"A few of the negotiators seem to be trying to intentionally make the talks fail."
Marina paused, then laughed behind her hand. "How interesting. Don't they know what happens when Rei gets angry?"
Egg didn't share her amusement. "I'd prefer if you handled those types."
"But this was your assignment. Should I really interfere?"
"Word is Rei listens to you."
"It's not like that... though if the boy is interested in me, I certainly wouldn't mind."
She smiled again, but this time her expression was different—thick with a woman's allure. Egg felt his instincts stir, but Marina quickly reverted to her usual professional air.
"As Guild Master, I can only step in once they actually do something. Until then, you'll have to keep at it."
"Easier said than done. Unlike the guild, we're an underground existence. If we're seen making contact, it'll just cause more friction—which is exactly what they want."
"Ah, I see. If negotiations fail and they lose a fight with Rei, what's their goal? To demand his magic items as reparations? He does have quite a collection."
Marina thought of the Thorn Spear she had given him and the Magic Tent Daskar provided after the war with the Bestia Empire. High-value items were always a draw for greedy nobles.
"Or maybe they want to force him into service as punishment for 'harming' an envoy? Though that noble's mansion would likely disappear along with them if they tried."
"That's not a joke. Knowing Rei's strength, it's a terrifying possibility."
"True. But at this rate, it's inevitable. So, please, find a way to handle it."
Egg nodded, his face flushed. "Fine. Daskar told me to cooperate with you until he gets back. Speaking of, when is he returning?"
Egg truly hoped it was soon. Marina was competent, but she was a constant assault on his self-control. He invariably found himself visiting a brothel after every meeting with her just to clear his head.
(There goes my salary again. But if I sent my men here, half of them would probably try something stupid with her...)
"He's busy in the Royal Capital. Leading the Neutral Faction is a lot of work. But never mind that—focus on the nobles."
"I'll do my best."
"Good. Because the Guild Master in Emocion just informed me that Rei defeated the Lemures yesterday."
"Already? I heard no one had even seen the thing's true form."
Egg sighed in a mix of awe and exasperation.
"Apparently, he used a single-use magic item for forced teleportation. I've lived a long time, but I've never heard of such a thing. I'll have to ask him where he found it when he returns."
Marina spoke with feigned annoyance, but she was clearly smiling.
"So, when is he actually coming back?"
"Well, since he used a magic item, they couldn't verify the kill immediately. No one believes a monster can just be teleported like that."
"Understandable."
"So he's staying in Emocion for ten days. If the Lemures doesn't reappear, the kill is officially recognized."
"So ten days plus travel time... call it half a month before he's back in Gilm."
Egg worked through the logistics of clearing the remaining threats in that timeframe. "Half a month is doable. I'll need your support on a few things."
"Of course. Just keep it quiet."
"I will. I'll be off, then. No time to waste."
Marina watched him go, then called for an aide to start coordinating the support.
Slowly, the dangerous elements began to vanish from Gilm. Some were quietly eliminated; others received false reports from home and fled; some arrogant nobles were arrested for discriminating against commoners. One by one, the rot was excised.
Rei, unaware of the shadow war in his hometown, was walking through Emocion to pick up the harpoon he had ordered. His arms were full of local delicacies.
"Guruuu."
"Hm? You want the grilled squid? Here."
Rei handed a skewer to Seto. The griffin swallowed the 30cm squid in a single bite.
(Squid, squid... where's the octopus? I've seen plenty of squid here, but no octopus. Is it the look? People on Earth called them 'devilfish' and avoided them, too.)
Rei chewed on his own skewer.
(I want takoyaki. Or okonomiyaki. Wheat flour, octopus, dashi... eggs for the okonomiyaki. I don't have red ginger. I have onions that are close enough to green onions. Tenkasu is just flour, water, and oil. But aonori and dried bonito flakes... and the sauce. There's something like sauce here. If I try hard enough, maybe? I'll look for octopus later.)
While imagining flour-based dishes, Rei made his decision. Just as he finished his snack, they reached the blacksmith shop.
"Seto, wait here."
"Guruuu."
Seto moved aside, and Rei gave it some dried fish before entering.
"Ah, you're here," the dwarf owner said, emerging from the forge.
"Am I early?"
"No. It's ready. Over there."
On two barrels lay a short spear about 1m long with a thick cord. The tip was barbed to ensure a firm grip.
"The cord is woven with Earth Ore powder. It's incredibly sturdy, but heavy. Then again, if you can swing that Death Scythe you showed me yesterday, this should be nothing. Try it."
Rei picked it up. It weighed about 5kg—quite heavy for its size—but he handled it effortlessly.
"...I knew you were strong, but that's just showing off. Anyway, those barrels are the scrap metal you wanted. Blade fragments, scrap ore... even some flame ore mixed in."
"Perfect. You really are the best blacksmith in town."
"Hmph. Flattery won't lower the price."
The dwarf spoke with a hint of bashful pride. Rei paid the man a bit extra for the quality work and made his way out of the forge.