Rei and his party had successfully secured rooms at the Silver Fruit Inn, though there was naturally a bit of a commotion.
However, that commotion wasn't someone harassing Elena and the others. Rather, it was Marina suggesting she could share a room with Rei, which prompted Elena and Vihera to raise objections.
Ultimately, just as Rei had initially proposed, it was decided that everyone except Vihera and Byune would get private rooms.
...There was also the incident where the inn staff tried to lead Set to the stables as a tamed monster, only to be so startled upon realizing it was the Gryphon Seto that their legs gave out.
At any rate, having safely secured their rooms, Rei handed over the bags containing each person's belongings—primarily changes of clothes—that he had been carrying. Once everyone finished organizing their luggage in their respective rooms, they all gathered in Rei's room.
However, since Rei's room was a single, it naturally wasn't designed to accommodate several people.
It was considered a high-class inn in Rossi, so there was a sofa for visitors, but it only seated two.
In the end, everyone sat wherever they pleased—on the sofa, the bed, and the chair paired with the desk—and the discussion began.
"So, what do we do first? Are we heading to the Guild after all?"
"Hmm... I suppose so. Marina, are you acquainted with the Guild Master here by any chance?"
Rei asked Marina, who had inquired whether they should visit the Guild.
Marina shook her head in response.
"No. If it were the Kingdom of Mireana's Guild, I'd have a fair number of acquaintances, and I know people in the Bestia Empire too, but... I don't know the Guild Master of Rossi."
"...I suppose not. For the Kingdom of Mireana, this country is merely one of its vassal states. As such, the selection of its Guild Master wouldn't be that rigorous."
The Adventurer's Guild was technically an independent organization, but even for the Adventurer's Guild, ranking countries was a natural practice.
Since there weren't many people who possessed the ability to serve as Guild Master, it was only natural that they would want capable individuals to manage the largest Guilds possible.
Of course, there were exceptions to everything. The fact that Marina had so readily handed over the Guild Master position and returned to being an adventurer was one such exception.
At any rate, for those reasons, it wasn't strange that Marina didn't know the Guild Master of the capital of Reblurina, which was merely one of the many small vassal states under the Kingdom of Mireana.
If this were a particularly capable individual, there was a good chance Marina would have known or at least remembered them.
"But even if Marina doesn't know them, there's a chance they know you, right?"
"I won't deny that."
Marina stated flatly in response to Vihera's words.
Indeed, Marina was a highly conspicuous presence even among Guild Masters.
If anything, it would be more unnatural for the Guild Master of Rossi not to know Marina's face or name.
"Then maybe we should rely on your connections, Marina, contact the Guild Master, and try to gather information?"
"Sure. I don't mind that. ...But while that applies to you and Vihera, Elena, do you have any acquaintances in Reblurina?"
"Hey, why am I being grouped with Rei?"
Vihera looked displeased at Marina's words.
But Marina spoke up with a puzzled expression toward Vihera.
"Oh my, could it be that you have acquaintances in this country, Vihera?"
"...I don't."
"See? Then it's fine, isn't it?"
Vihera couldn't argue with Marina's statement.
"Fine then. I'll go gather information at a tavern."
"Hmm, if Vihera goes to a tavern, I can only see a future where a commotion breaks out... but well, if we consider getting information from people who approach you, it might not be so bad?"
Vihera showed a slightly sullen attitude, but Marina paid no particular mind and spoke to Rei.
"Hey, Rei. Could you go to the tavern with Vihera? If we let Vihera go alone, she just might destroy the place."
"...Marina, do you have a grudge against me or something?"
As Vihera complained about being treated poorly for some reason, Marina shook her head with a beaming smile.
"No, of course I don't have a grudge. I'm not concerned at all about being forcibly dragged into a mock battle this morning."
Rei thought that looking at her current demeanor and believing she wasn't bothered would be impossible, but voicing that now would likely redirect the attack toward him, so he wisely said nothing more and simply nodded in acceptance of Marina's request.
Meanwhile, as Marina wore a faint smile, Elena spoke up.
"Then it would be best for me to head to the Guild with Marina."
"That's right. If Elena's identity becomes known at a tavern, it won't just be a simple matter of gathering information."
Saying that, Marina turned her gaze back to Rei and Vihera.
Dropping the smile from moments ago, she spoke with a serious expression.
"It would be nice if we could find an information broker or something... but I think that might be a bit difficult."
"...Probably."
Rei nodded in agreement with Marina's words.
Of course, if it were simply a matter of finding an information broker, it wouldn't be difficult.
Even though Rei had come to Rossi for the first time, he could accomplish that much without issue.
However, if they contacted a careless information broker and asked about Ajas's organization, there was a real possibility that the broker would leak their information to that very organization.
At the very least, it was certain that Ajas's organization held undeniable influence in Rossi.
A small group of people gathering information on such an organization.
If asked which side they would favor, anyone who didn't know Rei's abilities would undoubtedly choose the organization.
Of course, since Rei's party had entered Rossi so conspicuously, any capable information broker would naturally have already been looking into their background.
(If anything, it's entirely possible that precisely because they know our information, they won't cooperate because they don't want to get caught up in any trouble.)
Rei thought this, but he himself accepted that it would be the correct choice.
Rei knew he possessed high combat ability, and he knew that the people acting with him this time, including Elena, also had correspondingly high combat ability.
The weakest among the group was Byune, but even she undoubtedly had a combat style specialized for fighting—something akin to a combat-oriented thief.
If such people were to clash with the organization, it would inevitably become a major commotion.
There were undoubtedly few who would want to get caught up in that.
Marina understood this as well, so she told Rei there was no need to forcibly search for an information broker.
"For now, just gather what information you can at a tavern. ...With you all, there's bound to be someone who picks a fight with you, so I don't think you'll have trouble finding sources."
"Can't deny that."
Anyone who didn't know Rei's party's abilities would see Vihera in her prostitute- or dancer-like attire, Rei as a mage—one without a staff at that—and Byune, a child.
There was no way these three could enter a tavern and not be harassed.
And if someone did approach them, Rei's party judged that using somewhat forceful means to extract information wouldn't be particularly problematic.
"Well then, since we've decided, let's split up for now. Shall we say we meet back at the inn around evening?"
Everyone present nodded at Marina's words.
Confirming there were no objections from anyone, they each set off on their respective courses.
"One ale, two fruit waters. And some food, whatever's good."
It was a tavern located a short distance from the Silver Fruit Inn.
Rei placed that order with the shop clerk, but... he wore a slightly surprised expression.
Since it was still daytime, the fact that there weren't many customers was something Rei had expected.
However, he hadn't thought that no one would approach them even after placing that order.
Of course, that wasn't because the customers in the tavern were well-mannered individuals.
They were simply overwhelmed by Vihera's beauty.
Confronted with that beauty, they were overwhelmed and held each other in check over who would be the first to approach her.
If there had been more people in the tavern, someone would have acted to avoid being beaten to the punch, but... being daytime with few customers, the situation made it impossible to act rashly.
(That was unexpected.)
That was Rei's honest feeling.
However, inside the tavern, an almost bizarre tension hung in the air due to the patrons keeping each other in check.
If it were evening or night, many would have focused on drinking with their companions, but... it was currently daytime, and those here were the type to visit a tavern during the day.
Not everyone was intent on making a move on Vihera, but they could at least sense the atmosphere around them.
"Here you go."
The shop clerk placed the ale, fruit water, and dishes such as stir-fries, stew, and skewers on the table.
However, the clerk's complexion was poor as they arranged the plates, casting a worried gaze toward Rei's party.
If they didn't know about Rei's party, that concern wouldn't have been unwarranted.
Contrary to their actual abilities, Rei's party's appearance didn't look particularly strong at all.
If Set had been with them, things might have been different, but unfortunately, Set was keeping watch at the stables.
To someone who knew nothing, the Hand Gauntlets and Foot Guards Vihera wore would look like nothing more than bluffs to project toughness.
"You'd better eat quickly and leave."
Muttering to Rei's party in a voice low enough not to be heard by those around, the clerk departed.
The clerk had given Rei's party a warning, but it wasn't purely out of goodwill.
If a commotion broke out inside the tavern, chairs and tables could be broken, and walls and floors could be damaged. In the worst case, the disturbance could grow large enough that the guards would come to the tavern.
If that happened, it would cause problems for the tavern's business as well.
However, Rei's party had come to this tavern specifically to gather information.
While it was appreciated advice, they couldn't simply nod and comply.
...Also, seeing Byune already eating her stew, Rei felt it would be pitiful to leave the tavern so soon.
Therefore, without appearing to pay the earlier warning any mind, Rei reached for a skewer on the plate.
He took a bite... and while it wasn't exquisite, it wasn't bad either. He thought of it as an ordinary skewer and drank some fruit water.
(The dish called Panyan was delicious, but the food at this tavern is... average. I feel like it could be better with a little more effort. The meat preparation is pretty sloppy too, so there's a slight lingering smell of blood.)
If the preparation had been done more carefully, the skewered meat would undoubtedly taste better.
As he was regretting this... he eventually noticed the presence of someone approaching them.
Finally, Rei thought, and without showing any particular reaction, he continued his conversation with Vihera.
"Hey there, missy. Wanna drink together?"
The first man to break free from the mutual standoff among the customers appeared to be in his late twenties, his cheeks flushed red from the alcohol.
"Oh, do you have business with me?"
"Yeah. Just leave those kids be. Adults oughta drink together."
Judging from Rei's hooded appearance, the man likely thought Rei was a child just like Byune.
That wasn't particularly unusual, but for Vihera, who harbored feelings for Rei, it was naturally not amusing.
She shot a sharp glare at the man for just an instant, but in the next moment, she floated a smile and spoke.
"Sure. I'd be happy if you'd share some information with me."
"Oh? What kind of information?"
"My boyfriend is too vigorous at night. My body can't keep up, so I'd like you to introduce me to a good brothel if you know one."
"..."
He probably never expected such words to come from Vihera.
The man was speechless.
Naturally. He had been planning to hit on her, only to be met with a raw confession and a consultation.
The man looked displeased at Vihera's words, but at the thought that someone was thoroughly enjoying this magnificent, beautiful, and sensual body, he couldn't help but swallow involuntarily.