"Well then, I'm going to bed soon."
With that, Anastasia left the fireside and headed for her own tent, pitched next to Rei's Magic Tent.
At the sight of Anastasia departing, several of the adventurers around the campfire looked genuinely disappointed.
Anastasia, a beautiful and intellectual elf, was naturally an extremely precious presence to the men.
...Initially, some had thought she was just another one of Rei's women, but when he explained that she was someone introduced by Daskar whom he was helping with various things, everyone nodded in understanding.
Regardless of her own perception, everyone present knew that Rei was regarded as Daskar's trusted blade.
As long as that was the case, Rei would not interfere with their attempts to court Anastasia.
Of course, that only applied to courting her peacefully. If anyone resorted to violence or forceful advances, that would be an entirely different matter.
And so, around the campfire—particularly among the Adventurer Men who had been sitting near Anastasia's spot—an unseen and fierce battle had been unfolding.
Rei showed no particular awareness of that atmosphere as he leaned against the resting Set and ate bread kneaded with nuts.
It was a somewhat firm black bread, but that texture complemented the flavor and crunch of the kneaded-in nuts nicely.
...If it had gone cold, it might have been too hard to eat, but fortunately, the bread stored in Rei's Misty Ring was freshly baked.
Because of that, Rei was able to fully savor its deliciousness.
"Guru... Gururururu."
When Rei tore off a bite-sized piece of bread and gave it to Set, Set skillfully caught it in his beak, savored it, and purred with satisfaction.
He showed no concern whatsoever for the battle for Anastasia taking place around him.
"Come to think of it, Rei. Do you know what Anastasia likes?"
One of the adventurers suddenly asked Rei that question.
When it came down to it, Rei was currently the one closest to Anastasia.
They figured Rei might have some information about her.
That was likely what they were thinking when they asked, but...
"Hmm, let's see. She seems to have a lot of curiosity, so it looks like she's fond of unknown beings."
That wasn't exactly wrong, but it wasn't what the Fleeing Adventurers wanted to hear.
Specifically, they wanted to know her favorite foods or drinks, or perhaps her favorite flowers—things like that.
But judging by Rei's demeanor, they could somehow tell that even if they asked what those were, he probably wouldn't know.
"Right. Thanks. I'll use that as a reference."
The Adventurer Man who had asked Rei said that, putting the matter aside for the time being.
...Still, he thought that her interest in unknown beings might be something he could use somehow when courting her.
"Do that. ...Alright, I'm getting sleepy too, so I'm turning in soon. I can leave the watch to you guys, right?"
"No problem. But you don't mind if we rely on Set, do you?"
Set's sharp five senses were an extremely useful asset for keeping watch here.
That was exactly why it was only natural to want Set, who possessed such abilities, nearby.
Receiving similar looks from the others, Rei turned to Set as if to double-check.
"Set, what do you say? They're asking you to help with the watch again today... want to pitch in?"
"Guru!"
It was fine. And leave it to me—Set purred to convey exactly that.
Patting Set's head, Rei stood up.
"Set says he'll help out, but even so, don't forget to properly check the surroundings. ...Well, I don't think I need to tell you that, though."
Every adventurer here had been an adventurer longer than Rei. In Rei's case, he had been caught up in all sorts of incidents time and again, and as a result, he had shot up the ranks all at once like this.
Compared to Rei, the others had steadily put in the time, and because of that, they were now trusted by the Guild and entrusted with guarding the Birth Tower.
Since they had been adventurers longer than Rei, anything he said here would be preaching to the choir.
"Yeah, leave it to us. If anything happens, we'll let Rei know right away."
Nodding to the adventurer who waved as he said that, Rei headed for his Magic Tent.
Inside Anastasia's tent, which stood next to the Magic Tent, there were signs of her doing something.
Judging that she was probably organizing what she had learned from today's investigation alone or something similar, Rei decided not to call out and disturb her, and entered the Magic Tent.
"Now then."
Normally, Rei would stay around the campfire a bit longer, playing with Set or chatting with the other adventurers.
Or he might have some discussion with Zozo, or have a mock battle with Gaga.
Under those circumstances, the reason he had returned to the Magic Tent early tonight... became apparent when he pulled the Paired Orbs from his Misty Ring.
"Grimm, can you hear me? Grimm."
He called the name, but Grimm did not respond.
Recalling that something similar had happened before, Rei continued sending the communication without rest.
Then, after about ten minutes had passed...
'Forgive me. I had my hands full with something, so I was late to answer.'
Grimm's familiar skull was displayed in the Paired Orbs as always.
"No, I contacted you out of the blue myself. ...By the way, was the thing keeping you busy related to that Wisp?"
'Indeed. I have been trying to interfere with it somehow, but with a being that rare, I cannot do anything careless. I am struggling with that very matter.'
"I see. ...I'll say this just in case, but please be careful. If things go well, that Wisp could become a clue to reaching my homeland."
'Oh? Rei's homeland. ...How fascinating. When you go, I may tag along. I might learn something about Lord Zephyle.'
"No... the world I originally came from had no monsters or anything like that, and naturally no Undead either, so if you came as you are, it would definitely cause a commotion. ...Oh, but if it were a haunted house at an amusement park or something, having you there wouldn't seem out of place."
'Hmm. ...A world without monsters is also quite unusual.'
"They do show up quite a bit in legends and fairy tales and things like that, though."
What Rei was most familiar with were subculture things like games, novels, anime, and manga.
In the fantasy genre, it was not uncommon for monsters and the like to appear.
'Fohoho. That also sounds amusing. ...So then, Rei. Is the reason you contacted me today about the elf who was with you?'
Rei was surprised by those words, stated so casually.
Of course, since that Underground Space was connected to Grimm's laboratory, it wouldn't be strange for him to sense that Rei and Anastasia had gone there.
But the fact that Grimm had perceived it without Rei noticing anything at all was truly surprising.
Still, reconsidering that the other party was someone who had lived far longer than he had, Rei supposed that much was only natural, and nodded.
"That's right. That elf is Anastasia. She's someone the lord of Gilm, the base I operate from—Lord Daskar—has been indebted to in the past and apparently trusts."
'...Anastasia?'
At Rei's words, Grimm tilted his skull as if puzzled.
It was as though Grimm had heard the name Anastasia before.
(Huh? But is it really that strange? I don't know what kind of life Grimm usually leads, but he's definitely a researcher at heart. And Anastasia is strongly drawn to unknown existences she doesn't know about. In that case, it wouldn't be... strange if these two had come into contact with each other for some reason, would it?)
It was a rather forced line of reasoning, but it was still a somewhat convincing explanation.
"Is it possible you've met Anastasia before, Grimm?"
'No, I don't believe I have. ...But I feel as though I've heard that name somewhere... Well, let us set that aside for now. So, the reason you contacted me is about that elf?"
"Yeah. Starting tomorrow, she's apparently going to investigate that Wisp in earnest. In other words, she'll be in that cave... is that going to be alright?"
'I would prefer you refrain if possible, but for the time being, it should not be a problem.'
"That helps. On top of that, I'd also appreciate it if you could refrain from placing anything near the Wisp that looks like a Magic Item or something similar. If you carelessly put that sort of thing there, Anastasia would likely trace it back to the Wisp."
Being told that was apparently somewhat unexpected for Grimm as well.
Grimm, displayed in the Paired Orbs, showed a slightly troubled expression and spoke.
'That is a bit troubling. Given a little more time, I believe I could produce a certain result.'
"Even if you say that. If Anastasia finds something like that while investigating the Wisp, it'll definitely be a problem, won't it?"
'Ngh.'
At Rei's words, Grimm pondered.
Indeed, considering the current situation, it was a fact that being seen by Anastasia would be bad.
Even so, Grimm could not bring himself to stop.
'It is a waste... a great waste, but should I use that? ...Let me confirm one thing. If that elf does not find it, then there is no problem, correct?'
"Huh? I don't mind that, but can you actually do something like that?"
'Indeed. However, I will need to use a somewhat rare material.'
"Rare... huh."
If someone else said it was rare, Rei could accept that it was a suitably precious material.
But in this case, it was Grimm—Grimm, who had existed since the time Zephyle was alive—calling it a rare material.
Just how rare was this material, exactly?
It was slightly frightening to ask, but he somehow managed to open his mouth.
"Um, exactly how rare is this item?"
'It is the dried fruit of a plant called Dasulnika. This plant, Dasulnika, is said to have gone extinct approximately two hundred years ago due to environmental changes. ...Excluding what I have on hand, that statement is most likely correct.'
"That's..."
Rei could do nothing but be astonished at Grimm's words.
That essentially meant Grimm possessed a plant that was supposedly extinct.
Of course, here in Elgin, there were a fair number of unexplored regions.
If one ventured to such places, it was an undeniable fact that plants and animals, along with various other existences, believed to be extinct might still be found.
But possessing a plant currently deemed extinct in this situation would likely be a great advantage for Grimm.
"That plant—Dasulnika, was it? Aren't you going to propagate it?"
'I am cultivating it to some extent. However, it is quite difficult to grow.'
"...I see."
Rei had no way of knowing whether what Grimm said was true.
But since he had no means to verify it, for now, Rei had no choice but to believe him.
...In the first place, there would be no point in Grimm deceiving Rei about this matter.
'In any case, by using Dasulnika, I can disguise objects placed on the ground. That should pose no problem, correct?'
"I guess. Honestly, I'd prefer you stop altogether, but that's not going to happen, is it?"
'Indeed. Besides... if all goes well, it may also be possible to restore that Wind Spirit's sanity.'
Hearing Grimm say that reminded Rei of the Wind Spirit that had been sealed in the Emerald.
Rei found himself questioning the claim that the spirit, which had gone mad for some reason, could be restored to sanity.
The Wisp's ability was teleportation from another world.
And yet, placing an Emerald with a crazed Wind Spirit sealed inside near it—why would that restore the spirit's sanity?
Rei could not understand the causal relationship.
Still, as a mage and a researcher, Grimm was far above Rei.
In terms of pure magical power alone, Rei was overwhelmingly superior, but when it came to the techniques for manipulating magic, Rei could not match Grimm.
As a researcher, Rei was even further behind Grimm than he was in magic.
"For now, I'll leave that to you. I'll do what I can on my end and move around as needed, but... got it? I'm begging you—please, absolutely make sure Anastasia doesn't find anything."
Saying that, Rei enjoyed a brief chat with Grimm.