"Can I have a moment?"
Walking along the main street, Rei was suddenly called out to.
What could this be about? he wondered, turning his gaze toward the person who had spoken—only to feel a faint sense of unease.
The figure at the end of his line of sight was someone wearing a robe.
Going by the voice, it was a man.
But whatever business this person could possibly have with him, it was plainly obvious that it would not be to Rei's benefit.
"Sorry, but I'm in a hurry. I don't have time to waste here. Maybe next time."
Saying that, Rei tried to walk away from the man who had called out to him, but the robed man continued speaking.
"You're wearing such a fine Magic Item. Is there really a need to rush that much?"
What connection there could possibly be between wearing a Magic Item—the Dragon Robe—and stopping to listen to this Alchemist, Rei had no idea. But even if he pointed that out, it would be troublesome if the Alchemist made a scene.
If the Alchemist caused a commotion here and, as a result, made his presence known to everyone around them, it could lead to the worst possible outcome.
If people learned that Rei was here, in such a crowded place, there was no doubt that a large number of them would gather.
For Rei, avoiding that kind of situation was the honest truth.
(In that case, maybe I should hear him out a little. That would be less troublesome. Besides, there's still some time before Marina finishes her work. If that's the case, then listening to this Alchemist would serve to kill time, so it's not a bad deal... I think.)
Half talking himself into it, Rei addressed the Alchemist.
"Let's hear the details, at least. But talking here isn't great, so how about a shop where we can sit and relax? Your treat, of course."
"That would be fine."
Until just moments ago, it had seemed like they could converse, yet they hadn't been quite communicating. But the instant Rei said he'd listen, the conversation began flowing properly.
It wasn't as though the thought Did he deliberately speak that way earlier? didn't cross Rei's mind, but he decided to let it slide for now rather than risk more trouble by pressing the point.
They entered a nearby shop. It was a light meal eatery, and since it was nearly evening, there were quite a few people looking to grab a quick bite before dinner.
For Rei's part, he would have preferred a quieter place, but... given the current situation, he figured it couldn't be helped.
Rei ordered fruit water and a set that included a sandwich and soup, while the Alchemist ordered several cold fruits.
Once their orders were placed, the Alchemist spoke up.
"That robe is a fairly advanced Magic Item, isn't it?"
"Yeah. This Dragon Robe also has a concealment effect, so seeing through it is impressive."
"Going by the name Dragon Robe, does that mean dragon materials are used?"
"That's right. Dragon hide and scales are used."
"That's... to be able to craft such a Magic Item, it would have to be the work of a highly skilled Alchemist. Who exactly made it?"
Rei hesitated over how to answer the Alchemist's question.
The one who had actually crafted the Dragon Robe Rei wore was Esta Nor—an Alchemist of the Zephyle Clan, and someone regarded as the greatest Alchemist in history.
But precisely because she was so famous, if he told this Alchemist it was a Magic Item made by Esta Nor, it would undoubtedly become even more troublesome than it already was.
"Excuse me."
As Rei was hesitating over what to say, the Clerk arrived with their ordered food.
Placing the dishes on the table, the Clerk departed without further ado.
There were a fair number of customers in the shop, so the Clerk probably needed to attend to them as well.
For Rei, having the conversation interrupted like that was extremely helpful.
"I received this Magic Item from my master, so I don't know who made it. I was told my master bought it at some shop or another."
For the time being, he deflected the Dragon Robe's origin onto a fictitious master.
In reality, this fictitious master was often Grimm the Undead, but for now, Rei chose not to think about that.
"Your master... I see. I've only just arrived in Gilm and encountered someone with such an incredible Magic Item, so I thought perhaps the Alchemist who crafted it might be here in Gilm."
Hearing the man mutter those words with apparent disappointment, Rei was surprised.
"You're not an Alchemist from Gilm?"
"Huh? Oh, right. I came because I heard that Gilm can never have enough Alchemists. It's what you'd call a talent poaching, I suppose. Though I was being alienated by my senior apprentices, so it worked out perfectly for me."
Rei sensed something vaguely complicated behind those words, but decided not to press any further.
(Lord Daskar was recruiting Woodcutters, too. Thinking about it that way, recruiting Alchemists is only natural.)
If it were labor for ordinary physical work, there was no shortage of people willing to come.
But when it came to specialists like Woodcutters, Alchemists, and others, it was a different story.
Of course, even among those specialists, there were some who came to Gilm.
"Well, Gilm isn't a bad place for an Alchemist. In that sense, I think you made the right choice coming here. I don't know what happened at your previous workshop, though."
"You're right. There are materials that can only be obtained here because it's a frontier, and I've heard that even ordinary materials can be purchased more cheaply here than elsewhere."
This man, too, seemed to fully understand what it meant for an Alchemist to come to Gilm.
He spoke with a happy and challengingly defiant smile.
Although he'd said something about trouble at his previous workshop leading him to Gilm, coming here was apparently what he wanted.
"The Alchemists in Gilm include quite a few with very strong personalities. In that sense, it's definitely true that you should be careful about how you act."
"Strong personalities?"
"Yeah. You could also say they're honest about their own desires."
What came to Rei's mind were the Alchemists at the facility that processed lumber felled in the Treant Forest.
Given his association with such people, Rei probably felt that way all the more.
"I see, how fascinating... By the way, where do you have your Magic Items crafted?"
"No, like I said, my master bought it from somewhere..."
"No, that's not it. Of course, I'm asking about the Dragon Robe as well. That's certainly fascinating, but if you have a Magic Item of that caliber, I imagine you have other Magic Items too, don't you?"
It was probably because he was an Alchemist, but Rei figured the man was more than that—he simply had a good eye for people.
The Dragon Robe aside, the Sleipnir boots were visible at a glance from the outside.
The Sleipnir boots were also undeniably a fairly expensive and rare Magic Item.
Given that Rei was using such a Magic Item casually, it was only natural for others to assume he had more.
"Who knows. Some I obtained in Gilm, and some I obtained elsewhere. In that sense, I've been to various places, so I honestly can't say."
What came out of Rei's mouth was not a lie.
The number of Magic Items Rei owned had grown quite large, but they were all things he had acquired in various places.
"I see. Then I'll do my best to create a Magic Item that would make you want to buy it."
"I'd be happy if you did. But if possible, I'd prefer something that's actually useful in practical combat—that would help me out."
As a matter of Rei's personal taste, Magic Items that could only serve as ornaments, or Magic Items with amazing effects but extremely strict conditions for use, did not interest him.
Of course, that was strictly Rei's preference; depending on the person, there were probably those who wanted or collected such Magic Items.
"If it has to be useful in actual combat... would that be weapons?"
"That would be fine too, but personally, I'm pretty well-stocked on weapons."
He had Death Scythe and the Twilight Spear, and beyond those, there was the Eye of Nebula, which generated arrowheads using magic power.
In terms of Magic Items that could serve as weapons, Rei was already thoroughly satisfied.
That said, if there were a Magic Item weapon with some truly outstanding performance, there was certainly a chance he would want it.
"Not weapons? You mentioned being able to use it in actual combat as a condition, right?"
"Hard to explain. To be precise, I mean a Magic Item that can be used when I'm out on a request. Especially Magic Items that are convenient for operating outside of town are very welcome."
"Specifically, what kind?"
"Let's see. For example, an oven Magic Item is quite useful for cooking and such. Also, a Magic Tent and so on."
"Umm... do you carry around that sort of Magic Item? Oh, perhaps you have a Simplified Version of an Item Box? In a frontier like Gilm, there might be a fair number of people who use something like that."
"Ah... well, something like that."
Strictly speaking, it wasn't a Simplified Version—he possessed a genuine, truly rare Item Box, one of only a handful that existed in the world—but he decided to keep that a secret for now.
If he said that, there was a real possibility it could lead to revealing his identity.
The Dragon Robe wasn't that well-known, but the fact that Rei possessed an Item Box was a rather famous story.
"Gilm really is wonderful. Though there are other places suited for Alchemists, too, you know?"
When he heard the words "suited for Alchemists," the first thing that came to Rei's mind was Egginis, where he was currently working to purchase a golem.
However, he felt that saying so honestly might lead to trouble, so he brought up a different matter instead.
"I've heard that the Bestia Empire cultivates Alchemists as a national effort."
"Ah, I've heard that too. But if you serve the nation, it seems like you wouldn't be able to do research you personally enjoy. Though it doesn't seem like you'd have any shortage of materials used in Alchemy and the like."
"That sort of thing probably depends on the person. In Gilm, you can do research you like, but you'd have to figure out the funds for your research and living expenses on your own."
"Ugh... that's..."
For the man, Rei's point must have hit a sore spot.
He looked like he was at a loss for words.
That said, for Rei's part, he believed that earning money for one's own livelihood was a given.
If someone wanted to conduct research without worrying about such things at all, they would need to find a backer or patron.
Of course, even those kinds of people couldn't just offer financial aid to anyone, so they would expect corresponding results.
(In that sense, the Bestia Empire's system of backing Alchemists at the national level is not a bad arrangement... though the amount of money involved must be absolutely enormous.)
Among the materials Alchemists used, there were naturally many expensive ones.
If something like that were to be procured at a national level, just how much money would be needed?
It was probably something only a great power like the Bestia Empire could manage.
"Do you know anyone in Gilm who would provide financial support?"
"If you ask me that... I do have Magic Items, but I'm not an Alchemist or anything."
"Even so, the fact that you have that many Magic Items means you might have connections to such people, wouldn't you?"
If asked whether he had connections or not, he did.
However, that connection was Daskar.
He had several other wealthy acquaintances, but if asked whether any of them would become a patron for an Alchemist, Rei would have to tilt his head in doubt.
"If you want a backer, first become famous as an Alchemist in Gilm. If you do that, it wouldn't be strange for someone to step forward and become your patron."
So Rei told him.