Despite the stir caused by the Tilaza meat, we managed to reach Welno, the capital, right on schedule. A constant stream of travelers surged through the city gates. I’d heard that there were gates at all four cardinal directions, and each was likely just as packed as this one. As expected of a capital city, the place was practically vibrating with energy.
"Well, this is where we part ways. Thanks to you lot, I wasn't bored for a second! If another profitable proposal comes your way, don't be a stranger!"
As soon as we stepped into the city, Beere-san took her leave. She had been in a fantastic mood the whole way here, likely thanks to the tidy profit she’d turned from the Tilaza meat. Shiroru, on the other hand, had spent most of the trip pouting because her personal share of the meat had decreased. Her mood only brightened once I promised her that if we ran low on meat, we could always just go out and hunt something else.
We followed the main thoroughfare leading from the East Gate and found a free market in full swing. Countless merchants were crammed into every available inch of space, displaying their wares for the crowds of shoppers. The area was so congested that simply walking in a straight line was a struggle.
"Mind if we stop by for a look?" I asked.
"I don't mind, but... Tort, you really do have a thing for markets, don't you?" Halfa replied with a sigh of exasperation.
Our original plan had been to check into an inn and rest for the day, then come back to explore tomorrow. I couldn't blame her for being a bit surprised, but after seeing this level of excitement, I couldn't just walk past without seeing what was on offer.
Of course, once we actually started browsing the stalls, Halfa and Spira were far more excited than I was.
"Oh, wow! Look at that beautiful ring!"
"The one over here is so sparkly and pretty too, Halfa-chan!"
They stood before a jewelry stall, eyes sparkling as they peered at the display. The middle-aged shopkeeper beamed at their enthusiastic reaction.
"Haha, thanks for the kind words. I take a lot of pride in my stock, you know. Half of these are magic items sourced directly from dungeons. They’re a big hit with the adventurers... Wait a second. You lot are wearing some incredibly high-grade rings yourselves. I suppose mine might not quite measure up to those, after all."
The man had been ready to launch into a full sales pitch, but his momentum vanished the moment he looked at our hands. He was staring at our Rings of Malice Conversion. They were indeed exceptional pieces of equipment, useful enough to make any ordinary magic item look like a cheap trinket. I was impressed that the man could see through their quality at a single glance.
Because these rings were designed to convert malice into physical enhancement, they were technically useless outside of a dungeon environment. However, since we were traveling with Garna, the malice she unconsciously emitted provided more than enough energy to keep them active. As a result, the Rings of Malice Conversion had become even more indispensable.
That said, there was a difference between combat gear and fashion. Setting aside the magical properties, I didn't see any harm in picking up some regular accessories. Rings wouldn't interfere with fighting, and even if they did, the girls could just wear them while we were relaxing in the city.
"Why don't we pick some out? Halfa, Spira, which ones do you like?"
"Are you sure?" Halfa asked.
"Of course. To be honest, the funds I’m managing belong to everyone, so you should feel free to spend a little more on yourselves anyway."
At my word, the two of them began picking through the rings with delighted giggles. Halfa eventually settled on a mysterious white stone that shifted colors depending on the angle of the light. Spira chose a stone that looked like a swirling blend of deep blue and vibrant green. Unfortunately, the sizes weren't a perfect fit for their fingers, but I could easily adjust the bands later with Create Golem.
"What about you, Lowell? Do you want anything?"
"Me?! No, I’m good..."
『I have no need for such trinkets! Forget that and find me some food!』
Lowell and Shiroru both declined, just as I’d expected. Garna, however, remained uncharacteristically silent.
"Is something wrong, Garna? Did you see something you wanted?"
『Hmm? No, I have no use for these things. However, something does weigh on my mind. That man said those rings were from a dungeon, did he not? I would like you to ask him exactly which dungeon he meant.』
It seemed Garna wasn't interested in the jewelry itself, but rather the source of the magic items. I followed her request and asked the shopkeeper. Since we’d just made a purchase, he was more than happy to chat.
"Well, word is a new dungeon appeared recently. Items from there have been flooding the market lately."
"A new one? Do you know where?"
"Oh? You lot interested in a bit of exploration? I wouldn't recommend it, though. They say the dungeon showed up in Albiroda, to the west."
Albiroda was a territory bordering the western edge of Rebvuer. Calling it a 'country' was being generous. It was a region ruled by outlaws, and rumor had it that the majority of its inhabitants were bandits and thieves. While those stories were likely exaggerated, the reports of constant looting near the border were very real.
Naturally, the surrounding nations despised the place. It wouldn't have been surprising if it were wiped off the map tomorrow, but the region was dominated by treacherous mountains that were nearly impossible for an army to traverse. On top of that, the locals held the geographic advantage. In a guerrilla war, a numerical advantage meant nothing. And so, Albiroda continued to thrive as a haven for outlaws to this day.
As the shopkeeper said, it wasn't the kind of place anyone visited by choice. However, we might not have a say in the matter. After hearing the man’s explanation, Garna murmured in a dazed, hollow voice.
『A dungeon of which I have no knowledge...? How can this be?』
Dungeons fell under Garna’s direct jurisdiction. The idea of a dungeon existing without her awareness was supposed to be a literal impossibility. It looked like we were going to have to find out exactly what was going on.