Mirei spoke first.
"If it’s about the incident at the magic tool workshops, the knights are already—"
"I’m aware," Radius interrupted. "I simply wish to conduct my own investigation. One under my direct control, where I can move as I please."
"Then I won’t say another word, nya. In that case, I’ll head to the guild as your proxy and issue a request, nya."
"Naturally, my name must not be mentioned."
"Of course, nya. I was thinking of using one of the companies under your influence—perhaps even framing it as a Special Request, nya."
"Do so. You can claim the company is investigating because they were among the victims."
"So, we’re looking for any scrap of information we can get, nya?"
"Exactly. Whatever I choose to do next, I need both information and extra hands."
Mirei complied with every instruction, promising to arrange things exactly as Radius desired. She continued to sway her tail, speaking in a familiar, almost playful tone.
"I bet you'll just see through the bandits' tricks yourself in no time anyway, won't you, Your Highness? Nya?"
"If that happens, so be it. But if useful information surfaces in a place I haven't noticed, then all the better."
"Hmm... Understood, nya."
She didn't raise a single objection. Accepting her master's words, Mirei instantly organized her upcoming tasks in her mind.
"Well then, I’ll get started on the preparations now, nya."
She turned her back to leave Radius’s room, but then stopped to look back at him one more time.
"Come to think of it, Your Highness—I heard that the mass production system for the potions you developed last year is finally ready, nya. They say they’ll be going on sale across the country soon, nya."
"That is good news. Let me know if anything else comes up."
"Yes, nya! Well then, I’ll really be going now!"
After Mirei departed, Radius leaned over the balcony railing. Looking down, the earth lay far below. Despite standing at a height that would mean certain death should he fall, he gazed out over the Imperial Capital without a shred of fear.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Two days later, Ren left the manor in the morning and headed for the guild.
It wasn’t specifically because the Lion Sanctum Knight had prodded him. It was simply a realization he had come to recently: he needed to earn more money.
He had to account for the Imperial Academy’s entrance exam fees, as well as various expenses like tuition once he passed. While he hadn't been neglectful of his savings, he had been working hard to send money back to his home village as usual.
Thinking he should do some hunting to keep those funds flowing, he set out.
The Adventurer Guild in Erendil was vastly different from the one in Clausel. First, the building itself was several times larger, and the skill level of the adventurers coming and going was clearly higher. One could tell just by looking at the quality of their equipment.
Powerful monsters didn't appear near the city, but with the availability of magic ships and magic trains, major city guilds served as convenient home bases for high-ranking expeditions.
(...Hmm.)
Ren mused as he walked through the guild hall. Like the branch in Clausel, it housed an attached tavern and dining area, which was already crowded with adventurers even at this early hour.
Surprisingly, Ren didn't stand out. Unlike the guild in Clausel, there were many boys and girls around his age here—some likely looking for pocket money, others perhaps supporting their families.
Ren walked through the crowd toward the wooden bulletin board where requests were posted. He decided to take a look on a whim. Among the papers, a brand-new request caught his eye.
Ren leaned in closer to read the details.
(Is this... a Special Request?)
It was a form for a Special Request, just like the ones he’d heard discussed at the Lion Sanctum recently. The client column listed the "Arnevelde Company." Since a workshop belonging to one of their magic tool craftsmen had been robbed, they were seeking any information regarding the thieves. The description emphasized that even the slightest lead would be rewarded.
"Does that one catch your eye?"
A female guild staff member who had walked up beside Ren spoke to him.
"Uh... just a little."
"Excellent! I'll explain the details, so please, step over to the counter!"
"Wait—what?"
Before he could protest, the woman grabbed Ren's arm and hauled him toward the counter. Marveling at how pushy the staff were here, Ren didn't bother resisting and allowed himself to be led away.
The staff member immediately moved behind the counter, speaking quickly to ensure Ren didn't slip away.
"Here is the compensation breakdown. The advance payment, the information fee, the special bonus for valuable leads, and then—"
"Wait a minute! You're moving way too fast!" Ren said, putting a stop to her momentum. He let out a sigh, realizing it might already be too late to walk away. "What was that for? You drag me over here and then start a hard sell out of nowhere..."
"M-My apologies! Actually, there’s a bit of a reason... For our part, we would really like you to accept this. Between you and me, we'll even toss in a bonus on top of the guild's usual rate!"
(—I have a bad feeling about this...)
He suspected there was a complicated story behind her desperation. It was sudden enough as it was, but for the guild itself to offer an extra bonus was practically unheard of. Ren instinctively took half a step back.
"W-Wait! There's a reason for this, I swear!"
"...I’m listening. For now."
Ren sighed for the umpteenth time.
"First of all, are you familiar with the Arnevelde Company?"
"I know them. They handle trade via land and sea, and I believe they’re also the ones who developed those new potions and unprecedented antitoxins."
Among emerging merchant houses, they were undoubtedly the most successful. Ren had relied heavily on their potions back during his time playing The Legend of the Seven Heroes.
"Oh, you're quite well-informed."
"Thank you. So, what’s the problem with this Arnevelde Company?"
"Actually..."
According to her, only two people had accepted the request since it was posted. While it hadn't been up for long, the lack of interest was still baffling. She noted that even the usual inquiries from curious adventurers could be counted on one hand. Since the client hadn't set a limit on the number of participants, the guild was desperate to recruit more people.
"Our Erendil Branch has a very good relationship with the Arnevelde Company."
Apparently, the company gave the guild priority on potion supplies and helped them move other trade goods. Consequently, the branch was eager to satisfy the client’s request. With only two people signed up, they were worried about losing face.
(I should probably dodge this.)
He understood their plight, but Ren had no intention of taking on a Special Request. Regretting his earlier ambiguous answer, Ren replied, "I think it's better to ask an adult instead of a kid like me."
But the guild staff member simply smiled.
"—The Steel-Eating Gargoyle."
Ren's eyebrows twitched.
"When you came to this guild the other day to verify the materials, we received a report on you. Information regarding Master Ren has already been circulated among the staff."
"...I see. So that’s how it is."
"That is why we were so pleased when you showed interest. That was the reason I spoke to you."
Once it had come to this, Ren felt that refusing simply because it was a "hassle" wasn't quite right. While he hadn't entirely given in, he straightened his posture to listen more seriously.
"Then I assume you understand my situation. I am the son of a knight in service to House Clausel."
"Yes. We will not do anything to infringe upon that position, nor will we make unreasonable demands. As a member of the guild, which remains neutral in all matters, I give you my word."
"—Fine. Please continue."
"Understood. We have heard the following from the Arnevelde Company."
The thieves who broke into the workshops ignored gold and valuables entirely, vanishing only with documents. The company’s primary goal was the recovery of those documents, and they were asking participants to find any clues regarding the culprits' whereabouts.
As of now, no one knew where the bandits had fled. However, the Arnevelde Company was certain that the crime was the work of "anywhere from several to over a dozen people."
"Why are they so certain about the numbers?"
"From the traces left behind. Since they bypassed the heavy security of the workshops, it’s assumed there were several specialists involved... but..."
"On the contrary, isn't it possible it was just one incredibly skilled individual?"
"Unlikely. There were simultaneous thefts at workshops owned by other companies as well."
The staff member suggested the scale was calculated based on those multiple, coordinated hits.
"Now for the most important part—what clues do we have to start the search?"
If he had no idea where to begin, the task would be nearly impossible. Ren expected at least one lead, but the staff member simply shook her head.
Ren nearly slumped over.
"...The Arnevelde Company won't come after me if I fail to find anything, right?"
"Of course not! This request has no failure penalty. Even a powerful group like the Arnevelde Company wouldn't dream of causing trouble over a contract handled through the guild!"
"Well, that’s a relief..."
While he didn't want to accept too lightly, Ren was more curious about the incident itself than the reward.
(It doesn't hurt to know about these kinds of crimes.)
Since he was now living in Erendil, he figured there was no harm in taking the job. If there were no repercussions for failing to find a lead, all the better.
"One last thing. Why are so few people accepting this?"
"It’s too difficult for beginners, and the veterans would rather take jobs where they can make more money."
"Meaning the experts would rather spend their time hunting monsters for a guaranteed profit."
"Exactly. When a request is purely investigative, it tends to be unpopular."
Ren shrugged his shoulders. "I think I understand the situation."
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
In the end, he decided to accept the Special Request.
It wasn't for the money, but for the chance to gather information. Given the recent Demon King Cult activity in the Baldur Mountains, it was impossible for Ren not to be suspicious of a coordinated series of mysterious thefts.
He walked along the mountain path, mulling over the details of the request.
He had also consulted Lezard about it just in case. Since the client was a major merchant house, he felt he couldn't ignore the political implications as the son of a Clausel knight.
Lezard had simply laughed and told him not to worry.
"It's no problem," the Baron had said, trusting Ren's judgment and granting him the freedom to act as he saw fit.