“Hmph. So you do feed the fish you’ve already caught. In that case, make sure some small change finds its way to Lutina every now and then.”
“Hmm. I see your point.”
I suppose she meant I should enable Lutina to eventually buy herself back.
“If you intend to make a name for yourself in the Council of Lords, the first thing you must master is the use of money. Negotiation tactics, efficient resource allocation, and proper asset management—one acquires all sorts of sensibilities through the way they spend their coins.”
Now that she mentioned it, I felt like she might be onto something. Looking back at the state of things in modern Japan, I suppose she had a point. A very strong point.
Of course, spending money in this world was a far more primitive affair. One didn’t have to worry about the agony of revolving credit payments, shopping addictions, or melting a fortune away on gacha. If anything, the only real pitfall was getting hooked on gambling.
Actually, in this world, people were far more likely to get hooked on the Labyrinth and succumb to combat addiction than to gambling. I wasn't thinking of anyone in particular, of course. A certain face did briefly flash through my mind, but that was beside the point.
For a noble lady like Lutina, there probably hadn't been many opportunities to actually spend money in the first place. As a first step, starting with a small allowance seemed appropriate.
“I see, I see.”
“Well then, Lutina, once you’ve saved up even a single Gold Coin’s worth of pocket money, come to me. I’ll sell you a family treasure.”
The matriarch made the offer directly to her. Did she mean that even if I gave Lutina an allowance, she wouldn't let her use it to buy her freedom?
“Um, well...”
“What is it?”
“I already have one Gold Coin.”
She was talking about that Gold Coin her mother had told her to keep sewn into her clothes. Lutina did indeed possess a single Gold Coin.
“Huh?”
“My mother told me to always keep it on my person.”
“Ah. Now that you mention it, I was there when that girl was taught that lesson. So she followed it faithfully and passed it on to her own child, did she?”
“Yes.”
As expected of a 107-year-old grandmother. Even Lutina’s mother was just ‘that girl’ to her. Someone like Lutina was merely an accessory to that girl, and I was likely just a parasite clinging to the accessory. I really wished she would just leave small fry like me alone.
“However, it’s not wise to announce that here. It might be taken away from you.”
“No. He already knows about it.”
“He knows?”
“Ah, yes.”
Since the grandmother seemed surprised, I gave my confirmation. I certainly knew Lutina had a Gold Coin. It wasn't like I was going to take it from her.
“Hmph. I suppose you're soft, or something to that effect.”
“I didn't know whose possession it would ultimately end up being, so...”
“It is this.”
Lutina produced the single Gold Coin.
“Hey, Lyuto!”
“Yes!”
“Don’t let anyone into this room for a while.”
“As you wish.”
The grandmother spoke to the man named Lyuto, who was stationed outside. He was likely guarding the door.
“Come this way.”
The matriarch stood up and walked toward the corner of the room.
“Yes.”
Lutina and I exchanged looks and followed her. When she moved a large folding screen with a heavy grunt, a door was revealed behind it. It looked quite sturdy. Was there another room beyond it?
“Shielding Cement was used for both the screen and this room. Even as an Adventurer, you won't be able to fly in here.”
So the screen was heavy because it was reinforced with Shielding Cement. Areas treated with it prevented movement via an Adventurer’s Field Walk and similar spells. However, that didn't apply to Warp. The grandmother had a smug look on her face as if she’d pulled one over on me, but that wasn't actually the case. It wasn't worth getting worked up over an argument, though.
“I see, I see.”
“Hmph. Come along. This inner room is the Treasury. Naturally, it’s all encased in Shielding Cement.”
She opened the inner door. It was a snug, small space—it looked more like a storage shed than a treasury. However, there was a fair amount of equipment inside, including a Misericorde and a Warhammer of Slumber.
The Misericorde was a one-handed sword. It was probably a better base weapon than the Estoc Miria was currently using. However, Miria’s was an Estoc of Rigidity, whereas this one didn't even have an empty skill slot. The Estoc of Rigidity was superior.
The Warhammer of Slumber had a Sleep Infliction skill, but it also lacked any additional empty skill slots. I could come here with Warp if I wanted to, but it wasn't worth the trouble of sneaking in. No, even if it were, I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t... probably.
If this old woman got on my nerves, it might be necessary to encourage some self-reflection. But I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn't. I said it twice because it was important.
In any case, if the equipment were truly useful, someone would already be using it. It was pointless to hoard it until the end of time. Perhaps there weren't many Elves who favored a Misericorde or a Warhammer. Besides, using them in the Labyrinth carried the risk of losing them upon defeat. Then again, using good equipment reduced the risk of defeat in the first place. The talent that used the gear was ultimately more precious than the gear itself.
Rather than the displayed weapons, the grandmother opened a drawer in a small cabinet. Ah, cash. There were Gold Coins. I see. It really was a treasury. There might even be Platinum Coins. This certainly made it worth—no, I wouldn't. I wouldn't.
“And this?”
The grandmother took something out of a small shelf and handed it to Lutina.
“It is a family treasure. No one has used it until now, but it should suit you, Lutina. Take it. I cannot take back what I have already spoken. A ruler’s words are like sweat, after all.”
Just as sweat that leaves the body cannot return inside, the words of a high-ranking person could not be rescinded. Was this old woman really that high-ranking? Well, she was the Clan Head. I suppose she was a big deal. It meant she couldn't lie to a member of her own clan.
“Yes.”
“Lutina, you are destined to be a Mage. That treasure is said to increase the potency of magic. I’m sure it will be of use to you someday.”
“...Yes.”
Lutina hesitated for a moment. It wouldn’t be useful ‘someday’; it was useful right now. Lutina was already a Mage. She was admirable for not blabbing about it. What would be the point of boasting to the matriarch anyway? It would likely just lead to unwanted scrutiny. If she were pressed on how she attained the job, my secrets might be brought to light.
“Well, in any case, do your best. Good things will come in time.”
“Yes.”
The grandmother left the treasury, with Lutina and me following close behind. I’d memorized the location. Not that I was coming back, of course. I wasn't... probably.
Come to think of it, I wasn't hurting for money. I didn't even have to think about it to know that was true. I was doing well enough with my earnings from the Labyrinth, so I had no business here.
“Lyuto, did anything happen?”
“The Duke Harz and his wife have arrived.”
“Make them wait. That brat has no tact. The only time you want to see your parents' murderer is when you're in the middle of killing them.”
The grandmother spoke as if troubled. The Duke had it rough; he’d probably be scolded if he came and scolded if he didn't. It must have been unbearable.
“You’re right. We still haven't prepared enough yet.”
In this world, lust and alcohol are the enemies. Please, let me encounter my enemies.
“I don’t know what kind of preparations you mean, but please do it when I’m not around.”
I was dead serious. The most I could do was offer advice like, ‘If you stab someone with ice, no evidence will remain,’ or, ‘If you move using Warp, your alibi will be perfect.’
She was pretty much doing whatever she wanted. However, since she mentioned making preparations, was she talking about poison? No matter how many Substitution Misangas the Duke wore, they wouldn't be a match for poison. The first lethal seizure might be suppressed, but if the poison caused continuous failure, it would be no good. If push came to shove, she could just make him drink twice the lethal dose. How terrifying.
“While I’m making them wait, you should head home for today. You can ask that man how to wear the treasure.”
“Yes.”
Was there a specific way to wear it? I didn't know either.
“You are still a full-fledged member of this clan. Especially if you accomplish the Labyrinth subjugation, no one will be able to say a word against you. Give it your all. If you are ever troubled, no matter what it is, you can always rely on this old woman.”
“Yes. Thank you very much.”
“You, too—visit me if anything happens. I can offer some small amount of assistance. I won't treat you poorly regarding the Labyrinth matter either. As long as you don't do anything to make Lutina cry, that is.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
This old woman always had to add one extra remark at the end. Well, I suppose she was a leader who was kind to her own, like Lutina.
“Well then, Grandmother, thank you very much.”
Lutina gave a proper greeting, but it was fine. She didn't have to bow her head to an old hag like this. We slipped out of the room and returned home without ever crossing paths with the Duke or Cassia.
“Welcome home.”
When we stepped through the door, Roxanne was there to greet us. Compared to that grandmother, the difference in cuteness was staggering. I felt like my basis for comparison was entirely wrong, though.
“I’m home.”
For the time being, I pulled Roxanne into a hug.
“Um, did something happen?”
“I wonder if something happened or didn't. Let’s see, where should I start? No, well, there weren't any particular problems. Please rest easy.”
“Yes.”
Perhaps because I hugged her so suddenly, she seemed worried. I felt like I was always hugging her, though. Well, maybe not always. That’s right; I felt like I had been being a little more reserved lately. It was fine to hug her. This much wasn't a problem. It should be allowed.
“I was just a little lonely from being away for a bit.”
“...Yes.”
“Mm-hmm.”
I reluctantly let go of Roxanne and pulled Sherry, who was standing a little further away, into a hug next. Sherry, you can't escape either, of course. After holding Sherry for a while, I also pulled in Miria, who was watching us with interest.
“Yes, desu.”
Since Sherry and Miria were small, I could easily hold both at the same time. Then I let go of Sherry and hugged Miria tightly from the front. Enjoying the adorable Miria from the front was the absolute best.
Next was Vesta, but hugging two at once would be difficult. I released Miria and hugged Vesta. It was more like I was clinging to her rather than hugging her, but her size was reassuring. The sense of volume increased my satisfaction. Her presence was wonderful.
“I think you’ll be okay.”
I certainly was okay. There was a sense of stability here. Wait, was she suggesting I was not okay? It was fine. This was nothing. There shouldn't be any problem. After enjoying Vesta's volume for a bit, I released her.
But I couldn't stop there. I pulled the nearby Lutina into my arms.
“But I was with you the whole time.”
“No problem.”
Now that I thought about it, I had used that excuse before. That was a lie. In the first place, I couldn't just leave Lutina out after coming this far. I was a philanthropist, after all.
“Um, this...”
Lutina showed me the equipment she had purchased from the grandmother. Right, there was this thing.
Body Clip Accessory Skill: Empty, Empty, Empty
It was called a Body Clip. It had three empty skill slots. It was an excellent accessory—a masterpiece worthy of being called a family treasure. Whether that was actually the case or not was another matter.
I took it from Lutina and examined it. When spread out, it looked like a necklace made of chains. Or rather, it was just a normal necklace. Something like this, no matter how you looked at it, was meant to be hung from the neck. After it hung from the neck and gathered at a single point, the chain split into two. And at the ends, there were clips.
Below the neck. From there, the chains split and spread out beautifully. Clips at the ends of the chains. What should be fastened in those clips? The answer was pretty much a foregone conclusion.
Uhaaa. Incredible. That old woman handed over something quite intense. Of course no one in the clan would use it. She’s gone and given us something outrageous.
“This... since it doesn't have a Substitution skill attached, we can't use it right away. Besides, you'll probably need to get used to it.”
I managed to squeeze out an excuse. We couldn't exactly put it on right here and now. Or could we? Would it be okay? Is it really okay?
I should exercise some self-restraint. I am a man capable of restraint. I am also a man from whom 'patience' fluid leaks.
“I see.”
“I’ll teach you how to wear it tonight.”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to it.”
I'm the one looking forward to it.