’Hello...’
Rin, who had regained so of her energy compared to yesterday, entered Ian’s room.
Ian looked up and greeted Rin, who had returned safely.
’You’re here.’
’I thought I was going to die.’
Rin had fallen asleep imdiately after returning yesterday, so she hadn’t even been able to tell Ian she was back.
Thanks to that, she could only co to Ian and report her return after waking up the next day.
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Na: Rin
Level: 31
Affiliation: Ian rcenary Group
Traits:
[Agility Enhancent A] [Stealth B] [Swordsmanship C] [Throwing A]
[Reflexes C] [Intuition D] [Surprise Attack D] [Ergency Evasion]
[Attack Power Increase B] [Critical Damage Increase C] [Expose Weakness D]
[Frustrated ] [Active] [Finesse]
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Ian checked the stats of Rin, who had returned from being dragged away and trained by Frey.
Whether it was because her level had steadily risen during that ti or thanks to the training she had undergone.
Rin had grown significantly, to the point where her past self was unrecognizable.
’How was it there?’
’It was hard, but... an A-rank rcenary group really is sothing else.’
First of all, what surprised her the most were the facilities.
She thought the facilities of the Ian rcenary Group were already extraordinary, but over there, it was even more so.
Unlike the Ian rcenary Group, which used a Guild House that gathered necessary facilities in one place, they simply bought and used entire buildings as needed.
For housing, they used several large mansions in an expensive residential area; for training grounds, they bought nearby land and built an entire training facility; and for warehouses, they had purchased several dedicated buildings.
Well, since their numbers were nearly ten tis larger than this place, perhaps it couldn’t be helped.
By the ti a group reaches A-rank, most are no longer a single rcenary unit but a kind of rcenary alliance commanding several subordinate groups.
Rin trembled as she recalled her experience there.
Actually, there wasn’t much to call an ’experience.’ She had spent most of her day in relentless training with Frey without a mont’s rest.
Even though Frey was the Captain, she wasn’t even busy.
Unlike Ian, she was the type to push all practical work onto her subordinates, so the Captain had an abundance of free ti.
Since Rin was the toy that appeared in the midst of her boredom, what more was there to say?
At least this ti, she didn’t forget and was able to get autographs from all the A-rankers, which was a relief.
’Since I barely managed to get a passing grade, let’s go on a request soon! I’ll show you directly!’
’Sure. If there’s an opportunity.’
Rin guaranteed it with a confident expression.
＊ ＊ ＊
Airi, who was climbing the stairs, suddenly encountered Rin in the middle of the staircase.
’Ah, Airi. Hi.’
’H-hik, Rin... It’s Rin. Hello... Good morning...’
Rin, who was waiting for Airi’s greeting, wore a disappointed expression.
That was close this ti.
Was it because she hadn’t seen her face for a while?
She had persuaded her well enough to speak comfortably, but the effect had worn off slightly.
Well, she could just get closer again by talking later.
Thinking so, Rin asked Airi, who was climbing the stairs.
’Where are you going?’
’To, to study magic...’
’You’re diligent. Mika always does it half-heartedly.’
To be precise, Mika was always reading sothing related to magic.
However, instead of setting aside ti to study like Airi, she just lay on the sofa reading books that interested her. It was more like she’d discover a spell she liked while reading and then keep trying it out in the garden to learn it.
But to sit at a desk and study—she was a diligent type that hadn’t existed in this rcenary group until now.
’...’
Airi slightly avoided her gaze.
Actually, Airi wasn’t the type to study that diligently either.
It was just that she had received a magic book from the Captain, and she felt like she’d be incredibly self-conscious if she couldn’t even use a single spell properly later, so she was forcing herself to study.
And above all, the study room had the advantage of being quiet because no one was there.
For starters, no one usually used it, and if she said she was going to study, no one followed her.
’Then work hard!’
’U-uh, yeah... Goodbye, ah. See you.’
Just like now. When she said she was going to the study room, Rin didn’t show much interest and went straight down after saying goodbye.
This was a new coping chanism she discovered after she once made an excuse that she had sothing to buy at the market, only for everyone to say they’d go with her, resulting in a group outing.
Phew. That startled .
Airi, catching her breath from the surprise encounter, climbed the stairs again.
One floor higher.
Perhaps for a quiet environnt, the study room was built separately in a secluded corner of the upper floor.
Climbing the stairs, Airi arrived at the floor where the Captain’s room was located.
The structure was such that one had to pass the Captain’s room to get to the study room.
’...?’
Airi, having co up the stairs, saw soone entering the Captain’s room.
Blonde hair that was clearly noticeable even from a distance.
It was a guest nad Elena who had started staying here a few days ago.
She didn’t seem to be a noble, but from her attire to her hair texture, an extraordinary and elegant atmosphere flowed from her. At the very least, she wasn’t an ordinary guest.
She only knew she was a guest; she hadn’t heard exactly what kind of person she was.
Airi felt a bit of curiosity blooming. What kind of person could she be?
And as she walked down the hallway, Airi stopped for a mont in front of Ian’s room.
It wasn’t that she intended to listen, but voices from inside the room drifted out through the slightly open door. It seed Elena had accidentally failed to close the door all the way when she entered.
Airi happened to overhear the conversation between Ian and Elena.
’It’s amazing... It’s my first ti seeing sothing this big.’
’Would you like to touch it?’
’W-would that really be alright?’
’It’s fine. Here.’
’...?’
Airi froze like a stone on the spot.
＊ ＊ ＊
Elena stared blankly down at the large jewel contained in the box Ian showed her.
A crystalized essence of a Dominance Crystal.
It was a rare crafting material he had accidentally obtained at the vacation spot last ti.
Ian made a suggestion to Elena, who was looking at the jewel with sparkling eyes.
’Would you like to touch it?’
’W-would that really be alright?’
Ian nodded.
Having received permission, Elena carefully reached out her hand toward it.
A jewel holding a translucent light. Although she had handled nurous jewels until now, even for Elena, it was a jewel of a size that was hard to co by.
’Kya...’
As her finger touched the surface of the jewel, a considerably dense mana was felt.
A slightly surprised Elena let out a cute sound and flinched.
She thought it was extraordinary just by its size, but the mana it held was indeed beyond expectations.
’It’s... remarkable. It’s my first ti seeing such an item.’
Elena, who was calmly stroking the jewel, soon pulled her hand away with a look of regret.
Even if the owner allowed her to touch it, it wasn’t good for it to be handled too much by human hands, and Ian was clearly bound to feel uncomfortable deep down.
Elena restrained her desire with the superhuman patience befitting a first-class artisan.
’You can look at it more.’
’No... I feel like if I look at it any more, I won’t be able to stand it...’
Looking at that item, Elena realized the reason why Ian had subtly approached her.
She thought it was just the usual offensive of gifts from a wealthy man trying to get close to a famous jeweler. But Ian was looking for soone to process this.
Elena asked Ian, pretending not to know.
’What is the reason you are showing sothing like this?’
’Because I thought you would be interested, Miss Elena.’
’...When seeing such a remarkable thing, who could refuse?’
Phew.
Elena, letting out a breath filled with heat for so reason, spoke to Ian.
’I haven’t told you why I ca here, have I?’
The reason Elena, who was active in Orsia, ca all the way to Labyrinth was to find new stimulation and inspiration.
’In Orsia, there were no longer any items that could satisfy ...’
She had handled every jewel that could be handled there.
Always similar materials. Similar requests. Similar work.
There were no more items that gave Elena inspiration, and she couldn’t even rember when she last did work that could ignite her passion.
Had she fallen into a slump of mannerism?
The other artisans of the guild and the custors were still enthusiastic about the items she made. But she couldn’t even recall when she last made a piece of work that could satisfy herself.
Would I be able to find it if I go to Labyrinth?
It was precisely because of that heart that she had left the city blindly after seeing Louise’s letter.
’The thing I was looking for was exactly an item like this.’
’Then, let’s write a contract.’
’In my heart, I’d just... No, I’d rather pay money myself.’
’I can’t allow that. And I want to continue my relationship with you, Miss Elena, not just for this one ti. I’m sure you will be satisfied.’
’Good. I’ll look forward to it.’
Elena, who was about to write the contract imdiately, realized she had left the seal she usually carried in her room.
’Excuse . I’ll go get my bag.’
Asking Ian for a mont of understanding, Elena, who was about to go outside, ca face to face with Airi, who was standing blankly in front of the door.
’Oh my?’
’Hik...!’
As soon as Elena opened the door, Airi, with a beet-red face, backed away with a flustered expression.
Airi glanced at Elena’s face.
Such an... elegant lady who looked like a noble, what on earth were they discussing.
’Airi? What is it?’
When Elena stopped in front of the door, Ian also ca out and looked down the hallway.
Ian, who discovered Airi standing in the hallway, asked her with a puzzled face.
’Ah...’
Since she was waiting in front of the door, he asked if she had sothing to say, but Airi panicked with a beet-red face and ran away just like that.
’She’s a very shy rcenary.’
’She joined not long ago. We haven’t gotten close yet.’
Elena chuckled while recalling Airi’s appearance just now.
She thought all rcenaries were rough people, but it seed there were unexpectedly cute people too.
A short while later, Ian entered into a contract with Elena.
A jeweler—a subtle supporter who is hard to et, picky to recruit, and even if hired, doesn’t actually end up having much to do.
However, since the opportunity to et a jeweler of this level was rare, she was an opponent too good to let go.
But fortunately, thanks to her being interested in the materials Ian possessed, he was able to recruit her without much trouble.
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You have recruited the jeweler [Elena] as a supporter.
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The rcenary [Airi] has masturbated 2 tis.
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’...’
Ian, who was reading the ssage window, winced.
...What are you doing at this ti of day.
Ian muttered so and turned off the ssage while slightly holding his head.
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