Chapter 39

I called over Reiza, one of the information officers who had been mingling with the customers in the guild, and decided to get information about the animal merchant.

"Hey, I have an interesting story. If you could treat me to something delicious to drink, I think my lips might become a bit loose. What do you think, sir?"

"What, are you already drunk? If there's something going on, I'll listen to your story."

"It's nothing, really. While gathering information, I found a guy who seemed pretty good, but he didn't seem interested in women, so I couldn't even get his contact information. I'm just a triple threat—no chest, no charm, and a big appetite!"

From what I can see, I don't think she needs to put herself down so much, but she's picky about men, so her standards are probably high.

By the way, she also has a policy of not dating at work, so she's apparently very enthusiastic about finding a partner outside. She seems to think of Cody as a guy because he's my friend, but he doesn't make unnecessary advances.

"I might get something too. They say it's not good to drink different types of alcohol together."

"That's what they say, but why is that? Sir, could you tell me?"

"Basically, a drinker should stick to one type of alcohol. Your taste buds get dull, and you get drunk more easily. I only resort to such methods when I want to get drunk."

"Wow, I see. When I first started drinking, I got really drunk, so I'll be more careful."

"To avoid stumbling on your way home, there's a drink that helps sober you up. Master, could you serve us the 'Fresh Lemonade'?"

It's not just a mix of fruit juice and natural water; it's a drink that accelerates the recovery from drunkenness. It contains almost no sugar, so many customers drink it at the end of their visit. This way, they don't carry their hangover into the next day, feel good at work, and are more likely to come back to the bar. That's why it's priced at just 8 copper coins, barely covering the cost.

Cody, seeing this, decided not to order any more alcohol and asked for the same drink. I wondered if he was trying to get his liver checked, but I don't think he's that desperate to show me a weakness.

Just thinking about it normally, I realize I'm paying attention to her. People often say that friendship between men and women is impossible, but I can't be bound by someone else's values.

"Hmm... it's delicious. Wow, you have a drink like this to finish with?"

"Have you never had it, handsome?"

"Hehe... if I answered that, it would make me seem overconfident. Anyway, you were going to tell me an interesting story, right?"

Today, Cody is moderating, so I have no choice but to drink, but it's not a problem, so I'll go with it.

If it were a guy, I wouldn't care, but thinking about her taking care of me makes me see things differently—thinking about it too much makes me feel really guilty.

"Anyway, in the capital, if you want to keep a pet, you have to buy it from an animal merchant. If you try to keep an unregistered animal, there are all sorts of diseases, so only animals that have been inspected can be kept in the capital."

Miralca's fairy bird was inspected when it was presented to the king, so there's no problem. Miralca and I have been in contact with a fire dragon, but Shura, the old man at the fire dragon ranch, has already investigated the diseases, so there's no problem.

"But in the capital, keeping a pet is very expensive. The animal merchant business is still profitable because the nobility want animals as pets. However, ordinary animals like dogs, wolves that aren't used to humans, and cats don't have much demand. So, animal merchants are eager to catch rare animals."

"That's more like selling rare treasures for money rather than trading animals."

"Exactly. There are often disputes over valuable animals. Recently, the 'Garamdoor Trading Company' has been handling valuable animals in the capital and is growing rapidly. But there are some suspicious aspects to this story..."

I was already aware of this from my preliminary investigation. One of the merchants who comes to our place, Joyce Welter, also deals in animals. She has been consulting me about the difficulty of identifying the sources of the rare animals that Garamdoor Trading Company handles.

So far, there's no evidence that Garamdoor Trading Company is doing anything wrong, but I have a feeling that it's not just the surface information.

Zekt's obsession with the animal that Garamdoor Trading Company released seems to be more than just its value—there seems to be a deeper issue.

"Miss Reiza, what do you mean by the suspicious aspects?"

"This is new information I just received. Garamdoor Trading Company recently acquired an animal called an 'Ice Fox' and was planning to sell it to a noble. But no one has ever seen such an animal, and it was said to be a mythical creature... However, the fur of this animal seems to resemble that of a certain beastkin species."

She's giving me quite specific information, but since the other customers don't seem to be listening, it's fine. There's no need to pretend it's just a rumor.

"A certain beastkin species... could it be the 'Blue Fox Clan'? From the name 'Ice Fox,' I assume it has blue or light blue fur..."

"Oh, the owner is well-informed? I heard about it, but I didn't really get it..."

The Blue Fox Clan. From the name, they are probably a fox-like beastkin species with blue fur.

"Well, that's about all the interesting stories I know. Sorry, it doesn't have a proper ending."

"No, it was a very interesting story. Miss Reiza, I'll thank you for the story later."

"Really!? Thank you♪ Then, I'll bring more interesting stories if I find any!"

"Yes, I'd be happy to hear if you find a good man."

Velleine is surprisingly fond of such gossip and knows much more about the guild members' romantic lives than I do. Well, surprisingly, even among young guild members, it's rare for them to get close enough to become more than work partners. It's unlikely for something like Rigel and the others competing for Lya to happen.

Reiza is popular among the guild members, but she blocks men's advances due to her policy. She is actually quite attractive, with a bright personality, a strong work ethic, and kindness to children and the elderly—her only flaw, as mentioned, is that she's picky about men.

"Well... I think I'll have one more drink and then go home. Dick, was the story helpful?"

Cody whispers. I was thinking about something else, but I've organized Reiza's story and am considering what to do.

"It was quite an interesting story. Knowing this makes a big difference. That's why I can't stop drinking."

"You're not even drunk. Your eyes are always the most open in this place."

"Hehe... you look sleepy. I'd like to see you open your eyes wide. I haven't seen it in a long time."

"Do I look that sleepy...? Is it unusual?"

I try to open my eyes a bit wider, but Velleine and Cody just look at each other and laugh.

◆◇◆

After Cody left and the shop closed, I went outside through the back door while cleaning up.

"Is anyone there? I have a favor to ask."

"Hai. What is it, Master?"

The one waiting there was a female beastkin from the guild's information department, a woman named Sakyua, who is also Reiza's colleague.

She is a 'Moon Rabbit'—a beastkin species with white hair and skin and rabbit-like ears. Her species usually has colored hair, but she has white hair and unique red eyes. She has a distinctive beauty with teardrop-shaped marks under her eyes.

Moon Rabbits have a high aptitude for jobs that require agility, such as stealth and keen hearing. They also have high magical power and a high aptitude for magic.

On average, they have a high degree of exposure. The minimal clothing that covers their slender bodies indicates that Moon Rabbits have a different sense of modesty compared to humans. She is a genuine beauty, and her lack of defense is a weapon for men—anyone who tries to play with her will likely be killed in one hit by this S-rank adventurer.

"I have a favor to ask. I need you to investigate a place."

"Tonight, right? Understood. Do you have the necessary permissions for the investigation, or will it be a matter of gathering evidence?"

"It will likely be the latter. Sorry to ask you to do something risky."

"No, Master has never given me a wrong order. Investigating the place you suspect is my duty."

It's not a logical deduction but just a hunch. However, I am certain—there is something at Garamdoor Trading Company. Something that connects the 'Blue Fox Clan' and the 'Ice Fox.'

"This case involves the beastkin. It might be unpleasant for you."

"Why would I need to apologize, Master? You don't discriminate against beastkin. If you did, you would be the target of the investigation."

"I need you to do this tonight. I want to prepare Rigel for the mission, but there's a possibility that a competing guild might act tomorrow."

"Understood. The location is noted in this document. I will proceed."

Sakyua activates her 'Stealth' and disappears. Her destination is Garamdoor Trading Company.

Infiltration is a brute-force method, but it's the only option. If my hunch is correct, Garamdoor Trading Company has a magical artifact that interferes with beastkin.

"Master... do you really think so?"

When I returned to the shop, Velleine was waiting. She had already finished the closing tasks.

"Yes. Among the beastkin, there are those who can undergo 'Beastification'—a return to their ancestral form. If there were a magical artifact that could fix them in that form..."

"I hadn't thought that far. So, a magical artifact... I was imagining something that would prevent them from returning from their beastified state."

"If there is someone with that level of magical skill, it would be a different threat. In any case, an investigation is necessary."

"Whether it's a demon or a snake, this job seems to have an unexpected twist. What do you plan to do about that man, Zekt?"

"If things go well, I might recruit him. Even if the organization is loose, it should always grow, don't you think?"

"I've never heard about your policy on personnel selection, Master. With her arms crossed, Velleine supports her ample chest under her apron and raises a finger.

"Being strong isn't the only criterion for good personnel, but the guild currently has no SS-rank members. If we can fill that gap, it will provide a stimulus to the S-rank and below members. A chain reaction is possible."

"I see. We think alike on this point."

"Mmm... I always think we have a certain level of compatibility. Master is still a bit stiff... but the stiffer you are, the more I seem to get excited. I've noticed this recently."

"What are you talking about...? I can't have you sneaking into my room at night. I have to wait for Sakyua's report."

"Why do you use honorifics with Sakyua...? I should be the one who acts more like an older sister. She is younger than me."

"It's just a feeling, so don't worry about it. It's been like this since we met."

Velleine is still "Mmm"ing, but there's really no deeper meaning. When we met, I was only 14, and Sakyua seemed more mature to me.

In any case, I need to wait for the investigation results and send Rigel and the others to the ice cave tomorrow.

If the beast that fled to the ice cave is a beastified beastkin and can't return to human form for some reason, I need to prepare a way to reverse the beastification. I am certain that this is the best course of action.