Chapter 41

The ice cave consists of three levels. Deep within the third level lies a lake inhabited by an ice spirit, a type of water sprite.

Due to the ice spirit's influence, the lake is frozen, and among the ice, highly transparent pieces are cut out and called "eternal ice blocks." These blocks remain frozen at room temperature because they are frozen by the ice spirit's power. However, if brought back under the scorching sun in August, the ice spirit's power weakens, and they melt. In such cases, many ice blocks are loaded onto a cart, covered with straw, and layered to bring back a portion of the ice blocks.

If the "Ice Fox" has fled into the cave, our store will no longer be able to receive ice blocks. But that's a minor issue; this matter is more complex and is turning into a bigger problem than I anticipated.

I had already sensed the poor relationship between humans and beastfolk when I helped Riko and the tiger people, but it's a current issue in the capital that I've overlooked until now, and I must reflect on that.

"…A conflict between races, huh."

"You don't need to feel responsible, Master. The conflict has existed for as long as the country's history, unchanged since ancient times."

I sat in the office chair, spreading out a map that roughly mapped the interior of the ice cave, thinking about how to have Rigel and the others move. While muttering to myself, Verlene placed a cup of strong tea in front of me and sat across from me, saying:

She was still in her maid outfit but had removed her headpiece, returning to her dark elf appearance. Seeing a woman who has finished her day's work looking weary, I feel the urge to comfort her, but I know from experience that being too considerate can make her angry, so it's best to act normally. I sometimes wonder why I'm so considerate of my employees.

"That's a well-made map. Did you make it, Master?"

"When we first started importing ice blocks, I went in myself. The ice cave itself isn't that dangerous. However, dealing with the occasional monsters requires a B-rank adventurer."

"What do you think of the Ice Fox's strength?"

"…According to the request, it's self-reported as B-rank, but we should be skeptical."

Indeed, Rigel and the others might be a bit overburdened. I had originally planned to ask Aileen for assistance, but I need to talk to her now to arrange for her to act tomorrow.

"Considering the man from the Blue Archer Inn, Zekt, the Ice Fox might be an SS-rank or S-rank monster."

"It's a possibility. We need someone who can safely handle both Zekt and the Ice Fox."

"Ugh…maybe the demon girl. The Light Sword Hero is another option, but since the opponent is a beast, Aileen is more accustomed to dealing with it. I was impressed by her wild movements."

"You're right. You're starting to read my mind, Verlene."

"I always keep my mind active to offer strategies. So far, the results haven't been particularly praiseworthy."

She picked up her cup and sipped it, crossing her legs. Whether intentional or not—this late at night, thoughts that don't usually cross my mind start to wander.

"The demon girl might misunderstand if Master comes too late, but she has a strong will."

"She's dangerous when half-asleep. If she's already asleep, I'll wake her up carefully with magic."

With a mix of trepidation and determination, I headed to Aileen's house nearby to ask for her support.

◆◇◆

Aileen's house is close to my guild, in one of the best apartment buildings on 12th Street.

She doesn't care much about her room, but since she doesn't struggle financially, she chose a room on the top floor of 12th Street because it was "nice."

The top floor of 12th Street is home to the families of information brokers and the owners of pleasure establishments. Aileen's ability to maintain normal neighborly relations with these strong-willed women is impressive.

Her apartment building is a series of two-story houses connected together. At the very back, where identical houses line up, a sign reading "Superior" was displayed. It doesn't say "Aileen" to avoid being treated as a tourist attraction due to her involvement in the demon lord's defeat. In the neighborhood, she goes by "Airi" to prevent her true identity from being discovered.

Instead of ringing the doorbell, which could disturb the neighbors, I knocked on the door. Knocking in a '2, 1, 3' rhythm is the signal that it's me. Using a code for such a small thing is a bad habit, I think.

I was about to knock again if she didn't hear, but the door opened before I could.

"Come on in."

"Ah, sorry for coming so late. Actually, I have a favor to ask… Whoa!"

When I opened the door and went inside, Aileen was standing in an unexpected state—well, I thought I smelled something like soap when she opened the door, but I didn't expect her to greet me in just a towel.

"Don't worry, Dick knows the signal. I don't usually come out like this."

"Even when I visit, it's a problem…"

"More importantly, did you come to ask for something? An urgent job?"

Her hair, usually tied up, was down, and her healthy, rosy skin made me extremely flustered, but she seemed completely at ease.

Is this what a platonic friendship between a man and a woman looks like? Am I not being seen as a man? No, that's fine; asking for too much can make you lose something important. I'm having a completely unproductive internal struggle.

"Don't just stand there, come in. I need to dry my hair, so wait a moment. Oh, can Dick dry it with magic?"

"Ah, sure… but, before that, your clothes…"

"It's hot now, and if I put on clothes, I'll be drenched in sweat. Then I'd have to take another bath, right?"

However, the towel wasn't very thick, and the coverage was a bit thin in the lower area. I had a bad feeling that if she turned around, it would be dangerous—

"Then, let's do it over there. It's so much easier when Dick dries it. Everyone says they want a Dick in every household."

Aileen turned around and walked away casually. From behind, I could see a part that was either her buttocks or thighs, and I furrowed my brow, trying to determine which it was, but I concluded it was her thigh.

◆◇◆

The method I use to dry hair involves covering a comb with magic, repairing surface damage with healing magic, and removing only the necessary moisture for hydration.

Aileen's pinkish hair is resistant to damage due to the harsh environment of the region, but after I run the comb through it, the texture is completely different, and she really likes it. It's been five years since I last did it, back when we were on the demon lord's quest.

"Is this good? Is there anything you're concerned about?"

"No, it's perfect. It's been a while, but you're still so good at it… Wait, do you do this for Verlene every day…?"

"No, she's never asked. I dry my hair myself every day."

"Really… So, you haven't done this in a while? Dick is really skilled."

"Sure, but if you say that and ask me to do it again, I'll be in trouble. Let's do it once a month."

"Okay. Ahaha, it feels like I'm a kid again. My mom used to dry my hair for me."

I remember being taken care of by my sisters when I was a child. My parents were often away, so my two sisters were like mothers to me.

I sometimes wonder if my family back home is doing well, but I don't feel like going back. My family is a group of independent individuals, and the family home is just one of their bases. Some people ask if I feel lonely, but I think families are diverse.

"But, I see, even if you live with Dick, you don't get your hair dried every day. Verlene must be quite considerate, huh?"

"By talking about it, I can see you're going to ask her… As long as it's not every day, it's fine. Anyway, Aileen, I'm sorry to ask you so soon after your last job, but I have an urgent request."

"Okay. Is it for tomorrow?"

"Right. I have a job for Rigel and the others, but it's conflicting with another guild's request, and an SS-rank adventurer has gotten involved. A man named Zekt. I need you to navigate without clashing with him."

I showed her the request documents to explain the situation. Aileen nodded and read through them.

"Got it. You want to capture the Ice Fox alive, not kill it. If Zekt encounters us before the Ice Fox, will he attack?"

"There's a possibility, but I think it'll be fine if we don't provoke him. He seems to be focused on reaching the Ice Fox first."

I explained to Aileen that the Ice Fox might be the transformed form of a "Blue Fox Clan" beastfolk and that it seems to have some connection to Zekt.

"…To think they'd try to sell a transformed beastfolk as a rare animal. Dick, aren't you going to do something about the Garamdoor Trading Company? It's too cruel to ignore."

"I've asked Sakuya to investigate. She should be back soon."

"Oh, that's a relief. Sakuya is a beastfolk, so she might get angry and tear them apart."

"That's not impossible, but I think she understands. We can always punish the Garamdoor Trading Company, but there's a proper way to do it."

"Okay, as long as they'll be punished, it's fine. That's the only thing I can't compromise on."

Aileen clenched her fist. She was still in just a towel, but maybe she was still warm from her bath.

"Aileen, you should put on some clothes…"

"Oh, right. Sorry, I'll change right away…"

—Even an invincible martial artist, even an SSS-rank, can't avoid accidents, I thought as I watched the towel loosen and fall when Aileen stood up.

"A…ah…"

Aileen could only make that sound. I couldn't move, couldn't speak, and my mind went blank as I saw her well-toned, flexible body, usually hidden under her martial arts uniform.

Still, what stood out the most was her chest. I had heard that training reduces chest size, but that rule didn't apply to her. It had continued to develop even during our travels. I could ignore it when I treated her as a friend, but it was impossible to switch off in an instant.

Aileen didn't actively try to hide herself, and her long hair barely covered the important parts. She didn't panic with embarrassment but just stared at me.

"…Dick…"

Her name, which she had called many times, now sounded different.

Visiting her at night, being welcomed, and seeing her in just a towel—how could I have remained calm?

She seemed to be thinking the same thing.

If she said something, it would become decisive.

I didn't know what to say, and I…

"…Master, were you busy?"

"Ah! Sakuya, when did you…?"

"I didn't get a response, so I sensed something was wrong and opened the door. Verlene said you were here."

"Ah, no… I wasn't busy, I was just waiting for Sakuya."

"…Naked, were you?"

"Ah, well, that's because… I'm sorry!"

Aileen ran to the changing room to get dressed. Without retying the towel, her back was—no, I didn't see anything. Thinking that way is for world peace.

"…I was taken aback, but I'll treat it as an accident."

"Ah, thanks. Sakuya, can you…"

"Yes. I'll give a detailed report back at the guild, but for now, here…"

Sakuya took out a leather belt-like object from her coat. It had magical runes and what looked like a magic stone embedded in it.

It wasn't something for a person to wear. It was a collar made for a beast.

"…A magical device to keep a transformed beastfolk in their beast form. This is it, right?"

"Yes. We found one left in the basement of the Garamdoor Trading Company."

"Good job. Have you investigated its effects?"

Sakuya's long ears drooped, and her eyes darkened, indicating that the collar's effects were far from good.

"It deprives beastfolk of their rationality and awakens their animal instincts to enslave them."

The Ice Fox escaped from the Garamdoor Trading Company because, while the collar could keep it in its transformed state, the "enslavement" wasn't complete.

Following its animal instincts, the Ice Fox escaped. According to Sakuya, almost all the rare animals handled by the Garamdoor Trading Company were transformed beastfolk.

The last question was the relationship between Zekt and the Ice Fox. Regardless of what it was, the course of action was clear.

Remove the collar from the Ice Fox, return it to its beastfolk form, and restore its rationality. Then, a conversation should be possible, and we can learn why the Ice Fox was captured and its relationship with Zekt.

"Thank you, Sakuya. Now, we just need to carry out the request."

"Yes. If the Ice Fox is a beastfolk, we will expose the Garamdoor Trading Company after freeing it from the collar."

"It will end with a down payment, but the gains from this job are much greater. The client will regret bringing the request to us, but it will be a lesson."

Sakuya, who had been tense, smiled at my words.

"Master, you may deny it, but you are indeed worthy of being a member of the demon lord's defeat team."

"I'm just acting on circumstances. I don't deserve such praise."

"Still, I think this. I want to continue following you."

Sakuya was genuinely happy that we were moving to save the beastfolk.

I know little about her past. The Moon Rabbit Clan is an extinct race, and she is one of its survivors. She hates humans—this is all I know.

That's why I think it's time to work behind the scenes to prevent further conflict between humans and beastfolk.