Chapter 59

### A Typical Morning

After getting ready with Amelia, I headed to the dining hall. Today’s menu included a minced meat omelet, root vegetable soup, salad, boiled eggs, and an all-you-can-eat bread selection. I received my meal from the cook and took my seat. After offering a prayer before the meal, I opened my eyes to find a knight standing in front of me, greeting me with a "Good morning." I was pretty sure she was the one with the well-defined abs who was on guard during the inspection of my幻兽契约刻印 in the large bath.

Her sun-kissed skin and sturdy build were impressive. Even with the heavy armor and sword, her posture remained steady. She had the ideal physique of a knight.

"It’s been a while. I heard a young lady from the幻兽保护局 has joined. Are you doing okay?"

"Yes, I’m managing."

I’m sure it’s been tough, but she encouraged me, saying, "Keep up the good work." What a kind person.

"See you later."

"Yes."

As I watched the knight leave, I felt a warm, cozy feeling.

"Quack quack!"

"Oh, I can’t afford to daydream."

Amelia, who was lying on the floor, reminded me, "We’ll be late for the assembly."

I picked up my knife and made a cut into the omelet. Out came the half-cooked egg along with the sweet and savory minced meat stir-fry. The omelet was fluffy, and the seasoning was light, but the minced meat stir-fry was strong, making it a perfect combination. It was also delicious when placed on the bread. However, there was no time to savor it. We had only fifteen minutes until the assembly with Zara. I regretted not waking up earlier.

### Morning at the Second Expeditionary Unit’s Office

In the morning, seven packages arrived at the office of the Second Expeditionary Unit. Deputy Captain Berry looked puzzled as she examined them.

"What’s the matter?"

"These seem to be gifts from the head of the Magic Research Bureau and the head of the Monster Research Bureau, as an apology for the recent slime incident..."

One large box, four long boxes, one medium-sized box, and one large, long box. What could they be?

"They seem suspicious and give off a bad vibe."

I couldn’t help but nod in agreement with Liette’s words.

The door slammed open, and the captain burst in, followed by Gar, Urgas, and Zara, who had been in the break room. As we passed, the captain tossed me a small box. What could this be? She plopped down into her chair and began the morning briefing in a low voice. I listened while holding the mysterious small box.

"First, we have an expedition mission today. If all goes well, we’ll be back by nightfall."

Apparently, there’s a plant called "Laughing Vine" growing in a forest near the capital, and it’s been attacking merchants. Our job is to cut it down.

I raised my hand to ask a question.

"Excuse me, will we be traveling on horseback?"

"No, a carriage has been arranged."

"Understood."

If we were traveling on horseback, I couldn’t bring Amelia. But it seems there’s no problem. However, she’s grown quite large and might have trouble keeping up with the horses. I’ll need to ask about her endurance and strength later.

Finally, the captain mentioned the packages that had been bothering us.

"These are weapons jointly developed by the Monster Research Bureau and the Magic Research Bureau. They were sent as an apology for the recent incident."

The contents of the packages were weapons. However, the joint development by the Monster Research Bureau and the Magic Research Bureau was concerning. The captain’s expression, though unspoken, clearly said, "What a nuisance."

"They are made from materials like the fangs and claws of monsters, and special materials containing magic. They are prototypes, and they want to know how they feel to use."

We were supposed to submit a report, which didn’t feel like an apology at all. Everyone looked at the packages with mixed expressions.

"By the way, Captain, what about this small box?"

"It’s for Amelia. They sent it when I mentioned we were short one."

"Ah, thank you."

I was told to open it. Inside was a silk handkerchief with some kind of spell embroidered on it. Liette told me it was a blessing spell. When I showed it to Amelia, she seemed to like it, so I wrapped it around her neck.

"Quack~"

Everyone complimented her, saying it suited her and that she looked cute. She seemed very pleased.

"The issue is with our equipment—"

Before opening the weapons, a letter that had arrived was read aloud. It contained an apology and thanks for the recent slime incident, and at the end, it described the weapons.

"These are the strongest weapons jointly developed by the Monster Research Bureau and the Magic Research Bureau, called the ‘Seven Sins’ series."

- Magic Sword: Pride

- Magic Dual Swords: Greed

- Magic Spear: Wrath

- Magic Bow: Sloth

- Magic Axe: Lust

- Magic Staff: Envy

- Magic Rod: Gluttony

The great sword was entirely black, with a sinister aura, fitting the captain’s demeanor. The dual swords had gems scattered on the sheath and beautiful floral patterns on the handles, enhancing Deputy Captain Berry’s sternness. The spear had a green blade with vine patterns, reminiscent of a deep forest, perfect for the calm Gar. The bow was the same color as the sea, a new type of bow using pulleys, steel cables, and levers, which Urgas was excited to handle. The axe was entirely silver, with a unicorn horn-like protrusion at the tip, making it look even more beautiful when held by Zara. The magic staff had a golden handle with a round, red gem at the tip, similar to the design of the staff Liette had been using. Finally, my weapon was just a plain wooden rod, slightly longer than my height, with no engravings or spells. It was surprisingly ordinary.

Everyone’s gaze focused on me, making me uncomfortable.

"Well, it could be useful for picking fruit from trees or as a clothesline."

After all, I’m a non-combatant and don’t need a weapon.

"Still, what strange names they have."

Urgas muttered his thoughts.

"They’re in ancient language."

"Is that so? No wonder."

I learned these words from my grandmother when I was young, but they were unfamiliar to the people living in the capital.

"What do the names of each weapon mean?"

There’s no way I could say the captain’s weapon means ‘Pride.’

"I don’t know."

"Don’t lie. Your face says you know but don’t want to say because the meanings are strange."

I almost clicked my tongue at the captain’s sharp observation. Her instincts are scary.

Since pretending to be ignorant was too much trouble, I revealed the meanings of all the weapons.

"The sword is ‘Pride,’ the dual swords are ‘Greed,’ the spear is ‘Wrath,’ the bow is ‘Sloth,’ the axe is ‘Lust,’ the staff is ‘Envy,’ and the rod is ‘Gluttony.’”

The atmosphere became awkward as everyone heard the meanings of the ancient language.

"Still, what poor taste in names."

"Indeed."

However, the weapons are apparently high-performance. The captain was already muttering about wanting to use them soon. Deputy Captain Berry was concerned about the excessive decoration, but I assured her it suited her perfectly. Gar was playing with the spear, seemingly unconcerned about its name. Urgas was still excited. On the other hand, Zara held the battle axe with a complex expression.

"‘Lust,’ huh."

Now that the names were revealed, I couldn’t say it suited her.

Liette leaned her new staff against the wall, continuing to use her old one.

"I have a sentimental attachment to my old staff. I can’t just replace it."

It was a staff she had received as a symbol of being recognized as a full-fledged member.

Everyone had different reactions. I decided to take the rod on the expedition to test its feel.