Chapter 28

After regrouping, Majisu gave the next instructions.

"It feels like it was rather anticlimactic, but the thieves were probably all wiped out. There were at least thirty of them, and it doesn’t seem like they were caught in a trap; it just seems that Kaede’s strength exceeded expectations. So, I think we should proceed to collect the spoils."

"E rank, and yet so strong?"

"Yeah, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it even if someone told me. But it’s the truth. If the magic power is genuine, Kaede would be a top-class mage, even at A rank, or perhaps already at that level..."

"Well... I’m not a mage but a magic swordsman... I didn’t use a sword, though."

"That’s impressive... If Majisu says so, it must be true... It’s almost like a rank fraud..."

"I’ll talk to the guild leader about that later. Anyway, let’s move on to the next task. Baren will take the front, Kaede will take the back, and everyone will help with the collection. Bring the items to me, and if they don’t fit, we’ll share the load. Kaede, can you handle it?"

"Yes, no problem. I also have an item box with a large capacity, so feel free to use it."

"I don’t think there will be anything that won’t fit in my item box."

"That’s very kind of you, but if Kaede does all the work, the other adventurers won’t have a role. Why don’t you rest? Even if you’re on watch, there’s almost no chance of an attack. There’s no reason for a trap to cause this much damage."

"Understood, I’ll rest gratefully."

I don’t need to rest since I’m not tired, but there’s no point in forcing myself to work. I’ll take the offer.

While idly standing at the back door, I was called when the collection seemed to be finished.

"On the way back, don’t let your guard down. Kaede, stay in the middle. You don’t need to be on alert, but if anything happens, I’ll rely on you for support."

I’m being relied on so much... or maybe I’m being treated well...

I don’t need to be on alert since I’ll know if anything enters the range of my touch plate.

We arrived at the guild without any attacks.

Majisu called the branch leader, and we waited in the room where we had gathered before departure. Soon, the branch leader appeared.

"It seems you were successful in the extermination. I heard that Kaede did most of the work. Is Kaede really E rank? Can I see your guild card?"

"Yes, here it is."

"... It says here that you killed 38 thieves alone. What were the others doing? There couldn’t have been over 100 thieves, right?"

Sorry, I took care of the job.

"Me, Baren, and Kaede, with Kaede in the front, rushed in. The thieves were wiped out before we could even support with Kaede’s magic of shooting a large number of rock spears. It felt like a joke, with the ability to fire continuously."

That power can’t be fired continuously; it needs to be charged. I’m struggling too... though maybe I’m not.

"... I see. We’ll have to consider a rank promotion. I’ll contact you about that later, but that magic seems too powerful. Are you using a consumption catalyst?"

"What’s a consumption catalyst?"

"When you learn a spell, you infuse a magic stone with magic power, right? That’s a magic catalyst. The ones you used for training are practically useless, but if you use a larger magic stone with a powerful spell, the magic stone can release magic power stronger than usual. ... From your reaction, it seems you’re not using one."

Magic stones... I’ve never seen a large one. The magic stone from the Metal Lizard was only about 3 cm in diameter, which isn’t large.

"I don’t remember. I was found with amnesia in Ein, and I’ve lost a lot of my memories before that."

Actually, I was more on the side of helping.

"Amnesia... I’ve heard of it, but this is the first time I’ve seen a real case. It’s strange that someone with such abilities has never been heard of before. You might have a special origin. I don’t intend to pry, though."

"Is it okay for the guild if I don’t know?"

It seems like someone suspicious might slip in. Like a spy from another country.

"It’s not uncommon for guild members to have a past. It’s not good to pry and cause trouble. The guild’s policy is to claim ignorance about any issues with its members."

"Is that how it works? What if a spy slips in?"

"They probably have. But they’re not criminals, and even if the guild tries to exclude them, they can just hide. There’s no point in changing the policy for that. We’ve learned this from experience. Let’s talk about the reward. Kaede seems to have done most of the work, but the basic reward will be divided as planned, right?"

"Yes, of course."

I wonder what would have happened if I had refused. I’m a bit curious, but it’s not worth trying.

"We’ll settle the spoils here, and the request completion procedures should be ready by tomorrow."

"Will the guild handle the spoils?"

I thought the spoils would be divided among the members.

"Normally, when thieves are defeated, that’s how it works. But in the case of a guild request, the guild handles the spoils. In the past, there were disputes during distribution and with the families of the deceased, so the current system was adopted, though only for guild requests."

I see, there were such issues. It makes sense when you think about it.

If someone said, "The thieves stole from your house, but since I killed them, the stolen items are mine," you wouldn’t accept it.

While the thinking might be different in Japan and this world, it’s not unreasonable that it wouldn’t be easily resolved.

I can imagine an adventurer taking advantage of a bereaved family, saying, "At least let me have this as a keepsake." Maybe with a mohawk... I’ve never seen a mohawk in this world, but it’s a familiar image.

"Do you have any objections? If not, we’ll adjourn."

There were no objections, so we adjourned.

The thief extermination ended much earlier than expected, and it’s only mid-afternoon. I haven’t pulled out my magic power yet, so I’ll go see the charcoal maker.

When I went to the charcoal shop, they were still experimenting and guided me to the experimental area. The experimental area was just a corner near the charcoal kiln.

"Oh, it’s Kaede! This is an excellent fuel! It can be used for refining, and it has high heat output!"

I’ve been addressed with "san" since when?

There was a dwarf I didn’t recognize working on what looked like a coke-making device in the back. I was curious about what he was doing, but I felt like I might be kicked out if I asked, so I talked to the charcoal maker.

"Is it already at a practical level?"

This world has high technical skills in strange areas, even without quenching. Maybe the processing technology has developed to some extent, even without the right ideas? If something as hard as tungsten could be obtained from monsters on Earth, it’s hard to say if the technology would have developed to this level.

Earth’s equatorial regions didn’t develop much science, but it’s said that they could still manage because of the natural bounty. Yet, they still smelt iron.

"No, it seems that efficiency can be improved by arranging them side by side, but that’s still in progress. However, even at the current level, it’s profitable. If I get your permission, we plan to start production."

"Ah, let me introduce you. The dwarf over there, Iggu, is a blacksmith from the coal mine association who is making the device."

"Ah, I’m Kaede, nice to meet you."

I was ignored, or rather, he didn’t seem to notice me at all. The charcoal maker shrugged. At least I wasn’t kicked out.

We were talking about coke when Iggu finally looked up.

"Hey, you’re Kaede, right? This is an amazing technology, but what do you plan to do with it?"

"What do you mean, what do I plan to do?"

"Your idea, your investment. The details are handled by the human accountant, but this is going to make a lot of money, more than the current coal mine association can afford, right?"

I hadn’t thought about how to sell the technology I created.

It would be difficult to buy a mysterious technology, and it would be even more difficult if it was expected to make a lot of money. It doesn’t seem like any organization has that much money.

"What should I do?"

"You came up with such a dangerous thing and didn’t even think about this? You’ll be scammed someday!"

I was lectured by a dwarf who seems to be the least likely to be involved in such matters. About money... like a patent? Should I go that route?

"Um, how about I give the technology for free and take a portion of the profit when it’s made?"

"Like an artifact technology fee, or 'tokkyo'? That’s been around recently. It’s a good deal for us since we don’t have much money now, but are you sure? You could make a fortune by selling it to a wealthier organization."

An artifact technology fee... are there copies of artifacts? Is there a tax-like system? Maybe patents developed from that. If it’s the same system as Earth’s patents...

What is an artifact, anyway? I only have a vague idea of a powerful item. Whatever.

He said selling the technology would make a fortune, but is that really true?

It might make money temporarily, but once it’s sold, that’s it.

On Earth, coke was closely tied to steel production. Selling it outright would be a waste, and the buyer might monopolize it.

Instead, if I set up a system where I get paid every time coke is made, I would always make a profit, and the technology would spread.

That’s what I’ll do. It’s a good idea.

"Sure, no problem."

"Alright, I’ll call the accountant. Wait a moment."

Iggu left with surprising agility for his height.

Suddenly, the charcoal maker, who had been silent, spoke up.

"By the way, can I be involved too?"

"Yes, I won’t stay in one place forever, and I’ll leave the equipment to you. You can ensure a fair profit."

"That’s good to hear. I was worried about losing my job, but I might even need to hire more people."

... And Iggu returned with a human man. It seems humans handle the accounting.

"Kaede, I’ve heard about the technology. You want a patent-like contract. Would 50% of the profit as a patent fee be acceptable?"

50%... that’s a lot...