Chapter 17

Eirine and her companions were staying in Helsper for about ten days for trade. During this time, since a small group of the Flame Spear Mercenary Corps would be enough for security, Keina had some free time.

"Feel free to sightsee or make some money, Lady Keina."

Although Eirine said this, Keina had already made enough money. She had heard from Eirine that the Buddha statues were selling well among collectors at the market stall set up by the caravan. Thanks to this, she had to make about forty more statues, but since she had negotiated to get forty percent of the profit, she wasn't short of money. Incidentally, the selling price was eight silver coins, and the cost was two bundles of firewood, sixteen copper coins. The processing cost was negligible, using less than ten percent of her MP, making it a huge profit.

"…But what should I do, huh?"

Keina received a hand-drawn map from one of the members of the group who had become a good friend and was heading to the Adventurer's Guild to look for a job she could do within the deadline, not for money but to pass the time.

"But looking at this map, I feel like I'm a child on an errand."

It was difficult to explain because it was unclear what level of literacy was considered high in this world. Keina's map had a simplified map of the capital with dots and lines. While this was fine, the problem was that the writing was all in hiragana, with "Adventurer's Guild," "Inn," and "Market" written on it. It felt like she was experiencing the feeling of a child being filmed for a TV show.

The Adventurer's Guild was built on the residential side of a main street divided into upper and lower sections. It had three towers clustered together, just like the guild in Felskeiro. The interior was similar, with a lounge in front of the entrance and a reception area behind it, and a bulletin board on the left side. The bulletin board was densely packed with request letters, no matter where you went.

At a glance, about thirty percent of the requests were from merchants asking to "eliminate the bandits on the Western Outer Trade Route." Since this reminded her of something she had heard from Eirine before, she tried to gather information from fellow adventurers loitering around. There was a dragon person with gray scales, carrying a large two-handed axe and wearing heavy armor, and a woman in light armor with a saber at her waist. Keina approached them.

"Excuse me?"

"Hmm, what is it, little girl? You're pretty small for an adventurer, aren't you?"

"From your perspective, everyone would look small, you know."

They seemed to be a team of two adventurers. The woman, perhaps thinking it would be easier to talk to someone of the same gender, responded to Keina, who had given up on being called "little girl."

"You don't look familiar around here. Are you a new adventurer?"

"No, I came from Felskeiro."

"Wow, you made it here in this situation… Did you use the Eastern Outer Trade Route? I thought the bridge was out there?"

"There are ways to cross the river even without a bridge."

"You're pretty confident. So, why did you come to us?"

Keina had heard that there was a place in this country where a castle was built in a lake and asked if they knew where it was.

The dragon person pointed to a map on the right side of the room, where guild announcements were posted. It was a simplified vertical map of the area around Helsper, with a lake and river drawn below the capital, and a red line drawn across the lower third of the map.

"Oh, you mean the Crescent Castle. It's in the no-entry zone within the bandits' territory, south of that red line."

"Why is it called the Crescent Castle?"

"No idea, but it sparkles on crescent moon nights. There's a rumor that it's an ancient treasure trove, but the old folks call it the 'Guardian's Hall' and are quite afraid of it."

This was information that Keina could trust. Given that elves can live for over two hundred years, there were likely some who knew about the Guardian's Tower. However, she couldn't risk being identified as the "Silver Ring Witch" if she asked around, so she had to decline.

Keina thanked the woman and the dragon person and left the guild. It would take two days by horse to reach the location, but she couldn't accept the idea that the knights were being handled by the bandits. Keirina, whom she met yesterday, seemed to be the strongest person she had encountered so far.

Keina's concern was the reaction of the people after dealing with the bandits. After becoming a Skill Master, she had been approached by friends from the guild and other hunters with a proposal: "Why don't you give us preferential treatment and split the fees and referral fees?" When she asked how to handle the people who came to her, the response was almost always the same, leaving her shocked. This was why she had retreated to the frontier and avoided crowded places, except for guild summons. Perhaps she was better off than her friends who had become neurotic and quit the game.

However, just because it was like that in the game didn't mean she could assume the same about people now. She was grateful to meet people like Eirine, who understood her desire not to be too conspicuous, and the Arbiters, who advised her to be careful about showing her overwhelming power.

(Since I just met her yesterday, it would be awkward to visit her today. I'll visit Keirick again tomorrow and bring a gift.)

Keina changed her mood to avoid falling into negative thoughts and headed to the market to think about what to bring as a gift.

---

At the same time, in the office of the Felskeiro capital, the room's owner, Scargor, was deep in thought, while Maimai, his sister, was slumped on the table, her eyes vacant and her face pale.

The cause was a single sentence sent by Keirina via [Telepathy] the previous evening. In summary, it said, "Keirick angered the old lady, and it was almost a matter of life and death." The latter part was to advise her mischievous mother, but to Maimai, it felt like the threat of another beating was imminent.

*Ching*

"Perhaps it's just the result of his own actions."

Scargor, who was filing documents with a gleam in his teeth, had no energy left to complain. If [Telepathy] worked, he could ask his mother for details, but since she had lost her skill, there was no way to connect. He speculated that she had had a particularly bad experience 200 years ago. Scargor was glad that she had come out of her reclusive state and hoped she could live as she pleased this time.

"What did you buy, little girl…?"

Arbit and Kennison, who were waiting to guard Keina, were surprised to see her return to the inn with several bags full of items she had bought at the market.

"I found a lot of useful materials. Maybe I bought a bit too much?"

"Let's see… Ruj berries, eggs, sheep's milk, sugar? Are you planning to cook something?"

"There's also some kind of bone. What are you going to use it for?"

"I was thinking of making a pie or a cake. …Why are you two looking at me like the world is ending!?"

Keina protested at their wide-eyed, silent reaction. They exchanged glances, saying, "Well, you know…" and "Yeah, that's right." They had never seen Keina cook during their travels and assumed her cooking skills were terrible.

"Alright, just wait a minute! I'll surprise you!"

Keina gathered the ingredients and went up to the second-floor room where they were staying. Arbit tilted his head, thinking she would use the inn's kitchen.

In less than ten minutes, Keina came down with a pie filled with orange Ruj berries, which emitted a sweet aroma.

"Wow, that was fast!?"

"What is this!? That's way too fast!"

"Oh ho ho ho ho. You'll see the power of my skills. Eat up!"

She borrowed a knife from the innkeeper, who had been drawn by the smell, and cut the pie. Since no one else was around, the innkeeper and his wife also joined in. Everyone's eyes widened and they quickly finished their slices.

"Delicious!"

"Delicious, Keina-san!"

"Of course, of course. Hmph."

"Wait, how did you make this!?"

"…Mmm. The soft sweetness, the not-too-hard, fluffy pie crust, the crunchy texture of the Ruj berries, and the double harmony of flavors…"

The innkeeper praised and described it in detail, leaving Arbit and the others speechless. In the game, items made with [Technical Skill: Cooking] had various temporary effects, but the taste was not guaranteed. Keina had mostly bluffed her way through, as the game only gave a "pie-like taste." She was relieved that it turned out so delicious, even to her.

The pie increased magic power by 3%, and the Ruj pie would increase 1,100 damage to 1,133. According to Eirine, pies were common in home cooking, but cakes were usually made by dedicated chefs for nobles or royalty, so few people knew about them. Keina made a cake with berries similar to strawberries, which received high praise and was quickly devoured by everyone. When asked for the recipe, she claimed it was a family secret, as the skill only allowed her to share the ingredients.

In reality, according to Maimai, items created by Keina's [Scroll Creation] were not "readable" but "understandable." The difference was broad, and it was unlikely that anyone in this era could understand it.

Eventually, Keina was persuaded to reveal more recipes, and members of the group and the caravan gathered to listen. By the time everyone was lying around like seals, full and satisfied, the ingredients were all used up.

"This could sell, Lady Keina."

"It's a perishable item, so it can't be displayed in stores. There's no refrigeration here…"

Keina was exasperated by Eirine, whose face was smeared with cream. She went to buy more ingredients and looked around for meat and fish dishes, returning to the inn with another load of items.

The next day, Keina made a two-tier cake, which she usually only made for special events. She put it in her item box to avoid it being crushed in the crowded shop and headed to the merchant's store. The only concern was whether they would receive her without an appointment, but this turned out to be unnecessary.

The young man who had negotiated with Eirine a few days ago turned out to be Keirick's son. He led Keina to a room as soon as he saw her and went to fetch Keirick, who was unaware of the situation.

"Please wait a moment, Great-Grandmother. I'll fetch Father right away."

"Ah, …okay (Huh, …great-grandson, huh?)"

Keina wondered if encountering a great-grandson at her age was a miracle or an accident. She heard the sound of running footsteps from the back of the house, and the door to the room was flung open by the elf Keirick, who was breathing heavily. When he saw Keina, his eyes widened, and he immediately prostrated himself on the floor.

"Eh? Uh, Keirick…?"

"I'm so sorry!!"

Without giving her a chance to speak, he continued to apologize, pressing his forehead to the floor. Keina sighed deeply at his attitude, which suggested he had no excuse.

Keina smiled and put her hands on her hips as Keirick, who was trembling, slowly raised his head to peek at her.

"First, get up from that prostration and sit in a chair!"

"H-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h