Chapter 147: Tale at the Mansion

Leave a Comment / Spirits' paradise and ideal life in another world / By IX

I had a conversation with the new guild master and with a spirit mage serving the country, and we finally arrived at Marie’s separate residence. I spoke to the gatekeeper who allowed me inside, and we reached the mansion by passing through a spacious garden, where Sebas greeted us.

“Welcome back, Yuta-sama,” Sebas said with refined gestures, bowing.

“I have returned. I hope my children didn’t cause any trouble?” I asked.

“We were told not to approach the rooms, so I don’t know about the children, but there haven’t been any loud noises,” Sebas replied.

Ah, that’s right. I had asked them not to come near the rooms while the spirits were having lunch. I completely forgot about it.

“Yes, I apologize for that,” I said.

“No problem at all. And there’s no need for honorifics with us, so please feel free and make yourself comfortable,” Sebas assured me.

Even though he said that, it’s easy to switch to a casual tone when dealing with spirits like Mel and people like Gina. However, it’s not so easy to switch when it comes to a formal butler like Sebas, who feels like he belongs to a different world.

“Well, once I get used to it, I think I’ll be able to speak more casually. I would appreciate it if you could give me some time until then,” I said.

“Understood,” Sebas replied.

Phew, I wonder if I can get used to this. I can’t imagine myself casually talking to Sebas. I want to resolve the situation as soon as possible and move to Torque’s inn. After bidding farewell to Sebas, I returned to the room assigned to me.

“Yuta, welcome back!” “Kyuu!” “Welcome back!” “Kukuu!”

As I opened the door and entered, Bell and the others welcomed me. I petted Bell and the others who jumped on me and sat on the sofa.

“Welcome back, Master.” “Welcome back.” “Welcome back.”

Next, Sara and the others also greeted me. They seem to have gotten completely used to it, as they speak up after the playful time with Bell and the others. It’s impressive how considerate these kids are, but is it really necessary for young children to be this mindful?

Well, people who are considerate are likely to have an easier time living in society than those who aren’t, so it’s difficult to tell them to stop being considerate. It’s complicated.

“I’m back. Did anything unusual or troublesome happen?” I asked.

“Nothing happened. With the help of Bell and the others, we were able to train thoroughly,” Sara replied.

Marco, Kika, and Dolly, who was requested as a guard, nodded as well, indicating that there were no problems. The room is luxurious, but the children have already settled down. They adapt quickly.

While petting Bell and the others, I listened to Sara’s story, which helped soothe my tired mind. Since we can’t use magic in someone else’s house, they came up with new magic spells and honed their combination techniques against enemies they couldn’t defeat in one blow.

“So, Master, what happened with the Adventurer’s Guild meeting?” Sara asked.

“Hmm? After they apologized, I presented my conditions, so we’re waiting for the result. If things go well, there might be a significant decrease in recruitment, I suppose,” I replied.

Well, according to Barotta-san, there’s still a possibility that they might come up with new tricks, so complete peace seems far off.

“Is that so? Then, what will we do while waiting?” Sara asked.

There’s no hurry, and it’s fine to take it easy, but staying in the mansion doesn’t feel comfortable. It would be inconvenient to go to Mel’s place or Torque’s inn in the current situation, so what should we do?

Should we dive into the labyrinth? If we proceed and obtain the Divine Grass beforehand, it might put pressure on the Adventurer’s Guild if we deliver it to Marie’s place.

…But it feels like it will only cause more trouble, I should wait for the Adventurer’s Guild’s decision. If they’re slow to respond, I can proceed after guiding the two parties. That way, expectations will be focused on the two parties, making it easier. Since I’ll be going later anyway, I’ll focus on training Sara and the others this time.

“We’ll retreat into the labyrinth and train Sara and the others. Since you can now defeat trolls, let’s proceed and go to the marshes,” I said.

There, we can encounter giant frogs and Marshland Lizards, which were the material for my armor. It will be a good experience.

I explained the monsters that come out from the 26th floor to the motivated children and urged them to come up with countermeasures. The children and their spirits huddled together, discussing strategies. It’s a nice sight.

While watching over the children, as I played with Bell and the others again, Silphy returned. It took quite some time.

“Silphy, welcome back. It took you a while. Did something happen?” I asked.

“I’m back. Well, nothing happened. I thought that appearance was an act, but it remained the same. They had meetings to discuss what to do about your conditions and sent messengers to headquarters, but nothing has changed,” she explained while skillfully dealing with Bell and the others who rushed at her. …Nothing changed, huh? Is that their true nature?

“Hey, Silphy. Isn’t there a possibility that the guild master was suspicious of something and kept up the act all this time?” I asked.

“Hmm, I wonder? It’s impossible to see through when they’re so thorough. I might find out something if I stick around all the time, but it’s boring, so I dislike it,” she replied.

She said it with a strong aversion. Her reaction is completely different from when she eavesdropped on the former guild master’s conversation. It seems like monitoring the new guild master was really boring for her.

It would be wrong to force Silphy, who doesn’t want to do it, to keep monitoring, so I guess I’ll leave it alone until something happens with the Adventurer’s Guild. But what if they really are just like that?

While discussing how to think about it, there was a knock on the door, and when I opened it, it was Sebas. He hasn’t talked to the maids at all.

“I have a message from Miss Marie. She would like to have dinner together. Would that be a problem?” Sebas asked.

…Since I’m causing trouble, and there are things I want to ask Marie as well, it should be fine.

“Yes, it’s not a problem. However, I also have something I want to ask about the Adventurer’s Guild, so it would be helpful if the children’s meals could be prepared here. Is that alright?” I asked.

“Understood. I will make the necessary arrangements. Shall I assign a maid to accompany Sara-sama and the others?” Sebas asked.

Since I asked them not to approach during the day, they are considering my request. I want Bell and the others to have a luxurious dinner, but let’s do without a maid.

“No, just delivering the food will be enough. I appreciate your help,” I replied.

“Understood,” Sebas said with a bow and left. Tonight, I’ll have dinner with Marie and ask her various things.

————-

Dinner with Marie… Marie looks very elegant. I’m just wearing a regular outfit I bought at a general store… Well, I bought it from Marie’s general store, so there shouldn’t be a problem. Let’s go with the “I’m not familiar with such customs” approach.

Normally, I should praise Marie at this point, but if I do, it might become troublesome. So, let’s go with the “I don’t know such common sense” approach.

The hospitality in this country seems to follow a format where plenty of fancy dishes are arranged on the table. It looks very glamorous. Since the materials of the monsters themselves are delicious, there is not much variety in the dishes, but the skill of garnishing is quite impressive.

How about having the chef of this mansion teach Sara the basics of cooking?… Hmm, well, since I won’t be staying here for long, and Sara also has a close relationship with Torque, who shares meals with her, it’s probably better to ask Torque.

“This meat is very delicious. What kind of ingredient is it?” I asked.

The meat has a rich flavor that rivals various herbs, and it’s addictive.

“Oh, that’s the meat of a Giant Deer that appears in the labyrinth’s marshes. It’s a huge deer monster that rarely appears in the marshes. It’s difficult to subdue and bring back the materials, but its taste is renowned. It’s one of the popular ingredients in the Labyrinth City,” Marie explained.

…A giant deer, huh? It’s my first time eating it, but it’s incredibly delicious. I heard that deer meat in Japan doesn’t have much fat, but it’s completely different. I didn’t encounter it when I was searching for rice in the marshes before, so I’m not sure if I’ll find any, but if I ask Bell and the others to search, they might find some rare monsters.

“I see. I plan to take Sara and the others to the marshes, so if we find any, we’ll defeat them. Would it be possible for you to handle the butchering, Marie?” I asked.

Marie’s elegant smile was tainted with greed… It’s strange that this Marie’s presence is more calming.

“Oh, it’s fine. The marshes are quite far away, so it’s not easy to obtain the meat, especially considering its rarity. Can I also sell it to the Porius Trading Company?” Marie asked.

Since I’m indebted to her, I should do some favors in return. I should also ask about any requests.

“That’s fine. Is there anything else you need? I plan to stay for a few days, so if there’s anything you need from the marshes, I can search for it,” I replied.

Marie stood up and briskly approached me, circling around the table. What’s going on? Marie firmly grabbed my right hand with both hands.

“Thank you, Yuta. Then…” Marie excitedly started listing the desired ingredients and quantities. It seems like my words repeatedly pressed the button of desire. If Sebas hadn’t intervened, who knows what would have happened… Silphy is pulling her away by my side.

“I apologize,” Marie said, bowing her head shyly.

“Well, I’ll do my best to find as much as possible. By the way, I have something I want to ask. Do you know anything about the new Guild Master of the Adventurer’s Guild? I can’t make a judgment myself,” I said.

“It’s just hearsay, but would you like to hear it?” Marie asked.

“Yes, please,” I replied.

“We also investigated, but we couldn’t find any negative reputation. It seems that the new Guild Master is someone who started from the bottom in the Adventurer’s Guild. Although there are some pitiful aspects, he is serious and hardworking. He has a good reputation in the guild and is beloved by his subordinates,” Marie explained.

…So it’s just me feeling creepy, and he’s simply a good person? Is it possible that he was assigned because he doesn’t have ambitions in order to avoid conflicts within the Adventurer’s Guild? He was talking about imposing even heavier punishments on the former Guild Master and Eltina…

I glanced at Silphy, but she shook her head indicating she doesn’t know. Hmm, if there’s something hidden, I can come up with a plan to deal with it, but if he’s just a good person, how should I respond? I don’t think it’s possible for me to approach him with good intentions.

“So he doesn’t have a bad reputation. …I’ll take it into consideration,” I said.

There seems to be limited information, and Marie seems to be troubled as well. He is the new Guild Master of the Adventurer’s Guild in the Labyrinth City, so as a merchant, she should have done a proper investigation. I wonder how I should interpret it.

“Oh, and Yuta. I have requests for meetings from the Commercial Guild, the Apothecary Guild, the Blacksmith Guild, the Mercenary Guild, and other organizations. Would it be okay to decline them all?” Marie asked.

Quite a few requests are coming in. It’s bothersome to meet with other guilds when negotiations with the Adventurer’s Guild haven’t concluded. It’s better to have no interference if negotiations are successful and we can move beyond the 50th floor with the two parties.

“Yes, I’m currently negotiating with the Adventurer’s Guild, so please inform them that I have no plans to move if the Adventurer’s Guild agrees to my conditions. As for the materials, for now, I have no plans to distribute them to anyone other than the Porius Trading Company, so please handle the arrangements on your end,” I explained.

“Yes! Yuta, thank you very much,” Marie said with a dazzling smile. Ah, but let me add a warning.

“Marie, even though you have a monopoly, please refrain from engaging in shady business. If the Adventurer’s Guild agrees to the conditions and the two parties advance beyond the 50th floor, your monopoly will be broken,” I warned.

“I understand. I won’t resort to overcharging. I’ll stick to offering fair prices with a slight markup and sell favors. Please rest assured,” Marie assured me.

…It didn’t sound very reassuring… Is it really okay? Well, it’s not like I, as a novice in the business world, can say much. I’ll trust Marie’s father.