Chapter 92: Information

When I arrived at the inn called “Strong arm Torque,” the exterior of the shop hadn’t changed, but the atmosphere was different from before.

“That was delicious! It was worth the wait.”

“Yes, it was delicious. I was surprised that we had to wait even though we came a little later in the afternoon, but the taste was satisfying.”

“Yeah, I agree. But I wish the shop were located more centrally instead of on the Maze Street. It’s a bit scary around here with only adventurers.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Saying so, the lively women left the inn. Gowan Torque’s inn was supposed to be mainly targeted towards those slightly intimidating adventurers… Could it be that the recipes I provided were the cause?

No, it was spaghetti Napolitan, meat sauce, and pizza toast. Are women really gathering around tomato-based dishes to that extent? It’s not something sweet. They were definitely well received by Sylphy and Sara, but something feels off. Maybe I should ask Martha about it. Another problem is whether there are available rooms.

If I enter the inn as it is, I might anger the people waiting in line, so I inform the woman at the front that I’m going inside to secure a room. In times like this, it’s important not to make enemies of women. I need to be cautious.

“The tables are still full. Please wait a little longer.”

As I entered, I could hear Martha’s cheerful voice. Looking at the dining hall in the back, it was indeed full. Martha was working energetically. Kalk looked like a zombie, probably tired. He used to be a lively boy, and if it’s my fault, it hurts my heart.

“Hello, Martha. We’d like to get a room. Are they all occupied?”

“Oh, it’s you guys. We have vacant rooms, just wait a moment.”

Oh, even with this many people, there are vacant rooms. Martha brought the food and came back.

“Take a look, Yuta, the restaurant is booming thanks to the recipe you gave us. I’m grateful.”

“Haha, no, I just wanted to eat it myself, so don’t worry about it. But despite the popularity, are there still vacant rooms?”

It seems like the recipe I gave really is the reason. Quite surprising results.

“That’s the difficult part. Many customers come at night too. The adventurers who want to relax and have a drink moved to other inns. Well, now we have merchants staying here, but there are vacant rooms.”

If there are many customers coming at night too, it would be awkward to relax and have a drink. If customers get tired of the food, this inn could be in trouble. Other shops will probably develop similar dishes, so I’m starting to worry.

“I see. In that case, I’d like to have two rooms for ten days.”

I’m already quite used to it, so even one four-person room would be fine, but in my case, it’s more calming to have separate rooms since I can see spirits vividly.

“Alright. I’ll give you a great deal. Two rooms for ten days, for 100,000 Elt.”

“Huh? Last time, I got the price reduced from 12,000 Elt to 10,000 Elt per night, but now you’re saying two rooms for 10,000 Elt? That’s too much of a discount. That’s too cheap so please charge us the same as last time, it’s difficult to stay otherwise.”

“What are you talking about? Thanks to your recipe, we’re making a huge profit. I should be offering you a free stay, but that would put you in a difficult position, wouldn’t it? From now on, it’s 5,000 Elt per room for you. Just stay without complaining.”

I was easily persuaded. I paid the 100,000 Elt and was shown to my room. Since we apparently have plenty of time after breakfast, I decided to ask Martha about the reason for the inn’s prosperity.

“Alright, for now, let’s summon Bell and the others. Sara, you should summon Fukuchan and the others too.”

“Understood.” “Yeah.” “Summoning.”

While Sara called Fukuchan and the others, I summoned Bell and the rest. As usual, Bell immediately clung to me when summoned. It feels really heartwarming.

I played and relaxed with Bell and the others to my heart’s content. Talking with Sonia had roughened my heart.

“Well then, I’m going to the general store. Sara, Marco and Kika you stay here. Bell and the others, stay with them and protect them if anything happens.”

I don’t expect any problems to occur inside the inn, but my conversation with Marie will likely involve money and the Adventurer’s Guild. It’s not something I want the children to see. I left the inn, leaving Sara and Bell with their lively responses.

Upon entering the general store, Sonia appeared immediately. It’s clear that I’ve caught her attention.

“Yuta-sama, welcome. Please allow me to assist you.”

“Ah, yes, thank you.”

Sonia bowed and led me to the reception room, then went to fetch Marie.

(Sylphy, if you hear any suspicious plots in the conversation between Marie and Sonia, let me know.)

“Of course. So far, there don’t seem to be any issues, except that they made the uniforms one size smaller.”

…They’re taking quite a daring approach. It seems like a tight fit, emphasizing the body lines. However, life is unpredictable. Just when I was reminiscing about my distant hometown and lightly escaping reality, Marie entered the room accompanied by Sonia.

Well, indeed, she looks sexy. If Sylphy hadn’t informed me beforehand, I might have felt a little flustered.

“Yuta-san, I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

After Marie apologized, she lightly brushed her hair back and stood tall. Her gaze was overt and suggestive. It’s a bit awkward, isn’t it? Marie’s jokes about her measurements and these gestures feel somewhat outdated. It’s disappointing, to say the least. It’s so overt. Couldn’t she have handled it a bit more tactfully?

“No, I haven’t been waiting at all, so don’t worry. I apologize for having other plans despite you inviting me to have a meal.”

Was I able to convey that she was the one who invited me to eat? It might be a bit forced, but did it have the desired effect?

…Marie glanced briefly at Sonia, seeming slightly surprised. Sonia tilted her head and ignored it.

She really does have thick skin.

“Oh no, it’s alright. I would be delighted if you could join me for a meal on another occasion.”

Marie responded with a smile, seemingly regaining her composure. She bounces back quickly. But I wish she would stop trying to emphasize her body.

“If there’s an opportunity, I would appreciate your help. By the way, I apologize for rushing, but could you tell me how the Adventurer’s Guild is doing?”

“Oh, you’re asking about the Adventurer’s Guild’s situation, not the payment for materials?”

Marie asked with a puzzled expression. Come to think of it, that’s right. Normally, it would be about the payment. I forgot about that because I’ve been so focused on the Adventurer’s Guild.

“Of course, I’m concerned about the money too, but since I’ve just arrived in the Labyrinth City, I wanted to gather information before getting entangled in anything.”

“I see. So you’re asking about the Adventurer’s Guild. It did cause a commotion when news spread about the Fire Dragon and materials from the 50th floor and beyond, but they haven’t traced it back to Yuta-sama’s existence yet.”

“Huh? They still haven’t found out?”

It’s not going according to plan. Is the Adventurer’s Guild really that clueless?

“Yes. We were told that you wanted it to be challenging, so very few people know about Yuta-san. Also, Yuta-san supplied materials to this shop. They were discreetly transferred from my father’s Porius Trading Company’s material department to the Commercial Guild. So it will take time for the Adventurer’s Guild, nobles, and trading companies who are investigating to trace it back to Yuta-san. Moreover, being a Spirit Magic user, even if they manage to find this shop, whether they will trace it to Yuta-san…”

Marie said with a slightly pitying expression. …Did supplying materials to this shop become camouflage? It’s true that it might be a blind spot to supply dungeon materials to a general store.

So I have to be reached through the Commercial Guild, then the Porius Trading Company, and finally the general store. But even if they manage to find this shop, it’s uncertain if they’ll find me, a Spirit Magic user…

It seems like Spirit Magic users aren’t very popular, considering Marie’s somewhat pitiful expression.

However, I had a rough idea, but it seems that the nobles and other trading companies are interested after all. Originally, I was supposed to receive their protection, but I’m in conflict with the Adventurer’s Guild. Well, I guess I shouldn’t worry too much about it.

The problem is that my plans have been disrupted. In my expectation, if it were the Adventurer’s Guild, they would have identified me, and when I joined the guild, they would welcome me with open arms. That was the ideal scenario.

Even if they were unsure how to handle me, it would have been enjoyable to see the Guild Master feeling regretful…

Hmm. Should I reveal myself? … No, that’s not a good idea. If they manage to trace it back to the person who supplied the materials, an infamous Spirit Magic user, it would be much more satisfying to see the Guild Master shocked.

But what if they never figure it out? … It would be disheartening to be treated poorly until they finally realize. … Maybe I should set a deadline. Waiting indefinitely for them to notice is futile.

“I understand. Please leave it as it is for the time being.”

Let’s leisurely raise my adventurer rank for a while. It’ll be fine as long as I ignore the annoying stares. But I should try to avoid taking the kids and the spirits to the Adventurer’s Guild as much as possible. There’s no need to make the children feel uncomfortable.

“It won’t be any trouble at all. So, Yuta-san, are you planning to venture into the dungeon again this time? The Pharmacy Guild is interested in various medicinal herbs that you supplied last time, so it would be helpful if you could provide more if you happen to gather them.”

Hmm. I only supplied about one-fifth of the various medicinal herbs last time, so I can still make four more deliveries of the same quantity. I also have a stock of Assault Dragon and Wyvern materials… It should be fine. But I shouldn’t deliver them right away. It would reveal the time-stopping function of the magic bag.

“I do plan to enter the dungeon, so there should be no problem with supplying the materials. If I manage to gather them, I’ll bring them to you.”

“Thank you very much.”

Marie’s smile is radiant, as if imagining the profits. This expression is more charming than her outdated seductive gestures. Oh, her radiant smile has transformed into a lustful expression. She mentioned that the medicinal herbs are valuable, so if I can secure enough quantity, I can negotiate under more favorable conditions.

“The feeling is mutual. Thank you for the information. Now, can we discuss the payment?”

Finally, the time has come. It’s around 1.8 billion or so, but it’s hard to grasp the reality of such a sum. I’m looking forward to it!