Chapter 83

On the way back to the town of Romane, I explained the situation to the Gordon brothers and told them to hand over the Baum bird to Gaston.

"Also, I'm counting on you to collect the payment. Don't run off with the money."

"Don't worry, I'm not that reckless."

Gordon shivered slightly.

"Though, if you run off, there's nothing I can do."

After receiving the Baum bird from the Gordon brothers, Gaston will exchange it for money at the Adventurer Support Office. I'll have him hand over the payment to the Gordon brothers and bring it back to us. ...It's a bit of a hassle.

Honestly, I'd like the Gordon brothers to handle the collection, but I don't want to deal with Gaston again. If everything goes smoothly without any issues, I'll continue this arrangement.

Gaston has a difficult personality, but he should want to continue seeing results. I hope he'll hand over the payment properly to continue our contract.

However, it's possible he might change his mind when the money is in front of him. It would be endless to persuade him every time. The Gordon brothers can probably intimidate him better than I can.

"Still, why go through all this trouble? Why not do it yourself... I, I'm not complaining or anything."

Gordon corrected his own words.

"When the nobles come to inspect the results, I don't want to be involved. This time, I learned that earning money isn't a problem."

I plan to return to the Maaren tribe's village around the time my engagement to Giselle becomes uncertain. If I serve a noble, it might cause problems when I return. While the income might be stable, if I can earn enough money hunting monsters, there's no benefit.

Moreover, if I get involved in power struggles just because I'm good at magic, it could be dangerous. I don't know the level of the nobles' mages, but they're probably not weak. They can probably split the sea or create mountains with just a wave of their staff. There's a fairy tale in the Maaren tribe's village that describes something like that. Was it a myth?

"Hmm, I see... Well, you probably won't have any money problems... right?"

Gordon had a look of partial understanding.

"If a noble offers to support my research and lets me move freely and leave whenever I want, I'd consider it."

"...Such a convenient person probably doesn't exist."

After arriving in town, I handed over the Baum bird and the hunt report to the Gordon brothers. I emphasized not to let people see the contents of the cart and parted ways with them.

Incidentally, I also prepared the hunt report. When I checked the contents, the writing style was as eccentric as usual. Since no one said anything about the writing style last time, it should be fine. However, since Gaston had knocked down the Baum bird with his bare hands, I suggested he use an arrow to maintain consistency. The Baum bird has arrow wounds, so it could be problematic if this detail is omitted.

After revising it, the report said Gaston had stabbed the Baum bird with an arrow in his bare hands. While I have some thoughts... well, it's probably fine. Gaston might do something like that. Whether it makes sense or not is another matter.

After parting ways with the Gordon brothers, I returned to the inn, stored my extra luggage, and rested in my room. After a full day of rest, I dragged my sore legs and headed to the Adventurer Support Office to meet the Gordon brothers.

The office was as crowded as usual. I couldn't see the Gordon brothers. They might not have completed the exchange yet. I wanted to know if the Baum bird hunt was already a rumor, so I stood to the side and observed.

Suddenly, I noticed a woman I had seen before. She wasn't in line but seemed to be talking to someone she knew. She was wearing a light leather armor and had light brown hair.

I think she was a member of Maizen's party. She was talking to a man, but he didn't seem to be part of Maizen's party. They seemed unusually close. As I watched, they walked away with their arms linked.

"...Hey, isn't that one of Maizen's party's lovebirds?"

I asked Mea in a low voice.

"Hmm... I thought so too, but it's probably not her. They just look similar."

Mea made a makeshift binoculars with her hands and looked at the woman's back.

"Because, you know, that's the woman who was dating the guy in Maizen's party, right? Abel saw her confess in front of everyone."

"Yeah, that's right. Yeah, it must be her."

I wanted to believe it was just a lookalike. The armor design was the same, but it must be a common type. The breakup of a three-person party after the other two started dating could be too much for Maizen. It's almost certain they'll disband.

"Ah! Oh! Those two are... kissing! In such a crowded place in the morning!"

...I really want to believe it's a lookalike. However, there's no talk about the Baum bird. It's unusual for so many to be hunted at once. Since information is important for adventurers, it wouldn't be strange if yesterday's events were already a rumor.

"Recently, that forest has been strange. After the head-eating demon, they found some weird monsters."

"It's best to avoid that place for a while. Something's up, probably. Someone who went hunting yesterday was talking about seeing something strange..."

Two adventurers were discussing the forest seriously. It seems the forest has been strange recently. It might be a good idea to measure the magic field next time. The lord's investigation team might move first, though.

"What's the weird thing? Don't be so mysterious."

"Don't be scared. It was a huge hand made of dirt."

...A... hand made of dirt?

"Come on, that's a lie. How big was it?"

"It was taller than the trees around it. It might be a dangerous monster that was sealed away in the past. The staff told us not to talk about it. If it's true, it will cause a big commotion soon."

"It's a suspicious story. ...I might leave this town and set up base elsewhere soon."

I have a pretty good idea. It's definitely the thing I used to scare Gordon. I shouldn't have left it. I should have destroyed it after we were done. I was too pleased with how well I made it. Now, I'm spreading false rumors and driving innocent people out of town.

Should I try to explain? No, they'll realize it's just a pile of dirt soon. It'll be fine.

While thinking about the Baum bird, a group of three people carrying large burlap bags entered the facility. It was Gaston and the Gordon brothers, each holding a large, bulging bag.

"Move, move, get out of the way!"

Gaston called out in a lively voice, holding up the bag as if to show it off, and walked forward. The Gordon brothers followed with slightly tense faces. They were about to exchange the bags for money. It seems they were chosen as the porters.