Chapter 72

The main street of the city of Kama. It was a street where many people came and went day and night, and there was a particularly noticeable girl.

People who passed by the girl all turned to look.

First, what caught their attention was the two black wolves the girl was leading. One walked in front of the girl, looking excited. The other, perhaps timid, stuck closely to the girl’s back as it walked. The people who turned to look were first drawn to the well-groomed black wolves, and then, when they saw the girl who seemed to be their owner, they all stopped in their tracks.

It was no wonder. The dark elf girl exuded a youthful innocence and the charm of a woman from her maturing body. Her appearance caused not only men but women as well to turn their heads.

“Suke, get away from me already. Are you still a proud wolf?

Kuro, you need to calm down. If you keep this up, you’ll end up in trouble.”

The two wolves, scolded by Marifa, responded differently. Suke made a pitiful whining sound and rubbed his head against Marifa. Kuro, seemingly not feeling scolded, wagged his tail happily.

Marifa sighed softly at the sight of the two.

It had been 16 days since Marifa first ventured into the dungeon. She spent her mornings training the black wolves and her afternoons exploring the dungeon. Thanks to her efforts, she had successfully mastered the training skill. The two black wolves she was leading were young and excellent individuals she had selected and raised from the pack.

The main street of the city of Kama was crowded with people, but thanks to the black wolves, Marifa and her companions reached their destination without much trouble.

The man on duty at the slave shop run by Mago noticed the unusual scene on the crowded street.

The street in front of the shop was the main street of the city of Kama, which was always crowded. However, there was a space that had opened up in the crowd, and it was gradually moving closer. When the space was about 5 meters away, the man understood the cause.

The man alternately looked at the dark elf girl and the two black wolves, then his eyes roamed over the girl’s body.

(She’s still a kid, but she’s a good-looking one. Oh, did I stare too much?)

Kuro, sensing the man’s gaze, let out a small growl, and Suke looked up at Marifa with unease.

“Mr. Dan, it’s been a while. Is Master Mago here?”

The man’s name was Dan, but he had no recollection of ever meeting such a beautiful dark elf girl.

“W-Why do you know my name?”

“Have you forgotten? It’s Marifa. I was under your care until just a month ago.”

“Marifa! No way….”

It was no wonder Dan didn’t recognize Marifa. The Marifa he remembered had a scar over her left eye, a large scar on her neck, and a thin, emaciated body. The dark elf girl standing before him now had no visible scars, and her body, though not overly plump, was well-proportioned, exuding both the innocence of a girl and the charm of a woman.

“So, is Master Mago here?”

Dan, asked again by Marifa, nodded hurriedly and rushed to Mago. Mago, upon being informed, instructed him to guide Marifa to the reception room.

“Ho ho, it’s been a while.

I must say, I’m surprised. Your scars are healed, I see.”

Mago responded calmly, contrary to his words.

“Master Mago, you must be joking. You know very well.”

At Marifa’s words, one of Mago’s usually closed eyelids rose.

“I don’t recall making a joke. What brings you here today?”

“Have you forgotten? Today is the first payment date for my debt.

I also have potions from my master.”

Marifa said this as she took out potions from the item pouch attached to her apron, one after another.

The potions were stored in containers similar to buckets with lids, and it was agreed that Mago would transfer them to the shop’s selling containers.

The potions delivered by Yu had gained a good reputation through word of mouth and were now being purchased not only by adventurers but also by ordinary citizens.

While Mago’s shop was primarily a slave market, the sales of the item shop were catching up. In fact, Mago predicted that by next month, the item shop would surpass the slave market in sales.

“And here is my payment. Please accept it.”

Mago, realizing that the pocket on Marifa’s apron was an item pouch, was surprised but maintained a calm exterior as a small cloth bag was placed on the table.

When the bag was opened, it was filled with gold coins, and upon counting, there were 53 of them.

“Did Master Yu prepare this?”

It was no wonder Mago asked this. 53 gold coins was an amount that a newly ranked C-class adventurer could barely earn.

“No, this is what I earned in the dungeon.”

At Marifa’s words, Mago’s eyes widened.

Mago had sent a spy to Yu’s place. The spy was supposed to gather information on the secret of potion making, Yu’s weaknesses, and how Marifa would repay her debt. However, the spy had not been able to obtain any useful information. The only thing known was that Marifa’s scars had healed, and it was not by a high-ranking priest.

“Ho ho, that’s impressive. I heard you became an adventurer, but to earn this much in a month shows great talent.

I have a favor to ask—”

“I’ve been having trouble with flies recently.”

Just as Mago was about to negotiate with money, Marifa changed the subject.

“Flies…?”

“Yes. My master is a very kind person.

Despite the warnings about the golden flies and silver flies, they continue to fly around the mansion.”

At Marifa’s words, Mago recalled a common saying among the citizens.

‘Nobles are golden flies that swarm around money’ and ‘Merchants are silver flies adorned in silver.’ These were often used as euphemisms, with nobles being called ‘golden flies’ for their tendency to take money from the citizens, and merchants being called ‘silver flies’ for their tendency to adorn themselves in silver.

“That must be… troubling.”

“Do you like the Lorisitch flower, Master Mago?”

Again, Mago listened silently as Marifa changed the subject.

“The Lorisitch flower has a unique characteristic.

When mixed with certain soil, it blooms with beautiful red flowers.

Would you like me to bring some next time?”

“…No, I’ll… pass.”

“Is that so? What a pity.”

Marifa had a mesmerizing smile, but Mago’s expression suggested that it was not a sweet one.

After setting the next delivery date for the potions, Marifa left.

Mago, left in the reception room, sighed deeply, poured a high-proof alcohol that he usually didn’t drink, and drank it in one gulp.

Mago’s expression was one of extreme fatigue, a far cry from his usual composed demeanor when dealing with nobles.

---

“Yu, is lunch ready yet? I’m about to starve.”

Muss, lying on the sofa in the living room, complained.

“Shut up. I said I won’t make lunch until Marifa gets back.

Besides, stop coming here every day to eat! You’re a noble who governs the city of Kama, for crying out loud.”

Yu responded with obvious irritation.

“Master Yu, please have this.”

Nung prepared crackers with fruit and a glass of grape juice for Yu.

“Nung, I’ve told you before, this kind of thing is a problem.”

“Master Yu, I am a butler. It is my duty to serve. Please don’t worry.”

Yu couldn’t be harsh with Nung, who had a similar aura to Stella.

Muss, taking advantage of this, used Nung to visit Yu’s mansion whenever he had free time, sharing meals and trying to woo him.

“Hey, Nung, give me some wine. And remember, you serve me, me!”

“Hmm? Such trivial matters are fine, aren’t they?”

“What! That’s not trivial! Nung, you’re a problem.

By the way, Yu, did you do something to Viscount Groubard and Baron Pellet? They were acting secretly behind my back, but suddenly became quiet.”

Yu was feeding a cracker to Nina, who was looking at it with desire. On the side, Lena was also eyeing it, so he was considering feeding her as well.

“I didn’t do anything. —I just gave them a flower.”

“A flower?”

“Yes, a beautiful red flower.”

Muss, saying “Hmm,” seemed to lose interest, eating a cracker and washing it down with wine.

It was another peaceful day.