Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 147

I gave Lumia the materials as souvenirs, then bought additional supplies such as the antidote potion before quickly leaving the shop.

If I continued to stay in the store, I would get involved with Saffy, who was completely drunk with distilled liquor, and most of all, Lumia was fidgeting around as if she was researching volcanic materials.

I could understand her desire to closely observe the new materials, so I read the atmosphere and left.

I had intended to stay a little longer, but by leaving early, I gained some extra time.

“…Might as well drop by the Adventurer’s Guild while I’m at it.”

I haven’t been to the Adventurer’s Guild since returning from Mount Ladeo.

I had been planning to visit soon, so this was a good opportunity.

With that decision made, I passed by the Cat’s Tail Pavilion in the west district and headed straight to the Adventurer’s Guild in the central district.

As always, the guild was bustling with people issuing requests and adventurers taking on jobs.

It was around lunchtime, and many adventurers were loitering in the adjacent tavern.

There was even a party clinking their cups together in a toast, despite it being daytime.

In fact, that party included familiar faces like Leona, Erik, and Razo.

Drinking during the day meant they probably didn’t plan on taking on any requests today.

Even as adventurers who valued freedom above all else, they had that much discretion.

Some adventurers would go on requests even while drunk, but they were usually dwarves or a small number of heavy drinkers. Generally, it was common sense among adventurers not to drink before taking on a request.

They probably checked the bulletin board but didn’t find any requests to their liking.

Let’s skip the request today. Let’s go drinking instead. This was a common scene at the guild as well.

…It looks like fun. I haven’t had lunch yet, maybe I should join them.

“Shuu-san! You’re back!”

Just as these thoughts were swelling up inside me, Rabis called out to me from the reception desk.

Her eyes looked slightly moist, and she seemed genuinely relieved that I had returned.

It’s an adventurer’s privilege to have a beautiful receptionist welcome him back.

But I knew that behind this joy lay a darker motive. Or rather, I had learned it.

When Rabis looked frazzled, it usually meant something not so good for me.

“Yes, I’m back.”

“Hey! It’s been a while since we met, and you’re just waving goodbye? That’s cruel!”

I tried to smile casually and walk away, but Rabis approached me with lightning speed and grabbed my arm.

“Sorry, I was just tempted by the adventurers having a drinking party. They looked like they were having fun.”

I tried to move forward with a little more force while talking, but for some reason, I couldn’t budge.

Beastkin were known for their strength, but I hadn’t expected such a stark difference.

Oh well. I had come to the guild not just to show my face but also for a particular purpose.

“By the way, I have a souvenir from Eld. I’ll give it to you now.”

“Eh? Really?”

At the mention of the word “souvenir”, Rabis’s rabbit ears perked up.

“I’m quite confident about this souvenir.”

“Are you sure you want to raise my expectations like that? You’re making me curious.”

Last time, she had been disappointed that I didn’t bring any seafood ingredients from Lindblum.

As someone who brought souvenirs, I couldn’t let that regret linger.

I had to prove that I was a man of refined taste and judgment.

This time, I was confident.

After all, even Sarasa, the lord’s wife, had been so delighted.

But now I was worried that it might be too effective. Sarasa had been so excited by the materials.

I wasn’t sure how an ordinary woman would react to them.

“Here’s your souvenir!”

As Rabis looked on with anticipation, I placed the jar containing Eld’s mud pack on the counter.

“…What is this? You didn’t bring me a jar of volcanic ash or soil, did you?”

Hmm? Didn’t she recognize it right away?

Or was she suspicious because of the seashells I brought back last time? If so, that was unfair.

“No, it’s not that. This is a special mud from Mount Ladeo. Apparently, beauty products made with this mud are quite famous in Eld.”

As I explained, Rabis’s ears stood up straight, indicating that she had guessed what it was.

“…Could it be… Eld’s mud pack?”

“That’s right.”

At my hesitant nod, all the female staff members and female adventurers in the guild turned to look at us.

Their sudden attention made me a little nervous.

“H-Hey, is this really Eld’s mud pack? It’s so popular that even nobles can’t get their hands on it, I’ve heard.”

“If you’re unsure, feel free to have it appraised.”

“Then I’ll do so without hesitation—Wow! It really is Eld’s mud pack!”

As I prompted her, Rabis exclaimed in astonishment.

“How did you get your hands on it—but I can’t ask, right?”

“Yes, I can’t sell this information.”

It was a promise I made with the dwarf at the tool shop. I couldn’t reveal that secret.

“Can I really accept this?”

“Yes, it’s a souvenir.”

“Thank you so much!”

After saying that, Rabis bowed deeply.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Yes!”

I had delivered the souvenir, so I decided to head back to the tavern for lunch.

“Hmm? Do I feel a chill?”

Was it just my imagination? As I turned to leave the counter, I felt a chill run down my spine.

It was as if I were surrounded by numerous monsters. A dangerous feeling that made the back of my neck tingle.

But this was the Adventurer’s Guild, there shouldn’t be any monsters here, right?

“Wait, Shuu-san!”

Despite my unease, I was about to head to the tavern when Rabish hastily called out to stop me.

She had initially replied as if she were seeing me off, so I wondered what had changed.

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you have any more of the Eld mud packs? I’d be happy to buy some if you do.”

“Do you want some extra for yourself, Rabis?”

As I asked, the chill I felt seemed to intensify.

And Rabis’s face looked pale.

“No, I don’t intend to keep it all to myself! I want to share it with my colleagues here!”

Rabis shook her head frantically as if she were afraid of something.

Her crisp tone reminded me of a single soldier facing a strict drill sergeant in the army.

As I listened to her, the chill on the back of my neck seemed to fade.

I glanced towards the back of the guild and noticed the female staff members giving Rabis intense looks.

However, when they met my gaze, their fierce expressions softened into gentle smiles.

Even Kathy and Shreddi, who were handling request procedures nearby, were focused on their tasks but couldn’t help stealing glances at Rabis.

So, Rabis needed to secure enough for her senior and junior colleagues to keep herself safe.

After all, even the noble Sarasa had coveted it so much that her eyes lit up at the mention of it.

For ordinary women, it would be even more out of reach, and they would naturally want to acquire it.

“How many people do you want to distribute it to?”

“Um, about thirty people’s worth…”

Rabis whispered apologetically when I quietly asked, having understood the situation.

There were that many female staff members in the Adventurer’s Guild.

“…That’s quite a lot.”

To be honest, I had several barrels of it, so I could sell that many.

But it felt like it would be endless if I agreed to such a large number.

Sarasa had also asked me to give her some if I had any left over.

“Please, Shuu-san! If I’m the only one who brings back such a wonderful item, I’ll be killed!”

Rabis clung to me with a tearful face as I hesitated a little.

No matter what, I didn’t want it to come to that over a souvenir… or so I hoped.

The strategy of sneaking it back without anyone noticing was probably futile now.

Maybe I should have quietly given it to her in a more secluded place.

I should have been more careful when Sarasa showed such a strong reaction.

“Please, Shuu-san. Don’t leave me to die.”

“…All right. I’ll sell the remaining thirty people’s worth as well. Of course, I’ll give you a discount.”

“Thank you so much!”

Rabis’s words of gratitude seemed more sincere than any thanks I had received in my life.

♦ ♦ ♦

“Everyone, Shuu-san sold us Eld’s mud packs!”

As I left the guild after settling the payment for the thirty mud packs, Rabis’s high-pitched voice rang out.

Then, a deafening cheer erupted from within the guild.

Adventurers and ordinary citizens outside the guild turned to look, curious about the commotion.

It was only natural, as the source of the sound was clearly not the men inside the guild, but the women.

Moreover, it was broad daylight, not the bustling tavern at night. It was understandable that passersby would be puzzled.

“Yes! With this, tomorrow’s date is as good as mine!”

“Thank you, Shuu-san!”

“I’ll never forget this kindness for the rest of my life!”

The female staff members, holding the mud packs in their hands, expressed their gratitude one after another.

The Eld mud pack, which could excite the female staff of the guild so much… was indeed frightening.