Torquetum ④
Time passes so quickly, does it not?
Eight days have already gone by since the subjugation of the dungeon anomaly.
Although the investigation team’s survey is still ongoing, the closure should be lifted in a month at the earliest, I suppose.
I feel rather sorry for Wof, having to wait for about a month.
His reward is also delayed because of that.
Fortunately, the Guild paid out the interest at least, so that should tide him over, I imagine.
Still, with Wof being that Witch’s apprentice, I do have my concerns.
Should anything happen, I shall always be available to lend an ear.
However, that girl… having Mineha living with him is… rather troublesome.
I want to help somehow, but dealing with Mineha is, well…
“I have a proposal.”
In the special room of the high-class inn we are using as a temporary base.
We were seated at a table on the balcony. As I was reading while sipping tea, Lupinus spoke up.
Liv, who had been dozing beside me, woke up.
“Ngh…”
“What is it?”
“How long have we been here in Hydrangea?”
“Let’s see now. About four months, I believe.”
“…Longest stay.”
“Indeed. We originally came here to train for the upcoming Tier II Trial.”
“You mean the Examination.”
“For us, it is a trial.”
“Mmm… Liv doesn’t care either way…”
That would be true for Liv, I suppose.
We, Torquetum, possess the qualifications to participate in the Tier II Examination.
However, it is unclear when the examination will actually commence.
Apparently, a letter is supposed to arrive from the Grand Guild for those qualified to participate.
Other promotion examinations are held twice a year, are they not?
But for Tier II and First Class, perhaps because there are so few qualified candidates, they are held once a year, if at all.
Moreover, these two examinations are conducted directly by the Grand Guild, the main headquarters of the Seeker Guild.
And from what I hear, the examiners are Tier I Seekers.
I suspect the reason they are rarely held is precisely because Tier I Seekers are the examiners.
I hear they are nothing but eccentrics, capricious and free-spirited.
“What about it, I wonder?”
“I wanted to ask you both whether or not we should make Hydrangea our base.”
“Mmm… Makes sense…”
“Hmm.”
I placed my bookmark and closed the book.
That might indeed be an option. But it is a sudden proposal.
Lupinus spoke with a proud-looking smile.
“I believe making it our base would be a good idea.”
“Lupinus. What is your reasoning for that?”
“Oh? Is staying here for so long not reason enough?”
“Well, that is true, I suppose.”
“Mmm… Found a… big patron…?”
“Liv. That way of speaking is vulgar.”
“What? Is that so?”
“You have a strange intuition, as always… Yes, they may become very good sponsors for us.”
“What? It is not yet confirmed?”
“They have business that brings them to Hydrangea soon, and a letter arrived stating they will make a formal decision then, after seeing us.”
“…Who… is it?”
“If they are visiting, does that mean they do not live in Hydrangea?”
“Indeed, they possess their own territory. They do not even have a villa in Hydrangea.”
“Mmm? How did this come about?”
“Mmm… Pachira… Before that… Ask… who…”
“Right you are. So, who is this party?”
“It is the Marquis Tasan family.”
“Wha-!? That Tasan…?”
“…Mouth agape… surprised.”
Despite saying that, Liv’s expression remained sleepy and blank as she closed her mouth. Setting that aside…
The Marquis Tasan family. The sole Marquis in this country and the ruling family of the Tasan Territory.
Furthermore, as the head of the Tasan faction, they possess the third greatest authority amongst the nobles of this country.
Unquestionably a great noble house.
“The circumstances are not that complicated. The catalyst was Megadia.”
“Mmm… Megadia…”
“Hmm?”
“Do you recall when I was summoned to the Guild the other day as Torquetum’s leader?”
“That did happen, yes.”
“Mmm… Forgot…”
“Honestly, you…”
“At that time, Megadia approached me. She asked if I was interested because the Marquis Tasan family has a support system for capable female Seekers.”
“A support system, you say?”
“Yes, apparently since the relaxation of restrictions on female Seekers twenty years ago, women have been able to earn money, and the number of female Seekers has been increasing year by year, I heard. Are you both aware of this?”
“I did not know the details, admittedly.”
“…Not interested…”
Rather, I am surprised that Megadia knows about such things.
“Indeed. I did not know either. It was apparently established to support promising individuals and further the advancement of women in society.”
“Hoh. That is also news to me.”
“Mmm…”
“The reason it is not widely known is that it was established quite recently. And so, Megadia-san offered to provide a letter of recommendation for this support system.”
“Hoh. And so… Wait. Did you ask her for a recommendation?”
“Yes, it was an immediate decision.”
I glared sharply at Lupinus.
Liv, though sleepy, also fixed her gaze on Lupinus.
“Fool. Such important matters should be discussed with everyone first.”
“However, I made the decision as the leader.”
“Mmm… Leader’s arbitrary decision… Opposed.”
“Exactly. It is an important matter. Being the leader does not make it acceptable.”
Lupinus does things like this sometimes. It is quite troublesome.
Being reprimanded by us, Lupinus clearly became dejected.
“I-I apologize. I will be more careful next time.”
“Mmm… Learn from this… for next time…”
“Yes. I will.”
“Indeed. Next time… I shall be truly angry, you know.”
I added with another sharp glare. Lupinus hung her head, crestfallen.
“Y-Yes. Understood.”
Well, she also acted for Torquetum’s sake, so I cannot stay too angry.
Good grief. I am soft as well, it seems.
“So, the reply to the recommendation letter arrived, is that it?”
“Yes, that is correct. Apparently, the recommendation immediately led to an interview being decided.”
“Hmm. You have the letter, I presume? May I see it as well?”
“Yes. Here it is.”
She is well-prepared. I took it and read it.
One never knows what might be hidden in these things. I was taught to read them from corner to corner.
I do not know what kind of recommendation Megadia sent, but hmm, hmm. I see.
They already knew about us, and this recommendation letter allowed us to pass the practical skills assessment.
So it has moved directly to an interview, I see.
It states the specific date and time will be sent via letter later.
“What do you think?”
“Mmm… Was there… some kind of scam…?”
“Of course not.”
“There is nothing like that. It is generally as Lupinus described.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
“However. It states the interview must be with all members of Torquetum.”
Well, I am a bit worried, especially about Liv, but it will probably be alright.
“Oh dear, I overlooked that.”
“Mmm… Full members… Bring it on.”
“…I am worried, you know.”
Because this one doesn’t hold back and tends to cause trouble, even against nobles.
Still, this is an unexpected development.
“Let us return to the topic. Are we agreed on making Hydrangea our base?”
“Hmm. I have no objection.”
“Mmm… No objection…”
“Very well, then Torquetum shall designate Hydrangea as our base starting today.”
“Mm.”
“Mmm… Okay…”
I had been feeling that we needed to decide on a base soon anyway.
For now, that particular worry has vanished.
It is not as if… I am now free to meet Wof without reservation or anything.
Well, I admit I am pleased.
“Mmm… Submit… base application…?”
“Yes, because there are various preferential treatments.”
“Hold on. If I recall correctly, an inn cannot serve as an official base for the application.”
“Eh? Is that so?”
“If we intend to keep using this inn, the application will not be accepted.”
We can still live here and operate without issue, mind you.
But the merits of officially applying for a base are numerous.
First, we can receive party subsidies from the Hydrangea administration as our base.
Second, we receive discounts when renting or purchasing a Party House to serve as our base.
Having an official base also adds to our contribution points, which is significant.
Essentially, it generates preferential treatment based on our contributions to Hydrangea and the Guild.
There are various benefits, but the biggest one is the discount at shops.
Also, our taxes are reduced. This is also quite advantageous.
“Mmm… Whether to give up on this place… difficult.”
“The fact that it is quite comfortable despite being an inn is rather… problematic, is it not?”
“Because it has a kitchen.”
The special room has features other rooms lack.
A kitchen and a laundry room. Though Lupinus is the only one who uses them.
Lupinus pondered, troubled.
“…Hmmmm.”
“Say, Lupinus. We can decide on the rest later, can we not? We have decided to make this city our base. We can think about the details after the Marquis Tasan family becomes our sponsor.”
“…That… true.”
“You are right.”
Lupinus nodded. There is no need to rush things so much.
For now, passing the Tasan interview is the best course of action.
“Phew.”
Lupinus drank her tea with a relieved expression.
It was the tea Wof gave us. Citrus scent, wasn’t it?
“Mmm… Lupinus… forgetting something…”
“What is it?”
“What is it now?”
“…Elixir… About Wof…”
“What…?”
I felt a slight tremor of unease.
Just a slight one. Lupinus gave a wry smile.
“That is right. It completely slipped my mind. Pachira. You have realized it too, have you not? The one who saved us that day was a child. No. It was Wof-kun.”
“Mmm…”
“…How did you figure it out?”
At this point, I resigned myself.
With Liv around, it was something that would come out eventually anyway.
“Pachira. What you used on Crouton when he had that hole in his stomach and was on the verge of death, that was an Elixir, wasn’t it? I saw Wof-kun give it to you before the exploration.”
“Nn… And the scent… The boy… Elixir’s scent… strong.”
“Indeed, that is so. I kept silent from you all because this matter does not concern only myself, you see. But, I apologize.”
“Please don’t worry about it.”
“…Don’t mind…”
“—So, what do you intend to do?”
“I would like to speak with him.”
“Nn… Should talk… properly once…”
“Hmm. Indeed. Next time I see Wof, I shall let him know.”
“Yes, please do. However, Pachira. I don’t want you to misunderstand, either.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I do not intend to blame Wof-kun. Nor will I try to force anything out of him. I simply wish to talk. I would like you to convey that as well.”
Lupinus said with a gentle expression.
I smiled.
“Mm. I shall certainly relay your words.”
“Yes, please do.”
I elegantly sipped my tea.
That should conclude the conversation. Now I can get back to my book… It was just getting to a good part.
Black Moon Knight Rudot was finally meeting Radiant Princess Niniva in the Sky Garden at night when— a knock came at the door.
What now?
“What is it?”
“Nn… Someone’s here…”
“To be right outside the door means it must be an acquaintance.”
At the very least, only familiar faces could get past the front counter.
Liv stood up and unlocked the door.
The one who burst in was Bid.
A black-haired rabbit-kin girl with Holland Lop ears.
A Tier III Seeker, same as us.
She was breathing quite heavily.
“Hah… hah… huff… huff… Th-this is terrible!”
“What is it?”
“What is it?”
“Nn…”
“M-My Party… Zan Brave… has disbanded!!”
What did she just say?