Chapter 503: Silence
“…For now, let’s call Note,” Haulon said with a bright smile.
“Should I go get him?” Chris asked, standing up.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll have the Spirit call him. I’ll also have Dinoss come along,” Haulon stopped Chris from leaving.
Wait, what? Is everyone going to find out? This is my island where I can do whatever I want. I haven’t even dealt with Lady Rosa yet. I think it’s fine to handle things at the trading post with Naruadeid, but inside the island, it feels suspicious.
As I fidgeted, Retze tugged at my cheek. What’s going on? What’s been found out!?
“Do you know a place in the Fortress City that sells clothes cheaply?” Chris asked, turning to Dean while sipping his drink, not saying anything in particular.
“I think it’s the Guild’s shop, isn’t it? I wouldn’t know much else since I’m like this,” Chris replied, fluttering the frills of his sleeves.
Adventurers often dress in unique ways to market themselves. Most people, like Retze, prioritize practicality, but when there are many Demon Beasts around, you need to stand out during chaotic battles. It also makes it easier for others to remember your name.
“If it’s fabric, it’s probably Ol’s, and if it’s leather, then it’s Bon’s shop, right?” Dean said, finishing his mug.
“Looks like it’s those two shops again. Thanks.” It seems Retze knows those places too.
Since Chris and Dean often go to the Fortress City, they must have asked to check if there’s any new information.
“Are you buying clothes?”
“Yeah, today I got some Demon Beast bodily fluids on me. It doesn’t smell to human noses, but when I checked earlier, there were stains that weren’t from the rain. If it smells, certain Demon Beasts will be attracted to it.” He glanced at the pants draped over the back of his chair.
It’s a bit surreal, with Karn sitting across from him by the Fireplace.
“I’ll sell it to the Demon Beast lure shop once it dries.”
“Got it.”
In this world, things aren’t overly abundant, so the recycling rate is high. Some items are plentiful thanks to the Spirits working hard, but it’s puzzling why some things are so abundant, like paper.
“Ah… It’s the season for Scars. I should be careful too,” Dean said, looking a bit disheartened as he took another swig.
“What’s a Scar?”
“It’s a Demon Beast that appears in specific locations and spits out poisonous liquid to mark its territory. The poison only stings for about half an hour, but other Scars and slightly larger Demon Beasts are attracted to the smell.”
“There are Herb patches that grow during this season, so requests come in. They grow in abundance, but the growing period is only about four to five days, so it tends to attract a lot of Adventurers,” Retze added.
“Even if you gather them, they’ll grow back the next day. —Unless you’re like Retze and notice them, there are those who wouldn’t even notice the splatter. That’s when jobs to hunt larger Demon Beasts come in,” Chris chimed in.
If it’s for medicinal materials, maybe I should ask for the location and gather some myself?
“I don’t like the thought of it smelling even if I can’t smell it myself.”
“…”
At Dean’s words, I instinctively looked at my legs and armpits.
Today, the Spirit is happily clinging to my leg, sniffing away, while the little Lizard peeks out from my armpit, looking quite pleased. Well, yeah. The frequency of baths might seem low to me, but I do take a water bath more than once a day.
I asked about the locations where the Herbs grow, the precautions for gathering them, and the recent happenings at the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Excuse me,” a knock sounded, and the Butler and Dinoss entered while we were talking and drinking.
“You’re here,” Haulon said with a smile that felt off.
“I brought him like you asked, but what’s this about?” Dinoss said, looking at Haulon.
It seems Haulon asked Dinoss to fetch the Butler.
“Oh, sorry. I should’ve gone to unlock my house,” I realized I had forgotten. If Dinoss couldn’t pass through my house, he would have taken quite a detour.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Dinoss said, accepting the wine glass I offered.
I handed over a glass for the Butler as well and added more food and drink.
“Please share all the information you have about Assassination Island near Naruadeid,” Haulon said as Dinoss and the Butler took a sip of their drinks.
“Bwah!”
“…”
Dinoss spat out his drink, while the Butler quickly averted his gaze.
What’s with that reaction?
“What’s with that reaction?” Haulon seemed to think the same thing.
“…I’ll plead the fifth,” the Butler said with a smile.
“What do you mean by pleading the fifth? Jean deserves to hear a bit. Just because someone seems nice doesn’t mean those behind the scenes are good people.”
Just because they’re behind the scenes doesn’t mean they’re bad either. I can’t say they’re good, but I’d appreciate a fair judgment.
“If I were to move people for shady purposes, I’d have a few intermediaries and make sure to have someone completely unaware carry it out. Can you guarantee you’re not one of them? You seem suspicious, yet once you let your guard down, you trust easily.”
Haulon’s concerns aren’t just about Karn’s kingdom; they’re also about me. It’s true that if someone like Orlando-kun were deceived and thought they were doing something good, I might go along with it too.
“…This time, the ones behind the scenes are harmless, so just accept it,” Retze sighed.
I sense that I’m being found out!?