The day after returning to the city of Farren, Virum and the others received a call from the Adventurer's Guild and showed up at the guild's reception desk.
Celica, who had been completely put in charge of Virum and the others, responded to the call with a smile.
''You have reached the promotion line by completing this job. Congratulations! Mr. Wyrm and Ms. Cunaria will be promoted to the rank of C as of today.
''... Isn't it too soon for you to have been promoted to a D grade just the day before yesterday?''
'There's no problem. Defeating bandits and thieves is normally a C-rank or higher request, so there are more promotion points for that. Investigating and defeating bandits' hideout, disposing of corpses, transporting stolen goods, etc. are all separate jobs. Normally, after you reach the promotion line, you will be asked to take the job of defeating bandits and thieves as a test, but Virum-san and the others have done it this time.
Vilm had doubts about the premature promotion of his rank, but after Celica's explanation, he was convinced.
The adventurers around them were also talking about the gossip ever since Virum and the others entered the guild.
''That elven girl is a B-rank Meldina-san, huh? I'm not sure if she used to be mainly exploring ruins or not, but she's a beauty because she's an elf.
I'm a fan of Kounaria-chan. It's a good thing that you have a healthy atmosphere that makes you want to protect them. I've heard that she fights with a big axe on her back, but I like that gap.
I've always shied away from them because of their looks and the rumors about the human race, but Virum is a great guy. He's not picky about what he does, and for a young man he seems very calm and reliable.
''I mean, just three people can't eradicate almost thirty bandits, that's not a C rank. I'm sure they'll be able to climb up to the A-rank, maybe even the S-rank. Those three.
The rumors are clearly more favorable than the day I came to register with the Adventurer's Guild.
''But I can't forgive that guy from Vilm. To keep Meldina-san and Kounaria-chan to himself...!
Oh, you talk so friendly to Mr. Meldina!
'I envy you! I wish Kunalia would call me 'Master' too.
The jealousy of the vindictive men seemed to have been sent against Virm, though.
After completing the procedure for promotion to C-rank, Virum and the others were led to the guildmaster's room under the guise of handing over the reward for their emergency request.
The room was filled with Shazar, Sierra, the Farren representative, Assem, the production guild general manager, and Nanaterra, the merchant guild general manager.
''Virumhan! Honestly, you've been a real help! The number of merchants being robbed of their goods by those brigands has been increasing, so we've been having a hard time with it.
As soon as she saw Vilm's appearance, Nanaterra, the merchant guild's general manager, took her hands and buzzed them up and down.
Tears pooled in her eyes, telling her that her gratitude to Virum and the others was genuine.
'I didn't expect to be able to resolve the urgent request we decided on at the meeting the next day. On behalf of the residents of Farren, I would like to extend my thanks to you all.
Farren's representative, Sierra, bowed her head deeply and thanked him.
I'm sure it's going to have an effect on our side as well. This is the way to go," he says. I'm glad to hear that the weapons we gave to the girls were also useful.
What? Assem, you're the one who told me you couldn't run away. Why didn't you tell us about this?
I didn't run off with you. You said you were looking for a weapon for your daughter, so I just gave you one of the weapons I have in my shop.
Leaving Assem and Nanaterra, who started arguing with Yayoi Yayoi, Shazar moved in front of Virum and the others.
''Sorry for the noise, Virum. We were all expecting more damage before it was resolved, so we're excited about the outcome of an immediate resolution.
No, I'm glad it was helpful. It was a good experience for Cunaria, too.
You've been very helpful. Well, now, about that reward...
Shazal placed several bags of drawstring that he had prepared beforehand on the desk.
I'm going to be able to say that the basic reward written in the request form is 30 gold coins, 10 gold coins for searching and discovering the hiding place, 15 gold coins as the number of bandits was higher than expected, 6 gold coins for disposing of the corpses, 2 gold coins per person for transporting the stolen goods, and a total of 67 gold coins.
...sure.
It seems that there are 20 gold coins in each bag, and after a firm count, I handed one to Meldina and Cunaria each.
The seven extra coins are the portion that repays the lodging fees that were paid in advance, so they ended up in Virum's pocket.
Meldina has a beaming face and Kounaria has a restless expression because of the large amount of money that came in.
''Roughly, Assem-han...''
Nana Terra, do you have a minute?
Suddenly, as if Virum had an idea, he called out to Nanaterra, who was still arguing immensely with Assem.
''Yes... yes! What's that? Wyrm's Version
Nanatera, as if she instantly forgot that she was arguing with Assem, lowers the corners of her eyes and moves to Virum's side.
That attitude of prioritizing the connection with Virum and his friends (what is profitable) over one's own emotions is the sum total of the Merchant's Guild.
It's a good idea to have a set of clothes for Meldina and Kounaria to mend. The bandits' return blood has ruined the clothes I was wearing, so it's a gift from me.
Let me know if you need help! I'll put our merchant spirit to work to make the most of the two of you, but I'll also be able to mend your clothes to make them strong, easy to move, and perform well!
Hey, Ville, are you sure you want to do this?
'Oh, Master, I got some money, and I can buy it myself, right?
They stared at Vilm with reserve, but there was a flicker of joyful emotion behind their eyes.
''Oh come on, Miss Meldina, but the Lady of Coonaria is the vanguard, right? Wouldn't armor be better for you?
Nanaterra glares at Assem's side-stepping, "Don't say anything unnecessary.
'I was thinking that armor would be fine for Kounaria, but she seems to have a big change in her body shape right now. As it stands, I'm not quite ready to build up my body, and once I'm a little more stable, I'll have to stop by Assem's shop.
'Master, I hate it when you talk like that, it makes me sound fat...'
In fact, after that day of assaulting Virum's room naked, Coonaria's breasts are getting bigger every day.
It's probably a characteristic of the cattle race, but Kounaria herself seems to have mixed feelings about it, as she wants her height to grow.
It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them. Meldina-san seems to be mainly involved in magical combat, so how about a robe or cloak?
'Oh, I'd like a cloak then. Do you have an item strong enough to shake off a bow or a thrown object?
In that case, there's a great item that I got the other day. It's a cloak made of demon thread called Rage Spider, but it's so strong that it won't even get a scratch on an iron weapon.
It seems that Nanatera already has an idea of the clothes she would like to give to them, and she is explaining the appeal of the items.
It seems that the same material is used for Kounaria's clothes, and they are listening intently to Nana-tera's suggestion that they are first-class in appearance.
The two of them seem to be on board, so let's buy the one that Nanaterra recommends. How much do you want to pay for it?
The materials are good, so Coonaria's clothes will cost 20 gold coins and Meldina's cloak will cost 16 gold coins. However, Virum and the others were inconvenienced by the trouble they caused us, and they were very helpful. Twenty gold coins for just the two of us, that's a lot!
Sixteen gold coins is too much to lose. Well, I'll be grateful for the six pieces of gold. How about 30 gold coins?
Nanaterra didn't expect to be haggled over in a price negotiation or vice versa.
She had a stunned expression on her face, but gradually began to laugh happily.
'Hahahaha! I've been in the business a long time, but I've never seen anyone like Wilm! I'll sell it to you for that price. The inn was at Hiryu no Tomariki, wasn't it? He said he'd arrange to have it delivered today. I'm looking forward to it.
After bowing to Virum once again, Nanaterra refused to say a few words to Shazal and the others and left the room to prepare the goods.
After that, Vilm and the others decided to return to the Dragon's Tree, where they finished chatting.
When Virum and the others returned, Nanatera had already brought the goods, to the surprise of Meldina and Kounaria, who were surprised by the quick response.
I'm sure the name of the businessman will go out of style if you don't return the favor. So, Meldina and Coonaria, here is what you ordered.
The clothes and cloak that came out of the package that was handed to me, even to a layman's eye, I could tell that they were tastefully designed.
''Wow, I like this cloak! Thank you, Ville!
Huh~.... Is it okay to receive such a nice dress? Thank you, Master!
They seemed to like what Nanaterra had chosen and went back to their room to try on the clothes.
I'm glad to hear that you like it. You know, we'll go back to the store. I'm looking forward to your visit again, Virum.
Yeah, I'm gonna have to come by this time.
Virum hands Nanaterra a small bag of gold coins and sees her off.
Afterwards, I asked for a drink in the esophagus for a break, and as I was having a smoke, they came down to see if I had coordinated with them to my satisfaction.
''This cloak has a terrific feel to it. 'What do you think, Ville? Does it look good on you?
I've never worn such a pretty dress before. Isn't it funny? Master.
They ask Wyrm for his opinion.
'Isn't it good? Meldina's cloak doesn't inhibit her movement and is a good length to shake off projectiles. Coonaria's clothes are easy to grab, but if that happens, we'll just move to melee combat and we won't have a problem.
Their expressions were soft, even as they laughed at Vilm's off-base opinion of fashion, though they both laughed at his lack of interest in fashion.