As I left the Treasure Weapon shop and hurried toward the Clan House, Tino asked in a quiet voice.
"Mastaa... that is... were you short on money?"
"I finally found it... I can't let that Treasure Weapon slip away."
I was, admittedly, in debt. But if I let this chance pass, I'd never see the "Changing Human Face" again in my lifetime.
Possession of the "Changing Human Face" — a weapon perfectly suited for crime — wasn't illegal precisely because outlawing Treasure Weapons altogether would make it impossible for Hunters to bring them back from Treasure Halls.
Zebuldia was a nation that had flourished thanks to the power of Treasure Hunters. Treasure Weapons discovered in Treasure Halls could only be appraised by specialists — no one else could judge their abilities. If Hunters who risked their lives to bring back a Treasure Weapon were arrested for its illegality, not a single Hunter would ever return to the imperial capital with a Treasure Weapon again.
Not just the "Changing Human Face" — the Empire legally permitted the possession of all Treasure Weapons.
But conversely, that only meant ownership wasn't a crime. It certainly didn't mean that highly illegal weapons would show up on shop shelves. Any sane person would never dream of selling a weapon whose very use was a crime.
The means to obtain a weapon that wouldn't appear in any shop were extremely limited. Moreover, this particular one might never resurface again during my lifetime.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I should acquire it even if it meant pawning off my parents.
"...Tino, um... how, how much savings do you have?"
"!?"
"No, it's just for reference. Just reference only, you know. It'll be fine — I'll borrow from Citry. Yep, totally fine."
But we'd only just discussed borrowing money recently. The timing was so terrible it made my stomach churn.
"Mastaa... d-don't you think that's too—"
Tino shrank back, her face frozen in shock as she mumbled things like, *'Is that Treasure Weapon really worth it, Mastaa? It reminds me a bit of that creepy mask you used to have...'*. If she found out it was so I could visit every sweet shop alone, who knows what face she'd make.
It would be fine. I'd borrow from Citry, and it would be fine. No matter how useful an illegal Treasure Weapon was, I couldn't imagine it would cost that much.
Citry-chan was an Alchemist. True to her craft, she created gold! I had no idea what she did to earn her money, but she was the kind of person who could casually pull out hundreds of millions, so it'd be fine!
I had a terrifying feeling that I was going to end up owing her big time someday.
A large horse-drawn carriage was parked in front of the Clan House.
It was a black, polished carriage that reeked of money. Two imposing horses with sleek black coats pulled it, their gazes sweeping over the surroundings as if to intimidate anyone who came near.
Three crossed swords were emblazoned on the carriage body.
Tino spotted it and made a puzzled face.
"The Gradius family crest...? I thought that house despised Hunters..."
Count Gradius — even a sheltered guy like me knew who he was. He was one of the powerful nobles under Zebuldia.
Known as the "Sword" of Zebuldia, he belonged to a lineage of warriors who had protected the Empire for generations.
His territory wasn't particularly large, but it contained numerous Treasure Halls. By regularly sending his knight orders into them, he possessed elite soldiers that gave even Hunters a run for their money. In Treasure Hall–rich Zebuldia, most knights absorbed Mana Materials to some degree or another, but the ones House Gradius had were supposedly on an entirely different level.
We, the "Mourning Specter," made a point of staying out of noble affairs as much as possible, so I didn't know the details. But as Tino said, the Gradius family was practically synonymous with noble Hunter-haters.
I vaguely recalled meeting the head of the house at some Party event once — he'd glared at me with eyes sharp enough to kill.
The passersby all staring at the carriage with wary expressions probably knew that the family treated Hunters as their mortal enemies.
Was this going to be trouble? Why on earth would a carriage belonging to a Hunter-hating house be parked in front of the "Footprint" Clan House, of all places?
They probably hadn't come to cause problems. But even if they had a commission, the proper channel would be to go through the Explorer's Guild first.
Tino was staring up at me, waiting for me to say something.
I was busy right now, and this was a pain. If I prostrated myself, would they just leave?
While I was entertaining that irreverent thought, the entrance door opened.
"Thank you for seeing us out, Lady Eclair. Please give my regards to Lord Gradius."
"Mm. Don't worry about it. I don't care much for Hunters, but warriors are a different matter entirely. Ark — I look forward to the day I can see your blade once more."
"Ah—"
The ones who emerged were Ark and a young girl in a white dress. Surrounding them, probably for protection, were several knights in polished light armor.
At the sight I'd been waiting for, I nearly blurted out a greeting but barely caught myself — because the girl who came out with him was clearly of noble rank.
Unlike my childhood friend, I wasn't hot-headed enough to pick fights with nobles, and since I lacked both education and upbringing, I tried my best to stay quiet whenever nobles were around.
The young girl looked me up and down, scrutinizing the person who had almost called out. Her flawless white skin and crystalline blue eyes guaranteed she'd grow into a striking beauty, but her gaze carried an unmistakable arrogance — the look of someone looking down on all she surveyed.
Was she ten, or just barely? At that age, we'd been consumed by our dream of becoming Hunters. The fact that this girl already had such a sharp gaze spoke volumes about how ruthless noble upbringing must be.
Her pure-white dress appeared to be everyday wear, and she carried herself in it with the natural composure unique to those born above others.
The nearly unadorned dress contrasted with the heavily decorated short sword at her waist — both clues to her lineage.
In a shrill voice, the girl issued a command.
"Who are you? You're in the way — move!"
"H-how dare you speak to Mastaa like—mmph!"
Tino stepped forward, instinctively ready to bite back, but I pulled her into a bear hug from behind and clamped my right hand over her mouth. Only someone as reckless as Ritz would openly stick her neck into obvious trouble like this.
As I tried to step aside with an easy smile, Ark — wearing one of his own bright grins — added something entirely unnecessary.
"Oh, Cline! You just got back, right? Lord Gradius was kind enough to provide a carriage all the way here... This is his daughter, Lady Eclair."
Was this going to be another harem? Even so, she was way too young, wasn't she? I never imagined Ark would have a thing for little girls.
I crushed the wisecrack that was about to slip out with every ounce of restraint. No — I absolutely could not say that. If I said something like that right in front of the daughter herself, my head would roll.
Ark and I had a pretty friendly relationship where we traded barbs, but this was the girl's first time meeting me.
Still, the noble who had invited Ark to train was Marquis Sandline — he was supposed to be a moderate, even when it came to Hunters. So why on earth had he brought back Gradius's daughter? ...Well, it was better than bringing the head of the house himself, I supposed.
Lady Eclair's eyes went wide at Ark's words. She looked me over from head to toe in a piercing stare.
"So... you're the one they call the 'Thousand Transformations.' Father speaks of you often."
Her words and manner were overbearing, but her voice was distinctly that of a child.
I wasn't about to be intimidated by a little girl's words.
Lady Eclair continued in a crisp, clipped tone. The knights surrounding her had gone rigid.
"Father was right — you look even weaker than I expected. The idea that you surpassed this Ark Rodan as a Hunter is simply unbelievable."
"......"
"The Explorer's Guild must have really fallen from grace. Did you buy your position with money? You filthy Hunter — have some dignity."
"......"
"......Why don't you say anything after being told all that? Do you have no pride at all?"
The young lady took a step back, her expression one might wear upon encountering something deeply unsettling, and stared at me as if demanding an answer.
I resumed breathing — which I'd apparently stopped — and spoke as calmly as I could without sounding disrespectful.
Tino squirmed in my arms, but I ignored her.
"I was raised poorly and know nothing of etiquette, so I try to refrain from speaking as much as possible."
"—!? Umm... e-ehem! Y-yes. Th-that is... a commendable attitude."
Lady Eclair looked around as if her opening volley had been deflected, gave a small cough, and nodded.
There was no benefit to offending a noble. I wasn't in a position where I could leverage authority for gain, and as the girl herself pointed out, I had no pride to speak of — so if it meant avoiding conflict, I'd prostrate myself without hesitation. ...If I prostrated myself, though, would she maybe lend me some money?
A distinguished older gentleman who had been waiting at the entrance spoke softly to Lady Eclair. He was dressed head to toe in black butler attire — presumably her minder.
"My lady, it is nearly time."
"O-oh! Right!"
As if rescued by his words, Lady Eclair turned back to Ark with renewed energy.
"Very well, Ark. Let us meet again. When you visit Gradius territory, contact the estate directly. And be sure to give me another sword lesson!"
Sword lessons from a noble lady — Ark had his hands full too.
Having said everything she wanted to say, Lady Eclair shot me one final glare, then left with her entourage, climbing into the carriage and riding away.
She was a hurricane of a young lady. Would she turn out like Ritz when she grew up? ...Probably not.
Finally, I could breathe again. The curious onlookers who'd been gawking drifted away.
Ark strolled over to me with an easy smile and offered a mild apology.
"Sorry about showing up without any notice, riding up in a carriage like that. She kept insisting and I couldn't very well refuse."
Ark. My Ark. The joker in the deck. With him here, no trouble was beyond solving. Though if possible, I'd rather he didn't vacate the Clan House so often.
"Perfect timing, actually. Ark — mind lending me some money?"
"Huh?"
The man who proudly held the title of strongest in the "Beginning Footprint" stared at me with a blank, stupefied expression.