How time flies, truly.
Eight days have already passed since we dealt with the dungeon's disturbance.
The investigation team still has work to do, but the closure should be lifted in about a month at the earliest.
I feel a bit sorry for Wof, having to wait a full month.
His rewards are being delayed for the same reason.
Fortunately, the Guild has paid at least the interest, so that should hold things over.
What worries me about Wof is that matter with the witch's apprentice.
If anything comes up, I'm always willing to lend an ear.
But that boy... Mineha having moved in with him is... a bit of a problem.
I'd like to help him out, but it's Mineha we're talking about.
"I have a proposal."
The private suite of the upscale inn we've been using as a temporary base.
At a table on the balcony, I was reading over tea when Lupinus spoke up.
Riv, who had been dozing beside me, stirred awake.
"Mm..."
"What is it?"
"How long has it been since we came to Hydrangea?"
"Let me think... About four months now, I'd say."
"...That's the longest we've stayed anywhere."
"Indeed. We originally came here as training for the Rank II trial that lies ahead."
"It's an exam, isn't it?"
"For us, it is very much a trial."
"Mm... Riv doesn't care either way..."
That would be about right for Riv.
We of "Torquetam" hold the qualifications to participate in the Rank II trial.
But when the trial will actually begin, no one knows.
A letter from the Grand Guild is supposed to reach those who qualify, or so I hear.
The other promotion exams are held twice a year.
The Rank II and Rank I exams, perhaps because so few people qualify, happen once a year at most.
Moreover, these two exams are conducted directly by the Grand Guild—the headquarters of the Delvers' Guild.
And from what I've heard, the examiners are Rank I delvers.
I suspect it's because Rank I delvers serve as examiners that the trial is rarely held.
They're all eccentrics—fickle, and free to do as they please.
"I wonder if that has led to anything?"
"I'd like to ask you both whether we should make Hydrangea our base."
"Mm... I see..."
"Hmm."
I set down my bookmark and closed my book.
It was true that this, too, could work. But what a sudden proposal.
Lupinus spoke with a proud smile on her face.
"I believe they would make an excellent base of operations."
"Lupinus. What is your reasoning?"
"Well, doesn't staying for a long time count as reason enough?"
"I suppose that's true as well, hmm."
"Mmm... big spender... found...?"
"Riv. That way of putting it is rather crude."
"What? Is that so, now?"
"As always, your intuition is quite mysterious... Yes, they may very well become a wonderful supporter."
"What, it's not decided yet then?"
"I received a letter saying they will be visiting Hydrangea soon, and at that time they will see us in person before making their final decision."
"...Who... is it..."
"So they don't live in Hydrangea, given they're visiting?"
"No, they hold a territory of their own. They don't even have a second home in Hydrangea."
"Hmm? How did that come about?"
"Mmm... Pakira... before that... ask... who..."
"That's right. So who is it?"
"The House of Marquis Tassan."
"What!? That Tassan...?"
"...Gobsmacked...!"
Riv speaks up with her usual sleepy, expressionless face.
The House of Marquis Tassan. The only marquis in the country and the ruling family of the Tassan territory.
Also, as the leading faction of the Tassan political bloc, they hold the third-highest power among the nation's nobility.
Without question, a great noble house.
"The circumstances aren't all that complicated. It all started with Megadia."
"Hmm... the black hole..."
"Hm?"
"Do you remember being called to the Delvers' Guild the other day, as leader of Torquetam?"
"I do, aye."
"Hmm... I forgot..."
"You really are something..."
"That's when Megadia approached me. She said the House of Marquis Tassan has a support program for capable female delvers, and asked if I was interested."
"A support program, you say?"
"Yes. Apparently, about 180 years ago, the registration requirements for female delvers were relaxed, making it easy for them to register and earn money like they do now. Then, 60 years ago, there were preferential measures for female delvers along with stricter criminal penalties for delver-related crimes. Because of that, the number of female delvers has been on a gradual upward trend, or so I was told. Were either of you aware?"
"Oh my. I didn't know it went that far back."
"Hmm... not interested..."
I'm actually more surprised that Megadia knows all of this.
"Indeed. I wasn't aware of it myself. Apparently, it was established to promote promising future female social advancement, or something to that effect."
"Oh. That's a first for me too."
"Hmm..."
"The reason it's not well-known is that the program was only recently established. And so it was decided that Megadia would write a recommendation letter for the support system."
"Oh. So then... Wait. You went and asked for a recommendation?"
"Yes. It was decided right away."
I shot a sharp glare at Lupinus.
Riv was also sleepy, but she stared at Lupinus.
"Fool. Something that important is something you discuss with everyone first."
"But I made that judgment as the leader."
"Hmm... The leader deciding on her own... I'm against it."
"Exactly. It's an important matter. Being the leader doesn't make it okay."
Lupinus would occasionally do things like this. What a handful.
Lupinus, being scolded by us, visibly drooped.
"I-I'm sorry. I'll be more careful next time."
"Hmm... Put that reflection to use next time..."
"Yes. I will."
"Right. Next time... I'll be genuinely angry."
I glared at her for good measure. Lupinus slumped and lowered her head.
"Y-Yes. I will."
Well, she did act for the sake of Torquetam, so I couldn't stay too angry.
Good grief. I was too soft.
"So a reply to the recommendation letter has come, has it."
"Yes, that's right. Apparently, they received the recommendation and set up the interview right away."
"I see. There should be a letter, yes? Let me see it as well."
"Here it is."
Well prepared. I took it and began to read.
With these things, you never know what might be hidden inside. I was taught to read them from start to finish.
I couldn't tell what kind of recommendation Megadia had sent, but, hmm, hmm. I see.
They had already known about us beforehand, and this recommendation letter had carried us through the practical examination.
So we'd been fast-tracked straight to the interview.
The specific date and time would be sent later by letter.
"Well? What do you think?"
"Hm... any chance of... fraud?"
"Don't be silly."
"There wouldn't be anything like that. Overall, it's about what Lupinus said."
"Thank goodness."
"However, it does state that the interview will be with all members of Torquetam, without exception."
The main concern on my mind was Riv, but it would probably be fine.
"Oh my, I seem to have overlooked something."
"Hm... full complement... bring it on."
"...That's worrying."
She'd go and pull something like that even with nobles, this one.
Still, that was unexpected.
"Let me get back on track. So we're settling on Hydrangea as our base, is that right?"
"Hmm. Fine by me."
"Nn... no objections..."
"Then I'll officially register Torquetam as being based in Hydrangea starting today."
"Mm."
"Nn... okay..."
I'd been feeling it was about time we settled on a base, so this worked out.
At any rate, my worries were gone.
It's not like... I can see Wof freely now or anything.
Well, she's happy about that, I suppose.
"Nn... the base registration... do we file that...?"
"Yes. There are all sorts of benefits that come with it."
"Wait. I'm pretty sure an inn doesn't qualify as a base through registration."
"Oh, is that so?"
"If you're going to keep using the inn as-is, the application won't be approved."
That said, living here while working out of Hydrangea is still perfectly fine.
But there are plenty of advantages to filing for base registration.
First, as an officially registered base, we'd be eligible for party subsidies from Hydrangea's administration.
Second, we'd get a discount on renting or buying a party house to serve as the base.
Registering as a base also adds to your contribution points, which is a big deal.
In short, it comes with perks based on your contributions to both Hydrangea and the Guild.
There are various advantages, but the biggest one is the shop discount.
Plus, your taxes get reduced. That's a pretty solid deal too.
"Hmm… I don't know whether to give up or not… it's tough."
"It may be an inn, but the special room isn't uncomfortable to stay in, which is rather nice."
"There's a kitchen too."
The special room has things the other rooms don't.
A kitchen and a laundry room. Though really, only Lupinus would use them.
Lupinus was deep in thought, wrestling with the decision.
"…Ugh."
"Indeed. Lupinus, you can sort out the rest later. We've already decided to make this city our base. The question of supporters can wait until after the Tassan marquis family signs on."
"…Yeah… you're right."
"That's right."
Lupinus nodded. There was no need to rush, after all.
First things first — passing the Tassan interview was the top priority right now.
"Phew."
Lupinus let out a relieved sigh and sipped her tea.
The tea Wof had given her. It had been a citrus blend, if he remembered right.
"Hmm… Lupinus… you're forgetting…"
"What do you mean?"
"What do you mean?"
"…Elixir… about Wof…"
"Wh—?"
I was shaken, just slightly.
Only just slightly. Lupinus gave a wry smile.
"That's right. I'd almost forgotten. Pakira, you must have noticed too. That day, the one who saved us was a child. No—it was Wof."
"Mm…"
"…How did you figure it out?"
At that point, I gave up trying to hide it.
With Riv around, it was bound to come out eventually anyway.
"Pakira. The elixir you used on the Crouton—the one with a hole in its stomach that was about to die—I saw Wof give it to you before the expedition."
"Mm… and the smell… the boy… the elixir's smell… strong."
"Exactly. The reason I kept it from all of you was that this wasn't just my concern alone. Still, I'm sorry."
"It's quite all right."
"…Don't worry about it…"
"—So what are you going to do?"
"I'd like to talk to him about it."
"Mm… you should probably have a proper conversation… at some point…"
"Hmm. You're right. Next time I see Wof, I'll bring it up."
"Yes, I've asked you to. But Pakira — I don't want you to get the wrong idea either."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'm not going to grill Wof. I won't force anything out of him either. I just want to talk. I'd like you to pass that along as well."
Lupinus said with a calm expression.
I smiled.
"Mm. I'll make sure to relay that."
"Yes, please do."
She sipped her tea with elegant grace.
That should be the end of it, then. I'll get back to my book... right at a good part, too.
Knight of the Black Moon Ruduto was finally meeting Princess of Radiance Niniva in the Night Sky Garden when—someone knocked on the door.
What now.
"What is it?"
"Hmm... someone's here..."
"If they're at the door, it must be someone we know."
At the very least, only people who'd passed through the front counter could get this far.
Riv stood up and opened the door.
The one who burst in was Bid.
A black-haired girl of the rabbit-folk race, with Holland Drop ears.
She was a Grade IV delver — one rank below us.
She was quite out of breath.
"Hahh-hahh, hahh-hahh, th-there's a huge problem, sir!"
"What's the matter?"
"Whatever is the issue?"
"Mm..."
"O-Our party… 'Zan Brave' has been disssolved!!"
Wh-what did she just say?