I finished my errands at the guild and came to Binalโs shop. I always buy potion bottles from this store. I also came to inform him that the guild would deliver potions later.
After paying for the bottles, I told the cashier that I wanted to see Binal, but was told that the owner was busy and couldnโt meet me. I must have needed an appointment. He had always met me at the market stall, so I had gotten careless. This was the main store, but there were also other branches like the one specializing in weapons, so he might not be here.
Just as I was about to leave in disappointment, a voice called out to me from behind. It was Binal.
โIriya -san! Itโs rare to see you here!โ
โBinal-sama, thank you for your continued support. I have something to discuss, if you could spare me a little time. If possible, Iโd prefer to keep it privateโฆโ
โOf course! You, get me some coffee!โ
Binal casually instructed the cashier to make coffee. She looked a bit confused but quickly went to the break room. I tried to decline, but she insisted, saying not to worry, and guided me to the reception room.
โAbout the potionsโฆโ
โOh! Iโve been waiting! Are they intermediate potions? Or could it beโฆ high-grade potions?!โ
Binal, who had been sitting on the sofa, suddenly leaned forward, his body jerking. His coffee cup almost tipped over.
โBoth. And I also managed to make high potions, as well as intermediate mana potions. It looks like the guild will be delivering them.โ
โโฆHigh?โ
โYes?โ
โHigh potions!??โ
โYes.โ
What is going on with this conversation?
After several seconds of silence, Binal suddenly raised his voice.
โIriya -san, high potions!?!? They say only Rajisraf-sama can make them around hereโฆ!โ
โYes, I used his workshop to make them.โ
โโฆOh, I see. I didnโt think it was possible, butโฆ could it really be done??โ
He still seemed unsure, but he seemed to accept it for now. He took a sip of his coffee and sat back down on the sofa.
โSo, if the guild is delivering themโฆ that means itโs the guild masterโs decision, right?โ
โYou have a sharp eye as always. Once they realize I made them, some may have ulterior motives, so the guild was considerate.โ
โโฆThat makes sense. Weโll sell them as imports. From now on, weโll need to think of more inconspicuous delivery methods.โ
Binal rubbed his chin, thinking deeply. But it seemed like he was struggling to contain some emotion.
โStill, wowโฆ high potions are finally available in our shop!โ
His hands were trembling. What a strange reaction. He must be really happy.
After trembling alone for a while, he suddenly turned to face me, as if he had remembered something.
โBy the way, a business associate of mine is heading north to buy Trent materials. Iriya , you use magic, right? Will you need any? I was thinking of going with him, but I heard dragons have been spotted in the area. Itโs too dangerous to go alone, so I wanted to ask you.โ
โDragons, you say? Thatโs perfect! Letโs go, Iriya ! Hehโฆ Itโs been a while since weโve gone hunting!โ
Belial interrupted Binalโs words. A dragon, huh? I just happened to need some dragon materials.
โThen, letโs gather dragon materials. Iโd like to get Dragon Tears. Hopefully, we can find an intermediate-level one. Theyโre quite useful for many things.โ
โโฆYou guys, dragonsโฆ youโre happy about this?โ
Binal looked surprised.
A few days later, we were supposed to leave, but with the danger increasing, we decided to leave as soon as we could secure some adventurers. Weโre just waiting for confirmation.
After meeting with Binal, I visited Alesia and Kiaraโs market stalls. The potions I brought had sold out pretty quickly, and the stock was running low.
When I told Kiara that Iโd be leaving in a few days, she seemed disappointed that it was so soon. I felt a little torn about leaving, but at the same time, it was kind of nice to see that she cared.
Just as the pleasant atmosphere was starting to settle, a shadow approached.
โHey, you there! Youโre a demon, arenโt you? I can tell even if you try to hide it!!โ
A man with short, light green hair suddenly pointed at Belial and shouted loudly. He had a pair of white wings sprouting from his back. He was an angel.
โโฆProbably a mid-level third squad angel, huh. Youโre in a good mood today, so Iโll let you off.โ
Belial waved his hands dismissively, as if trying to get rid of him.
โLet me off!? I am Powers, the seventh-ranked angel! I fight demons like you, do you understand?!โ
He seemed like a very aggressive angel. I thought he might be like a frontline soldier. I definitely didnโt want to get into a fight here; another interrogation would be a hassle! At least for now, Belial wasnโt engaging with him, which was a relief. Besides, I didnโt think Belial was hiding the fact that he was a demon.
โEnough of this nonsense. Is barking all you do, servant of the Lord, El-Roi?โ
โHow dare you insult me!โ
Belialโs mood suddenly plummeted. I hoped it wouldnโt turn into another angel-incinerating incident.
The atmosphere was getting tense, and I was worried it would disturb Alesia and Kiara, too. This was a public place; I wished theyโd be more considerate. I was thinking of how to intervene when suddenlyโฆ
โAlright, thatโs enough! Quit causing a scene, itโs bothering everyone around you!โ
A man about my age walked over, clapping his hands. He was lightly armed and wore scuffed boots that looked like theyโd seen a lot of use.
โSorry about that, our angel here has a bit of a temper. Iโm Ulberano, a B-rank adventurer.โ
He seemed like the contract holder.
โIโm Iriya , a magic item craftsman. Iโm his contractor.โ
When I bowed, Ulberano gave me a puzzled look.
โHeโs the one making a fuss, and youโre a magic item crafter? I thought he was a real demonโฆโ
โYes, I can use both magic and summoning, but my main occupation right now is crafting magical items. Iโm registered with the Merchantโs Guild as a crafter.โ
I introduced myself calmly, but Belial was still on high alert beside me.
โUlberano, donโt stop me. This is my real job!โ
Waitโฆ killing a king could potentially lead to a war, so I wasnโt sure why he wanted to start a fight here. Still, I didnโt think this angel could win against Belial.
โNot in the middle of the street, and certainly not in front of market stalls,โ I said.
โUnderstood. Then leave.โ
When I stood facing them, I noticed that Belial was slimmer and a little shorter. The angel, Cassiel, had radiant wings and a regal posture, but still, Belial had an obvious presence that Cassiel lacked.
This must be what they call the majesty of a king.
In the middle of this tense moment, a small figure stepped in between them.
It was Kiara, desperately trying to hold both her hands wide to separate them.
Her brown hair swayed as she glared fiercely at the angel with her large brown eyes.
โDonโt be mean to Belial! Heโs not hiding that heโs a demon, and he hasnโt done anything bad! Why are you trying to start a fight?!โ
โSeems like the child understands more about reason than you doโฆ So? What are you going to do?โ
Cassiel smiled widely, as if victorious.
It was a strange, almost disturbing smile. Something about it felt off.
โUghโฆ so youโve managed to charm a little girlโฆ How cowardlyโฆ!โ
Cassiel seemed unable to do anything and grimaced in frustration.
โCome on, stop messing with business. Letโs go.โ
Ulberano stretched his hand in front of his face apologetically, and led the angel away.
Cassiel still seemed unsatisfied, but I hoped I wouldnโt see him again.
With the mood lifted, Belial began to buy food for Kiara, clearly trying to win her over.
A demon trying to charm a little girlโฆ
I couldnโt shake the feeling that something was off, but maybe it was just me.