Mr. Grifo urged us to sit.
He personally poured us drinks from a pitcher.
I remembered the promise I made with Mr. Grifo when we left Wigarlus.
“Is this alcohol?”
“Unfortunately, the feast is on hold until tonight. We’ll hear your stories then.”
At some point, his smile faded, and his expression turned serious.
“Well. You’ll need to report to the boss, won’t you? Are you heading out right away?”
“Yes. It took us a while to get back here, so I intend to head to the Guild Federation immediately. I was thinking of having Almoa testify alongside me as an ally.”
I turned to Almoa and asked, “Can you manage?” Although I asked with her fatigue in mind, she simply replied, “No problem.”
“I see. Well then…”
“Mr. Grifo? Did something happen?”
His unusual, hesitant tone made me furrow my brow.
Mr. Grifo spoke up.
“It’s nothing that can be helped now, but I thought I’d let you know.”
He settled back into his chair with a creak.
“The guild you were once a part of, Barba, was just shut down recently.”
“What…?”
“Apparently, the Guild Federation filed a request, stating they could no longer keep it going. Notices have already been put out by the city’s public relations department.”
“I see…”
Barba, shut down.
The memory of that disaster flashed through my mind.
Had Mr. Grifo hesitated over whether or not to tell me this?
“I’m sure you have a lot on your mind, but you might as well check it out while you’re handling your business with the boss.”
I tilted my head, unsure of Mr. Grifo’s intentions.
He knew I didn’t have good memories of that place.
“You’re not… joking, are you?”
“No. Right now, the Guild Federation is temporarily managing that building, but they approached me with an offer to buy it. Given its decent location, they’re apparently offering it to me as a gesture of thanks for my past help.”
“I see. But what does that have to do with me going to check it out?”
“Oh, nothing much. I just wondered if you would be interested in buying that building.”
I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Huh?!”
Mr. Grifo was perfectly serious.
“If you don’t want to buy it, I could rent it to you instead. I’m asking if you have any plans to make good use of that building.”
“Make good use of it, you say…”
I was taken aback by the sudden suggestion.
Even if I had land and a building, we already had Redelia as a base, so it wasn’t necessary. We didn’t have the money or the people to maintain it, either.
If there was a possible use…
“Maybe when Gloza or Sutei are older, we could use it as a shop…?”
It was just a passing thought.
But Mr. Grifo nodded enthusiastically.
“That’s a good idea. Do it. Don’t worry about the money. Soon enough, you’ll be earning like me.”
And he added,
“Wouldn’t it feel better to replace what’s been a negative legacy for you with something positive for the kids’ future, rather than leaving it as a haunted relic?”
“…I see your point.”
“Exactly. Making you a fine man has become my goal now.”
He’s really laying it on thick…
Well, no helping it.
“All right. Once I’ve reported to the branch chief, I’ll go take a look.”
“Good.”
What a fuss. I thought something was seriously wrong with that serious expression.
But Mr. Grifo has truly done a lot for me, so I want to live up to his expectations as best I can.
—Suddenly, I noticed Almoa staring at me with a look of surprise.
“To think that Grifo Moni expects so much from you…”
“Well… yeah. Just keep acting normal, Almoa.”
I mumbled, somewhat evasively.
◆◇◆
After that, Almoa and I headed to the Wigarlus branch of the Guild Federation.
We were there to report firsthand on the incident in Minegel.
We, who saw that mysterious monster with our own eyes—the one involved in the disappearance of adventurers—had something to share.
Incidentally, since only Almoa was coming along, Fiole fussed a bit when we left the mansion. Thankfully, Mitera intervened, and we avoided a scene… though it seems those two still compete when the moment strikes.
“Wow…!”
Along the way, Almoa gasped in amazement at the sights of the city.
She seemed particularly enchanted by the market stalls.
Even when walking straight beside me, she’d occasionally be drawn to the shops, her feet wandering in that direction. Each time, she’d snap out of it and return to my side, putting on a composed expression.
And then, she’d repeat it all over again.
I struggled to stifle a laugh.
Somehow, she reminded me a bit of a slightly grown-up Mitera.
“What?”
She noticed my expression immediately and looked up at me, glaring. I raised both hands and said, “Nothing.”
“Once we finish the report, let’s take a look around town, Almoa.”
“Hmph…”
She didn’t refuse. It was adorable.
As we chatted, the Guild Federation building came into view.
This was my second visit, but it was probably Almoa’s first time seeing such a massive guild-related facility.
I heard her gulp.
She clutched the Great Spirit Avril tightly in her arms, looking up at the building with a focused expression.
—By the way,
Almoa’s contracted spirit was now small enough to fit perfectly against her chest, looking like an adorable plush toy.
Apparently, Avril could freely adjust her size when needed. Considering she was originally composed of light particles, it didn’t seem impossible, but still, quite the skill.
Thanks to that, we could walk around the city without drawing attention.
Comfortable in Almoa’s arms, the Great Spirit had dozed off, a stark contrast to her master’s tension.
We entered the hall.
As I greeted the receptionist, she responded with a slightly troubled expression.
“The branch chief today is, well… a bit worn out, so I apologize if he seems less than pleasant.”
Is he even more exhausted than last time? That sounds rough.
“I can show you the way.”
“No need, I know where it is. We’ll head there now, if that’s all right.”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
Exchanging pleasantries, we left the reception counter.
As we climbed the stairs to the third floor, Almoa tugged on my sleeve and whispered, “Hey, hold on.”
“Why were you so friendly with the receptionist? You two seemed awfully casual.”
“Ah—”
She might have a point.
Maybe I picked it up from Mr. Grifo’s attitude.
“Well, this is my second time here.”
“That’s it? …Honestly.”
We reached the branch chief’s office.
I knocked, but there was no response. After calling out once, I opened the door.
…A heavy, oppressive atmosphere poured out.
Whoa… I could almost see sound effects filling the space, like doom or gloom.
Almoa’s face mirrored mine, tense, as we stepped inside.
Branch Chief Sigurd was face-down at his desk, completely sprawled out.
