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.
โIs this alcohol?โ
โUnfortunately, the feast is on hold until tonight. Weโll hear your stories then.โ
At some point, his smile faded, and his expression turned serious.
โWell. Youโll need to report to the boss, wonโt you? Are you heading out right away?โ
โYes. 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.โ
I turned to Almoa and asked, โCan you manage?โ Although I asked with her fatigue in mind, she simply replied, โNo problem.โ
โI see. Well thenโฆโ
โMr. Grifo? Did something happen?โ
His unusual, hesitant tone made me furrow my brow.
Mr. Grifo spoke up.
โItโs nothing that can be helped now, but I thought Iโd let you know.โ
He settled back into his chair with a creak.
โThe guild you were once a part of, Barba, was just shut down recently.โ
โWhatโฆ?โ
โApparently, the Guild Federation filed a request, stating they could no longer keep it going. Notices have already been put out by the cityโs public relations department.โ
โI seeโฆโ
Barba, shut down.
The memory of that disaster flashed through my mind.
Had Mr. Grifo hesitated over whether or not to tell me this?
โIโm sure you have a lot on your mind, but you might as well check it out while youโre handling your business with the boss.โ
I tilted my head, unsure of Mr. Grifoโs intentions.
He knew I didnโt have good memories of that place.
โYouโre notโฆ joking, are you?โ
โNo. Right now, the Guild Federation is temporarily managing that building, but they approached me with an offer to buy it. Given its decent location, theyโre apparently offering it to me as a gesture of thanks for my past help.โ
โI see. But what does that have to do with me going to check it out?โ
โOh, nothing much. I just wondered if you would be interested in buying that building.โ
I couldnโt help but exclaim, โHuh?!โ
Mr. Grifo was perfectly serious.
โIf you donโt want to buy it, I could rent it to you instead. Iโm asking if you have any plans to make good use of that building.โ
โMake good use of it, you sayโฆโ
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 wasnโt necessary. We didnโt have the money or the people to maintain it, either.
If there was a possible useโฆ
โMaybe when Gloza or Sutei are older, we could use it as a shopโฆ?โ
It was just a passing thought.
But Mr. Grifo nodded enthusiastically.
โThatโs a good idea. Do it. Donโt worry about the money. Soon enough, youโll be earning like me.โ
And he added,
โWouldnโt it feel better to replace whatโs been a negative legacy for you with something positive for the kidsโ future, rather than leaving it as a haunted relic?โ
โโฆI see your point.โ
โExactly. Making you a fine man has become my goal now.โ
Heโs really laying it on thickโฆ
Well, no helping it.
โAll right. Once Iโve reported to the branch chief, Iโll go take a look.โ
โGood.โ
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.
โSuddenly, I noticed Almoa staring at me with a look of surprise.
โTo think that Grifo Moni expects so much from youโฆโ
โWellโฆ yeah. Just keep acting normal, Almoa.โ
I mumbled, somewhat evasively.
โโโ
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 eyesโthe one involved in the disappearance of adventurersโhad 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 sceneโฆ though it seems those two still compete when the moment strikes.
โWowโฆ!โ
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, sheโd occasionally be drawn to the shops, her feet wandering in that direction. Each time, sheโd snap out of it and return to my side, putting on a composed expression.
And then, sheโd repeat it all over again.
I struggled to stifle a laugh.
Somehow, she reminded me a bit of a slightly grown-up Mitera.
โWhat?โ
She noticed my expression immediately and looked up at me, glaring. I raised both hands and said, โNothing.โ
โOnce we finish the report, letโs take a look around town, Almoa.โ
โHmphโฆโ
She didnโt refuse. It was adorable.
As we chatted, the Guild Federation building came into view.
This was my second visit, but it was probably Almoaโs 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.
โBy the way,
Almoaโs 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 didnโt seem impossible, but still, quite the skill.
Thanks to that, we could walk around the city without drawing attention.
Comfortable in Almoaโs arms, the Great Spirit had dozed off, a stark contrast to her masterโs tension.
We entered the hall.
As I greeted the receptionist, she responded with a slightly troubled expression.
โThe branch chief today is, wellโฆ a bit worn out, so I apologize if he seems less than pleasant.โ
Is he even more exhausted than last time? That sounds rough.
โI can show you the way.โ
โNo need, I know where it is. Weโll head there now, if thatโs all right.โ
โOf course. Go ahead.โ
Exchanging pleasantries, we left the reception counter.
As we climbed the stairs to the third floor, Almoa tugged on my sleeve and whispered, โHey, hold on.โ
โWhy were you so friendly with the receptionist? You two seemed awfully casual.โ
โAhโโ
She might have a point.
Maybe I picked it up from Mr. Grifoโs attitude.
โWell, this is my second time here.โ
โThatโs it? โฆHonestly.โ
We reached the branch chiefโs office.
I knocked, but there was no response. After calling out once, I opened the door.
โฆA heavy, oppressive atmosphere poured out.
Whoaโฆ I could almost see sound effects filling the space, like doom or gloom.
Almoaโs face mirrored mine, tense, as we stepped inside.
Branch Chief Sigurd was face-down at his desk, completely sprawled out.