That Time a Shut-in for 300 Years Continued to Make Antiques , but All of It Turned out to Be Cheat-Level Magic Tools - Chapter 21

The negotiations were concluded swiftly; they even assured that they could keep the room available at all times.

Thus, I decided to show them my magic tools. Previously, I had described them to Carol as merely illusion magic, but this time, I decided to be honest.

“Yes, this is the place! What I saw.”

“Wow, this is incredible!”

Upon opening the door set into the wall, a different world unfolded. “Which castle is this?” they exclaimed, overwhelmed by its grandeur.

Indeed, is it truly that remarkable? The creation of a new room through dimensional interference doesn’t strike me as particularly challenging within the scope of magic tool technology.

It appears that advanced magic technology is primarily confined to large cities. The treatment of magical guilds is dismally poor elsewhere. I’m not sure about the cities, but they seem to have ceded too much control to the adventurers’ guilds.

This could mean that the development of magic tools has stagnated—truly a grave concern.

“Perhaps I’ll pay a visit to the magical guild tomorrow…”

“Eh? The magical guild?”

Carol’s reaction to my murmured thought was a stiffened expression.

“Do you know something about it?”

“Well, I’ve heard about it, but only bad things, unfortunately.”

Bad indeed. The adventurers’ guild has even usurped the management of magic tools. There must be reasons behind this.

“Moreover, I’ve heard that the magical guild scarcely has any magicians or wizards left.”

“That seems about right.”

Having visited once, I could tell. There was only one female magician with glasses present.

“Actually, it seems all the capable magic users have now joined the adventurers’ guild.”

“Really, it’s all about the adventurers’ guild, isn’t it? Do people really favor it that much?”

“…”

Hmm? Why have both of them suddenly fallen silent?

“Is there something concerning adventurers?”

When Mei inquired, the two exchanged looks.

“Well, the adventurers’ guild indeed handles almost everything now, but they tend to overdo it. There was an incident at the inn where a guest voiced complaints about adventurers, and it turned into a fight with an adventurer who was staying there…”

I understand now. Adventurers often tend to be unruly, and spreading their influence too widely often causes trouble. I had been concerned about this before, and it seems my concerns were not unfounded.

“Furthermore, due to the adventurers’ guild, people have lost their original jobs. Carpenters, for instance, are now led by adventurers.”

So it goes that far. Excessive power in the hands of a specific guild rarely leads to anything good.

But now, I understand why the construction standards in this town are so low.

With the adventurers’ guild in control, prospects for growth seem dim. They are simply out of their depth.

“I think I’ve got a clear picture now. Thank you.”

“Lord Edson, are you planning to become an adventurer?”

“Me? Certainly not.”

I firmly rejected the idea. Who would want to collaborate with such a discourteous guild?

“As I mentioned before, I will be heading to the magical guild. It’s time to remind them of their true role.”

It seemed they didn’t quite grasp my intentions, but that’s fine. For me, securing a base room is already a significant achievement.

◇◆◇

From the next day, the couple, now reduced to servitude, began to work diligently. They looked at me with disapproval, which is unacceptable for guests, as Carol sharply reminded them. The servitude collar reacted, making them writhe; it caused no physical pain but was mentally taxing.

The breakfast they served was surprisingly good. As Carol had mentioned, the man could indeed cook well when he put his mind to it.

The woman also put considerable effort into cleaning the room, albeit reluctantly. With Carol now managing the reception, the inn’s reputation might see improvement.

This development was gratifying, confirming the soundness of my judgment.

“Master, will we proceed to the magic guild today?”

“That’s the plan. We still need to wait for the results from Furenzu Commerce Guild.”

I had offloaded three magic bags, but frankly, I was skeptical about their marketability. A deal is a deal, however, and I am obliged to collect the payment regardless of their sales success.

What if they don’t sell? Is there really someone who would pay 500 gold coins for each?

That’s not my immediate concern. For now, the outcome is pending.

As Mei and I walked through the streets, we noted the magic guild’s unfortunate location at the town’s edge, a fair distance from the inn.

“Hey, wait up!”

A shout interrupted our walk. Hmm, a quarrel perhaps? It seemed irrelevant to me.

“Hey! I said wait!”

“Master, someone is asking us to wait.”

“What? Was that directed at me?”

This took me by surprise. I hadn’t expected anyone to call out to me, especially in such an uncouth manner.

“What’s this about? You might want to rethink your approach if you’re looking to start a fight.”

“We are starting a fight! You think we’d let you just forget us?!”

“…Who are you?”

“Damn it! You don’t remember at all!”

“I truly have no memory of you!”

Three men were making a scene, but who were they exactly?

“Master, these are the ruffians who harassed us on our return from the adventurers’ guild previously.”

“Huh? Oh, yes, I vaguely recall something about a rooster-head and glasses.”

“So, what do these ruffians want now? Don’t tell me you’re still not over trying to claim Mei?”

“Shut it! Who are you calling ruffians!”

“You clearly are ruffians.”

“We are adventurers! D-rank, no less!”

D-rank, huh? Not particularly impressive. Adventurer ranks range from S at the highest to G at the lowest, if I recall correctly.

“Damn! You’ll regret your smugness soon enough! Aniki, take care of this!”

Addressed as “Aniki,” a large man stepped forward, significantly bigger than the other three. He was easily over two meters tall and quite broad.

His sandy hair was wildly tousled, his eyes as sharp as a wolf’s, and a greatsword was slung across his back. He certainly had more presence than the mere ruffians.

“Heh, with Aniki here, you’re no match!”

“Hey.”

“Eh? What’s up, Aniki?”

“I’m not your bro. Stop calling me that.”

“Eh? Oh, right, sorry… Hazan-san…”

Their casual use of “Aniki” suggested a closeness that, apparently, was not reciprocated. His name was Hazan, it seemed.

“And tell me, were you really robbed by that child and maid?”

“Robbed?”

“It’s a misunderstanding. Those thugs instigated the conflict.”

“No, that’s a lie, Hazan-san!”

“That’s right! Don’t be deceived by their looks! Especially that girl, she’s absurdly strong! We didn’t do anything, and they assaulted us and took our stuff!”

How embarrassing for them. Now I remember clearly. Indeed, Mei had effortlessly dealt with them, but it was they who had initiated the extortion.

“So, they claim, but is it true?”

“We did fend them off, but the notion that we intended to rob them—”

“Enough, I’ve heard what I need to.”

“Huh?”

Hazan interrupted, drawing his greatsword. What was he thinking? I had hoped a conversation might clarify things.

“…The initial aggression came from these men, right?”

“That’s their claim. Yet these men allege you robbed them. And it’s true you overpowered these three alone, right?”

“…Ridiculous.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you hear? I’m tired of adventurers always being the same, never truly listening. I thought you might understand, but you’re just another brute.”

“Fine. Fight me then.”

What? Challenged to a duel for merely speaking the truth—adventurers indeed…