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 24

I have no idea what this man is talking about.

“What’s that supposed to mean? The penalty is way too high compared to the reward. This is ridiculous.”

“Then do as you like. But you may not know, this guild has been failing missions continuously and has accumulated a huge debt. Including today’s penalty, that’s over 5,000 silver coins, which equals more than 50 gold coins. Well, 4,000 of those were somehow covered because we had to reluctantly purchase the rights to a magical tool.”

Magical tool rights? Really? I give the woman a slightly intense look.

“Your eyes are scary. And you’re just a child…”

“Don’t call me a child! And did you really sell the rights to a magical tool?”

“Umm, it sort of happened without me really understanding…”

What do you mean, it just ‘happened’?

“Hey, hey, it sounds like you were tricked. Weren’t these rights acquired as a form of debt in the contract? That’s why minor guilds like this fail. They can’t even read a document properly.”

“It’s questionable, isn’t it? Why would you broker work to such a guild?”

“Well, I did appreciate their work ethic until now. But if you’re dissatisfied, I can just take those earnings back right now.”

“Don’t mess with me. There’s no way such a ridiculous story could be true.”

“However, it was that woman who agreed to it. It’s clearly stated in the contract.”

I looked at the woman, and with hesitation, she muttered,

“I don’t remember much, but it was indeed written…”

“Do you have that contract now?”

“Yes, here.”

“Hmph, reading it a thousand times would be the same, you fool.”

The guild officer deepens his smirk like a wicked merchant. Something is definitely off. Even she wouldn’t overlook such a significant clause… or would she? It’s suspicious for sure.

“Let me check it.”

“Yes, um, it’s written right here.”

She points with her slender, pale index finger to the relevant section. Hmm, it states that if a mission fails, the deficit is covered by paying one silver coin per shortfall. Moreover, if an alloy grass is found unsuitable upon review, the handling fee for each unsuitable piece is one silver coin as a penalty. If unable to pay, rights to magical tools and other assets may be sold to cover the cost. What is this? Such an outrageous contract.

But indeed, the contract has signatures from both parties. Whether such a contract is permissible by the country is highly questionable, but as far as the document goes, it stands because she acknowledged it.

“See, it’s clearly written right there. Naturally. There would be no corruption in the Adventurers’ Guild.”

Indeed, it is written. But no corruption? Is that really the case?

Especially, the section about the penalty has oddly large gaps above and below.

So, I pull out my appraisal glasses and put them on before looking at the document again.

“You’re quite cheeky for a kid to have such fancy glasses. They’re not meant for children. Hand them over, I’ll take them.”

“There’s no way I’m giving them to you. Are you stupid?”

“What?!”

Mei glares with an icy gaze, as if looking at filth, and bluntly states. Good for you, Mei. I felt a bit relieved seeing the man grit his teeth in frustration.

“—As I thought. The ink used here is different.”

“What?!”

The guild officer recoils in obvious surprise. He’s an easy read.

“Um, what does that mean?”

“It means this section was tampered with to appear later.”

“Ridiculous! That’s impossible!”

“It’s possible. The juice from the Maniji plant is usually colorless and transparent, but it reacts with the magical energy present in living beings and changes color as it dries. The timing of the color change can be adjusted with the concentration, which has been used since ancient times for secret writings. That’s how this clause was written.”

“How do you know about such a technique?!”

“Huh?”

“I, I don’t know! What is that? I have no idea!”

This situation just confirmed that there was indeed something deceitful going on with this contract.

You say you don’t know now, but it sounded like you were admitting something obvious just then. And yet, you spoke as if you couldn’t believe you’d been caught. Hey, hey, this kind of magic interrogation through text is the very basics of a secret document. It’s strange if you don’t understand that.

“Eh? So what I failed to notice was?”

“It’s not that you failed to notice, but rather that this text had disappeared during the contract stage. Naturally. No fool would accept such a ludicrous condition.”

The burden is too great compared to the compensation. It would be too much to also lose the rights to a magical tool over this.

“Hmph! Who can prove that it wasn’t displayed from the beginning! In the end, it’s just child’s babble and will be laughed off!”

“This type of text is a common tactic since ancient times.”

“Common, you say?”

Why is he so surprised about that?

“Anyway, thinking you could deceive anyone with this nowadays is foolishly optimistic. A proper appraisal would reveal the truth immediately.”

“Ho, ho, then shall we test that?”

He’s bold. But he’s grinning as if he has something up his sleeve. At this rate, it looks like he’s already made arrangements in various places.

So, what to do? This could easily be handled with a simple magical tool. Indeed, showing the appraisal glasses alone could prove it, but whether that would be convincing is another matter.

And then, with the Return Doll Steinzdoll, this man’s…

“Ah, um! I’m terribly sorry to cause you any worry over me.”

Yet here the woman bows deeply and apologizes. I can’t understand why this woman is apologizing to me.

“But… it’s alright. It’s also my fault for not being able to check properly this time.”

She frowns and starts saying such things, and the staff member from the adventurer’s guild begins to smirk unpleasantly.

“Hmph, finally realized your place, have you?”

“Hey! Are you really okay with this?!”

“Yes… I won’t be able to work if I don’t get help from the adventurer’s guild…”

“Ha ha! That’s right! You’re finally using your head. If we cut off the jobs, you’d have no way to pay back your debts. Though I don’t know how much longer we can wait either.”

Truly a ridiculous conversation. She’s been shouldered with debts because of the jobs mediated by that adventurer’s guild.

“Fine. If that’s alright with you. But at least return the magical herbs you collected. We’ll check them ourselves.”

“That’s impossible. According to guild rules, once materials are collected, they can’t be returned.”

“What? You won’t even let us check?”

“The guild has already checked them. There’s no room for doubt.”

What kind of people are these, doing as they please?!

“Well, this ends the discussion about this request… So, what will you do? Will you take today’s job?”

The man smirks while moving onto the next topic. An infuriating man. After all, it’s not a proper request. Normally, no fool would accept such a thing, but this woman might.

But, a request… If that’s the case, then maybe.

“One question, you say at least 100 bundles, but there’s no limit if it’s more, right?”

“I don’t mind, but I’m not too keen on having it mostly ruined by those who manage to spoil 401 out of 500 bundles.”

He shakes his head dramatically and voices his disapproval, his suspicious talk about the ruined part also being dubious.

“Woman, you shouldn’t take on this request.”

“Eh? Y-yes. I must succeed somehow or I won’t be able to pay off my debts.”

This girl, really. She’s being exploited because of her thinking, and if left alone, who knows what will happen to the Mage Guild itself.

“Understood, I’ll take on the request.”

“Such an arrogant kid. But, given your spirit, I’ll give you some good advice. You should go to the west side of the forest where you usually gather herbs. That area is untouched by our adventurers. You’ll probably find a lot of Alloy Grass growing there.”

“That’s quite generous of you.”

“Hey, hey, aren’t you misunderstanding something? Naturally, we want you to pay off your debts quickly. But if you come back and say it was no good after getting this information, even I can’t deal with it anymore. I’ve been harshly spoken to by the guild master as well.”

He sounds reasonable, but looking at the contract, he probably has no intention of properly accepting the magical herbs.

“Well then, good luck.”

He left with a crooked smile as he said those final words.

Hmph, he probably thinks this request can’t be fulfilled. But we won’t let the wholesalers dictate this.

“Here we go, here we go.”

Then, that woman pulled out a shabby Zuda bag, fraying at the edges, from a battered shelf.

“What are you doing?”

“Eh? Oh, yes. I need to go gather magical herbs…”

“You don’t need such a bag then.”

“Fe?”

She looks baffled.

“I have magical tools that eliminate the need for a bag. So, no problem.”

“Eh? Are you planning to come with me too?”

“Not ‘you’, I have a name! It’s Edson!”

“Sorry, sorry, I’m Alecto.”

“I am called Mei, a maid.”

“Fe~ A beautiful maid… Wait! Perhaps you are a noble young master from somewhere!”

“No, that’s not it. Don’t treat me like just any child.”

“But the forest is full of monsters and dangers, you know?”

“No problem. Mei is strong, and I can fight too.”

“It’s risky for a child to…”

“Enough! Let’s go quickly! We have to show that fool and the Adventurers’ Guild what we’re made of!”

Despite Alecto treating me like a child and showing hesitation about going together, I decided to forcefully take him along.

It seems the magical herbs are growing in a forest about a 30-minute walk from the city.

I’d like to head out right away, but first, I need to stop by the Furenzu Commerce Guild.

“Well well, Lord Edson, welcome. Ah, that Magic Bag has been very popular and is completely sold out.”

What, it’s already sold out? That thing? For 500 gold coins? This is almost like a joke.

“So it sold, huh?”

“Hahaha, you jest. After all, it’s a Magic Bag that holds up to 1000kg, an exclusive hot item that you can’t get anywhere else.”

“Fe! 1000kg!?”

Alecto seems surprised, but why is he so shocked over a mere 1000kg? Is he confusing it with 1000 tons? Even then, it’s not that surprising.

“If it’s about payment, we can arrange it immediately. Also, if you’d like, we can add a few more.”

“Ah, understood. But payment can wait until later. I came here today for a consultation.”

“A consultation?”

“Yes, is there a shop in this city that deals with herbs? I need someone who is knowledgeable about magical herbs.”

“Magical herbs, huh? Sure, I can handle that! I know someone who is extremely knowledgeable about magical herbs!”

Relieved to hear that, I left the rest to the Furenzu Commerce Guild and exited the shop. I ended up ordering five more Magic Bags.

Hmm, if it’s just that, I can make them easily enough.

“Um, are these Magic Bags sourced from somewhere?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Of course, I make them myself.”

“…Huh? But it’s a magic bag that holds 1000kg, right?”

“That’s right.”

When I answered, she stopped in her tracks, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. What on earth is the matter with her? This is no time to be standing still.

“What are you doing? Let’s go. We’re wasting time—”

“Oh, well, if it isn’t Alecto. What a coincidence, or perhaps it’s fate, meeting you here. By the way, have you decided to become my slave yet?”

As I urged Alecto to hurry, someone called out to us. I turned around to see yet another greasy-looking man standing there.