Volume 8 - CH 2

We almost died at the boss of the fifth layer, and we're looking for a way to attack it.

Meena and I have come to the Royal Library to see if we can find anything.

"Parchment and scrolls make it hard to find something. ......"

The fact that the books are not square is already a culture shock for me, a modern person who is used to hardcovers and internet searches.

The bookshelves here are piled with parchments stacked on top of each other and tied together with string, and scrolls.

Naturally, I had a hard time finding even the titles.

But instead, we have magic and skills.

【Detects　Lv５】New!

That's better.

"――Respond to my call, Where is it I'm looking for? Detect! ――Hmm?"

The spell was about to go into effect, but suddenly the magic was gone. It felt like something was blocking me.

"Oh, I didn't know you were here."

And then there's Doria, the former adventurer, poking his head out.

"Damn it, you found me! Get ready for battle!　Let's get out of here, Meena!"

"Yes, Master!"

"Wait!　You're sure you want to cancel the reading?"

"Yes. No one wants your thick voice."

"'No one' is so rude. I'm still very popular, you know."

"You're kidding right."

"It's true. I'm very popular with the mothers of the aristocracy, to shup up the crying children"

"Yeah, well, maybe so."

Even the aristocracy's out-of-control bad boys would be good and quiet in front of Doria.

"That's why I'm busy, and I don't intend to play tag with you. But if you change your mind, you can always call me."

Doria walked away.

This is the only reason why I feel so ...... relieved.

Meena sighs too, though.

"You're not very good at that either, are you?"

"Yes, it's a high-level opponent."

"Yeah, that's he is."

"Oh, yeah, yeah."

"Whoa!"

There it is again.

"How rude of you to react as if a monster had just appeared. You can't use magic here, it's forbidden. There are special magic circles and items that have been warded off."

"Oh, so that's why. But why is it forbidden?"

"Well, it would be a disaster if someone burned the books. That's why we librarians also serve as security."

I see, so that's why they hired a bunch of burly ex-adventurers. Not all of them, but the girl from earlier, Sophie, is probably a non-combatant clerk.

But if that's the case, it's better to ask Doria about combat and adventure.

"Doria, do you know any weaknesses of the boss of the fifth layer?"

"Ara, that snowman over there. It looks cute, but it's pretty physical, and I didn't like it."

Bullshit. You look like you'd be good at physical combat.

"For the record, I'm a broadsword user. That kid have a hard time with a sword."

"I see. Doesn't it take any damage even if you cut it?"

"No. If you've fought it, you probably already know that.　It doesn't take much damage even if you slash it normally. It'll just stick to you."

"So what do we do?　Use magic? My magician is a bit underpowered, relatively speaking."

"Hmm, well, how about you hire a new magician mercenary?"

"Rejected. One of our magicians is a little too proud. It will definitely complicate things."

Nene is obedient, so she won't say anything, but I'm sure Letty will be annoyed and complain a lot.

"That's very common. The magian in my party was so proud that I had a hard time dealing with them. Magicians are all weirdos."

I agree with you there. I don't like the physiology of having to agree with this guy.

"Oh, yeah, even if you can't use magic, there are still magic tools and magic swords."

"Well, let's hear the details."

"Araa, that's good. By the way you can add 'if you don't answer me, I'll ask your body directly,' in a stern voice to your current line."

"No, thank you."

"Oh, you're such a bad influence. Magic tools are like these lanterns, you know. I'm sure you've seen them before."

"Well, yeah. So there's a magic tool that makes flames?"

"Yes. However, the more powerful it is, the more expensive it becomes, so it will be hard to get one. I'm sure they'll be up for grabs at auctions."

"Isn't there some kind of rental?"

"What are you talking about, there's no such thing. Let's say you had a million gold worth of magic tools.　Can you rent it out to some adventurer for a hundred gold?"

"You've got to be kidding me. If they run off with it, you'll never get your money back."

"Yes, that's what I meant. You can borrow or lend something of equal value as collateral through someone you know, but you shouldn't borrow or lend from someone else."

If the party is accidentally wiped out or lost, there will be trouble.

It's not my party, but a friend's party was forced to break up because of it.

It's a pity, because the girl was not at fault.

"But I guess he was part of the party and didn't object to the prospect of trouble."

"Well, yes, but we were still young at that time. Phew."

Don't give me that faraway look. And I don't like the fact that your friend seems to be his boyfriend. I don't want to know about your past even if it kills me.

"All right, that's enough. We'll find out the rest ourselves."

"Ara, you're only halfway through the story. You're so impatient. Why don't you spend a little more time with me talking about my old adventures?"

"I don't want to. I can smell the danger in every word you say."

"Fufu, thrilling, isn't it?"

"Yeah, in a different way. I'll get goosebumps. It's a splatter type thing."

"I don't know what you're talking about, but I know you're being rude, geez."

"Uhm, Master says we're done talking. He only likes women, and I'm his lover...!"

Okay, Meena, good backup. You can declare yourself a lover with more confidence.

"Ara, that's cute. There was a time when I was that single-mindedly in love like you. ...... Then come to our bar tonight. It's not like I'm trying to pick you up or anything, it's just a magic sword. I have a friend who has a Flame Sword, so I'll spare you the trouble of talking to a single-minded puppy."

Doria says. It's not a lie, this man says. He has a ring of rare items called artifacts, and he's a very skilled man.

"Hmm, a Flame Sword. But you don't rent them, do you? Are you asking me to buy it?"

"Yes, I do. You have a lot of money, don't you?　You even offered to pay for my amulet."

It's a good thing you're so perceptive. I don't want this guy to come after my life or my money.

"Don't worry, you don't need to be alarmed, I have a good amount of reserves, and I'm more in love than money now. My party is retired now, so I'm sure the leader will give you some spare weapons. as we don't use them anymore."

"I see. By the way, what's the numerical value of its attack power?"

"It's not that great, it's about 550. Don't worry, it'll still burn."

It's more than enough. That's five times the attack power of the sword I'm using now. Compared to Welbard-sensei parting gift, it's almost ten times more powerful. It's also almost twice as powerful as the mithril sword the king gave me.

I wanted to keep the parting gift for a long time, but it was already insufficient in attack power. As my brother Fritz said, swords are consumables, they are meant to be used up.

That's why it's currently stored away on a shelf in the inn, unused.

"That's fine. But, how much does it cost?"

"Well, Bard might charge you three million, but leave that to me! I'll make it to 700,000 gold."

That's a hell of a bargain. Is that okay?

"No, there's no need to bargain. I can get half the price by scraping together the party's money."

"You can't overspend on a single weapon. You never know when someone might get seriously injured, and sudden expenses are common. Especially if you're a well-known adventurer."

"I'm a nobody."

"Ara, I know you Alec, you're a celebrity, you defeated the 'Immortal King of Shadows' and the 'Disaster of July', both of which were difficult tasks even at A rank, and you're become a heroic tale in the bar."

"No, I don't go to the bar much."

Most of my dinners are at Ada's Inn these days, and the only place I eat out is at Lady Tabitha's.

"So. Why don't you show your face and buy a drink? Well, anyway, when you have the 700,000, call me. I don't care if it's here or at the bar. I'll hook you up with the Bard and sell it to you cheap."

"All right. I'll thank you."

"You're welcome. See you later, black cat and white dog."

"It's Alec. Call me Alec."

I get chills just being called a Black Cat-chan by that blue beard.

"Okay, okay. See you later, Alec."

A Flame Sword, huh. If it's up to about 1,500,000, it's a good deal.