Episode 26 – Quote from the Adventurer’s Guild 

After that long conversation with the shopkeeper grandma, the Adventurer’s Guild should have long been finished with the price assessment, so I headed back to hear the results. I had earned an unexpectedly large sum from the high quality plants and herbs that I had sold at Elf’s Tears, so, even if I got ripped off a little bit by the Adventurer’s Guild, I had some leeway to work with. This time, depending on the outcome of the transaction price given, I decided I would use this opportunity to see whether or not I should do business with them in the future. If their offering price was too low in the end, I would be okay with turning down the transaction.

Since I was already used to it, I pushed my way through the crowded Adventurer’s Guild to get to the reception desk. I felt this even back during my time at the Healer’s Guild, but humans really do adapt quickly. I was frightened stiff by the buff and intimidating adventurers at the beginning, but I was already in a position where I could hardly even recall that past fear.

After showing my number tag to the receptionist lady up front, she disappeared to the back room for a moment. After a short while, the bald staff member, who helped guide me through the trading process earlier, came out from the back room with the burlap sack of plants I handed to him earlier. I wasn’t scared up to this point, but now I was feeling a little bit nervous.

“Thanks for waiting! The appraisal is over, so let’s go ahead and confirm it together.” (Male Staff Member)

TL Note: To make this sum make more sense, 636 copper coins – 63 copper coins = 573 copper coins. 10 copper coins = 1 silver, 100 copper coins = 1 gold. Quick maths.

This amount was more than enough, even without selling any of the Magical Grass. It looked like I would be able to use all the Magical Grass I’d collected this time for my own personal use. From the bottom of my heart, I felt that I was lucky to get such an excellent sum from Elf’s Tears.

“How is it? Thinking of going through with the purchase order?”

“Yeah, it looks fine. Please help me proceed with this transaction!”

“Anyway, go ahead and stamp this document with your finger as the proof of purchase.” (Male Staff Member)

“Er, is this good?” (Lewin)

“Yup, just like that! Here is the promised amount, 5 gold coins and 7 silver coins. Go ‘head and confirm that there’s no mistake.” (Male Staff Member)

“Okay, I’ve confirmed it is correct.” (Lewin)

It was extremely difficult to eat such a large amount of Magical Grass in its normal, unadorned state. I mean, it was pretty much impossible, you know? It was not nearly as bad as Dumbbell Weed, but the bitterness of Magical Grass was no joke.

I headed towards the market to buy some ingredients to touch up the taste and make it a bit more bearable. “If the wallet was full, the heart was, too,” I mused to myself as I walked around the market. That time I went shopping before departing for Mount Cornello, I was in a really tough spot. But now, my wealth amounted to 9 gold coins and 5 silver coins, built from the 2 gold coins that I had before the expedition. Between unconsciously making a wage and consciously paving yourself a living, the difference in satisfaction was worlds apart.

I was just strolling through the marketplace in a wonderful mood, when all of a sudden, I felt myself get wrapped up in someone’s warm embrace, followed by an incredible momentum at my back. I almost got completely blown off my feet, but I somehow managed to stay on my toes. Honestly, knowing who was behind this without even having to turn around… I wondered if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

“Ahmed-san, please don’t bump into me from behind so forcefully!” (Lewin)

“Ara? Lewin! How did you know it was me without even turning around?” (Ahmed)

Saying those words before I turned around, I came face to face with Ahmed, who was standing there looking surprised.

“I mean, who would charge into me from behind so suddenly aside from you, Ahmed-san? …So, what were you up to?” (Lewin)

When I asked Ahmed, who was still acting surprised, Dion and Smash appeared from behind her. I was wondering if they had just come back from doing a commission, since the three of them were fully equipped and noticeably grimy in some places.