"So… such a ridiculous thing…"
The shaken lean-muscled man reaches out with a trembling hand.
Trying to touch the woman's ear.
Slap.
The woman brushes his hand away.
She fixes the lean-muscled man with a reproachful gaze.
A look of reprimand.
"I didn't give permission for you to touch me."
"N-No way… it's a lie… a lie, a lie…"
Despite all that confidence in exposing her.
Despite putting on such a grand performance.
It turns out to be a case of mistaken identity.
Depending on how you look at it, this is an ultra-class humiliation…
"I-If you're not Seras Ashrain—!"
Foam flies from the corners of the lean-muscled man's mouth as he points at the woman.
"Then why are you in Mills!? What's your purpose on this journey!? If you can't answer properly, you're lying! You're a filthy liar!!"
Has the humiliation driven him mad?
His questions have become incoherent.
Anyone here would understand why she's in Mills just by seeing her.
But the woman answers seriously.
"I stopped in Mills to earn some travel funds. My purpose on this journey is—"
Rustle rustle.
The woman takes a veil from the pocket of her pack.
Understanding dawns in the lean-muscled man's eyes.
"That veil is—"
What's so special about that veil?
"As you've guessed. I am traveling toward the Principality of Yonato."
The Principality of Yonato.
One of the country names I heard in the inn's tavern last night.
Home to something called the Annihilation Sacred Forces, famous for being strong.
"As you probably know, this veil is proof that one intends to answer the call of the Saintess gathering the Sacred Forces."
Sacred Forces.
An unfamiliar term.
But from context, it seems to be the name of a group or organization.
"Do you understand now? I simply heard about this ruin subjugation recruitment while passing through on my way to Yonato and stopped here to earn some money."
"Ugh… guh…!"
The lean-muscled man is rendered speechless.
The surroundings begin to stir.
"All that noise just to get the wrong person…"
"For a second I really thought it was the rumored Princess Knight."
"Well, the sketch at the mercenary guild doesn't match either."
"Besides, now that you mention it—no way a fugitive wanted by Bakoss would show up in such a crowded place."
"That Monk guy just exposed himself at 'Flash' speed."
The lean-muscled man trembles violently.
His eyes swirl with hatred.
"I won't forgive… this humiliation… I won't forgive you… All beautiful women are the same… Remember this, Mist Barucas…!!"
Still pointing at the woman, the lean-muscled man retreats to the edge of the plaza.
Textbook case of misplaced resentment…
"..."
The woman pulls her hood back up, entering my field of vision.
She's someone who piques my interest, if nothing else.
"Mis-taken… identity, huh."
At that moment, one of the mercenaries raises his voice.
"Hey, they're here!"
A carriage approaches the plaza.
Mounted men and women surround it.
All armed.
Probably escorts.
The carriage stops.
A stout man steps down.
He immediately ascends the stage.
The mercenaries gather toward the stage.
"Everyone, thank you for coming! Many of you already know me, but allow me to introduce myself once more! I am Cred Harkley! Known as the eccentric Marquis Harkley!"
First time hearing the name.
So the self-introduction is appreciated.
"In fact, a new layer has been discovered in the Mills ruin under my management! I would like to request your help in exploring that new layer! However—this request comes with no advance payment! But for any treasures you bring back, I will purchase them at the highest possible price! I'm also open to price negotiations! That will be your reward!"
The marquis continues his explanation.
Materials obtained from monster corpses are apparently free to keep.
They'll buy materials too, at least.
In that case…
I should be able to bring back Skeleton King bone powder.
There will be luggage checks upon entry and exit.
Treasures sleeping in the ruin belong to the marquis as manager.
"And for whoever obtains the secret treasure said to lie somewhere in the Mills ruin—the 'Dragon-Eye Goblet'—there will be a special reward! The reward is 300 gold coins!"
The mercenaries stir.
"The reward's higher than before."
"He must really want to drink from it while he's still alive."
"300 gold coins is insane…"
Quite a large sum, apparently.
At the marquis's direction, one of the escorts ascends the stage.
The escort unrolls a parchment and shows it to us.
The parchment depicts an illustration of the Dragon-Eye Goblet.
The marquis explains it's a secret treasure hidden long ago.
Incidentally, it's not a magical tool.
Just an unusual ornamental piece, apparently.
"My dream is to drink fine wine from this goblet! Surely drinking from it will make me feel like a king who conquered the ancients!"
A ripple of laughter spreads.
Mostly polite chuckles.
The air says "hurry up and move on."
Sensing the mood, the marquis gives a wry smile and signals his escort.
The escort moves briskly.
Participant registration begins.
I line up.
Some mercenaries finish registration quickly.
They present something like a card.
Probably guild members.
Even non-guild members only need to provide a name.
I thought they might draw portraits, but apparently not.
The Mills ruin has entry/exit checks.
A management system that prevents treasure theft.
Since what I need is monster materials, it doesn't really matter to me.
The ruin entrance is apparently beyond the plaza.
Some groups head straight there.
I decide to return to town first to prepare.
On the way, I notice the woman walking ahead of me.
Mist Barucas, was it?
My pace is faster.
As we pass, our eyes meet.
I try to walk by in silence.
"Excuse me."
The woman calls out.
Ignoring her here would feel a bit rude.
Besides, there's something I'd like to ask her too.
I stop.
Just before replying, I hesitate for a moment.
...
Yeah.
No point switching to polite speech now.
"So your destination was Mills too."
I speak as if I hadn't noticed until now.
"You came for that recruitment as well?"
"…Yeah. That was rough earlier."
"That level was no big deal."
"Still, better be careful."
"About what?"
"That guy who bothered you. After that, his face was bright red with anger and hatred."
The woman furrows her brows in concern.
"I sometimes end up angering people like that. I try to handle things as peacefully as possible… but it doesn't always work. Besides, right now it's easier when people dislike me and keep their distance."
"Various things twisted your personality?"
The woman gives a wry smile.
"Perhaps. Well then, I'll be going—"
"I can tell you're deliberately avoiding relationships with people."
The woman, about to leave, stops.
Her gaze turns thoughtful.
"I felt the same about you."
"With that in mind—I have a request."
"A request? What is it?"
"I'm planning to enter the Mills ruin too. But I still need to gather necessary tools and such… In short, I'm a beginner."
"Ah, I see."
Sharp.
"You're unfamiliar with prices here, aren't you? You want advice during shopping so you won't get ripped off?"
Quick thinker too.
"To put it simply, yeah. I intend to pay for the advice."
Dealing with shopkeepers and haggling is tiring.
Borrowing the wisdom of someone experienced would skip a lot.
It's also a good chance to learn market prices.
I stare steadily at the woman.
"?"
I judge this woman to be trustworthy for now.
If I get deceived—well, then it can't be helped.
I'll take it as my own perception and intuition being too naive.
"Um… the truth is, right now I need travel funds. So this proposal benefits me as well. May I accept your offer for advice compensation?"
"Then we have a deal?"
"It seems so. Leave it to me. Negotiating with one person—me—should be far less effort for you than dealing with each shopkeeper individually."
"Got it. I'll trust you. Looking forward to it. Then, right away—"
I stop.
Because the woman has extended her hand.
"Mist Barucas."
"Hati Skoll."
I shake her hand.
A white hand.
Fine skin.
Slender fingers.
"..."
Is this really the hand of someone who wields weapons?
I imagined something rougher.
Hm?
The woman has a slightly odd expression.
…Ah, right.
This woman is sensitive to lies.
"It's a pseudonym."
"Eh?"
"You can tell, right? I'm in the same situation as you—complicated circumstances. I used this fake name at the inn too. And right now, the truth of our names doesn't matter to either of us. Right?"
The woman lets out a soft smile.
"Yes, exactly."