Leaving the meeting room, Rei returned to the first floor of the guild, where the receptionist Lenora called out to him. Since she had helped him several times and he had no reason to ignore her, Rei stepped toward the counter.

「Ah, Rei, how did the request go?」

「Yeah, no problem. I was accepted for the request.」

「Is that so? But your opponents are Orcs, and I heard their numbers are considerable. Please be careful. It would be troubling if the guild lost such a promising rookie.」

As Lenora spoke, her eyes showed her worry and concern.

「That’s right. Since you’re still a rookie, Rei, if things get tough, leave it to the higher rank adventurers and focus on surviving first.」

The unexpected voice came from beside Lenora, belonging to a Cat Beastkin receptionist. Because Rei had never spoken with her before, he looked at her with a questioning expression.

「Ah, I’m sorry! I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Kenny, a close friend of Lenora’s. Nice to meet you, Rei.」

「Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you too.」

Although it was indeed his first time meeting Kenny, she extended her hand with open friendliness. Still slightly puzzled, Rei shook it.

「Hey, Kenny,」 Lenora chided.

「What? The busy morning rush is already over, so what’s the harm?」

Glancing toward the request boards at Kenny’s words, Rei saw that there were indeed very few people around them.

While several adventurers were eating breakfast before starting work, no one was drinking alcohol yet.

「Anyway, Rei, this Orc subjugation request will be quite dangerous, so please take care.」

「Yeah, I will. Well, I have to go soon since I have quite a few things to prepare.」

「Right. Take care, Rei.」

「Rei, if you come back unhurt, this big sister will give you a nice reward!」

Lenora waved her hand lightly as Kenny saw Rei off with a pose that accentuated her large chest.

The adventurers remaining in the guild glared at him with jealous eyes, watching the receptionists who were their idols act so friendly toward him. Rei seemed not to notice as he walked out of the guild.

 

 

When he returned to the Dusk Wheat Pavilion, he bumped into Lana at the entrance. The stoutly built woman was carrying an armful of food supplies, likely ingredients for tonight’s dinner.

「Oh, welcome back. That was fast. Do you have the day off today?」

「Good timing. I’m going to be away from here for a few days.」

「Understood. However, if your belongings remain in your room past the period you’ve paid for, they will be kept in storage. They will be disposed of if you don’t return within three months. Is that all right?」

「Yeah, I don’t mind. Naturally, I’ll be taking Set with me.」

「Understood. When will you be departing?」

「Around noon.」

「Then please stop by the dining room before leaving. A food box will be prepared for you.」

Shortly after saying that, Lana headed toward the dining room, likely busy preparing lunch and dinner.

Watching her leave, Rei returned to his room, took off the Shoes of Sleipnir and Dragon Robe, and lay down on the bed.

Because all his primary belongings were stored inside the Misty Ring, the only personal items left in the room were a spare change of clothes and some coins.

(An Orc horde. And it’s highly likely to be led by an Orc rare species or a higher-tier species……)

A rare species and a higher-tier species were clearly different. For instance, the Goblin rare species that Rei had defeated was a mutation of a Goblin. On the other hand, a higher-tier species of Goblin, born into the world as a fundamentally superior being, was a High Goblin.

(Anyway, with the Orcs’ higher rank, I expect it should be easier to acquire skills. Even so, I had better not draw too much attention to the unique traits of Set and the Death Scythe.)

As matters stood, Rei already drew attention due to his combat abilities, menacing weapon, and similar traits. Furthermore, since the existence of the Misty Ring had been revealed before so many people, it would be impossible to avoid those with ulterior motives, who were bound to approach sooner or later. In fact, several people had cast sharp, covetous glances when the Misty Ring was shown in the meeting room. If it also became public knowledge that a Griffon could use Water Ball and Fire Breath, and that the Death Scythe could corrode enemy equipment……

(No, wait. While there is no way to hide Set’s Water Ball and Fire Breath if he uses them, I might be able to deceive them by claiming the corrosion comes from my own magic…… Maybe? Well, either way, it is best if I can prevent the truth from being known.)

The Death Scythe’s skill that could corrode an enemy’s metal equipment was, if anything, far more effective against human opponents than monsters.

That was only natural upon reflection. Claws, horns, fangs, and tails served as the weapons of monsters, whereas humans relied on swords and shields, suffering a drastic drop in combat capability without weapons or armour. Considering that most of those arms were made of metal, the corrosion skill was their natural predator.

(Set can fight using only his natural abilities as a Griffon, and I can conceal the corrosion skill as much as possible…… Or something along those lines. Still, according to Zephyr’s knowledge, plenty of Orcs use weapons, so I’ll just have to adapt to the situation as it unfolds.)

Deciding to adapt as needed, Rei rose from the bed and began preparing for departure.

In truth, the only items he needed to prepare were the Dragon Robe and Shoes of Sleipnir he had removed before lying down.

Although it was still early, he decided it was a good time to have lunch in the dining room, keeping in mind his promise to Hobbes to report to the guild before noon.

 

 

As soon as he entered the dining room, he was handed a food box packed with sandwiches.

「Ah, here you are. Please have this for dinner tonight.」

It was noticeably larger than an ordinary food box, and quite heavy. Surprised by the unexpected heft, Rei asked,

「This seems like quite a bit more than usual?」

「That is correct. Even though you will only be away for a few days, you can receive what is due from the ten days of lodging you paid for. Today’s lunch has already been deducted from that. Please have a seat, and your food will be brought right out.」

Thus, Rei finished his lunch at the Dusk Wheat Pavilion. Satisfied with the hearty sandwiches, he headed toward the stables.

「Gururu~」

Set gave a joyful cry when he saw Rei walk in.

The other horses in the stables began to fidget restlessly.

Set possessed an overwhelming presence. While the horses had felt safe while he slept, their terror resurfaced the moment Set woke up upon Rei’s entrance.

Rei led Set out of the stables with a wry smile at the scene.

「Set, we’re heading out on an overnight expedition for the Orc subjugation.」

「Guru~」

Understood, Set conveyed with a short cry.

「However, it won’t just be the two of us this time. In total, there will be a few dozen people. Therefore, I don’t want any of your special traits known to anyone besides me. It would be troublesome if you got tangled up with suspicious people, right? Besides, killing someone outside the city brings various complications. For that reason, using Water Ball and Fire Breath is off-limits while fighting Orcs. Of course, you may use them if you judge it to be a life-or-death emergency.」

「Guru~」

Set gave a reluctant cry of agreement. Rei spoke while gently scratching and patting Set’s head.

「On the bright side, there is likely to be a considerable number of Orcs. Since an Orc rare species or a higher-tier species like the one from the Goblin subjugation is expected, we should find good magic stones. Are you interested in Orc meat, Set?」

「Gurururururu~!」

His spirits restored by those words, Set let out a cheerful cry.

Smiling wryly at how easily food restored Set’s mood, Rei headed straight for the Adventurers Guild.

As always, passers-by along the streets reacted with shock or fear at the sight of Set. Buying snacks from street stalls, they ate together even though they had just finished lunch, storing the extras inside the Misty Ring.

Strolling along, they soon arrived in front of the Adventurers Guild. Without Rei needing to say a word, Set trotted over to the carriage waiting area and settled down to rest.

After lightly patting Set’s head, Rei entered the guild.

Inside the guild, just before noon, fewer than ten adventurers sat at the bar eating lunch. However, as Rei walked toward the counter, several of them watched him while eating their meals.

(……Is someone watching me?)

Rei felt people watching him as he approached the counter. Here, the likely cause for such attention was members of the Orc subjugation expedition who had seen the Misty Ring.

(A peaceful journey to the Orc settlement doesn’t seem likely after all. Still, well……)

A faint smile touched his lips.

(I’ll deal with them if they attack.)

Catching sight of Lenora calling out to him from the counter, Rei let his smile fade.

「Rei?」

「Ah, Rei. What’s wrong? Did you forget something?」

Kenny, beside Lenora, chimed in as well.

Because noon had not yet arrived, they had some free time. A brief glance showed only a few people around the request boards, and most of the guild staff were away, leaving only a few at the counter.

「Not at all. A guild staff member named Hobbes told me to report before noon. There seem to be very few people around, though?」

After speaking, Rei directed his gaze behind the counter for a moment.

「That’s because a considerable number of staff were pulled away to prepare supplies and carriages for the Orc subjugation you’re participating in, Rei.」

「About that, did you say Hobbes? Does that mean you aren’t going on the Orc subjugation request, Rei?」

Rei shook his head at Kenny’s hopeful tone.

「No, it’s about transporting supplies.」

「Transporting supplies? Why were you called for that, Rei?」

「Hey, Kenny! Stop jumping to conclusions!」

Lenora chided Kenny for pressing Rei.

During the briefing for the Orc subjugation request, adventurers were reluctant to reveal their capabilities to others. Even while working as companions, other adventurers remained rivals, so an ordinary adventurer would have kept such matters quiet. However……

「Ah, it’s because I have an item box.」

Utterly unconcerned by such conventions, Rei answered plainly.

That said, during his confrontation with Claws of the Hawk, he had openly displayed the Misty Ring. Since that dispute had taken place directly outside the Adventurers Guild, he naturally assumed the staff knew about it. He had also demonstrated it during the meeting for the Orc subjugation.

Yet it appeared neither Lenora nor Kenny possessed that information, and both stared at him with wide, startled eyes.

「What? You have an item box, Rei?」

「Whoa, you’re incredible, Rei! Hey, let us have a quick look……」

「You’re here.」

A deep voice cut across Kenny’s excited chatter. It was a voice of commanding weight, impossible to ignore.

「Ah, Hobbes.」

「Thank you for your hard work.」

Noticing him, Lenora and Kenny quickly quieted down and offered respectful bows.

Hobbes shifted his gaze from the two women to Rei without a word.

「Over here. Follow me. The supplies are ready.」

Saying so, he led the way past the counter toward the back of the guild.

「See you both later, then.」

「I’ll be sure to return safely.」

Nodding farewell to Lenora and Kenny, Rei followed behind Hobbes.

Incidentally, the persistent glances from the bar during his conversation with Lenora vanished the instant Hobbes appeared.

 

 

「These are the supplies you need to carry.」

At Hobbes’s words, Rei turned his eyes toward the mountain of supplies before him.

Along with potions and mana potions, there were remedies like antidotes and paralysis cures. There were also preserved rations such as dried meat, dried fruit, and biscuits. In addition to tents, there was a vast quantity of various gear essential for the expedition. Although the Orc settlement lay only a day’s journey from Gilm, requiring one day to travel and one day to clear, the force could not return immediately. In total, the expedition required three days for the round trip. Factoring in surplus provisions for unexpected emergencies, the quantity formed a small mountain.

Even so, this load remained manageable only because the destination was a single day away. Had the distance been greater, the baggage would have easily more than doubled, given the requirement to provision thirty people.

「Can you carry all this?」

「No problem.」

Giving a slight nod at Hobbes’s question, Rei touched the mountain of supplies, storing the goods one by one into the Misty Ring.

Hobbes watched the scene, thoroughly impressed.

All the supplies were stored within ten minutes. Following Hobbes’s instructions, Rei repeatedly withdrew and restowed several items to confirm smooth retrieval.

「Right, I’ll leave the supplies in your care. Also, since you are on your own, I want you to travel alongside the party Axe of the Thunder God until we reach the Orc settlement. If you die on the way and we lose access to the supplies, it won’t be a laughing matter.」

「Understood.」

「It will soon be time for everyone to gather at the main gate. I still have some business to finish, so head on ahead.」

Nodding to Hobbes’s words, Rei departed.

(The Orc subjugation is finally underway. Now then, what kind of magic stones will I obtain? With others likely pursuing the same goal, it’s unlikely to be boring.)

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