The purchase price given to the magic stone I brought back from the dungeon was hopelessly low. Most of the people in charge of purchasing are intimidating looking middle aged man. That’s why I usually never complain.
But this price is clearly a mistake!
“I handed a skeleton magic stone. With the size of that magic stone, it is not worth the same price as yesterday’s slime and kobold magic stone……!”
No matter how persistent I was, the purchase price never went up.
What does this mean?
I had a feeling that the price of magic stones will gradually drop, but it was really strange that the value of magic stones was falling so drastically.
All eyes from the surrounding are drawn towards me.
“What’s the matter, Rion?”
“What? You’re broke so now you’re finally starting to complain at the counter?”
“I’m sure his father would cry if he saw this!”
““Kuhahaha””
““Kukuku””
Their laughter slaps me on the back.
Even after risking my life, it’s still not enough to buy a meal for my family.
Is there even a possibility that I could get a high price?
“……Rion”
If Mia hadn’t tapped me on the shoulder, I might have stood there forever.
I stood firm. In any case, it can’t be sold at such a price.
But where should I sell it?
In order to use magic stones, you will need specialized equipment or a furnace. Refusing to sell it to the guild was like a miller refusing to sell to a baker.
“……I’m sorry.”
The person in charge of purchasing and the receptionist both bowed their heads. It was a formal apology, implicitly telling me that it was useless to press them.
Their attitude said it all.
I turned around as if swept away by the ridicule. I guess this is what it means by being knocked out.
『W-what’s wrong? ….Rion, did something happen to the selling price again?』
Solana seemed worried too. I’d like to explain the situation, but I don’t have time right now.
『Is there anything I can do? That…… you look like you’re very troubled.』
I felt so pathetic, so sorry, and so embarrassed.
Mia, who was walking in front of me, suddenly turned around.
“Oi, sleepyheads!”
A surprisingly low voice echoed inside the guild.
“You should be grateful to Rion. If not for him, you guys might have been rushing into a floor swarmed with skeletons without any precaution at all by now!”
The atmosphere went tense.
“Oh, and a kind reminder, if you listened carefully at the reception desk, you’ll soon be diving in the dungeon today.”
Mia snorted.
“So cool……”
『So cool…… (Sigh)』
Solana and I had the same sentiment.
I heard Goddess’ voice,
『I see…. I-, I should have done that instead…… But I couldn’t protect you…… I’m sorry. 』
I felt a little better knowing that Solana cared a lot about me. Even at times like this, I can’t help but chuckle.
“Thank you, Goddess-sama.”
『Huh?』
I called her Goddess-sama, but I hope she forgives me this time. Because, really, I am grateful to her.
“Let’s go.”
We went out of the guild.
However, it’s not like I have any other destination after this. The fact that I couldn’t sell the magic stones made the pouch full of them feel heavy.
This is awful, isn’t it?
I walked aimlessly, following where my feet took me. Then I bumped into someone in front of me.
Mia had stopped in her tracks.
“Was I being too nosy?”
“N-no, not at all…… In fact, you helped me.”
I still shrink back in that kind of atmosphere after all.
“I’m sorry, I watched a little bit. Their purchase price was really low.”
“Right!?”
I hurriedly hold my mouth. I subconsciously shouted in the street.
“You’re Rion the wake-up guy, aren’t you?”
“T-that’s right…… You know about it huh.”
“Haha! If you run around like that in the Royal Capital just so you could wake people up, you’re bound to become famous you know.”
Mia crossed her arms.
Her smile was like that of a mischievous cat, as if she had thought of something. The chain wrapped around her right arm dangled wildly.
“A noble is targeting you, isn’t it? If I’m not mistaken, it should be Gideon from the House of Warburg, right?”
“Even that….…”
“I know.”
Mia said simply.
“You mean…. Gideon is putting pressure on the guild?”
That was what I immediately worried about.
Moreover, what was frightening was that his family had influence on the eastern side of the Royal Capital. They had a say not only in the Adventurer’s Guild, but also in various shops in the area.
I feel like I’ve been shut out of the city where I was born and raised.
“N-no way…… Would he really go that far?”
“Oh my, what a nice guy you are. Haven’t you suffered a lot of injustice because of him up until now?”
Judging from Mia’s behavior, it seems that rumors about Gideon and me have reached places other than the Eastern Dungeon.
“But I’ve also got a magic stone. I think Gideon will be in trouble if I got obstructed like this!”
I am now working to pay off my debt to Gideon. It’s insane that he will obstruct me from doing so.
“Well, it looks like something is going on behind the scenes…”
Mia looked up to the sky. Then, she snapped her fingers.
“Okay, why don’t you hang out with me for a bit? I’ll thank you for your help.”
Her confident smile made me blink.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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