Hero Chapter 42: Cashing Out the Loot (Patreon)

“These are today’s spoils from the Dungeon.”

“It’s all here.” After leaving the Dungeon—her appearance completely changed—Lili handed the sack to Keyaru.

In a normal party, you’d exchange for valis and split it up. But she no longer needed to save up to leave the Soma Familia, so the extra income wasn’t that important to her.

“Thanks for your help today.”

The girl was unexpectedly forthright, meeting his curious look without flinching. “And I said from the start I’d help for free.”

“Alright, then I’ll take it.”

Keyaru didn’t stand on ceremony.

The haul was rich—just the rare Blue Papilio Wings came to seven pairs. At the Guild’s buy price, that’s a guaranteed 150,000 valis.

“At least we won’t have to worry about food for the Familia for a while.”

Was it really that serious?

Lili knew Keyaru’s problem—he was very short on money—so this was her way of showing where she stood as a partner.

She tugged the corner of her mouth. “Actually… I’ve saved quite a lot of valis. If you need it, just tell me.”

But as soon as she said it, she regretted it—not because she begrudged the money, but because Keyaru knew exactly where it had come from.

“Of course. I’ll need to conduct a strict, critical audit of these illicit funds!”

Who turns down free money?

And those deeds were hers, not his. Keyaru’s job was to safeguard the victims’ property until the rightful owners proved their claim.

—

Adventurers’ Guild.

For Eina Tulle, today’s work was clearly off. A big part of it was Keyaru from that morning. She liked him well enough—but she wasn’t smitten. She was worried about safety: had she missed anything when she explained the Dungeon mobs?

By late afternoon, there was still no sign of Keyaru.

“Don’t tell me… was he right?”

“Will he make it back alive?”

She tried to distract herself with the pile of forms in front of her—and found willpower alone wouldn’t cut it.

Her odd mood didn’t escape the pink-haired girl nearby. Misha Flott, eyes blazing with gossip, tiptoed over to her friend’s desk. Lately, Eina had even been praised at work.

So…

If a girl’s this preoccupied, the only reason is matters of the heart!

Misha set her hands lightly on Eina’s shoulders; even so, the half-elf jolted, and her glasses clattered onto the desk.

“Misha!! What are you doing!”

“I should be asking you that. You’ve been out of it all day—did someone at the Guild confess to you?”

Cheeks being smooshed, Misha didn’t care. She pouted. “We agreed—no romance. How come you have problems already? Who is it? I swear I won’t tell!”

“It’s not like that…”

Eina shook her head and carefully wiped her glasses. Finding a vent, she let out the feelings she’d bottled up.

She sighed helplessly. “A rookie came this morning for Dungeon monster info. I’m worried I didn’t explain enough.”

“And he’s still not back!”

“That is… something,” Misha admitted. For kind Eina, she didn’t trot out “don’t worry, just do your job.” Bracing her hands on the desk, she tried to help.

“Do you remember his name? Maybe you were busy and he cashed out with another clerk.”

“Or…” Misha’s grin turned teasing. “Is Miss Eina in unrequited love—and doesn’t even know his name?”

“Of course I do.”

Eina looked up earnestly—then, seeing her friend’s mischievous smile, realized she’d stepped into a trap. Flustered, her pointed half-elf ears tinged red.

“So you do admit it?!”

“Misha! I said I know his name!” she repeated, pinning her hopes there. Then Eina explained:

“Keyaru!”

“Present!”

The familiar boy’s voice rang out before she’d finished. Dropping the banter, Eina slid on her red-rimmed glasses, turned—and saw that clear-cut face.

“Good evening, Mr. Keyaru. I’m Eina Tulle from the Guild. How can I help you?”

“I do have something.” Keyaru set the day’s haul on the counter, his eyes flicking over the pink-haired girl briefly before returning to Eina. “Miss Eina, could you help me exchange all this for valis?”

“No problem.” Seeing him safe and sound, Eina’s gentle smile returned; the stone on her heart finally lifted. From the looks of it, Keyaru really was a competent adventurer—he kept making it back.

Then her eyes fell on the bundle… and the pairs of gossamer Blue Papilio Wings. Surprise flickered.

She looked up to confirm. “Are these… drops from rare Blue Papilio?”

“Of course. Got lucky—ran into them on Floor 9. Worth a bit, right?” What he cared about was the total take.

The answer that followed was a splash of cold water. After a quick price check, Eina explained, “The Guild buys that material at 15,000 valis a pair.”

“About what I expected.”

“But—” she added, lowering her voice.

After a quick look around to make sure no one was listening, she murmured, “If you have time, take the wings to the Pure-White Sanatorium and ask for the Dian Cecht Familia. Miss Airmid, the ‘Silver Saint,’ has been buying them lately.”

Dian Cecht Familia.

Airmid Teasanare, the Silver Saint.

Keyaru perked up. How could he not know the Sanatorium? When he’d been out cold, Hestia had taken him there.

“So Blue Papilio Wings are… potion materials?”

“I’m not sure,” Eina said with a little shake of her head. “Sounds like they’ve got a very difficult patient.”

“Thanks for the tip, Miss Eina.”

“It’s my job.” Ignoring Misha’s odd look, Eina sat up straight, smiling like the sweet big sister next door. “Anything else I can help with?”

Keyaru thought for a moment, then shrugged and admitted, “Mm… I’d like to know if there’s a shop nearby that can repair armor. I’d rather not worry my goddess when she sees it.”