01x03 - A Letter from Ray

[bunniefuu]

We'll be arriving shortly.

Please bear with us a little longer.

Of course. Thank you.

He's a polite driver.

Is he?

He must think you're a noble, too.

It's understandable,

given our destination.

You can see the mansion now.

I'd heard the Blade had joined a party.

I guess the rumor was true.

Are you sure about this?

Do you not like the idea, Stud?

I don't, but I won't stop you.

Upset I'm taking someone

you've grown fond of?

Who's fond of whom?

Are you that oblivious?

Don't expose him to danger just because

you're no longer his bodyguard.

Who do you think you're talking to?

Then what's this? You're all talk.

Gil begged me not to throw him away.

No, I didn't.

Thank you.

Not at all. Also, I have

one more thing for you.

This was mixed in with the letters

addressed to the guildmaster this morning.

I read the contents,

and it's addressed to you.

To me?

Is this not an interference of power?

Since it's a personal letter,

I have no reason to object.

He works quickly.

What?

He invited me to his home to

see his private collection.

What shall we do?

You're our leader.

Then let's accept his invitation.

I'm curious about his collection

of labyrinth goods.

Well, it's not like you've

found any decent goods.

Why is that? Is it luck?

Stud, do you know where this is?

There's a carriage service by the

large bridge in the town center.

They'll take you straight there.

We'll notify him that you're coming.

There should be no issue

visiting that viscount today.

Thank you.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you for the invitation.

My master has instructed

me to show you inside.

This way.

This is incredible.

Gil, is this?

Are you already getting a look around?

This is also part of my collection.

Please accept my deepest gratitude for—

None of that, please.

I've decided that we

should be good friends.

Oh, I couldn't possibly.

Don't be so cold.

Treat me like you'd treat each other.

And don't think of calling me brazen.

As you wish.

Too stiff.

Then that's what I'll do.

You, too.

Oh, shut up.

Let me show you around.

Are these all labyrinth goods as well?

Yes.

Are these paintings of actual adventurers?

Indeed they are.

Perhaps you could call them

the labyrinth's memories.

They're not something

adventurers want, though.

They're bulky. Most of these

would get left behind.

That's unfortunate.

Some paintings are far more valuable

than your average gemstone.

Are they really?

Even ordinary paintings are if

their subjects seem expensive.

Bosses, mysteries unique to

labyrinths, and finally

adventurers like you.

You look splendid as a painting.

Shut up.

The Blade's slashing attack

drew an incredibly high price.

It was found in the lower levels,

and even the labyrinth seems

to recognize its worth.

Are powerful adventurers popular?

Power is important, but not

as much as appearance.

The ladies got into a bidding

w*r over this piece.

Hey, put that thing away.

Appearance, huh?

He's rather uncouth, though.

Shut up.

Perhaps a painting of me

will show up someday.

It's embarrassing to think it could

end up in someone else's hands.

Then I shall pay any price

to acquire it. Don't worry.

Oh, also

Would you accept this as

a token of friendship?

What is it?

You'll visit Marcade eventually.

This will keep you safe then.

As adventurers, I doubt

we'll have the opportunity.

I disagree.

There are less obvious

ways to curry favor.

I sell everything I can, but

I hate to let things go.

I don't know that we can meet your

expectations, but thank you.

I simply thought it

might be useful to you.

Do as you will.

Now, onto today's main event.

Enjoy my collection to

your heart's content.

How do you do, milord?

I'm not a noble.

Nice weather we're having, milord.

It certainly is. Also, I'm not a noble.

Milord!

Welcome, Lord Lizel.

Try again.

Mr. Lizel

Congratulations on forming a party.

Even you've heard about that?

Yes. I see he's not with you today.

We're not always together.

We're grown men.

More importantly

Could you appraise this?

Yes, sir.

It's an infallible hourglass.

Turn it on its side or flip it over,

o matter what you do to it,

it'll measure exactly three minutes.

I was hoping for something better

suited to an adventurer.

Personally, I'm just glad

to see lots of rare items.

You're a good boy, Judge.

Speaking of labyrinth goods,

I saw someone's collection

of paintings the other day.

A lot of people seem

to collect paintings.

Do people often bring

paintings to your shop?

I do appraise them

sometimes, but that's it.

I was shown a painting of Gil.

Apparently, it's quite valuable.

A painting of Mr. Gil

That must be frightening,

but if it were Mr. Lizel

Uh, nothing.

So, you only appraise paintings?

You don't buy them?

I just don't sell them here.

I know a wholesaler, so I do buy them.

A wholesaler?

There's a specialty shop that

deals in labyrinth paintings.

In this nation?

No, in Marcade.

Marcade? Is that far away?

Not that far.

It's about five days by carriage.

I see.

Do you have plans to

visit Marcade, Mr. Lizel?

Why do you ask?

My grandfather actually lives in Marcade.

Your grandfather? I'd like to meet him.

Well, um

Yes?

I'm planning to visit

my grandfather soon.

Anyway, if you'd like

If you're planning to visit Marcade,

I was hoping you'd escort me there.

I've never escorted someone before.

Do you not want to?

I don't mind, but perhaps you should

hire someone with experience.

You don't want to hire other adventurers?

It's not that I couldn't, but

But?

I'd prefer the two of you.

You needn't be so embarrassed.

I'm sorry.

I understand how you feel.

But I must leave for today.

I'll see if I can convince Gil to do it.

Thank you.

I'm sure he's not just

being nice, but still

Anyway, I believe the young

man at the equipment shop

will submit a request for us soon.

You mean Judge?

Oh, you know him?

I sometimes hire him to help appraise

labyrinth goods when I fall behind.

It started when the guild asked

his grandfather for assistance.

His famously accurate grandfather

brought along Judge,

who was still quite young.

They say he already possessed the

appraisal skills he has now.

Since we're the same age, we've had the

opportunity to speak to one another.

So you're good friends.

No. I find his lack of

confidence irritating.

You do?

So, you're going to Marcade?

Will you be moving your

base of operations?

No, I'm just going to see the sights.

I've never been there before.

I see.

Then I won't see you for a while.

That's true.

Do you plan to take any jobs today?

No.

I'm about to go on break.

Would you accompany me?

Gladly, if you'd like.

There's a place nearby

that serves good coffee.

Let's go there.

I look forward to it.

Do you not take many breaks, Stud?

They're not necessary if I'm not tired.

It feels strange seeing

you outside the guild.

Was it overly friendly of me to

discuss non-work matters with you?

No.

I'm glad you did.

Your bruise is gone.

Gil wasn't really serious, anyway.

I would've loved to see

the Blade earnestly beg.

The coffee is good.

I'm glad to hear that.

Hey, you!

They say you're the guy who

teamed up with the Blade.

We were expecting a powerful fighter.

If you paid for his

services, think again.

He's not for someone

like you to show off.

If you have something to say,

let's take this outside.

I'm sorry, Stud. We'll

continue this another time.

No. I want to spend time with you.

Stud, I promise I'll come with you again.

It has to be now.

Please do as I say, all right?

I'll be as stubborn as I have

to be to make you stay here.

Hey, quit ignoring us.

You really like him, don't you?

But we're talking to him right—

Yes, I'm quite fond of him. So

If you're going to bother us,

I can't guarantee you'll live.

Hey, what's going on?

Don't touch me!

If you don't melt it quickly,

you'll lose your arm.

Give me a break!

Damn it!

Sorry about the disturbance.

You should be more careful, Stud.

Will you hate me if I'm not?

No.

I'm just worried about you.

I'm glad.

I know you're slow when it comes

to everything but business,

but try to return as soon as possible.

Slow?

- You mean "yes, sir."

- Ow!

All you've managed to do is grow taller.

Shall we get going?

Take care.

I'll be back, Stud.

Stud is always harsh on me.

It means you're good friends.

This is a magnificent carriage, Judge.

It's pretty comfortable, too.

Thank you.

Even with spatial magic,

you still need a carriage.

Yes. I have a lot of equipment and

materials that reject spatial magic

or rather, magic itself.

Really? You'll have to show me sometime.

Certainly.

The breeze feels nice.

I don't know about being

too comfortable, though.

Is that bad?

Not really.

Just seems like it'd dull the senses.

You mean your ability

to detect presences.

I don't understand it at all.

It just takes experience.

How can I learn?

Spend time in a place where you'll get

k*lled if you can't detect presences.

I see.

Don't get any stupid ideas.

Does the top open?

T-The top?

The roof.

Oh, yes. You can push it open.

Keep driving. Don't get scared.

What? O-Okay.

Green hyenas.

They'll take your horse.

We'll protect you. Don't worry.

Gil.

I can't get up.

What? You can reach it, can't you?

Please don't assume

everyone can do chin-ups.

You're hopeless.

Here.

Should I take off my boots?

Just hurry up.

There are five of them.

Got it.

Yes, I see five.

Can the horses handle loud noises?

What? Yes, I think they'll be fine.

It's over now.

Huh? What?

I'm going back inside the carriage.

Thank you for driving, Judge.

O-Okay.

This is rather high up, isn't it? Gil.

What are you, a lady?

That g*n

Mr. Lizel and his g*n

I bet that would fetch a high price.

Next time: "Arriving in Marcade."