After being escorted to a private room in the Commercial Guild,
a short while
passed before a middle-aged man and the receptionist from earlier entered.
"I'll be returning your card now,"
Sophia-san said as she handed the card back.
"Oh, so you're Alan, right? I'm Basis, the Guild Master. First time I've ever seen a card with Eagle's endorsement on it. He was in the same cohort as me, y'know — he's got a sharp eye for people. So here's the deal: follow me to the back courtyard of this building. Show me the goods there. Oh, and just so you know, I've got [Appraisal]."
The Guild Master rattled everything off in one breath.
But he didn't seem like a bad person.
Then, in the back courtyard, I pulled the White King Tiger Wolf out of my magic bag.
"Whoa... This coat — the royal palace has a Black King Tiger Wolf on display, but this one's every bit as impressive. I don't even need to appraise it to tell it's the real deal. Well, I'll take a look just to be thorough. So, where'd you get this?"
"In the forest east of the town of Momentum. It was a spontaneous mutation variant."
"So Alan was the one who took it down too. What's your adventurer rank? Bronze? You've gotta be kidding. You should file a rank-up request. There's nothing good about being stuck at a low rank."
"Yeah, I'll get around to it eventually."
"So I heard the Adventurer's Guild turned you down. Hey, go find out for me — who was it that refused you, and where?"
"It was a receptionist named Rhine."
Upon hearing that, Sophia-san swiftly left the room.
I returned to the private room with just the Guild Master.
After a little while, Sophia-san came back.
"Guild Master, I've obtained a verbal confirmation from the receptionist named Rhine."
"Oh, well done, Sophia. That means we get the full commission. For something this valuable, we're probably looking at a starting price of 10,000 gold coins. First big-ticket auction in a while — my skills are really going to be put to the test. Just you wait!"
"Thank you."
I didn't really have high expectations, but there was no downside to it selling for a high price.
It's not like I'm hurting for money.
The treasure the Ruby Dragon had hoarded was pretty substantial, too.
I deposited the White King Tiger Wolf at the Commercial Guild.
◇◇◇
Next, I had business at the guard post.
The
Fierce Jewel
Gang — or whatever they're called. I brought in the bounty head.
I also told them the location of the hideout I'd destroyed.
They said they'd pay out the bounty at a later date.
Apparently, anything I found there I could keep, but if the original owner came forward with a purchase offer, it would be up to negotiation.
They warned me not to get too greedy, or I'd end up regretting it.
Since I'd have to notify them if any offer came in, I told them the name of the inn I was currently staying at.
Then I headed back to the Commercial Guild.
Sophia-san was there, so when I told her I had a question, she led me to a private room.
"Um, I destroyed a bandit gang's hideout and came into their treasure. If someone shows up saying they want it returned, how much would be reasonable to ask for?"
"Let me see... the going rate is usually around 30 to 40 percent. If the other party happens to be a noble, it gets more complicated — you'd often end up returning it at whatever price they state. From their perspective, it can actually be cheaper to just raid the person who took it rather than pay. Unless that person happens to be exceptionally powerful, of course..."
"Thank you very much. By the way, how much should I pay for that information?"
"Well, you already brought in that White King Tiger Wolf for us, so let's call this one on the house."
Sophia-san gave me a cute wink.
Oh man, I'm gonna fall for her.
As I headed back to the inn with those thoughts on my mind, a merchant was already waiting for me.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Skills: [Reverse] [Divine Eye] [Sword God] [Phantom Thief Gentleman] [Dark Magic] [Rock Iron Magic] [Holy Magic]
Rank: Bronze
Thank you as always for reading!