Chapter 4

As usual, the North Market of the Empire's Capital was full of energy. However, the number of customers that frequented the North Market was a lot less when compared to the central market, due to the specialisation of the sold products. As such, it wasn't difficult to navigate through the less crowded streets.

Seeing the usual atmosphere surrounding the market, Hekkeran and Roberdyck relaxed their shoulders and started browsing. The reason why they were able to relax was exactly because they were at the northern market, one of the safest districts within Arwintar.

"Well then, Hekkeran, what do we need to buy?"

"First would be healing items. We'll need to stock up on those 'Wands of Cure light wounds'. Depending on the situation, we might also need some 'Wands of Cure moderate wounds'... Don't select any that have a low number of uses.

From what I've heard, our target location is a tomb, we might need to use them on the undead, so we need to stock up on items that counter undead creatures, poisons and diseases. We also need to have counter-measures against negative energy and undead without physical form... Items that have unlimited usage are too expensive, so it might be better to also stock up on scrolls inscribed with magic as well."

Wands were a type of item that could hold multiple charges of a single spell. The user could keep casting the spell until the number of charges were used up. As such, when compared to scrolls that could only be used once, wands were much more valuable for applications such as healing.

"Is that so? I had thought that we were here to buy gifts and that you wanted my advice."

"Gifts?"

"... Don't worry about it, Hekkeran. Let's start searching for what we need..

"Ah… okay."

The stores within the northern market were all open-air, neatly arranged and filled with items for people passing by to see. The items on display were typically placed on single sheets. One sheet per item. However, the majority of the items on sale at each store were medium-quality goods. New or unknown items were rare sights here.

The majority of the vendors here seemed to be capable of handling themselves well. They either possessed powerful looking weapons or were dressed like magic casters. Compared to typical merchants, these looked like seasoned warriors. At first glance these vendors looked out of place, but they really were the owners of their respective stores, even if it was only for the current day. During other times, they would usually be working as adventurers or workers. In other words, the actual profession of the vendors were similar to that of Hekkeran's and Roberdyck's.

They usually sold equipment or items they no longer needed, or whatever they found during their adventures. When compared to selling to merchants who specialized in magic items or to the Magician Association, finding their own customers could eliminate having to pay processing fees and thus lower the price of their items. The amount saved from this was larger than the fees one had to pay to set up their own store. Due to this reason, adventurers and workers like Hekkeran frequented the northern markets first in order to look for bargains. Some even came everyday if they had the time.

And lastly, this was the main reason why the crime rate in the north market was low. Who would be crazy enough to cause a ruckus in a district full of combat veterans?

After spending some time looking around, the faces on the two of them were neither gloomy nor glad.

"Found anything?"

"Nothing yet."

Since the merchandise on sale were mostly unwanted goods, it was hard for Hekkeran and others to find the items they needed. Although these items might be suitable for adventurers or for some inexperienced workers that were lower ranked, for the two of them, even taking their companions into consideration, there simply wasn't anything useful.

"How regrettable. As I thought, it would have been faster if we had gone to the usual place to buy them."

"I only came here hoping to find bargains. It can't be helped if we can't find anything. Well, this is only the first step for us to start saving."

"Savings huh... Hekkeran, what do you think we should do?"

"Having only said this much and you already caught on, are you a super high ranked magic caster or something? ... It's obviously about Arche."

"You already know about that."

"Well, from what's already been said I can sort of tell."

"Then you know what I wanted to say, right?"

"...That this might be our last adventure, right?"

"Please don't say such phrases that might jinx us." Roberdyck laughed bitterly. "Although it looks to be that way. If Arche-san says she'll take her sisters under her care, it looks like our adventures in the future won't be as easy anymore."

"Just as you said. Although she would still need to work."

"It'll be easy for her to find another job. She's a third tier magic caster after all. Family—although we don't know how many sisters she has, she should be fine if she only needs to look after two or three people."

"Ah, I think so too."

"And now the problem is at our end. In case our wizard Arche leaves the team, what shall we do about our next member?"

"… If only a third tier magic caster would suddenly fall from the sky."

"Please try and separate your dreams from reality... If we were adventurers, then the Guild would help solving our problem... We'll need to rely on luck if we need to search for one ourselves."

The two of them looked at each other and sighed.

Losing a comrade. Being unable to keep up. Or being the only person in the team with powers that stand out. These were the typical reasons for an adventurer or worker to leave their team. These situations weren't uncommon. It was rare for a team to have kept the same members from the beginning to the end. In typical cases, a team would have had changed its members at least two to three times.

It was the same for Hekkeran, Roberdyck and Imina.

Although, having said this, arcane magic casters were hard to find, especially those capable of using 3rd tier magic. For workers that were currently companionless, the quality of their character was an entirely separate issue that also needed to be addressed.

"How about contacting a 2nd tier magic caster?"

"… Let's make that our last resort. I'd wish to avoid that if possible."

"It's also really troublesome when choosing new members. The majority of those who become workers tend to have messed up personalities. If we chose wrong, things could get very messy, such as accidentally picking up a battle maniac."

"...Thinking back on this, we've been quite lucky haven't we?"

"It's quite a rare case for the whole team to be composed of only those who desire money. Well, Arche's case is a bit different."

"Back when Arche-san first approached us, we were just thinking about how to fill in the vacancy for the last member."

Roberdyck stared at the distance reminiscing about the past. Hekkeran felt he was thinking the same thing. "I can still remember what I was drinking at that time... The timing of Arche-san's arrival was so great that I started to think the formation of our team was brought on by God's will."

"Heh, that's amazing. I can only remember vaguely. What were you drinking?"

"Water."

They both chuckled.

"Isn't that the same as usual then? ... Looks like you really don't drink alcohol at all. Although it'll be annoying if you also start drinking like Imina."

"It can't be helped. I'm a non-drinker… Though I have to admit Imina-san's drinking habit really is a bit scary."

"Well, Rob, a single cup is enough to turn your face red, then blue and then finally white. I'm still wondering what would have happened at that time if we didn't use magic to remove the poison."

"Someone else would probably be standing here instead. It's not like people haven't died from alcohol poisoning before." Roberdyck shrugged as he said that.

"Getting back on topic, what do we do about Arche-san's situation? Are we going to end up disbanding?"

"... If we really can't find a replacement then that will have to happen. It's simply too dangerous for three people only... maybe we'll have to go back to being adventurers again?"

"I just can't go along with the regulations set by the Temples. If it has to be that way then I'd just retire."

"Retirement, huh... That's not a bad thought."

"I still have the savings we earned, I'll look for a job where I can help other people or protect the weak. It's also not bad to just be a farmer in some village while studying the teachings of God… What about you, Hekkeran?"

"Hmm, just what should I do?"

Roberdyck's mouth twitched.

"...Is that something you can just decide on your own?"

It took a while for Hekkeran to fully process what Roberdyck had said. After finally understanding, he raised his head.

"—Naa!"

"Kuku..." It was a wicked laugh. "You really thought I hadn't noticed?"

"Aah. Aah. Aah! Aah! No, it wasn't something that I was trying to hide. You see, the timing... Is that what you were talking about? The gift?"

"Who's giving it to who?"

Desperately searching for a different topic, Hekkeran actually found one.

"Hey, Rob! Look over there!"

In the direction Hekkeran was pointing to, three people were currently viewing merchandise that was on display beneath a pretty pavilion. One of them was a warrior clad in pure black armor, with a crimson cape behind his back and two gigantic swords.

"Such an abrupt change of topic... well, it doesn't matter. I'll just have to find out more later on. Hmm, such stunning equipment. If the wearer has matching skills, then he would be quite a remarkable warrior. Is it someone that we know, who managed to upgrade his equipment?"

"I'm not too sure, but at least I don't think they're from the capital. See those two next to him? I don't know any worker or adventurer team around here who has both a green-haired and a blue-haired member. Do you?"

"Same here... So that's how it is, these three are travelers. Perhaps they've decided to relocate to the capital."

"However, they're looking at magic household items, isn't that rather weird?"

Underneath the pretty pavilion, rows of magic items were neatly arranged. However, unlike the magic items used by adventurers and workers, the ones on display were for everyday usage. Examples were containers that kept the inside temperature cold, basically acting like a refrigerator that prevents food from deteriorating. Or fan-like items capable of blowing wind.

These types of magic items had largely been proposed by a minotaur hailed as 'The Boastful Sage' two hundred years ago. Even though he had proposed the creation of many items, he had been unable to explain why these items needed to be in this particular shape or how they worked, so in the end this warrior was unable to create them and ended up with such a title. However, his skills as a warrior had been beyond first-class, and left behind the legend that one swing of his axe was capable of creating tornados and splitting the earth. He was also well known for raising the status of humans within the Great Minotaur Nation from a species that was treated as food to slaves used for labor.

It was quite a rare sight to see adventurers, who tended to live in inns, looking at magic household items that were thought up by this demi-human, and had no uses for adventuring.

"It's not that weird. The Empire's magical knowledge is quite advanced. It's also cheaper than in other countries. Maybe they're thinking that even after taking the return cost into account, it is just cheaper to buy them there?"

"Ah, so that's why. I see. That's a way of thinking I didn't consider before."

"It's true that from our point of view their actions seem strange, but it's not so weird if you keep in mind that they're travellers."

"Ah, that's right. If I think of it this way then I definitely can understand."

The armor clad warrior was carefully inspecting the magic items. Opening, closing, picking them up, turning them around. To the point of making the merchant's head sweat.

"We should be just as serious as them when searching for magic items."

"Yeah."

"Well, let's go. We got things to do and places to be."

There was a certain high-class residential district within the Empire's capital that occupied a vast area of land. Since long ago, rows of luxurious mansions had been built in there and walking by all these old-style villas would bring out a feeling of historical nostalgia. One could certainly guess the type of residents that lived here were most likely aristocrats.

The mansions of nobles were a sign of their status. One could see it as a waste of money, but if not extravagantly decorated, they would likely become subjects of ridicule. The furniture, jewelry, clothing, mansion, courtyard—all of these things needed to be maintained in order for one to have status amongst the upper class of society. For aristocrats, who were continuously establishing connections and cliques, it was necessary to display their wealth. Living in a plain mansion was enough reason to be ridiculed and looked down upon. Because of this, aristocrats that were interested in politics and power had to constantly decorate their bodies and holdings. Realistically speaking, this was similar to the display of strength between military forces. It was a privilege reserved for the powerful.

Even within the capital, this area was one of the most well-regulated districts, where everything was nice and quiet. However, if you observed carefully, the quietness could be a bit unnerving. This was due to the lack of human presence. Indeed the majority of these beautiful mansions were unoccupied and empty. Due to the events set in motion by the Blood Emperor, most of their owners ended up dead, or unable to sustain the expenditures of living in this district.

But there were still a few that were being used. But differences could be seen even there: for example in one house, unlike before, the gardening was kept very rough and there were no longer servants waiting outside. It was in that very mansion that Arche's whole family lived. She would be welcomed home by her parents, so Archer prepared herself to see their appearance of typical nobles with the rightful bearings and fancy clothes. How she hated that.

Sir Furt was chatting excitedly with his wife when Arche entered the room. Her eyes immediately scanned the room. He's usually this excited after he buys something and the same for mother. The eyes of her parents were always so frantic and fervent after a little 'shopping spree' and it troubled Arche's weary heart to no end. And yet… nothing new appeared in the hall to burden her strained purse strings. Well, that's good news… hopefully.

Her father was dressed in formal green clothing with a white ruffle coming down from the neck and protruding from a tan vest, his burnt umber pants hung down to the knees to meet high white socks that were covered with gold buckled black shoes. His blonde hair and thin mustache made him appear every inch the nobleman… he no longer was.

Arche's mother was no better, clad in a brass colored top that came down over a long white dress that was obviously recently cleaned, the blonde woman still had a pretty face despite being old enough to have a working daughter.

They were excitedly discussing. "I don't know anything about him either, but he's surely wealthy beyond measure if he can afford the old Duke's estate, even if for a few days!" Her father wrung his hands in the first hopeful sign Arche had seen. They were sweating.

Maybe he does know we have a problem, Arche was forced to admit. His face had become puffy and red, flushed with anticipation. She chose not to interrupt and let herself pick up on the topic.

"He only has male servants or companions or whatever, that means he's surely unmarried. If we can only entice him, all our concerns will be over with!" Her father exclaimed.

Arche felt the bottom fall out of her stomach when she began to understand.

Her mother turned a loving eye toward her eldest child to say: "Arche Eeb Rile Furt."

She felt her heart race, for her mother never said her full name except when there was a heavy subject to be brought up.

"It's high time we talk about your future."

Born of noble society and educated to it from birth, Arche knew what that meant.

Marriage. Shit! I thought I didn't have to worry about that nonsense anymore. That was one of the good things about losing our title! Why are they bringing this up now? Arche screamed inside her mind.

Sensing her dismay, her father cleared his throat and explained, "We have new neighbors, they bought, or rented, the estate beside us. Nobody knows anything, save that they're adamantite-ranked adventurers. Never before had I approved of your job but now I do! And you can't possibly complain to join one of such men in the holy bond of marriage. Of course I would have preferred a nobleman, but… due to the current circumstances, what matters is they're tremendously wealthy and knowing that is enough by itself for our family..."

His eyes almost bulged out of his head. "… We must make a positive impression on them, and by we I especially mean you. It's time you did something worthwhile for our family!"

Arche's mind went white hot with anger to the point where she heard nothing else. Bastard! You selfish, selfish bastard! Me risking my ass is the only reason you're still eating every day! I should do something?! The best thing I should do is gut you here so I can save our family from your lies and stupidity!

The speech raged in her head so loudly that she wasn't even aware he'd finished speaking until her mother reached over and gently covered her daughter's trembling hand.

"If things were now as they were a year ago… you'd already be married or at least engaged." The silken voice of the family matriarch was almost pleading, though her father was oblivious as gold coins danced before his eyes in his own imagination and the imaginary noise of all their clinking drowned out the real words being spoken around him.

"No nobles will have a cast out family married into theirs, but these are adventurers, probably all older than you. One was wearing a full plate armour, so I don't know what he looks like, but the other two are very handsome. You can choose who you want among them." Her mother's voice was rushed, almost frantic in its own way, her fingers closed over Arche's hand, the pressure a hint at her hopeless sense of urgency. Her mother's other hand formed a fist and covered her heart.

"Think of us, we're your parents… what will happen…?" Her mother's eyes filled with tears that she wouldn't allow to fall, Arche remained unmoved, her stare became hard at the woman who bore her.

"Think of your sisters. Our best hope is new money, nobles typically won't marry a newcomer, but… but… but new money needs ties, you don't move into an estate like these if you don't plan to stay. It means you have a chance, and maybe he'd take care of—"

Her mother cut off her own frantic plea to convince her daughter when Arche's hand began to shake in her mother's hold.

"What if I'm not their type?" Arche objected, her short hair was not finely done, her clothing cheap even by worker standards, with a rose red shirt. Her tan boots came up to her thighs and, though by Arche's own estimation, her face was pretty and her blue eyes nice to look at, she knew quite well she was lacking the ample bust most men preferred. Her two copper staves fell from her unheld hand to land with a clatter on the floor after bouncing and then rolling off the edge of the table.

I'd almost feel suspicious of someone attracted to me. She taunted herself over her almost childlike appearance, only being of the proper height for her age saved her from being mistaken for a girl half her actual age.

"Then be their type!" Her mother hissed. "There's three of them, make sure one falls for you!" Her mother's words became a pleading whisper and the woman leaned forward.

A few feet away, her father was busy rebuilding the family legacy in his own head. "... Why, with wealth again, we could buy back what was stolen from us, reenter noble society and I could start making the fools who abandoned us, pay for it! With the money… and prowess of adamantite-ranked adventurers, everyone will want the daughters of the Furt household! Yes, we can arrange marriages for our youngest, early, and then…"

Arche tuned him out again, her mother's own hand shook with fear, the opposite of being inspired by her husband's rants, neither could take it any longer and the pair of women stood up.

That finally caught Sir Furt's attention.

"I'm going to prepare our daughter, please, don't mind us." Arche's mother said with haste and, seeing this as eminently sensible, he waved them off.

Arche didn't resist as her mother grabbed her arm, though she did pause long enough to bend down and pick up her staves before allowing herself to be taken away by the older woman.

Alone together in her room a few minutes later, Arche locked the door behind her and said what was on her mind. "Leave him."

Her mother stopped cold at the wardrobe of her daughter, hands still grasping at the smooth pearl covered handles. "What?"

"I said, leave him." Arche clutched her staff. "You're still young, still pretty, and you have noble bearing and education, you could become a merchant's wife and start over. There's a lot of new money in Arwintar now, you might not be a noble anymore, but he's destroying whatever we've got left." Arche's contempt for her father was thick as rising bread and, for once, it showed.

Her mother slowly let slip her hold on the handles of the highly expensive wardrobe and then approached Arche. "I'm no better. I see things, I buy them, I like to pretend, the only difference between your father and I is that I know I'm pretending. He doesn't, not yet. I don't know why I can't stop, but it's all I can do anymore. He's not wrong, though. If you get a rich husband, you will be able to look after your sisters."

"Mother… you can't be serious." Arche said, stupefied when her mother's soft, unworked hands went up to her daughter's cheeks, in an instant, the woman seemed to have aged thirty years.

"Arche, women don't have choices. We have duties. I'm failing in mine, and your father failed in his, but you've got a chance, you have a duty to your sisters, even more so than to me."

Madam Furt laid it on thick, desperation was thicker in her veins than the blood that pumped through them, I have to make my daughter see! She urged herself.

"Sooner or later you'll end up accepting a hob from which you won't come home. What do you think will happen then? Our estate will be gone, and everything in it. Your father and I will be sold into slavery, I'll be a maid if I'm lucky… a prostitute if I'm not, your father has never done a hard day's work in his life, he'll die in a mine or on a farm. And your sisters… how long do you think those two little girls will last…?"

Arche hung her head. The world around her seemed to grow so dark that it threatened to swallow her up. "That doesn't change the fact that I might not be their type."

"And that doesn't change my advice, be their type. Your tie to this city is a path to establishing themselves, your old noble blood might not be a taint forever. Maybe the Bloody Emperor will die and the next one won't have his grudges." Madam Furt suggested the hopeful option with a wan smile.

All Arche could do was breath slowly in and out. "I'll… mother… I'll meet them, if you can arrange it, I will. I'll try, for real. On one condition, and one condition only, I'll do my best." Arche said and her mother's wan smile became a tiny frown.

"What is that?" She asked.

"That, if everything goes well, I be allowed to take my sisters with me, I don't trust them around father." Arche said, adding polite emphasis to the word 'father' as if to say, 'or you' without having to spell it out. It didn't need to be said.

Madam Furt hung her head in defeat, "Alright, Arche, alright. Do this for the family and I'll let you take them with you. I'll convince your father it's for the best."

"It is for the best, mother." Arche said with a chilly voice as her mother returned to the wardrobe to help pick out suitable clothing for her daughter and, with that, Madam Furt did not argue.