Tsubaki looked down at the Familia crest on the parchment, making no comment on the slightly crooked handwriting.
"Oh, right, Roland. Wait a second."
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Danmachi : Mage's Infinite Journey (168 Chapters – Ongoing)
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She leaned forward over her desk, stopping Roland as he headed for the door. "You're heading straight to the Dungeon now, aren't you?"
"Yes." Roland turned, his dark eyes meeting hers. "Any adventurer would want to test a new weapon immediately, right?"
"True." Tsubaki nodded. "It just so happens I have a quest. What's your deepest floor so far?"
"The 26th. Why?"
"Perfect. No problem at all then." Tsubaki pulled a few scrolls of parchment from a drawer. "There's something strange happening deep in the 24th floor."
She spread out the quest document, which bore the seals of both the Guild and the Hephaestus Familia. Roland looked at it and asked, "Is it just an investigation?"
"Yes. Just go and take a look. I was passing through the area looking for Adamantite the other day and felt something off. It's best if nothing is found, of course." But her solemn expression suggested it wasn't as simple as the document implied.
"What about the reward? Usually, investigation quests from the Guild don't pay much unless you bring back critical intel."
"Exactly. That's why no one has taken it. But," she added, looking at Roland, "since I know your Familia is preparing for an expedition in a few days, you'll be short on hands in the city. If you take this, I'll personally provide an extra reward, regardless of the result!"
"Oh?" Roland asked, his interest piqued. "Why? Shouldn't this be an easy task for a Level 5 like you?"
Tsubaki laughed and put her hands on her hips. "To be honest, I'm swamped. Commission orders are piling up, and Lady Hephaestus gave me some extra tasks. Forging is my real job; I'd rather leave the dungeoneering to adventurers."
"Plus," she added, "I heard you're still soloing? For this quest, I'll cover all your expenses—potions, repairs, the works!"
Having heard about Roland's record-breaking speed from her Goddess, Tsubaki knew he was capable. Roland didn't see any reason to refuse. "Alright, I'll take it."
"Good. If you find you can't handle it alone, stop by Rivira. There are plenty of adventurers there who practically live in the caves."
She handed him the quest scroll and a map. She used a quill to mark a specific area in the Giant Tree Labyrinth on the 24th floor. "If there's anything weird—strange people, new monsters—just report back."
"And for the extra reward..." Tsubaki thought for a moment, her finger on her chin. As the Captain, she couldn't be stingy. She punched her palm. "How about this!"
She pulled a dark red shortsword from the inner workshop.
"A Magic Sword?" Roland asked. He could sense the intense heat within the blade. It felt like it could unleash a fire spell equivalent to 70% of his own mana output—provided it was released all at once.
"Yes! I don't have much else to give right now." Tsubaki grinned. She loved making Magic Swords.
Receiving a 3-million-Valis magic sword for free was quite the draw. Roland might not need it, but it would be a great gift for the girls in the Familia.
"This is 'Hi-Shigure' (Fire Drizzle). It can release fire magic roughly equivalent to a Level 4 Mage. Not a bad deal, right?"
Roland was impressed. This was his first time handling a high-end consumable weapon. "Whoa—incredible! As expected of Orario's best smith. Thank you, Tsubaki. I'll investigate the 24th floor thoroughly!"
His smooth compliments made Tsubaki beam with pride. "Hahaha! I'm not that great yet. What a polite boy."
Tsubaki was 31, and in her eyes, Roland—at 13 and a head shorter than her—was very much a child.
"I'll head out then. See you later, Tsubaki."
"Bye-bye! Be careful in the Dungeon!" Tsubaki waved from behind the counter, a silly grin on her face.