Val decided to take a request at the guild after a long time.

'Sorry for the wait. It's been a long time since I received a request from the guild.

　Roy tells him with a gentle smile and puts a piece of paper on the table with a request that even ninth level adventurers can accept.
　He flips through a few sheets and finds one he likes.

''I want a crocus for my mother's birthday, but I can't go and pick one myself. Please help me out.

　It's written in pretty, girlish letters.
　The reward is five copper coins, which is pretty cheap, but Val doesn't mind.

''I'll take this one.

　Roy looks convinced as he is shown the request form he has chosen.

''It's certainly a questionable request for anyone other than Mr. Val to take on, isn't it?

　The young man at the reception desk knew that Val was actively taking requests that could be avoided by adventurers other than himself.

'Where should I go to collect the crocus?'

　Val pretends he doesn't know when he really knows.

'Ah. I think it grows in the bushes, about an hour's walk out of the west gate. That's an easy request, as you don't specify the colour of the flowers.'

Yes.

　He agreed with Roy's words and left the guild.
　The area around the imperial capital is safe, and under normal circumstances, unless it's the middle of the night, there is rarely any danger for ordinary people to walk around.
　Even so, the reason why this request is unpopular is simply because the rewards are cheap and also because it doesn't make you a good foil for an adventurer.
　If you have a friendly adventurer, you may be able to complete the request as you come through, but otherwise, it's tough and now is not the right time.

(A party of adventurers who might do it, because most of them are out now.)

　Ever since the Imperial City was attacked by gargoyles, many adventurers had been unable to receive requests due to safety checks.
　They are all parties that are vigorously working on fruitful requests to try to make up for that hole as much as possible.
　That was why Val decided to do it himself.
　Passing through the great streets of the western gate of the imperial city, he went in search of crocus flowers among the humans, beastmen, and dwarves that came and went.
　It is still high in the sky, so travelers, itinerant traders and hikers are out and about.
　Bal's heart naturally warms at the resurrection of a scene that hadn't been seen not long ago.

(Peace is best, after all.)

　I think it's something Yagami Akira must protect.
　The crocus flowers were easy to find, and I'd pick more of the same purple ones just in case.

''Sheesh. Should I have at least prepared some wrapping paper?''

　That's when Val realized how careless he was.
　There was something different about delivering flowers as they were picked, no matter how much they were picked.

(But I can't just ask Meena or Sidonier every single time.)

　The women would be able to figure something out, but he was hesitant to discuss it with Yagami Akira on a thought call.
　He decided to consult with someone else before returning to the guild and turned back the way he came.
　When he got back to the imperial capital, he was lucky enough to run into Tanya and the others.

''What do you have Bal?　A gift for someone else?

　A petite cat beast girl talks to me with a look of curiosity on her face.
　Her curious and conversational nature is also very much appreciated at times like this.

''No, it's a request from the guild. I heard it was going to be a gift, but I was just wondering if it was going to stay that way.''

　Tanya smiled when Val said frankly.

'Heh, Bal-san, you have a good point. Yes, if you're going to give it to someone as a gift, just wrapping it in pretty paper makes all the difference.'

...... Do you have any idea who might be willing to give away that lovely piece of paper?

　She puts a finger to her dainty lips in response to his question and considers it.

'I'd better buy it, but I'm sure it's so cheap to get paid as Val is taking it. Do you know anyone in the clothing store?

What's the point?

　Tanya chuckled when Val asked back consciously and curiously.

'You could share that piece of dough you're planning to throw away. That would make things a little better.'

'I see!　Thanks for the advice.

　She laughed and waved her hand at him as he gave her a big smile and thanked her.

'It's no big deal. Bye.

　With that, she left to join her friends waiting a short distance away.
　Val went over to a clothing store she knew and told him what was going on.

''Well, I wouldn't mind doing at least enough to wrap those flowers ...... There aren't many adventurers, other than Bal, who would accept a request from people like us who can't give out too much money.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Rad.

　When he thanked him, the dwarf man rubbed his nose in embarrassment.

'It's all right. In return, I'll look after you if you ever have a problem.

Yeah. I'd be happy to do what I can to help.

　Rad didn't just give me a piece of cloth, he sewed it up and used it as wrapping paper.
　It must be because of his skill and good taste that it looks pretty good despite the use of four colors: red, blue, white and yellow.

'Here you go. It's not too bad looking.

That's great, Rad.

　When Val is impressed, Rad laughs and thrusts out.

'Just take it.'

　He thanked them again and walked over to the Adventurer's Guild.
　When he entered, he saw a modestly dressed, red-haired, short-haired human tribe girl of about ten years old and a boy of about thirteen years old with a very similar face in front of the reception desk.
　Roy's face changed from confusion to relief when he noticed Val.

'Look, I'm back. That's the adventurer you asked for.

　At his words, the boy and girl turned around.
　The boy's red eyes rolled up and the girl's eyes of the same color sparkled.

'Wow, nice crocus!　Did your uncle bring it to you?

　Val holds out a flower to the girl as she runs up to him.

'Oh. Is this good?

'Yes!　Thank you!

　The girl smiled and thanked him, then turned around.

'See, brother!　You had someone to take it!

Yeah, I guess so.

　The boy, who seems to be his brother, still has a look of disbelief on his face.
　Apparently, he told the girl that there is no such thing as an adventurer who would accept a request.
　The girl seems satisfied with her brother's statement and turns to Bal and thanks him again.

'Thank you, Uncle!　Now you can get your mother some flowers!　You'll get your reward from the receptionist.

　The girl ran off as she said this, and her brother rushed after her.