Treasure is a difficult item to handle.
It is difficult for the hunter, but it is also difficult for the merchant who trades it.

Hunters know about some famous treasures, but most of the treasures found are unknown items.
Since they are the products of past civilizations, items that cannot be handled by human hands rarely exist, but since they do not come with manuals, a deep knowledge and experience are required to confirm their performance.

It is the job of the appraiser to appraise the treasures found by treasure hunters.
In some other cities, appraisers can be found as a business on their own, but in the Imperial City, where the amount of treasure brought in is large, appraisers are often integrated with stores.

The Magus Tail was the first treasure store we visited in the Imperial Capital when we first found the treasure.

It is one of the oldest stores specializing in treasure equipment in the Imperial Capital. The owner of the store is also an appraiser, and has been doing this for fifty years, and is a veteran of appraising all kinds of items, from useful to dangerous treasure.

However, contrary to his history, there are no other hunters around the store. Maggie's Tail is a store that is well known by those in the know, but it is also a store that few people visit.

When we opened the aged door and entered, we were greeted by a strong-looking guard.
He stared down at me and Tino with the sharp eyes of a hunter who has encountered a phantom.

What he was wearing was a treasure trove. From his boots to the breastplate that protects his torso, from his cuirass to the longsword that hangs from his waist, everything shines with the glow of treasure. He is probably the second most heavily armed man in the Imperial Capital after me.
We've known each other for nearly five years now, but his gaze shows no signs of softening. I walked past him, remembering how I had shrunk under his murderous gaze when I first came to see him.

Despite the dirty appearance of the store, which did not look like it was doing any business with customers, there were many treasures neatly arranged in the store as if it were an ordinary store.
Except for us, there were no other customers.

The lack of uniformity may be a phenomenon peculiar to jewelry stores.
Jewelry-type treasures were lined up in glass cases, and weapons-type treasures were hung on the wall, divided into different categories of weapons.
The price of jewelry is quite high, even for low-grade items. The total value of the goods is comparable to that of a jewelry store.
If the store were built along the main street, it would be more profitable, but the fact that it is built in such a remote place is probably due to the owner's temperament.

In front of the items were the names of the treasures and detailed instructions on how to use them.
Tino is staring down at the glass case containing the ring-shaped treasure. I wonder if he's thinking about the "shot ring" he won earlier.

As my hobby is to collect treasures, this store is like a toy store as well as a museum. When I first became a hunter, I used to stand in front of the items and memorize their names and functions whenever I had a day off.

'? Masuta, don't you ever look?

Normally, I would take the time to check the entire store for new treasures, but today my wallet was almost empty, so I held back a heartbreaking thought and walked between the shelves.
Tino, who is often brought into this store, makes a strange noise at my unusual appearance.

My purpose this time is not shopping. I'm sure Eva would be disgusted with me if I bought a bunch of treasures on my tab now.

There was no one at the counter. Even with the security guards, the store was as careless as ever.

'I don't have any money today,' she said.

'......What?

Tino raised his voice briefly and stepped back, folding his hands in front of his body as if to cover his chest.

I'm not going to borrow it from my juniors.

He shrugged and looked up at Tino as if he had just found a natural enemy, then cowered playfully and said.

'Actually, I have some debts.

'............, I also need money to replenish my supplies and maintain my equipment. I've been exploited by my sister, and I've given my treasure to you. If you squeeze any more out of me, I'll ...... dry up.'

'Yeah, yeah, you're right. Don't worry, I'm not thinking of borrowing from Tino. It'll just transfer the debt.'

'..................Uh ......Oh, how much, do you need?'

Please leave me some money for ice cream at least, Tino complains, acting like a small animal. I said I wasn't going to borrow it, but it really showed how little trust I have in him on a daily basis.

'That's why I'm not going to borrow it. Besides, it's ten figures, Tino can't do it.'

'Jeez, ......keta......?'

Tino counted the digits on his fingers, stunned. The expression on his face was similar to the one Eva had when she was told how much money she owed.
I knew this, but even for a rough-spending hunter, a ten-digit debt is not unusual.

Tino smiled dryly and said in a trembling voice.

I'm not sure what to do. It's amazing that there is a place that will give you that much money. That's what everyone fears about Reverend Earth.

This is the first time I've been praised for just borrowing money. Is that a compliment? Are you mocking me?
...... Yes, you're an idiot. There's no excuse for it.

When it comes to money, you should only borrow what you can pay back.

'Don't worry, I'm borrowing from Citri.'

'?

The frightened expression on his face tightened clearly. Just then, the door behind the counter swung open.

Tino moved quickly to hide behind me.
What came out was the owner and appraiser, Mr. Martis, who has been appraising treasures alone for fifty years.
His hair was dyed completely white, and his wrinkles were etched into his face, but his sharp eyes and straight back made him seem less old than he was. He stands behind the counter in a hale and hearty manner, giving off a sense of intimidation.
And as you can see from his stern expression, Mr. Murchis is an eccentric man. This is why there are not many customers at Maggie's Tale.

When he saw me, Mr. Murchis scowled and clucked his tongue at me.

'...... Tsk. What, I thought you were a customer, but it's you again. ......'

His response to me has not changed at all since our first meeting.
You can't help but notice that Liz and the others were rude to me at the time, but I'm sure that Mr. Marches has figured out that I'm not powerful enough for his level.

Sniffling abhorrently, Mr. Marches glared at me.

'Hmm. ...... What do you want? ............ I don't have any treasures in there that I can sell you today.'

This is not to say that Mr. Murchis dislikes me, but he has always been like this to everyone. Everyone goes to the treasure store on the main street, where young girls are the shopkeepers.
But that's why this store is always empty.

'Grandpa, that's why you don't get any customers.

'............ Mind your own business. We're doing well enough. There are kids who frequently buy eye-poppingly expensive treasures.

You're not talking about me, are you? You're still a hell of a shopkeeper calling your customers kids.

But he's good at what he does. He's not a bad guy. He doesn't play favorites, but he's honest. I don't know where he gets his treasures, but he often has bargains. In other words, I have no reason to avoid them. In addition, they pay well.


Unlike Liz and the others, I haven't had anyone to study under since I came to the capital, but in a way, he could be considered a master.


'I don't have enough time to deal with customers all the time. This many customers is just right for me.

'Well, as for me, it's nice to know that I can always ask Mr. Murchis for work.

'............ I'm busy right now. I've got a big job for you.'

Mr. Murchis says in a low voice, turning away. He's not the kind of person who would lie and turn down a job, so he's probably really busy.
I took off the jewelry on my arm and put it on the counter. Mr. Marchese's eyes glinted.

'I found it at the Alleyne Column Ruins. I want you to appraise it.'

'...... Alleyne...... Level 1 Treasure Hall, huh. Why are you a level 8--'

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He takes out a loupe and examines the detailed patterns engraved all over.

Experience and knowledge are necessary for treasure appraisal. Having appraised treasures in the Imperial Capital for fifty years, he has far more information than I do, who has only recently become a treasure collector.


'......[Alleyne Column Ruins] is a level 1 treasure house. It's not often that a treasure trove appears in the first place,......, but perhaps this is an 'outside treasure trove'.

The appearance of the treasure trove is random, but since the principle of appearance is the same: the accumulation of mana and material, there is a treasure trove that is more likely to appear depending on the type of treasure trove.
If a treasure house imitates the buildings of an advanced physical civilization, the treasures of the advanced physical civilization are likely to appear, and if you want to obtain the treasures of a magical weapon civilization, it is normal to search for a treasure house that imitates the scenes of a magical weapon civilization. This is also the reason for the difference in popularity of treasure halls.

The term "unusual treasures" refers to the inconsistency between the treasure hall and the treasures that appear. It is rare, but not infrequent.

And if the treasure house you found is the [Alleyne Column Ruins], this is not a bad story.

As I was getting a little excited, Mr. Murchis continued in an unusually passionate tone.

'From the tendency of the illusions that appear in that treasure house, it is said to be from a time when soulless people were spreading all over the world. Many of the treasures from that era are related to the manipulation of naturally occurring magical creatures,......, but this one is clearly from a different era based on its design. It's probably from an advanced magical tool civilization, but that era is long. The number of treasures is also enormous.'

The Advanced Magical Tool Civilization is said to have flourished for thousands of years, and is a civilization that lasted particularly long among the many known civilizations.
In that era, the development of tools called "magic tools" that use magic power as energy to create magic was remarkable, and they were used in all aspects of life.
Some of the magic tools have been handed down to modern civilization, but I can't even imagine how convenient just having one of these tools would have been, since they were produced so closely to our daily lives. It's a contradiction to the "advanced physical civilization" that is said to have never used any magic power.

And there are so many kinds of treasures from that era. From insignificant daily necessities to useful tools for battle, there is truly no end to the variety.
But if I haven't seen it before, it's a rare treasure. If I hit the jackpot, I might be able to pay off my debts in one fell swoop. I'm not selling it.

'How does it work?'

Mr. Murchis said with a serious expression as I gulped and asked.

'............ I don't know.

You don't know?

'...... Did your arm fall off?'

'No way! If I could see the effect without even activating it, I'd be an expert!

I sigh, and Mr. Murchis twists his eyebrows and yells at me.

You're right. There was a possibility that this was the first time the treasure had been found.
However, if even the most knowledgeable Marches can't figure it out, then it must be a very rare treasure. ...... I'll buy Tino an ice cream next time.



'It's going to take some time to authenticate. I've got other work to do. And you'll get paid for the appraisal. I don't work for paychecks.'

'Of course, I have the money. I just need it as soon as possible.'

Not for me.

Tino, who was hiding behind me, grabbed me by the hem of my dress as if to protest.
The cost of appraising a treasure depends on the quality of the treasure, but Mr. Murchis doesn't have to worry about being ripped off, and although he says he doesn't work with a bill every time, he can always get a bill.

And Mr. Murchis is a solitary appraiser who doesn't wag his tail at anyone, but he has a big weakness.

He sighs and continues.

'That treasure, Tino found it for me.

'What the--!

Mr. Marchese's expression changes. The stern look he had just given me becomes even sharper, and his voice is filled with heat.
Tino, who had been hiding in the background until now, quietly peeked out. Catching this, the color of Mr. Martis's eyes changed.

In a voice much softer than his own, he said.

'Hey, little girl, there you are. ...... What's the matter, hiding in such a place--'

Mr. Martis is an old man. He runs the store alone, but he has a family too.
He has a granddaughter about the same age as Tino. She has dark hair and looks a little like Tino.

The lone appraiser's weakness was a naive girl.
Ever since I found out about this, I have been bringing Tino to this store on a regular basis. Lizzie and Cicely would not do.

'I was hiding so as not to disturb the master.

'I see. It's nice of you not to interfere with my work, girl.

She's stronger than me. She's a disciple of the Genocide Monster.
Mr. Marches' smile, which he never showed to me, was pathetic even to the casual observer.

And I don't hesitate to exploit weaknesses like that. It's bad to show an opening.
Tino sensed my intentions and asked with a downcast look in his eyes.

'When will you finish appraising the treasure?

'...... as soon as I can--as soon as I can! You've worked hard to find this treasure, haven't you? Give me a week, no, five days.

'It's going to take five days? ......?

'Stick to ...... no, but it can't be shorter than that--my current job--'

Mr. Marchese looks at me as if he's asking for help.
If it wasn't Tino who said this, you would have thrown your treasure at him and rejected him. How badly do you want to be hated? That's not the image of a proud appraiser. It's called familial affection, I'm afraid.

It didn't take him long to give up. He says in a hushed voice.



I'm sure you're aware of that,....... It's a once-a-year auction. We just got a bunch of appraisal orders. I'm not going to have any extra time.

'! Tino, that's enough.

Auction. It's a large scale treasure auction held once a year in the Imperial Capital. I used to look forward to it every year, but I've been so busy lately that I've completely forgotten about it.

Tino held his tongue at the sound of my voice.
His face is completely expressionless. I have no idea why Mr. Marches is so weak to this, but I am a man who is willing to get down on his knees to achieve my goal.

I used the mascot as a shield and threatened Mr. Murchis fairly and squarely.

'Well, let's see the treasure trove you've been asked to appraise in the back, shall we? Hmm? You don't care what happens to Tino?''