He readied himself to pounce at any moment, and observed the two men wearing the creepy masks.

I wonder if their motif is a skeleton. The black-based masks completely hide their expressions, and even their eyes are not visible.
It was not the kind of mask that a normal person would wear. Would a member of a magic society or a cult dedicated to an evil god wear it? Or is it meant to conceal one's identity?

There was no fear in the behavior of the two men in the chairs.
One of them, the Zekage, threw his legs over the table as if this was his room, while the Citrine, who had come to negotiate with the Thousand Transformations last time, sat up straight and well-behaved, showing no signs of nervousness.

This place should be enemy territory for the two of them, but is this what it means to be a thief?

We have the advantage in numbers. However, because of their relaxed attitude, their friends who had entered were more reluctant.
A ray of lightning shouted at them in a backward voice.

'Hey, you guys were the Red Party?

'What are you talking about, ...... share?'

There was no information that the Ghost of Sorrows was a Red Party.
However, the two of them are very familiar with the situation now. It doesn't look like it's their first time.
Either they've eliminated all the witnesses, or the Ghost of Sorrows is of such a high status in this place that it can tolerate a bit of brutality. Either way, the quality is bad.

If it was just a thug or a ragtag group, it could be easily dealt with, but it's a hunter that's been enhanced by absorbing mana and materials as well. There were two opponents, but the situation was too bad to fight.

Arnold and the others have been drinking a lot. It's not so bad that they can't fight, but they won't be able to perform at their usual level.

Perhaps reading Arnold's thoughts, Sitri says slowly to calm him down.

'Don't get defensive, Mr. Arnold. Our leader wants a peaceful resolution. Besides, this isn't a bad deal for the Foreign Mist either.

'Sito, you're too naive. It's because of their slowness that Liz and the others are being inconvenienced, so you have to do it right--'

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.


His fighting ability was probably on par with Arnold's, whose certification level was 7. It would be a difficult opponent for Arnold, who was equipped with a large sword that emphasized destructive power over maneuverability.
I don't know the capabilities of the neighboring Citrine, but assuming that she's on par with Liz, the best course of action for Arnold and the others would be to stop the two of them in their tracks and run to the security knight's camp.
But if they fled without a fight, their future activities would be hindered.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing. He clucked his tongue and lifted his foot off the table.

He didn't seem to have come to punch in.

As Arnold and the others stood there, Citry cowered slightly and began to speak.

'My share is about the auction. Arnold, the price of the treasure you put up for sale has gone up thanks to Kry's scheme. I'm entitled to a portion of it.''

Aei, who was standing behind me, countered with a dagger ready to be drawn at any moment.

'...... This isn't worth talking about. It's true that it was sold at an unexpected price, but that's not your achievement. We're the ones who brought back the treasure. It's just a result of your leader's shallow thinking.

'Mr. Cry wasn't in the bidding for the mask in the first place. It's easy to find out.'

'............ What?'

Arnold's eyes widen at the unexpected words.
He was wearing a mask, so I couldn't see his expression. But Citry's voice was laughing.

'The merchants, the nobles, and the hunters were all seduced by the rumors spread by Mr. Cry. You didn't notice, did you?'

I didn't notice. I certainly didn't.
There was no lie in Kry's appearance as he tried to negotiate. His expression. The tone of his voice. The look of astonishment on the nobleman's face when he raised his voice at the slightest behavior rang true.

He looked at the mask in front of him in disbelief.

If that whole thing was just a bluff, it means that 《Senhenhen Banka》 was even more of a charlatan than Arnold thought.

'............ This is ridiculous. What the hell is it for--'

'That's a secret. But I'm sure Arnold and the others must have thought that it was a dream come true that such an unclaimed treasure would be sold for over a billion dollars.

I remembered the conversation we had just had in the tavern. That's what I was thinking.
It is impossible for Arnold's common sense to believe that the unappraisable and frightening mask of flesh can be sold for 200 million.

If the whole thing was the result of someone's manipulation, then there is a reasonable explanation.

'Thanks to you, we were able to achieve our goal. Thank you very much.'

Citri bowed his head slightly, but continued.

'Even if you hadn't been informed, Arnold and the others gained more than they should have. It's a good thing that you're a hunter, too, because you can't afford to be thought of as a loser. That's what I mean by a share.

His voice was gentle, but powerful enough to be hard to resist.

It was hard to accept. Even if the scheme of the Thousand Transformations was true, there was no need for Arnold and the others to give up their share.
But it's also risky to just renege on the negotiations.

At a moment's notice, I consider the advantages and disadvantages.
It was the nobles who lost out in this auction. It would be troublesome if they found out that I had raised the price in a coordinated manner.
Even if Arnold and the others insist that they don't know about it, their future activities may be affected if they are stared at by the powerful nobles.

This is obviously not a legitimate method, but it was too much to deal with a hunter who was so skilled at manipulating information that he could turn trash into millions in just a few days.
It's not like Arnold and his friends have many allies in the Imperial City, let alone in the Land of Mists.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it. The other members of the team also turned pale, as if the good mood they were in earlier had been a lie.

'............ are you trying to rip me off?

'I said it's my fair share. Besides, the Imperial Capital is Liz and the others' territory. Hmm? Asking Liz-chan for a drink, making her and the others wait so long, and it's only 200 million guild? Consider yourself lucky, or I'll kill you.

Two hundred million? Did you just say 200 million?
That's not just my share, that's all I got from the auction. No, ...... the auctioneer takes a commission based on the winning bid, so from Arnold's point of view, it's a minus.

It's more than acceptable. You can find a lot more than you can imagine, and the pale faces of your friends will become stern.



There's no way I can drink that. In the first place, you're licking your chops in front of eight members of a level 7 party.
If you don't pay up, your life as a hunter will be over. The party will fall apart.

Negotiations have broken down. We'll have to clash in force.
I'll make you regret underestimating me. I'll show them the power of the Thunderbolt Flash.

Just as Arnold was about to put all his strength into his arms, Citri said in disgust.

'Sis, shut up! You can't take all the money! It's my share. Besides, Arnold and the others will lose money because of the commission--we have to do our job properly!

'What? Why don't you just wipe them out and take them? Hunters aren't ordinary people, and it's not against the rules, right?

With the eight hunters on the verge of war, they began to argue.

It was insane. Or are they that confident in their abilities?
Aside from Lyss, Citry seems to be in the rear guard. I don't think he can avoid Arnold's blow from this distance.

You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.
The transparent, mountain-blue liquid inside shook slightly.

'One hundred and ten million guilders. That's the share we're looking for, that's the amount our leader is asking for.

The amount we got at the auction was 200 million guilders. That means Arnold and his men will receive 90 million guilders.
The friends looked at each other at the high amount, but much better than before.

'Arnold and the others thought it was unbelievable that it was over a hundred million, didn't they? That's right. Mr. Arnold and his friends got 90 million guilders and we got 110 million guilders, which makes us look good and makes Mr. Arnold and his friends get more than they should have gotten. Let's just call it a night.

It was a perfect compromise.
Ninety million guilders. It's less than half of the 200 million, but it's much higher than the price Arnold was expecting to pay for that treasure.
More importantly, 110 million guild is certainly a high price, but it's not a price that the Misty Thunder Dragon would insist on. It's a small price to pay if you can avoid a dispute with a level 8 certified party. The logic is not hard to understand.

I can accept it. But I don't like the way you're being so generous.

Arnold is a level seven hunter. He's too much of an underestimator. His friends are reluctant, but that's why Arnold, as leader, has to be strong.

There's only one problem with Citly's argument in the first place. He sniffs and looks down at Sitri.

'If the money is transferred from us, we'll be suspected of fraud. What are you going to do?

I don't know how powerful the Strange Glyphs are in this imperial capital, but I doubt they control Zebrudia.
The same is true for the Thousand Transformations if the rumors become public. And while Arnold and the others can escape the Imperial City at worst, the Ghost of Sorrows has made this city its home.

In response to this question, Citry lifted a clean glass bottle filled with liquid, shook it about, and chuckled.

'So, I'll sell you this potion for 110 million guilders. It is an 'antidote'. It is so powerful that a single bottle will work on all of us. I don't care if you have to wait a long time. In fact, it's more convenient if you take it in large quantities. Did you enjoy the drink? I'm an alchemist, but as far as I can tell, what Arnold and the others are lacking is resistance.

You laced your drink with poison?

I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
This is a high-class inn. There is a small chance that the tavern clerk has been bribed, but the key to the room has been broken.

Sitri, who has always seemed like a sensible person, suddenly looks more fearless than Ryz. The ticking of the clock sounded unusually loud.

'Now, ......, which is more important to you, your friends or your money?


§ § § §



He tilted his head at the countless white pieces scattered across his desk.
The hands of the clock indicated that it had already been a long time since I had started working.

He rubbed his eyes, which were blurred by fatigue, and moved his shoulders, which had become stiff, to relax them. With a knock on the door, Eva entered.
Her eyes widened at the disarray of her desk, where she usually keeps nothing.

'...... What are you working on?'

'Jigsaw puzzles. The white one.

He remembered that he had bought a jigsaw puzzle and left it there.

It's not like a real puzzle, because all the pieces are white and there are a thousand pieces.
My hobby is not jigsaw puzzles, and I know how bored I am with nothing to do.

I managed to make the outside of the puzzle, but I can't make any progress from there. I feel like I'm going crazy.
Eva looks down at the desk in disgust and says.

'............ Why all of a sudden?

Because I'm bored.
But of course she wouldn't be honest about that. He smiles wryly, lifts the puzzle piece, and says.

'I've done all I can do.

Hard-boiled, right?
You could say there's not much I can do.

'............ Really?'

'...... Yes! I want to prepare some tea and snacks for when Ark comes back.

I have to flatter him. We should keep our debts and loans as low as possible.
The mask. I'll be getting the Reverse Face soon. I start to stand up, but Eva quickly stops me.

'This isn't the Clan Master's job. I'll get it ready for you, so just sit back and don't do anything.

'You're the nicest guy. Well, ............ I'm sure you'll be fine, but I'd prefer a tea that helps with mental fatigue. I'm sure you're tired from dealing with the young lady.



'Yes, yes.'