Lucky and I returned to the city. We asked the mermaids to collect some treasure from a nearby sunken ship. Even if they don't use it this time, it will be useful for their lives in the future.



　As we walked by the plaza on our way to the guild to gather information, we saw a crowd of people gathered around an event.



----What's that all about? ----

"What is that ......?　Is it a cookout?"



　There were several large pots and pans lined up in the square, and a large crowd of people were gathered in front of them.

　Many of the people lined up there had dirty clothes, and some looked like refugees sleeping on the street.



The merchant, Chad, is going to serve us a meal. We'll give you free meals, so please come. There will be enough food to go around, so don't be in a hurry.



　A large man with a beaming face waves a flag embroidered in gold and silver with a large --Chad-- written in poor taste.



"You're too good a man to be a slaver, aren't you?"

"He seems to be doing a lot of charity work in the city.

"He's a really great guy. He's really a great guy.



　People in the town who passed by also spoke very highly of Chad.

　He really seems to have a good following in town.



　Chad not only runs a soup kitchen, but also offers free recovery and other services.

"If it's a simple wound, we heal it for free. A small injury can cause all kinds of illnesses if left untreated. Please come for free recovery.



　Old men in white coats were calling out, "Please stop by our free recovery center.



"Next please."

"Go ahead, Nayuta."

"Okay. Wait for me, big brother.



　Right in front of me, the younger of the two little siblings entered the recovery tent.

　Her arm was bandaged and covered in blood.

　The way the blood was spreading, it did not seem to be a serious wound.



　It could be left alone, but it would be best if she could get it fixed for free.



--It sounds like you're doing a really good job.

"Yeah, I'm surprised too. Just like Grizz had a bad reputation before, but it was actually surprisingly good, because it's not good to believe in things based on rumors. Just go to ......"

--Humans have a front face and a back face.



　Everyone has a back face, just like the brave Kid had a good front face.

　You have to be especially careful about those who come with the intention of deceiving you.



"There's no point in sitting here and watching. Let's go to the guild to gather information.

--Aiyo----



　◆◆◆



　When you go to the guild, you see a notice posted on the guild's bulletin board in the most conspicuous place.

------A half-fishman may attack the town soon. Adventurers should be prepared for an emergency quest. Reward: Guild special unit price----



　The reward is a special guild unit price.

　The special unit price is based on the scale of the disaster, and is subsidized by the government if necessary.



　Adventurers are paid for a wide range of work, but this special unit price is one of the most well-paid. The reason for this is that it is necessary to gather adventurers even in times of emergency or when information is questionable, as in this case.



　For example, it is often the case that a rumor, even if it is only a rumor, leads to a catastrophe because the information was taken lightly. In one town, a new adventurer reported to the guild that there was a lizardman-like creature in the forest. The guild thought that lizardmen were rare but not so dangerous, so they did not confirm the report and put it off until later.



　Everyone thought it was impossible for anyone to distinguish between a dragon and a lizardman, but such a thing could actually happen.



　Therefore, the guild began to charge this special price even when there were suspicious rumors, just in case.

　Adventurers should be prepared and ready for the battle when a request for a special price is posted.



　The number of false alarms is quite large, but if they are true, the reward is about one week's pay for a normal job.

　Of course, there are differences depending on your rank, but it is often a very tasty request.



　If no disaster occurs, the guild will not have to pay the reward, but it will be an excuse for the guild to gather people, and the guild will benefit as well, because the more people gather, the more likely it is that the requests that have been accumulated will be processed.



　It is rare to predict the outbreak of demons in advance as was the case this time, but it was sometimes invoked when wars or skirmishes between countries were about to break out.



　The fact that the guild is putting up a quest for the half-breeds, even if they are only half-convinced that they are coming, suggests that Chad's influence cannot be ignored in the guild.



　I ask the guild's receptionist about the emergency quest.

"Excuse me. I'd like to ask about an emergency quest.

"Yes, yes, one moment, please."



　She takes a sheet of paper from the stack of papers on the side of the desk.

"Thank you for your patience. What do you want to know about this urgent quest?



"It says that there is a possibility that the half-fish will attack the town, how likely is that?



"It's hard to say what the possibility is, but the source of the information came from a slaver, Chad, who told me that a magician in Chad's employ has created a magic tool that can detect when demons are out of control. So, there is a possibility that half-fish will attack this town in the near future. In other cities, a group of demons called Wonder Wolf White Wolf attacked the city a few days after Chad's prophecy."



"I've heard of that. But it's an amazing coincidence that everywhere you go, demons run amok.



　Grizz also mentioned the runaway of the White Wolf Wonderwolf.

　I believe it was during that outburst that Grizz provided protection.



　What good would it do Chad to have his own staged attack on the city?

　When I asked her about it, she continued.



"Well, abnormal behavior of demons itself is quite common. The other day there was an undetected commotion in King's Landing as well.



"Ahahaha ...... that's for sure."



"But if there really is an outbreak of half-fish this time, it seems that the city will purchase Chad's magical equipment for the defense of this city. If we know in advance, we can make various preparations. I really respect Chad-san because he does so many useful things for people."






　I had some mixed feelings.

　Many people in this town respect and trust Chad.

　Now I am going to expose Chad for what he is.



　At least Chad is doing something good for the city.

　He gives alms to the weak and heals them for free.



　If we expose Chad, the people who were helped by Chad will be less likely to be helped in the future.



　But that doesn't mean we can't commit crimes.



　The guild is still skeptical, but there is already talk in the upper echelons of the city about purchasing magical tools. Chad may want to sell the grimoire that predicts the runaway by letting the demons run amok himself.



　If it really can predict the runaway of a demon, I have no idea how valuable it would be.

　I am sure that it would be wanted not only in this city, but in cities and countries all over the world.

　The information is worth it.



　We do not know how much Chad will sell it for, but it will be a unique opportunity to do business with a city or a country. Slave traders are often looked down upon as a profession, but I am sure that Chad will use this as an opportunity to rise to the top.



　They must want to make this raid a success, no matter what it takes.

　That's where we can take advantage of them.