It had been three days since the requests for nominations came pouring in. Wraith had been working busily during that time, but it was worth it, and there was only one request left.

　The number of elixirs left was also just one, and it was really just around the corner. All that was left was to deliver the elixir to the client and complete the request - but it was done.

''Nobleman, is it?''
Yes.....

　Early in the morning at the Adventurer's Guild, Amelia told me that one of the nomination requests that Wraith had rejected was from a great nobleman.

　Apparently, the great nobleman wanted to meet and talk with the Wraith in person.

　It's a good thing that you're not the only nobleman who has asked to be appointed, so you shouldn't just complain about it, but it's tricky because nobles have power.

　It's not a good idea to ignore them and make the conversation more complicated, so I'm thinking of agreeing to meet with them. In fact, I'd like to complete my last request immediately and take a break.

''Here's the letter I left with you........um, good luck with that.

　Receiving Amelia's sympathy, Wraith returns a wry smile. Even from the side, she could tell that she was exhausted. Wraith exhaled heavily and walked out of the Adventurer's Guild.
　Lately, he's been walking outside quite cautiously because of the one incident where his bag was stolen, so he's even more tired.

　Wraith told himself that this was the last stop and began to move his feet.

　And then--.

It's big.

　The zone lined with the houses of the wealthy is lined with buildings that can only be described as needlessly large in the eyes of the Wraith. The aristocrat who sought a direct conversation with the Wraiths, the most important one, seems to live in a particularly large and gleamingly decorated mansion among them.

''Huh... let's go.

　Wraith wilfully rang the doorbell. Immediately, a figure who looked like a maidservant came out from inside the mansion.

''What can I do for you?''
I was asked to interview the owner of this place...

　The maid glanced at the letter in Wraith's hand and bowed her head lightly.

'I will show you around,'

　It's a good idea to have a good time with them. The inside of the mansion is just as opulent as the outside, and if there is a distinctive feature, it is that it is decorated with various objects such as paintings and vases.

　You will be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for when you see it.

''Sir, you have a visitor.''
Let me through.

　Once permission was granted, the maid of honor opened the door and motioned for Wraith to enter the room.
　The Wraith entered the room with some nervousness.

　Inside was a young man with blond hair and blue eyes and several servants standing by the wall of the room. If I had to guess, the blond man sitting in a chair with a smile on his face was probably the head of the mansion.

　Wraith was inwardly surprised at the younger figure than he had expected.

''Ah, so you are the rumored alchemist. Sorry to call you out of the blue, call me over there.

　Wraith sat down in the chair that was prepared for him as the man told him.

I'm going to start by introducing myself. My name is Wills Redium, and I am a nobleman of this country. Nice to meet you.
'My name is Wraith. I'm an adventurer. It's nice to meet you.

　After the greeting, Wraith looks at Wills again. The feeling of being contacted doesn't feel that high-handed. Because Wraith had imagined that a nobleman would be somewhat arrogant, he was somewhat relieved.

''Hmm, you're young,''
What?
Well, I've heard rumors that you are a skilled alchemist of sorts and that you are a wonder to behold.
Huh.

　You didn't call me here to talk about that.

　Nothing would come out of it even if he was agitated, and Wraith really wanted him to leave rather than make small talk.

　Wills read that sentiment from Wraith's subtle expression and chuckled.

''Looks like there's no need for a preamble. Well then, let's get to the point. -- you're not going to sell me an elixir, are you?

　The words of the virus, released with a smile, were exactly as Wraith had imagined them to be. The purpose of the virus is an elixir without change. Then Wraith's response was also fixed.

''I'm sorry, but I decline.''

　Wraith clearly speaks the words of refusal. Hearing those words, Wills doesn't break into a smile. As long as the request was submitted and rejected once, he knew that if he met with her and asked again, he would get the same result.

　Then what did he want to bother meeting with them for?

　As Wraith waited for the next words, Wills gave some sort of signal to one of the servants. Then the servant came to Wraith's side and held out a bag filled with something.

''Heavy...!

　As soon as I received it, I felt it was more solid than I had expected. When I looked into the bag, I found a large number of gold-colored coins in it.

''Are these....gold coins?''
Yeah. There's about three hundred of them in there.
Wha...!

　The amount of money Wraith has received as a reward for his requests regarding other elixirs is about a hundred and fifty gold coins. This time it's double that amount. Even though it's just a high amount of money, twice that amount should be a significant expense even for a nobleman.

''Will you sell it for this?''

　Wills asks Wraith to try. Normally, you could get most of the things you'd want if you put up this much money. In fact, that's how Wills got what he wanted.

　Wraith stood up with the bag of gold coins and placed it in front of Wills.

'I won't sell it, no matter how much they pile on the reward.
'Hmm, may I ask why?'
'It's because I've made up my mind. I'm not selling elixirs now unless I'm sick or seriously injured. We can't afford to meet everyone's needs.

　Wills looks at Wraith, who has a blank smile in his eyes like a dead fish, and his cheeks twitch slightly. And then he coughs out a cough and

I understand your intentions. Let's give up the elixir for now.
Thank you for understanding.

　The conversation didn't get too complicated, and Wraith let out a sigh of relief.

'Just something I'm personally curious about, if you don't mind me asking?
You'll be fine.

　Wraith lightly agrees that it's no problem if it's just a question.

''Did you learn alchemy on your own?''
No, I had a mentor.
Okay, who wants to hear this?
'I don't think there's anything good to hear, but I'm an alchemist named Lurimes.

　Hearing that name, Wills opens his mouth with a plop and is stunned.

"Don't tell me it's that Rulimes...?　The fallen hero...?

　Hearing Wills' words as if he couldn't believe it, Wraith is convinced. It's only that master who is called by the super dishonorable two names of 'Fallen Hero'.

''Yeah, it's definitely right. It's definitely our f*cking master.
''I see, indeed, if it's her apprentice, it's no wonder she's so capable. From what I've heard about Rulimes, she seems to be having a lot of trouble.......

　Receiving a look of sympathy, Wraith feels a kind of admiration that his master's no-goodness is known even in the kingdom. The moment of respect for his own mentor is no longer likely to come in his lifetime.

''Yes, may I ask you one more question?''
Come in.
What if I told you that I would fully back you in helping people?
I'm afraid not.

　Wraith answers immediately without pondering.

'There's no end to that kind of thing when you start doing it, and I've decided that helping people is within my reach. I know it's annoying, but this mindset is the same as that of a f*cking master.
Well that's an interesting story, thank you for your time today.
No.

　Apparently we're done with this. Wraith gets up from his chair and bows his head in a bow.

'I hope we can continue to have a good relationship in the future, thank you, Mr. Wraith.
Nice to meet you.

　Having unexpectedly formed a relationship with a nobleman, Wraith left the mansion, hoping that some time would come when he would be of some use.