The convening of the Denatus;
The publication of the latest registered List of High-Class Adventurers;
The acquisition of the Shadow of Sorcery title;
These few events happening one after another led the people who knew Leon, who were familiar with him, even those close to him, to all cast a measure of attention his way.
But that attention went no further than that.
Everyone had their own affairs to attend to, and rather than spend energy on a trivial side matter like keeping tabs on others, it was more practical to focus on building up their own strength and that of their familia.
After all, the work of an adventurer was the kind where, the moment your strength fell short, it could very well cost you your life.
If even acquaintances spared only a passing glance at this unremarkable list, then total strangers who'd never met him cared even less.
At most they treated it as a bit of idle chatter over drinks at the tavern.
So when Leon got home and found there were no curious busybodies paying his little group any excessive attention, he quietly let out a breath of relief.
It couldn't be helped. This despicable outsider carried far too many secrets, none of which he could share with anyone, all of them resting on his shoulders alone. So at the slightest stir from the outside world, his nerves instinctively went taut.
Of course, that kind of reaction was only human.
As everyone knows, people who can keep a secret are a rare breed.
Fortunately, Leon, a man who loved his solitude, happened to be one of them.
...
Leon's home, the reception hall.
The first thing everyone did upon getting home was head out to the yard to haul back the firewood allotted by the Ganesha Familia, and relight the hearth.
Feeling his hands and feet gradually warm up, Leon sank back into the soft sofa, turned his head, and remarked teasingly:
"At least all that Management Tax wasn't paid for nothing. That pig at the Guild can actually do something useful now and then."
Kureha knew he was talking about the firewood supply.
"Come to think of it, the city seems to manage the comings and goings of gods and High-Class Adventurers pretty strictly? I was wondering before, when winter came... how a city this big would handle heating, and it turns out the Guild distributes it all."
With one arm around Rose and the other around Kureha, Leon leaned back and sprawled out like some lord of the manor, eyes closed as he spoke.
"Orario has stood for thousands of years. It worked out its own mature operating logic ages ago. Basic living supplies like winter firewood, water facilities, vegetables and fruit, food like meat, eggs, and milk, none of that is anything we adventurers need to worry about. Forget that greedy fat pig of a Guild not letting that bit of grease slip past it, even the local and foreign merchants kicking around Orario, every one of them is sharp as a tack."
"A business as big as city heating, how could they ever let that go?"
"The pie was probably divvied up at the start of each year, otherwise where would the First District's lavish surroundings come from? The Guild would never bring itself to spend its own coin on construction."
Kureha, that somewhat airheaded sword fanatic, had a sudden flash of understanding at Leon's explanation.
"So that's how it is. So that's what those folks meant!"
"?"
"It's just, back in my hometown, I remember some nobles joking during the mingling at banquets, saying: where there's demand, there's a merchant."
Leon stroked her silver hair, wearing a satisfied look that said the child can be taught.
To put it more precisely, it should be: where there's demand, there's profit; and where there's profit, the figure of a merchant is never far behind.
"Think about it. Those useless trinkets we brought back from the Water Labyrinth, things like Blood Coral and demon-clam pearls, decorative pieces that can't be used as equipment materials at all, why is it that they fetch higher prices than adamantite and mithril?"
It's precisely because in the great kingdoms outside the city, the nobles and wealthy merchants flock to these things!
Otherwise, how would these pretty-but-useless baubles, with next to zero practical value, have so many adventurers scrambling to track them down? It's all because the merchants are willing to pay a high price for them.
Honestly, even now I find it hard to believe that kind of thing actually sold for 5 million valis...
Kureha, Laurier, and Aura recalled the price Tsubaki had quoted back then, and were left speechless.
Leon let out a lazy yawn and said offhandedly:
"Scarcity makes value, after all. Because they can only be produced deep within the Dungeon, one of the three great secret realms, this is the only source in the entire world. They're vases, sure, but they win on looks, rarity, and the face they lend you. Drop them into conversation by chance and you can show off, so those bigwigs eat it right up."
As he spoke, his tone carried a touch of feeling.
"Right now we're still grinding our way up. Once we make our name down the line and have spare coin to set up our own base, naturally we'll start chasing these gorgeous things too."
Then he paused, struck a pose, and let out a soft sigh with a touch of humblebragging resignation:
"By the time that comes, when you decorate our own home with your own hands, you'll understand this feeling."
"..."
Kureha rolled her eyes and pursed her lips.
"So basically, it's about the same as those rare antiques..."
"Antiques? What are those?"
Laurier looked utterly blank.
Aura explained with no expression on her face.
"They're the everyday household tools our parents' generation used back in our hometown, things like teacups, water jars, and tableware."
"On the outskirts of the forest where I'm from, every now and then a merchant caravan would come specifically to buy up these old items. Supposedly they sell for sky-high prices in the human kingdoms. Those great nobles always treat the everyday utensils we elves once used as antique treasures... I really don't get what goes through their heads." So this was the sense of time a long-lived race had?
Something that had been brimming with prestige instantly lost its filter the moment Aura put it that way.
"?"
Why was there killing intent?
Suddenly feeling a chill, Leon shivered.
He opened his eyes in confusion and ran straight into the gaze the Holy Maiden across from him was leveling his way. She was staring at him coldly with those pale purple eyes. "Ahem..."
He gave a fake little cough, casually released his hold on the two ladies, and changed the subject with a perfectly straight face.
"That... the last time we updated everyone's Falna was before the Monster Rex hunt, and we've been through so many fights since. I think it's about time I updated your stats. What do you say, dear Miss Jeanne?"
Jeanne slowly drew her cold gaze back from him, took a sip of black tea, and couldn't be bothered with this scumbag whose behavior grew more brazen by the day. "Who's first?"
"Me, me, me, me!"