part2 · 102-ep102

Episode 102: A Non-Negotiable Condition

Mizuki looked straight at the Branch Chief.

There was nothing wrong with selling the magic stone in itself.

But—

Bringing the owner himself out in the open was the one thing she had to avoid.

"...So you have circumstances."

"Yes."

"Should I not ask about those circumstances?"

"...Please don't."

Mizuki answered clearly. The Branch Chief was silent for a while.

"Understood."

He did not try to press further.

"However, regarding this magic stone, we will need to investigate further going forward."

"I understand."

"And if its value becomes clear, there's a possibility of an additional payment of one billion yen or more."

"...Yes."

"In that case, a formal contract will be necessary."

"......"

Mizuki listened to the Branch Chief in silence.

"So, I'd like to present conditions from our side."

"...Conditions?"

"Yeah."

The Branch Chief explained them one by one.

"First, regarding the magic stone owner's identity, we will inform only the bare minimum of people within the guild."

"......"

"We will not disclose information externally either."

"......"

"And for future negotiations, you will be the point of contact."

Mizuki thought for a moment.

"...So the person himself doesn't have to come out?"

"As much as possible, we will do so."

"As much as possible?"

"If a formal contract becomes necessary, it may become necessary to confirm the person's intentions."

"......"

Mizuki thought in silence.

At the very least—

it wasn't a matter of suddenly summoning the person to the guild. The owner's information wouldn't go outside either. She would be the point of contact.

If it was like this—

there was a chance she could protect Ren's life.

However. Mizuki couldn't just decide on her own here.

"...If it's those conditions."

Mizuki opened her mouth slowly.

"I'll take it home once and talk with the person himself before deciding."

"...Understood."

The Branch Chief nodded.

"I don't intend to rush you."

"Thank you."

Mizuki stood up.

"Regarding the one-billion-yen advance payment as well, I'll give a reply after talking with the person himself."

"Yeah."

"Until then, could you keep this magic stone in your care?"

"Of course."

Mizuki looked at the magic stone on the desk.

This small stone—

one billion yen.

No. It held even more value than that.

Even so. What mattered most to Mizuki wasn't the sum.

"...Excuse me."

Mizuki left the room.

　　　　　◇

Having left the guild, Mizuki took out her smartphone.

She thought about getting in touch.

But—

"...It can wait until I'm home."

Rather than explaining over the phone right now, it was better to talk in person. Thinking that, Mizuki headed straight home.

　　　　　◇

She returned home.

When she opened the front door—

"......"

A quiet room.

And then.

"...One more."

Ren's voice came from the living room. Mizuki couldn't help a wry smile.

"I'm home."

"...Welcome home."

Ren was sitting on the sofa, looking at his smartphone screen.

"Have you been playing games the whole time?"

"...Yeah."

"Since morning?"

"...Yeah."

"......"

Mizuki laughed in exasperation.

For ten years, he hadn't even been able to play properly. Now—he was playing games like a normal person.

"Hey, Ren."

"...Hm?"

"Today, I went and sold the Aqualizard and Great Sea Serpent materials and magic stones at the guild."

"...Yeah."

"The total was one million eight hundred thousand yen."

"...One million eight hundred thousand?"

"Yeah."

Ren turned his eyes toward her just slightly.

"And also—"

Mizuki continued.

"I've already put it into your account."

"...My account?"

"The bank account we made the other day. I transferred the money from the purchase into it."

"...I see."

Ren returned his gaze to the smartphone.

"......"

Mizuki couldn't help a wry smile.

One million eight hundred thousand yen. Normally, that was quite a large sum.

But—

to Ren, it probably still didn't feel real.

"And then, there's one more thing to talk about."

"...Hm?"

"That magic stone from before."

"...Yeah."

"At the guild, it's turned into quite a big deal."

Mizuki explained today's story.

Magic of a different order even compared to S-rank class magic stones. That an official price couldn't be set at present.

And then—

"As I told you on the phone, it came to them paying one billion yen as an advance."

"......"

Ren's hand stopped for just an instant.

"...I see."

That was all.

Mizuki couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Is that all the reaction?"

"...I don't really get it."

"Well, I suppose so."

Ren returned his gaze to the smartphone once more.

"...One more."

"You're playing again?"

"...Yeah."

Mizuki looked at Ren with a smile.

The person himself, who held a magic stone enough to shake the world—

knew nothing of any of that.

He was just playing a game, normally.