Being expected to do well is kind of embarrassing, huh.

Gandar's town was as lively as ever.

Proof that Lord Bairoroad's politics were working. Still, the usual problem of few foreigners remained, especially in big cities.

They've lessened, sure, but prejudice against foreigners runs deep. In major cities, you might as well say there's no place for foreigners at all.

"Guess foreigners are still rare."

"What's up, Craft? Got a friend among the foreigners or something?"

"Yeah, I grew up in a rural orphanage. There were plenty of foreign kids there. And Leifan’s half, too."

"True, true. Leifan looks normal, so I forget sometimes. Other than that, I’ve never had any contact with foreigners."

"So it’s still there, even among soldiers? That kind of bias?"

I don’t think so… I mean, there were a few colleagues who looked down on people like us. Old-fashioned, I know, but still.

Can’t really help it… I guess that’s the end of it. For someone born a foreigner, being treated like that every day must be hell.

Yeah. I try my best not to think that way, at least.

I’ve got plenty of friends who are foreign-born!

Well, Leifan’s half, so that makes sense.

True.

But honestly, he’s just naturally carefree. No wonder he gets along with everyone. Seems like he’d be friends with anyone.

And being in a production guild, he’d meet all kinds of people, right?

Yeah, before that, Leifan just seems like the kind who’d get along with anyone. Like a mascot or something.

Kinda feels like he’s being made fun of, though…!

Oh, that skewer looks good. I’ll treat the two of you.

Wait—feels like I’m being blatantly dodged here!

“Nah, just imagining things. Not eating?”

“Yeah, I’ll eat!”

Good thing I’ve got plenty of coin on me.

I’m a guild employee for the Production Guild now.

So it’s mostly a fixed salary, but it’s a decent chunk, and I get extra bonuses whenever I contribute to the frontier village. That’s made me pretty flush.

I transferred from the Adventurer’s Guild to the Production Guild—my final job there was a proper payday.

Between that and the fact that most of what I need for frontier work is covered by expenses, my wallet hasn’t taken a hit.

All I’ve really spent lately is on books from Professor Javir and alchemy gear—my own stuff, you know. Sure, they’re pricey, but they don’t wear out. With my current income, it’s not even a dent.

Sure, money’s never something you can have too much of, but thanks to my guild contract, I can’t go independent as an alchemist. So it’s just dead capital.

So a little waste here and there? No big deal.

I’m still waiting on the review, but the secret elixir I offered to the Marquis is supposed to earn me a special bonus from the guild as a contribution.

I’ve already picked up the book I wanted, so I’m feeling pretty flush.

“Huh. Never thought a broke adventurer like me would end up with some spare coin.”

“Craft, you’ve pulled off something impressive.”

“Means a lot to hear you say that.”

Getting paid just for helping people? That’s a damn good thing.

All I need now is for Kyle to be happy. One little worry, though.

Since I’m heading to the Merchant Guild, I can bring that up, too.

“Hey, old man—four of those skewers, please.”

“Always!”

I took the skewers, their scent rich and savory, and handed one to Persia, two to Leifan.

“……”

Huh? Why the silence? Isn’t this the part where they say thanks?

“Craft. Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah.”

“Why do I get two while she only gets one?”

“Nah, you’ll eat two, won’t you?”

“……”

Huh? Why?

“Craft. One piece of advice.”

“Uh, yes?”

“Don’t go around treating women like they’re greedy little eaters. That’s not cool.”

“Huh!? Really!?”

Huh? Huh!?

But Leifan’s the hungry type, isn’t she!?

“Craft, just what kind of eyes do you even have on people!?”

“Nah… I just always thought it was funny how someone so small eats so much.”

Persia rubbed her forehead.

“Craft… you’re never gonna get a girl, are you?”

“Guh!?!”

W-why do you know my secret!? Magic!?

“Craft. We oughta have a proper talk, you and me.”

“Huh!? Me!? I’m the one who’s done something wrong!?”

Leifan and Persia exchanged a glance, then shook their heads.

Wait—what? Seriously me!?

“First off, hand over your one.”

“Hey, Persia was a hungry character too, remember?”

“Don’t call me that!!”

We got lectured on how to treat women, the two of us.

Still don’t get it.

The one who pulled me out of that was the Production Guild.

◆

“Hey! Leifan! Craft! Looks like you’re doing well, hehehe!”

“Guildmaster!?!”

The Marquis had just arrived at the Production Guild in Gandar Street, and was immediately led into the back room to meet the Guildmaster—only the one who showed up was the same man who’d been Guildmaster in another town where I’d been an adventurer.

...Hey, I don’t even know your name.

"Aw, yeah! Thanks to you lot busting your guts all over the place! I climbed the ranks and got promoted to Guildmaster here!"

"Whoa, that’s impressive! The Gandar Guild’s just a regional branch, right?"

"Aw, yeah! Now I’m the Regional Guildmaster! Heh heh heh heh!"

"Still not sure what that means, but congrats."

"Aw, yeah! So, this cute little lady over here—wasn’t she Kyle’s personal knight?"

"Persia Formalhaut. I was part of the Royal Guard, but now I’m personally assigned to Kyle’s protection. So I’m not a knight anymore."

"Details don’t matter! She’s beautiful, she’s strong! That’s what a lady knight’s all about! Heh heh heh heh!"

"…I don’t get it…"

Persia’s face flushed. She probably wasn’t used to being praised like that.

Whether or not the guildmaster’s words were praise was a bit of a gray area, though.

(Leifan, I don’t even know the name of the guild headquarters chief.)

(Was that right? Come to think of it, he never introduced himself… Grim’s always so rough around the edges.)

Oh, so his name’s Grim.

“Then let’s get straight to the report and the paperwork!”

“Quite the energetic one, aren’t you…”

“Old man, you’re giving me that look again.”

“Craft, why don’t you call him by name?”

Dragging on like that.

◆

“So, as the report says, you handed over the entire batch of secret elixirs to Lord Bairoroad, the Marquis of the Frontier?”

“Yes. I thought it best.”

“Aye, good call. The effects are too overwhelming. Keeping any on hand would just be asking for trouble.”

After reporting on recent events—including the dragon slaying—the air in the room shifted completely. Grim, the headquarters chief, folded his arms and fixed a serious expression on his face.

"Alchemy’s always been rare to begin with. The few alchemists who join the production guild—most of them aren’t exactly masters, for one reason or another."

He didn’t say it outright, but the good ones probably get snatched up by nobles or the crown.

Makes sense, really. No shortage of jobs.

In my case? No room for outside interference. The mark change, the circumstances—practically a binding contract.

"So I’m counting on you, Craft. Heh heh heh heh heh!"

"Ah, I’ll do my best."

Being counted on feels good, plain and simple.

"Here’s your special reward. This one’s Leifan, and this is Craft."

I peeked inside the small pouch—ten mithril coins.

That’s nearly a year’s wage for an ordinary person. For me? About four months’ pay. A small fortune.

"Is this really that good?"

"Actually, it's barely enough for Craft. Feels like a waste."

"There's also the adventurer guild's reward, though."

"Separate matter. This is strictly an assessment as a production guild staff member. Honestly, you can complain if you want."

"Just getting priority on materials is more than enough. I'm grateful."

"Good to hear. If I ever get promoted again, I'll repay you in spirit. Heh heh heh!"

"Looking forward to it."

Honestly, compared to when I was broke, this feels downright scary—like I'm taking too much.

Guess that's just my frugal nature.

Besides, if I can curry favor with the head of the branch, that’s worth more than gold.

All the necessary talk done, I decided to get to the real point.

"Old man. I know it’s a stretch, but I’ve got a request."

"What?"

I know it’s asking too much, but I need you to let me alter part of my contract.

What?

If this won’t go through, I’ll have to break the contract no matter the debt it’ll leave me with.

I made up my mind and begged the Guild Master.

Significant changes made after chapter 28, especially chapters 28, 32, and 33.

Changes:

Jabir — changed from male to female (young girl)

Maid Wooden Mannequin — changed to Artificial Wooden Creature

If you’ve already read it, you might feel off since Jabir’s image is already set in your head. But I tend to end up writing only male characters without meaning to, so please forgive me for that.