"It's not that weird. The Empire's magical knowledge is quite advanced. It's also cheaper than in other countries. Maybe they're thinking that even after taking the return cost into account, it's cheaper to buy them there?"

"Ah, so that's why. I see. That's a way of thinking I didn't consider before."

"It's true that from our point of view their actions seems strange, but it's not so weird if you keep in mind that they're travellers.”

"Ah, that's right. If I think of it this way then I definitely can understand."

The armor clad warrior was carefully inspecting the magic items. Opening them, then closing, picking them up, turning them around. To the point of making the merchant's head sweat.

"We should be just as serious as them when searching for magic items."

Chapter 2. Butterfly Entangled in a Spider’s Web

Translator: SifaV6 and Skythewood

Editors/Proofreaders: Ferro, TaintedDreams, Namorax, Rockgollem

JcqC, Nigel, Zack

Part 1

Several worker teams had already gathered on the Earl’s estate before dawn. The last team to arrive was Hekkeran’s 'Foresight'. In total, eighteen people were present. The workers gathered for this job were considered to be among the cream of their profession in the capital.

The worker teams maintained a distance between each other as they sized each other up. When the four members of 'Foresight' finally arrived, they were welcomed by the collective stares of the other worker teams. This scene could almost be considered spectacular in its own way.

"Ah, somehow I feel like I’ve seen all these faces somewhere before. Such as Beetle-san over there, didn’t I see him recently at Kattse Plains?"

"Eh? Did I not mention this in the hotel? Greenham’s team also accepted this request… Did I really not say this? Somehow I feel like I’ve said this before… In any case, the worker teams that are gathered today all possess considerable fame within the capital! Let’s have a round of applause for the deep pockets of the client."

"I think I’ll pass on that. Anyways, the ones over there are the team leaders, right?"

In the area between the separated teams, three people had gathered in the center, exchanging information.

"Greenham should be over there, it seems. No doubt about it. Well then, time to go and greet them."

"…Tch! Urgh, that guy is also there? Ah, I see. Then, the elf girls over there are… Hmph, that guy is absolutely the worst. Die, you piece of shit."

Imina practically spat that last sentence out. Although she kept her voice down, it still worried Hekkeran and the others enough that they had to quickly check their surroundings to see if anyone else had noticed.

"Imina-san!"

"I know, I know, Rob. He’s going to be a colleague for this job… However, I really don’t want to see that guy’s face."

"—I don’t like it either."

"Well, if I had to pick between like and hate, I also dislike him. Even so, you still need to consider the situation."

Hekkeran, who broke into the conversation between Imina, who was showing a vexed face, and Roberdyck, helplessly shrugged.

"…Oi, oi, you still have to greet him afterwards, so don’t think about unpleasant thoughts, or they’ll show on your face, okay?"

"Do your best, leader."

Hekkeran frowned in response to Roberdyck’s encouragement, as though saying "don’t poke into other people’s businesses", and then walked towards the group of three.

The first person that greeted Hekkeran was a worker who wore a steel-blue suit of full plate armor. The design of the armor was oddly rounded, almost spherical. Due to the especially large pauldrons, the man wearing the armor appeared more like an upright beetle than a human.

However, after seeing that the helmet had a horn-like design which stuck out from the forehead, it became obvious that the armor was intended to look this way.

However, one thing that wasn’t intentional was the length of the man’s legs. They were very short. The sight of him wearing the armor was like a real rhinoceros beetle that had been forced to stand upright by children who were playing around. To put it in kinder terms, short legs like those of dwarves gave more stability. It was one of the traits which suited a warrior.

"Just as I had foreseen, thou also came, Hekkeran."

"Yo, Greenham. I thought the request wasn’t too bad so we came."

Hekkeran raised his hand as a gesture at the remaining two leaders in a casual manner. The two of them responded back without any unpleasantness. Although Hekkeran was the youngest and least experienced of the four of them here, his skills as a worker were on the same level as them.

"About your side…" Hekkeran said, after glancing over to Greenham’s team and quickly counting them. "There’s five of you. What happened to the rest?"

"Resting, recovering from fatigue. Due to our previous work being of similar nature, some of our members had to stay behind to help with the transportation and repair of damaged goods."

This man, Greenham, was the leader of 'Heavy Masher', a worker team comprising of fourteen members.

Having more members definitely had its advantages, such as having more options available in choosing how to handle each request. In particular, it provided the flexibility of being able to select the best suited members for each different request.

However, it was not without its disadvantages, such as receiving less income due to having to split the payment between more people, or running into more conflicts due to disagreements between members, which made it more difficult for them as a team to take fast action.

When taking into consideration the personalities of typical workers, it wouldn’t be unusual at all for a team to just suddenly disband. Being able to maintain full control over such a large team of workers demonstrated just how strong Greenham’s management and leadership skills were.

"Fuuhn, how tiring. How about supporting us so you can earn enough not to disappoint the comrades you left behind?"

"Thy suggestion is foolish. After we finish this job, bonuses will be given based on the leader’s performance. As unfortunate as it is, the best performance will naturally belong to me."

"Oi oi, spare me already. It’s fine to speak like you normally do."

Greenham simply grinned. Sensing that he had no intention of stopping, Hekkeran shrugged and turned towards the other man.

"I think it’s the first time we’ve met face-to-face."

Hekkeran stretched his hand out, with a "pleased to meet you" intention. The other man grasped it and shook back. He had a very strong grip.

He moved his eyes and stared directly at Hekkeran.

"—'Foresight', I’ve heard a lot about you."

It was a voice that sounded as clear as a bell, which matched very well with his appearance.

"Likewise, 'Tenmu'."

The genius swordsman that was undefeated in the arena, there wasn’t a single worker who wouldn’t recognize who he was. This man’s 'Tenmu', was in a sense a team composed purely of himself. Part of it was the reason why Imina made her previous unpleasant face.

"The sword genius who’s said to be a match for the Kingdom’s strongest, Gazef Stronoff. It’s reassuring to have your squad with us."

"Thank you. However, I think it’s about time for it to be said the other way around. That man should only be referred to as being able to match up to this Eruya Uzruth. "