Chapter 36: The Return of Gold (1)
[Displays acquired item information].
__________________
[Basic Info]
Name: Griffin's Heart
Category: Other
Rank: Upper
Attributes: Wind.
Stats: -.
Wear Restrictions: -.
Special Effects: The heart of a griffin, an outlaw of the wilderness. When properly prepared, it can be made into elixirs. Elixirs can be crafted to modify health and agility.
Depending on the alchemist's skill, the effect can be adjusted up or down.
__________________
'Okay, this will fill in the gaps in my stats.'
If I go this route, I might be able to control my growth rate somehow.
I looked at the griffin's heart with pride.
It's actually called a heart, but its appearance isn't so repulsive.
Oddly enough, I was worried about my judgment at this point, so I added a fantasy correction.
[TN/???]
As a result, the griffin's heart is shaped like a round emerald. I felt my heart flutter in my chest as I looked at the griffin's heart, which glowed a brilliant green.
The reason was simple.
The value of an item named "heart" in the Inner Lunatic?
It's pretty self-explanatory.
The Inner Lunatic is a world where alchemy is practiced to the extreme. All sorts of elixirs are made from demonic hearts.
And in huge quantities.
Therefore, the heart of a high-ranking monster like a Griffin has an astronomical value.
At this point, they're almost impossible to come by.
They're never publicly available in the first place, and only occasionally seen on the black market.
In that sense, the Griffin's Heart I have now was never meant to be obtained at this point.
It's an unrealized item that you only get later in the scenario.
In other words, it's an unbalanced item.
'Well, it's obvious.'
From a developer's point of view, I killed a beast that was designed not to be caught.
It's only fitting that the reward should be a top tier one.
"Elena, can you make an elixir from this heart?"
After a moment's hesitation, Elena stared at the gem.
As she studied the griffin's heart, she nodded.
"Eh? Let's see… I don't think there's anything I can't do…! But it's quite expensive, so I'll need some money...."
"I'll support you as much as you need, but I'd like to ask you to do something."
"Of course! You're the one who saved Mei and me together...!"
"Okay. Please."
"Yes!"
Elena smiled strangely as she accepted the griffin's heart from me. For some reason, she seems to be in a pretty good mood as she tilts the jeweled heart this way and that.
Zitri, on the other hand, didn't look so happy.
Maybe she's had a bad meal or something?
I don't know, but I had a lot on my mind right now.
I couldn't afford to be distracted.
"Well, at least the griffin's heart was taken care of… and the meat and feathers will be auctioned off on the black market through Grine, so we've got everything we need for now?
Grine knows his own body best.
That's what makes him so irritating, but it's also what makes him so valuable.
He currently runs a small shop that sells goods on the black market. It's called Grand Goods, which is a lame name… {1}
Anyway, it's hard for me to sell my items now that I don't have access to the black market, so I decided to use the power of Grine.
Of course, I decided to keep all the money after paying the fees.
'Still, a small price to pay for life.'
The only strange thing is that Grine has been listening to me a lot more lately.
I don't know why, but I feel like he doesn't think of me as his little brother.(dongsaeng)
Is he used to being treated poorly?
Maybe it's just his preference.
…I'm not sure.
I guess it doesn't really matter.
The Chasers' work is almost completed.
Returning to the House.
That was the last task before me.
I looked around the inn dining room at Grine and the soldiers. Zitri. And Elena and Mei, too.
The next day.
I opened all the facilities used by the town's captain of the guard to the orphans and distributed the stash of food.
For now, it's important to keep my connections in the Chasers area.
In the future, I must treat it like my own personal estate.
To do so, it is best to help the hungry.
If I can build my network with just this amount of food, it's worth it.
As I handed out the food, I saw the girl from before.
And her friends.
The boys. They're still gaunt, but their blood color will improve later.
All they need to do is eat and drink good things, and they will be better.
But I do not approach them.
Just at a distance. I watch the boys and girls, and I can't even smile.
I just look down at them all with a cold expression and a misguided glance.
Because that's what a family scoundrel should do.
With that, I left the Chasers territory.
* * *
The road back to the house wasn't too rough.
For one thing, Grine and his soldiers were more cooperative.
They all moved quickly at my command, and there was little cause for concern.
Besides, we weren't slowed down by wounded men.
They were all quickly healed by Elena's health potions.
Of course, she'd left all the potion costs in Grine's hands, but he still said nothing.
Perhaps he had given up.
Whatever it is, it's none of my business.
He's gotten a lot out of his imperial service.
He'd been knighted, and he'd been recognized, and he was no longer ignored wherever he went.
Even if he wears the colors of House Reinhafer on his sleeve, family tradition dictates that he must prove himself or be ignored.
Grine will be able to fulfill those needs in this battle of the Chasers.
As for me, I've got a lot to gain.
The best unit, the land of Chasers, the Heart of Griffin.
And other miscellaneous things that I've torn up.
"I can see the mansion in the distance."
After a few days of walking, it was starting to come into view.
The primary Reinhafer Mansion.
The same mansion that had frightened me the first time I was possessed by Nox. Slowly, it began to reappear before my eyes.
It was only there for a short time, but somehow it felt familiar.
I feel a little bit nostalgic.
Then I realize.
I realize this is really where I am now.
"Let's go. It's not a great place, but it's home for now."
I said, looking at Zitri. Elena and Mei just shake their heads. Grine huffs and puffs.
Brat. Looks like this trip was a bitch.
But what can you do?
You brought this on yourself….
With that thought, I led Carl to the front of the family's mansion.
Elena and Mei are right behind me, riding together on one of the horses Grine's men lent them. Apparently they've taken quite a few casualties, so they're left with a horse without a master.
Anyway.
I winked at Grine, not wanting to raise any suspicions.
He stepped forward and said.
"I have returned from my mission. I will give you my greetings."
"Very well, Young Master Grine and Young Master Nox have returned! Open the gates of the city walls!"
The guards at the front of the wall grunted in response.
The oiled iron gates slowly open, revealing the interior.
The lord of the manor sees us returning and immediately bows his head.
He looks slightly frightened.
Grine and Nox.
The power of the Rascal combo is even greater than I thought.
I guess that's why he doesn't turn off his aggro.
"You're back."
Rodwell, who had already received the letter, said so.
The way he bowed was familiar.
Grine nodded and waved a hand.
"No disrespect, but after seeing my father right away, I'd like to get some rest in my room. There's been a lot going on."
"I see, and even if you don't, my lord is waiting for you. Let's go."
Rodwell waved goodbye, and Grine and I walked off to the guest room.
And then.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the two women following closely behind me, and Rodwell spoke up.
"Are you Master Nox's new servants?"
"…Something like that."
I don't bother to deny it. My reputation is as good as gone here, and I'm just about to leave anyway.
Rodwell's expression is one of mild contempt.
But… he wasn't the only one who despised me.
-No, he couldn't resist and brought another woman with him, two this time!
-Again. Even if you've gotten better, you can't spoil me.
-Shut up! What if that asshole hears you?
-Well, I wouldn't be surprised if your head flew off.
-That's what happens when you're a woman….
-I'm sure Mia's forest strategy is a lie, right?
-But Theo said it was real… who would lie to me....
The servants were chattering amongst themselves.
Do they think I can't hear them, or are they just trying to make fun of me like Rona, I sincerely wonder.
I decided to leave it at that, since I can't catch and beat them all.
I'm actually getting a little tired.
After seeing Theo, I need to get some rest. I also need to ask for a room for Elena and Mei. Plus, I need to find out about the Chasers region….
"Shit."
I have a lot of dirty work to do.
As I muttered the last of my profanity, the servants who had been cursing me looked up and shuddered.
Why are you insulting me when you're trembling like that?
But I decided to add my two cents.
"If you have time to talk, go do some work."
The three men and one woman who were talking behind my back freaked out and left the room.
Well, what the hell, you're the first ones to go broke.
You deserve to hear that once or twice… assholes.
"We're here."
"I see. You guys go to my room, Zitri?"
"Very well, I'll show you to the Master's room, and you can say hello to Rona!"
… Zitri became cheerful again in front of the others.
This is also a scene that I can't get used to in many ways.
"Ha."
With a short sigh, I opened the door to the guest room.
There was Theo, sitting upright, still in full force.
"You're home, sons."
With that, Theo began to speak in his direct manner.
Grine and I walked over to him and knelt before him.
Rodwell was at Theo's side before we knew it.
"From what I hear, something happened at the Chasers?"
"Yeah."
Grine said, filling him in on what had happened.
Theo closed his eyes and listened for a moment, then nodded.
"So, you've come back after rooting out the evil there."
"Yes."
"You must have found your way very well, for I thought it would take you at least three more days, though matters are matters."
At Theo's words, Grine looked at me as if he had been waiting.
"Nox did a good job of finding the way, I think he's got what it takes to be a Pathfinder. Besides, his swordsmanship is already quite good."
...?
What the hell, why is he suddenly praising me?
I grunted in confusion, and he continued, placing a hand on my left shoulder.
"Nox is destined to do great things for the family in the future. I'm ashamed of myself for failing to recognize my youngest brother's true potential in the past, for disparaging his talents."
"Are you saying ... that Nox was that good?"
"Yes."
Theo and Grine began to recount the events of my life amongst themselves.
The battles I'd shown them, the ogres and wyrms I'd slain.
I could only listen to them with my mouth hanging open.
Grine, this asshole.
I'd purposely given him the ball so he wouldn't be a nuisance and I could just eat Chasers, but this was getting out of hand.
Luckily, we didn't talk about Griffin, but….
"Nox, is everything Grine just said true?"
Theo asked, barging in out of nowhere. I could only nod in the end.
"It seems my brother has taken a good look at my lack of skill."
I responded, feeling like I was out of practice, but Grine surreptitiously gave me a thumbs-up. Is he trying to give me a pat on the back for a job well done?
…Crazy asshole.
"Okay. Regardless, Grine. I'm sure you've been through a lot. Why don't you go back and rest in your room?"
"Yes. I'll take my leave now."
Grine inclined his head toward Theo, then turned away.
"I guess I'd better get going, then...."
"No. Nox, you will stay."
I start to stand up, but Theo stops me.
Grine was gone in a flash.
Now it's just him, me, and Rodwell.
I can feel my tiredness multiplying in the dreary atmosphere.
Theo hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"Nox von Reinhaber."
"Yes."
"In the name of the Patriarch, I am about to give you a command, and you must listen and decide for yourself whether you will accept it or not."
"…I understand."
I don't understand the words, but the moment I said yes.
Theo continued.
"Are you interested in this position?"
My eyes narrowed, and I couldn't help but look up.
He would be too….
Theo's finger is pointing at none other than the chair he's sitting in.
A chair that only a patriarch of Reinhafer could sit in.
He was asking me if I wanted to sit in that chair.
Theo was asking me.
What the hell is going on?
I still couldn't help but look clueless.
Theo's expression remains unchanged.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone