"Aren't they looking at us?" I pondered.
I believed we were incognito, perfectly camouflaged with our surroundings, but the piercing gazes of the highest-grade adventurer parties were fixed upon us.
"Maybe we're not as good spies as I thought?"
Observing the curious stares from adventurers within the guild, I decided to break the ice and seek answers.
"What's wrong? Do I have food on my face?"
Breaking the silence was the first step to gather information.
The initial response came from one of Scarlet Flower's female knights.
"This is the first time we've seen your group in the guild. I also don't recall seeing you participate in the barrier-breaking attempts we carried out with the help of the authorities."
Oh.
I hadn't considered that possibility.
Even in a large guild, spending a considerable amount of time would naturally lead to acquaintanceships among members.
Suddenly, an unusual group like ours stood out, catching the attention of high-grade adventurer parties investigating the situation.
'For now, it's best to answer.'
"Actually, we're a group of merchants not from this city. We're here to check the purchase value of some products in the guild," I explained.
Adventurer guilds dealt not only in monster by-products but also various natural items like plants and seeds.
In this wintering area, unique plants adapted to the cold climate were sold at reasonable prices. Inside the village, we discovered several such plants useful for potion-making.
"I see, excuse me for my rudeness."
"No problem."
With that, the adventurers ceased their scrutiny.
'Maybe I'm a good spy after all.'
I turned my head and found the face of Anastasia, the Grandmaster, right in front of me.
'F*ck!'
"Something's wrong?" I inquired calmly.
"..."
She didn't answer my question, just stared at me in silence.
Her appearance, with white hair and white eyes, was intimidating yet oddly beautiful.
"Anastasia, what's wrong with you? You're going to intimidate him if you just stare at him like that and say nothing."
One of her companions intervened, leading her away from me.
My heart returned to a normal pace once Anastasia decided to turn her head.
'...'
Anastasia, leaving the adventurer's guild with her party, was in deep thought.
'I'm sure I've seen his face before somewhere,
Also...
There's no way a mere rural merchant would have that mana.'
At that moment, Franz wasn't emitting massive amounts of mana. His special weapons were in a sealed state, not emitting any energy or presence.
For reference, Franz's weapons were connected to his soul, allowing him to manifest or make them disappear at will.
After all, it would be strange if he carried four different weapons with him everywhere.
Another advantage was that, even when manifested, he could have them in a sealed state, looking like ordinary weapons, such as his sword Geronimo, always ready for emergency use.
But if no abnormal mana source emanated from Franz...
How did Anastasia sense something strange in him?
The reason was quite simple.
Even if Fran wasn't emitting mana at the moment, the 'quality' of his residual mana differed from that of a normal person.
All people, whether or not they've awakened their mana, unconsciously emit residual mana.
Of course, an ordinary person couldn't perceive, let alone analyze, another person's residual mana with the naked eye.
But Anastasia wasn't an ordinary person.
When any mana user increases their 'mana circles' in their heart to boost their power, that person's mana also changes its quality, becoming more 'dense' and 'pure'.
Upon reaching the eighth mana circle, they reached the level of a master rank weapon master or an advanced level mage.
From the ninth circle of mana, archmages and grandmasters emerged.
While weapon masters used 'mana stars,' a variant of mana circles, Franz, primarily a weapons master, utilized a modified version to fit his magic use.
As a result...
The purity of the mana Franz emitted was incredibly high, resembling that of a Grandmaster or Archmage, even though he hadn't reached that level yet.
But it was for that very reason that Anastasia doubted her own judgment.
It wasn't common to meet someone with a power level similar to hers.
Especially a suspicious person hiding his identity as a merchant.
'Who are you?'
Franz remained oblivious, already targeted by an extremely dangerous person.
***
After checking the purchase and sale prices at the adventurer's guild, we left.
Deciding to have lunch, we opted for a restaurant instead of the inn's dining area on the first floor.
Although visiting such establishments seemed out of place given the kingdom's current situation, we, who risked our lives daily for our mission, didn't care.
After all, we had to take advantage of even small moments like this.
"This place looks pretty good," Angie remarked.
"Yep, let's go inside at once!" Eva said excitedly.
Entering the five-star restaurant in the city center, we aimed to test its reputation.
'Time to test if that's true!'
My expression turned extremely serious.
I loved trying different foods, taking my comparisons of the 'best place' and 'best dish' seriously.
"Welcome to Red Bear, how can I help you?" a receptionist greeted us.
"We need a table for five people, please," Angie replied.
The receptionist checked a book for a suitable table.
"We have a table for the five of you on the second floor. Please, go up the stairs to the right," she said, smiling.
"Thank you," Angie replied.
We climbed the stairs to the second floor.
The place was considerably large but still quite crowded.
The aroma of food seeping into the hallway made Eva and me drool, while the others watched in amusement.
'Though it's still better to see Franz act this way,' Jess thought, holding back laughter.
Finally reaching the dining room on the second floor, we found multiple people in elegant clothes having lunch.
A couple of fireplaces burned to keep the temperature comfortable, and a music band played classical music with piano and various stringed instruments.
Our table was easily recognizable as the only one for five people vacant at that time.
Seated around the table, a formally dressed waiter arrived with a notebook.
On the table were already the restaurant menus.
As we began to read, the waiter asked for our drink preferences.
If possible, I would've ordered a Cola, a daily indulgence during my time on Earth.
'Unfortunately, it isn't possible to get such drinks in this world.'
"If I may, I'll have peach juice," I ordered.
Unlike me, the girls asked for something different.
"Beer, please!"
'These alcoholics...
Is beer the only liquid they drink?'
But on the other hand...
"I'll also order juice. I'd like an orange-flavored one, please."
At least Nat hadn't fallen into the abyss yet.
'I have to protect her at all costs!!!' I told myself as I nodded.
We told the waiter our food choices, and for my part, I ordered the most expensive dishes I hadn't tasted before.
'Surprise me!'
Ready to experience new culinary delights, I eagerly awaited the waiter's return with our plates of food.
The temperature and the music were pleasant, and nothing seemed to mar the prospect of a delightful evening for me and the girls.
"Huh?! Aren't they the pretty ladies from the inn? It must be fate that we can meet again here!"
"..."