kscans

Chapter 162 - Finito

After defeating the weak gatekeeper known as the Giant Skeleton, I went to the gold bars piled up at the back of the room.

"Hee hee hee."

As we approached the pile of gold bars, Yoshino-san let out a vulgar laugh.

"Calm down. The important part starts now."

I chided the classless Yoshino-san and picked up one of the gold bars.

"Heavy!"

The gold bar was much heavier than it looked.

"The weight of happiness. Heh heh."

"You need to do something about that sloppy look on your face. We don't know for sure yet."

"I, I know!"

I chided Yoshino-san again and used Appraisal while staring at the gold bar.

[Gold Ingot]

The appraisal result showed that it was real, not a fake.

"Yoshino-san, you can let your face get sloppy now. It's real gold."

"Yes! It's real! Hooray!"

Yoshino-san started frolicking like a child.

"Huh? What is it? Was it real!?"

Seeing Yoshino-san's reaction, Nanapon came running over.

"It's real. Real gold bars... let's see... there are 50 of them."

"Fifty!? How much would that be?"

I don't know. I know gold is expensive, but I don't know how much.

"Let's check when we get back. Your cut is ten percent, so that's five bars for you two."

"Five bars!? Amazing!"

"I'm going to put them on display!"

Nanapon and Yoshino-san were grinning as they stored the gold bars in their bags. Yoshino-san's was a shoulder bag like mine, but Nanapon's was the bunny on her back. As Nanapon took off her backpack and stored the gold bars, it seemed to me that even the bunny had a happy look on its face.

Following the example of the happy duo and one bird (?), I put the forty gold bars into my bag.

"Sorry to interrupt while you're all so happy, but can I have a word?"

As I was grinning and putting the gold bars into my bag, I heard Yanagi-san's voice from behind.

"What is it? If you're thinking of taking them, then bring it on. I'll slice you into ribbons."

"I'm not going to take them. Could you hand over the ID tags of my comrades that you recovered?"

Ah, I forgot.

I paused my collection of the gold bars and took out the four notebooks from my bag.

"Here, these."

"Ah, sorry."

When I handed over the ID tags, Yanagi-san and Maede-san checked them one by one. But I could see their expressions darken as they did.

"Were they correct?"

"Yes, they belong to the ones who went ahead. There's no doubt. They were probably killed by that Giant Skeleton."

"Yoshino-san said that Giant Skeletons aren't that fast or sturdy, right?"

"That's right. That individual was abnormally strong."

Was it? It was a weakling... but I can't say that. The atmosphere isn't right for it.

"They were probably taken by surprise because of that assumption."

"That's likely. They were probably slow to react due to the preconceived notion that Giant Skeletons are slow."

It was my first time seeing one, so I wasn't flustered at all. I just thought that's what those monsters were like because I didn't know any better.

"My condolences."

"It's this kind of job. Well, same for you guys, though."

I guess so. Both the SDF and Adventurers have dangerous jobs fighting monsters. Both sides suffer no small number of casualties every year.

"This is the end of the line, and the map is finished. Let's head back. Ah, but wait a moment. I still have some collecting to do."

I hurriedly stored the gold bars in my bag.

"We have time. Take it slow."

I'll do just that.

"Eleanor, want me to help?"

Shut it, Yoshino! You're definitely planning to slip some into your own pocket! Your boobs are too big, they won't fit anyway!

◆◇◆

After collecting all the gold bars, we retraced our steps and returned to the building. We then met up with Miura-san, who was waiting, left the building, and climbed the ladder.

"Here, this is the map of the underground ruins. I couldn't get beyond that door that wouldn't open, but it's properly drawn all the way to the basement of the basement."

Once I was back on top, I handed the map to Yanagi-san. He took it and began to check it on the spot.

"...Indeed. Well then, we'll give you this and the payment for the emergency quest at a later date. The emergency quest is one thing, but I think the map will take time for examination. Would you prefer separate payments?"

"It'll be a bank transfer, right?"

I don't want to have to go to the Ministry of Defense to pick it up. Some bigwig would definitely get involved.

"I believe so."

"Then separate is fine."

"Understood. We'd like to mail you the detailed statement and other documents. Where should we send them?"

My home address is not a good idea.

"Send them to the Ikebukuro Guild."

"Hmm... alright. I'll report it that way."

He seems hesitant. Well, he did say he was keeping this from the Guild. I'm going to snitch to Satsuki-san, though.

"Thank you! See you. I'm tired, so I'm heading home."

"Right, thank you for your hard work. We may ask for your help again if something comes up."

"I'll come if there's gold."

I am the Golden Witch! Hah hah hah!

Having finished our work, we decided to return to the guild and left the building. The basement was bright, but being outside still felt better.

"Can we call it a day?"

After we left the building and walked a bit, Yoshino-san asked.

"I suppose so. Nanaka-san and I are going to report to Satsuki-san, but what about you, Yoshino-san?"

"I have to report to the head office director as well."

Ah, she has to report too.

"Aren't you keeping the emergency quest quiet?"

"I'll keep quiet about that. Well, I'll just report that the job is done and that there were gold bars."

"Are you going to report your share too?"

"Of course not."

Figured as much.

"Understood. Let's have a celebration party sometime. My treat."

If we split the bill, it would probably be at a family restaurant.

"Sounds good. Contact me again. Well, I'll take Nanapon and head back first."

"Please. Nanaka-san, wait for me at Satsuki-san's place."

"Okay. Please hurry back."

"I will."

I don't want to get a love letter like last time.

"See ya."

"Yes, good work today."

I waved to Yoshino-san and Nanapon as they headed back first, then went behind a nearby building and started gathering Fluffy Grass. After about five minutes, I headed for the Gate.

It was 3 o'clock on a Saturday, so there were many adventurers passing by, but I reached the plaza in front of the Gate without any trouble. The plaza in front of the Gate was also crowded, but I quickly passed through it, went through the Gate, and returned. Then, back at the guild, I headed for the reception desk where Kaede-chan was.

"I'm back."

"Welcome back. The branch manager is waiting for you in the back. This way."

When I spoke to Kaede-chan, she immediately stood up and headed for the end of the reception counter.

Hmm, I'm Eleanor-san right now, so it can't be helped that we can't talk much, but isn't that a little too curt?

As I felt a little sad but entered the reception area and headed for Satsuki-san's room in the back, Kaede-chan leaned in close.

"...Hee hee, hurry up and show me the gold bars."

Kaede-chan whispered in a seductive voice.

It seems the reason she was being so curt was that she wanted to see the gold bars quickly.

"...It's amazing. Super heavy."

"...That's wonderful."

Kaede-chan was grinning from ear to ear. When Kaede-chan smiles, I feel the corners of my own mouth naturally turn up. I think this is the love of a married couple.

When we arrived in front of Satsuki-san's room, Kaede-chan knocked on the door.

"Branch manager, Eleanor-san has returned."

"Oh! Come in, come in!"

I heard Satsuki-san's cheerful voice from beyond the door.

We also entered the room in high spirits, and there was Satsuki-san, wearing the Appraisal Glasses I gave her, holding a gold bar in her hand and looking at it. Nanapon was sitting next to her, reaching out as if she wanted her gold bar back. And Satsuki-san was holding Nanapon's face back with her hand.

Hey, give it back to her. That's a really pitiful scene you've got going on there.