Port Tanzia.
At the Quest Counter in the Guild Hall, Isis was negotiating with a diminutive elderly Wyverian in a navy-blue greatcoat, her expression solemn.
He was the Tanzia Guildmaster, one of the officials responsible for the largest port city in the southern reaches of the continent.
"So, you mean to say the quest you two took to Hunt a pair of Mizutsune failed because both targets were already dead?"
"That's right." Isis gave a solemn nod.
"And the two Mizutsune were killed by another of their kind, one that was blind and even stronger?"
"Exactly!"
"An individual resembling the legendary Soulseer... That is quite troubling..." The Tanzia Guildmaster set down his bottle, his brows furrowing.
Isis immediately handed over the photographs of the two Mizutsune's badly mauled corpses. The Tanzia Guildmaster examined them carefully, his frown deepening.
"Perhaps strength is not the only concern. Judging by the state of these corpses, that blind Mizutsune also has an exceptionally ferocious temperament."
"We thought so too." Isis gave another earnest nod.
"The fault lies with our preliminary investigation. I am very sorry." Seated on his heels atop the counter, the elderly Wyverian placed his hands on his knees and bowed his head in apology. "Thankfully, neither of you was harmed. Thank you as well for bringing back such vital intelligence.
"The Guild will compensate you for the failed quest and pay you an additional reward for the intelligence."
"There's no need for that!" Isis waved the offer aside with grand generosity. "By the way, we believe this blind Mizutsune should be dealt with as soon as possible. What do you think?"
"Indeed. Otherwise, every ship traveling the nearby routes will be in danger." Wise with age, the Tanzia Guildmaster understood what Isis was hinting at. "Please wait a moment."
A moment later, he placed a freshly completed quest form in front of Isis.
The quest was rated 7★, and its objective was naturally to Hunt the savage and dangerous blind Mizutsune.
Once Hunters entered High Rank, the complexity of their assignments meant Hunter rank and quest difficulty were no longer tied as rigidly as they were in Low Rank. With permission from a local Guild official, a 6★ Hunter could accept a 7★ quest.
Of course, the official still had to assess the circumstances carefully.
If Isis had been alone, the elderly Wyverian probably would not have permitted a lone 6★ Hunter to attempt a 7★ quest.
Isis and Nymera, however, were clearly longtime hunting partners. Even if they ultimately could not win, two 6★ Hunters with such outstanding quest records should be able to retreat safely.
So he gave his permission.
Isis happily picked up the quest form and blew on the still-wet ink. "Thanks a lot!"
"Please be careful, and do not push yourselves," the Tanzia Guildmaster warned them repeatedly. "You are both responsible young Hunters. If the situation turns against you, retreat immediately. Port Tanzia has plenty of experts skilled at dealing with Leviathans. That beast is not going anywhere." He certainly did not want anything to happen to these two talented and deeply responsible young women.
"Don't worry! We'll definitely succeed! We'll be back soon!" Isis snatched up the quest form, grabbed Nymera, who had been smiling silently the entire time, and dashed away in high spirits.
"Such confidence. Such energetic youth." The elderly Wyverian sighed wistfully, grabbed the liquor bottle beside him, and gulped down several large mouthfuls, immediately followed by a resounding, boozy burp.
—--
An hour later, Isis and Nymera came running back.
The grease glistening at the corner of Isis's mouth told the Tanzia Guildmaster that they had gone to eat at the Canteen. Having a large meal to build up strength before a quest was customary for most Hunters.
"Do you need me to find you a boat?" the Tanzia Guildmaster asked kindly.
"Quest complete!" Isis placed the quest form back in front of the elderly Wyverian, then immediately produced a photograph.
It showed the blind Mizutsune's corpse.
The elderly Wyverian had no words.
Isis gazed expectantly at the elderly Wyverian, whose face looked as though he had just bitten into something foul.
This was something Francesca had taught her. "Poaching" also required finesse. If one followed the proper procedures, there were plenty of ways to legitimize something that was not entirely above board.
In truth, independently hunting the blind Mizutsune had hardly been a serious transgression under the circumstances. A written report would have been enough to resolve the matter.
But writing a report was such a nuisance. So many words. Isis was not good at writing them, and Nymera had declared that producing more than twenty words at a time would kill her from exhaustion. The person who usually handled their reports was not here...
Under the expectant gazes of the two young women, the bold and forthright Tanzia Guildmaster felt his chest tighten.
What the...?
Given the confidence you showed when you accepted the quest, I did consider the possibility that you had already completed the Hunt and were only coming back to make it official... but couldn't you at least make the act a little more convincing?
You could have gone off and slept for two days before turning in the quest. Was eating one meal and coming straight back not a little too blatant?
Under the Tanzia Guildmaster's stare, Isis's smile gradually turned awkward. She stammered, "W-We're... we're just relatively fast..."
"You brought materials back with you, correct? Once we examine them and determine that they are not as fresh as they should be, we can report you to Hunter's Guild headquarters for poaching." The Tanzia Guildmaster's face was expressionless.
"Eep!"
Seeing the two of them grow slightly tense but not overly worried, the elderly Wyverian let out a weary sigh.
He had seen this sort of behavior too many times. He knew they meant no harm; they simply found writing reports a troublesome chore.
People who were truly guilty of poaching and had something to hide would have been far more careful and meticulous about covering their tracks.
If he blew the matter out of proportion and insisted on reporting it, the two young Hunters would face some degree of punishment.
Yet considering the actual danger posed by the blind Mizutsune and their status as High Rank Hunters, the penalty would hardly be severe; at most, they would receive a warning and a stern lecture. Had they been 1★ or 2★ Hunters, the matter would have been different. A thorough scolding would have been guaranteed...
Moreover, the two young women had unquestionably solved a significant problem for Port Tanzia. Even if word of the matter spread far and wide, no one would say they had done wrong, and he was no exception.
Their reasoning was sound, and their actions did not seriously violate the regulations. If he pursued the matter too harshly, he might well draw criticism instead.
They risked their necks to solve your problem, and you turn around and report them for poaching?
They knew all of this perfectly well, which was why they were so utterly fearless and had not even bothered to make their performance convincing.
"Forget it."
The Tanzia Guildmaster took out his seal and stamped "Quest Complete" on the still-pristine quest form. Slapping it into Isis's hand, he said in exasperation, "Don't pull this kind of thing again. And if you do, at least make it convincing!"
Isis pressed her palms together, winked one eye, and put on an expression that plainly said, "Sorry about that." Then she added, "Sorry, sorry! We were in a hurry, old man!"
In truth, the pair had intended to put on a convincing act. Just as they returned to Port Tanzia, however, they received a letter from Altaïr in Dundorma. He had finished his own business, and once they were done having fun, they were to regroup in Dundorma.
Morgan, who had gone out aboard a Dragonship, returned around the same time. So they decided to wrap up the quest quickly and get on their way...
The elderly Wyverian glared at them but still glanced toward the guild receptionist, signaling her to proceed with the quest settlement.
Before long, the reward was in their hands, and a new 7★ quest record had been added to their Hunter's Notes.
Just as the two cheerfully prepared to bid the Tanzia Guildmaster farewell, the ground began to shake violently.
As the team's Tank, Isis had exceptionally sure footing. She immediately lowered her center of gravity to steady herself and grabbed Nymera beside her.
The guild receptionists behind the counter were thrown into disarray, stumbling from side to side.
The violent tremor lasted for nearly half a minute. By the time the shaking eased, the Guild Hall was in complete disarray.
"W-was that an earthquake?!"
While everyone was still reeling in shock, a series of piercing horn blasts rang out from the direction of the seaside lighthouse.
The Tanzia Guildmaster's expression changed dramatically. Waving his arms, he roared, "Everyone! Get to high ground! It's a tsunami!"
* * *
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