(Hmm...this is probably a problem.)
As I circled around over Knossos's airspace, I was debating as to what I should do.
The sun had made its retreat quite a while ago, so while the stars and moons stood proud, most of the city was currently asleep.
No matter how much of a workaholic Peitho was, there wasn't much of a chance that she would be awake.
But in my rush to proceed with my plans, I forgot to take that into consideration as I raced through the skies.
Though thinking about it, this was inevitable. Arriving before the sun was gone wasn't really possible, not with the ti I had left. I could just wait until morning, but that felt like a waste.
So instead, I glided down while concealing myself using the intrinsic property of [Spirit Form].
Despite how deep the night was, it wasn't like there weren't any people that were awake. The few lights seeping from various windows was proof of that. In addition, there were a few lights moving through the streets. Either guards on night duty or people who simply had so sort of business despite the hour.
Or maybe no business and just wanted to take a walk. That was sothing I could sympathize with, being that I've done it enough tis in my previous life. Taking a stroll for no apparent reason in the middle of the night was quite an enjoyable thing, if you had the ti to do it at least.
(Huh? Is that...?)
A particular building caught my eye. Or rather, the lights that ca from its top floor. A single room's windows had light seeping out from the crack of the nearly closed shutters.
That building, was Knossos's Adventurers' Guild.
I was drawn to that light like a moth. Sothing about it drew towards it.
Floating down, I grabbed hold the wall and stood on a small exposed bit of the window ledge. I engaged [Materialize] and undid my wings as I thought about what to do next.
(If soone sees like this, they'd think I was a stalker or sothing.)
But fortunately, I couldn't detect anyone nearby on the streets below, so that wasn't a problem.
What was a concern, though, was that the sole occupant had moved and was now standing on the opposite side of the wooden shutters.
"...Scarlet, is that you?"
"Ah, umm. Hi. How'd you know I was here?"
"Were you actually trying to hide?"
The shutter on one side opened slowly enough to allow to shift over and avoid falling.
"Well, most people wouldn't notice as long as I stay out of sight."
"I'd rather you not lump in with most people."
"Yea, sorry about that Peitho."
The woman across from was as beautiful as ever. Her uniform hugged her curves so well that I had to exercise quite a bit of willpower to avoid staring.
Then again, once I noticed how dark the circles under her eyes were, it beca quite easy to look her in the eye instead of anywhere else.
Either way, it seed like my hunch worked out. The workaholic elf was burning the midnight oil again. And it looked like things were worse than the last ti we t.
"Well, co in. It's cold out there."
"Ah, thanks."
The workaholic elf backed off to make space and I obliged. Tucking my legs in, I slipped through the open window. But as I did so, the vice guild master's eyes popped open as she stared at my lower body.
"I suppose congratulations are in order?"
"Ah yea, thank...oh geez why now?"
Just as I was closing the shutters, all sense of balance fell apart as a bought of nausea hit like truck-san was on so vendetta.
"Are you alright?!"
I collapsed into a heap and soon my guts tried to do its best vuvuzela impression.
"Hurgh!"
Unable to use my voice, I just nodded to Peitho's worries and waved a hand before using it to cover my mouth again.
The elf administrator rubbed my back while Claret went to watch our surroundings until my body managed to calm down.
"Are you really aright Scarlet?"
"Yea. Supposedly, this is normal."
"Normal? Is this morning sickness? I don't know about your kind, but I've never heard it being this bad for us elves."
Peitho helped back onto my feet and guided to a chair before sitting down on the one opposing the desk I was placed in front of.
"Well, maybe. The others said I was getting it worse than most."
"Apparently."
"Don't worry. I'm getting used to it."
"Really?"
Peitho cartoonishly raised an eyebrow.
"...Not really. I'd give almost anything to make it stop."
It almost felt like my body was trying to reject the very idea of a pregnancy or sothing. I was only thankful that there were no signs of a miscarriage, and that everyone who had checked up said that there didn't seem to be any major risk of that.
As long as that was the case, I could only hope that it would go away on its own. I couldn't take any of the normal redies, so we were completely out of ideas as to what I could do to deal with the morning sickness beyond sucking it up.
"Anyways, I'm not here to complain about that."
"Then can you explain why you decided to show up through my office window in the middle of the night?"
Without even bothering to look at as she talked, Peitho went right back to one of the mountains of bark sheets held in place with a block of tal.
"Well, I ca back here, and just happened to notice that there was a light on here."
"You just happened to have co to Knossos, been wandering around in the middle of the night, and just happened to be close enough to see the light from my window and decided to have a look?"
The elf gave the mont to look at with a raised eyebrow.
"Ummm, yea. Sothing like that. It's not like I would've been able to get here through the front doors at this ti at night."
"No, but it didn't occur to you to just not bother?"
"I wanted to talk to you, and had nothing to do until morning anyways."
"You ca here, in the middle of the night, because you were bored?!"
The older elf's face was filled with disbelief as she finally turned away from her work.
I wanted to say I was joking, or give her a better reason why I decided to check the window in the middle of the night, but in reality it was because I was bored. I just didn't want to wait until morning to see Peitho and this felt like a likely way to do it.
"Anyways, how about I make you a drink? You look like you need it."
This woman looked like she was only sitting upright due to sheer willpower. Frankly, it wasn't even remotely healthy, but it wasn't like she'd listen to if I told her to go to sleep. Her subordinates probably already told her that, so soone who she only t a handful of tis couldn't change her mind.
Even though it felt like we might have beco sothing akin to friends.
With a wave of my hand, a heavy bowl appearing in midair and a handful of dry brown seeds filled the container.
"You, you can use [Dinsional Magic] now?"
"Huh? Oh yea. I've been working on it for a while."
Probably because of our short association, Peitho probably didn't even notice that my usual bag was left at ho. Ever since I managed to gain so many ranks of [Dinsional Magic] thanks to those automaton maids on floor 99, leaning to use the skill until it beca usable on a day to day level was a priority. Thankfully, it was a magic that was quite useful in everyday life, so after a few months of near constant usage, I got used to casually using it.
The fact that I had [Dinsional Magic 10] certainly helped as well.
Ignoring the wide eyed elf, I pressed my thumb into the seeds, crushing them into a rough powder. Next, with another wave of my hand, a large barrel of water appeared beside . So of the contents floated up as a distorted globe before the barrel disappeared. The globule was heated up with more magic until it was steaming, wherein it was gently placed into the bowl with the crushed seeds.
Putting the bowl to the side, I produced a clay cup, and over it, a fine tal sh indented in the middle.
After letting the bowl of seeds steep for about a minute, I poured the contents into the cup, straining out all the solid fragnts. The used filter and cup were put away, and in their place a pair of jars appeared. One was filled with cream and the other honey.
(I think a double double should be enough for her.)
Pouring in a rough estimate of both additives into the cup, I agitated the contents by propelling the liquid around using magic to incorporate them before placing the cup in front of Peitho.
The vice guild master looked a little unsure, but accepted the cup and brought it close.
"Ah, it slls nice."
Her usually stiff expression markedly relaxed, though that wasn't exactly the point, if the drink could help her let off a bit of stress, then all the better.
The tired looking elf took a small sip, then took a bit of ti to enjoy the scent before pouring more into her mouth. Despite the leisurely pace, the drink was soon finished.
"That was nice."
"Want a refill?"
"Please."
She pushed the cup to and I started the brewing process again.
"I've never had this before. What is it?"
As soon as it was finished, Peitho took a sip from her refilled cup. But as it was her second cup, she lowered her drink after only finishing a third of it before asking her question.
"Oh, it's coffee with cream and honey."
"Coffee is it? Hmmm...huh? Coffee?! Isn't that the expensive drink from the south?!"
"Ah? Maybe? I found a cheap supplier though, so don't worry about the cost."
In fact, I was sourcing them from the 52nd floor of Hourai's dungeon, so technically it only costed my own personal labour. Though I did have to pick them, remove the husk, dry them, clean them, and roast them myself.
At least it wasn't a difficult process, just a bit ti consuming. And even then, the cherries all appeared ripe growing on the trees that made up the dungeon walls unlike in the wild making picking fast and easy. In addition, I dried them with magic, so that it took minutes rather than days to dry them. The rest of the process was simple and only need to pay the most rudintary level of attention while being done.
"I see."
With those soft words, Peitho closed her eyes and enjoyed another sip of her drink.
"Ah, maybe you'll like this with the coffee."
I produced a plate of coffee cake, a spongy cake made with thickened coffee with caral swirled throughout.
Cutting a slice, I placed so in front of the tired looking elf together with a dessert fork and put the rest away to keep from drying it out.
Glancing at , then back at the cake, after a few monts without bothering to say anything, Peitho took the fork in hand and brought a piece of the dessert to her lips.
"Mmm! This is wonderful!"
Her free hand rose up to embrace her cheek as she savoured the flavour before taking a mouthful of cake to enjoy it further.
My own expression couldn't help but to soften as I enjoyed the sight of this lonely woman enjoying the cake and coffee in front of .
It made particularly glad that I had gotten into the habit of carrying around various desserts for the sake of the fairies. It was often the simplest and quickest way to distract them. Though sotis it backfires and a whole swarm of them end up showing up attracted by the scent of sugar.
Sotis I couldn't help but wonder if they should just wear yellow and black stripes or sothing.
It would serve as caution quite well on top of that.
(Ah, they've been demanding another feast lately too.)
The very thought of all the work those feasts involved made want to run away. Though when they actually happened it was enjoyable, the preparations was a lot of work. Trying to do that when the Hunter's Guild was swamped with ordinary orders made the very idea of trying to organize a feast made feel a bit light headed.
Unlike the dark side town, the fairy city was mostly set up already. They had comparatively little need for a large quantity of materials from the dungeon and many of them were satisfied with hos made of nothing but sticks and leaves.
The difference being probably that most fairies didn't spend much ti in their hos nor relied indoor facilities to do their jobs. Only a few oddballs or jobs which absolutely required to be done indoors had robust hos and workplaces made.
And while quite a few fairies were helping out with the dark side people to get their hos and various facilities made up, most of those only spent enough ti working to earn a decent al or two.
The fairies were clearly were burdened with an excess of ti, sothing which I was quite envious of, despite the fact that I didn't even need to sleep, and hence had twice as much ti as anyone else to spend.
(Am I going to be stuck having to solve that problem for them?)
It wasn't a pleasant thought at all. As fun as the fairies were to be with, this disparity of free ti was quite detrintal to my own longevity.
"So, are you going to keep feeding until I'm as fat as you are, or are you going to finally tell your business?"
Shaken out of my thoughts, I looked up. Peitho had finished both the cake and drink and was looking straight at .
The plate and cup were curiously placed in front of .
"Ah, can't I co to see a friend?"
"You can, but I doubt that's the reason why you ca. Not after bribing with these delicacies."
*Sigh*
It was quite a given that such a transparent lie would have no effect on the older elf.
"Lately, I've been working at a newly established settlent, and I thought you might be interested in a job over there."
"A new settlent?"
"Yes. And while there's no Adventurers' Guild there, there is sothing a bit similar, and we're in need of personnel."
"So it's a job offer then?"
Peitho's eyes absently wandered around her overcrowded desk for a bit before snapping back towards .
"That's right. The job will be similar to what you're already doing. Looking over requests, managing inventory for wholesale items, and generally handling the staff so that work gets done."
"If the job's the sa, then why should I bother. I've already got things established here as it is."
Peitho's question was quite on the nose, though any thought spent on it made what she actually wanted pretty clear.
"You know, all the ingredients that were used for your little midnight snack was sourced locally at our settlent?"
My words caused her eyebrow to rise conspicuously.
"Your settlent is in the south?"
"No, it's to the north."
And my words caused the other to rise along with it.
"It's a lot of work, but it's not like I've ever had to stay overnight to get my work done either. I pretty much always am able to go ho before sundown, and I even have days off."
"I think that's pretty normal."
"For a normal person, sure."
My eyes narrowed as I looked Peitho square on.
We both knew that neither of us were normal, at least in our own ways.
"So, here's the deal. You get work as the second in charge of our Hunter's Guild, and I'll personally pay you better than what you are already getting."
"I'm being paid quite well here you know."
"Probably. But is it well enough to have your own house with soone to take care of it on a regular basis, and able to enjoy food like the one I served you every day?"
At my words, the eyes of the elf in front of shot down towards the plate that was still on her desk before quickly rising up to et my own again. It was only an instant, but it was quite long enough for to catch it.
"All the coffee and tea you want, whenever you want. As well as the money to buy cakes from the many patisseries we have. Sweets is sothing we have in abundance. Not to ntion all the other sorts of food we've been making."
By this point, Peitho had hardly lifted her eyes from the empty, crumb free plate.
It might be ti for my secret weapon.
"Oh yes, I've been working on another recipe. Could you try it out and give your impressions?"
With a wave of my hand, a slice of pizza appeared on the recently cleared off plate. The ingredients were simple, just tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, onions, and slices of porcupine boar at marinated in barbecue sauce.
I'd have put on pepperoni, but it was comparatively a lot more work to make, and wouldn't make as good of a test piece as it would make it more difficult for others to copy.
Shifting the plate towards the elf across from , I gave her a slight nod as she looked back and forth between and the steaming slice of overdecorated bread.
Peitho nervously lifted up the slice in both hands, careful to avoid letting the generously included toppings from spilling off.
I didn't miss the line of transparent fluid which ran down from the corner of her lips as she brought the slice to her face.
Prefaced with an audible gulp, the tired and worn elf opened her mouth and took a bite.
Then she chewed, and chewed.
Then another bite, and so more chewing.
And another bite, and even more chewing.
But as it looked like she was about to take yet another bite, the elf froze, then she started to struggle as she placed a hand over her collarbone. She gulped, opening and closing her mouth like a gold fish, yet no sounds ca out.
It took a few monts, but when the realization ca over , I quickly brought out a barrel and transferred so of the fluids from inside into her cup and placed it in front of her.
Peitho roughly took hold of the cup and downed the entire thing all at once. Without waiting for any prompts, the mont the cup touched the desk, I filled it once more, and the woman across from practically inhaled the contents once more.
"Thanks."
After giving that one word and a nod, Peitho went back and quickly finished up the slice of pizza before taking a sip of the bubbling drink I had given her.
"The, umm, the bread..."
"Pizza."
"Yes, the pizza, that was delicious."
"No problem."
It looked like it was a hit. Maybe it was possible to make so improvents, but overall releasing the recipe shouldn't be any real problem.
"But this drink..."
"The ad?"
"Yes, is that was it's called? It's fine, but a bit pale in comparison to the food."
"I see. Guess this one is a failure then."
I couldn't really say I was much of a fan of ad in the first place, but I had hoped that it would do alright. Maybe I should take a page from the fairies and figure out how they made their favourite drink.
It was inevitable that so of the food I make wouldn't be complete hits, though the timing of getting a miss was a bit bad, hopefully it wouldn't be bad enough to turn Peitho away from accepting my job offer.
But the fact that she continued to take sips despite no longer needing the ad to wash down her al suggested that it wasn't being taken too badly.
Presuming she wasn't just being polite about it.
"So, what do you think of my offer? We're always introducing new recipes to reward the work that needs to be done."
Peitho's eyes moved between the mostly empty cup and the completely empty plate as she thought about what was placed in front of her.
"Well, if that's not enough to entice you, then how about consider it a personal favour? I need soone to be able to handle the duties I've been doing in the near future."
I gently stroked my belly to emphasize the point, and the elf's eyes widened slightly in understanding.
"That's..."
"After all, you owe quite a big one for the last ti we talked."
I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms as I leaned back in my seat, not even hiding my willingness to strong arm her into agreeing.
"..."
"I an, nobody would ever imagine that the honourable vice guild master who represents the Adventurers' Guild including all of its pride and grace would falsify information which was requested by one of its mbers, would she?"
While in the end everything that ca out of it had been the single biggest step I needed to achieve my greatest dream I've had in this world, the fact that I was deceived so deliberately and put into serious danger because of it, intentional or not, was the unabashed truth.
It wasn't like I was unwilling to forgive her for that, but I needed sothing a bit more than just an apology for that. What that exactly was, would be for her to do a favour for . That would be more than enough for to clear out any remaining enmity, and as long as the favour wasn't sothing that made Peitho's life any more difficult, it shouldn't leave her with any enmity either.
"Of course not! I'll gladly accept the position imdiately!"
Peitho sat up stock straight and gave a quick and concise answer.
In fact, it was even faster and more direct then I even expected, not like it was unwanted in the slightest.
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