“I understand,” Anriette said with a nod after hearing Allen out. “Well, I only understand what you’re saying, that’s all. So? What does any of this have to do with me?”
“It has plenty to do with you, Anriette—I mean, Miss Anriette. You could enter the empire if you accompanied Allen. There’s no way it doesn’t concern you,” Lisette replied.
He had suspected that might be the case, but hearing it outright still surprised him. Apparently, this version of Anriette was also a noble of the empire. Why she was working as an adventurer in a Frontier town was another matter, though no doubt she had her reasons. At any rate, if that was the case, things might actually work out with her help.
“True. I could probably manage it. My name should still be on the rolls over there. I’m confident I can make it work. But...honestly, it’s a pain, and above all, I’ve got no reason to do something like that.”
“I understand; I do. That’s what you mean when you say it doesn’t concern you. But...are you sure that’s true?”
“What do you mean?”
“When that request came in, you were the first to snatch it up, weren’t you? You can get involved now. Openly, without having to hold back. Are you fine letting this chance slip away?” Lisette said with a smile.
Anriette glared at her sharply, but soon enough, she gave a resigned sigh and spoke with an air of reluctant acceptance.
“You really are a skilled receptionist.”
“I am honored by your praise, truly.”
Anriette’s eyes narrowed in irritation as Lisette bowed her head. But she gave up glaring, deciding it was pointless, and turned her gaze on Allen. “Hah. Well, it is what it is.”
“Uh...so, you’ll help me?” he asked.
“I said as much, didn’t I? I don’t really want to, but...fine. This is about getting to know a top-class blacksmith. For that, I’ll swallow a little unpleasantness.”
“I see. Thanks.”
It wasn’t exactly a lie, but neither was it the full truth. That much was obvious from the smile she couldn’t quite suppress. Getting to meet a master blacksmith must have meant that much to her. As Allen thanked her, he couldn’t help but smile knowingly himself. She seemed to notice his expression, quickly tightening her lips and covering it up with a cough.
“Besides, I’ll be building up credit with the guild. Can’t say that’s a bad deal either,” she added.
“Eh... Don’t you think you’re taking too big a share here, Anriette? Just having the chance to get acquainted with Vanessa seems like more than enough.”
“They’re separate matters. You were the one who asked me for this, weren’t you? Not as a formal request either. So of course it counts as a favor owed to the guild. Unless you’d rather it be your personal debt?”
“Please make it the guild’s,” Lisette answered with a strained smile.
Anriette smirked faintly in satisfaction. Then Allen spoke up.
“Well, then...Miss Anriette?” He hesitated.
She frowned immediately. “Just Anriette is fine. We’re fellow adventurers, aren’t we? Formal titles don’t suit me. And I’ll call you Allen.”
“Got it. Then, Anriette, I want to talk about what comes next. Is there anything I should prepare before heading into the empire?”
“Hmm... If it’s just getting into the empire, I can handle that, so you won’t need anything special. Of course, you’ll need the usual supplies: carriage, provisions and so on.”
“Right, so that’s the first step.”
Allen would need to talk this over with Noel and the others too. They had a carriage, but whether he could ride with them or needed another was still unclear. At the very least, they’d need food.
“By the way, can the guild prepare that sort of thing?” he asked, unsure how best to arrange it. Relying on what he knew from the other reality’s Frontier town was risky. The details might differ. But the guild should be experienced in these matters.
“Hmm... The guild isn’t exactly a handyman service, but...fine. If you ask, we’ll handle it,” Lisette agreed. “I’d like to keep on good terms with you, after all. And thanks to you, a long-stalled request looks like it’ll finally move forward.”
It did sound a bit like he was treating the guild as a convenience shop, but Allen didn’t mind. Relationships between adventurers and the guild always began with mutual interests. From there, trust could grow.
“Then food’s settled...and the carriage too, if needed?” he asked.
“Sure, I can arrange that as well.”
“That helps a lot. Anything else we’ll need?”
“That depends on what you’ll be doing over there. Basically, you’re looking for something, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
The means of reaching the place were complicated, but the task itself was simple, although depending on how big that mountain was, searching could be difficult. Still, judging from Noel’s reaction earlier, she likely had a good idea of where to look.
“Then really, just the carriage and provisions should be fine,” said Anriette.
“Got it. Thanks.”
“It’s no problem. I’ll be going with you, so if things aren’t prepared properly that would be bad for me too.”
That was true, though she didn’t have to bother helping him think it through. The fact that she did spoke to her good nature. Allen, of course, was grateful.
“So, you’re ready to leave whenever?” he asked.
“Pretty much. I just finished a request. If you said ‘right this second,’ that’d be a problem, but tomorrow should be fine.”
“Right. It’s nearly evening already, and we’ll need time to gather food, so leaving today isn’t realistic. Tomorrow at the earliest.” He wanted to set out as soon as possible, but today was too soon. It would depend on when the supplies could be prepared.
“Yes. By the way, how many people are we talking?”
“Let’s see... Four, I think.” Allen, Anriette, Noel, and Mylène. That made four.
“And can you resupply along the way?”
“Probably. We won’t be traveling straight through without stopping.”
They would likely stop at the Elven Forest, since that was where their lead was.
“In that case, I’ll prepare extra, just in case. But yes, we can have it ready by tomorrow. Carriage too, if needed.”
“That really helps. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
It would take time to travel, and provisions for four weren’t trivial. Carriages were also in high demand. Having it all ready on such short notice was no small favor. Which meant he could plan on a departure tomorrow.
“Then let’s consider it decided. Not final yet, but that’s the plan,” he said.
“No problem.”
The only remaining variable was Noel, but judging by her earlier attitude, she would likely agree. Allen would have to return to the mansion and confirm it with her.
Should be fine. It was still early evening. He had time. The real problems will probably come after we set out...
Thinking of the empire, Allen couldn’t shake the thought. This was an unknown land to him. He wasn’t so naive as to think nothing would go wrong. Of course, if it all went well, that would be best. But...who knew?
Sighing, Allen let out a long breath.