01x06 - The Melancholy of Handsome Middle-Aged Men

[bunniefuu]

TSIGE ADVENTURER'S GUILD

Who took the request?

What kind of guy took Rembrant's request?

An odd-looking fellow.
It was a short guy who wore a mask.

REMBRANT COMPANY

Mr. Kuzunoha, is it?

I am Patrick Rembrant,
head of Rembrant Company.

Nice to meet you.

Due to certain reasons,
I am unable to speak.

I... I see.

When you arrive in Tsige?

I arrived yesterday from Zetsuya,
stopping by a base point on the way.

I see. Please forgive me.

I remember most adventurers,

but I don't seem to recall yours.

My rank is E, and I'm level 1.

This will also be the first request
I have ever taken.

I'd like to slowly build toward
starting a business,

and plan to join the merchant's guild too.

I see.

It would seem you wish
to form connections with my company...

but you don't understand anything.

I'm sorry, but this conversation is over.

How disappointing.

You should have done your research
on Ruby Eyes before coming here.

Well, his reaction is as expected.

Ruby Eyes are fierce and rare monsters.

An adventurer of your level

can't possibly...

Here is what you requested.

I'm amazed. These are authentic.

I apologize.

They're so valuable,
I ended up doubting you.

If you're willing, could you tell me
what you need the eyes for?

Consider this my apology.

I am collecting the eyes
to produce a special medicine.

A special medicine?

An all-purpose potion, Ambrosia.

My wife and daughters are ill,
and this is the only way to heal them.

I'm sorry, but what sort of illness
would that be?

It is a curse that induces illness
cast by a spell caster through a ceremony.

A level eight curse was cast upon
the madam and the two young mistresses.

The only way to cure them
is to use Ambrosia.

We managed to catch the spell caster,

but even until the end, he wouldn't say
anything besides the level of the curse.

Even until the end, huh?

That means he is no longer alive.

I would like to be a part of the process
to create the medicine, too.

Well...

I know an Alchemy Meister.

If I have him produce the medicine,
you won't have to wait very long.

That would be perfect!

We've been in despair all this time.

Now, we're finally one step closer
to getting the cure.

One step closer?

It would take two eyes
to create the medicine for each person.

In that case, these should be enough
to save everyone, right?

Master...

Moris!

That's great!

Thank you, everyone.

Mr. Rembrant is well-loved
by his employees.

Sorry about the commotion.

I've signed the receipt.

We'll deal with processing
the materials another day.

All right. I'll be heading
to the merchant's guild now to register.

Oh, I see. You haven't registered yet.

I wish you luck
and hope you pass the exam.

Thank you.

Wait. Exam?

MERCHANT'S GUILD

Yes, in order to become a member
of the Merchant's Guild,

you'll have to pass two exams.

When are the tests,
and what do they entail?

You can register
for the exams at any time.

First is the written exam.

Please check the guild's textbook
in regard to the content.

If you manage to pass the written exam,

you move on to the practical exam,
where you'll have to gather materials.

Such as?

There are simple tasks
like obtaining potion bottles,

but there are also harder materials,
such as Howl Fangs, to pass the test.

If you do manage to pass
both of those exams,

you need to prove your economic strength
by paying a deposit and yearly fee.

Well, you'll need funds
to do business, after all.

Also, if you fail the exam,

you'll need to wait
half a year before retrying.

I understand. Could I get a textbook then?

That'll be two gold coins.

That's expensive!

It's not a problem
if you can't afford this.

People generally join a company
and learn while they work.

No, it's fine.

Will you purchase the textbook then?

I've still got money left
from selling those fruits.

What? The exam will be about this?

Oh dear, he's scared stiff.

You can't really blame him, though.
Those are some tough questions.

Um, excuse me.

A question about the contents, right?

I suppose I could help you out a little.

No, I wanted to know
if I could take the test right now.

Huh?

All right. I've pretty much memorized

all the forbidden items
and licensed goods.

Sorry for the wait.

Don't turn over your test sheet
until the exam begins.

I'll hold on to your textbook.

Now then, the written exam begins now.

As I thought, there aren't many questions
related to the memorized stuff.

The rest are all math problems.

If I try to translate them into Japanese...

This is elementary school math.

This is easy for someone
who was a diligent high schooler like me.

It's tough, right?

I'm done.

What? But barely half the time has passed.

No matter how difficult the questions are,
you can't just give up...

This is the first time I've seen someone
get a perfect score in such a short time.

He seems rather upset.

But this level of education makes me
wonder if schools even exist here.

However, the practical exam will be
much harder than this, just so you know!

Take a ball out of this box.

That pattern...

Ride Crystal, Maze Forma,
Illuminatusk, and Howl Fang...

Those are the four materials
you'll need to gather.

Howl Fang? Didn't the lady say
that one's difficult?

Either that, or you can bring something of
equal or greater value within three days.

Your luck isn't too good, huh?

I know that.

I've known since that old goddess
threw me out here.

Unfortunately, collecting these materials

will be impossible without reaching
at least level 50.

What? Level 50?

I think Toa and others were...

ALL ABOVE LEVEL 100

Everyone's levels are much higher
than I expected.

If it's from monsters
that even they had trouble with...

All I have to do is provide materials
of equal or greater value, right?

Ruby Eyes and the fangs of Size Ants?

Where did you get these?

They were a reward for giving a ride
on my carriage to a certain party.

To think you have connections
to such talented, generous adventurers...

Congratulations, you've passed.

You're the first person who ever passed
both tests perfectly on the same day.

That's great. I'm so happy.

Be happier!

This is a huge deal!

Yay! I'm so happy!

It's hard to express emotions
through a dialogue box.

Your card will be ready tomorrow.
Please come and pick it up then.

This is what they call
a complete change in attitude.

I'm starving.
I should probably get some food.

I wonder if Tomoe will get in touch soon.

You should feel grateful for becoming
nourishment in my samurai training.

I can't believe I found
a crab in the wasteland!

I heard that Gain Crabs are delicious.

It's a formidable opponent,
but I've never seen one as big as this.

It's an honor to be able to have some.

Madam Tomoe, is it all right not to report
to the Young Master about this crab?

It's fine.

After all, in the Young Master's memories,
crabs were meant to be eaten quietly.

Or wait, did eating them
make people quiet?

Indeed.

It is unspeakably delicious!

Delicious!

Madam Tomoe!

Madam Mio just entered the memory vault,
and well, it's just one after another...

What?

There are still historical dramas
I haven't watched in there!

The Young Master's memories
are just delicious.

Mio, stop!

What happened with Madam Mio?

Nothing really.

Emma just told me to say that.

Well, the crab is cooked. Have some.

Oh, great!

I won't let you,

Mio!

Huh?

Welcome back, Madam Tomoe.

Emma? I heard Mio was
going through the Young Master's memories.

Oh, yes. Madam Mio has been
translating Young Master's memories

in your stead, Madam Tomoe.

Translating?

Yes. There are still a lot of materials
that need to be translated,

so I asked Madam Mio to help.

Um... Well... I...

You secretly returned to the subspace

and secretly had crab
without reporting to him.

I'll be sure not to tell the Young Master

as long as you do your work.

I'm counting on you then.

That Emma is a crafty one.

Well, it is quite troubling for her

that this land's development was delayed
because of a lack of translations.

There's no need to hurry so much, though.

I think I'll watch some Eighth General.

You're watching historical dramas
at a time like this?

Aren't you watching
something else as well?

I'm translating Young Master's memories!
Are you even listening?

No need to get so upset.

You've been serving the Young Master alone
while I was away, right?

Th... That may be true, but...

Didn't you stay at the inn alone with him?

Yes. We spent the whole night
in the same room together.

Did they perhaps...

I watched his face
after he went to sleep first.

You just watched? Did you share a bed?

Of course we didn't.

At this rate, I wonder
when my turn will come.

Rather than asking me that,

you should be reporting in
to the Young Master.

All right, I get it. You're such a nag.

Goodness. Don't blame me
when you get scolded.

Oh? The pictures move along
with the sounds.

I've never had this weapon before.

This is a little...

No. It's very interesting.

Oh, dear.

I have no idea
what flavors these drinks are.

This juice at the top of the menu, please.

Of... Of course, sir.

Anyway, what's going on?

Tomoe aside,
I haven't heard from Mio in a while too.

Have you heard?

Recently, the Red Bees
in the forests seem to have disappeared.

I heard it was because a strong
Gain Crab appeared around that area.

Gain Crab? A species of crab?

Thank you for waiting.

Is it lemon or some citrus juice?

Let's try it.

I didn't think it would be banana.
And it's watery.

Well, maybe it'll be better
once I get used to it.

No, I can't.

I miss the food inside the subspace.

All right. That's it
for today's harvesting.

-Good work, everyone!
-Good work, everyone!

Hey.

Young Master! I wasn't sneaking a bite.
I just wanted to test the fruit.

It's fine if you eat some.
I was just teasing you.

I'm here to sneak
some fruits as well, after all.

I knew it.
The food in this land is the best.

Thank you for helping with the harvesting.

Not at all. I'm sorry that the harvest
wasn't as good as expected.

Lately, the weather has been changing
rather drastically.

Is that so?

Yes, it's hot one moment
and cold the next.

It even snowed last week.

You're right.

If we don't find out the cause soon,
it might affect business.

By the way,
is the Mirage City plan underway yet?

It is, but I still don't quite
understand its purpose.

Perhaps my explanation
wasn't clear enough?

Allow me to explain.

What is Mirage City?

I plan to sell goods from the subspace,

but it's hard to sell
to people who don't know their value.

Plus, if I'm the only one
who has these items,

it will probably cause
unnecessary trouble sooner or later.

Therefore, we'll have adventurers
stumble here from time to time

and have them bring
some of the goods back with them.

They'll have a good impression
of these goods,

and rumors of Mirage City
will spread among the people.

That would make things much easier
for me to do business in the future.

Are you listening?

I... I apologize!

Young Master!

Young Master, are you all right?

Don't scream in my head all of a sudden!

You're the one who hasn't been in contact.

It's Mio! The situation is serious!

Please come to
the memory vault right away!

Let go, Mio!

No, I can't hold back any longer!

Um...

Hurry up and give me the continuation!

I already said I haven't recorded
those memories onto a crystal yet!

What is this?

Then record them right now!

You've been treating me like
an electronic tool this whole time!

That's all you'll get!

What? I might just eat
this whole thing out of shock!

I worked really hard to remove
the commercials and remaster that!

When did she become a video editor?

Could you please tell me
what happened here?

After Young Master left, Madam Mio
had been translating your memories.

Madam Tomoe returned
without informing anyone.

Tomoe...

Madam Mio ended up mistakenly seeing
some memories Madam Tomoe brought.

Then, this happened.

You didn't explain everything!

Thank you, though.

Fine, eat it then! I'll just recreate it!

What? In that case,
I'll just eat everything here!

Don't! If you do that, I'll...

Tomoe, what is the meaning of this?

-Young Master!
-Young Master!

You're here! Please stop this idiot!

Young Master,
aren't you favoring Tomoe too much?

How is he favoring me?
I've been doing my work properly!

What are you talking about?

You were editing historical dramas
instead of working!

I can say the same about you.

That's enough! Calm your nerves!

First, Mio, give that back to Tomoe.

Yes, Young Master.

And Tomoe, why did you not report in
when you came back?

She was eating crab and watching
historical dramas in hiding.

I... Idiot!

Well, why were you fighting with Mio?

Mio was treating me like
an electronic tool,

demanding records of
all sorts of memories.

Are you saying that you're into
historical dramas too?

I have no interest in such things.

What do you mean by "such things"?

Tomoe, shut up.

This is what I want to see more of!

This is the anime my dad made me watch.

And the other is...

Transform!

A Sunday morning series I was forced
to watch with my friends!

I saw elegance within such intensity.
It looked absolutely delectable.

All right. I'll permit you to watch them.

What?

Thank you, Young Master.

However, those are all made-up stories,

so don't mix them up with reality.

Young Master, is this really all right?

You, on the other hand,
will get a lecture after your report.

I have to get up early tomorrow,
so I came back to Tsige,

but the trip made me even more tired.

The real work for the request
is only starting now.

About Rembrant,

not only is he honest
despite having a massive company,

but he has a good reputation
among the guilds too.

Isn't that a little too perfect?

Not only is he nice,
but he's definitely great at his job.

I would love to be taught by him.

You sure think highly of him.

Speaking of which...

This room only has two beds.

Wouldn't you normally give
one to your master?

The Young Master is a late bloomer
who didn't touch Mio even when alone.

Perhaps I should test him a little...

Well, then, Young Master,
please feel free to choose.

Fine. I'll sleep on the couch.

Mio, we may need a plan to deal with this.

A plan?

Both of you hurry up and go to sleep.

Oh, a message from the alchemist.

This card sure is convenient.

A chance to make that famed Ambrosia?
Of course I'll accept!

That settles that.
I hope the request will go smoothly.

They're already asleep?

Stand back...

Transform...

One is obsessed with historical dramas,
and now the other is into anime?

My head hurts.

Good morning.

Thank you for inviting me
to participate in this rare event!

I'm the one who should be thanking you.
Let's go and meet the client now.

Of course. I look forward to
working with you.

Drats. A guy like that
completed the request?

Yes. It seems like
he had all the materials necessary.

Gather all the adventurers you can.

Are you serious?

I'll pay whatever it costs.

I won't let that Rembrant b*stard
get his way.

The seventh night.
"Making the secret medicine."