The ability for currency to circulate among all countries carried the deeper meaning of serving as an international currency.
If the Platinum Dragon King was truly behind this, or if some other unknown force was at work, then such a phenomenon would not be impossible.
Minori briefly considered the possibility before shaking the thought from his mind.He reached out and pressed down the head of the ferocious-looking little evil hound beside him.
"Ouch."The little evil hound let out a low whimper.
Ding~
The platinum coin slipped back into the pouch, colliding with others inside and producing a crisp, pleasant jingle.
"You know, it's never easy to control a monster's emotions,"Minori said lightly, looking at the middle-aged man before him and offering an apologetic smile.
Regardless of whether it was the Platinum Dragon King's scheme or someone else's, there was little point in dwelling on it now.
For immortals who had lived for hundreds or thousands of years, their thought processes were no longer understandable by short-lived beings.Without concrete information, trying to predict their moves was only asking for unnecessary trouble.
"I understand, I understand,"the middle-aged man quickly replied, visibly relieved.
"I'd like to issue a commission,"Minori said casually.
Normally, issuing a commission required going through the guild's front desk.But the middle-aged man immediately responded:"I can handle such minor matters for you directly."
As a caster in the Adventurer's Guild with the ability to identify items and use second-tier magic, his status was not insignificant.This level of request should have been beneath him, delegated to subordinates.Yet after completing a massive transaction worth 720 gold coins with Minori earlier, he had other motivations for maintaining this direct interaction.
Moreover, there were things he wished to confirm privately with the black-haired youth.
"The commission is to find a magic caster who can perform 'Interpretation Magic,'"Minori said in a soft voice."It would be best if it could be arranged as soon as possible."
Before traveling to the Baharuth Empire, he had many preparations to make.Money was no longer the pressing issue—literacy was.
In human society, illiteracy brought endless trouble.Learning the writing system would be ideal, but Minori, once a lackluster student in his previous life, found even the thought headache-inducing—especially since the local scripts could differ between nations.
It would take far too much time.
If a shortcut like Interpretation Magic existed—a magic that could analyze text and render it understandable—it would be foolish not to use it.
There was also the option of acquiring a "Scholar" job class, which provided similar abilities.But that, too, required time Minori could not afford to waste.
"'Interpretation Magic,' you say?"The middle-aged man wore a pensive expression.
After a short silence, he said:"It's an extremely rare magic."
"In ancient nations that perished over a century ago, scholars used it for research.I know of a few individuals who have mastered it."
"But..."
The man's face twisted into a troubled look."These people are not short of money.If you can wait, there's someone in the capital we could invite."
"But it would take at least two months, and the reward would need to be over 50 gold coins."
Hearing this, Minori immediately shook his head.
"Money isn't the problem. Time is."
He had no intention of lingering in Ye Lantier for two months.
Based on the timeline,Lenas Rockbru—the future "Heavy Bomber" among the Empire's Four Knights—had not yet been recruited by the Bloody Emperor.
She must still be wandering the empire, seeking a way to overcome the curse tied to her Cursed Knight class.
Minori needed to reach the Baharuth Empire quickly to find her.He couldn't afford to waste precious months idling here.
Seeing Minori's firm refusal, the middle-aged man leaned forward slightly and smiled:"There is... another option."
"There's someone right here in Ye Lantier who has mastered Interpretation Magic."
"But this information will cost you ten gold coins."
Clink!
Minori silently dipped a hand into the money pouch, fished out ten gold coins, and placed them onto the table.
The middle-aged man bowed slightly and said respectfully:
"Bellori Vanov Grigori Botkin."
"The Vice President of the Magician's Guild."
"He has mastered Interpretation Magic, but... he rarely makes public appearances."
"Although he nominally holds the title of Vice President, it's largely symbolic. Even our guild president struggles to meet him."
The man gave a helpless shrug, making the implication clear.
Minori's mouth twitched subtly.
Theo Rakeshiel was the known president of Ye Lantier's Magician's Guild.As for this Bellori...Minori had never even heard the name mentioned.
If even Theo couldn't meet him,then it was safe to say he himself had no chance either.
Ten gold coins—wasted on information that sounded useful, but was effectively worthless.
That being the case—
He needed to think of other methods.Perhaps there existed a magic item that could replicate the effect of Interpretation Magic?
Minori was about to rise and leave when:
"Please wait, sir,"the middle-aged man called out quickly.
He pointed at the two bone chains Minori had set down earlier—spoils from the Tob Forest."They came from the evil hounds you hunted, correct?"
"If it's convenient, could you tell us about the current situation in the Tob Forest?"
"Regardless of the accuracy, these ten gold coins will serve as payment for the information.If your report is valuable, we will pay even more."
The man pushed the ten gold coins back toward Minori.
Minori glanced down at the coins, then up at the respectful middle-aged man.
Playing this kind of trick, huh.
He allowed a small, almost invisible smile to cross his lips.
"The situation in the Tob Forest?"
Minori calmly pocketed the coins once more, then stood up, answering without hesitation:
"No idea."
With that short reply,Minori turned on his heel and left the room with his little evil hound trotting at his side.
Leaving behind the stunned middle-aged man.
"It seems... the information I provided wasn't satisfactory,"the man murmured bitterly.
Adjusting his single-lensed glasses with a weary motion, a glint of sharpness flashed in his eyes.
"Two little evil hound bone chains, plus two adult evil hound chains."
"No matter how you look at it, the boy definitely ventured deep into the Tob Forest."
"Should I report this to the Guildmaster? Should I dispatch a team of adventurers to investigate...?"
He trailed off.
Ultimately, he shook his head.
"The higher-ups already made their decision:As long as the border villages are unaffected, we leave it alone."
"The real trouble... lies elsewhere."