It Costs Quite A Bit

Hearing the word alchemist, Kikori and Kuon looked at each other.

“I don’t really know much about alchemists… what about you, Kuon?”

“Umm. I think they’re kind of like apothecaries.”

“So a healer?”

“Probably.”

“Sorry. It’s a bit different.”

At Eil’s apologetic tone, Kikori thought for a moment and stepped forward.

“Um… first, I’m Kikori. This is Kuon.”

“Ah, you’ll team up with me!?”

“Whoa!?”

“She’s pretty pushy.”

After lightly glaring at Kuon, who laughed, Kikori turned back to Eil.

“As you just heard, we don’t know much about alchemists. And we were talking about maybe looking for an archer.”

“P-please don’t say that! If you just listen, you’ll understand how useful alchemists are!”

“Hmm…”

“Why not? I’m getting a little interested.”

“Well, if Kuon says so.”

“Thank you! First, about alchemists… we’re versatile!”

“T-that’s a big claim.”

“It’s true! Attack, defense, exploration, recovery… if mastered, we can do everything!”

If that were true, it would be amazing, Kikori thought.

Amazing, but… Aria hadn’t mentioned it, and no one recruiting had mentioned alchemists either.

He couldn’t help thinking she might be exaggerating… but still.

“First of all, why us?”

“Huh?”

“As you can see, we’re two guys. And Eil, you’re a girl… right? Isn’t it dangerous?”

“Well, if you worry about that, you probably shouldn’t become an adventurer in the first place.”

“That’s such a solid argument I can’t refute it… well, alright.”

Thinking she might be a stronger type of girl than expected, Kikori revised his impression of Eil and asked:

“So you said you can do anything.”

“Anything except naughty things.”

“I didn’t say that and didn’t ask. Also that’s a bit—”

“Yes. Seeing your face turn red just now made me think Kikori-san is safe.”

“She’s really strong…! Wait. What about Kuon?”

“He looked a little disappointed.”

“Hey, Kuon…”

“I’m a priest after all. By the Moon God, I won’t do anything that makes a girl cry.”

Kikori thought he might need to confirm Kuon’s values about that later, but quickly returned to the topic.

“So back to the point. Then doesn’t that mean you shouldn’t choose us? I’ll say it now, we’re not that strong.”

“But you were recruiting an archer, right?”

“Yeah. So what…”

“If you’re recruiting a job called a money-eater like an archer, I thought maybe an alchemist could work too.”

“…The way you say that means”

“Alchemy costs quite a lot too. So everyone keeps rejecting me… but if you let me join, I’m confident I’ll earn you even more, okay?”

As Eil tugged his sleeve pleadingly, Kikori looked helplessly at Kuon… and with a “trial run for now,” they set off with Eil joining them.