Proof of Ability
Found talent in an unexpected place.
Of course, I still don't fully trust him, and I have to watch to see if he performs the tasks assigned to him well.
But this is the first time I've seen someone who is quick-witted and clever.
“Are you really all right?”
Derik asked with a worried expression.
“That mercenary, right?”
“Yes. I was wondering if it was too sudden... ”
Of course, Gibra's combat ability wasn't that great. He would fall with one punch from Derik's fist.
His sword at his waist could almost be considered a decoration.
It was as if I had rushed to give him something too quickly.
Joseph scanned the faces of his private soldiers.
Jiren seemed to have no particular thoughts, but Auk nodded in agreement with Derik's words.
“I understand your concerns. But you saw it yourselves. That guy came all the way here after hearing just one word from a mere guard. That's not something anyone can do.”
“It's rather that I'm worried about that... ”
Derik trailed off, but didn't say anything more.
Joseph understood why he had hired Gibra.
“Of course, I don't fully trust him yet. So, I'll have him tested, and if problems arise, we'll handle it then. That's possible, right?”
Joseph turned to the soldiers, and they all nodded vigorously.
In fact, besides their physical strength, they weren't very useful.
They themselves knew that best.
So, in case of emergencies, their only job would be to protect Joseph.
With Gibra's issue settled, Joseph immediately returned to the inn.
After that, for three days, Joseph focused on meditation at the inn.
After all, there wasn't much else he could do right now.
There was still time until the artifact materials arrived, and Gibra would need time to find artisans too.
The soldiers took turns guarding Joseph during his meditation.
At first, all three were standing guard, but since they seemed bored, Joseph adjusted it.
Well, this is what I wanted after all.
He could only focus on magic training in his life.
Thinking of it as experiencing a part of that.
If there were minor issues, it was basically just meditation to accumulate mana, not actual magic training.
Since he hadn't found a proper residence, accumulating attribute mana in the inn was difficult, and of course, using magic was the same.
This will be solved when we settle outside the city later.
Anyway.
Joseph decided to enjoy the rare leisure he had in a long time.
“Joseph-nim, the promised item is ready.”
But on the third day, while eating breakfast, a servant from the Kerbe Merchant Guild suddenly appeared.
“This suddenly? There are still several days left until the promised deadline.”
“Yes. Sorry for the suddenness. The guild was proceeding as fast as possible... ”
At that, Joseph let out a small laugh.
He had thought Braham valued ice artifacts, but the transaction had just been completed, and the materials procurement was already finished.
“... Understood. Let's go right away.”
It was a bit surprising, but not a bad thing.
Just that he would have to hurry Gibra a bit.
Joseph led the soldiers and followed the servant immediately.
But as they left the inn, Joseph couldn't help but be even more surprised.
Because in front of the inn entrance, there was a carriage that looked like it had been stolen from a noble.
What the... ?
Joseph stopped and stood there, and the servant approached smoothly, opening the carriage door.
“It's a carriage prepared by the guild.”
“...”
Joseph stepped into the carriage as naturally as possible without showing too much surprise.
Unlike the Artisan Guild's carriage, it was quite large, so the soldiers could come along this time.
“Wow, damn... ”
Jiren, who saw the inside of the carriage, let out a sigh of admiration, then got hit by Auk.
After all, there was no choice, because the inside of the carriage felt like even more money had been spent than outside.
Soft seats made of glossy black leather, with a faint floral scent.
Zalier's carriage also had many decorations, but he hadn't paid this much attention to the inside.
The carriage left the main road and headed straight to the Kerbe Merchant Guild.
They're treating us like they're waiting on us hand and foot.
When Joseph and the soldiers got out, the guards standing in front of the guild appeared.
They stepped back one step without saying a word as Joseph approached, then bowed.
“...”
The cautious look they had at first was gone.
Joseph, of course, and the soldiers who had been in a standoff with the previous guards looked surprised.
Following the servant's guidance, they entered the reception room on the second floor, where Braham stood up and greeted Joseph.
“Welcome! I'm really sorry for suddenly requesting you.”
“No, rather, I'm surprised that you prepared it so quickly.”
He smiled broadly, his chubby cheeks getting even thicker.
His demeanor had become much more deferential than when they first met.
This...
Joseph thought, roughly guessing the situation.
According to Gibra, the guild's servant had been investigating Joseph.
Based on the reaction, it seemed they had confirmed the incidents in Valois Territory to some extent.
They probably thought Joseph was a mage connected to nobles.
From the outside, it looks like he hunted monsters with nobles...
Joseph could actually have been the count's mage.
Of course, there was Zalier's matter, and he had no intention of staying long in the war-torn territory.
Well, it doesn't matter.
Joseph wasn't displeased by that.
If he were Braham, he would have done the same.
Moreover, if the information allowed Braham not to treat Joseph carelessly, that would be even better.
Joseph's gaze soon turned to the wooden box placed next to the table.
“Is this the materials you prepared?”
Then Braham nodded and pushed the box onto the table with a grunt.
Inside the box were several ores that Joseph had requested previously and additional ores he had prepared.
“As you can see, these are the materials you requested. There are also other things commonly used in artifact production, so this should be enough for the test without any problems.”
“Oh... ”
Joseph looked at the ores in the box with admiration.
Indeed, it felt like Braham had put in effort.
Not only the requested ores, but various kinds of iron and crystals were prepared.
“This should be sufficient.”
Joseph said with a satisfied expression, and Braham smiled in relief.
“I'm glad. Then, let's proceed with Haguss and... ”
“Ah, about that... ”
Joseph interrupted Braham with a somewhat apologetic expression.
“The artisan named Haguss you introduced isn't suitable, so I sent him back.”
“What?”
Braham's eyes widened.
He looked momentarily surprised, then hurriedly bowed.
“Sorry! I couldn't check beforehand... ! I'll find another artisan for you right away!”
“No, it's fine.”
Joseph waved his hand and said.
“I've already sent someone to find an artisan. It should arrive soon... ”
“I-I see?”
Braham still looked apologetic, but since Joseph refused, he didn't say more.
“If there's anything else you need, please let me know anytime.”
With that, the meeting with Braham ended, and Joseph headed back to the inn with the soldiers, carrying the box of materials.
When they arrived at the inn, a familiar figure caught Joseph's eye in the first-floor lobby.
“Gibra?”
Joseph called out in surprise, and Gibra, who had been dozing off, hurriedly stood up and bowed.
His face had deep dark circles, as if he hadn't slept well for days.
“Joseph-nim! I've done what you asked!”
Gibra said cheerfully and pulled out several sheets of paper from his pocket.
“Already? It's only been three days... ”
Joseph said with a puzzled face, then suddenly realized something strange.
Wait, I never told Gibra the location of the inn where I'm staying.
Joseph had only instructed him to find a suitable artisan to bring.
Of course, he had assumed he would come to the workshop later, but to wait here nonchalantly.
“How did you find this place?”
“I asked the vagrants. People who just entered the city often stay near the main roads, and since you were with the soldiers, there were many eyes to see, so it wasn't difficult.”
Gibra said that and subtly checked Joseph's reaction.
He had taken on the task enthusiastically, but upon thinking, he realized it was too much.
But contrary to his worries, Joseph was impressed inwardly.
After all, he was a guy not to be overlooked.
Joseph patted Gibra on the shoulder and stood him up.
“Let's see first. I need to check what he brought first.”
Gibra took out several sheets of paper from his pocket and handed them to Joseph. Joseph took them, unfolded them, and looked at him with surprised eyes.
“You can write and read, right?”
“Yes, to survive, I did various things... ”
Oh...
Joseph stared at him for a moment with surprised eyes, then lowered his gaze to the list.
But from the first sheet, Joseph's eyebrows shot up. It wasn't a simple list of names.
Heinrich - Former stonemason, 7 years of lapidary experience. Diligent but has a drinking habit. Needs money to support family.
Thomas - Former court lapidary. Top-tier skill but difficult personality. Currently drowning in debt.
Albert - Young artisan, passionate but lacking experience. Unmarried, ambitious.
Joseph continued reading, flipping through the papers.
There were 8 artisans listed in total, with detailed records of their skills, personalities, personal histories, and even their current situations.
He's gathered this much information?
While Joseph read with admiration mixed with surprise, Gibra looked at him cautiously and said.
“I've been walking around the Artisan Guild for three days, listening to people's words. I also gathered information from taverns.”
“Did you look into Haguss too?”
Joseph's question made Gibra hesitate for a moment before speaking.
“According to the Artisan Guild people, he has skill but is lazy, so I removed him.”
This guy...
Joseph clicked his tongue inwardly.
He had accurately figured out why he sent Haguss back.
Joseph looked at the list again and organized it in his mind.
After Haguss's failure, his standards had become even stricter.
Skill alone isn't enough. Diligence comes first.
Thomas had excellent skill but a difficult personality was the problem.
There was a chance he could become another Haguss.
Heinrich was said to be diligent, but he had a drinking habit. It was risky to assign important work.
Albert was... It was written that he was passionate, but the issue was that he was a bit young. Of course, that could also mean he would work harder.
“These three.”
Joseph pointed to the names in the list with his fingers.
“Heinrich, Albert, and... this guy named Marcus. I want to meet these three directly.”
Gibra nodded.
“When would you like to meet them?”
“Starting tomorrow. Let's meet one each day.”
Joseph folded the list and evaluated Gibra once more.
He's definitely a useful guy.
Gathering this much information in just three days, and the judgment to remove Haguss from the list, pleased him.
“Good work. See you again tomorrow.”
An expression of relief crossed Gibra's face.