The Problem Solver Makes an Appearance in Philia
Somehow, I had become the problem solver. After entering Philia without incident, we took our time exploring the city. The excavation team's camp was located a fair distance from the urban center. Since evening was drawing near, I decided we would spend the night here before continuing onward and began looking for an inn. To make the right choice, I approached a street vendor who seemed familiar with the local layout.
"Excuse me."
"Cheap! I've got it cheap! Freshly caught... Huh? And you are?"
"An adventurer who just arrived in the city. Could you tell me where the best inn in Philia is?"
The vendor had been eyeing me with suspicion, but when I pulled a silver coin from my inventory with a casual flourish, his eyes widened. He immediately bowed deeply. My little display had marked me as someone worth respecting, and his entire demeanor shifted in an instant.
"Ah, well, in Philia the best inns aren't just one—they come in a pair, my lord."
"Two of them?"
"Yes, sir. As distinguished visitors, you may have already noticed, but this city was built along the Pinama River."
He was right. Philia straddled the Pinama River, which served as the border between the West and Central regions. The city formed a rough circle with the river flowing through its heart. I already knew about the numerous large and small bridges connecting the divided halves, along with the countless boats that constantly shuttled back and forth.
When I mentioned my impressions, the vendor laughed cheerfully and continued his explanation.
"The city is split into eastern and western districts with the river as the dividing line. Each side has one particularly famous inn."
"From the way you describe them, it sounds like there's not much difference in quality between the two?"
"That's correct. Like any major gateway city, this place handles enormous amounts of goods and people, so the inns here are far from ordinary. Even nobles stay at them regularly."
The inns here seem to be of higher quality than I expected. The adventurer-exclusive lodgings in the North had spoiled me, making every Central inn feel inadequate by comparison. It was a relief to hear this. If nobles frequented them, there was a good chance they employed mages who crafted their own magical tools, just like the top establishments in the North. Even ordinary citizens learned a few basic life spells; innkeepers who had devoted themselves to the service industry would surely have gone further.
In the North, the mark of a first-class inn was having custom-made convenience artifacts in every room. The ones run by retired high-ranking adventurers as a hobby were so exclusive that ordinary people couldn't even get reservations.
"That said, because they're so popular, finding an available room won't be easy. With all the cargo moving through here, the floating population is massive..."
"Money isn't an issue. What matters is my comfort."
Thanks to Neon, my eternal walking wallet and officially recognized Black Mage, I didn't have to worry about funds. If necessary, I could always track down someone who had already secured a room and offer them double the price.
After receiving the useful information, I handed the vendor a silver without hesitation and turned to my companions.
"You all heard that. Where should we go?"
"I don't know what the eastern and western inns look like, but from what the vendor said, they don't seem all that different."
"Anywhere is fine with me."
"Same here."
It looked like the decision would fall to me. Since either choice would likely lead to a good inn, I was pondering the closer eastern option when the old butler and several soldiers approached us.
"Pardon the interruption. Would you happen to be Mr. Argo and his companions?"
"Yes, I'm Argo."
"I am Kulan, head butler to the Marquis of the Border. The reason I've come to find you is that the Marquis of Philia wishes to extend an invitation. He has heard the rumors spreading from the North about your party's exploits and would like to hear the stories in person."
"Just a moment. We were about to secure rooms at an inn first."
"Please don't concern yourselves with lodging. The Marquis has already prepared guest quarters for distinguished visitors such as yourselves."
Four people capable of razing half the city just walked in, so of course they want to keep an eye on us. His intentions were obvious, but I simply nodded. I had no desire to engage in a power struggle with a noble, and when a host extends a polite invitation, a guest has little grounds to refuse.
"Very well. Shall we go now?"
"Of course. By the time we arrive, the banquet should be ready."
"They're already preparing a banquet?"
"It just so happens the Marquis was already organizing one to entertain his honored guests."
What excellent timing. I briefly wondered whether it was appropriate for us to intrude on such an event, but soon shrugged. He must have had his reasons for inviting me specifically.
"I didn't expect to attend an official gathering, so I don't have suitable attire. Will that be a problem?"
"Not at all. This occasion is primarily for scholars, mages, and the excavation team. Should you desire, we can have clothing prepared for you in the guest dressing room."
I let out a small sound of admiration at the butler's mention of a dedicated dressing room for guests. It seemed the border marquises of gateway cities—Harmun in the North, Morken in the South, and now Philia in the West—all excelled at social navigation.
Marveling inwardly, I followed the butler toward the lord's castle. Upon arrival, he issued a quick command to a passing servant, then smiled kindly and led us inside. Thanks to the head butler's presence at the front, we entered without any hindrance. We marveled at the interior, which was filled with exotic beauty. Setting aside the unfamiliar decorative items and statues, what truly captured our attention were the massive bones of a marine monster that could only be found in the West.
"What kind of monster do those bones belong to?"
"Those are from a sea serpent. They're relatively common predators in the western seas."
"Just the name makes it sound powerful."
"Indeed. A single one is capable of sinking a medium-sized sailing ship."
My gaze remained fixed on the enormous sea dragon skeleton that dominated the center of the grand hall. If your blood didn't boil at the sight of something like that, you had no business calling yourself an adventurer. Even Neon, who was already halfway to becoming a full adventurer himself, showed clear interest. Adela and Beatrice stared at the bones with visible hunger, no doubt evaluating the creature's genetic potential.
Watching the butler walk calmly toward the banquet hall, I asked another question.
"Are there many monsters like that in the West?"
"The locals practically beg for someone to exterminate them."
From what I knew, the West consisted of countless islands and archipelagos. Running into a sea serpent there would certainly inspire some colorful language. Of course, to me it simply looked like a very tempting hunting target.
The butler noticed our stares and carefully composed his expression. It seemed few people reacted this way upon seeing sea serpent bones. Slightly flustered by our response, he maintained his composure and guided us to the banquet hall.
"This is the place. I shall take my leave here."
"Thank you for guiding us. We'll head inside now."
We returned the butler's polite bow and entered the banquet hall. The interior was remarkably lively. As he had mentioned, this was a gathering for intellectuals rather than nobles, so there was no strict dress code. The atmosphere was noisy with various academic discussions taking place all around.
Having found ourselves invited to this event by chance, we quietly blended into the banquet's flow. The true protagonists here were the scholars, and since we had only come with the intention of staying the night instead of finding an inn, we had no desire to draw attention.
"Huh? Wait, isn't that Argo!"
"What? Did he say Argo?"
It would have been perfect if Delian and Urek—the stars of this banquet—hadn't spotted me. The moment the two of them showed interest, the surrounding scholars turned toward us with puzzled expressions.
"Argo? Who is that?"
"My most cherished adventurer! The very person capable of solving the troubles plaguing our excavation team!"
At Delian's explanation, every eye in the banquet hall turned toward me. Unable to withstand the collective gaze, I moved to the center of the room and offered an awkward smile.
"Haha, it's been a while."
"How many months has it been? More importantly, what brings you to Philia?"
"I came to see your face, sir. You already know how interested I am in ancient civilizations."
Delian burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! I know that very well! Your name actually came up recently, and I was debating whether to contact you!"
"Has a problem arisen?"
"Exactly! We need capable fighters, but there aren't any suitable talents available. I was just starting to miss the adventurers from the North."
"If you're trying to hire four Silver-class adventurers, you'd better steel yourself for the cost."
"Money is no object! As long as you can solve the issues at the excavation site, I'd even sell my soul!"
He must have accumulated quite a bit of stress. As a guild-affiliated scholar, Delian was used to adventurers handling most problems for him. Working in foreign territory beyond the reach of the adventurer guild must have been incredibly frustrating. The bright smile on his face showed just how genuinely pleased he was by our arrival. It was almost embarrassing. While I stood there smiling awkwardly, a middle-aged man with a dignified presence appeared from one side of the hall. Just from his aura, it was clear he was no ordinary person. He regarded us with curious eyes.
"So these are the famous Argo party I've heard so much about."
"Yes, Your Excellency! With them here, the problems at the excavation site will be resolved in no time!"
Delian's behavior—acting as if the problems were already solved—only deepened the Marquis of Philia's curiosity. The same was true for everyone around us. The scholars who appeared to belong to the excavation team looked at us like we were saviors.
Just what kind of stories has this guy been spreading about me? Overwhelmed by the unusual scene, I glanced at Delian.
"I've already heard much about you through Sir Delian. It is a pleasure to finally meet the adventurers from the rumors."
"The honor is ours. Though I can't help worrying what strange things Sir Delian might have said."
"I explained everything properly, so there's no need for concern."
The fact that he's smiling makes me even more anxious. Unable to openly contradict the Marquis, I could only continue smiling awkwardly.