The sun wrapped Orario in a soft glow as Luthar and Liliruca strolled through the marketplace.
Lili clutched a paper-wrapped bundle of dried meats, struggling to keep pace while Luthar moved at an easy, measured speed.
It had been a long day — burning incense, attending the Monster Festival, and watching Bell fight the Silverback.
Depending on who you asked, it could be considered a successful day... or a complete waste of time.
As a human, it was relaxing and pleasant.
As a Tech-Priest, it was an utter waste.
To be fair, there was nothing urgent for now. It wasn't as if a random demon would suddenly crawl out of the ground.
"Feels weird," Lili mumbled, adjusting the strap across her chest. "Not hiding anymore. Just... being out here. Normal, you know? Like we're just... regular people."
Luthar didn't respond immediately. A slight tilt of his head was the only acknowledgment.
To him, there was nothing normal about them — only illusion, a veil that most chose to accept.
But he let her enjoy it.
The familiar silhouette of the Guild headquarters loomed ahead, its stone walls catching the afternoon light.
Lili's steps slowed slightly, and she glanced sideways at him.
Before he could answer, a voice called across the plaza.
"Mister Luthar!"
A woman in Guild uniform hurried toward them, waving with polite urgency.
Eina Tulle.
Luthar recognized her a half-elf, dedicated, careful.
He stopped walking, and Lili shifted nervously at his side.
"Apologies for the sudden approach," Eina said as she reached them, bowing slightly. "Would you have a moment? There are a few things we'd like to clarify regarding your trade activities."
Her tone was professional, not accusatory — merely doing her job.
Luthar inclined his head. "Very well."
Relief flickered across Eina's face.
"If you'd follow me?"
Lili hesitated, but Luthar gave her a light nod: stay close.
She fell in behind him without a word.
The inside of the Guild was quieter than usual — most adventurers were already deep within the Dungeon or relaxing after early expeditions.
Eina led them to a side office — neutral, brightly lit, and devoid of any hint of interrogation.
She motioned for them to sit across from her at a wide, polished table.
"I'll be direct," Eina began, folding her hands neatly. "The Guild has received reports regarding the weapons sold at your establishment, Mechanica. They're... unusual."
Luthar said nothing, merely waiting.
"Some of these weapons are highly effective—against humans." Eina continued carefully.
A pause.
"The Guild does not usually concern itself with non-magical weapons. But in your case, their ease of use makes them... troubling."
She didn't accuse. She didn't scold. She simply laid out the facts.
"The Guild's concern is twofold," she said.
"First, regarding public safety — a weapon that can cause severe harm in an instant, to multiple targets, is a risk.
Second, your acquisition of raw materials in large quantities has raised questions about what you're doing."
She smiled gently, trying to soften the implication.
"None of this is illegal. But if you continue, we may have to revise some regulations."
Luthar tapped a single finger against the table, thoughtfully.
"And you wish to understand my intentions."
Eina nodded. "Exactly. We simply want to ensure there's no risk posed to the city."
Luthar leaned back slightly. His answer was steady, without hesitation.
"I craft and sell lower-quality weapons to acquire more materials."
A pause.
" I am simply trying to build weapons that are equal to Black Dragon. For that, I need lots of materials."
Eina watched him carefully. A moment passed.
Her polite mask wavered — just a flicker of disbelief.
"A... Black Dragon?" She repeated, her voice careful but betraying a hint of shock.
Luthar inclined his head slightly. "It is a long-term objective."
Eina hesitated.
Everyone in Orario knew the Black Dragon — a calamity spoken of in whispers, a terror even the gods acknowledged.
"If you're going to make an excuse," she said slowly, "at least make it believable.
Even the gods don't claim to make such weapons."
"I do," Luthar said, calm and detached.
"If you wish to experience it firsthand, you can quit your job and join me.
I am still seeking someone to manage my resources."
Another pause.
Eina exhaled softly, steadying herself.
"I... have no plans to quit my job," she said finally, smoothing the front of her uniform. "If you want to continue operating, we'll need to review your purchases and conduct assessments."
She produced a parchment from her folder, placing it carefully before him.
"Someone from the Hephaestus Familia will likely visit your workshop," she explained, professionalism returning.
"You'll be subject to inventory audits and material reports. This is merely to maintain transparency and public safety."
Luthar accepted the document, skimming its contents with a quick, clinical eye. His finger tapped lightly against a clause near the bottom.
"You realize," he said, tone mild, "that I could simply sell my weapons outside the city."
Eina's lips tightened into a line. "You could," she agreed.
"But if you do that,the Guild would be obligated to stop you."
"You misunderstand," Luthar said softly.
"Your rules apply to those blessed by physical gods, which I am not."
Eina's hand tightened slightly around her folder.
She opened her mouth — perhaps to argue — but Luthar spoke first:
"Interfering with my sacred work is blasphemy. It would only invite annihilation."
He rose, movements smooth and deliberate.
"Good day, Miss Tulle."
Without waiting for dismissal or permission, he left — Liliruca falling into step behind him.
They left the Guild shortly after — the form filed, the questions answered, the day still pleasantly intact.
As they stepped back onto the sun-washed street, Lili let out a long sigh of relief, slumping dramatically.
"I thought you were going to fight them," she muttered.
Luthar gave a faint hum of amusement.
"Why would I fight a clerk?"
"At least pretend to look worried once in a while," she grumbled. "Making enemies with the Guild is not a good idea."
He said nothing, simply adjusting the small crate of supplies under his arm.
His gaze lifted briefly — the sun was beginning to fall toward the horizon.
"I don't have time to become someone's enemy," he said quietly.
"We should return."
Lili nodded and fell in beside him, chattering lightly about dinner plans and possible modifications to the new tools they'd purchased.
Her voice was small against the city's evening hum — but it filled the space between them easily.
Neither noticed the quiet figure watching from a shaded alley nearby, noting the crimson circuit lines on Luthar's coat.
For now, the city remained calm.