"Divine artifacts? Why are you asking about that?"
Airi gave Eiji a strange look.
"You're not thinking of collecting them, are you? Didn't I tell you? Divine artifacts usually have special criteria for recognizing their masters. If you're not acknowledged, they're practically useless. Well, not always—some can still exhibit limited functions even without being bound to a master..."
"Really?"
Eiji's interest was piqued.
"Only a small portion."
Airi thought for a moment before explaining, "A very few divine artifacts can still unleash some of their power even without a master. But at that level, they're no different from magic tools—far from reaching the true potential of a divine artifact."
Take the demon sword Gram, for example—without a master, it was just an ordinary sword, completely powerless in anyone's hands except for Kyouya Mitsurugi.
But the holy shield Aegis, on the other hand, could still exhibit formidable defensive capabilities even without a master. However, that was merely the innate durability of the material itself—the divine blessings imbued within it couldn't be activated.
"Where are these divine artifacts?"
Eiji asked with keen interest.
"No idea."
To his surprise, Airi shook her head outright.
"There are already very few divine artifacts to begin with, and those who obtain them aren't likely to announce it to the world. While they're miraculous, they also attract disaster. Aside from the ones you reincarnators brought over, divine artifacts known to the public are extremely rare."
Thinking about it, that made sense.
The kind of idiots who flaunted their divine artifacts and boasted about them for the world to see only existed in fiction.
In reality, people like that would've been killed off long ago.
"As far as I know, the only divine artifact in this country should be in the royal capital."
Airi fell into brief contemplation, her expression visibly darkening.
"And it's in the hands of the royal family—already bound to a master."
"You don't look too happy about that?"
"...We've crossed paths before."
"Got wrecked?"
"None of your business!"
Airi shot Eiji a glare before turning away stubbornly, clearly refusing to say another word no matter how much he prodded.
Eiji recalled Kyouya Mitsurugi, who wielded the demon sword Gram—his strength had indeed been formidable. If he had faced the old Demon King one-on-one, he probably could've taken him down.
Of course, if the old Demon King had gathered a dozen monsters around him, each strengthened to executive-level, he might've turned the tables and crushed Kyouya Mitsurugi instead.
Kyouya Mitsurugi relied too heavily on Gram's power—his own abilities were lacking. Against multiple high-level opponents, he'd easily expose weaknesses. If he had been just a bit stronger himself, annihilating the old Demon King wouldn't have been an issue.
From that perspective, if Airi had been careless—charging in recklessly as an oni archmage instead of using her monster-summoning tactics—it was entirely predictable that the royal family's divine artifact wielder could've crushed her.
No wonder the witch looked so sour at the mention of that divine artifact—she must've suffered a loss before.
"Still, in the royal capital, huh..."
Eiji quietly filed away this piece of information.
It seemed his trip to the royal capital was inevitable.
...
The next morning.
Guild hall.
Though it was barely morning, the guild was already packed to the brim. Not only were all the tables and chairs occupied, but even the aisles were crowded with people, leaving no path to the quest board.
"Why are there so many people today?"
"And so many girls too!"
"What's going on?"
"Oh my, could it be that everyone has finally recognized my charm? My season of romance, my harem life is finally beginning!"
"Not a chance." ×3
A party of adventurers had just entered the hall and were stunned by the sight before them.
It was a four-member team, consisting of a rather plain-looking, unremarkable boy and three uniquely beautiful girls, each with their own distinct charm.
Any male adventurer who saw them would instantly be consumed by intense jealousy, outraged that such delicate flowers were stuck with a pile of dung.
Especially that short, dark-brown-haired boy who stood under 170 cm, looking so lecherous and narcissistic.
"Attention all staff, kick out anyone who isn't here to make a purchase!"
"How despicable, taking advantage of the situation to do business!"
"You must be bitter because you got dumped by that handsome guy last night, Luna!"
"Shut up! I didn't get dumped! He just didn't want to get married so soon, that's all! He said he'd come back for me when he's ready!"
The golden-haired Miss Northern Hemisphere roared in grief and indignation at the gathered girls, young women, and even grandmothers.
In just one night, the news of her failed date with the handsome guy had spread among all the women in town.
"Hahaha! Don't be upset, Luna! If he doesn't want you, we'll take you!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
The adventurers burst into rough laughter, teasing the blonde beauty.
Luna was on the verge of tears.
This was already the fifth time she had scared off a potential suitor!
How much longer would this go on? When would she ever get married?!
"What a letdown. So they're not here for me after all. How boring."
"Kazuma, you really are a shut-in NEET, huh? Your hatred for normies is written all over your face!"
"Shut up, Aqua! Don't call me a shut-in NEET!"
The brown-haired boy glared at his blue-haired priest companion.
Then he pushed through the crowd, approached Luna, and deliberately leaned in as if to whisper something in her ear. But his sudden loud voice startled her instead.
"Miss Luna, please settle our rewards for the cabbage battle the other day! Oh, and by the way, we plan to distribute them based on the quality of the hunt!"
"Mr. Kazuma, I was wrong! Please distribute them based on the quantity hunted!"
The blue-haired priest immediately rushed forward, crying, and clung to his leg, wailing pitifully.
"Shut up! A lot of the cabbages you hunted were mixed with lettuce, don't think I didn't notice!"
"No, no, no! I thought I'd get a big payout today, so I spent all my money on alcohol the past two days and even racked up debts! If I don't get paid, my life is over! Please, have mercy on me! Waaahhh!"
"Ahaha..."
Luna forced a strained smile.
Why did this party always make such a spectacle of themselves?
Why had that handsome guy been interested in such a group yesterday?
"The handsome guy is here!"
"Oooohhh!"
Suddenly, a girl screamed, instantly changing the atmosphere in the hall as all the women turned their gazes toward the guild's entrance.
Dressed in an expensive mage's robe, Eiji walked into the guild hall with unhurried steps, holding a smooth wooden staff. His entire demeanor exuded the grace and nobility of an aristocrat.
His terrifying charm stole the breath of everyone present in an instant.
The witch following behind him in a cloak was completely ignored, as if she were invisible.