"Quest submission."

"An extermination mission by a Heroic Rank team? Understood. Please wait a moment while I verify the details."

After completing another Adventurers' Guild quest, Cassipero finally let out a quiet sigh of relief. Her decision had been correct. Swapping in two new frontliners, their trio—relying on versatility and damage output—could barely handle monsters of the same tier Arnold had faced before leaving. Everyone was exhausted, but the outcome was reassuring.

"Cassipero-sama, the Guildmaster wishes to see you," the receptionist said upon returning.

Slightly puzzled, Cassipero followed her to the Guildmaster’s office.

"Long time no see, Cassipero."

The golden-haired woman wore impeccably refined makeup—as if expecting guests, though she wouldn’t be leaving today. Cassipero couldn’t care less.

She sat down boldly, fixing Nastia with a disdainful look. "What requires a private talk?"

"I heard your team’s quests have progressed smoothly since replacing the frontliners?"

"…Frankly? Not *smoothly*," Cassipero replied without pretense. "Brave Rank means none of their skills hit level 10—a critical flaw. Recent missions have been grueling and high-risk."

Nastia regarded her gently. "All adventuring parties face this. Your team simply had it too easy before. No adventure is without risk. Without risk, we wouldn’t be *adventurers*."

"…Just state your business." Cassipero had no patience for small talk. She was drained—needing rest, planning the next quest, training rookies. All mentally taxing.

Nastia didn’t press further. She slid a quest sheet across the desk. "I believe this will interest you."

"This quest?" Cassipero took it—and froze at the bold header: *Exterminate the Ancient Spirit Tree*.

Her eyes widened slightly. "We handled this before. Fanlin House ordered us via the Guild to preserve the tree and grant them exploration rights. Has something gone wrong?"

Nastia nodded calmly. "Correct. This joint commission comes from Fanlin House and House Valentin. The reward is exceptionally high. Given your team’s prior experience, it’s only logical to assign it to you."

Cassipero skimmed the sheet. She’d nearly refused—*Serves them right*—but the staggering reward amount gave her pause.

Archers were costly. Arrows cost money. *Special* arrows? Extremely expensive.

Though she had basic bowcrafting skill, leveling it wasn’t feasible. Every ounce of energy went to combat training. With this payout… a trip to Dermal City seemed worthwhile.

"Surely many teams want this?"

"Of course. One key detail—" Nastia’s gaze sharpened. "Arnold is in that city."

Cassipero went utterly still, as if flash-frozen by ice magic. Minutes passed before she thawed. "He’s there… Right. With this issue, the Fanlin sisters would seek his help. He wouldn’t ignore it."

"My intel suggests slight discrepancies," Nastia mused, "but essentially correct. He hasn’t changed—still meddlesome. I half-expected him to come after *me*."

Cassipero caught the deeper implication. "You mean…?"

"I’m offering a *private* commission," Nastia’s voice dropped, her gaze piercing. "Deniable the moment you step outside this door. Entirely your choice. But the reward… ten times what’s on that sheet."

Even Cassipero was stunned. She locked eyes with Nastia. "Such a sum invites suspicion. This task won’t be simple."

"Obviously. If it were easy, why entrust it to you? I want you to kill someone—a girl named Caro."

"…"

…

"So, what’s your plan today?" Caro asked Arnold curiously. "You can’t resolve the Ancient Spirit Tree issue. Staying in this city seems pointless. *I’m* here to witness the outcome—to weave it into a tale. Though other Bards might chase this story too… but style matters."

*Of course I’m staying for you.*

He kept it silent. Saying it would earn a "Ew, gross" from Caro. He’d learned her tells.

"I borrowed wine from Fanlin House last night. Should repay the favor somehow."

Caro smirked knowingly. "Hmm~ *Hoo~* A woman’s tsundere act might be cute. A man’s? Not so much. Tsk tsk~" She poked his waist. "Don’t overexert yourself, kid."

"…" Arnold left. Well—*technically* left.

Hiding his presence wasn’t his strength, but evading someone of Caro’s level? Effortless.

"Guh… Boss, I *really* didn’t want to be late today, but… you know… he was *so* rough last night~" She put on a pitiful pout.

After much pleading, Boss Lasi finally relented.

"Say," Caro suddenly asked, "have you ever sought advice from the Ancient Spirit Tree?"

"Advice? Everyone in Dermal City has! Honestly, opening this cake shop was *its* suggestion. I truly love this work." Lasi’s eyes softened with nostalgia.

Hesitating, Caro pressed: "But… what if that advice came with a cost?"

"Cost?" Lasi blinked. "Like what?"

"Say… losing certain memories. Or emotions."

Lasi flicked Caro’s forehead. "I’ve met Bards like you before—overactive imaginations. The Ancient Spirit Tree has stood since antiquity, offering wisdom freely to all. Never heard of *costs*. Scared to ask it yourself?"

Caro laughed awkwardly, caught out.

"Frankly," Lasi added, "if that man can’t cleanly part from his ex, I’d steer clear. Charming as he seems, for *your* happiness? Prepare carefully."

—*Even if this persona’s fabricated*, Caro felt a twinge of guilt toward Arnold.

*But that’s friendship. Brothers slander brothers in crises.*

"Aiya~ Boss, *hypothetically*! Of course I know it’s nonsense! But… isn’t relying *too* much on the Ancient Spirit Tree a bit shameless? Running to it for every problem… what if it vanished? Shouldn’t we value its wisdom *more* if it demanded sacrifice?"

Lasi studied her, surprised. "Huh. Some *do* think that way. Its wisdom comes so easily… almost *too* easily."

"Right?" Caro leaned in. "If answers are handed lightly, and followed lightly… doesn’t life itself grow weightless? I believe life carries weight. That’s why I became a Bard—to make heavy lives *interesting*."

"Mm… If paying memories or feelings meant letting *others* steer my life?" Lasi shook her head. "No thanks. It’s *my* life. Not worth the trade."

"Exactly~ Hey Boss, wanna hear my new song? I composed *'A Thousand Years of Solitude'* after observing the tree! No customers now anyway."

Lasi raised an eyebrow. "Talented? If it’s bad, I’ll dock your pay. A baker’s mood matters. Sour tunes ruin cake-making."

"Guh… Then don’t pressure me! That’s terrifying!"