Knock, knock.
Hime gathered the scattered papers on the table and tidied them up.
There were only a few dozen papers left that we hadn't checked yet, most of them had already been taken care of while we were chatting earlier.
Beside Hime, there was already a stack of papers as tall as her waist.
Worried that they would fall apart if stacked too high, the remaining papers were placed at the empty end of the table.
I glanced at the large clock beside the fireplace that had been burning non-stop for a while now, it had probably been almost half an hour since I had been here helping her.
The sound of the blazing fire made me think that Luke hadn't come here since we got back earlier, even though I only asked him to inform Vol-san about what happened today.
The same goes for Yuu-chan, Hime said she was helping Vol-san earlier because he needed her help, and she also said that she should have returned sooner.
"So that's how it is, huh? You're right, as long as we haven't gone to the castle directly, we won't know what Queen Matera is like." , said Hime after hearing my explanation.
"But still... I didn't expect you to want the four of us to go to the fox village, do you want to keep us here even longer?"
Hime's question left me speechless, because that was indeed the truth, I also didn't want to stay in this city for too long.
"Ehehe..." , I just chuckled after hearing Hime's question.
"Actually, I already knew about them even before you came to this world. News about them could shake an entire continent..."
"Like you said, they really do have extremely powerful magic abilities, some people even say their power is far more terrifying than elves."
"There are also rumors saying that Abbys and the Chyvera forces are working together, but there's still no solid proof of that."
"At the very least, one thing we do know is that many of the fox people are turned into slaves and auctioned off, just like what the two of you saw today."
If only I hadn't gotten the urge to go there, maybe we could have done something in this city more quickly.
That way, maybe we could make the castle feel threatened, and the people could place their hopes on the four of us and Vol-san's group.
But... I can't pretend not to help them, Hime and Yuu-chan are also chosen heroes, their names could become more well-known if they save more people.
Ah, I'm not doing this because I want them to become famous or anything. I just think that if they are already known across the continent of Nakuso, then we can move more freely.
"I don't mind if we go after things here are settled, but the decision should be yours." , I said while picking up some more papers.
Crap, I completely forgot that I had to keep moving my hands, they stopped because I was thinking too much.
If only things here were finished more quickly, that would also make it easier for us to help the fox people, but...
I've thought about this many times, and we still don't even have a plan, how are we supposed to start this mission?
We also haven't tried contacting the people mentioned by Ratina-san.
If the people she mentioned really can help us eliminate this slavery system, then that would definitely be a huge help.
"Here."
After stamping the papers I picked up, I handed the stamp to Hime who had been waiting for me.
"I also hope for the same thing as you, Yukito-san. To carry out the duty we bear, we must help anyone in need, because that is our responsibility." , Hime replied after taking the stamp from me.
"However, there are a few things we need to consider if we want to go there."
"First, if we really go there, then Vol-san will be alone in this city. There is a possibility that he could be influenced by members of the castle to work on their side given the condition of this group."
"Second, and most importantly..."
Hime suddenly fell silent, she didn't move at all, and her words stopped abruptly.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her lips formed a straight line beneath her nose, Hime was thinking very seriously about something, that's what I could see.
I swallowed, before asking Hime about the most important thing she just mentioned.
"What is it? Don't tell me there's a major problem that's preventing our party from leaving this city?" , I asked.
Hime then answered after letting out a breath, her voice almost sounded like a whisper, but carried a very deep meaning.
"Money."
——
My pupils widened as much as possible when I heard that, I truly couldn't do anything anymore once she said that sacred word.
"AHHHHHHH!!"
I opened my mouth wide before shouting loudly, while gripping my hair tightly with my head lowered.
Again and again! I've been dealing with money problems in the last 24 hours, how long is this going to haunt me?!
Hime was slightly startled when she saw my reaction, she looked a bit scared before continuing her work after blinking a few times.
"What can we do, we're indeed running out of money to go there, even with the money I stored in the Alter box."
"Because of these papers, the money I have is only about... five gold coins—"
"AHHHHHHH!!!"
...
Calm yourself, calm yourself... I can't accept that our party's money is only enough to stay at an inn for a week.
Since coming here, we've spent so much money on various things, and now only five gold coins remain?
"Maybe we can refill our funds by taking quests at the guild, otherwise, we might end up going broke."
"But... once again, it's a matter of time, huh...?"
Seriously, what are we supposed to do now? If we want to do anything, that means we need enough money...
A way to get money quickly... help the fox people, then return to Chyvera and immediately carry out the plan... oh!
My eyes widened once again, I just came up with a new plan that seemed quite promising.
"Hime!"
"W-what is it, Yukito-san? You don't have to shout, I'm right here..."
"My brain just melted into clarity, maybe this will work—no, this will definitely work no matter what happens!" , I said enthusiastically.
——
"I see... so you came up with this idea because you think we can break even? Not bad... we'll discuss this with the other three later." , said Hime after hearing my plan.
Yosh, Hime accepted my suggestion. That means the rest is just hoping they agree to this plan as well—
"Ah right, Yukito-san, do you think that fox girl looked beautiful?"
I wasn't too surprised by the sudden question, but why did Hime suddenly bring that up?
"Eh? Ehmm... if you ask like that, maybe they do look more charming compared to other beast-men I've seen directly."
"But, I think their ears look softer and fluffier compared to cat-type races or others—"
Wait... doesn't this feel like I'm being set up? Somehow it feels like Hime is doing this on purpose to find out what I think about them.
"C-calm down, Hime! I just admire their appearance because they're a rare race, right?"
"Fufufu... sorry, sorry, I didn't expect you to panic that much..."
Instead of being annoyed or thinking I was disgusting, Hime just laughed while trying to hold it in.
"Anyway, let's finish these papers quickly. If we still have time, we'll talk about it tonight. If not, we can do it tomorrow morning." , she said while picking up more papers.
Her reaction left me confused, but whatever. If Hime is fine with it, then it means there's no problem with my answer.
I started thinking about it again... I wonder if I could get one if I save someone...?